Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Dr. Fritz Reid, DU’s director of Boreal and Arctic conservation, provides the DU Podcast with an unplanned and optimistic update on habitat conditions and population reports from the boreal forest and Alaska. In welcome contrast to the prairies, anecdotal reports suggest large number of ducks and excellent wetland conditions across these massive landscapes, which may boost production of boreal-nesting species such as greenwings, ringnecks, wigeon, among others. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Winding down the summer season, the DU Podcast reconnects with Dr. Scott Stephens, DU Canada director of regional operations for the prairies and boreal, for a late summer update on habitat conditions and expectations for fall hunting. Dr. Stephens also responds to a listener’s question about why breeding wetlands aren’t intensively managed similarly to what occurs for migrating and wintering birds. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Kayle Browning, first-time Olympic trap shooter, joins the Ducks Unlimited Podcast to talk about her path to earning her spot on Team USA, as well as her excitement for the upcoming Olympic Games. Browning, a well-accomplished shooter on the world stages, is also an avid duck hunter who grew up hunting Arkansas’ storied, flooded timber habitats with her family. Hear how she is preparing for her upcoming trip to Tokyo, and all that entails being a member of Team USA. Please subscribe, rate,...

Dr. Jennell Appel, DVM, CCRT with SPORTVET Canine Rehab & Sports Medicine, joins the DU Podcast to talk with host Chris Jennings about ways to avoid commons injuries in sporting dogs. Dr. Appel explains how to avoid these injuries, but also goes into detail about how to properly rehabilitate your retriever. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions.

Curious about field trials and hunt tests? Karl Gunzer, director of the Sporting Dog Group for Purina Pro Plan, joins the show discuss his decades of experience with field trial training and competing. Gunzer shares his personal experiences and advice for those interested in getting started. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

2021 marked the first year in which Manitoba offered a spring conservation season for overabundant resident Canada geese. Join us in the episode as we speak with Frank Baldwin, waterfowl biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, to learn about the season, why it was deemed necessary, what science was used to inform it, how it avoids harvest of non-target populations, and whether non-resident hunters can participate. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

For the second consecutive year, the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey has been cancelled. Dr. Ken Richkus, chief of the USFWS Division of Migratory Bird Management, describes how the situation and decisions unfolded in 2021, including initial optimism and advanced planning that ultimately had to be shelved. How will this affect harvest regs, what other methods were considered, and what is the plan going forward? We answer these questions and more on the DU Podcast....

Dr. Steve Adair, DU chief scientist, joins the DU Podcast to talk about how DU uses science to make conservation decisions and to share some updates on some research. Adair and host Chris Jennings talk about DU’s Ecosystem Services programs and how wetlands benefit more than just waterfowl. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Although severe drought has gripped the U.S. and Canadian prairies over the past year, recent rains are providing welcome relief. How much rain, how widespread, and was it too late to benefit duck production in 2021 are relevant questions of the day. On this episode, Pat Kehoe, DU Canada’s director of international partnerships, shares his observations based on a recent trip across the Canadian prairies. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email...

Founder of Gunner Kennels, Addison Edmonds, joins host Chris Jennings to talk about Gunner Kennels. Edmonds shares the emotional story of how Gunner Kennels got its name and the loss of hunting partner. All dog owners can relate to the passion that drives Edmonds to create the safest kennels on the market. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Mike Szymanski, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, joins the DU Podcast to discuss the results of his agency’s 2021 Breeding Duck Survey. Highlights include a record 80% year-over-year decline in pond counts and a nearly 50% decline in the number of mallards settling in North Dakota. How widespread is the drought, what are its implications for waterfowl and hunters, and have the recent rains provided any relief? Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast...

Frank Baldwin, waterfowl biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, shares insights regarding challenges and complications in Canada that contributed to the cancellation of the 2021 BPOP and Habitat Survey, along with other waterfowl field work. Host Dr. Mike Brasher and Baldwin discuss implications for harvest regulations and population management, while also exploring habitat conditions and the latest update on the border closure. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and...

John Pollmann, Ducks Unlimited magazine freelance contributor, joins the show to talk about some off-season projects for waterfowl hunters. Summer can seem like it lasts forever, but there’s plenty to do. Pollmann discusses several things he does during the off season, but also provides an update on South Dakota habitat conditions. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or...

Dr. Mike Anderson, aka Dr. Canvasback, joins the DU Podcast to provide field-based insights on wetland conditions in the heart of the canvasback breeding region – Minnedosa, Manitoba. Poor wetland conditions are the rule this year, with ample evidence of delayed or forgone breeding by numerous species. We also sidetrack for a brief discussion of ground-nesting vs. overwater-nesting habits of different duck species. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast...

Mike Stewart, owner of Wildrose Kennels hops on the DU Podcast to discuss common corrections for your retriever with hose Chris Jennings. Stewart explains that there are several very common mistakes retrievers begin to make after a long duck season and the spring and summer is the best time to correct these mistakes. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Bill Buckley, professional freelance photographer and Ducks Unlimited magazine columnist joins the DU Podcast to talk about ways people can improve their photography. Pretty much everyone with a camera is now a content creator, but professionals like Buckley still manage to rise to the top when it comes to hunting images. He offers some examples of how to make easy adjustments to improve the quality of your hunting images. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU...

Field Hudnall, co-owner of Field Proven Calls and World Goose Calling Champion joins the show to talk with Chris Jennings about all-thing calling, hunting, kids in the field, and YETI Products. The pair discuss competition goose calling and how he got his start in the industry. Hudnall also serves as a YETI Ambassador in the Hunting category and shares some of his favorite products. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org...

Mike Stewart, owner of Wildrose Kennels, joins host Chris Jennings to share some of his best tips for traveling with your retriever. The two discuss safety concerns, health tips, and some of the most important things to avoid when taking your retriever on the road. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or questions. www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

DU CEO Adam Putnam joins the DU Podcast to talk with host Chris Jennings about DU’s transition to in-person events in many areas and the excitement that provides within the organization. Putnam also shares insights to how DU exceeded the conservation mission in the past year, along with upcoming events everyone needs to add to their calendar. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or...

T. Edward Nickens, Ducks Unlimited magazine contributing editor, joins Chris Jennings to discuss Nickens’ new book, “The Last Wild Road: Adventures and Essays from a Sporting Life” among many other topics. Nickens brings a lifetime of outdoor writing experience to the show and shares some of his adventures with the DU Podcast. Please subscribe, rate, and review the DU Podcast and contact the DU Podcast via email at DUPodcast@ducks.org with recommendations or...