Duck Season Somewhere
Your go-to for exploring authentic duck hunting adventures worldwide. Host Ramsey Russell founded GetDucks.com over 20 years ago, spending most of the year in duck blinds across six continents. He meets with real waterfowl hunters, conservationists, biologists, and storytellers throughout North America and around the globe, sharing a duck hunting world much bigger than our own backyards.
Episodes
EP 702. Mark Your Calendar---DSC Summer Expo July 23-26
Mark your calendars--Dallas Safari Club's Summer Expo and Foundation Gala lands July 23-26 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas, bringing outfitters, gear, hunting stories, conservation, auctions, family events and the broader hunting community under one roof! Dallas Safari Club's Brian Fienhold, tells us all about it, describing event happenings, explaining the bigger conversation behind such
EP 701. From Mud To Mantle: Mason Decoys and Collector Wisdom
Melissa Ridgeway didn't set out to become one of the South's best-known antique decoy dealers. What began as collecting a few decoys for her husband became a 40-plus-year journey through antique decoys, sporting art and hunting collectibles. And the stories she can tell! We discuss Mason decoys, collector favorites, what makes old decoys valuable, what buyers should look for and avoid, and why the
EP 700. The Story Behind the Decoy
Corey Lucas doesn't just create decoys--he creates stories. We talk about the pink-eared travel decoy project, its conservation impact in Australia, the inspiration behind Cedar Run's new Storyteller package and Mason line, and why craftsmanship still matters in today's mass-production world. It's a conversation about hunting, friendship, faith, community, purpose--and leaving something meaningfu
EP 699. Second Chance Flight
Madison Grimm was the youngest artist to win the National Duck Stamp Contest at age 6--and went on to win it 3 times. Her father, Adam, is a 3-time Federal Duck Stamp winner, too, but this father-daughter conversation goes beyond wildlife art. Encouraged by neighboring farmers, Madison founded Second Chance Flight to rescue duck eggs and ducklings during spring operations, later releasing them bac
EP 698. Pig Patrol: Fighting Feral Swine 24/7/365--and Then Some
Wild pig hunting may be great sport, but the grim reality is that feral swine are one of the most destructive biological forces in the American South--and Jody Acosta and team are deep in the frontline trenches fighting them. Constantly. As Delta Wildlife's Nuisance and Invasive Species Program Manager, Acosta is helping landowners combat millions of dollars in agricultural losses. From Delta cult
EP 697. Built in a Duck Blind
Most hunters complain when something doesn't work. Instead, Drew McIntosh started loading shotshells in his garage. And somewhere between garage experiments, ideas around a mysterious-something called "jungle load," trail and error, cocktail napkin sketches, and a stubborn refusal to settle? Migra Ammunition was born. But this episode ain't about ammo. It's about obsession, risk, belief, faith, an
EP 696. Restored Hydrology in the Delta
Delta native, lifelong duck hunter and longtime engineer Bill Sheppard discuses what "restored hydrology" really means in modern times. From original floodplain landscapes to early Wetland Reserve Program projects, we discuss wetland designs over time, how water moves, functions and changes across a heavily altered landscape, engineered wetlands versus ephemeral rain-driven water, challenges of lo
EP 695. Chasing Slams and Something Way Bigger
Purple Heart recipient, world turkey slam hunter, waterfowl 41 completer, hunting guide, father coach, and founder of Ultimate Veteran Adventures--Joe Wesner has already packed a lot into a single lifetime. But somewhere between overseas deployments and chasing ducks across the US, his mission changed. Joe talks about service, hunting, recovery, family, and why helping veterans reconnect outdoors
EP 694. Duck Habitat Then and Now
Most of us duck hunters look at water on today's landscape and think we're looking at duck habitat. But Dr. Kurt Getsinger knows better. Shooting ringnecks defined his boyhood--and lead him to a lifetime studying what's happening beneath the water's surface. Remembering Mississippi Delta hunters, water, and especially the mallards before large-scale reforestation changed the landscape, Getsinger d
EP 693. Eiders, Ice, and the Edge of the World
Scott Gilliland has spent his lifetime studying common eiders, visiting some of the harshest and most remote environments on earth, but this conversation goes way, way beyond this beautiful sea duck species. From Arctic field camps and sea ice to Inuit communities that have coexisted with eiders for generations, Gilliland shares stories of adventure, isolation, survival, and a remote northern worl
EP 692. Where Are Deep South Ducks: Gone or Displaced?
Every duck hunter in the Deep South is asking the same question: where are the mallards--heck, where are the ducks? Mississippi State waterfowl researcher James Calicut joins me for a grounded, honest conversation about what seems to be happening across the Lower Mississippi Valley. We discuss weather, habitat change, agriculture, hunting pressure, habitat loss and what hunters are seeing from the
EP 691. A New Hardwood Plantation Landscape--Restored Benefits?
Pursuant to crop retirement programs, over a million acres marginal, flood-prone sites have been restored to mostly even-aged hardwood plantation the Arkansas-Louisiana-Mississippi delta, but what are the benefits and near-term tradeoffs? Dr. Brian Davis discusses new graduate research examining Wetland Reserve Easements and what they're doing well--improving water quality, supporting biodiversity
EP 690. Takeaways From a Life in Wild Places: A Sportsman's Journey
Donald Jackson has spent a lifetime in wild places--as a hunter, outdoorsman, US-Marine-turned-Peace-Corps volunteer, fisheries biologist, conservationist, writer. But this conversation cuts way-to-the-bone-deeper than biography. It's about memory, meaning, loss, conservation, faith, and the meaningful things the outdoors teaches us over a lifetime--if we're paying attention. Listening. An amazing
EP 689. Black-bellied Whistlers: Built for the World We've Created?
Black-bellied whistling ducks are expanding fast--and they're not acting like traditional ducks. Anything but. Waterfowl scientist Kevin Ringleman explains why these adaptable birds thrive in modern, man-altered landscapes while other species struggle. From agriculture and habitat shifts to behavior, movement, and nesting ecology, this conversation explores what black-bellieds may reveal about the
EP 688. Double Wide Now Slings Crawfish, Boiled Peanuts
Teddy "Double Wide" McRainey makes his living seasonally slinging crawfish and boiled peanuts in Mississippi--to include a couple top-selling flavors a life-long Mississippi boiled peanut fan like myself had never imagined. Having eaten more crawfish in an 8-minute contest down in New Orleans than most people could--or would--consume in a weekend, he's also training for Guiness Book of World Recor
EP 687. Remember Why You Started
Located on the town square in small-town Raymond, Mississippi, you'd think you'd stumbled into a meticulous museum when walking into Raggio Custom Calls shop. Except that call maker Josh Raggio is wearing a sawdust-powdered work apron, bent over a sizable, project-covered work bench, carefully considering an especially sentimental undertaking. A sign over his lathe reads, "Remember Why You Starte
EP 686. Worthy--From Duck Blind to Real Life
Most people know DJ Horton is a Senior Pastor near Spartanburg, South Carolina, and hosts From the Pulpit to the Pickup podcast. And he hunts--deer, ducks, squirrels, rabbits and especially turkeys. We talk first hunts, early mornings, and the kinds of lessons learned only while patiently sitting still long enough. Somewhere along the way, the conversation turns to the gap between what a man says
EP 685. Father-Son Mexico Gould's Turkey Hunt
Fresh back from an epic Gould's turkey hunt with oldest son, Forrest--and no idea where he got the turkey hunting fever, not from his Dad, that's for sure--and we recount our time together high in the Sierra Madres, one of the most beautiful parts of Mexico encountered. We talk about the people, food, environment, those huge Gould's turkeys, of course, and Forrest teaches ol' Dad a couple things
EP 684. The Brand You Didn't Know You Built Until It Was Gone
Most hunters are building a brand...and don't realize it until it's too late. Names get taken. Products get copied. Partnerships fall apart. IP attorney and Oklahoma duck hunter Jansen Rigney, at Black Dog Law Intellectual Property, has seen it all. He shares real stories from the outdoor industry, mistakes that cost people everything--and what to do if you've got the next million dollar idea.
EP 683. Cut 'Em on the First Pass
Meet John Jones--a die-hard Louisiana public land duck hunter who gets after them full-throttle. Or did. A few years ago, while hunting solo in the legendary Shoveler Shack--a 20-foot-high-in-a-cypress-tree blind built for all-day grinds--John suffered a massive stroke. And miraculously lived to tell about it. But there's more to the story. You have to hear it to believe it. It's big boy talk--the
EP 682. Waterfowl Habitat Management: Stop Managing for Dirt
Most folks think they're managing for ducks. Kevin Nelms says: maybe they're not. Disking too early, spraying the wrong plants, chasing "clean fields"--it all adds up to less duck food. In this 11th installment of an ongoing Waterfowl Habitat Management series (see links below), Nelms breaks down what actually matters: timing, plant ecology, and understanding the system instead of fighting it. Cu
EP 681. A Black Duck Revival
Jonathan Wilkins was introduced to hunting while in college--and makes a compelling case for the advantages of starting later rather than earlier. From waterfowl to turkeys, alligators to black bears, church-turned-Arkansas-camphouse to multi-state roadtrips, his approach to hunting--and life--is creative, honest, unfiltered. And definitely worth hearing. Connect at Black Duck Revival https://w
EP 680. The Real Costs of Pulling the Trigger
Hearing loss might be the most ignored problem in waterfowl hunting--because you don't notice until it's too late. But a single shot or three aint that bad, huh? Dr. Grace Sturdivant of OtoPro grew up around the same guns and traditions most of us did. Now as an audiologist, she seeing firsthand what unprotected shooting actually does. She explains how damage happens each time you pull the trigge
EP 679. Looking Past the Trees in Ark-La-Miss Delta
Millions of low-lying acres within the Arkansas-Louisiana-Mississippi Delta have been cleared, farmed, and reforested--all within a couple generations. Most happened within my lifetime, truth be told. Retired forester Mike Oliver and I met at ground zero back in the day. He joins me to reflect on the intent behind large-scale reforestation efforts, the programs and partners that delivered it, and
EP 678. The Quiet Before the Wings in Nayarit, Mexico
Dusty roads, endless grain fields, and a quiet stretch of Pacific estuary--real Mexico, where life moves slower and the hunting hits fast. One minute it's still and shimmering with winter warmth...the next, ducks pouring suddenly into your lap; doves streaking overhead. Between flights: hand-squeezed margaritas, authentic local fare, and stories shared, friendships forged, within deep shade. Toda
EP 677. Long Island Traditions
Located in the cradle of North America's waterfowling, the Great South Bay didn't just produce hunters. It produced traditions. Steven Jay Sanford grew up in the heart of Long Island's waterfowl hunting culture, where low-slung gunning boats, hand-carved decoys and words like "shovin' oar" still mean something. Carrying forward a way of life shaped by tide, wind, and the salty men that worked--and
EP 676. Mazatlan Duck Hunting in a Mexican Minute
In Mexico, a minute isn't 60 seconds. It's a mindset. Especially during the Mazatlan "Honeymoon Duck Hunt." Sitting down around a lively swimming pool with happy hunters and smiling wives, we talk about their experiences between rounds of salted-rim margaritas, ice cold cervezas, various chips and dips--fantastic shooting, better company, and a pace of life that feels a whole lot different than h
EP 675. Create The X
Most duck hunters chase birds. Justin Reif decoded to attract them with habitat. Like a lot of landowners, he hit the wall--bad advice, costly mistakes--both in terms of money and lackluster duck appeal--and no clear system for managing waterfowl habitat that actually worked, that ensured continuity. So he built one. Create the X App. This conversation ain't about app technology either. We get int
EP 674. The Big Picture--Tackling Conservation on Capital Hill
Hang on, folks! Boots-on-the-ground, day-to-day working on Capital Hill is a fast-paced, action-packed grind and Gabriella Huffman comes in blazing hot on this one! She unpacks lots of need-to-know topics to look out for in the world of conservation and hunting--the kinds of stuff that ain't being talked about on corporate media channels, like data centers, democrat versus republican, ethanol corn
EP 673. Reelfoot Lake Tennessee Duck Hunter
Caleb Dunn was born and raised on the banks of famous Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee, and duck hunting there are among his earliest memories. We discuss Reelfoot Lake duck hunting, local traditions, how they've shaped his approach to duck hunting all the way into Alberta, where he guides for Ranchland Outfitters. Visit the Legendary Brands That Make MOJO's Duck Season Somewhere Podcast Possible: MOJO
EP 672. Keeping the Peace Within
Law enforcement officers and first responders run towards the worse day in someone else's life. Most of us only see the flashing lights. We don't see what they carry home. Veteran officer Clint Hatch pulls back the curtain of the realities of policing --the calls you can't forget, the pressure first responders quietly carry, the breaking point and the moment faith becomes more than background nois
EP 671. Dead Ducks, Bird Flu, and What Hunters Need to Know
A duck die-off in southern Arkansas brought Dr. Lisa Kercher from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital roaring into camp in her 4-wheel-drive mobile lab the very next morning. We talk about how scientists investigate waterfowl die-offs, what H5N1 means for wild ducks and geese, how influenza spreads among waterfowl and flyways, and the real risks to hunters and our beloved retrievers. A straight
EP 670. Closer Than Most Hunters Dare
Angie Kokes hunts closer than most hunters dare--sometimes within feet. In today's conversation, she shares the discipline behind spear hunting--and how she got started hunting so close she can literally reach out and touch critters--the criticism that comes with it, and the conviction that keeps her moving forward. What begins as a chance encounter in an Newark airport--with me walking around a b
EP 669. Texas Waterfowl History: Stories, Lessons That Stuck (Part 2)
In Part 2, Texas historian Robert Sawyer recalls the characters, hunts, heartbreaks, humor and human moments that defined Texas waterfowl hunting's old guard. We did into a changing world, forgotten migrations, friendships forged in blinds, and lessons that modern hunters may be in danger of losing. Some stories made the books. Others didn't. All of them remind us that waterfowling has forever mor
EP 668. Remembering the REAL Alamo
March 5, 1836, Night is falling. Inside the Alamo, fewer than 200 men wait behind adobe walls. They're surrounded by thousands of enemy forces. What were they thinking? What did it sound like in those final hours? Andrew Minter is one of the most compelling tour guides I've ever met--a man who doesn't just recite history, he walks you into it. Stripping away the Hollywood veneer, we stand in fron
EP 667. Texas Waterfowl History: Finding the Voices (Part 1)
Texas waterfowl history doesn't live in regulations or record books--it exists among old timers sitting in kitchens, truck seats, coffee shops and duck blinds. In Part 1 of this 2-part series, historian Rob Sawyer shares how he tracked down the been-there-done-that yesteryear hunters who shaped Texas duck hunting and convinced them to tell their stories before they were lost. Long pauses and occas
EP 665. 3-Peat World Goose Champion
Three-peat World Goose Calling Champion John Walls is locked up in today's conversation, going well beyond stage routines and trophies. Tracing his path from boyhood hunts to mentor to the contest spotlight, he breaks down the real differences between competition calling and hunting live geese. Pressure and restraint in the goose pit, one-goose limits, success defined, what modern hunters risk los
EP 664. The Manhattan Project of Waterfowl
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan--a continent-wide, multidisciplinary, science-based partnership--is the envy of the world. But are key elements silently eroding? Are there future assurances? Jim Sedinger, Rick Kaminski, and Dan Connelly introduce concept for the North American Waterfowl Science Center and explain why it exists: to rebuild expertise, coordinate continental research, me
EP 663. Wading into The Corn Maze
Slower-than-hoped for duck seasons make for tough post-season social media discussions among duck hunters. Some says it's flooded corn further north of them. Others say there's other death-by-a-thousand-cut reasons. And since it's sometimes hard--and exhausting-- to make sense of my-way-or-the-highway arguing online, why not let listeners hear varied perspectives? Decide for themselves. Everyone w
EP 662. Lac Calebasse, Louisiana: Birthplace Bayou Beast Calls
Lazy S-ing like a fat cottonmouth through low-lying country, Lac Calebasse's drought-induced water levels were so low during a recent duck hunt that fluted cypress butts shined like stark naked old ladies when Dale Bordelon's spotlight beams shined on them and our way to the duck blind, the prop chopping coon-tail most and churning mud the entire time. It was right here that Bayou Beast Calls orig
EP 661. Corn Thoughts
Adding water to corn--and other hot crops--has been around awhile, but has recently caused a stir. Some say it's short-stopping ducks. Especially mallards. Others say it's among countless changes both good and bad that have redistributed waterfowl in the Mississippi flyway. At least in recent years. Tony Vandemore, Ira McCauley and Justin Martin weigh in. In no particular order we discuss hot-crop
EP 660. SpeckOps to the Moon
Mid-January and the past 4 days have been a blur of parched South Texas earth, mesquite and prickly pear teeming with dirt-tank ducks--to include a couple special bands--sandhill cranes, mourning doves, white-tailed deer, good eats and good times around campfire. Wrapping up a couples-trip, SpeckOps's Luke Bledsoe and I kick back at the 501 Ranch to catch up about everything--and it's a bunch--th
EP 659. "Father of Flyway Biologists" Remembered By Daughter
John Lynch devoted his life to understanding birds, flyways, and fragile wetland habitats--work that shaped modern waterfowl conservation, earning him recognition as the "father of flyway biologists." But to his daughter, today's guest Mary Courville, he was simply Dad. Mrs. Courville shares the man behind the legend--field stories, family memories, and the quiet values that guided his life and wo
EP 658. Experiencing Cajun Hospitality with Big John Hebert
Ducks. Food. Hunting. More food. Friendships. Family. Traditions. And open doors. That's what cajun hospitality is all about. Big John Hebert and I wrap a 3- or 4-day duck hunting tour of his homeland with a conversation covering all of it---the local lay of the land, a never quit mentality but why marsh hunting is a young man's game, the perfect gumbo trio to include his dad's famous "grassy gumb
EP 657. When--And Maybe Why--Louisiana "Usedta" (Used To)
Following a great morning duck hunt among ancient cypress--and post-hunt hoghead cheese, boudin and oyster poboys on the tailgate--Big John Hebert and I join friends Chester Begnaud, Paul Begnaud and Mike Clay at a floating camp house in Henderson Swamp. With over 125 years worth of Louisiana duck hunting under their belt, topics include past times, memorable local hunters, changes since Louisiana
EP 656. From Duck Stamp to Scripture: The Bible Explained
Her recent Federal Duck Stamp entry sparked this conversation with Jenn Kokal, host of The Bible Explained podcast. We trace her path from wildlife art and stewardship--to include her thoughts about hunting--to Scripture, a life calling, and a daily podcast that's changing how people engage God's Word--by listening. This episode's about faith, obedience, creation, how God often connects the dots l
EP 655. Making Sense of Duck Migrations--and Migrational Myths
Has duck migration stopped making sense--or has it just stopped matching our assumptions? Dr. Bradley Cohen returns to break down what the latest-greatest GPS data, field observations and long-term research reveals about migrational timing, pre- and post-winter equinox movement, hunting pressure, planted food sources, sanctuary, and shifting waterfowl distribution. We dig deep into what hunters ma
EP 654. Advanced Impact: How and Why Benelli Built the SBE3 A.I.
So many of y'all requested this conversation that we crafted an entire episode around Advanced Impact and SBE3 A.I. with Benelli's Brett Maffett! From missed birds to measurable gains, Benelli's Advanced Impact system builds on prior successes of the popular Super Black Eagle platform, and was engineered to solve real problems faced by us waterfowlers. Topics include: inertia versus gas-operated
EP 653. Driven Shoots: Guns, Grace and the English Way
While passing through London enroute to the hallowed Holkham Estate--where driven shooting is said to have originated way back when--I visited the shop of Fredrick Beesley on Kings Road, established 1879, to get properly sorted. And Bradley Davis does just that. What's all the fuss about "bespoke" English shotguns, what makes English shotguns different, and why do they use two-shooters across the
EP 652. duckDNA: What We've Learned--and What Comes Next
Thousands of hunter-provided samples. Real genetic answers. duckDNA is changing what we know about ducks. Dr. Mike Brasher and Dr. Phil Lavretsky break down what the project has revealed so far--hybridization trends, surprising genetic patterns, hunter participation, and where this groundbreaking, hunter-powered research is headed next! ****** More info: duckDNA.com https://www.duckdna.com *****
EP 651. Restoring America's Waterfowl Refuges
America's national wildlife refuges face a growing infrastructure crisis--ducks and hunters are suffering the consequences. Delta Waterfowl's John Devney and Jason Tharp reveal a bold new plan; break down why aging water systems along with underinvestments and staffing decreases limit habitat performance and waterfowl utilization--and why it matters. What will it take to restore federal refuges to
EP 650. From the Quack Shack, Arkansas
With bellies full from eating 4th-generation Brunswick stew--it's a secret recipe cooked in batch sizes that'll nourish sizable zip codes--longtime duck hunter and call-maker David Gaston slides across the table to tune calls and tell stories. And always, boy does he have them: camp origins and history, memorable leg band stories, "no shoot da' ringneck," hunting in the good old days, converting f
EP 649. All Give, No Take: Changing Arkansas Public Land & Beyond
The Public Timber Project's shut-up-and-show-up attitude for taking personal responsibility of Arkansas public land--and now across state lines--is contagiously growing. Because it resonates among hunters and managers. Lifelong public land hunters themselves, Ich Stewart, Blakely Cobb and Jeremy Brown discuss what drew each of them to TPTP and more: the history and inevitable changes of duck hunti
EP 648. McKinney Run: Marsh Duck Hunting--and Living--in Louisiana
After some action-packed duck hunting with buddy Jay Prather--because it's pure full-steam-ahead, pedal-to-the-metal adventure anytime he's around--we kick back at his camp to talk about the Louisiana duck hunting, why the marsh is in such excellent shape this season, controlling giant salvania, the vanishing paradise, viral instagram posts, more. But the name McKinney kept resurfacing. This camp
EP 647. Faith at Float Road Duck Camp, Arkansas
DO NOT listen to this episode unless you can handle big boy topics. While chasing ducks on Arkansas public lands, Jeremy Brown and I huddle for a pre-meal discussion, covering everything from bacon grease to hand-made custom duck straps to conversations enjoyed while hunting ducks together in Arkansas--because where better to talk about the most things in life? And then the conversation took a tur
EP 646. Willamette Valley Waterfowling Traditions, Habitat, Conservation
After pouring post-hunt cups of hot coffee, Western Oregon Ducks Unlimited Biologist and lifelong Willamette Valley hunter, Kelly Warren, provides an insightful, been-there-done-that tour of Oregon duck hunting traditions and ongoing conservation sustaining them. Explaining how his grandfather's duck-blind lessons ignited his interests, he talks about what Alaska banding seasons taught him about w
EP 645. Wild Ride Down Oregon's Columbia River a Huge Adventure
Hang on, boys and girls--here's a fast-moving, story-rich conversation about chasing ducks on Oregon's amazing Columbia River with a couple diver diehards--retired Migratory Bird Chief Brad Bortner and decoy carver Pat Gregory--and long-time Oregonian outdoor writer M.D. Johnson. The Columbia River shapes everything about duck hunting coastal Oregon--weather, water, ducks and even the people chasi
EP 644. Waterfowl Hunting Gear Reimagined: Staying Warm, Dry Like Never Before
Sitka doesn't just make camo gear--they've pioneered a system for staying dry, warm and hidden when ducks do duck things in ducky weather. John Smolke traces the trail from his hunting roots to the leading edge of waterfowl innovation at Sitka Gear, unpacking optifade camo origins, why-and how skin-to-surface systems work, then plunges chest deep into the new Delta VentLite GTX Zip waders--how th
EP 643 How-To: Protect and Enhance Your Hearing While Duck Hunting
Protect--and enhance--your hearing while duck hunting without breaking the bank. HUH?! Hearing-technology insider Wes Christ, of SoundGear, grew up duck hunting in Minnesota; talks about the real damage shotgunning causes, the early warning signs most hunters miss, and why "toughing it out" costs you way more than you think. Wes breaks down SoundGear's Instant Fit, Custom Fit, and Phantom models--
EP 642. Dex the Wonder Dog
Y'all've probably heard the same thing: "If you're lucky, you get one really good dog in your life." It's true. There'll probably be a standout among all the rest. Such was Dexter to pro retriever trainer Curtis Lindsay. Y'all ain't going to believe this story. You've got to hear it to believe it. Curtis talks about traits that matter most, what you can train, what can't be trained, and how our be
EP 641. Currituck County Cadences and Traditions
Currituck County, North Carolina shaped Chandler Sawyer long before he followed his family's tradition of shaping wooden blocks into trational decoys. Growing up in the cadence of tide, wind, and waterfowl flights, his is an 11-generation story rooted in Currituck traditions to include an old-time carver named Bob Morse. Now the director of the Currituck Maritime Museum, Chandler explains why Curr
EP 640. Paddling Pirogues Deep Louisiana's Past---and Present
Our 6-part Acadiana roadtrip concludes on a bayou bank, the waft of chicken-wing smoke, fresh sawdust and wood varnishes lingering in humid air: 2 men, 2 crafts, 1 disappearing way of life. Keith Dupuy brings ancient Louisiana pirogues and dug outs back from the brink--painstakingly restoring ancient boats that once transported hunters, trappers and families throughout Louisiana's ancient marshlan
EP 639. Scotland Goose Hunting on Windswept Orkney's Wild Edge
Ancient history, agricultural lifestyle and wild geese collide on a windswept island in the North Sea. Born and raised further south, in England, it was wild geese in this relatively wild, remote place that pulled Nick, and later Alex, northward. In back-to-back conversations, they paint Orkney as it really is, talking heritage, family ties, life-shaping wild fowling traditions, and how geese rewi
SPECIAL: Treasures from the Vault: Ducks, Decoys, More Than Ever!!!
Each year, Ducks Unlimited cracks open its vault--and inside sits a treasure of waterfowling history: rare prints, hard-to-find firearms, vintage decoys, and one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and lots more! David Schuessler returns for an annual DU Into the Vault visit to talk about its origins, priceless pieces that surfaced this year, and how every bid keeps ducks flying and wetlands alive. We swap hun
EP 638. Born on Bayou Music, Keeping Cajun Culture Alive
We're roadtripping through Acadiana, exploring Louisiana's Cajun heartland, where French-Acadian roots, gumbo--and today's bayou rhythms--simmer together into one of America's most distinctive cultures. Cajun Musician Jourdan Thibodeax grew up on the muddy banks of Cypress Island, Louisiana, where French, fiddle and bayou life melded together like the holy trinity in a gumbo pot. He talks about g
EP 637. The Scotland Goose Hunt That Was Way More
The wind is howling off the North Sea, pelting the island village with rain--same as it has all week, and for most of the year. Inside, we comfortably huddle to talk Scotland goose hunting. From wild gray geese descending over stubbled fields to peat-smoked whiskey tours, dramatic coastlines, ancient stones, and hearty foods that taste of sea and soil, this exploratory couples' adventure was way m
EP 636. Lunch at Suire's Grocery
We're roadtripping through Acadiana, exploring Louisiana's Cajun heartland, where French-Acadian roots, gumbo and bayou rhythms simmer together into one of America's most distinctive cultures--and it's lunchtime. In Kaplan, Louisiana. Where the humble, roadside Suire's Grocery has become a cultural landmark. What began as a small family grocery has become a temple of cajun cooking, where old-world
EP 635. Hunting Monster Gators in the Atchafalaya Basin
We're still exploring Louisiana's Cajun heartland, where French-Acadian roots, gumbo and bayou rhythms simmer together into one of America's most distinctive cultures. Today, we bail off into the Atchafalaya Basin with Scott Lagrange and Ernie Calis of Cajun Outfitters, who share what genuine bayou living really means--from their specialty of hunting and cooking monster gators to preserving Cajun
EP 634: Ode to Olde Thyme Po'boys
We're roadtripping through Acadiana--exploring Louisiana's Cajun heartland, where French-Acadian roots, gumbo and bayou rhythms simmer together into one of America's most distinctive cultures. And as we learn today, Po'boys aren't just lunch. They're like love letters to Louisiana itself. At the Olde Tyme Grocery in Lafayette--where we enjoyed the hands-down very best oyster po'boy I've ever had-
EP 633. From Sidelines to Swamplands
Annie Johnson stays busy--nurse, realtor, traveler, foodie, former NFL cheerleader. She shares how here grandfather sparked her love of hunting and how the outdoors continues to shape her life and identity. Visit the Legendary Brands That Make MOJO's Duck Season Somewhere Podcast Possible: MOJO Outdoors Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Benelli Shotguns Bow and Arrow Outdoors Ducks Unlimi
EP 632. Largest Shippers of Frogs in World and More
We're roadtripping through Acadiana--exploring Louisiana's Cajun heartland, where French-Acadian roots, gumbo and bayou rhythms simmer together into one of America's most distinctive cultures. Today, historian William Thibodeaux meets Dale Bordelon and me at the City of Rayne Cultural Center to talk about Louisiana's origins, Rayne's claim as Frog Capital of the World, market hunter Pie Champagne,
EP 631. From Mudflats to Mallards: A Fresh Perspective
Ecologist Jason Hoesksema of Delta Wind Birds offers a fresh, think-outside-the-box perspective on waterfowl habitat management in agricultural settings, connecting shorebirds to better duck hunting--why early "pop-up" flooding on harvested fields pulls birds fast, reduces runoff, helps farmers, and sets the table for wintering waterfowl. Real-world habitat tells: timing, field types, and small la
EP 630. A Purpose Driven Life for Waterfowl (2/2)
PART 2/2. Nevada may be the driest state in the Union, but Norman "Norm" Saake has spent a half century--and then some--turning dust bowls into duck country. In this episode, longtime NDOW waterfowl coordinator shares origin stories from the marsh, lessons from thousands of aerial surveys and federal wing bees, and hard-won insights on restoring desert wetlands like Toulon Lake and managing key P
EP 629. Go-Devil Boats Revisited
Back by popular demand, Go-Devil Boats' Warren Coco is back and--hang on, boys and girls--ripping full throttle through yesteryear Louisiana swamps like a man on the mission! Digging through old photos spanning a half century reminded him of some never-before-heard stories told like only Coco knows how! Visit the Legendary Brands That Make MOJO's Duck Season Somewhere Podcast Possible: MOJO O
EP 628. A Purpose Driven Life for Waterfowl (Part 1/2)
PART 1/2. Nevada may be the driest state in the Union, but Norman "Norm" Saake has spent a half century--and then some--turning dust bowls into duck country. In this episode, longtime NDOW waterfowl coordinator shares origin stories from the marsh, lessons from thousands of aerial surveys and federal wing bees, and hard-won insights on restoring desert wetlands like Toulon Lake and managing key P
EP. 627. Dirty Duck Coffee Living the American Dream
Most duck hunters live off coffee--it's as natural as breathing. Jay Peterson and Buck Heath built a brand around it. They share how a couple hunting buddies turned an early morning ritual into a Dirty Duck Coffee lifestyle brand. From first ducks shot and mentors to the first roasts they sold, they spin stories of duck camp culture, campfires, how their blends have become part of the hunt itself,
EP 626. End of an Era: Coastal Texas Snow Goose Hunting (3/3)
PART 3. THE FALL. In a single, recent American generation, Coastal Texas snow goose hunting went from boom to bust--from a fabled hunting experience that drew hunters from around the world to a soon-to-be storied history book chapter. This 3-part series explores the rise and fall of snow goose hunting on the Katy Prairie--its boom, culture, decline, and lasting legacy. Legendary Texas outfitter L
EP 625. Where Simplicity Meets Results: Shotgun Patterning
Early mornings. Long rides. Hard scouting. Greasy meals. High fuel costs. Wet. Cold, wind, sleet. Else too hot. But when it all comes together? Waterfowl give it up, presenting themselves right over the decoys. But if your shotgun's not patterning right, you're probably missing more than you should! "It's where simplicity meets results," explains Pattern Pros' Ryan Burnett. We blast down range, c
EP 624. End of an Era: Coastal Texas Snow Goose Hunting (Part 2/3)
PART 2/3 BOOM YEARS. In a single, recent American generation, Coastal Texas snow goose hunting went from boom to bust--from a fabled hunting experience that drew hunters from around the world to a soon-to-be chapter in history. This 3-part series explores the rise and fall of snow goose hunting on the Katy Prairie--its boom, culture, decline, and lasting legacy. Legendary Texas outfitter Larry Gor
EP 623. Real Memphis Barbecue Culture
Memphis barbecue? Beyond the smoke, rubs, sauce, and off-in-the-distance blues music there's craft. Culture. The kind of stories you get only if you ask the right person. Someone like Ernie Mellor--Hog Wild BBQ pitmaster and inventor of barbecue nachos. Mellor takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the real Memphis barbecue scene, peeling back the bark to reveal the people, places, art, inspirati
