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In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, I'm taking a look at the first quarter of my 2026 duck season, sharing my personal hunting statistics, and comparing them with the numbers being recorded by hunters across North America. We've now logged 578 hunts in the North American Waterfowler App, and some of the numbers are pretty interesting, especially when it comes to hunter pressure. Is public land really as overcrowded as everyone says it is? I also discuss the frustratingly warm October weather, the lack of cold fronts, and when we can finally expect mosquitoes to disappear. Plus, I share a story from this weekend's Josh Garrels concert in Lawrence, Kansas, and how I first discovered his music. Finally, I get into five ethical considerations every public land duck hunter should think about. From overcrowding and setting up too close to other hunters to sky busting, arriving at the marsh right before shooting time, and leaving trash behind, these are things that can make or break a hunt for everyone. In This Episode: October weather and the upcoming duck migration Josh Garrels concert and the song Revelator Mosquitoes and the temperatures that slow them down My first 11 hunts of the 2026 season Global hunting statistics from 578 logged hunts Hunter pressure: perception versus reality Wounded ducks, shot selection, and ethical responsibility Five unwritten rules of public land duck hunting Track your hunts, harvests, shooting percentages, hunter pressure, hunt satisfaction, and more. https://thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com Available on iOS and Android for $4.99/month. Access is also included with the $5 Patreon membership. onX Hunt — Presenting Sponsorhttps://www.onxmaps.com/hunt Retay Shotgunshttps://www.retayusa.com Slayer Duck Callshttps://www.slayercalls.com Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesAvailable on Amazon — Search Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://flightdayammo.comPromo Code: NAW10 — 10% Off Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.comPromo Code: FDH10 TideWehttps://www.tidewe.comPromo Code: NAW18 Join us on Patreon for live podcast recordings, exclusive content, and access to the North American Waterfowler App. https://www.patreon.com/naw If you enjoy the podcast, please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It really helps the show reach more waterfowl hunters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: Freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support the Show: Patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWLER PODCAST PARTNERS onX Hunt – Presenting Sponsorhttps://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/appGPS hunting maps, property boundaries, scouting tools, and offline navigation. Retay Shotgunshttps://www.retayusa.comInnovative, reliable shotguns built for hunters. Slayer Duck Callshttps://www.slayercalls.comPremium duck and goose calls for waterfowl hunters. Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesHeavy-duty dog crates designed for protection and safe transportation.Available through Mammoth Pet Products on Amazon.No promo code. Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://flightdayammo.comPremium steel and bismuth waterfowl ammunition.Use promo code NAW10. Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.comWaterproof hunting gear, shell pouches, gun cases, and accessories.Use promo code FDH10. TideWehttps://www.tidewe.comHunting waders, clothing, blinds, and outdoor equipment.Use promo code NAW18. A great duck hunt can turn into a frustrating one when your shooting goes sideways. Jordan Fromer joins Elliott for an honest conversation about working through a shooting slump, why the 20-gauge has become his go-to, and what it’s really like to make a living in the waterfowl world. They get into the tradeoffs between 12-, 20- and 28-gauge shotguns and the .410, including why disciplined shot selection matters. Jordan shares practical ways to rebuild muscle memory and confidence in the field, while Elliott talks about the mental side of shooting—and how hunting in a big group can make it harder to know what’s working. They also discuss how OnX changed scouting and navigation, the demands of full-time outdoor content creation, and the gear they’ve been using this season. Along the way, they swap stories from recent hunts, including tough walks, high winds, and the pull of traveling to find birds. If you’re a waterfowler interested in better shooting, thoughtful gear choices, and the realities of a season spent chasing ducks, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duck Camp Conversations: Live from the Wall Tent Three days of duck hunting, good friends, and plenty of stories from duck camp! In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, we're doing things a little differently. Instead of recording from the usual studio, we're sitting down inside our wall tent during a three-day duck hunting trip. We talk about our time in the field, the hunting, the challenges, and everything that makes spending a few days at duck camp so enjoyable. There's nothing quite like getting together with fellow waterfowlers after a day in the marsh to talk ducks, tell stories, and enjoy the experience. Pull up a chair and join us for a conversation straight from duck camp! Support the North American Waterfowler Podcast A huge thank you to our partners who help make this podcast possible! Presenting Sponsor – onX HuntPlan your hunts, scout new locations, and navigate the outdoors with confidence.https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt Retay ShotgunsInnovative shotguns built for serious waterfowl hunters.https://www.retayusa.com Slayer Duck CallsPremium duck calls designed for waterfowl hunters.https://www.slayercalls.com Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesPremium protection for your hunting partner. Flight Day AmmunitionAmmunition built for waterfowl hunters.Use code NAW at checkout. Shotty GearGear and apparel for the waterfowling lifestyle.Use code FDH10 at checkout. Join the North American Waterfowler Community Become a member and enjoy exclusive content, live podcast recordings, giveaways, and more! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting North American Waterfowler App:https://www.thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the marsh! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, I'm joined by returning guest Scott Vix, a longtime California waterfowler, former California State Duck Calling Champion, and three-time regional calling champion. Scott brings decades of experience to a conversation about the art of duck calling and what it really takes to consistently work and finish ducks. We discuss some of the biggest mistakes duck hunters make with their calls, how to read birds and adjust your calling strategies, when to get aggressive versus when to back off, and how to convince reluctant ducks to finish in the decoys. We also explore calling with multiple hunters, the differences between competitive calling styles, and how to choose the right duck call. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced duck hunter, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you become a more effective caller. SUPPORT THE PODCAST & GET BONUS CONTENT Join us on Patreon for live podcast recordings, exclusive content, and more! https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting OUR PARTNERS onX Hunt – Proud sponsor of the North American Waterfowler Podcast. https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt Retay Shotguns – Innovative shotguns built for hunters. https://www.retayusa.com Slayer Duck Calls – Premium duck calls for serious waterfowl hunters. https://www.slayercalls.com TideWe – Hunting blinds, waders, and outdoor gear. https://www.tidewe.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Premium protection for your hunting dog. Flight Day Ammunition – Ammunition for waterfowl hunters. Use code NAW Shotty Gear – Waterfowl hunting apparel and gear. Use code FDH10 FOLLOW & CONNECT YouTube: Freelance Duck Hunting Podcast: North American Waterfowler Email: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com #DuckHunting #DuckCalling #WaterfowlHunting #DuckHuntingPodcast #NorthAmericanWaterfowler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support the Show: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting On this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, I’m joined by Hunter Flanders, Director of Marketing for Retay Shotguns. This isn’t an infomercial. We spend most of the episode getting to know Hunter and the path that eventually led him into the outdoor industry. Hunter grew up in Wisconsin as a serious athlete and went on to play college basketball before transitioning away from sports and diving headfirst into hunting and the outdoors. We talk about growing up in Wisconsin, his family’s 200-year-old farm, hunting with his brothers, training his first retriever, the impact hunting had on him during some major changes in his life, and how he eventually turned his passion for the outdoors into a career. We also get into his years working in outdoor television, his transition into marketing, how he eventually landed at Retay, the evolution of Retay shotguns, the Ace and Ace R, and why whitetail hunting still ranks at the top of his list. A great conversation about hunting, family, dogs, careers, and building a life around the outdoors. NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWLER PARTNERS Retay Shotgunshttps://retayusa.com Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://flightdayammo.comCode: NAW10 for 10% off Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothpet.com Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.comCode: FDH10 for 10% off Slayer Duck Callshttps://slayercalls.com TideWehttps://www.tidewe.comCode: NAW18 for 18% off WATCH THE PODCAST LIVE Become a Patreon member and watch North American Waterfowler episodes recorded live:https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting One thing I caught from your intro: you said NAW10 for Flight Day and NAW18 for TideWe, so I used those current codes rather than the older NAW/other versions we’ve had in past partner info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patreon hunt giveaway winner Walter Brown joins me from duck camp after spending the Big Duck Opener hunting with us. We recorded this episode right from our campsite overlooking the marsh after a great day that ended with a limit of ducks. Walter and I talk about winning the Patreon hunt giveaway and how the trip came together, his history of hunting and fishing, and his years of experience training dogs and hunting with pointing Labs. We also break down our opening-day hunt, the birds we encountered, and how the morning unfolded. A laid-back conversation from duck camp after a great day in the marsh. Partners of the North American Waterfowler Podcast: Retay Shotguns TideWe Slayer Duck Calls Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Flight Day Ammunition — Code: NAW Shotty Gear — Code: FDH10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott sits down with Matt and Joe from the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary to explore the incredible life and legacy of Jack Miner. From his beginnings as a market hunter to establishing his waterfowl sanctuary in Kingsville, Ontario, Jack Miner's story became intertwined with the early history of waterfowl conservation and bird banding in North America. We hear the story of Katie, the black duck that helped launch Miner's banding efforts, how band recoveries provided information about waterfowl migration, the growth of the sanctuary, and how Jack Miner's work continues more than a century later. Matt and Joe also take us inside the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary today, including its bird banding, habitat work, education programs, and new technology being used to track waterfowl migration. Learn more about the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation:jackminer.ca 50 Ducks:50ducks.com PARTNERS onX Hunthttps://www.onxmaps.com/hunt Retay Shotgunshttps://retayusa.com TideWehttps://www.tidewe.comPromo Code: NAW18 — 18% off Slayer Duck Callshttps://slayercalls.com Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesSearch Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates on Amazon Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://flightdayammo.comPromo Code: NAW10 — 10% off Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.comPromo Code: FDH10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, I’m answering questions sent in by listeners. We get into whether ducks actually get smarter as they migrate south, what I look for when scouting new public-land spots, choosing between a decoy and passing choke, and some advice for weekend warriors who don’t have time to scout during the week. I also get into the new Kansas nonresident waterfowl regulations, why I’ve changed my thinking on nonresident restrictions, where I think residents should be prioritized, and some of the things I don’t like about the new rules. Plus, I talk about my first duck, a hunt I’d like to do outside of waterfowl hunting, my favorite cigars, and a few other questions from listeners. Thanks to the partners of the North American Waterfowler Podcast: Retay Shotgunshttps://retayusa.com Slayer Duck Callshttps://slayercalls.com TideWehttps://tidewe.comCode: NAW18 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothguardian.com Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://flightday.comCode: NAW10 Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.comCode: FDH10 Download the North American Waterfowler App on iOS or Android to log your hunts, track harvest data, weather, dog retrieves, hunter pressure and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2026 teal season is officially in the books! In this episode, I recap our third and final weekend of teal season—a weekend that had a little bit of everything. We camped out, watched massive storms roll through, experienced a major temperature drop behind a cold front, and hoped all of that weather would bring a new push of teal into the area. I break down how the weekend unfolded, what we saw before and after the front, how the hunting turned out, and put a bow on three straight weekends of chasing early-season teal. PARTNERS Retay Shotgunshttps://retayusa.com Slayer Duck Callshttps://slayercalls.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothpet.com\ Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://flightdayammo.comCode: NAW10 Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.comCode: FDH10 TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com NAW18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2026 teal season is down to its final weekend. In this episode, I’m on the road headed back to teal camp for the third and final weekend of the season. Before we get there, I recap our second weekend of teal hunting—three more hunts, what we saw, how the birds behaved, and some of the incredible moments that made it another memorable weekend. Now the question is whether there are any teal left. The reports I’m hearing suggest that a lot of the birds have already moved out of the area. But there’s a cold front forecast to arrive Saturday night, and I’m holding out hope that it brings one last push of migrating blue-winged teal for the final day of our season. We’ll find out soon enough. THE NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWLER PARTNERS Retay Shotgunshttps://retayusa.com Slayer Duck Callshttps://slayercalls.com TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com Use Code: NAW18 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothpetproducts.com Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://flightdayammo.comUse code: NAW Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.comUse code: FDH10 I can also tighten that opening into a more Spotify/Apple Podcasts-style description if you want it shorter and punchier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support the Show: http://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Has duck migration really changed over the last 60+ years? Waterfowl hunters have debated it for years. Are ducks staying farther north? Has migration shifted east or west? Are the birds simply not going where they used to? In this special collaborative episode with the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Mike Brasher, Dr. Heath Hagy, and Dr. Lisa Webb to break down the Verheijen Studies—research that used decades of band recovery data to examine changes in waterfowl migration and distribution from October through January. The researchers looked at 15 species in the original study and then took a deeper look at mallards, northern pintails, and blue-winged teal. What they found is fascinating and in some cases, surprising. We also discuss the question every duck hunter is going to ask: WHY have these changes occurred? Weather? Habitat? Agricultural food sources? Something else? The current research tells us what has changed. The next phase of their work is attempting to determine why. This episode gets technical at times, but if you care about ducks, migration, and the future of waterfowl hunting, this is one you won't want to miss. A special collaboration between the North American Waterfowler Podcast and the Ducks Unlimited Podcast. PARTNERS TideWe — https://www.tidewe.comCode NAW18 for 18% off Slayer Duck Calls — https://www.slayercalls.com Retay Shotguns — https://www.retayusa.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates — https://mammothpet.com Flight Day Ammunition — https://flightdayammo.comCode FDH10 Shotty Gear — https://shottygear.comCode FDH10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Opening weekend of teal season is officially in the books, and I’m recording this one straight from the truck on the drive home. It was a hot one—literally. We spent the weekend sweating through some brutal early-season weather, but the teal cooperated and we had a ton of success. In this episode, I recap the entire weekend: what we saw, how the birds worked, the hunts that went right, the things we learned, and what opening weekend looked like from the marsh. And somehow, after an already successful weekend, we finished it off with one of the best teal hunts I’ve ever been a part of. No studio and no big production on this one. Just a road-home conversation while everything from the weekend is still fresh in my mind. Opening weekend is here. Duck season has begun. Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.comCode: NAW10 Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.comCode: FDH10 TIDEWEhttps://www.tidewe.comCode: FDH18 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothpet.com Slayer Callshttps://www.slayercalls.com Retay USAhttps://www.retayusa.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On episode 301 of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott sits down with Patreon guest DL Greise to talk about his journey into waterfowl hunting. DL started duck hunting in East Tennessee without much experience or anyone to show him the ropes. After a season of trying to figure it out on his own, he eventually found a mentor and began expanding his hunting beyond Tennessee. We talk about hunting Reelfoot Lake, Arkansas leases, an incredible dove hunting trip to Argentina, pheasant hunting in South Dakota, Florida diver hunting, and the lessons DL has learned during several years of freelancing North Dakota. We also get into field hunting versus water hunting, scouting, expectations on destination hunts, shotguns, ammunition, waders, and plenty of stories from years spent figuring out waterfowl hunting along the way. Before the conversation, Elliott also discusses the newly released waterfowl breeding population numbers and what they may mean heading into the 2026 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: Freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support The Show: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Episode 300 of the North American Waterfowler Podcast! In this episode, I talk about the upcoming teal season, scouting, current habitat conditions, and one of the most important regions for North American waterfowl—the Prairie Pothole Region. I also dig into Ducks Unlimited and the growing debate among duck hunters about the organization. Why do some hunters distrust DU? Where does the money go? How much habitat is actually being conserved? And how important is protecting breeding habitat in the Prairie Pothole Region to the future of duck hunting? Rather than just giving my opinion, I look at the numbers, discuss some of the criticism directed at Ducks Unlimited, and explain why I believe conservation on the breeding grounds matters to every duck hunter—no matter where they hunt. Thanks to everyone who has supported the North American Waterfowler Podcast through 300 episodes! NAW PARTNERS TideWe.com (Code NAW18) Retay Shotguns (RetayUSA.com) FlightDayAmmo.com (NAW10) Slayer Duck Calls (SlayerCalls.Com) Shotty Gear (ShottyGear.Com Code FDH10) Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Thanks to all of our partners for supporting the North American Waterfowler Podcast. #DuckHunting #DucksUnlimited #Waterfowl #PrairiePotholeRegion #WaterfowlHunting #DuckConservation #TealHunting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blue-Winged Teal Duckling Survival Jumped From 20% to 70% | Grant Rhodes Biologist Grant Rhodes returns to the North American Waterfowler Podcast for the third year in a row to share what he learned during his fourth field season studying Blue-winged Teal across the Prairie Pothole Region. Grant and his team are using drones equipped with thermal imaging, radio telemetry, and uniquely marked hens to study Blue-winged Teal broods and better understand what actually drives duckling survival. And this year produced some incredible results. After seeing duckling survival around 20% in previous years, Grant's raw numbers from this season showed survival approaching 70%. What changed? Water. We discuss how wet conditions across the breeding grounds created more seasonal wetlands, increased food and invertebrate availability, provided better concealment from predators, spread broods across the landscape, and allowed young teal to move between wetlands. We also get into: • Why Blue-winged Teal were chosen for this research• How thermal drones are changing the way researchers count duck broods• Why nest predation was so severe during the Saskatchewan years• Ravens and their impact on nesting success• Predator management and nest survival• Why some broods traveled as far as a mile• A hen that went from 11 ducklings to 21 through brood adoption• What ducklings are eating during their first weeks of life• Why Grant believes we could see a significant increase in Blue-winged Teal following this year's production• What harvest really means for Blue-winged Teal populations• Why habitat and breeding-ground conditions remain so important to waterfowl populations• Where Grant's research goes from here This is Grant's fourth field season studying Blue-winged Teal and his third appearance on the podcast. Each year we've been able to follow the research as it develops, and this may be the most interesting year yet. Join the Freelance Duck Hunting Patreon:patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Thanks to the partners of the North American Waterfowler Podcast: TideWe — NAW18 for 18% offRetay Shotguns — retayusa.comFlight Day Ammunition — flightdayammo.comSlayer Duck Calls — slayercalls.comMammoth Guardian Dog Crates — Search Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate on AmazonShoddy Gear — shoddygear.com — Code FDH10 #BlueWingedTeal #DuckHunting #Waterfowl #WaterfowlHunting #DuckResearch #WaterfowlBiology #PrairiePotholeRegion #NorthAmericanWaterfowler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com support the show: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Partners of the Show Retay Shotgunshttps://www.retayusa.com/ Slayer Duck Callshttps://www.slayercalls.com/ TIDEWE — Code: NAW18https://www.tidewe.com/ Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothguardian.com/ Flight Day Ammunition — Code: NAW ⁠https://flightdayammo.com/⁠ Shotty Gear — Code: FDH10⁠ https://shottygear.com/⁠ The Klamath Basin is one of the most important waterfowl landscapes in the Pacific Flyway—but in recent years, drought, water shortages, and devastating avian botulism outbreaks have taken an enormous toll. In 2024 alone, an estimated 140,000 birds died from avian botulism. On this episode of the North American Waterfowler Podcast, I’m joined by Jeff McCreary, Director of Operations for Ducks Unlimited’s Western Region, and Dr. Dan Smith, Ducks Unlimited waterfowl research scientist. We break down why Klamath is so important, the complicated battle over water in the basin, how avian botulism kills waterfowl, and an innovative new approach called Flowthrough that could help provide water for wetlands, reduce botulism outbreaks, improve habitat, benefit fish—and create better hunting opportunities. There is plenty of doom and gloom surrounding waterfowl and habitat today. This conversation is different. There are people working together to find solutions, and there is legitimate reason for hope at Klamath. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Damien Pittman of Punisher Waterfowl joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about his life in waterfowl hunting. Damien grew up in Newfoundland, where hunting looked a lot different than the decoy-and-calling style most of us picture today. We talk about those early years, leaving Newfoundland, his 20-year military career, getting back into duck hunting, and eventually building Punisher Waterfowl. We also get into what waterfowl hunting looks like today in Ontario, early Canada goose season, hunting pressure, the differences between Canadian and American waterfowling, the growth of his podcast, and why he recently brought everything under the Punisher Waterfowl name. Along the way, we talk about the relationships this community creates, the toxicity that sometimes shows up online, taking risks, learning from failure, and why no duck is worth risking your life over. A great conversation with a guy I really enjoyed getting to know. THANK YOU TO THE PARTNERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWLER PODCAST 🔹 Retay Shotguns — Check out the ACE and ACE-R lineup of 12, 20 and 28 gauge shotguns. 🔹 Slayer Duck Calls — MC, YOLO Bypass and more. Check out Slayer’s Call of the Wild training resources to improve your calling. 🔹 TideWe — Waders, heated gear, blinds and more.Code: NAW18 for 18% off 🔹 Shotty Gear — Waterfowl gear including backpacks, gun cases, shell pouches and more.Code: FDH10 🔹 Flight Day Ammunition — Maximum Payload steel ammunition.Code: NAW10 🔹 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates — Heavy-duty dog crates with the roll cage attachment for added protection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Ayer, owner and founder of Slayer Duck Calls, joins me for a conversation that goes far beyond duck calls. Bill shares his story of playing Division I football at Cal, chasing the dream of making it to the NFL, building a successful career in the business world, and eventually taking the leap to turn his passion for making duck calls into Slayer Duck Calls. We also get into elk hunting, the obsessive curiosity that led Bill to start building and experimenting with calls, the story behind Slayer, and how his faith in Christ has shaped his life and the company he’s building. This ended up being one of my favorite conversations in a long time. It’s about hunting and duck calls, but it’s also about faith, purpose, identity, and finding what you were meant to do. Here’s a clean block you can put at the bottom of the episode description. I have your codes for four of the partners; I don’t have a confirmed discount code for Retay or Slayer, so I would not invent one. Email: FreelanceDuckHunting@gmail.comPatreon: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Retay Shotgunswww.retayusa.com Slayer Duck Callswww.SlayerCalls.com TideWe — Use code NAW18 for 18% offTideWe.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Flight Day Ammunition — Use code NAW10www.flightdayammo.com Shotty Gear — Use code FDH10 for 10% offwww.shottygear.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Partners Based on your actual reads in the transcript: Slayer Duck Calls — slayercalls.com Retay USA — retayusa.com TideWe — tidewe.com — Code: NAW18 for 18% off Flight Day Ammunition — flightdayammo.com — Code: NAW10 for 10% off Shotty Gear — shottygear.com — Code: FDH10 for 10% off Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate — mammothpet.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support the Show: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting I'm on the road to the Ducks Unlimited Expo and decided to record this episode from the truck. During the drive, I found myself reflecting on the 2025 waterfowl season and the three hunts that stand out above all the rest. From incredible bird numbers to unforgettable moments with friends and Georgie, these are the hunts I'll remember for years to come. What was your most memorable hunt of the 2025 season? Let me know in the comments. Partners TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com Use code FDH18 Retay USAhttps://retayusa.com Slayer Duck Callshttps://slayerduckcalls.com Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.com Use code FDH10 Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://flightdayammo.com Use code NAW10 Mammoth Dog Crateshttps://mammothpet.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 293 This week I welcome Kansas outfitter Wade Skeen to the podcast for an in-depth discussion on some of the biggest issues facing waterfowl hunting today. Topics include:• North Dakota's 2026 fall flight forecast• Duck numbers and migration timing• Nonresident hunting pressure• Should guides and outfitters be regulated?• Hunting pressure, social media, and the future of Kansas waterfowl hunting• Farming practices and how they may be influencing duck distribution Wade brings the unique perspective of someone who spent years as a freelance public land hunter before building a successful outfitting business in Kansas. Whether you agree or disagree, this is a thoughtful conversation that looks at both sides of some of the most debated topics in waterfowling today. Thank you to the partners who help make this podcast possible: Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://flightdayammo.comUse code NAW10 for 10% off. Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.comUse code FDH10 for 10% off. Slayer Duck Callshttps://slayerduckcalls.com Retay USAhttps://retayusa.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothpet.comUse code GUARDIAN15 for 15% off. The North American Waterfowler AppDownload on iOS and Android for exclusive hunting content, migration reports, and more. Support the podcast and enter the 2026 Hunt & Gear Giveaway:https://patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take Action Now!! Submit your public comment/Sign the petitionhttps://www.ducks.org/save-the-duck-factory For decades, duck hunters have invested in protecting the Prairie Pothole Region through duck stamp purchases and wetland easements. Now, a proposed change by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could weaken protections for more than 1.7 million acres of these critical wetlands. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Scott Stephens, Senior Director of Conservation Strategy for Ducks Unlimited, and Dr. Mike Brasher, Senior Waterfowl Scientist for Ducks Unlimited, to break down exactly what's happening, why it matters, and what it could mean for the future of waterfowl hunting. We discuss: • What wetland easements are and how they work• What drain tile setbacks are and why they matter• Why Ducks Unlimited is urging hunters to take action• How this could affect duck production in the Prairie Pothole Region• The science behind the current 2024 rule• What every waterfowl hunter can do before the August 7 comment deadline This is an issue that goes beyond politics or social media arguments. If you care about ducks, duck hunting, and the future of the resource, this is a conversation you need to hear. If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another waterfowler. The more hunters who understand what's at stake, the stronger our voice will be. Partners Mentioned in This Episode Slayer Duck Callshttps://slayercalls.com Flight Day Ammunition (Use code NAW10 for 10% off)https://flightdayammo.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothpet.com Retay USAhttps://retayusa.com Shotty Gear (Use code FDH10 for 10% off)https://shottygear.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk about why that first teal sighting means so much, take you through a recent scouting trip that led me to a promising new duck hole, announce my new partnership with Retay Shotguns, and discuss an important conservation issue involving proposed changes to wetland drain tile setbacks in the Prairie Pothole Region. Topics include:• The first teal sighting of 2026• Scouting a new public land duck hole• Why I made the move from Weatherby to Retay• Upcoming Ducks Unlimited episode on drain tile setbacks• Comment of the Week: Permanent Daylight Saving Time If you're headed to the Ducks Unlimited Expo in Memphis, stop by the Shotty Gear booth and say hello! Patreon: https://patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Thanks for listening, and as always, good luck this season. Partners featured in this episode: Retay Shotguns – Proud to announce my new partnership with Retay and why I made the move. Flight Day Ammunition – Premium steel shot ammunition built for serious waterfowl hunters. Use code NAW10 for 10% off. Shotty Gear – High-quality hunting gear designed by waterfowlers for waterfowlers. Use code FDH10 for 10% off. Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Built to help keep your retriever safe while traveling to and from the marsh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the New Zealand hunt, there was a kid in Georgia who became completely obsessed with waterfowl after shooting a single wood duck. In this episode, I sit down with Southern Flight Podcast host Robby Nelson to talk about the journey that followed. We discuss growing up in a state with limited duck hunting opportunities, building one of the fastest-growing waterfowl podcasts, quitting a steady job to create a life centered around chasing ducks, and what it means to be a true North American Waterfowler. We also dive into Robby's recent New Zealand waterfowl adventure, public land hunting, social media, conservation, flooded corn, podcasting, and why some of us simply can't get enough of this sport. Partners Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 Shotty Gearhttps://shottygear.com Code: FDH10 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothpet.com Code: GUARDIAN15 Weatherbyhttps://weatherby.com Become a Patreon member and support the podcast while earning entries into the 2026 North American Waterfowler Hunt & Gear Giveaway. https://patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: Freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support Elliott: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting I just got back from Orlando after spending a few days with the TideWe team at ICAST. It was a great trip, but it also reminded me of something I've realized more and more over the years...the older I get, the more I crave the middle of nowhere. In this episode I talk about why crowds leave me daydreaming about the Nebraska Sandhills, wall tents, and the peace that only wild places seem to provide. I also answer a listener question about hunting geese and ducks from sandbars, share some thoughts on dealing with anger and life's struggles, and wrap things up with another Woody's Top 5. Partners: Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.comCode: FDH10 Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.comCode: NAW10 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothpet.com Weatherbyhttps://weatherby.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Vix returns to the North American Waterfowler Podcast for another campfire-style conversation covering everything from social media's impact on duck hunting to California waterfowling, OnX, spinning-wing decoys, and bringing home a new finished retriever. We dig into the increasingly common claim that "social media has ruined duck hunting" and ask a simple question: How? Is the hunting itself actually worse, or have expectations and hunting culture changed more than the hunting? We also discuss: California duck hunting and public land Season structures and youth/veteran hunts OnX vs. spinning-wing decoys—which changed duck hunting more? Buying a finished retriever instead of raising a puppy Transitioning from an aging hunting dog to a new partner Early teal season and why it's one of our favorite times of year If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about duck hunting, conservation, dogs, and the culture surrounding our sport, this is an episode you'll enjoy. Want to watch future podcast recordings live and interact during the show? Join the North American Waterfowler Patreon:https://patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Partners Weatherby ShotgunsWhether you're chasing teal in September or late-season mallards, Weatherby shotguns are built for reliability and performance in the marsh. Learn more at https://weatherby.com. Flight Day AmmunitionPremium waterfowl ammunition built by hunters who understand what matters when birds are working the decoys. Visit https://flightdayammo.com and use code FDH10 to save. Shotty GearFrom shotgun accessories to practical gear for the field, Shotty Gear has products designed with waterfowl hunters in mind. Visit https://shottygear.com and use code FDH10. Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesProtect your retriever with the Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate—built with strength and safety for serious hunting dogs. Visit https://mammothpet.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Partners Mentioned Shotty Gear – https://shottygear.comCode: FDH10 (10% Off) Weatherby – https://weatherby.com Flight Day Ammunition – https://flightdayammo.comCode: NAW10 (10% Off) Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – https://mammothpet.com North American Waterfowler App – Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Support the Podcast / Giveaway Entry – https://patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting This week I'm sharing two of the biggest lessons I've learned after decades of chasing ducks on public water. We dive into why hunting the same spots year after year can actually hold you back, why expanding your scouting footprint matters, and how becoming an expert on your local marshes and refuges can dramatically improve your success. I also discuss how years of observation have changed the way I understand bird movement, water levels, and seasonal habitat changes. To wrap things up, I tell the story of a recent overnight scouting trip that turned into one of the strangest camping experiences I've ever had. I'm still convinced there's a logical explanation...but it made for an unforgettable night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duck season is getting closer, and it's officially that time of year when the scouting starts, the decoys come back out, and sleep gets a little harder to find. In this episode I talk about why preseason scouting is already underway and what I'm seeing as we get closer to opening day. Then we break down Oklahoma's new commercial waterfowl guide law (SB 2095), what it actually does, why it was passed, and whether other states like Kansas should consider something similar. After that, Patreon member Zach Seibert joins me to talk about hunting Black Brant on the West Coast. If you've never hunted or even seen a Brant, I think you'll enjoy learning about one of North America's most unique waterfowl hunts. And finally... Woody is back! It's been way too long. He shares another Johnny Cat story before counting down his latest Woody's Top 5, this time with some hilarious nicknames for hunters who shoot ducks on the water. Thanks for listening, and if you enjoy the show, please consider leaving a rating or review and sharing the podcast with another waterfowler. Flight Day AmmunitionSave 10% with code NAW10Website: flightdayammo.com Shotty GearInnovative shotgun accessories designed to make your hunts more efficient and enjoyable.Website: shottygear.com Code FDH10 Mammoth Guardian CratesBuilt to keep your dog safe whether you're headed to training or hunting across the country. Website: mammothpet.com WeatherbyCheck out their full lineup at:Website: weatherby.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most duck hunters spend a lot of time thinking about weather, migration, and habitat. But how often do we think about the people growing the crops that waterfowl depend on every fall and winter? In this episode, I'm joined by Nebraska agronomist and waterfowler Jared Samuelson. Jared works directly with farmers throughout the growing season, giving him a unique perspective on modern agriculture and how it intersects with duck hunting. We discuss crop production, irrigation, the Ogallala Aquifer, waste grain after harvest, pesticides, changing farming practices, and how all of these factors may influence the future of waterfowl hunting. Jared also shares the unbelievable story of the massive pit blind he and his friends built—and the unexpected disaster that nearly destroyed it. Whether you're a farmer, a waterfowler, or simply curious about what happens long before ducks arrive each fall, I think you'll enjoy this conversation. Partners Shotty GearWaterproof gear built by hunters, for hunters.Save 10% with code FDH10 at ShottyGear.com Flight Day AmmunitionMaximum payload. More pellets. Better patterns.Save 10% with code NAW10 at FlightDayAmmo.com Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesProtect your retriever without paying premium kennel prices.Learn more at MammothPet.com WeatherbyDependable shotguns and rifles built for hunters.Visit Weatherby.com Support the Podcast Join the North American Waterfowler Patreon community for exclusive live recordings, bonus content, and direct interaction with guests. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Contact Email: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com North American Waterfowler App:https://www.thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following the show and leaving a rating or review wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support the Show: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Every waterfowler has a story, and today you get to meet Zach Seibert. Zach was this month's Patreon Podcast winner, and after the wheel landed on his name, we sat down to talk about how he found his way back into hunting, what eventually pulled him into waterfowl hunting, and why he became completely hooked. We discuss growing up in California, learning to hunt deer and turkeys as an adult, his first duck hunt, hunting public refuges, decoy strategies, gear, shotguns, and what keeps him coming back to the marsh every season. These Patreon winner episodes have become some of my favorites because they give us a chance to hear the stories of everyday North American waterfowlers. No celebrities. No agenda. Just hunters sharing the experiences that shaped them. I hope you enjoy getting to know Zach as much as I did. Support the companies that help make the North American Waterfowler Podcast possible! Shotty Gear – Premium waterfowl gear designed by waterfowlers, for waterfowlers. Save 10% with code FDH10 at ShottyGear.com. Flight Day Ammunition – Maximum payload. Slower velocity. Better patterns. Save 10% with code NAW10 at FlightDayAmmo.com. Weatherby – From the Element shotgun line to legendary rifles, Weatherby continues to build firearms hunters can depend on. Learn more at Weatherby.com. Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Safe, affordable protection for your retriever on the road. Search Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate on Amazon or visit MammothPet.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I'm joined by former Flyway Federation Executive Director Duke Lowrie for a conversation about one of the most debated topics in modern waterfowl hunting. Over the past several years, studies have shown that species like mallards and northern pintails are completing their fall migration farther north than they did decades ago. The question is why. Duke shares why he believes unharvested flooded agriculture is one of the factors changing duck distribution, why Flyway Federation is pushing for a large-scale GIS study to quantify how much flooded agriculture exists across the landscape, and why he believes more research is needed before the debate can be settled. We also discuss: Duke's background and how he became involved in waterfowl advocacy The origins and mission of Flyway Federation The proposed GIS study and what it hopes to answer Whether flooded agriculture is changing duck migration Moist-soil habitat vs. flooded corn Public land hunting and changing duck distribution Louisiana harvest numbers and what they may (or may not) tell us Duke's appointment to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission What the future of waterfowl management could look like Whether you agree with Duke's conclusions or not, I think you'll find this to be a thoughtful conversation about an issue that continues to generate debate among hunters across North America. Partners: Shotty Gear – https://shottygear.com (Code: FDH10) Flight Day Ammunition – https://flightdayammo.com (Code: NAW10) Weatherby – https://weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – https://mammoth.pet Support the show and get exclusive content:https://patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Harris of Blind Spot Outdoors joins the show to discuss everything from building custom duck blinds to managing productive waterfowl habitat. Joe shares how he turned a simple blind-building idea into a full-time business, the design behind his floating skid blinds, and what he's learned working with duck clubs and private landowners across the country. We also dive into habitat management, moist soil versus flooded corn, hunting pressure, duck migration, changing weather patterns, and why creating the right habitat may be more important than simply planting corn. If you're interested in improving your hunting property or simply want to better understand what makes ducks use certain areas, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Partners Flight Day Ammunition – Premium bismuth shotshells built for serious waterfowl hunters. Use code NAW10https://www.flightdayammo.com Shotty Gear – Premium shotgun cases and hunting gear. Use code FDH10.https://www.shottygear.com Weatherby – Trusted firearms built for hunters.https://weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Heavy-duty kennel systems for working dogs. https://mammothpet.com Join the North American Waterfowler Patreon for live podcast recordings, exclusive content, and bonus episodes:https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Download The North American Waterfowler app:https://www.thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com Contact:freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Us: FreelanceDuckHunting@gmail.com Support the Show:Patreon.com/FreelanceDuckHunting Partners: Flight Day AmmunitionPremium non-toxic waterfowl ammunition.Use code FDH10 Shotty GearPremium hunting gear built for serious waterfowlers.Use code FDH10 WeatherbyProudly carrying the Weatherby Element 2 in the marsh. Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesThe safest way to transport your retriever. In this episode of North American Waterfowler, Elliott recaps the annual Kansas River float trip, including high water conditions, storms, fishing, camping, and the adventures that unfolded along the way. The main discussion centers around a social media debate sparked by a comment claiming that social media is the worst thing that ever happened to waterfowl hunting and that modern hunters are only chasing likes and clicks. Elliott examines both the positives and negatives of social media, including poor representation of hunters, rage-bait content, community building, mentorship, education, and conservation awareness. He also asks a larger question: Why do people hunt in the first place? To wrap up the episode, Elliott introduces the new Ask Jobman feature available to Flatlander Kennels Patreon members and answers a listener question about properly introducing gunfire to a young retriever. Topics Include: Kansas River Float Trip Review Social Media and Waterfowl Hunting Ethics and Hunter Representation Why People Hunt Building Community Through Social Media Ask Jobman Introducing Dogs to Gunfire Retriever Training Tips Thanks for listening and supporting North American Waterfowler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott:FreelanceDuckHunting@gmail.com Support the show:Patreon.com/FreelanceDuckHunting Partners:Weatherby – Weatherby.com Flight Day Ammunition – FlightDayammo.comUse code NAW10 Shotty Gear – ShottyGear.comUse code FDH10 Mammoth Guardian Dog Cratesmammothpet.com Patreon member Hunter Johnson joins the North American Waterfowler Podcast to discuss waterfowl hunting on the Oregon coast. Growing up with a father who worked as a hunting and fishing guide, Hunter was practically raised in a duck blind and has spent a lifetime chasing ducks, geese, salmon, and sturgeon across the Pacific Northwest. In this episode, Hunter explains how tides dictate nearly every aspect of his duck season, why incoming water can create incredible flights of birds, and what it's like hunting coastal marshes loaded with wigeon and pintails. We compare hunting in Oregon to hunting in the Midwest, discuss increasing public land hunting pressure, and explore why Oregon's waterfowl hunting opportunities are unlike anything most hunters experience. We also discuss the proposed Oregon ballot measure that has many hunters and anglers concerned about the future of hunting, fishing, and animal ownership in the state. Topics Covered:• Oregon coastal waterfowl hunting• Tidal marsh duck hunting• Wigeon hunting• Pintail hunting• Public land hunting pressure• Growing up with an outfitter father• Oregon hunting legislation concerns• Salmon, sturgeon, and Pacific Northwest fishing If you've ever wondered what it's like to hunt ducks in a tidal marsh with thousands of wigeon overhead and tides controlling every movement of the birds, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most duck hunters have flushed a Sora rail from the cattails at some point, but few know much about these secretive marsh birds. In this episode, wildlife biologist Eamon Harrity joins the show to discuss the fascinating world of rails. We cover Sora migration, nesting habits, habitat needs, population trends, and the unique adaptations that allow these birds to thrive in dense wetland environments. Eamon also shares stories from his research on Ridgway's Rails and discusses some of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding rail behavior and conservation. If you've ever heard the distinctive call of a Sora echoing across a marsh and wondered what you were hearing, this episode is for you. Topics discussed:• What exactly is a rail?• Sora migration and wintering grounds• Nesting and breeding behavior• Why rails are so difficult to study• How rails find isolated wetlands during migration• Rail hunting history and regulations• Wetland management and conservation• The future of rail research Follow the North American Waterfowler Podcast for new episodes every week. Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support the Show: Patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Partners of the Show Flight Day Ammunition www.flightday.com Code NAW10 Shotty Gear www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 Weatherby www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Kennels www.mammothpet.com Search Mammoth Guardian Dog Create on Amazon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years I've watched American White Pelicans migrate through Kansas by the thousands and wondered what we really know about them. Where do they come from? How far do they travel? How do they breed? And what exactly are they doing when they're soaring thousands of feet overhead? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Aimee Van Tatenhove, a quantitative ecologist and former pelican researcher whose doctoral work focused on American White Pelicans around the Great Salt Lake. We discuss pelican migration, nesting colonies, feeding behavior, GPS tracking, bird strikes, avian flu, and some of the surprising things scientists have learned by following these birds across North America. We also dive into the challenges facing the Great Salt Lake, including drought, water management, the proposed data center controversy, and why the future of the lake matters to millions of migratory birds. Topics discussed: American White Pelican migration routes GPS tracking and pelican research Breeding colonies and nesting behavior Cooperative feeding and hunting strategies Bird strikes and aviation concerns Avian influenza impacts on waterbirds Great Salt Lake conservation challenges Drought, water use, and habitat loss Data centers and water consumption How pelican populations are changing across North America Whether you're a waterfowl hunter, birder, conservationist, or simply someone who enjoys watching wildlife, this episode offers a fascinating look into one of North America's most remarkable birds. Partners: Flight Day Ammunition – https://flightdayammo.com (Code: NAW10) Shotty Gear – https://shottygear.com (Code: FDH10) Weatherby – https://weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Available on Amazon and at https://mammothpet.com Support the podcast and join our community: Patreon: https://patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Contact:freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Elliott sits down with award winning wildlife artists Adam and Madison Grimm for a conversation that quickly becomes much bigger than art. At just 19 years old, Madison Grimm is leading one of the most unique grassroots conservation efforts in North America. Through her nonprofit, Second Chance Flight, she rescues duck and upland bird eggs that would otherwise be destroyed during spring farming operations. Farmers across South Dakota now call Madison when they discover nests while haying or working fields, giving these birds a second chance at life. Madison shares how the project began, the challenges of obtaining permits, the process of incubating and raising ducklings, and some of the incredible success stories that have come from the effort. Adam also discusses the role wildlife art plays in conservation and how their family's passion for waterfowl has evolved into a mission to help protect the resource. This is a positive conservation story that every waterfowler should hear. To learn more about Second Chance Flight or support their work, visit:https://www.secondchanceflight.com Contact Elliott:freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Partners: Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 Weatherbyhttps://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://www.mammothpet.com The North American Waterfowler Apphttps://www.thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support Elliott: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting In this solo episode, Elliott dives into how social media algorithms reward outrage, controversy, and conflict while often burying positive content. Using real examples from recent North American Waterfowler reels, he explores why discussions around topics like flooded corn, duck numbers, and harvest management seem to generate so much anger and division. Elliott also shares the story of his long anticipated fishing trip into the Nebraska Sandhills with Aden. What started as a dream trip quickly turned into muddy water, high winds, a collapsed tent, and tough fishing. Despite the challenges, the experience served as a reminder of what really makes an outdoor adventure worthwhile. Finally, Elliott breaks down the five traits he believes separate average waterfowl hunters from great ones, including scouting, calling, dog work, concealment, and persistence. Topics Include: • Social media and negativity in the waterfowl community • Why controversial content gets more attention • Nebraska Sandhills fishing trip recap • Camping disasters and windy nights • The importance of scouting and land knowledge • Calling, dog work, and concealment • Why persistence matters more than talent As always, thank you for listening and supporting The North American Waterfowler Podcast. Please leave a rating, review, and share the show with a fellow hunter. Partners Shotty Gear Built by hunters for hunters, Shotty Gear offers rugged shell pouches, blind bags, gun cases, backpacks, apparel, and more. Durable gear at a price everyday hunters can afford. Use code FDH10.⁠https://www.shottygear.com⁠ Flight Day Ammunition Premium waterfowl ammunition designed for maximum payloads, high pellet counts, and deadly patterns. Use code NAW10 for 10% off.⁠https://www.flightdayammo.com⁠ Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Protect your retriever with a Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate. Built tough with optional roll cage protection and designed with your dog's safety in mind. Use code ⁠https://www.mammothpet.com⁠ TideWe From waders and boots to blinds, cameras, and outdoor equipment, TideWe offers dependable gear at a great value. Use code NAW18 for 18% off.⁠ https://www.tidewe.com⁠ Weatherby Whether you're looking for a shotgun or rifle, Weatherby continues to build some of the finest firearms in the industry.⁠https://www.weatherby.com⁠ Patreon Support Freelance Duck Hunting and The North American Waterfowler while gaining access to exclusive videos, bonus content, giveaways, live recordings, and more.⁠https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting⁠ The North American Waterfowler App Log your hunts, track harvest data, compete with friends, and gain insights into your waterfowl seasons.⁠https://www.thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spencer Lewis returns to The North American Waterfowler Podcast for a wide ranging conversation on modern waterfowl culture, social media toxicity, public land pressure, hunting ethics, and the future of the waterfowl community. Spencer discusses the launch of his new Facebook group, The Humble Outdoorsman, and why he feels more optimistic and re-energized compared to our last conversation. We also dive into loud boat culture, respect in the marsh, the challenges facing public land hunters, how online behavior has changed hunting communities, and why so many outdoorsmen seem burned out or frustrated. Along the way we discuss fatherhood, mentorship, social media algorithms, and the importance of maintaining perspective while navigating modern hunting culture. This episode feels less like an interview and more like two hunters sitting around a fire trying to make sense of where waterfowling is headed. Presented by: Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com Code: NAW18 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://www.mammothpetproducts.com Weatherbyhttps://weatherby.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support Elliott: Patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting In this offseason Q&A episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott answers listener questions covering everything from duck population trends and migration patterns to hunt tests, old Freelance Duck Hunting seasons, favorite waterfowl species, El Niño vs La Niña hunting success, and future plans for Georgie’s bloodline. Elliott also reflects on the evolution of FDH over the years, the changing dynamics of hunting partners and filming, why mallards remain king, and what made Season 3 of Freelance Duck Hunting such a special era. Plus discussion on river goose hunting setups, the Grand, the Master National, and how personal hunting experiences can sometimes distort perceptions of overall duck populations. Presented by: Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com Code: FDH18 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://www.mammothpetproducts.com Weatherbyhttps://weatherby.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Support the show: Patreon.com/Freelanceduckhunting Jeff Coats, better known to many as “Pit Boss,” joins the podcast for a deep dive into a lifetime spent chasing ducks, training retrievers, guiding sea duck hunts, and living waterfowl culture since the early days of internet forums and VHS hunting videos. Jeff shares the story of how he went from football dreams and working blue collar jobs to becoming one of the most recognizable names in sea duck hunting on the East Coast. We discuss the evolution of sea duck hunting, the rise of online waterfowl culture, old school duck boats, guiding on the Atlantic Ocean, close encounters with sharks while hunting, retriever training, AKC hunt tests, field trials, and what it takes to produce high level dogs. Jeff also opens up about the personal experiences that pushed him toward building a life on his own terms through guiding, dogs, and waterfowl hunting. This episode is packed with stories, history, dog talk, and insight from someone who has truly lived the waterfowl lifestyle for decades. Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.comCode: FDH10 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://www.mammothpetproducts.com TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com Code: NAW18 Weatherbyhttps://weatherby.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott sits down with Nate Verdin of Falling Tide TV for a wide ranging conversation about family, fatherhood, duck hunting culture, Louisiana marshes, public land, and the deeper reasons hunters stay connected to the outdoors. The two discuss how becoming fathers changed their perspectives on life, faith, risk, and priorities. They also dive into childhood hunting memories, the emotional connection hunters have with wildlife, and the unique culture surrounding waterfowl hunting across different regions of the country. Later in the episode, Elliott and Nate revisit the flooded corn conversation, discuss public land pressure, nonresident hunting, and the growing tensions within the waterfowl community. This is less of a tactics episode and more of an honest conversation about hunting, identity, and the places that shape us. Partners:Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.comCode: NAW10 Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.comCode: FDH10 Weatherbyhttps://www.weatherby.com TideWehttps://www.tidewe.comCode: NAW18 Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesSearch Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate on Amazon or visit:https://www.mammothpet.com Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Contact:freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support the Show: Patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com On this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott is joined once again by good friend and host of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, Brian Halbleib. The two sit down for a wide ranging conversation covering everything from duck hunting adventures and prairie marshes to family life, nonresident hunting pressure, and even the world of First Amendment auditors. Brian talks about the emotional transition of becoming an empty nester as his daughters begin careers and move out of state. The conversation then shifts into law enforcement and public filming rights as Elliott asks Brian, a police sergeant, about the growing trend of First Amendment auditors filming inside public buildings. From there the guys dive deep into waterfowl hunting, including Saskatchewan mallard hunts, hidden marshes loaded with ducks, the Gear Roost storage system, travel hunting, Kansas nonresident regulations, scouting strategies, and how perspectives on waterfowl pressure evolve over time. This is one of those classic long form conversations that feels more like sitting around camp with friends than a formal interview. Partners:Flight Day Ammunitionhttp://www.flightdayammo.comCode: NAW10 Shotty Gearhttp://www.shottygear.comCode: FDH10 Weatherbyhttp://weatherby.com TideWehttps://www.tidewe.comCode: NAW18 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothpet.com Patreon:Patreon.com/FreelanceDuckHunting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, I give an update on recovering my YouTube channel after being hacked, talk about spending the day training with Chris Jobman and Georgie at Habitat Flats, and share details about an upcoming remote Nebraska fishing trip that I cannot stop thinking about. I also break down some of my favorite pieces of waterfowl gear and equipment that truly stand out from the rest including decoys, jackets, motors, ammo, backpacks and more. Topics include: • Recovering the Freelance Duck Hunting YouTube channel• Training dogs with Chris Jobman• Georgie’s hunt test journey• Upcoming Nebraska fishing trip• AI data center concerns at the Great Salt Lake• My favorite waterfowl gear and products Join the Patreon community:Patreon.com/FreelanceDuckHunting Contact:freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Partners: TideWeCode: FDH18 Flight Day Ammunitionwww.flightdayammo.comCode: NAW10 Shotty Gearwww.shottygear.comCode: FDH10 Weatherbywww.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesMammoth Pet Products Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact Elliott: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Get More Content: patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting This episode starts off all over the map in the best way possible. Elliott and Ben Meyers talk Royals baseball, shotgun issues, pattern testing, Flight Day Ammo loads, and why educated ducks become nearly impossible to finish late in the season. Ben breaks down why certain loads outperform others, the differences between 20 gauge and 12 gauge setups, and what he learned after switching back from bismuth to steel. The conversation then shifts into private land duck management, flooded corn, refuge systems, duck pressure, and how heavily hunted birds adapt to survive. Ben also shares details about a brand new blind project going in on one of their favorite timber holes and explains how years of water management can slowly “imprint” ducks onto a property. If you enjoy deep waterfowl conversation mixed with real hunting experience and honest opinions, this is a fun one. Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 Weatherby Shotgunshttps://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://www.mammothpet.com Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com Code: NAW18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I break down real data from over 35,000 logged hunts inside The North American Waterfowler app to answer a question we all think we already know the answer to: what actually impacts duck hunting success? I dive into how wind speed, temperature, and sunny versus cloudy conditions affect birds per hunt and some of the results might surprise you. If you’re someone who loves understanding the “why” behind good and bad hunts, this one is for you. I also answer a listener question about spring scouting and how to approach learning new areas this time of year without overthinking what you’re seeing. To wrap things up, I’m joined by Ben Kraja to talk about a proposed 40,000 acre AI data center near the Great Salt Lake and why it could be a serious concern for waterfowl hunters and the future of that ecosystem. If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to check out The North American Waterfowler app where you can log your hunts, analyze your data, and learn from hunters across the country. Patreon: https://patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Email: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Partners & Discounts Flight Day Ammunition Premium steel loads with incredible patterns.https://www.flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 for 10% off Shotty Gear Waterproof, durable gear built for real hunters.https://www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 Weatherby Rifles and shotguns built for performance in the field.https://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Heavy duty dog crates with optional roll cage system. Search: Mammoth Dog Crate on Amazon TideWe Affordable hunting gear including blinds, waders, and more.https://www.tidewe.com Code: NAW18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get in touch / Support the show:Email: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.comPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting In this episode, I break down one of the worst days I’ve had as a content creator. My Freelance Duck Hunting YouTube channel was hacked, taken over, and ultimately terminated. I walk through exactly what happened, how it went down, and what the next steps look like moving forward. If you follow Freelance Duck Hunting, this directly impacts you, so I wanted to be upfront about where things stand. After that, I’m joined by Patreon member Tom Markley as we shift gears into hunting talk. Tom shares his recent Kansas turkey hunt, his background in competitive turkey calling, and we dive into what waterfowl hunting looks like in Ohio. A mix of real-life chaos and good hunting conversation in this one. Partners:Flight Day Ammunition – https://www.flightdayammo.com (Code: NAW10)Shotty Gear – https://www.shottygear.com (Code: FDH10)TideWe – https://www.tidewe.com (Code: NAW18)Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Search “Mammoth Dog Crate” on AmazonWeatherby Shotguns – https://www.weatherby.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I’m joined by Jake from Chasing Green, one of the most driven and knowledgeable voices in waterfowl hunting today. We kick things off with a full breakdown of an unforgettable turkey hunt together, from tough conditions to an incredible finish and why those shared moments in the woods mean so much. Then we shift into a deeper conversation around non resident hunting regulations, pressure, and the future of waterfowl hunting. Jake shares his perspective on providing value to the hunting community, the importance of mentorship, and how hunters can shorten the learning curve and find success on public land. If you’ve followed Chasing Green or you’re trying to improve as a hunter, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear. Learn from Jake: Jake’s full public land waterfowl course:https://chasinggreencourse.com Chasing Green YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@ChasingGreen Partners: Flight Day Ammunition Use code NAW10https://www.flightdayammo.com Shotty Gear Durable, waterproof gear built by hunters for hunters Use code FDH10https://www.shottygear.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Rugged dog crates built for the field and travelhttps://www.mammothpet.com TideWe Affordable, reliable hunting gear built for everyday hunters. From waders to blinds and accessories, TideWe delivers solid performance without breaking the bank.https://www.tidewe.com Weatherby Shotguns Premium shotguns built on a legacy of performance and reliability in the field. Weatherby delivers quality firearms trusted by serious hunters.https://www.weatherby.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks property manager Cody Stegman to talk through what’s actually happening beneath the surface of these wetlands. Cody explains how “sand veins” run through these areas like fingers back to the river, and why water that looks perfect one day can be completely gone the next. We also get into what this means for habitat, how it impacts management decisions, and the challenges of building and maintaining wetlands in areas that simply won’t hold water. If you’ve ever hunted a spot that looked right but didn’t last, this will help you understand why. Partners: Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 Weatherby Shotgunshttps://www.weatherby.com TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com NAW18 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://www.mammothpet.com Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Description In this episode, I break down the latest Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks meeting and what it means for waterfowl hunters. We get into the decision to move to a 3 pintail limit, the science behind compensatory vs additive mortality, and why increasing the limit may not impact the population the way many hunters think. I also dive into the growing pressure from non-resident hunters in Kansas, the proposed midday hunting restrictions, and what a future draw system could look like. On top of that, I address a recent comment and talk about the current state of the waterfowl community and why things feel more divided than ever right now. If you care about where waterfowl hunting is headed, this is an important conversation. Contact:freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.com Code: NAW10 Weatherby Shotgunshttps://www.weatherby.com TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com Code: NAW18 Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Search “Mammoth Dog Crate” on Amazon Partners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices