The North American Waterfowler

In this episode, I break down real data from over 35,000 logged hunts inside The North American Waterfowler app to answer a question we all think we already know the answer to: what actually impacts duck hunting success? I dive into how wind speed, temperature, and sunny versus cloudy conditions affect birds per hunt and some of the results might surprise you. If you’re someone who loves understanding the “why” behind good and bad hunts, this one is for you. I also answer a listener question about spring scouting and how to approach learning new areas this time of year without overthinking what you’re seeing. To wrap things up, I’m joined by Ben Kraja to talk about a proposed 40,000 acre AI data center near the Great Salt Lake and why it could be a serious concern for waterfowl hunters and the future of that ecosystem. If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to check out The North American Waterfowler app where you can log your hunts, analyze your data, and learn from hunters across the country. Patreon: https://patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Email: freelanceduckhunting@gmail.com Partners & Discounts Flight Day Ammunition Premium steel loads with incredible patterns.https://www.flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 for 10% off Shotty Gear Waterproof, durable gear built for real hunters.https://www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 Weatherby Rifles and shotguns built for performance in the field.https://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Heavy duty dog crates with optional roll cage system. Search: Mammoth Dog Crate on Amazon TideWe Affordable hunting gear including blinds, waders, and more.https://www.tidewe.com Code: NAW18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Mike Brasher, Senior Waterfowl Scientist for Ducks Unlimited, for a deep dive into one of the most debated topics in waterfowl hunting right now. Mallard numbers are down, pond counts are below average, and hunters across the country are asking the same question. Should seasons and limits be reduced? Dr. Brasher walks us through the science behind duck population surveys, how breeding population estimates are actually conducted, and how Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) determines the frameworks for duck seasons in North America. We also discuss the ongoing debate about compensatory vs additive mortality, whether harvest is impacting duck populations, how pond counts affect productivity, and why the current regulatory system still supports liberal seasons despite declining mallard numbers. This conversation covers the full picture of how waterfowl populations are monitored and how hunting regulations are set. Topics covered include: • How duck population surveys are conducted • What the breeding population estimate actually represents • The role of the May pond count • Why habitat drives duck populations • The science behind Adaptive Harvest Management • Compensatory vs additive mortality • Whether harvest impacts duck populations • Why we are still in liberal seasons If you want to better understand how duck populations are managed and what the future of waterfowl seasons may look like, this episode is packed with valuable insight. Partners Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Code: NAW10 TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com Code: NAW18 Weatherby Shotgunshttps://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://www.mammothpet.com Code: GUARDIAN15 Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 Support the Podcast If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the show, consider joining the Patreon community. Patreon supporters get access to exclusive content, bonus material, and help make these conversations possible. Join here:https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since my recent conversation with Josh Goins, there’s been a lot of debate about duck numbers, hunting pressure, flooded corn, and the Adaptive Harvest Management system. In this episode, I step back from the noise, dig into the actual data, and explain what I’ve learned. We break down how AHM works, why seasons have remained liberal despite declining mallard numbers, and what the science says about additive vs compensatory mortality. I also compare current duck populations and prairie pond conditions to long-term averages and historic drought years to put today’s numbers into context. I’ll also revisit my recent reel about ducks going nocturnal around flooded corn and discuss what we actually know — and don’t know — about its impact on migration. Finally, I tease an upcoming Patreon-only livestream interview with Dr. Mike Brasher, Chief Scientist at Ducks Unlimited, where we’ll go even deeper into habitat, harvest management, and the future of waterfowl hunting. This episode is about facts, context, and understanding — not outrage. Partners Flight Day Ammunition Premium bismuth loads built specifically for waterfowl hunters. Reliable performance and clean kills. Use code NAW10https://www.flightdayammo.com TideWe Affordable, dependable hunting gear built for real conditions. Waders, blinds, backpacks, apparel, and more. Use code NAW18https://www.tidewe.com Weatherby High-performance shotguns trusted by serious waterfowl hunters. Built for reliability, durability, and performance in harsh conditions. https://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Heavy-duty aluminum crates designed to keep your dog safe in the field and on the road. Use code GUARDIAN15Search “Mammoth dog crate” on Amazon or visit the Mammoth Pet Products store Shotty Gear Rugged, affordable gear built by hunters for hunters. Blind bags, shell pouches, gun cases, lighting, apparel, and more. Use code FDH10https://www.shottygear.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION After Episode 250, the feedback poured in from hunters across the country. Some agree. Some strongly disagree. Many are seeing completely different realities depending on where they hunt. In this episode, Elliott reads and responds to real listener comments about duck numbers, migration patterns, hunting pressure, public vs private access, and what success actually looks like across different regions. From concerns about declining mallards to debates over effort, habitat, and expectations, this episode captures a wide cross section of opinions from the waterfowl community. No experts. No scripts. Just honest reactions to what hunters are experiencing on the ground right now. Shotty GearWaterproof, durable gear built by hunters for hunters. From shell pouches to gun cases, this is rugged equipment made to survive real conditions.🔗 https://www.shottygear.comCode: FDH10 TideWeAffordable, reliable hunting gear for every season, including waders, apparel, optics, and more.🔗 https://www.tidewe.comCode: NAW18 Weatherby ShotgunsDependable performance and fit right out of the box, trusted by hunters for generations.🔗 https://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesSafe, rugged transport for your hunting partner, whether in the cab or the truck bed.🔗 https://www.mammothpet.comCode: GUARDIAN15 Flight Day AmmunitionMaximum payload steel loads designed for dense patterns and reliable performance in the field.🔗 https://www.flightdayammo.comCode: NAW10 Support the show and connect with Elliott’s core community of serious waterfowl hunters. Patreon members get bonus content, hunt giveaways, live events, and more. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting 🤝 PARTNERS🔒 JOIN THE INNER CIRCLE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler, I sit down for a civil and honest debate with a critic who took issue with a recent reel of mine about duck hunting effort, success, and responsibility. Instead of trading comments online, we chose to have the conversation face to face. We talk about flooded corn, migration changes, regional expectations, frustration in the waterfowl community, and where personal effort fits into the bigger picture. This episode is not about winning an argument. It is about listening, challenging assumptions, and having the kind of conversation hunters should be willing to have with one another. Support the show and get access to exclusive full length hunt films, bonus podcast episodes, live streams, and giveaways by joining Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Partners of The North American Waterfowler Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Code NAW10 Weatherby Shotgunshttps://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://www.mammothpet.com Code GUARDIAN15 Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.com Code FDH10 TideWe Code NAW18https://bit.ly/49ghKzG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, Elliott sits down with Michael Flaspohler, Kale Flaspohler, and Dan Crigler from the Waterfowl Management Academy to talk about one of the most overlooked drivers of duck numbers: spring habitat. The discussion breaks down moist soil versus flooded corn, why invertebrates are critical during spring migration, and how water depth, timing, and habitat diversity directly impact duck production. With decades of experience managing public and private wetlands across Missouri and the Mississippi Flyway, the Waterfowl Management Academy team explains how spring habitat determines how many ducks make it back to the breeding grounds in good condition. They also introduce the Spring Habitat Campaign and explain how private landowners, hunters, and supporters can play a role in improving habitat during the most important season of the year. Learn more about the Waterfowl Management Academy and their spring habitat resources athttps://www.waterfowlmanagement.com Spring Habitat Campaign shirts support Ducks Unlimited, with proceeds helping fund habitat work on the breeding grounds. Support the podcast and get access to exclusive content, livestreams, and giveaways by joining Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Podcast Partners TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com NAW18 for 18% off Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Use code NAW10 Weatherby Shotgunshttps://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://www.mammothpet.com Use code GUARDIAN15 Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.com Use code FDH10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support the Podcast North American Waterfowler Apphttps://www.thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Episode Description In this episode, Elliott sits down with Chris Jobman for a wide ranging late season conversation that hits everything from weather driven duck movement to why some regions see more bands than others. They talk about the hunt giveaway crew, band stories, and the wild odds of killing two mallard pintail hybrids in the same spot just days apart. They also dig into habitat and food. Millet versus corn. Imprinting birds on a new marsh. Why ducks shortstop when conditions stay warm. Then they tackle the flooded corn debate head on, including the claim that it stops migration and the argument that it is baiting. Chris gives his take and Elliott adds perspective from Kansas and the Central Flyway. To wrap it up, Chris answers a listener question about force fetching a soft dog and why training the owner is often harder than training the dog. If you want to watch these recordings live and be part of the chat, join the Patreon community. Podcast Partners and Links Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.com Discount Code FDH10 Weatherby Shotgunshttps://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://www.mammothpet.com Discount Code GUARDIAN15 Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.comDiscount Code FDH10 TideWehttps://www.tidewe.com Discount Code NAW18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Elliott covers a wide range of topics including recent YouTube warnings related to hunting content and why more of his best videos are being moved to Patreon. He shares honest thoughts on the current state of social media, addresses claims about toxicity within the waterfowl community, and explains why he believes social media itself is the real issue. Elliott also reflects on his most recent hunting decisions, the importance of small group and solo hunts, and how filming allows him to relive meaningful moments from the season. He discusses a major video project he is working on that captures his entire waterfowl season in one compilation. Additional topics include Kansas commission discussions around potential non resident hunting restrictions and Elliott’s thoughts on what changes may realistically be coming. To wrap up the episode, Elliott introduces a brand new feature on The North American Waterfowler app and website called Ask Elliott. This tool pulls from every episode of the podcast to answer waterfowl related questions based on years of recorded experience and conversations. Flight Day Ammunitionhttps://www.flightdayammo.comCode: FDH10 for 10 percent offHigh quality steel loads with excellent patterns and consistent performance. Weatherbyhttps://www.weatherby.comFrom the Element series to the 18i and Orion shotguns, Weatherby continues to deliver reliable firearms for waterfowl and beyond. Shotty Gearhttps://www.shottygear.comCode: FDH10Shell pouches, blind bags, backpacks, gun cases, and rugged gear built by hunters for hunters. TideWehttps://www.tidewe.comCode: NAW18 for 18 percent offWaders, blinds, rain gear, and waterfowl equipment that continues to improve in quality and durability. Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesSearch “Mammoth dog crate” on AmazonDurable crates designed to keep your dog safe without the high price tag of premium brands. Roll cage attachment sold separately. The North American Waterfowler App and Websitehttps://www.thenorthamericanwaterfowler.comLog hunts, track birds, connect with friends, and now use the Ask Elliott feature which pulls answers from every podcast episode. Patreon Exclusive Content and Hunt Giveawayshttps://www.patreon.com/freelanceduckhuntingAccess Patreon only hunts, full length videos, live podcast recordings, giveaways, and a strong waterfowl community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices