Upduck Podcast

Fresh reports are in from all four regions of Wisconsin as the waterfowl season winds down. Tyler breaks down diver numbers on Green Bay, stale mallards in the Northwest, urban-locked birds in the Southeast, and a surprise diver push on the river in the Southwest. Ice, low water, weather swings, and minimal hunting pressure all shaped this week’s migration activity. Tune in for the latest Wisconsi...

Jeff and Matt are running the show while Tyler is home fighting the family stomach bug, and they’re fresh off their second annual central Iowa pheasant hunting road trip. In this episode of the Upduck Podcast, the guys break down two full days of chasing wild roosters on a mix of private and public ground along Highway 20—hot 70-degree November temps, tough scenting conditions, soaked boots, a sur...

Stable weather and steady south winds have stalled the migration, leaving hunters working educated birds and waiting on the next big front. Still, folks are finding success in the right places. Tyler breaks down conditions and bird activity across all four regions of the state in this week’s Migration Report — from divers up north to local mallards still hanging in the south. Check out the followi...

the crew sits down with Josh Kaddatz, Community Coordinator at Sitka Gear’s Vernon Hills store — and a brand-new waterfowl hunter learning the ropes of his first season. Josh shares his journey from firefighting to working in the outdoor industry, how Sitka develops and tests its gear, and what hooked him on duck hunting after his very first wood duck. The guys dive deep into layering systems, col...

The November 10th Migration Report breaks down the latest waterfowl movement across Wisconsin. From Green Bay to Pool 7 on the Mississippi River, new pushes of mallards, divers, and geese are finally showing up after the first big cold front of the season. Hear bird activity updates, hunter conditions, and migration trends across the Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast regions of the st...

Hunting updates from the Upduck crew: timing ducks before a cold front, layout boat bluebills on Green Bay, Minnesota pheasants, public-land pressure, family hunts, decoy talk & duck recipes. Check out the following links for more information and content Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Subscribe on Spotify Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Learn more about your ad choices. V...

From early-season teal and local wood ducks to the arrival of northern mallards, divers, and geese, The Migration Report tracks the pulse of Wisconsin’s waterfowl season. Tune in for insights on migration patterns, weather fronts, and habitat conditions that shape each week’s hunts. Whether you’re setting decoys in the Mississippi River bottoms or glassing a cattail marsh up north, The Migration R...

In this episode, the crew sits down with Kyle Schmidt of Northwoods Taxidermy to talk all things waterfowl, upland hunting, and wildlife conservation. From managing wetlands for wood ducks and mallards in southeastern Wisconsin to insider tips on duck and pheasant taxidermy care, Kyle shares what it takes to keep mounts pristine and properties thriving. Learn about Safari Club International Check...

Warm weather in Saskatchewan made for a slower than expected week last week, and we are all watching for the next front to push in a fresh batch of birds. From early-season teal and local wood ducks to the arrival of northern mallards, divers, and geese, The Migration Report tracks the pulse of Wisconsin’s waterfowl season. Tune in for insights on migration patterns, weather fronts, and habitat co...

In this episode, we sit down with Wisconsin DNR Game Bird Ecologist Taylor Finger for a deep dive into the science, data, and decision-making behind our state’s waterfowl seasons. From how duck season dates are set to the math behind bag limits and banding 10,000 birds a year, Taylor breaks down what really drives season structure — and how public input plays a key role. We also explore the challe...

Warm temps and south winds kept Wisconsin’s waterfowl migration quiet this week, but signs of change are in the air. Cooler temps, northwest winds, and frost in the forecast could finally trigger the next big flight of ducks and geese. From early-season teal and local wood ducks to the arrival of northern mallards, divers, and geese, The Migration Report tracks the pulse of Wisconsin’s waterfowl s...

The crew welcomes back Bob Owens of Lone Duck Outfitters—professional retriever trainer, gundog coach, and passionate grouse hunter. Bob dives deep into training philosophies for retrievers, setters, and pointing dogs, the art of force fetch, and how to transition your hunt test dog into a rock-solid duck dog. He also shares insights from his Wisconsin grouse hunts, discusses steadiness in the bli...

From early-season teal and local wood ducks to the arrival of northern mallards, divers, and geese, The Migration Report tracks the pulse of Wisconsin’s waterfowl season. Tune in for insights on migration patterns, weather fronts, and habitat conditions that shape each week’s hunts. Whether you’re setting decoys in the Mississippi River bottoms or glassing a cattail marsh up north, The Migration R...

Duck season is officially underway, and the Upduck crew breaks down the highs and lows of early-season hunting across Wisconsin. From wood ducks and mallards working tight timber holes to gundogs making their first retrieves, this episode dives into what makes early hunts so unpredictable and exciting. We talk calling strategies, decoy setups, scouting cold fronts, and real-world retriever lessons...

Welcome to The Migration Report, a new weekly segment from the Upduck Podcast focused exclusively on Wisconsin duck hunting and waterfowl migration. Each episode brings firsthand updates from hunters and contributors across the state—covering the Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest regions—to keep you informed on where the birds are flying and how conditions are changing. From early-sea...

Duck season is finally here, and on this week’s episode we’re diving into hunting prep, sleepless nights before opener, and—most importantly—how to keep your gun dogs safe and healthy in the field. With warm temps hitting the Wisconsin duck opener, the crew sits down with Dr. Libbey Schmitt, a veterinary surgeon at WVRC, to talk about working dogs, hunting dogs, and what hunters need to know about...

In this episode of the Upduck Podcast, we sit down with George Parker of Bluebird Waterfowl to talk innovation, duck hunting gear, and how changing the way you use spinning wing decoys can completely transform your hunts. From crumble cookies to steelhead fishing stories, we eventually dive deep into the science of waterfowl behavior, the Animator, and the brand-new floating wings that are shaking...

This duck hunting podcast episode dives into a real, in-the-field case study on retriever steadiness, breaking, and handler discipline. Host Tyler goes “Mattless and Jeff-less” and brings back Aaron Joos of Red Cedar Retrievers (Western Wisconsin) to unpack a quick early-season goose hunt with Nala, his 4.5-year-old Labrador with a Senior Hunter title. We walk through what triggered a break on gee...

We made it—episode 100 of the Upduck Podcast! From Jeff’s pirate costume malfunctions to Matt’s first-ever banded teal, and Tyler’s teal hunt chaos with Wren, this milestone episode is packed with laughs, lookbacks, and plenty of duck hunting stories. We dive into memorable hunts, favorite guests, technical disasters (tornado warnings anyone), and answer listener questions on everything from bucke...

Episode 99 of the Upduck Podcast is all about the highs, lows, and lessons learned as early duck hunting season kicks off. Jeff shares a hard PSA about losing an action camera to the river and a cellular trail cam that mysteriously stopped working on public land. From there, the crew recaps teal opener hunts across Wisconsin—slow flights, pressured marshes, and the importance of quick duck ID when...

Teal and early goose seasons are here! In this Feathered Report, we break down what hunters need to know heading into opener — from the Duck Stamp Modernization Act to North Dakota’s brood survey numbers, new habitat stamps, and even pheasant updates. Quick hits, straight facts, and a dose of preseason excitement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With teal season on the horizon and episode 100 just around the corner, the Upduck crew sits down with Brian Glenzinski, Director of Conservation Programs for Ducks Unlimited’s Great Lakes Initiative. Brian brings a wealth of knowledge on everything from public land access and DU’s wetland restoration efforts to the critical importance of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program in Wisconsin. We dig...

Bruce Ross, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA), joins us just weeks away from retirement to reflect on his years of service and leadership within the waterfowl hunting community. We dive into WWA’s grassroots beginnings, its mission of advocacy, education, and habitat restoration, and how it's grown into one of the premier state-based waterfowl organizations in the cou...

Joe Harris of Blind Spot Outdoors joins the Upduck crew to share the wild journey from explosives to building some of the most in-demand waterfowl blinds in the country. From floating skids and sunken blinds to custom trailer setups with full kitchens (yes, cinnamon rolls included), Joe breaks down the evolution of his business, the passion that fuels it, and why the DIY spirit is alive and well i...

The crew welcomes legendary duck club manager and waterfowl ambassador Rusty Creasey to the show. From growing up a mile from the Coca-Cola Woods to managing it for over two decades, Rusty shares how he turned a family legacy into a personal mission—educating, inspiring, and passing it on. We dive deep into flooded timber hunting, managing duck clubs, moist soil strategies, and the behind-the-scen...