Duck Season Somewhere

Mark your calendar--Delta Waterfowl's Duck Hunter Expo will be in Des Moines, Iowa, July 24-26. Chris Williams and Eric Lindstrom join Ramsey to preview the calls, dogs, gear, banquets, conservation work, partnerships and duck hunting culture that'll all be packed into one amazing weekend y'all don't want to miss! Come by and say hello to me and Char Dawg, we look forward to seeing y'all there.

DETAILS: Delta Waterfowl's Duck Hunter Expo, Des Moines, Iowa, July 24-26 https://deltawaterfowl.org/delta-waterfowl-expo/

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Nothing at all to do with duck hunting. Everything to do with discovery. Catching up with one of my oldest buddies, Kurt Munding, we recall memories from way, way back when. It was Summer 1990.  Times were different. We were as young, as strong, as polar opposite, and as free as we'd ever be. Together, we discovered coast-to-coast America--and ourselves--at about 50 miles per day.  On bicycles.

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Mark your calendars--Dallas Safari Club's Summer Expo and Foundation Gala lands July 23-26 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas, bringing outfitters, gear, hunting stories, conservation, auctions, family events and the broader hunting community under one roof! Dallas Safari Club's Brian Fienhold, tells us all about it, describing event happenings, explaining the bigger conversation behind such events and why hunters from all walks of life will have a great time!  RECEIVE 25% DISCOUNT ON DAY PASSES USING PROMO CODE "DUCKS25" https://www.biggame.org/summer-expo-information/

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Melissa Ridgeway didn't set out to become one of the South's best-known antique decoy dealers. What began as collecting a few decoys for her husband became a 40-plus-year journey through antique decoys, sporting art and hunting collectibles. And the stories she can tell! We discuss Mason decoys, collector favorites, what makes old decoys valuable, what buyers should look for and avoid, and why these working-class artifacts still speak to both hunters--and non-hunters--of all ages.

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Corey Lucas doesn't just create decoys--he creates stories. We talk about the pink-eared travel decoy project, its conservation impact in Australia, the inspiration behind Cedar Run's new Storyteller package and Mason line, and why craftsmanship still matters in today's mass-production world. It's a conversation about hunting, friendship, faith, community, purpose--and leaving something meaningful behind.

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Madison Grimm was the youngest artist to win the National Duck Stamp Contest at age 6--and went on to win it 3 times. Her father, Adam, is a 3-time Federal Duck Stamp winner, too, but this father-daughter conversation goes beyond wildlife art. Encouraged by neighboring farmers, Madison founded Second Chance Flight to rescue duck eggs and ducklings during spring operations, later releasing them back into the wild. What began as a simple concern for prairie ducks became a hands-on education in community, permits, politics, patience, and real-world, every-duck-matters conservation. It's  a story about what happens when someone decides that doing so...

Wild pig hunting may be great sport, but the grim reality is that feral swine are one of the most destructive biological forces in the American South--and Jody Acosta and team are deep in the frontline trenches fighting them. Constantly. As Delta Wildlife's Nuisance and Invasive Species Program Manager, Acosta is helping landowners combat millions of dollars in agricultural losses. From Delta culture to the hard realities of modern conservation, Acosta shares stories from the field, lessons learned the hard way, why this ongoing fight matters more than most people realize, winning strategies, biggest surprises, how--and why--rules of engagement...

Most hunters complain when something doesn't work. Instead, Drew McIntosh started loading shotshells in his garage. And somewhere between garage experiments, ideas around a mysterious-something called "jungle load," trail and error, cocktail napkin sketches, and a stubborn refusal to settle? Migra Ammunition was born. But this episode ain't about ammo. It's about obsession, risk, belief, faith, and building something real from the ground up.  

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Delta native, lifelong duck hunter and longtime engineer Bill Sheppard discuses what "restored hydrology" really means in modern times. From original floodplain landscapes to early Wetland Reserve Program projects, we discuss wetland designs over time, how water moves, functions and changes across a heavily altered landscape, engineered wetlands versus ephemeral rain-driven water, challenges of long-term management, and the factors theater continuing to change water at the landscape level. It's practical, experience-driven conversation about restored wetlands--because waterfowl habitat means water--and why we should probably be thankful for decades of restoration work.

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Purple Heart recipient, world turkey slam hunter, waterfowl 41 completer, hunting guide, father coach, and founder of Ultimate Veteran Adventures--Joe Wesner has already packed a lot into a single lifetime. But somewhere between overseas deployments and chasing ducks across the US, his mission changed. Joe talks about service, hunting, recovery, family, and why helping veterans reconnect outdoors matters more than tags, trophies and record books. 

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Most of us duck hunters look at water on today's landscape and think we're looking at duck habitat. But Dr. Kurt Getsinger knows better. Shooting ringnecks defined his boyhood--and lead him to a lifetime studying what's happening beneath the water's surface. Remembering Mississippi Delta hunters, water, and especially the mallards before large-scale reforestation changed the landscape, Getsinger discusses submerged aquatic vegetation, emergent marsh, and why some of the most important duck groceries are oftentimes the ones we never see. We discuss how hardwood conversions altered waterfowl use, waterfowl habitat complexes, why emergent marsh is America's most imperiled wetland habitat...

Scott Gilliland has spent his lifetime studying common eiders, visiting some of the harshest and most remote environments on earth, but this conversation goes way, way beyond this beautiful sea duck species. From Arctic field camps and sea ice to Inuit communities that have coexisted with eiders for generations, Gilliland shares stories of adventure, isolation, survival, and a remote northern world that most of us can only imagine. This episode explores people, places, and cultures surrounding sea ducks as much as the birds themselves--and what the Arctic taught him about it all.  

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Every duck hunter in the Deep South is asking the same question: where are the mallards--heck, where are the ducks? Mississippi State waterfowl researcher James Calicut joins me for a grounded, honest conversation about what seems to be happening across the Lower Mississippi Valley. We discuss weather, habitat change, agriculture, hunting pressure, habitat loss and what hunters are seeing from the blinds these days. Importantly, he shares a few preliminary insights from a growing number GPS-marked mallards, pintails and gadwalls he's tracking to determine whether these species are gone or simply redistributed.  

Pursuant to crop retirement programs, over a million acres marginal, flood-prone sites have been restored to mostly even-aged hardwood plantation the Arkansas-Louisiana-Mississippi delta, but what are the benefits and near-term tradeoffs? Dr. Brian Davis discusses new graduate research examining Wetland Reserve Easements and what they're doing well--improving water quality, supporting biodiversity, restoring broken landscapes. But today's conversation also provides thoughtful insight into what could be one of the most pressing habitat questions facing Deep South duck hunters and waterfowl conservationists today. At least for the time being.   

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Donald Jackson has spent a lifetime in wild places--as a hunter, outdoorsman, US-Marine-turned-Peace-Corps volunteer, fisheries biologist, conservationist, writer. But this conversation cuts way-to-the-bone-deeper than biography. It's about memory, meaning, loss, conservation, faith, and the meaningful things the outdoors teaches us over a lifetime--if we're paying attention. Listening. An amazing storyteller, Jackson describes the people and experiences that shaped him, what science can and can't explain about the natural world, why certain moments outdoors never leave us, what remains after decades spent chasing wild things across changing landscapes--and maybe why any of it even matters in the first place.

Black-bellied whistling ducks are expanding fast--and they're not acting like traditional ducks. Anything but. Waterfowl scientist Kevin Ringleman explains why these adaptable birds thrive in modern, man-altered landscapes while other species struggle. From agriculture and habitat shifts to behavior, movement, and nesting ecology, this conversation explores what black-bellieds may reveal about the future of waterfowl in the world we've created.

Teddy "Double Wide" McRainey makes his living seasonally slinging crawfish and boiled peanuts in Mississippi--to include a couple top-selling flavors a life-long Mississippi boiled peanut fan like myself had never imagined. Having eaten more crawfish in an 8-minute contest down in New Orleans than most people could--or would--consume in a weekend, he's also training for Guiness Book of World Records. But that's all now. Back then he was slinging something else and shares his story today so that others might learn from his mistake.

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Located on the town square in small-town Raymond, Mississippi, you'd think you'd stumbled into a meticulous museum when walking into Raggio Custom Calls shop. Except that call maker Josh Raggio is wearing a sawdust-powdered work apron, bent over a sizable, project-covered work bench, carefully considering an especially sentimental undertaking.  A sign over his lathe reads, "Remember Why You Started." And that's exactly where we start in our long past-due visit.

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Most people know DJ Horton is a Senior Pastor near Spartanburg, South Carolina, and hosts  From the Pulpit to the Pickup podcast. And he hunts--deer, ducks, squirrels, rabbits and especially turkeys. We talk first hunts, early mornings, and the kinds of lessons learned only while patiently sitting still long enough. Somewhere along the way, the conversation turns to the gap between what a man says he believes and how he actually lives his life---whether in a duck blind or real life. No sermon. Just a real-world, grownup conversation that might stick with you longer than the fading memories of y...

Fresh back from an epic Gould's turkey hunt with oldest son, Forrest--and no idea where he got the turkey hunting fever, not from his Dad, that's for sure--and we recount our time together high in the Sierra Madres, one of the most beautiful parts of Mexico encountered. We talk about the people, food, environment,  those huge Gould's turkeys, of course, and Forrest teaches ol' Dad a couple things about a proper turkey hunting mindset. Am still not a turkey hunter--ain't teaching this old duck dog new tricks anytime soon--but it was a heckuva father-son adventure regardless. (Note--we're not booking t...

Most hunters are building a brand...and don't realize it until it's too late. Names get taken. Products get copied. Partnerships fall apart. IP attorney and Oklahoma duck hunter Jansen Rigney, at Black Dog Law Intellectual Property, has seen it all. He shares real stories from the outdoor industry, mistakes that cost people everything--and what to do if you've got the next million dollar idea. 

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Meet John Jones--a die-hard Louisiana public land duck hunter who gets after them full-throttle. Or did. A few years ago, while hunting solo in the legendary Shoveler Shack--a 20-foot-high-in-a-cypress-tree blind built for all-day grinds--John suffered a massive stroke. And miraculously lived to tell about it. But there's more to the story. You have to hear it to believe it. It's big boy talk--the kind that sticks with you next time you're alone with your thoughts in the dark, waiting on daylight to creep silently into existence.

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Most folks think they're managing for ducks. Kevin Nelms says: maybe they're not. Disking too early, spraying the wrong plants, chasing "clean fields"--it all adds up to less duck food. In this 11th installment of an ongoing Waterfowl Habitat Management series (see links below), Nelms breaks down what actually matters: timing, plant ecology, and understanding the system instead of fighting it. Cutting straight to the point, other topics include why broadleaf plants matter, how herbicides get misused, why to read labels, water pH, how water management mistakes undo everything, costly mistakes, sanctuary versus habitat, pressure over food, and...

Jonathan Wilkins was introduced to hunting while in college--and makes a compelling case for the advantages of starting later rather than earlier. From waterfowl to turkeys, alligators to black bears, church-turned-Arkansas-camphouse to multi-state roadtrips, his approach to hunting--and life--is creative, honest, unfiltered.  And definitely worth hearing.  

Connect at Black Duck Revival https://www.blackduckrevival.com

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Hearing loss might be the most ignored problem in waterfowl hunting--because you don't notice until it's too late. But a single shot or three aint that bad, huh? Dr. Grace Sturdivant of OtoPro grew up around the same guns and traditions most of us did. Now as an audiologist, she seeing firsthand what unprotected shooting actually does. She explains how damage happens each time you pull the trigger, why most hunters are already affected, why most hunters are unprotected, all available options--to include in-ear foam plugs--and how to choose the right gear for real-world hunting situations. If you hunt...

Millions of low-lying acres within the Arkansas-Louisiana-Mississippi Delta have been cleared, farmed, and reforested--all within a couple generations. Most happened within my lifetime, truth be told. Retired forester Mike Oliver and I met at ground zero back in the day. He joins me to reflect on the intent behind large-scale reforestation efforts, the programs and partners that delivered it, and to explore what these acres have provided over time--across wildlife, landscape, and conservation goals. It's a conversation focused on perspective, outcomes, and the opportunities ahead--one that has  me wondering whether these landscape conversions may have influenced waterfowl use in p...

Dusty roads, endless grain fields, and a quiet stretch of Pacific estuary--real Mexico, where life moves slower and the hunting hits fast.  One minute it's still and shimmering with winter warmth...the next, ducks pouring suddenly into your lap; doves streaking overhead. Between flights: hand-squeezed margaritas, authentic local fare, and stories shared, friendships forged, within deep shade. Today's guest candidly unpack what makes this sleepy corner of Mexico one of the fastest-rising destinations anywhere. Listen now, sí?

Located in the cradle of North America's waterfowling, the Great South Bay didn't just produce hunters. It produced traditions. Steven Jay Sanford grew up in the heart of Long Island's waterfowl hunting culture, where low-slung gunning boats, hand-carved decoys and words like "shovin' oar" still mean something. Carrying forward a way of life shaped by tide, wind, and the salty men that worked--and hunted--these fabled waters, Sanford shares hard-earned lessons, the old school knowledge that built it all, and what it means to really belong to a place. Listen now. It's as much about heritage as hunting to Sanford...

In Mexico, a minute isn't 60 seconds. It's a mindset. Especially during the Mazatlan "Honeymoon Duck Hunt."  Sitting down around a lively swimming pool with happy hunters and smiling wives, we talk about their experiences between rounds of salted-rim margaritas, ice cold cervezas, various chips and dips--fantastic shooting, better company, and a pace of life that feels a whole lot different than home. Things move slower here, except for the teal. Meals last longer. Stories stretch out. The waves lap the beach endlessly, and it takes forever for the sun to sink beneath the horizon. And somewhere between it all, y...

Most duck hunters chase birds. Justin Reif decoded to attract them with habitat. Like a lot of landowners, he hit the wall--bad advice, costly mistakes--both in terms of money and lackluster duck appeal--and no clear system for managing waterfowl habitat that actually worked, that ensured continuity. So he built one. Create the X App. This conversation ain't about app technology either. We get into real-world habitat--what works, what doesn't, and why more hunters are shifting from chasing limits to building better habitat. If you've ever second-guessed water levels, planting decision or timing--this episode hits home.

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Hang on, folks! Boots-on-the-ground, day-to-day working on Capital Hill is a fast-paced, action-packed grind and Gabriella Huffman comes in blazing hot on this one! She unpacks lots of need-to-know topics to look out for in the world of conservation and hunting--the kinds of stuff that ain't being talked about on corporate media channels, like data centers, democrat versus republican, ethanol corn, public land-grab interests, firearms and ammo. 

Caleb Dunn was born and raised on the banks of famous Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee, and duck hunting there are among his earliest memories. We discuss Reelfoot Lake duck hunting, local traditions, how they've shaped his approach to duck hunting all the way into Alberta, where he guides for Ranchland Outfitters.

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Ducks Unlimited 

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Law enforcement officers and first responders run towards the worse day in someone else's life. Most of us only see the flashing lights. We don't see what they carry home. Veteran officer Clint Hatch pulls back the curtain of the realities of policing --the calls you can't forget, the pressure first responders quietly carry, the breaking point and the moment faith becomes more than background noise. From the front lines to the quiet battles at home, Clint shares the story behind his book Keeping the Peace Within and how real peace is found when the uniform comes off. This...

A duck die-off in southern Arkansas brought Dr. Lisa Kercher from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital roaring into camp in her 4-wheel-drive mobile lab the very next morning. We talk about how scientists investigate waterfowl die-offs, what H5N1 means for wild ducks and geese, how influenza spreads among waterfowl and flyways, and the real risks to hunters and our beloved retrievers. A straight look at the science behind bird flu and what it means for duck hunters.

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Angie Kokes hunts closer than most hunters dare--sometimes within feet. In today's conversation, she shares the discipline behind spear hunting--and how she got started hunting so close she can literally reach out and touch critters--the criticism that comes with it, and the conviction that keeps her moving forward. What begins as a chance encounter in an Newark airport--with me walking around a baggage carousel belt in hand while looking for an anti-hunter--unfolds into a story about purpose, resilience, close-encounter hunting, and the unexpected ways life is shaped.

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In Part 2, Texas historian Robert Sawyer recalls the characters, hunts, heartbreaks, humor and human moments that defined Texas waterfowl hunting's old guard. We did into a changing world, forgotten migrations, friendships forged in blinds, and lessons that modern hunters may be in danger of losing. Some stories made the books. Others didn't. All of them remind us that waterfowling has forever more been about more than just dead ducks.

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March 5, 1836, Night is falling. Inside the Alamo, fewer than 200 men wait behind adobe walls.  They're surrounded by thousands of enemy forces. What were they thinking? What did it sound like in those final hours?

Andrew Minter is one of the most compelling tour guides I've ever met--a man who doesn't just recite history, he walks you into it. Stripping away the Hollywood veneer, we stand in front of of the famous church facade, talk about what visitors--and John Wayne fans--completely misunderstand.

From the siege to the final assault on March 6, we follow the story from i...

Texas waterfowl history doesn't live in regulations or record books--it exists among old timers sitting in kitchens, truck seats, coffee shops and duck blinds. In Part 1 of this 2-part series, historian Rob Sawyer shares how he tracked down the been-there-done-that yesteryear hunters who shaped Texas duck hunting and convinced them to tell their stories before they were lost. Long pauses and occasional moist eyes said more than words. Did dates and limits matter? Who were these men and why do their stories still matter?

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Three-peat World Goose Calling Champion John Walls is locked up in today's conversation, going well beyond stage routines and trophies. Tracing his path from boyhood hunts to mentor to the contest spotlight, he breaks down the real differences between competition calling and hunting live geese. Pressure and restraint in the goose pit, one-goose limits, success defined, what modern hunters risk losing and what keeps him chasing honkers long after world titles--a great discussion. 

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The North American Waterfowl Management Plan--a continent-wide, multidisciplinary, science-based partnership--is the envy of the world. But are key elements silently eroding? Are there future assurances? Jim Sedinger, Rick Kaminski, and Dan Connelly introduce concept for the North American Waterfowl Science Center and explain why it exists: to rebuild expertise, coordinate continental research, mentor future generations, and keep science-based decisions grounded in hunters and habitat. We discuss northern pintails--and why they may expose cracks in the existing system-- harvest controversy, disappearing waterfowl experts, hollowed-out research universities, glory-day research programs,mentoring future generations, fragile federal funding, the private sector's growing role...