Ducks Unlimited Podcast

Katie Burke sits down with renowned call maker Ronnie Turner at Reelfoot Lake to explore the rich history of duck call making, the evolution of craftsmanship, and why passing the tradition to the next generation matters. Ronnie shares stories from his Tennessee roots, his hunting adventures, and how he uses his craft to support meaningful causes.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Despite a recent Arctic plunge, the outlook for duck hunters through the end of the year isn’t exactly promising. Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Mandy Bailey, Chief Meteorologist at KTEN in Denison, Texas, and Skot Covert, Chief Meteorologist at 5News in Fayetteville/Fort Smith, Arkansas, to recap the latest winter weather outbreak and discuss what’s ahead as we close out the season. Early La Niña forecasts have largely held true, and that pattern appears to continue—warm and dry conditions dominate the southern Central and Mississippi Flyways, while frigid air grips the north. Out West, hunters and communities face repeated rounds of flooding rain, creating unique challenges for holiday hunts. Join us for expert insights on holiday weather trends and what they mean for your hunting plans.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Join Matt Harrison and Jim Ronquest as they dive into all things ducks! This episode covers everything from migration timing and habitat conditions to motion decoys and calling etiquette. Learn how acorns impact duck numbers, why motion matters in decoys, and get pro-level calling tips for tough birds.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Join Matt Harrison and special guest Guy Halbert as they dive into Arkansas’ first split of duck season. From unexpected warm weather and mosquito-filled mornings to big pushes of birds as of late, Guy shares insights on hunting conditions, water levels, and the impact of acorn abundance on wildlife. Plus, hear an unforgettable story about a young hunter’s first banded mallard.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Host Katie Burke sits down with carver Cameron McIntyre in his Virginia studio to discuss his upcoming solo auction, Portrait of a Farm, presented by Guyette & Deeter. Cameron shares insights into the artistry and methodology behind his decoys, while also opening up about the collection of paintings featured in the auction—his largest showing to date. The conversation explores his history with landscape painting, the inspirations that fuel his work, and how this milestone event blends tradition, craftsmanship, and personal vision.Check out our previous conversation with Cameron here:Ep 353, Collector Series: Master Decoy Carver, Cameron McIntyreListen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

In this episode, we dive into the world of custom duck calls with Farrel Charpentier, a maker whose roots run deep in South Louisiana. Hear how he transitioned from offshore work to call making, why he chose the Arkansas-style call, and the challenges of perfecting sound and design. Plus, insights into Reelfoot Lake’s unique call maker gathering and the camaraderie that defines this craft.https://www.facebook.com/farrel.charpentier/Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for wetlands, waterfowl, and YOU—our Ducks Unlimited family. Join us for a festive episode featuring gear recommendations, lively debates, and cherished holiday memories. Together, we’ll celebrate the traditions that make hunting and conservation so special. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at DU!DUCKS UNLIMITED GIFT GUIDEListen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, Matt Harrison and Nathan Ratchford dive deep into the world of sporting dogs with Karl Gunzer from Purina. The discussion covers why fat and protein matter for working dogs, how to prepare your dog for hunting season, common mistakes first-time dog owners make, and cold weather precautions to keep your dog safe. Karl also shares stories from his years in field trials and offers advice for building a strong bond with your dog. This is an informative and engaging episode for anyone passionate about hunting and dog care.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Join hosts Jerad Henson and John Gordon as they welcome Craig Verhage, aka the BBQ Ninja, for a mouthwatering episode full of duck camp cooking tips. From duck tacos with a game-changing green sauce to panko-crusted duck pasta and southern-style duck and grits, Craig shares simple, delicious recipes anyone can try. Plus, hear stories from duck camp, tips for handling wild game, and how to make duck sausage, tamales, and even ramen. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just love good food, this episode is packed with flavor and fun.Recipe Ideas Mentioned:Duck Tacos with lime-cilantro-pineapple slaw and jalapeno-guacamole green saucePanko-Crusted Duck Pasta with garlic and olive oil pastaDuck and Grits using instant grits (butter and bacon flavors) and Cajun seasoningDuck Egg Rolls with miso slaw and Japanese BBQ sauceDuck Ramen with fresh or frozen veggies and sliced grilled duckDuck Tamales with chipotle seasoning and shredded duckDuck Sausage including breakfast sausage and chorizoDuck Parm with red sauce and melted cheesePutake: slow-cooked duck with garlic, onion, rosemary, and red wine served over riceBoudin and Venison Sausages as camp staplesGrilled Duck Popper Tips for avoiding overcookingFollow Craig Verhage (@thebbqninja) on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, and Facebook for more wild game cooking inspiration.SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Katie Burke sits down with callmaker Doug Nelson at the Reelfoot Waterfowl Festival to explore the deep traditions of custom callmaking, the evolution of waterfowl hunting, and the vibrant community that gathers each year at this historic event.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Join guest hosts Kayci Messerly and Katie Tucker as they travel to the University of Texas at El Paso for a deep dive into duckDNA with Dr. Phil Lavretsky. Together, they explore how hunters are driving groundbreaking genetic discoveries and uncovering the potential causes of unique plumage characteristics in waterfowl. They also reveal the cutting-edge work happening inside Dr. Lavretsky's lab to unlock genetic mysteries shaping waterfowl today.duckDNA.comListen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation. Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Join Dr. Mike Brasher and his long-time friends and colleagues—Dr. Mark Vrtiska, Dr. Brian Davis, and Dr. Scott Stephens—for an entertaining discussion on how daily bag limits shape hunter expectations, influence waterfowl behavior, and ultimately affect hunter satisfaction. From friendly banter to hilarious hunting stories, this episode investigates the complex interplay between regulations and human psychology, while considering why a “perfect bag limit” may be more elusive that it seems. The group also imagines innovative field experiments, brainwave studies, and alternative bag limit structures that could offer fresh perspectives on this topic.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Tune in as Dr. Mike Brasher & Dr. Jerad Henson team up with meteorologists Chance Gotsch and Scott Covert. Together, they break down current weather patterns, drought conditions, and long-range forecasts—including the impact of La Niña—on waterfowl migration and habitat. Whether you're hunting in the Mid-South or tracking birds across the flyways, this episode offers expert insights to help you plan your season.We'll discuss:  Seasonal weather shifts and how they impact waterfowl migrationTips for tracking the best hunting conditions in your area Expert predictions on what the next few weeks hold for duck hunters  Don’t miss this unique blend of meteorological expertise and hunting wisdom!Our Special Guests: Chance Gotsch – Meteorologist for ABC17, Columbia, MO  IG: [@chanceabc17]  / chanceabc17  Skot Covert – Chief Meteorologist for 5News, Fayetteville/Fort Smith, AR  IG: [@skotwx]  / skotwx SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Wildlife artist Jim Hautman joins host Katie Burke to share the story behind his remarkable seven wins in the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. From growing up in an artistic Minnesota family to hunting WPA wetlands with his brothers, Jim reflects on the influence of his parents, how hunting shaped his art, and the friendly rivalry that continues to inspire the Hautman legacy.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

For this special Halloween episode, the Ducks Unlimited Podcast trades studio mics for a campfire under the stars. With s’mores in hand and coyotes howling in the distance, the crew shares some of the creepiest stories ever submitted by listeners. Whether it’s a mysterious creature crawling through cornfields, a haunted farmhouse door, or a five-foot caterpillar in the woods, these tales are sure to give you chills. Tune in for laughs, scares, and a whole lot of outdoor storytelling.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

The Duck Den comes alive at DUX 2025! Jimbo Robinson hosts an all-star crew—Beau Brooks, Justin Martin, and Maggie Williams—for an unforgettable roundtable in Memphis. Hear their stories about the early days, favorite hunts, mentorship moments, and a few surprises—including a big announcement about Willie Robertson. It’s waterfowl heritage, heart, and humor all in one episode.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Dr. Phil Lavretsky (UTEP) and DU’s Kayci Messerly and Ty Sharrow to announce the return of duckDNA and share new features and mysterious discoveries from this hunter-powered initiative. This season also brings a major milestone—the launch of the 2025 Mossy Oak Waterfowl Conservation Stamp that will directly support duckDNA. Mossy Oak’s Daniel Haas makes a surprise appearance to explain how this collaboration connects art and science to the conservation of our wild ducks. Tune in to learn how hunters are shaping the future of waterfowl science and management—one tongue at a time.duckDNA.comListen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

As duck season kicks off across the Central Flyway, cohosts Matt Harrison and Dr. Jerad Henson dive into the latest report from DU Migration Editor John Pollmann. They discuss local duck production, shifting weather patterns (specifically in the Central Flyway / North Dakota), and how scouting can make or break your next hunt. Get expert insight on what’s happening up north and what it means for hunters further south.READ HERE: Migration Alert: North Dakota Hunters Wait on Weather and MigrationSIGN UP FOR MIGRATION ALERTS HERE!Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

On this episode, Dr. Scott Stephens joins Dr. Mike Brasher for an update on habitat and hunting conditions across the prairies, although the report isn't as upbeat as hoped! Fields remain dusty and wetlands remain dry, but ducks are still available for shooting. Scott also discusses his plans for future duck and pheasant hunts and shares his thoughts on misinformation around Canadian duck harvest, the origin of super moons, physiology of duck fat, winter weather, and the importance of being on the target! A rare episode that offers more questions than answers—join us for an entertaining and wide-ranging discussion of ducks, dogs, hunting, and more.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Back by popular demand, Ducks Unlimited and Expanded Perspectives reunite for a chilling Halloween special that dives deep into the unknown. From eerie screams in the dark to invisible watchers in the timber, these true outdoor encounters will make you think twice before heading into the woods alone.Check out EXPANDED PERSPECTIVES!Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.