The Standard Sportsman – Details, episodes & analysis

After a lengthy off-season, duck season is cracking open up north and knocking on the door down south. Reports out of Canada and the Dakotas are all over the map—mallards are spotty up there, but a few are finally filtering into Arkansas and beyond. Brent and Cason dive into what’s shaping the season ahead: mounting pressure on ducks that goes deeper than the gun, the idea of smaller limits for better hunts, and the “midpoint theory” that just happens to line up with this week. They wrap it all up the only way they know how—talking ducks, dirt, and a little SEC football chaos.

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Thanks to our sponsors: Tom Beckbe, Lile Real Estate, Perfect Limit Outdoors, Purina Pro Plan, Sitka Gear, Greenhead: The Arkansas Duck Hunting Magazine, Diamond M Land Development, and Ducks Unlimited.

The Standard Sportsman Duck Hunting Podcast

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In an era when unity could be our greatest asset, duck hunters seem increasingly divided not just over tactics but also over identity, ethics, and access. In this thought-provoking episode, Brent and Cason unpack the growing tensions within the waterfowling community and where that energy could be better spent.

Some of these debates carry weight, while others are rooted more in opinion than impact. From public vs. private land access to gear choices and regional rivalries, the hosts explore the key issues fueling division and, more importantly, challenge listeners to consider the bigger picture.

This episode is a timely call for collaboration over competition because the true measure of a waterfowler isn’t where or by what method they hunt, but how they contribute to the future of the sport.

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Thanks to our sponsors: Tom Beckbe, Lile Real Estate, Perfect Limit Outdoors, Purina Pro Plan, Sitka Gear, Greenhead: The Arkansas Duck Hunting Magazine, Diamond M Land Development, and Ducks Unlimited.

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Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Famer Ronnie Ritter joins the show to share the powerful story behind Hunters Feeding the Hungry. What started as a venison-driven effort has grown into a lifeline for thousands of Arkansans, especially in a state ranked #1 for food insecurity. Ritter walks us through the program’s history, its incredible impact, and why every pound of donated protein matters. For waterfowlers looking for a meaningful way to give back, this conversation will spark inspiration and maybe even your next step toward helping families in need through the harvest.

Thanks to our sponsors: Tom Beckbe, Lile Real Estate, Perfect Limit Outdoors, Purina Pro Plan, Sitka Gear, Greenhead: The Arkansas Duck Hunting Magazine, Diamond M Land Development, and Ducks Unlimited.

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Arkansas waterfowling personality, world champion duck caller and all around good guy Jim Ronquest with Drake Waterfowl joins the show. Ronquest shares stories from his favorite places outside of Arkansas to chase ducks, the calling contest industry, cutdown duck calls and his days as a duck hunting guide on the public ground of Arkansas.  

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• Tom Beckbe
• Sitka Gear
• Lite Boots
• Yeti
• Ducks Unlimited
• Higdon Outdoors

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Native Arkansan with a longtime affiliation with the Arkansas public timber, joins the show to discuss issues facing the modern-day public land hunter and possible solutions. Harrell centers on creating a better experience for hunters of all ages and skill sets while improving the success rate in the famed green timber of Arkansas.

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• Tom Beckbe
• Sitka Gear
• Lite Boots
• Yeti
• Ducks Unlimited
• Higdon Outdoors

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Native Arkansan John Veon has done extensive waterfowl research in Arkansas and the Central Valley of California. Veon shares results from some of his studies on mallard body mass, duck energy days, and roadside noise impact on wintering waterfowl.

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• Tom Beckbe
• Sitka Gear
• Lite Boots
• Gunner Kennels
• Yeti
• Ducks Unlimited
• Higdon Outdoors

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The remarkable history and traditions tied to Arkansas duck hunting get brought to life with opening day. From kids to grown men, the excitement and anticipation skyrockets heading into another Arkansas duck season. On this episode, Brent and Cason revisit some opening day memories from their extended duck hunting history as well as talk about current conditions in Arkansas and expectations for the 2023-24 Arkansas duck season. 

Thanks to our sponsors

• Tom Beckbe
• Sitka Gear
• Lite Boots
• Gunner Kennels
• Yeti
• Ducks Unlimited
• Higdon Outdoors

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Dr. Mike Brasher is a Senior Waterfowl Scientist at Ducks Unlimited Inc.’s National Headquarters in Memphis, TN. He is also the co-host of Ducks Unlimited's podcast.

On this episode, Brasher tackles various topics going on with waterfowl, including the new DuckDNA project, imprinting ducks aka site fidelity, duck movements during weather events, and implications of breaking pair bonds. Mike also converses on shortening the period when a person moves from strictly a hunter to a hunter/conservationist with an eye on the future of the sport.

Thanks to our sponsors

• Tom Beckbe
• Sitka Gear
• Lite Boots
• Gunner Kennels
• Yeti
• Ducks Unlimited
• Higdon Outdoors

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For over 60 years, Pat Pitt has chased waterfowl worldwide but calls his long-running club, The L'Anguille Lounge in Northeast Arkansas, home in the winter. Pitt talks about the importance of relationships, family, the anti-hunting movement and valuing the mallard hen.  He shares his story of surviving a heart attack while duck hunting and why every single hunt is a gift.

Tune in for excellent insights into the past, present & future of waterfowling from a legend in the sport.

NOTE: Pat's audio is a little rough at the beginning but improves for most of the podcast.

Thanks to our sponsors

• Tom Beckbe
• Sitka Gear
• Lite Boots
• Gunner Kennels
• Yeti
• Ducks Unlimited
• Higdon Outdoors

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Arkansas has long held the title of Duck Capitol of the World, but Kansas has improved its brand immensely in the last few years. Good duck hunting has been prevalent in Kansas for a long time but the increased interest has piled up some issues. Cason and Brent sit down with native Kansan Drew Palmer of Mile North Outdoors Co. and compare and contrast the waterfowling world in Arkansas and Kansas from top to bottom.

Thanks to our sponsors

• Tom Beckbe
• Sitka Gear
• Lite Boots
• Gunner Kennels
• Yeti
• Ducks Unlimited
• Higdon Outdoors

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All Rights Reserved. Please subscribe, rate and share The Standard Sportsman podcast.