Save it for the Blind Podcast

Jeff sits down with a panel of California wildlife refuge managers to lay out what hunters can expect this season—water deliveries, flood-up timelines, food on the landscape, and how weather and pressure will shape bird movement from the opener through the late split.What you’ll hearWater & habitat status across key refuges: unit-by-unit flood-ups, moist-soil production, and sanctuary plans to hold birds after the first volleysAccess updates: road work, blind repairs, closed-zone adjustments, and any changes to check-station flow or shoot timesSpecies timing: teal on the front end, mallards and wigeon mid-season, specks/snows and divers as winter buildsWeather game plans: how managers react to storms, fog, and hard freezes—and how hunters can adapt to keep birds finishingAfter-season priorities: projects queued up for spring/summer that pay off next fall🦆 If this helps you plan your hunts, hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share the episode with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.

Director of Fundraising Jason Minsky joins Jeff Smith to break down how California Waterfowl keeps the lights on and the wetlands wet—banquets, sweepstakes, merch, and a statewide volunteer network that turns passion into real habitat, hunter access, and youth programs. From the 80th-anniversary celebrations to new “bingo + Let’s Make a Deal” nights, this one is a clear map for anyone who wants to help.Episode highlightsWhy fundraising matters: where event dollars go across conservation, hunts, education, and advocacy—right here in California.Volunteer pathways: join a local banquet committee, help “night-of,” or step up to start a new event in your town.ELP (Event Leadership Program): a 5–6 month training track building state, regional, and district leaders from our volunteer base.Ways to give beyond banquets: sweepstakes entries, the gun-a-week calendar, and a refreshed merch line (limited hat drops, fall gear).Membership 101: attending most CWA events includes your annual membership—plus youth Sprig options and life-member perks.Find your fit: upcoming banquets across the state, plus new, high-energy bingo nights that bring in friends who are new to CWA.If you’ve ever said “I should get more involved,” this is your step-by-step. Pick a lane, bring a buddy, and help keep California’s waterfowl future strong.🦆 Join the crew: Hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share this with your blind buddies. Ready to plug in? Head to calwaterfowl.org → Get Involved to volunteer, enter the sweepstakes, or find an event near you.

Waterfowl historian Yancey Forest-Knowles closes the series with a tour of California’s fog belt and beyond—Humboldt Bay, the lagoons north and south of Crescent City, Laguna de Santa Rosa, and the Central Coast from Elkhorn Slough to Morro Bay. We trace how tides, eelgrass, railroads, and reclamation shaped these marshes—and what that means for today’s hunters.Episode highlightsNorth Coast primer: why this stretch is a critical coastal link in the Pacific Flyway and how fog, rain, and working pasturelands still hold birds.Humboldt Bay traditions: public-forward Brant hunting, the roots of sculling, and the gear and etiquette that make it work.Access that remains: boat-in opportunities on flood years, small state parcels, and farm-pond possibilities when conditions line up.Club lore & culture: from early island and bay clubs to the stories of trains stopping at clubhouses—what’s gone, what survived, and why.Central Coast check-in: how most wetlands were converted a century ago, and where hunters still find openings around Elkhorn Slough, Salinas, and Morro Bay.If you’re curious where coastal waterfowling came from—and how to approach it with respect today—this finale ties the history, access, and conservation ethic together.🦆 Like the series? Tap Follow, leave a quick review, and share this one with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.

Carson and Jeff sit down with John Veon (UC Davis PhD candidate, wetlands & waterfowl) and Andy Atkinson (manager, Bird Haven Ranch) to unpack a five-year experiment in integrated wetland management—using swales, shorter irrigations, and year-round connectivity to cut mosquito production while boosting macroinvertebrates and duck use.What you’ll learnWhy the Valley needs a reset: California flipped its natural water rhythm and now only ~7–10% of naturally functioning wetlands remain—so managers are rebuilding function, not replicas.How the system works: keep wet swales connected through summer and swap 10-day irrigations for ~5-day (or less) pulses to protect annuals (think Timothy), grow food plants, and starve mosquito cycles.Predators, not spray: longer access to water (≈140 days vs. ~20) grows dragonfly/other predators that hammer larvae—nature doing the heavy lifting.Public health partnership: day-to-day coordination with Butte County Mosquito & Vector Control aligns human health (West Nile) with better wetlands.Running cheaper, smarter: timing pumps at night avoids brutal demand charges and still feeds the swales—biology and the power bill pulling the same way.Water source matters: colder well water slows bug production; lift-pump or warmer sources can change bird use patterns.Measuring results: wood-duck fecal DNA diet work, USGS telemetry, and game-camera grids track how birds and wildlife actually respond.If you manage a club pond, volunteer on public ground, or just want sharper habitat instincts, this episode lays out a clear, field-tested blueprint you can scale to your place.🦆 Like the show? Tap follow, leave a quick review, and share this one with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.

We’re celebrating 100 episodes of Save it for the Blind with a friendly, fast-paced trivia throwdown. Our hosts Jeff Smith & Carson Odegard welcome a stacked CWA panel—Brian Huber (Wood Duck Program Coordinator & Waterfowl Biologist), Jason Coslovich (Egg Salvage Program Coordinator & Waterfowl Biologist), and Kevin Vella (Regional Biologist & Land Trust Coordinator)—to test what we all think we know about ducks, geese, history, and the laws that shaped American waterfowling.What you’ll hearCWA origins and early club lore—plus the real first name of the organization.Record-breakers: oldest banded birds, the highest-flying duck, and the fastest verified flight.Law & policy classics: MBTA (1918), the lead-shot ban (1991), and the first federal duck stamp (1934).Tools & traditions: the NES Duck Hunt effect, why sink boxes got outlawed, and sound IDs from the sea duck world.Lightning round stats: IOC’s current species count and other numbers every waterfowler should know.MOJO Blade Giveaway (Episode 100)Go to our Instagram or Facebook and find the Episode 100 reel.Like, comment, and share that post to enter. Do it on both platforms to double your chances.Deadline: Enter by September 19. Winner notified: September 26.No purchase necessary. U.S. residents, 18+.🦆 Thanks for riding with us to 100. If you enjoy the show, tap Follow, leave a quick 5-star review, and share this episode with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations (and the flyway) thriving.

Karl Gunzer, Director of Purina’s Sporting Dog Group, joins Jeff and Carson to trace his path from Montana duck hunter to California trainer to industry leader—and to lay out clear, field-tested basics for keeping a retriever healthy, steady, and ready for season. We also talk California’s under-appreciated waterfowl culture and public access opportunities that still produce strong hunts.Episode highlightsFuel that works: why performance diets (e.g., 30/20) prioritize fat as a dog’s primary energy source—and how that translates to stamina in the field.Who feeds what: Pro insights from major championships where a large majority of starters are on Pro Plan.Grain-free vs. science: Purina’s take on grains, “novel proteins,” and choosing formulas based on evidence—not marketing.Feeding for performance: why Karl favors one evening meal before work, plus simple hydration tips like floating kibble.Weather & calories: how cold snaps change energy needs (rule-of-thumb adjustments).Tests decoded: the real differences between field trials and hunt tests, and why both can make better gun dogs.Why Purina backs conservation: connecting dog nutrition, rice country, and on-the-ground habitat work with groups like CWA.🦆 If this one helps your dog work better this season, hit follow, leave a quick review, and share it with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.

Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with waterfowl historian Yancey Forest-Knowles to unpack the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta—its island clubs, levees and tides, and the public access that still lets you chase mallards and specks on big water today.What you’ll hearHow the Delta was built — from early private island claims and hand-built levees to today’s twin pressures of saltwater intrusion and export pumping.Club lore & big names — Twitchell Island’s first club (1880), Venice and Mandeville’s eras, and the “Mallard Hole” stories tied to Barron Hilton and Hollywood guests.Flood risk is real — why peat islands subside and how Jones Tract’s 2004 failure floated a clubhouse away.Public opportunity — boat-in spots and state-permitted floating blinds at Frank’s Tract (plus Big Break, Stone Lakes, Decker & more), and the on-water etiquette that keeps it working.Access rules that matter — anchor next to levees to hunt, but don’t set foot on them.Today’s mix of ag & restoration — CWA ownership on Quimby and habitat work across Medford, Sherman, and sister islands.From 19th-century market hunts to modern floating blinds, this one maps the Delta’s history and gives practical pointers for anyone looking to do it right on big water.🦆 Liking the series? Tap follow, leave a quick review, and share this episode with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.

Jeff and Carson sit down with Terry Denmon, CEO of MOJO Outdoors, for a nuts-and-bolts look at modern motion decoys—why the Big Blade matters, how to run spinning wings around pressured ducks, and where water-motion tech is headed. Terry also walks through MOJO’s newest gear—the reengineered Mallard Machine, the diving Dabbler decoy, and the 25th-anniversary Silver Mallard—plus the season outlook that’s shaping early hunts.In this episode:Big Blade, built for the flash game — quiet design, ~700 RPM target speed, and why wing speed matters for long-range pull.Running spinners on pressured birds — treat them as attractors, not finishers; move the unit ~75 yards off the hide to keep birds working.What’s new from MOJO — the lithium-powered Mallard Machine (buoy design, hard water push), the diving Dabbler duck, and the Silver Mallard anniversary decoy with a QR-code weekly giveaway; now hitting stores (~$99).Big Blade availability — delayed by trade issues but shipping to retailers within weeks; a few prototypes already proved out last season.Season notes — early teal framework trimmed to 9 days and pushed later into September; what that means for timing and travel.Behavior & weather — more nocturnal use and mid-season shifts demand flexible spreads and better water motion.If you’re tuning your spread for pressured birds—or deciding which motion tool to add first—this one’s packed with field-ready detail and clear takeaways.🦆 Enjoy the show? Hit follow, drop a quick review, and share it with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.

Southern California Duck Country: History, Habitat, TraditionWaterfowl historian Yancey Forest-Knowles joins Jeff and Carson to map the rise and fall of Southern California’s coastal duck country—from the artesian-fed ciénegas of the Los Angeles plain to the estuaries of Ballona, Bolsa Chica, and Newport, and on to the Salton Sea and the San Diego reservoirs. It’s a guided tour through clubs that once dotted the coast, the culture that filled their cookhouses, and the policy and development pressures that eventually shut most gates. We close with what’s still huntable today and the conservation lessons worth carrying forward.Topics includeHow artesian water and heavy winter rains built a maze of natural marshes across the L.A. basinThe Orange County era of managed wetlands—and why city growth and water rules ended itCoastal club culture: famous names, strict house rules, and why Point Mugu still mattersSalton Sea 101: accident to flyway magnet, depredation history, and what changed on the landscapeSan Diego’s reservoir hunts and old-school duck-boat drivesWhat remains today (San Jacinto, Wister, select coastal/military marshes) and the takeaways for modern habitat work🦆 If this history hits home, tap follow, drop a quick review, and share the episode with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations moving and the flyway thriving.

Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) Melanie Weaver joins Jeff and Carson to explain how California’s Breeding Population (BPOP) survey is flown, what this year’s numbers say, and how those data drive next year’s hunting frameworks. Weaver details the fixed-wing transect method, why multi-year wet cycles matter, and why harvest regulations follow a structured, flyway-wide model rather than gut checks. In this episode: How the survey works — nine strata statewide, low-altitude fixed-wing transects, and trained observers reading birds at speed. 2025 headline numbers — total ducks up ~27% from 2024 but still ~11% below the long-term average; mallards up ~49% yet ~16% below the long-term average. From data to regulations — California’s counts feed the Western Mallard AHM model, which sets next season’s duck frameworks across the Pacific Flyway. Harvest vs. habitat — average bags run ~2–4 ducks per hunt, so changing limits from 7 to 5 rarely moves the needle; habitat and weather are the bigger drivers. Whether you’re planning opener or following policy, this conversation gives a clear, data-driven picture of where California’s ducks stand and how decisions get made. 🦆 Enjoy the show? Please follow, leave a quick review, and share it with your hunting crew—your support keeps these conversations (and the flyway) moving.

Regional Biologist Greg Heydeman (California Waterfowl Association) joins Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard for a deep look at habitat work and hunting realities in the high desert of Modoc, Klamath and Shasta Valley.In this conversation you’ll learn:Why the 2025-26 season starts with optimism—heavy snowpack and strong water deliveries are putting more acres back under flood across the Northeast ZoneThe Butte Valley makeover—over 2,000 acres of former ditch water converted to managed seasonal wetlands and improved hunter accessPublic-first project strategy—roughly 80-85 percent of CWA habitat dollars in Greg’s region go to state and federal areas, not private clubsHow ice drives every decision—from property acquisitions to draw systems, one hard freeze in early December can shut an entire ranch downNew migration quirks—summer-resident snow geese and specks are now common sights, underscoring shifting flyway patternsPull up a chair and hear how smart engineering, targeted grants and on-the-ground hunting experience combine to keep birds—and opportunity—on the landscape.🦆 Like the show? Tap follow, leave a quick rating, and share this episode with your blind partners. Your support helps California’s wetlands—and the conversations that protect them—keep thriving.

A deep-dive with Chadd Santerre (Director of Wetland Programs & NAWCA Coordinator) and field-rep Chad ThomasCarson Odegard sits down with Chadd Santerre for a data-driven look at the engineering, funding, and on-the-ground work now reshaping waterfowl habitat from San Jacinto to the Colorado River. In the back half, Chad Thomas details the banquets, workdays, and youth hunts that let Southern California hunters roll up their sleeves and keep the momentum going.Episode highlightsFunding surge fuels action – NAWCA and California Wildlife Conservation Board grants have steered $18.9 million since 2022, locking in projects through 2029Imperial (Wister) overhaul – miles of buried pipeline and consolidated units are cutting evaporation losses and speeding flood-ups for managers and hunters alikeSan Jacinto recapture system – a new storage complex is designed to recycle 700-1,000 acre-feet each year, creating reliable brood water and a much-needed sanctuaryPalo Verde Ecological Reserve – 500 acres of former cropland now function as seasonal wetlands and high-yield dove plots after full pipeline and grading upgradesPublic-land priority – more than 70 percent of CWA habitat dollars land on refuges and wildlife areas every year, keeping improvements accessible to everyoneGet involved – summer banquets, August habitat days at San Jacinto and Wister, and the unique San Vicente Reservoir draw hunt where hunters pick their own dates from a boatWhether you’re chasing teal at Wister, volunteering at a San Jac workday, or planning your first San Vicente boat hunt, this episode lays out the roadmap—and the resources—to keep Southern California’s flyway thriving.🦆 Like what you’re hearing? Follow the show, leave a quick review, and share the episode with your hunting crew—your support powers these conversations and the conservation work behind them.

Jeff’s off chasing summer vacation, so Carson Odegard grabs a mic with CWA egg-salvage guru Jason Coslovich - Egg Salvage Program Coordinator, Waterfowl Biologist and Robert “Rob” Jones—the volunteer dynamo keeping the North Delta Duck Hatchery clucking along since the early 2000s. Pull a chair up to the brooder and hear how a ramshackle 1996 shed on Tyler Island now kicks out 500 wild mallards a year, why 92 percent of rescued eggs actually hatch, and what it takes to relocate the whole outfit before next spring’s first quack.Talking pointsEggs to wings: the combine-to-incubator relay that turns field-found clutches into fly-ready ducks—and the ten-by-ten room that makes it happen.Volunteer grind: daily pen scrubs, smartweed jungles, and the slick system that’s banded 15,000 birds (plus one 93-year-old mentor who still shows up).Where bands wander: mallards released in June near Sacramento, shot five years later in Idaho, Oregon—even Arkansas.Moving day: why the Tyler Island pens are closing, the plan for a fresh build next door to the annual barn dinner, and the $100 K they need to pull it off.Get your hands dirty: how farmers, hunters, and city folks can salvage nests, run feed buckets, or simply donate a few bucks to keep the pumps humming.🦆 Stoked on the story? Hit follow, drop a quick ★★★★★ review, and text this episode to your blind buddies—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.

In this new episode—part three of our California history series—Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard close out the Klamath Basin saga and head south to the 240,000-acre Grasslands, where water rights, teal limits, and hard-fought tradition still rule the marsh. Topics include: Klamath’s boom-to-bust timeline—from 100,000-duck openers in ’52 to today’s drought-strangled refuge drama Miller & Lux’s canal gamble that turned alkali flats into duck country and sparked 180 active clubs Jay Martin Winton vs. the Bureau of Reclamation—the bare-knuckle fight that created the Grasslands Water District and still floods your blind every fall Small-gauge, big smiles—why teal limits, wigeon straps, and tight-knit club culture make the Grasslands the most approachable duck scene in the state Habitat truths—cocklebur takeovers, raven predation, and the management grind needed to keep mallards finishing today The next battle on the horizon: a 20-foot high-speed-rail viaduct aimed straight through prime wetlands—and how locals are pushing back Plus: steamboat blinds on Lower Klamath and the mystery of the lost-and-found clubs. 🦆 Like what you’re hearing? Hit follow, drop a quick review, and share the link with your blind buddies—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.

In this new episode and part two of this series, Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard dive deeper with Yancey Forest‑Knowles to unpack decades of waterfowling history and hard‑won conservation lessons from California’s most fought‑over wetlands. Topics include: The rise of the Butte Sink and why rice water still floods those blinds each opener Inside stories from private clubs: habitat tricks that keep mallards finishing How competing water laws and drought squeeze the Klamath Refuge—and what can fix it Take‑home tips for keeping birds working in any marsh 🦆 Like what you’re hearing? Hit follow, drop a quick review, and share the link with your blind buddies—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.

This week, Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with California outdoors legend Yancey Forest‑Knowles—a waterfowling and conservation icon with over 70 years in the field. Dubbed the “embodiment of the authentic outdoorsman,” Yancey’s journey began duck hunting at age 10 in the Bay near Palo Alto and evolved into a life filled with adventure, leadership, and preservation (cohof.org).A former elementary-school principal from Santa Rosa, Yancey’s passion for wildlife runs deep. He’s leased marshland for duck clubs, guided white-water rafting trips for over a decade, and even raced yachts across the Pacific and Atlantic. A champion sporting-clays shooter, he’s traveled the world hunting and fly fishing, and he co-authored Pacific Flyway – Historical Waterfowling Images.In leadership roles like Chairman of the California Waterfowl Association, Secretary of the Klamath Water Committee, and as a key advisor with the Pacific Flyway Center, Yancey has fought for water rights and wetland restoration—meeting with Interior Secretaries to secure dedicated water for Lower Klamath Refuge. He’s also been inducted into the International Order of St. Hubertus and contributed to the Golden Gate Salmon Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and more. We dive into:The journey from early marsh leases to modern duck-club managementTrue tales from Suisun Marsh and the Pacific FlywayHow Yancey helped shape California’s waterfowl heritage through policyField stories and lessons from seven decades sharpened by boots-on-the-ground experienceLove the craft of duck hunting and conservation? Tap follow, drop a review, and share this episode with your duck camp crew. Your support fuels the conversation and keeps these voices alive.

In this episode of Save it for the Blind, Jeff and Carson sit down with Jim Burcio and Rob Capriola—two pillars of the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association—to talk decoys, tradition, and the upcoming 53rd Annual Wildfowl Festival in Sacramento, California.Jim Burcio, PFDA’s Vice President of Membership, walks us through the history and heart of the festival, happening July 12–13, 2025. From carving competitions to conservation booths and antique showcases, it’s a celebration of waterfowl art and community like no other.Joining him is Rob Capriola, a seasoned decoy carver whose work reflects over 50 years of craftsmanship and a biologist’s understanding of the birds. Rob shares his story—from carving his first rig to showcasing fine decoys at shows across the country—and gives a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making a decoy that’s both beautiful and biologically spot-on.Whether you’re deep into decoy culture or just appreciate the craft that supports the hunt, this episode is packed with stories and insight from two men keeping tradition alive.👉 Like, subscribe, and drop us a comment—especially if you’ve been to the Wildfowl Festival or have a decoy story of your own to share!

In Part 2 of our Save it for the Blind: New Zealand series, co-host Jeff Smith is back from the bush and sits down with his brother Colby Smith—his travel partner and fellow hunter—to debrief their epic trip to New Zealand.The brothers recount their hunts across breathtaking terrain, swap stories from the field, and reflect on what sets New Zealand’s hunting culture apart. From gear highs and lows to local traditions and surprising differences in access and conservation, this conversation brings a full-circle look at their overseas adventure.If you’ve ever dreamed about hunting abroad or want to hear what happens when two duck-obsessed brothers take on the Southern Hemisphere, this is your episode.👉 Make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment—especially if you’ve got questions about hunting in New Zealand or where we should head next!

In this episode of Save it for the Blind, hosts Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Dr. Kevin Ringelman—Associate Professor of Waterfowl Ecology and Management at LSU, and the successor to Dr. John Eadie’s longtime position at UC Davis. From drone-powered brood surveys to mentoring the next generation of wildlife professionals, Dr. Ringelman offers a grounded and insightful look at the evolving landscape of waterfowl research and conservation. They dig into Kevin’s early influences—including his dad and formative field mentors—and discuss what it was like stepping into Eadie’s legacy. The conversation spans emerging tech like drones in duck brood studies, how field programs like College Camp and the College Hunter Program are changing student perspectives, and the regulatory and conservation challenges facing California and beyond. Dr. Ringelman also shares advice for students wanting to break into the field, favorite species to study, his most unforgettable field moment, and one myth about conservation he’s ready to bust. This episode blends heart, science, and future-forward thinking—whether you’re a student, biologist, or duck hunter, there’s something in here for you. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment to let us know what questions you'd love to hear us ask in future episodes. Your voice helps shape the blind!

In this unique episode of Save it for the Blind, co-host Jeff Smith checks in live from the hills of New Zealand as he takes us through the first week of his adventure abroad. From breathtaking landscapes to unexpected wildlife encounters, Jeff shares what it’s like hunting, exploring, and soaking up the local scene halfway around the world. Carson Odegard holds down the fort stateside as the two chat about long flights, New Zealand ranches, conservation differences, and what it’s like adjusting to a new environment as a lifelong outdoorsman. Get ready for laid-back storytelling, scenic dispatches, and a preview of what’s to come in part two of Jeff’s international waterfowl experience. 👉 Be sure to like, subscribe, and drop a comment if you’ve hunted overseas or have questions for Jeff before he returns!