Ducks Unlimited Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Despite recent declines in some goose populations, fresh data suggest that hunters have reasons to be optimistic about the number of young birds flying south this fall. Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by goose experts Josh Dooley (US Fish and Wildlife Service) and Frank Baldwin (Canadian Wildlife Service) to discuss indices for arctic and subarctic goose populations from Alaska to Atlantic Canada. Many areas experienced early spring and good to excellent conditions for nesting, with multiple indicators suggesting better production than what was experienced a few years in the past. New data and hunter reports from the prairies support these conclusions, so good luck to goose hunters as you head afield.

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

• (01:06) - - Introduction and Guest Introductions
• (05:19) - - Josh Dooley's Role and Responsibilities
• (06:18) - - Focus on Goose Productivity for 2024
• (07:32) - - Western Goose Populations Overview
• (08:32) - - Defining Spring Phenology
• (09:40) - - Diverse Goose Species in North America
• (10:16) - - Data Sets for Assessing Goose Productivity
• (13:18) - - Resources for Goose Population Information
• (16:31) - - Management Plans and Their Importance
• (17:15) - - Transition to Alaska Goose Production
• (18:14) - - Alaska Goose Production Overview
• (22:16) - - Black Brant Nesting Success and Challenges
• (23:53) - - Additional Goose Populations in the Pacific Flyway
• (27:01) - - General Decline in Goose Population Indices
• (30:15) - - Transition to Mid-Continent Goose Production
• (30:59) - - Productivity Survey Genesis and Importance
• (34:30) - - Spring Conditions and Expectations for Production
• (37:06) - - Preliminary Productivity Survey Results
• (39:45) - - Mid-Continent Snow Goose Production
• (42:18) - - Ross's Goose Productivity Overview
• (43:34) - - Western Arctic Goose Production Insights
• (44:33) - - Delayed Breeding and Population Dynamics
• (46:08) - - Atlantic Canada Goose Populations Overview
• (48:54) - - Greater Snow Goose Productivity Insights
• (49:30) - - Harvest Age Ratios and Their Significance
• (51:09) - - Cackling Goose Production Overview
• (52:13) - - Temperate Nesting Canada Geese Productivity
• (52:56) - - Local Productivity and Migrant Vulnerability

In this bonus episode, Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Dr. Scott Stephens, Josh Dooley (USFWS), and Frank Baldwin (CWS) for an impromptu update on the status of waterfowl migration and wetland conditions from Yellowknife to South Dakota. Cold weather in the far north is ushering birds south, while continued warmth in the prairies has blue-wings holding strong. Wetland conditions in the Canadian prairies are some of the driest ever seen by Dr. Stephens, yet Frank reports good success on bigger waters. With cooler weather on the horizon, many are hoping for a new push of birds as the season gets into full swing.

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org

• (00:00) - - Introduction and Sponsors
• (02:45) - - Episode Overview
• (03:43) - - Guest Introduction: Josh Dooley
• (04:32) - - Guest Introduction: Frank Baldwin
• (05:43) - - Migration and Goose Production Update
• (06:22) - - Yellowknife Migration Insights
• (08:19) - - Weather and Migration Patterns
• (09:45) - - Manitoba Hunting and Bird Observations
• (12:01) - - Wetland Conditions in Manitoba
• (13:48) - - Snow Geese and Cacklers Arrival
• (13:59) - - Teaser for Goose Production Episode
• (16:58) - - Introduction of Dr. Scott Stevens
• (18:25) - - Scott Stevens' Recent Travels
• (19:28) - - Hunting in Saskatchewan
• (20:29) - - Weather and Bird Conditions in Saskatchewan
• (22:20) - - Mallard and Pintail Observations
• (24:17) - - Weather Impact on Migration
• (25:23) - - Blue-winged Teal Sightings
• (26:46) - - Bird Numbers in North Dakota and South Dakota
• (27:39) - - Goose Production Observations
• (29:07) - - Future Hunting Plans
• (30:21) - - Border Crossing with Birds and Dogs
• (31:45) - - Closing Remarks and Thanks

On this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Matt Harrison is joined by co-host Dr. Mike Brasher and special guest Seth Dortch. Seth shares his background and deep connection to Ducks Unlimited, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation. With a career focused on marketing and branding in the outdoor industry, Seth reflects on his journey and the continuous learning process. Tune in for a discussion on media, branding, and the shared passion for habitat conservation.

www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Jay Anglin, WF360 Great Lakes migration editor, and the two discuss current conditions across the Great Lakes Region. Anglin, who keeps a keen eye on the migration in the region went into detail about Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin, while touching on other Great Lakes states. Warmer temperatures have the puddle duck migration stalled out, but Anglin has heard of many hunters overcoming this and having success. For more details, download and listen.

www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Tim Fehringer, national director of event fundraising for DU, and Lake Pickle, social marketing director for OnX, and the trio discuss the new Ducks Unlimited layer built within the OnX app. Fehringer explains how the relationship between the two companies began and shares what the new layer will offer users. Pickle goes into detail about the benefits of OnX for waterfowl hunters and some of the new features for this year. 

www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

www.onxmaps.com/

Which ducks or geese do you prefer as table fare? Some hunters prefer certain species over others, yet Scott Leysath, Ducks Unlimited magazine cooking columnist explains why hunters should approach every species the same way in the kitchen. Host Chris Jennings and Leysath share some personal experiences with different species of waterfowl as they discuss the best, and worst ways to cook ducks and geese.

www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Do strange and spooky things happen while hunting?  In this Halloween special episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher are joined by Kyle Philson and Cam Hale from the Expanded Perspectives Podcast. This episode explores a few spooky hunting destinations, bizarre stories and some of the folklore associated with them. The hosts talk about these locations, share their reactions, and Dr. Mike takes on the role of debunking and searching for facts. Get ready to have some fun and be spooked by stories of ghosts, ghouls, and more!

Make sure you also check out the Expanded Perspectives podcast here… www.expandedperspectives.com

www.ducks.org/TheDUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Jake Wallace, marketing brand and content coordinator for Winchester Ammunition, and the two discuss the iconic “Big Red W” and all-things Winchester Ammunition. Wallace shares his interesting background as a competitive shooter before joining Winchester. Wallace goes into detail about several new loads for waterfowlers launched in the last couple of years.

www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Dr. Scott Stephens, Director of Conservation Strategy and Support for Ducks Unlimited Canada, to discuss this week’s massive cold front that hit Prairie Canada, potentially kicking off a massive migration out of the region. Stephens explains that some areas received upwards of five to six inches of snow and freezing temperatures that will stick around. While not all ducks and geese will move south by the weekend, Stephens feels that within a week, that may be the case.

www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Dr. Mike Schummer, Roosevelt Waterfowl Ecologist at SUNY ESF, joins host Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss an incoming winter storm, how it will influence duck migration, and the implications of Siberian snow cover and a moderate El Nino for winter weather forecasts across eastern North America. Dr. Schummer also shares insights from early-season duck hunts in New York, an exciting update on his new podcast project, The FowlWeather Podcast, and common ground for conservation.

www.ducks.org/DUPodcast