The Migration Waterfowl Podcast

Waterfowl hunting in Pennsylvania isn't for the weak! Limited birds, unpredictable migrations, heavy hunting pressure, and plenty of early mornings with empty straps. But for those willing to put in the work, every bird is hard-earned and every successful hunt is that much sweeter.

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib sits down with Tanner and Brock from Steel City Steel Shot, two passionate waterfowl hunters from southwest Pennsylvania, to talk about the challenges and rewards of chasing ducks and geese in the Keystone State.

We dive into how they go...

What's it really like being married to a hardcore hunter for nearly three decades? On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes a very special guest — his wife, Karen — for a candid, entertaining, and personal conversation about marriage, family, hunting, and everything in between.

Together for 32 years and married for 28, Karen has had a front-row seat to Brian's lifelong passion for hunting. Despite never having an interest in hunting herself, she's supported his adventures across the country, the countless hours spent in the marsh, and a side hustle in the outdoor industry fill...

Duck season is officially underway here in Pennsylvania, and we kicked it off Saturday with a great opening day hunt on a small creek system here in southwestern PA.

Brian was joined by his good friend Mike Pomaibo and his dad, Mike Sr., better known as Mick. They had a great morning in the blind, seeing a few dozen ducks and putting birds on the strap. Not a bad way to get the season started!

In this episode, your host Brian Halbleib and Mike Pomaibo break down that opening day hunt, but they also talk...

The Canada waterfowl adventure continues! After checking in from the road following our fifth hunt, I'm back to wrap up the final two hunts of an incredible trip chasing ducks across the Canadian prairies.

In this episode, I break down what it really takes to pull off a successful freelance waterfowl hunt in Canada, from scouting and securing permission to managing the logistics of hunting unfamiliar territory. I also share my thoughts on hunter pressure, why I believe it's largely a non-issue, in the midst of a growing push for nonresident hunting restrictions.

Beyond the...

Five days into our Canada waterfowl trip, and the migration has been good to us.

In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend Jake Maxwell from Chasing Green to break down our hunt so far. We’ve spent the week chasing ducks across the Canadian prairie and have had some incredible shoots, with mallards, pintails, wigeon, gadwall and teal all making their way into the decoys.

We talk about how each hunt came together, what we’ve been seeing during our scouting, the conditions we’ve dealt with, and the decisions that have helped u...

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 behav...

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 Amer...

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 s...

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...

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 wate...

Elliott Snider from the Freelance Duck Hunting YouTube channel and host of the North American Waterfowler Podcast is back on the show for another conversation about duck hunting, road trips and what the future might look like for a couple of lifelong waterfowlers.

Elliott and I recap our recent time together at the Ducks Unlimited Expo in Memphis and look ahead to our third annual early teal hunting trip together in the central flyway. We talk about conditions heading into teal season, expectations for the hunting and Elliott’s plans for the rest of his 2026 waterfowl season.

Waterfowl hunting is changing, and hunters need to be paying attention.

Matt Zvolanek, host of the High Prairie Sportsmen YouTube channel, returns to the Migration Waterfowl Podcast and joins your host Brian Halbleib for a wide-ranging conversation about some of the biggest issues facing waterfowl hunters today.

We dive into the ongoing fight over public lands and hunting access, threats to wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region, the controversy surrounding drain tile and conservation easements, and the growing number of states and provinces placing tighter restrictions on nonresident waterfowl hunters. We also tackle hunting pressure...

For generations, duck hunters have invested in the future of waterfowl through Duck Stamps, hunting licenses, excise taxes, and conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited. But what happens when wetlands hunters have already paid to protect could still be at risk?

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib is joined by Dr. Mike Brasher, Senior Waterfowl Scientist, and Dr. Scott Stephens, Senior Director of Conservation Strategy at Ducks Unlimited, to discuss the "Don't Drain the Duck Factory" campaign and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule currently under review.

Together, they...

Road trips have a way of creating conversations you never could have planned. In this special episode, your host Brian Halbleib is joined by Damien Pittman of Punisher Waterfowl as they hit the highway together on the way to the Ducks Unlimited Expo in Memphis.

What starts as a casual conversation from the cab of a pickup quickly turns into a wide-ranging discussion about the excitement of a new waterfowl season, the friendships that make this community special, and why getting together in person still matters in a world driven by social media. Brian and Damien also...

Some waterfowl hunters measure experience by the number of seasons they've hunted. The best hunters measure it by how much they're still learning.

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib sits down with Jordan Murdoch, National Sales and Marketing Manager for Rig'Em Right Outdoors, to discuss why the most accomplished duck and goose hunters never stop being students of the birds.

Jordan reflects on the 2025–26 waterfowl season, the lessons it taught him, and how years of experience have changed the way he scouts, reads bird behavior, adjusts to changing conditions, an...

What separates consistently successful waterfowl hunters from everyone else? It's not a more expensive shotgun, a bigger decoy spread, or the latest piece of gear. More often than not, success begins long before legal shooting light—with scouting.

On this solo episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib shares practical lessons he's learned over years of hunting rivers, lakes, marshes, and agricultural fields across multiple flyways. From understanding how ducks and geese use food, water, weather, and hunting pressure to learning how to read bird behavior and recognize seasonal patterns, this episode is packed wi...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib explores the fascinating history of the river he grew up around and still hunts today—the Upper Ohio River.

Long before the locks, dams, barges, bridges and steel mills, the Ohio flowed through a vast wilderness filled with wooded islands, abundant wildlife and Native peoples who hunted, traveled and traded throughout the valley. From the arrival of European fur traders and the struggle between France and Britain for control of the region to a young George Washington’s role in events that helped ignite a glob...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Hunter Flanders from Retay USA. They discuss everything from Hunter's 2025-26 hunting season to the latest Retay shotguns and innovations coming for 2026. But this conversation goes far beyond new products.

Hunter shares stories from the marsh, discusses what today's waterfowl hunters are looking for in a shotgun, and offers an inside look at how manufacturers develop and market products in an outdoor industry that's changing faster than ever.

We also dive into the current state of outdoor marketing—what's working, what isn't, an...

Most waterfowl hunters probably don't think of California when discussing the best duck hunting in North America—but maybe they should.

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, I'm joined by lifelong waterfowler Fred Broad, whose journey has taken him from Pennsylvania to a new life in California and 9 consecutive years of hunting in Canada. Along the way, Fred became what he proudly calls a "mallard purist," dedicating decades to chasing greenheads and learning what makes them one of the most challenging and rewarding ducks to hunt.

Fred explains why he believes California is on...

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib dives into several projects currently underway as he prepares for another year of waterfowl hunting. From restoring an old aluminum Bass Tracker into a versatile duck and fishing rig to building diver decoy long lines and inspecting & maintaining gear, this episode is all about making the most of the months between seasons.

Brian discusses the realities of taking on major DIY projects, including delayed shipments, missing parts, and the importance of setting realistic timelines. He also shares what he looks for in a duck and...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Tony and Tristan Vogel, the father-son team behind One Hell of a Life Outdoors and the One Hell of a Life Outdoor Podcast.

We discuss how they got started waterfowl hunting, the experiences that shaped them as hunters, and how their approach to chasing ducks and geese has evolved over the years. From their early days in the blind to what a typical season looks like today, Tony and Tristan share lessons learned through decades of hunting and time spent outdoors together.

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On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Ben Meyers of Flight Day Ammunition back to the show for an in-depth discussion on the current state and future of waterfowl ammunition.

The conversation begins with a breakdown of the recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service memorandum clarifying approved non-toxic shot requirements for migratory bird hunting. Ben explains what the memo means for hunters, manufacturers, and the future development of non-toxic shot materials. They discuss copper shot, approved shot types, the federal approval process, and some of the misconceptions circulating throughout the...

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib is joined by Chris Williams, Senior Director of Industry Partnerships at Delta Waterfowl.

Chris shares the history of Delta Waterfowl and explains how the organization evolved into one of the leading voices in duck production, hunter recruitment, and waterfowl conservation in North America. Brian and Chris discuss Delta’s mission, major accomplishments, current conservation projects, habitat priorities, and the state of duck populations heading into the future.

The conversation also covers some of the biggest issues facing hunters today, including public land concerns, an...

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Ernest Gonzales of Feet Down Waterfowl to the show.

Ernest is a hardcore Texas waterfowl hunter and content creator known for sharing his passion for the sport through Feet Down Waterfowl on TikTok. Brian gets Ernest’s background and hears the story of how his obsession with duck hunting began before diving into what makes waterfowl hunting in Texas unique.

The conversation turns to scouting, hunting strategy, and lessons learned from years spent chasing ducks. Ernest shares his approach to breaking down ne...

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib dives into one of the topics he gets asked about a lot: freelance waterfowl road trips.

From choosing a destination and planning a hunt to licensing, budgeting, scouting, gear selection, and deciding where to actually hunt once you arrive, Brian breaks down his complete process for planning DIY waterfowl adventures. Whether you're thinking about taking your first out-of-state hunt or looking to become a more efficient travel hunter, this episode is packed with practical information and lessons learned through years of trial and error.

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes his friend and hunting partner Mike Pomaibo back to the show. Mike is a hardcore waterfowl hunter from Pennsylvania. Brian asks Mike about his recent turkey hunting success and gets to hear the story of the gobbler Mike got to harvest while hunting with his dad. They talk about tungsten ammunition and the extreme rise in cost of TSS rounds.

The conversation turns to waterfowl hunting and Brian asks Mike to share his perspective of what has worked and what hasn't as he has...

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib breaks down his ideal waterfowl season blueprint—what he would do differently if he could start from scratch, knowing what he knows now.

From defining what a successful season actually looks like, to structuring early, mid, and late season hunts, Brian dives into the strategies that separate a reactive season from an intentional one. He covers how to balance local hunting and travel, why off-season prep matters more than most hunters realize, and how staying organized and ready can lead to more op...

Most waterfowl hunters overlook how innovation and community are changing the game—and they often miss the real story behind your favorite gear. Don Espy, a seasoned outdoor industry pro and marketing expert at Frog Togs, unpacks how authentic relationships, cutting-edge product design, and savvy content creation are transforming outdoor adventures in ways you’ve never heard before.

On this episode, Don shares his incredible journey with host Brian Halbleib, from fishing in New York to leading marketing for one of the most trusted brands in outdoor gear. You'll discover how Frog Togs’ revolutionary waterp...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, I’m joined by my good friend Greg Croxford at his cabin in southern Ohio. After spending the day planting rice along a remote creek, we sit down to talk about what it really takes to build a duck spot from scratch—and the risks that come with it.

Greg shares the story behind his property, originally purchased by his father, and what it meant to build the cabin together by hand using white oak logs from the land itself. Since his father’s passing, the proper...

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl podcast, Brian sits down with Wisconsin waterfowl hunter and TFS Cable Works owner, Dylan Kletsch. Introduced through a mutual friend, Dylan brings a blue-collar, grassroots perspective to both hunting and building a business in the waterfowl space.

Dylan shares his journey into waterfowl hunting in Wisconsin—what it was like getting started, the lessons learned along the way, and how his approach has evolved over time. The conversation dives into his preferred hunting styles, the types of habitat he focuses on, and the species he encounters throughout th...

Pennsylvania Waterfowl Season Changes, Sunday Hunting & Non-Resident Regulations | Migration Waterfowl Podcast

In this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, Brian Halbleib discusses potential changes to Pennsylvania waterfowl season dates and the ongoing push for Sunday hunting in PA.

He also breaks down possible regulation changes affecting non-resident waterfowl hunters in Saskatchewan and Kansas—what it could mean for traveling hunters and future opportunities.

This episode highlights the importance of conservation and volunteering to improve wildlife habitat, along with supporting organizations like Ducks Unlimited, Delta Wa...

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Dennis Loosier, aka Dr. Duck. Dennis shares his journey from a Texas waterfowl hunter and HVAC professional to a recognized voice in waterfowl education and content. Discover insights on hunting strategies, waterfowl resource management, and how to foster a culture of respect and knowledge in the hunting community.

Dennis recounts how he was introduced to waterfowl hunting through property ownership and friends. He emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and helping newcomers succeed. He talks about he story behind the nickname “Dr. Duck” and how...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Jesse Kearns to the show. Jesse shares his journey from Pennsylvania to Missouri and back, exploring waterfowl hunting, hunting strategies, dog training, and navigating different hunting environments. Jesse discusses his waterfowl hunting background in Pennsylvania and how he adapted to out-of-state hunting environments. He also provides tips on reading pressured ducks and effective calling techniques. He talks about the key differences between marsh, creek, and timber hunting. He also discusses how to improve success using technology like OnX for map tracking He gets into dog training...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Jared Van Hees to the show. Jared is an avid outdoorsman from Michigan who enjoys waterfowl hunting, deer hunting, managing private land for wildlife habitat, fishing, skiing and lots more. He is also a successful entrepreneur in the outdoor industry. He is the host and owner of The Habitat Podcast and co-owner of Vitalize Seed, a company that specializes in wildlife food plot seeds and soil improvement products. Some of you long time listeners may have heard me talk about being the co-host on Jared’s po...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Michael Kemble to the show. Michael is a hard core waterfowl hunter, or wildfowler, as they say in his home country of England. Michael talks about what it was like growing up and hunting in England. They discuss how he got into wild-fowling and talk about his journey from his early days of learning how to hunt ducks and geese to the proficient waterfowl hunter he is today. They also talk about the hunting seasons and regulations in the United Kingdom along with the details surrounding...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Greyson Carlson to the show. Greyson is a dedicated waterfowl hunter from Michigan. He is also a hunting guide with Worldwide Trophy Adventures. He was guiding at the Lost Bridge Duck Club in Arkansas this past season and Brian had the opportunity to meet him and hunt with him there. They talk about his journey from growing up in the fishing industry in his family’s Michigan commercial fishing business, to getting into waterfowl hunting then progressing into his career as a hunting guide. They also ta...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Jeremy Ragsdale to the show. Jeremy is a hardcore waterfowl hunter from Nebraska. Brian has become good friends with Jeremy over the last two seasons as he has traveled out west to hunt with him and their mutual friends. They talk about how he got into waterfowl hunting and what it was that hooked him to keep coming back. They discuss his journey from being new to the sport to now being a seasoned waterfowl hunter and what has changed over the years. They also talk...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Jimmy Capello and Ryan O’Donnell from Drawback Outdoors. Jimmy and Ryan are hardcore waterfowlers from Brian's home state of Pennsylvania. They talk about their journeys growing up hunting in Pennsylvania and how they got into waterfowl hunting. They discuss the challenges and rewards of waterfowl hunting in a state like Pennsylvania that is not known for its waterfowl hunting. They also talk about the season structures, how the newly legal Sunday hunting laws may change waterfowl seasons and how Pennsylvania can improve waterfowl management.

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On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Jordan Fromer to the show. Jordan is a hardcore waterfowler from Indiana. He is the host of the Duck Gun Podcast and the Duck Gun Chronicles YouTube channel. Jordan also started Duck Gun Wild Seasonings, developing seasonings blended specifically for wild game. They talk about his journey into waterfowl hunting, the challenges he faced and the steps he took to be successful consistently. They discuss his epic waterfowl adventures and projects, including the Timber Queen, an old wooden house boat he turned into a traveling duck...

On this episode of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Ben Meyers to the show. Ben is from Kansas and he is the owner of Flight Day Ammunition. He also manages his family farm in Missouri for waterfowl habitat. They discuss how his season went this year and anything he would have changed about it. They talk about the current flooded corn debate and get his insight as a private land owner and manager in Missouri. They also discuss Flight Day Ammunition, their experiences and successes with the rounds over this season and what’s new fo...