Shows
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 96 – Fake News All Over Again: Reward Bands, Flooded Corn, and What Makes a Duck MigrateThe misinformation machine is at it again and blurting out words from the many corners of the coffee shop. Blurting out words without even trying. In this episode we detail how reward banding really works and how those data are used, the legals on flooded corn, and we once again revisit the idea of calendar vs. weather migrators. It’s all so easy, but y’all keep the conspiracy train running, making it all so much more difficult than it should be. A taste about how duck population models works and we also hit on the first hints of a La Nina...2025-07-2835 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 95 – Dr. Matt Dyson in The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professionals SeriesWe welcome Dr. Matt Dyson to The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professional Series. Matt is currently a Research Scientist with the Institute of Waterfowl and Wetlands Research of Ducks Unlimited Canada where he evaluates the behavioural and demographic responses of waterfowl to landscape change to improve conservation delivery. Matt joined IWWR in 2021. Matt’s doctoral research investigated the nesting ecology of ducks in the boreal forest and his Masters work was on the nesting and brood ecology of wood ducks in southern Ontario. Matt’s current research continues to advance our understanding of ducks through the evaluation and testing of m...2025-07-211h 03
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 94 – Adaptive Harvest Management: From Smoke Filled Rooms and Strong Voices to Application of Sound-ScienceAdaptive Harvest Management or AHM for setting waterfowl harvest regulations was formalized in 1995. It not only provides an objective decision-making tool, but it also helps improve our understanding of drivers of duck populations by testing competing models through time. Listen in today as DrMike details how AHM changed the duckseason setting process, plus a prairie drought update, hurricane season, and more.2025-07-1433 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 93 – The History of Duck Season Frameworks w/ Dr. Jim Dubovsky, retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Central Flyway RepresentativeDr. Jim Dubovsky joins the FowlWeather Podcast to detail changes in the federal frameworks through time. DrJim details the history and evolution of seasons setting frameworks.2025-07-071h 28
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 92 – Dr. Abby Blake-Bradshaw in The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professionals SeriesWe welcome Dr. Blake-Bradshaw (Abby) to The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professional Series. Abby is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Forbes Biological Station located in Havana, IL where she conducts applied research across a variety of topics to inform management decisions. Current projects include studying how waterfowl respond to spatial and temporal changes in hunting intensity and evaluating temporal patterns in calling behavior of the federally listed Eastern black rail to inform future monitoring efforts for this cryptic wetland species. Abbycompleted her PhD at Tennessee Tech in Dr. Brad Cohen’s lab where she studied the influence of sanctuary disturbance, weat...2025-06-301h 14
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 91 – Tim Maron in The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professionals SeriesWe welcome Tim Maron to The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professional Series. Tim is a graduate of SUNY ESF where DrMike teaches and currently working with Winous Point Marsh Conservancy where he has assisted duck banding, duck blind brushing, various wetland and waterbird projects, and assisted as a punter during the hunting season. In the Fall, Tim will matriculate at The Ohio State University under the guidance of Dr. Bob Gates. A passionate waterfowler and all around outdoorsman, Tim is excited to work with ground and aerial waterfowl survey data to see how well it corresponds with eBird data...2025-06-2350 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 90 – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly -- Why are Waterfowl Population Trends So Different Among Species?Most folks know the Clint Eastwood movie, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Well this is The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly in population trends among species of waterfowl through time. Why do some species populations do well (The Good), why do some species cycle so strongly (The Bad), and why did some species populations tank and then never recover (The Ugly). First and foremost, we live on an amazing continent with a diversity of waterfowl species to pursue, harvest, and eat. From Canada to the US, and into Central America and beyond, our waterfowl are a c...2025-06-0932 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 89 – Grant Rhodes in The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professionals SeriesWe welcome Grant Rhodes to The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professional Series. Grant is in Dr. Kevin Ringelman's avian ecology lab at the University of California Davis working collaboratively with the Delta Waterfowl Foundation. His research is focused on using drone-based methods to better understand waterfowl brood abundance and duckling survival in relation to habitat characteristics and management actions in the Canadian Prairie Pothole Region. Grant has extensive experience flying drones to survey waterfowl and waterbirds and is passionate about using drone-based methods to improve our survey designs and ultimately our conservation efforts. 2025-06-0259 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 88 – Apples and Oranges: Why Breeding Waterfowl Surveys Don’t Equate to Mid-Winter Survey DataBreeding waterfowl surveys do not predict mid-winter and migration surveys. Non-breeding season surveys have very specific objectives. They should not be compared to breeding waterfowl survey numbers. DrMike details why the USFWS breeding waterfowl and mid-winter surveys are Apples and Oranges…they are not comparable. DrMike goes off again! “I don’t have ducks, but they predicted ducks”…TEARS. BooHoo……NOoooo, JUST, NO!. Nobody predicted ducks in front of your blind. Just get out and hunt ducks when the weather is right, just get out and hunt when The FowlWeather Podcast predicts fresh ducks. Learn more about the purpose of migration and mid-winter...2025-05-2631 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 87 – Cory Highway in The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professionals SeriesWe welcome Cory Highway to The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professional Series. Cory Highway is a Ph.D. student at Tennessee Tech University, working under the guidance of Dr. Bradley Cohen. His research centers on the ecology of wintering mallards in western Tennessee, with a particular focus on enhancing landscape connectivity for wintering waterfowl. A dedicated outdoorsman, Cory is passionate about conducting applied research that supports effective wetland and waterfowl conservation efforts.2025-05-191h 04
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 86 – Jewelry with a Jingle, Why Band Waterfowl? The 2025 DataStream seriesAmong the absolute cornerstones of waterfowl conservation and management is banding data. While recovery rates of bands on passerines like chickadees might be 2% at best, because waterfowl are harvested species, we have an abundance of recovery data to use in population modeling for tracking migration. Why is banding data so vital to waterfowl management in North America? Find out today on The FowlWeather Podcast. 2025-05-1231 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 85 – Hannah Sabatier in The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professionals SeriesWe welcome Hannah Sabatier, Hannah is our first Canadian born guest on the Young Waterfowl Professionals Series, hailing from Manitoba, she has been working on the prairie since 2018, but new to working with breeding waterfowl for the past 3 years.Hannah just completed her MS degree at UW Steven’s Point w Dr. Ben Sedinger on drone detection of waterfowl, and will be headed to work with Dr. Mitch Weegman at the U of Saskatchewan next. The recipient of the Sandi and Dave Ankney Scholarship administered through Delta Waterfowl Foundation and also the outstanding graduate student award at UW Stevens Point this 2025-05-0545 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 84 – The Harvest Information Program - The 2025 DataStream seriesHow does the USFWS and Canadian Wildlife Service track waterfowl harvest? How do they track the number of waterfowl hunters and their harvest? Today on The FowlWeather Podcast we cut through the BS to report the facts about how we keep track of duck harvest and hunter metrics. In response to a massive amount of misinformation coming across your wavelengths, The FowlWeather Podcast embarked on the 2025 DataStream Series. It can be attractive to find conspiracies that help explain what you observe as a duck hunter, or maybe you’ve even thought up some fun fake news yourself. The reality is that the ...2025-04-2829 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 83 – Dr. Ryan Askren of Five Oaks in The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professionals SeriesWe welcome Dr. Ryan Askren, Ryan works to promote science-based, waterfowl management on the landscape through Five Oaks’ research and education program near Stuttgart, AR. He is principal investigator on several mallard movement ecology projects and research related to bottomland hardwood regeneration with the goal of improving our understanding of waterfowl-habitat relationships to inform better management.2025-04-2154 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 82 – Is the BPOP wrong? The 2025 DataStream seriesIn response to a massive amount of misinformation coming across your wavelengths,The FowlWeather Podcast embarked on the 2025 DataStream Series. It can be attractive to find conspiracies that help explain what you observe as a duck hunter, or maybe you’ve even thought up some fun fake news yourself. The reality is that the long history of data used in waterfowl conservation and management in North America is a success story that everyone deserves to hear. Bumps and bruises we have, but dedicated we are as the duck people across duck country USA; dedicated to the long-term health of ducks and duck hun...2025-04-1441 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 81 - Catrina Terry in The FowlWeather Podcast Young Waterfowl Professionals SeriesAll of us in the profession of Waterfowl and Wetlands science, conservation, and management came from somewhere, these are the stories of young, passionate conservationists that have made their passion for the ducks into a career. Catrina Terry is the waterfowl research scientist for Ducks Unlimited’s Great Plains Region. Catrina started with DU in May 2021 to head up the undergraduate research program and bring more opportunities to undergraduate students in the Great Plains Region. With the help of graduate students and collaborators, Catrina is working on multiple research projects across the region that include: assessing wetland restoration...2025-04-0755 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 80 – BONUS EPISODE: Turkey Tag Out Tips and Why Are Turkeys Tanking?With turkey seasons open across the south and turkeys starting to strut their stuff all the way to Canada there is no better time to talk turkeys. What do the experts have in common? How do they tag out wherever they go? Also, we tackle a tough one, why are turkeys tanking including a hypothesis that my own lab at ESF has started to tackle? Is it habitat, is it predators, is it disease, is it weather, is it all of the above simply tied together by genetic bottlenecks? Find out the secrets to the hunt and why turkeys are...2025-04-0320 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 79 – The History of The Mallard in North America Part 4: DOMESTIC THIS! Game-Farm Mallards w/ Dr. Phil Lavretsky and Dominic HockenburyAll you ever wanted to know about king greenhead in this 4 part series about the History of the North American Mallard. In our final episode in this series, we talk to Dr. Phil Lavretsky and PhD student Dominic Hockenbury about ongoing mallard genetics research in North America. Are wild mallards doomed by game-farm genetics? What is the future of the wild North American mallard?2025-03-311h 19
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 78 – The History of The Mallard in North America Part 3: Instant Mallards, Just Add Water – The Ebb and Flow of Ole’ GreenheadAll you ever wanted to know about king greenhead in this 4 part series about the History of the North American Mallard. In Part 3, we hit the highlights about changes to the mallard population through time and our historical and current approach to harvest management. Why did we have restrictive seasons before but not today? We also talk turkeys, the breakup of the Polar Vortex, and nasty narratives that must die, all this week on The FowlWeather Podcast.2025-03-1747 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 77 – The History of The Mallard in North America Part 2: Mallard Ecology and Habitat Management for the Ole’ GreenheadAll you ever wanted to know about king greenhead in this 4 part series about the History of the North American Mallard. In Part 2, we hit the highlights about what makes the greenhead population tick. What runs the mallard population? How does winter, spring, and summer make the mallard machine run? Dead hens don’t lay eggs, right? But fat hens do, and once those ducklings hatch, what do they need to find their way down the flyways. Find out here today on The FowlWeather Podcast.2025-03-0358 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 76 – The History of The Mallard in North America Part 1: Greenheads GaloreAll you ever wanted to know about king greenhead in this 4 part series about the History of the North American Mallard. Species split into black ducks, mottled ducks, Mexican ducks, and the greenheaded mallard. With 14 mallard like ducks across the globe the greenheaded mallard is the most widespread. We start out with a quick update on the Polar Vortex for our weather nerds, clean up some mallard mis-information still floating around, and then jump into the early evolution of the mallard in North America.2025-02-1737 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 75 – La Niña What?: The Duck Season RecapHow did The FowlWeather Podcast long-term predictions about fall and winter weather affecting duck migration play out? Find out today on this jam packed episode of The FowlWeather Podcast. Do you nerd out about weather and duck migration? This is the episode for you!2025-02-0337 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 74 – Burn It All Down Episode Part 1: The Mis Information Rhetoric About Waterfowl Management Must EndThe conspiracies, mis information, lack of judgement in comment, and tearing down of the waterfowl community must end. DrMike is fed up and digs through the latest and greatest of the idiocracy coming across your wave lengths about the state of waterfowl across North America…that and we dig into some of the latest mallard, redhead, and canvasback population models – is it guns or habitat that run duck numbers? If you ask others, it’s all a big unknown with wild speculation, but again, DrMike cuts through the BS and just reports the facts. Time to step up my friends...2025-01-2746 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 73 – Where Are The Ducks?Where the heck are the ducks? Well, there are less of them for sure. DrMike breaks down the polar plunge forecast, how food really matters, is your lease just junk, male to female ratios in the harvest and your duck migration forecast, all this week on The FowlWeather Podcast.2025-01-2020 min
Sportsmen's Empire - Whitetail HuntingThe Migration - FowlWeather and the Science Behind Duck Migration ForecastsOn this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Dr. Michael Schummer to the show. Dr. Mike is a wildlife biologist with decades of expertise in the waterfowl space. He is also an Associate Professor and the Roosevelt Waterfowl Ecologist at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. They discuss Dr. Schummer's journey into waterfowl hunting, his experiences across various flyways, and the origins of his podcast, The FowlWeather Podcast, which focuses on predicting duck migrations. Dr. Schummer shares insights into the science behind migration predictions, the current state of...2025-01-161h 22
The Migration Waterfowl PodcastFowlWeather and the Science Behind Duck Migration ForecastsOn this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib welcomes Dr. Michael Schummer to the show. Dr. Mike is a wildlife biologist with decades of expertise in the waterfowl space. He is also an Associate Professor and the Roosevelt Waterfowl Ecologist at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. They discuss Dr. Schummer's journey into waterfowl hunting, his experiences across various flyways, and the origins of his podcast, The FowlWeather Podcast, which focuses on predicting duck migrations. Dr. Schummer shares insights into the science behind migration predictions, the current state of...2025-01-161h 09
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 72 – Kitchen Conversations – Reverse Migration: Florida Boys Hunt New York – Part 2More of the Florida boys, tales of falling in the marsh, what happens in Florida on a cold front? Part 2 of the Floridians at the farm in Jack Reef.
Join us for Part 2 of this fun filled Kitchen Conversation, we learned so much about Florida from the Florida Boys. Among many things, mottled ducks and hybridization with game-farm mallards are on the menu in this episode of the Kitchen Conversation.2025-01-161h 04
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 71 – Duck Country USA: Everybody LiesA naïve observer would think that everyone lies in the duck world. The biologists lie about numbers and locations of winter ducks, the hunters lie about not seeing ducks, the hunters lie about killing ducks, the non-profits lie about flooded corn to the north, the biologists lie about the number of ducks on the continent. Lies, Lies, Lies. DrMike cuts through the BS in another information packed episode, that more about what telemetry tells and does not tell us, and your duck migration forecast for the coming week.2025-01-1326 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 70 – Kitchen Conversations – Reverse Migration: Florida Boys Hunt New York – Part 1Some Floridians do the reverse migration and come to the farm at Jacks Reef to talk ducks, gators, frozen iguanas, Mosquito Lagoon, and about a place called “the Zoo”.
Join us for another fun filled episode of the Kitchen Conversations, we learned so much about Florida duck hunting.2025-01-0958 min
Ducks Unlimited PodcastEp. 650 - Waterfowl Weather LIVE 2025Tune in as Dr. Mike Brasher teams up with top meteorologists to analyze the 2025 New Year weather patterns that could make all the difference on your next duck hunt! Whether you're an experienced hunter or just starting out, this live stream will arm you with crucial weather intel to help you plan your best days in the field. Don’t miss out on expert insights that could shape your success this season! Our Special Guests: 🌤️ Chance Gotsch – Meteorologist for ABC17, Columbia, MO 👉 IG: [@chanceabc17] / chanceabc17 🌪️ Skot Covert – Chief Meteorologist for 5News, Fayetteville/Fort Smith, AR 👉 IG...2025-01-081h 02
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 69 – With Ducktober Well Behind Us, Cometh The Cold (AND THE DUCKS)!It has been days since the October sun and the real cold is coming. Reflection on the duck season and thoughts on the cold to come….we also rebut comments about Episode 67 – Why Every State Needs a Draw Hunt For Ducks. All you did was justify the comment…that, what do ducks do when it gets really cold?….and the week duck migration forecast…. all on this and more in this episode of The FowlWeather Podcast.2025-01-0633 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 68 – Kitchen Conversations – DrNick Masto and DrMike Debate Telemetry in a Truck RideDrMike and DrNick Masto debate telemetry while driving around the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. DrMike works to not give away all his hunting spots, but the main point of the discussion between DrMike and DrNick is to showcase how scientists debate and discuss controversial topics. At the end of the day, we are all friends and focused on making the information we use to manage waterfowl better. We might not always agree, but do debate in a civil manner….most of the time…join DrMike and DrNick for another episode of the Kitchen Conversations (in the truck!).2025-01-0357 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 67 – Why Every State Needs A Draw Hunt For DucksBring on the hate mail, but survey says….you need a draw hunt. DrMike details how surveys tell us what all hunters want, but what states are too afraid of the politics to pull the trigger on. Overcrowding, boat races, and swamp fights ta’ boot, gotta’ love a good ole duck hunt in the new age though, right?2024-12-3039 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 66 – A Christmas Warm Up? – Is Your Goose Cooked?Merry Christmas from The FowlWeather Podcast Team! The weather maps are red, showing warmer than average through Christmas, but does that mean cold barrels? The FowlWeather Podcast Team dissects the weather in detail, forecasts into January, we talk hunting ducks in the heat, thoughts on cleaning and eating ducks, and your duck migration forecast, all this week on The FowlWeather Podcast.2024-12-2326 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 65 – The Good Ole Days Are NowAs our good friend and mentor Dr. Dave Ankney used to say “The Good Ole Days Are Now”. In this episode, From deer to wood ducks to turkeys and beyond, we have more to be thankful for than not. DrMike reflects with optimism and a passion for the ducks, the wetlands they depend on, and all the great duck people across duck country. All that, and another exciting duck migration forecast for the coming week.2024-12-1627 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 64 – The State of Duck Migration 2024 From The ExpertsWe talk to biologists in South Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri about the state of duck migration so far this year. Great insights from the experts, where to find FowlWeather Podcast hoodies, hats, and stickers, the week 1 Listener Appreciation FowlWeather Podcast Sweepstakes winner is announced, and your migration forecast, all this week!2024-12-091h 09
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 63 – Kitchen Conversations – Revenge of the Merg Squad and Merganser TriviaMore of the Merg Squad at Bard’s Barndaminium – DrMike once again sits down with Frack and Bard to talk mergs and all things ducks in Jacks Reef country. We also have a bit of Merganser Trivia for y’all. Join us this week on another episode of the Kitchen Conversations, raw, mic’d up conversations with duck hunters across duck country, USA.2024-12-051h 18
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 62 – The Thanksgiving Fattening of Mr. and Mrs. MallardWe hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family and ducks! This week The FowlWeather Podcast team details the fattening patterns of ducks during migration and winter and how it can affect your duck hunting success. We also announce the first of five FowlWeather Podcast Sweepstakes prizes and the availability of FowlWeather hoodies open for online orders. Oh, and the cold continues as we forecast the best days to hunt in the coming week for fresh ducks, hot from the north!2024-12-0232 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 61 – The Snow Line Advances South! + GTR Management (Why are they dry?!!!)An exciting migration forecast this week as the snow line advances south this week, with nearly all seasons now open, we compare our WSI between 2023 to 2024 to date, we also tackle the hard and very misunderstood topic, why is my greentree reservoir dry? That can’t be good for the ducks, right?2024-11-2532 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 60 – Public Draw Systems - Does Anyone Do It Right?With so man different public draw systems out there, somebody must do it better than anyone else? Right, why are there so many systems? Is duck hunting so different that every state and province has to have a different system for allocating blinds? Dr. Mike dissects this heavy topic, plus a western front shakes its cold hand and drives ducks south, all this week on The FowlWeather Podcast.2024-11-1831 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 59 – Ducks? What Ducks? Long-term Forecast Part 2The long-awaited Long-term Forecast Part 2. The results are IN! The FowlWeather Podcast Long-term Forecast Part 2 dives into what the rest of duck season looks like, when will the cold show, does Old Man winter hide in the Arctic once again this year, or make an appearance as an Alberta Clipper, what’s snow got to do with it all? All that, and this week’s duck migration forecast.2024-11-1126 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 58 – Moon Phases and Duck Movement + Duck Hunting EthicsThe FowlWeather Podcast team tackles how ducks move on the moon phase, duck hunting ethic revisited, and your migration forecast.2024-11-0429 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 57 – Kitchen Conversations – North Dakota Duck Camp and Waterfowl TriviaA duck camp kitchen conversation in North Dakota about duck hunting beginnings and the first waterfowl kitchen quiz. Waterfowl trivia for duck hunters.2024-10-311h 12
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 56 – Duck Senses Tingling: Duck Sight, Tactile, Hearing, and Taste Abilities.The FowlWeather Podcast team is back in the home office after a successful ND trip to talk about duck senses, how well do ducks see? How do they pick you out in the marsh flying at 45mph, how do they find food in the wetland, how do they hear your call? And do ducks taste their food? All this, a polar vortex update and your migration forecast this week on The FowlWeather Migration Forecast2024-10-2826 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 55 – The Long-Term Seasonal Forecast – Part 1The FowlWeather Podcast team makes the first of 2 long-term forecasts for the season. What’s coming for cold and snow cover into December and January? Find out in this information packed episode, our North Dakota hunt, plus your weekly duck migration forecast.2024-10-2129 min
FowlWeather PodcastEpisode 54 – Chris Nicolai, Scientist w/ Delta Waterfowl Talks Prairie ConditionsWe meet this week with Chris Nicolai to talk duck production, duck migration, and prairie conditions. A first, Pacific Flyway flight prediction, out of Alaska and cold into Oregan has ducks predicted on the move for the coming week in the west.2024-10-1438 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 53 – What’s so Great about Great Lakes Ducks?The Great Lakes contain 20% of the world’s freshwater but how many ducks do they hold? Has winter ice cover changed in the Great Lakes? We also talk with Ryan Dulaney of Wildlife Strategies about impacts of Florence and Helene on duck country in the MAV and what habitat is lookin’ like for the coming season. That and The FowlWeather Podcast exclusive duck migration forecast for the week!2024-10-0755 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 52 – Our First 2024 Duck Migration ForecastRiding out Hurricane Helene in SC low country, a recap of changes in weather severity through time in the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways, how do game-farm mallard contribute to a declining migration?, a Baby Jager liver disease update, hurricane happenings, and our duck migration forecast.2024-09-3028 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 51 - When Do Ducks Start Migrating?, What Telemetry Doesn’t Tell Us, and A Ticking Time BombWhen do ducks start to migrate? Why are there movements happening now in the absence of weather? Is GPS telemetry on ducks the panacea for all of our questions? Does telemetry tell hunters how to hunt? Does telemetry predict ducks in front of your blind?...all that and notes on the ticking time bomb of duck shooting rhetoric.
2024-09-2331 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 50 – We win when everybody eatsHow does The FowlWeather Podcast team produce weekly migration forecasts? How do ducks react differently to weather severity and why? What goes into the long-term seasonal forecasts. We unveil the new diving duck migration forecasts, a tropical system update, more on mallards, and the anxiously awaited duck migration…all of this and much more on this weeks episode of The FowlWeather Podcast.2024-09-1639 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 49 – Got Rice? – Talkin’ Wild Rice with Northern LatitudeWild rice and ducks go together, like, well…. wild rice and ducks. An important duck food, wild rice also pairs well with many duck dishes. DrMike talks with young entrepreneur, McKinley Dixon of Northern Latitude Foods, producers of organic wild rice from Idaho. A family business – they harvest wild rice by home made airboat, an airplane engine repurposed that captures rice brought to the wild lakes of northern Idaho, first likely brought into the lakes by ducks, the wild rice now thrives and so does Northern Latitude Foods. That, some updates on tropical systems, increasing drought, a La Nina update, and...2024-09-1041 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 48 – Faith the COLD will returnFinding faith in the fact that it will again get COLD, DrMike takes us through the current wetland conditions in the US, talks crop production and its impact on ducks, duck shooting rhetoric 101, the lazy Atlantic tropical storm season to date, and he meets with Ryan Burnett of Pattern Pros – an innovative company looking to make your waterfowl shooting more successful and satisfying.2024-09-0250 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 47 – BONUS EPISODE: The BPOP ResultsThe results are in my friends. Duck country is alive and well. The 2024 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, the BPOP, shows a total breeding duck population up 5% from 2023 in the traditional survey areas, but the devil is in the details. The harvest results are also in from the 2023- 2024 duck season and DrMike breaks down all these results on this special BONUS EPISODE of The FowlWeather Podcast.2024-08-2222 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 46 – Hurricanes and Blue-wings: Stories about floods and fighter jetsStory telling with a dabble of science is on the menu in this last episode of the summer season before dive headlong into the Fall hunting seasons. Hold onto your summer shorts folks…..“Like a screaming jet those blue-wings ate my world like nothing I’d ever seen. Before I could move a barrel they shot through the decoys, but then they banked, they turned and did a 360 first going skyway, but then coming back down and back our way. The safety clicked, “get ready” said the brain, and those same words came out of my mouth by shear reaction. On the...2024-08-1932 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 45 – Pre-Season Primer, Reading the Tea Leaves for Fall 2024 & Winter 2025 Weather. Will it be ducky?What will the 2024-2025 weather bring? It is still a long way off, but there are some strong trends developing. The meteorological Fall is September to November and first looks are coming into focus. The FowlWeather Podcast provides a first look at the coming season! Wealso cover how we make duck migration forecasts, where we make forecasts, and we introduce The FowlWeather Podcast photographer of the year, Matt Miseciwz.2024-08-051h 06
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 44 – Conserving the Canadian Prairies w/ John Devney – Chief Policy Officer for Delta Waterfowl FoundationThe FowlWeather Podcast welcomes John Devney, policy guru with Delta Waterfowl Foundation to talk action on the prairies to conserve duck habitat. Policies differ greatly between the US and Canada, and John takes us down the rabbit hole about ways to conserve wetlands in prairie Canada. We also lean hard into what Delta is doing to study duck population biology to inform duck harvest policy and management.2024-07-221h 33
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 43 – Frank Baldwin - Migratory Bird Biologist in Manitoba on Prairie Habitat ConditionsThe FowlWeather Podcast covers conditions on the Canadian Prairies with Frank Baldwin, Wildlife Biologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service). We also hit on all things ducks and geese in his wonderful part of the world. Born and raised around the Oak Hammock Marsh area, Frank has a wonderful history and wealth of knowledge about arctic nesting geese and prairie ducks and all things Manitoba and beyond. Join us as we chat with Frank about the critical nesting grounds in Canada for ducks that distribute across the continent.2024-07-081h 19
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 42 – The Farm Bill w/ Julia Peebles, Ducks Unlimited Director of Agriculture and Sustainability PolicyNo single omnibus policy influences duck habitat more than the Farm Bill, we meet with Julia Peeples who spends much of her time on Capital Hill bringing forth the interests of ducks and duck people from across duck country to the decision-makers we all elect, we dig deep into the current Farm Bill, how it helps ducks (or doesn’t) and what to expect from the Farm Bill for the next five years…how will it help the ducks?2024-06-241h 13
FowlWeather PodcastEP. 41 - Sam Kucia - South Dakota Prairie Grassland and Wetland Condition UpdateSam Kucia is a passionate hunter-conservationist completing his PhD at South Dakota State University, located in NE SD. We cover wetland conditions this spring throughout his region, crop prices and CRP as drivers of conservation, wetland drainage, conservation challenges on the prairies, his experience last year after that early freeze followed by extreme warm, and much, much more including an amazing 160 class buck harvest story.2024-06-101h 42
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 40 - Paul Hess - Wildlife Biologist at Iroquois National Wildlife RefugeBreaking news on changes in pintail bag limits, your Duck Stamps at work, who funds wetland restoration, habitat management on refuges for ducks, duck hunt management, the ducky weather or lack of ducky weather last year, and food for ducks. With 20 years of experience at Iroquois NWR, Paul brings an amazing wealth of information about sustaining ducks, other wetland wildlife, and all the great people across duck country USA!2024-05-271h 21
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 39 – Counting Ducks at 200 Miles per Hour – Flying the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers with Josh Osborn of Forbes Biological Station Aerial Waterfowl SurveyHang on to your pants folks – in this episode we fly with Josh Osborn, observer for the Forbes Biological Station aerial waterfowl survey. Forbes Biological Station has been part of aerial inventories of waterfowl along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers since 1948. Come fly with us for an engaging interview with Josh who has a bird’s eye view of duck migration in a pretty cool part of duck country, USA!2024-05-141h 03
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 38 - If You Got Em’… You Shoot Em’ – Waterfowl Hunt Management on Private and Public Lands – The FowlWeather Podcast 2024 Wetland Management Series - Part 4The concluding episode of The FowlWeather Podcasts 2024 Wetland Management Series digs into the science of what makes a satisfied duck hunter and the techniques used on public and private lands to manage hunting disturbance. That, brief highlights of hot crops and more in this episode.2024-04-2930 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 37 – “Diversity is the Only Free Lunch” w/ Waterfowl Habitat Manager Ryan Dulaney of Wildlife Strategies and Land Agent with The Farmland Group – Wetland Mgmt Series Part 3The FowlWeather Podcasts talks diversifying land management for waterfowl in Arkansas. What does it take to attract and hold ducks? What does it take to attract and hold a diversity of duck species? That and much more on this week’s episode with waterfowl habitat manager Ryan Dulaney of Wildlife Strategies and land agent with The Farmland Group.2024-04-221h 04
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 36 – Why Manage Wetlands? Drawdown Timing And the Emergent Marsh Cycle – The FowlWeather Podcast - Wetland Management Series: Part 2In this series we are going to provide context about why actively managing restored wetlands is 100% necessary, actually critical. We are really excited to bring you this wetland management 101 cook book for your private lands or lease, but we will also highlight why the public hunting grounds that you visit should be actively managing their wetlands for waterfowl.2024-04-1544 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 35 – Ducks are Short! – The FowlWeather Podcast - Wetland Management Series: Part 1In this series we are going to provide context about why actively managing restored wetlands is 100% necessary, actually critical. We are really excited to bring you this wetland management 101 cook book for your private lands or lease, but we will also highlight why the public hunting grounds that you visit should be actively managing their wetlands for waterfowl. 2024-04-0952 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 34 – Where have all the mallards gone?In this episode of The FowlWeather Podcast we break down in easy to understand terms why hunting at the current levels doesn’t drive most waterfowl populations. Plain and simple language from DrMike, a scientist and duck hunter, brought to all our friends across duck country.
2024-04-0129 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 33 - The Kitchen Conversations – What makes a duck call sound like a duck? James Callicutt – Mississippi native, duck call maker, and waterfowl biologist teaches us how to sound like a duckWhat makes a good duck call? What natural woods sound more like a duck than others? Single-reed or double-reed, what works best to fool those ole greenheads? We talk duck migration and lack of ducks this winter at James Callicutt’s camp in Mississippi, but we cover a-lotta ground about duck habitat management and duck calling. James Callicutt is kinda a big deal!2024-03-271h 14
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 32 Dr. Heath Hagy, The Waterfowl Guru Spills the Beans – Where were the ducks? Have the ducks figured us out?Where were the ducks last season? How does hunting disturbance redistribute ducks? USFWS Waterfowl Biologist Dr. Heath Hagy joins The FowlWeather Podcast. Heath tells us about how he stole all Dr. Mike’s best research ideas, and that we agree on duck science about 10% of the time, but we agree on the most important thing that matters and that is a love for the resource and the conservation and management of the habitat on which ducks rely. Point is, discussion and debate drive learning, especially between Dr. Mike and Dr. Hagy.2024-03-201h 18
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 31 – Kitchen Conversations – Talking Ducks with Salt of the Earth – Chad Fisher in The Bootheel of MissouriThe bootheel of Missouri is named for its state boundary line that looks like a boot heel. Here the Mississippi Alluvial Valley begins and is rich in waterfowling culture. Known for quality public land hunting we meet with good friend and long-time bootheel duck hunter, Chad Fisher and talk about hunt draws at Duck Creek, Otter Slough, and Ten Mile Pond. We also reminisce about our earlier days as duck hunters.2024-03-131h 14
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 30 – Kitchen Conversations – Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunt Program with Stephen Sowell – Ensuring the Future of Duck Hunting Through Well-Trained Hunter-ConservationistAt the North American Ducks Symposium Dr.Mike meets with Stephen Sowell who manages Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunt Program – a way to introduce university students to waterfowl hunting, Dr.Mike and Stephen talk about the need to train the next generation and that definitely includes ensuring they have an understanding of waterfowl hunting culture across duck country USA.2024-03-0445 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 29 – Where were the ducks? the duck season recapEmpty skies for everyone this season, but not all – find out where the ducks were at and how the weather stacked up for the 2023 – 2024 duck season compared to normal.2024-02-2629 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 28 – Kitchen Conversations – Talking mallard migration with Ben Luukkonen and Dr. Phil LavretskyAt the 9th North American Duck Symposium Dr.Mike meets with Ben Luukkonen and Dr. Phil Lavretsky about how mutt mallards may be affecting mallard migration to southern latitudes. Information presented for the first time just days before, PhD student Ben Luukkonen explains how mallards with game-farm genetics just act differently. Dr. Lavretsky outlines how mallard genetics have drastically changed in North America. A truly groundbreaking interview.2024-02-1851 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 27 – THE CORN EPISODECorn is neither the solution nor the problem – THE CORN EPISODE – The FowlWeather Podcast team breaks it all down.2024-02-0526 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 26 – It’s a WRAP – Reflection of the 2023 – 2024 Duck SeasonDuck season 2023-2024 was frustrating and disappointing to many but there is optimism too.2024-01-2931 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 25 – Hunting the thaw – where and when to huntWarm and rain return to the south as we enter the final days of duck season 2023-2024.
2024-01-2220 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 24 – Kitchen Conversations – Lake Erie Duck Action at Winous Pt. Marsh ConservancyIn this episode we meet with, John Simpson, Executive Director of the Winous Point Shooting Club and Winous Point Marsh Conservancy in the duck cleaning, pluckin’ room. Towards the end we continue our discussion, as part of our In the Marsh Series with some good shooting, a quick chat about flooded corn and a nice flight of gadwall for some sporty shooting.
Thanks for joining us for another episode of the Kitchen Conversations.
2024-01-181h 24
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 23 – The big freeze, the flood gates open-eth?The big freeze and the future of ducks and duck hunting this January.2024-01-1522 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 22 – Where are the Ducks – Part 2 – not fake news – separating feelings from factsClearing the clutter from the chatter, host DrMike takes a deep dive into the paper ducks controversy and this year’s historic El Nino and drought that has so many frustrated with duck season 2023-24.2024-01-0838 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 21 – Kitchen Conversations – The Merg Squad AbidesDr. Mike sits down w/ local waterfowling legends Matt Frackleton and Mike Bard over a platter of roast duck, venison, and pickled duck hearts and gizzard to talk ducks. They fancy themselves as the merganser kings of North America, but we talk duck hunting pressure, favorite hunting weather, and alternative uses for seagull carcasses.
Join us for the inaugural episode of the Kitchen Conversations.2024-01-051h 36
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 20 – Why EVERYONE should be a member of Ducks UnlimitedA vision like no other; to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever, Ducks Unlimited is a true conservation champion. 2024-01-0120 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 19 – Where are the Ducks?Santa’s got a bag o’ ducks for y’all. But where are they and when will they migrate?2023-12-2515 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 18 – Why EVERYONE should be a member of Delta WaterfowlAround since 1911, Delta Waterfowl continues to be a strong advocate for duck conservation and duck hunters. 2023-12-1830 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 17 – The Art of Sky BustingShooting etiquette in the marsh – or not – we examine the art of sky busting in detail.2023-12-1120 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 16 – Don’t Burn the RouxGentleman, welcome to Gumbo - The first rule of Gumbo is Don’t Burn the Roux, the second rule of Gumbo is Don’t Burn the Roux.2023-12-0428 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 15 – Has the Weather Changed for Mr. Mallard? Thoughts on Climate Change in the Age of Mallard ShootingClimate has always changed, but has it changed for the mallard? Has the weather that mallards see really changed that much across the last two generations of duck hunters? That, more and your late-November ducks migration forecast!2023-11-2721 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 14 – Golden Rule – F with the Decoys to Make the Ducks FlyIf you set the decoys right they will come? Maybe, or maybe you have to call just right, or not look at them when the pass over, or maybe they are just ducks being ducks. Find out today on The FowlWeather Podcast – plus your Monday duck migration forecast.2023-11-2029 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 13 – Ducks Run GunsBelieve it or not, when the duck population is greater, you shoot more ducks! Further, duck harvest at southern states is often linked to colder weather to the north. Plus your mid-November duck migration forecast. All this week on The FowlWeather Podcast – don’t miss it!2023-11-1333 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 12 – Seasonal Forecast – Part 2 - Ready or Not Here They Come?Will ducks do it dirty this season and make it a season to remember in the Deep South. Is the recent cold front to the north a pattern that will continue into December and January or will those gangs of Greenheads hang north again? Find out here on The FowlWeather Podcast – Seasonal Forecast Part 2.2023-11-0914 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 11 – The Ducks are at where they are at…and What Ducks Eat 101Stalled ducks and how to hunt them, plus some science about what ducks eat and why…wanna kill more ducks, y’all might wanna know what ducks eat!2023-11-0633 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 10 – Howling Winds and Howling HuntersCold, cold, cold continues, find out when and where to hunt fresh ducks on the move. Plus a comment on how or if duck hunter interests are being met on public lands across duck country.2023-10-3127 minDucks Unlimited PodcastEp. 520 – El Nino, Winter Forecast, and FowlWeather with Dr. Mike SchummerDr. Mike Schummer, Roosevelt Waterfowl Ecologist at SUNY ESF, joins host Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss an incoming winter storm, how it will influence duck migration, and the implications of Siberian snow cover and a moderate El Nino for winter weather forecasts across eastern North America. Dr. Schummer also shares insights from early-season duck hunts in New York, an exciting update on his new podcast project, The FowlWeather Podcast, and common ground for conservation.www.ducks.org/DUPodcast2023-10-2637 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 9 – Hot Barrels High on the PrairieIn this episode The FowlWeather Podcast forecasts our first real migration alert as ducks move out of the northwestern prairie and into the mid-continent and places farther south.2023-10-2525 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 8 – BONUS EPISODE - Predicting the Grand Passage of DucksBreaking down the Weather Severity Index - how it works!
A bonus episode that compliments our WSI video online at www.fowlweather.co.
How we predict duck migration.
2023-10-2422 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 7 – Where the Hell Is Jacks Reef?Early migrants on the move! Jacks Reef where abouts, and a mallard population breakdown.2023-10-2023 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 6 – A Tale of Two MigrationsSo what's a duck to do? Flexible migration explained.2023-10-1924 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 5 – In the grips of El Nino - Your Seasonal Forecast - Part 1In Part 1 of 2, we use the most up to date science to develop our seasonal forecast. El Nino is nearly certain this year. How will that impact your duck season? Tune in to find out.2023-10-1812 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 4 – The Relentless Heat and Where the Ducks are Hot and Where They're NotThe first of many weekly migration forecasts. We produce the only science-based duck migration forecast. To be clear, other migration reports are just reports, they tell you about ducks that have already arrived. Stale ducks, we forecast fresh ducks just off migration. 2023-10-1713 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 3 – How We Make Seasonal ForecastsPlanning your hunting season includes many factors, we break down how we forecast duck migration months before it happens based on global climate systems. Should you take the trip in December, early January, or towards the tail end of season? The seasonal forecast helps you make these important decisions to forecast your next great hunt.2023-10-1707 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 2 – I Make GumboAs devoted deer hunters we just find hunting fowl a little more fun.
FowlWeather2023-10-1006 min
FowlWeather PodcastEp. 1 – Why Produce a Podcast?Over the years, we have continued to receive requests to start a podcast and share the decades of research we have conducted.
Stay tuned for continued long term and weekly forecasts to predict your next successful hunt.
FowlWeather2023-10-0307 min