The Migration Waterfowl Podcast

What if you could follow a mallard throughout its entire year and see exactly where it goes, when it moves, how long it stays—and what finally triggers it to migrate? On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib is joined by Cassidy Waldrep of the Eastern Mallard Project to explore what researchers are learning by GPS-tracking hen mallards across eastern North America. Cassidy breaks down how the GPS and accelerometer technology works and what the movements of individual ducks are revealing about migration timing, weather, habitat use, stopover areas, wintering behavior and hunting pressure. We also dig into some of the movements researchers have documented through Pennsylvania and the Atlantic Flyway, including where these birds are coming from and where they go next. The conversation also tackles the bigger question behind the research: Why have eastern mallard numbers declined? Cassidy explains the differences researchers are seeing between mallards breeding in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, what scientists are investigating as possible causes, and how this massive tracking project could ultimately influence habitat conservation and waterfowl management. For duck hunters who have ever wondered what happens to the birds between the days we see them in the marsh, this episode offers a fascinating look at migration from the duck's perspective. Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected] Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok: @migrationwaterfowl Migration Waterfowl Store - Gear Roost & Apparel https://www.migrationwaterfowl.com Patreon - Support the show & get more personal content from Brian https://www.patreon.com/MigrationWaterfowl Migration Waterfowl is presented by: Blue Bird Waterfowl https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com And also brought to you by these fine partners: Rig’Em Right Outdoors https://rigemright.com Flight Day Ammo https://www.flightdayammo.com Aves Hunting https://aveshunting.com Retay USA https://www.retayusa.com frogg toggs https://www.froggtoggs.com The Duck Hole & Company https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany Northern Duck Calls https://www.northernduckcalls.com 15% off with code MW15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robby Nelson didn’t grow up in a hunting family, but more than 20 years later, waterfowl hunting has taken him across all four flyways, from Alaska to Mexico and beyond. On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, Robby joins your host Brian Halbleib to talk about teaching himself to hunt alongside friends in Georgia, the people who helped shape him as a waterfowler, and how a passion for chasing ducks and geese eventually turned into a lifetime of traveling and hunting new places and species. They get into Robby’s pursuit of the North American 41, some of his most memorable destination hunts, and why the friendships and experiences have become just as important as the birds themselves. Robby also shares the story behind launching the Southern Flight Podcast, what pushed him to finally get behind a microphone, and what he hopes to build with the show. From Southern swamps to hunts around the world, it’s a conversation about waterfowl, travel, friendship, podcasting, and passing the hunting tradition on to the next generation. Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected] Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok: @migrationwaterfowl Migration Waterfowl Store - Gear Roost & Apparel https://www.migrationwaterfowl.com Patreon - Support the show & get more personal content from Brian https://www.patreon.com/MigrationWaterfowl Migration Waterfowl is presented by: Blue Bird Waterfowl https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com And also brought to you by these fine partners: Rig’Em Right Outdoors https://rigemright.com Flight Day Ammo https://www.flightdayammo.com Aves Hunting https://aveshunting.com Retay USA https://www.retayusa.com frogg toggs https://www.froggtoggs.com The Duck Hole & Company https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany Northern Duck Calls https://www.northernduckcalls.com 15% off with code MW15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three days. Three teal hunts. Three limits. In this solo episode, your host Brian Halbleib breaks down an unforgettable early teal trip to the Central Flyway. Hunt one brought together Elliott Snider, Aden Shorney and Jeremy Ragsdale. Hunt two was Brian and Elliott, and the final morning became a solo hunt. Despite a different group and setup each day, every hunt ended the same way—with a limit of teal in less than an hour. The biggest challenge wasn’t finding birds—it was beating the oppressive heat. Temperatures reached 100 degrees during Friday’s full day of scouting and remained brutal throughout most of the trip. Instead of joining the crowds at marshes holding the most teal, the crew deliberately chose a spot with fewer ducks and less hunting pressure, betting that having room to work would outweigh chasing the biggest concentration of birds. Brian also shares the camping side of the trip, including hauling along a generator and window air conditioner to turn a nylon tent into a surprisingly comfortable escape from the heat. From scouting strategy and hunting pressure to fast limits and air-conditioned “roughing it,” this episode delivers the complete story of three successful days chasing early-season teal in the Central Flyway. Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected] Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok: @migrationwaterfowl Migration Waterfowl Store - Gear Roost & Apparel https://www.migrationwaterfowl.com Patreon - Support the show & get more personal content from Brian https://www.patreon.com/MigrationWaterfowl Migration Waterfowl is presented by: Blue Bird Waterfowl https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com And also brought to you by these fine partners: Rig’Em Right Outdoors https://rigemright.com Flight Day Am-mo https://www.flightdayammo.com Aves Hunting https://aveshunting.com Retay USA https://www.retayusa.com frogg toggs https://www.froggtoggs.com The Duck Hole & Company https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany Northern Duck Calls https://www.northernduckcalls.com 15% off with code MW15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Early goose season is here, and we’re kicking things off with Wisconsin waterfowler Greg Tait. Greg joins your host Brian Halbleib to talk about how he got his start in waterfowl hunting and what early goose season looks like in Wisconsin. We dive into scouting September Canadas, hunting fields versus water, decoy spreads, calling, concealment and the little adjustments that can turn a slow morning into a successful hunt. We also get into some of Greg’s favorite hunts and memorable moments from the field, what he has planned for the 2026 waterfowl season, and his role with Shotty Gear. Greg spends a good part of the offseason traveling the country with our friend Chase McCollough, working waterfowl and hunting expos, so we talk about the miles, long days and behind-the-scenes grind of the show circuit. The wait is over. Waterfowl season is underway, and we’re talking Early Goose Season Masterclass with Greg Tait on this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast. Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected] Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok: @migrationwaterfowl Migration Waterfowl Store - Gear Roost & Apparel https://www.migrationwaterfowl.com Patreon - Support the show & get more personal content from Brian https://www.patreon.com/MigrationWaterfowl Migration Waterfowl is presented by: Blue Bird Waterfowl https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com And also brought to you by these fine partners: Rig’Em Right Outdoors https://rigemright.com Flight Day Am-mo https://www.flightdayammo.com Aves Hunting https://aveshunting.com Retay USA https://www.retayusa.com frogg toggs https://www.froggtoggs.com The Duck Hole & Company https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany Northern Duck Calls https://www.northernduckcalls.com 15% off with code MW15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waterfowl seasons are opening across the country, but is your gear actually ready for opening day? On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib is joined once again by Jaydon Arnold from Cut ’Em Down Waterfowl to talk about getting your equipment ready for another season. They discuss how to take inventory of the gear you already own, what should be inspected before opening day, proper maintenance, and how to decide when it’s time to repair, replace or upgrade your equipment. They also break down the essential gear a new waterfowl hunter actually needs, where it makes sense to spend your money, the differences between gearing up for ducks and geese, and when new technology provides a real advantage versus simply adding more stuff to the pile. Finally, Jaydon shares what’s new in waterfowl gear for the 2026–27 season and the products and innovations he’s most excited about this year. Whether you’re pulling your gear out for the first time since last season or looking to make a few upgrades before opening day, this episode will help make sure you’re ready when the birds start moving south. Feel free to reach out to us: [email protected] Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok: @migrationwaterfowl Migration Waterfowl Store - Gear Roost & Apparel https://www.migrationwaterfowl.com Patreon - Support the show & get more personal content from Brian https://www.patreon.com/MigrationWaterfowl Migration Waterfowl is presented by: Blue Bird Waterfowl https://bluebirdwaterfowl.com And also brought to you by these fine partners: Rig’Em Right Outdoors https://rigemright.com Flight Day Am-mo https://www.flightdayammo.com Aves Hunting https://aveshunting.com Retay USA https://www.retayusa.com frogg toggs https://www.froggtoggs.com The Duck Hole & Company https://m.facebook.com/duckholecompany Northern Duck Calls https://www.northernduckcalls.com 15% off with code MW15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices