The North American Waterfowler

1d ago

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler Podcast, I’m joined by Austin Williams, a Missouri waterfowler who was randomly selected from Patreon to come on the show. These Patreon wheel episodes have become some of my favorites because they’re simple, honest conversations with everyday waterfowlers who live this life just like the rest of us. We talk about the recent Hunt Giveaway weekend, ice eaters, cold mornings, stubborn ducks, and how these trips have become about much more than just killing birds. I also reflect a bit on how waterfowl hunting, fellowship, and faith have helped me weather a very difficult couple of years and why these weekends in the blind matter more than ever. If you’ve ever wondered what the Patreon community is really about, this episode gives you a clear picture. It’s not just content. It’s friendships, shared experiences, and time spent doing what we all love. Shotty Gear Waterproof, durable hunting gear built by hunters for hunters. From shell pouches to blind bags and packs, Shotty Gear is designed to take abuse and keep working. https://www.shottygear.com Use code FDH10 for 10 percent off Flight Day Ammunition Premium steel waterfowl loads designed for consistent patterns and clean kills. I run Flight Day shells all season and trust them when it matters. https://www.flightdayammo.com Use code FDH10 for 10 percent off Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates A rugged, affordable dog crate system with an optional steel roll cage for added protection in the truck bed. A great option without paying premium crate prices. https://www.mammothpetproducts.com Use code GUARDIAN15 for 15 percent off TIDEWE Affordable and functional waterfowl gear including heated vests, jackets, waders, and ground blinds. Perfect for cold late season hunts when layering matters. https://www.tidewe.com Use code FDH18 for 18 percent off Weatherby Reliable shotguns built for hunters who actually use their gear. From the Element series to the Orion and SORIX, Weatherby continues to deliver field proven performance. https://www.weatherby.com Episode DescriptionPodcast Partners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4d ago

Episode Description In this episode, I’m joined by Capt. Casey, Ben Meyers from Flight Day Ammunition, and Brian Halblieb, host of The Migration Waterfowl Podcast. We spent the weekend together at an Airbnb for a hunt giveaway weekend after Casey was drawn as the winner. We break down both Day 1 and Day 2 of the hunt, what conditions were like, how the birds worked, and how the weekend unfolded from camp conversations to the field. We talk about adjustments, success, and the moments that made this hunt memorable. We were able to shoot full limits over the two days, and Casey capped off the weekend by shooting a banded mallard. This episode is part hunt recap, part camp talk, and a good look at what these giveaway weekends are really like behind the scenes. Flight Day Ammunition Flight Day Ammunition produces premium waterfowl loads that are built by hunters for hunters. Their shells are clean, consistent, and designed to perform in real world hunting conditions. Website https://www.flightdayammo.com Discount Code FDH10 Use code FDH10 at checkout to save on your order. Partner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 11

Join Elliott Snider and returning guest Jordan Fromer for a wide open conversation covering everything from tech troubles and early-season memories to Jordan’s incredible ice hole streak in Indiana. Jordan breaks down why this cold snap has produced some of his best mallard hunts ever, how he scouts fast flowing rivers, and what’s behind the sudden push of ducks into his state. Elliott and Jordan also react to the bizarre Utah scenes Matt Zavonic has been reporting, including driveway corn piles, domesticated ducks, discarded birds, and a mysterious caged animal left at a WMA. The two discuss ethics in the field, band stories, river access laws, duck behavior during freeze lines, and why fresh birds make all the difference. A fun, honest, hunt-heavy episode with plenty of laughs and solid waterfowl insight. Flight Day Ammunition High performance bismuth and steel loads. Link: https://www.flightdayammo.com Code: FDH10 Weatherby Shotguns and rifles built for waterfowlers. Link: https://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Rugged kennel systems built for serious hunters. Search "Mammoth dog crate" on Amazon or visit the Mammoth Pet Products Store. Code: GUARDIAN15 Note: The roll cage is sold separately with welded tie down points and a chrome-plated heavy duty door frame. Shotty Gear Waterproof, durable blind bags, shell pouches, straps, apparel, and boat lighting. Built by a small hunter owned operation. Link: https://www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 8

In this episode I walk through the long term mallard population trends and ask a simple question. Can the average hunter actually feel the effects of this decline. Mallard numbers have dropped from more than eleven million in 2016 to around six and a half million today. I look at the historical highs and lows, compare them to my own data since 2016, and talk about whether the current dip is truly changing the way our hunts unfold or if our success still comes down to weather patterns, decisions, and being in the right place at the right time. I also break down the recent cold snaps, the sudden migration push across the Central Flyway, and how difficult it can be to make good decisions when the shallow marshes freeze solid. I talk about yesterday’s frustrating river hunt, why finishing ducks has been so tough this year, what I am seeing from other hunters, and why this season feels so strange. Later in the episode I preview the Patreon hunt giveaway weekend with Captain Casey, Brian H. from the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, and Ben Meyers. I also share early thoughts on planning the spring Patreon float trip and what the next few weeks of December may look like. If you watch on Spotify you can drop comments and share your thoughts on whether declining mallard populations are affecting your hunting. I would love to hear what you think. PARTNER LINKS Flight Day Ammunition www.flightdayammo.com Shotty Gear http://www.shottygear.com Use code FDH10 for ten percent off TideWe https://www.tidewe.com Use code FDH18 for eighteen percent off Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Search Mammoth Dog Crate on Amazon or visit the Mammoth Pet Products store Use code GUARDIAN15 for fifteen percent off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 1

Join Elliott as he recounts his Thanksgiving week filled with waterfowl hunting adventures. From unpredictable weather challenges to the camaraderie with fellow hunters, Elliott shares insights on bird movements, gear choices, and memorable hunts, including a top five hunt of his life. Tune in for a deep dive into the art of waterfowl hunting and the strategies that make it successful. Flight Day Ammunition https://www.flightdayammo.com Discount code FDH10 Weatherby Shotguns https://www.weatherby.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates https://www.mammothpetproducts.com Discount code GUARDIAN15 Reminder that the roll cage is sold separately and includes steel bars with welded tie downs and a chrome plated heavy duty door frame Shotty Gear https://www.shottygear.com Discount code FDH10 TideWe https://www.tidewe.com Discount code FDH10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 24

In this episode of The North American Waterfowler , Elliott goes full rant mode. From holiday nostalgia to Chiefs stress to duck hunting “experts” who speak in absolutes, this one covers it all. Elliott breaks down why claims about mallards, cold fronts, ice, and snow often get tossed around like scientific fact when most of it is nothing more than opinion dressed up as truth. He also dives into weather frustration, the chaos of unpredictable forecasts, and the strategy game of stale-bird hunting. Then the big one: Georgie’s escalating whining problem. Elliott lays out exactly how it’s getting worse, why it’s such a devastating issue for a dog guy, and why even top pros don’t have a real solution. The episode wraps with November hunt stats, comment of the week, and a powerful message for hunters dealing with trials and stress during the holiday season. PARTNERS AND DISCOUNT CODES Flight Day Ammunition Website: flightdayammo.com Code: FDH10 Details: Steel sixes, fives, threes and fours. Available in 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and 12 gauge. Cases of 200 or 250. Shotty Gear Website: shottygear.com Code: FDH10 Details: Waterproof packs, gun cases, shell pouches, blind bags and gear built for waterfowlers. Backpacks restocking soon. TideWe Website: tidewe.com Code: FDH18 Details: Heated vests and gloves, breathable waders from entry level to high end, and reliable cold weather gear. Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Website: mammothpetproducts.com Code: GUARDIAN15 Details: Heavy duty dog crates with optional roll cage. Available on the Mammoth Pet Products site or by searching “Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate” on Amazon. Weatherby Shotguns Website: weatherby.com Details: Elliott is running the Element shotguns this year, including the 20 gauge with sixes and the 12 gauge 18. Also includes the Orion over-under series. North American Waterfowler App iOS and Android Website version: thenorthamericanwaterfowler.com Details: New photo library feature showing all hunt photos in one place. Tap a picture to pull up every hunt detail. Patreon Community patreon.com/freelanceduckhunting Details: Supports the show and includes full access to the NAW app plus bonus content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 20

Ben Meyers from Flight Day Ammunition is back and we tell the full story behind recent comments about Flight Day on the Boss Shot Shells fan page. We walk through the pattern comparison that started it, how Flight Day steel edged out Boss Steel Reserve on the board, and why Ben thinks muzzle velocity myths just will not die. Ben breaks down copper shot versus premium slow steel, real gel test results, pattern percentages at forty yards, and what actually matters from thirty to fifty yards when birds are over the decoys. We also talk pump failures, flooding timber for mallards, Thanksgiving weather, and why I am still running sixes in my twenty gauge with a Muller decoy choke. Flight Day Ammunition Premium slow steel designed for serious duck hunters who care about pattern density and clean kills. Flight Day Ammunition https://www.flightdayammo.com Code: FDH10 for a discount on your order Weatherby Shotguns The shotguns I rely on for every hunt and every video. Weatherby site https://www.weatherby.com TideWe Waders, boots, and hunting gear that actually match the way we hunt. TideWe site Code: FDH18 https://www.tidewe.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates Heavy duty crates built to protect your retriever at duck camp or on the road. Mammoth site https://www.mammothpet.com/products/guardian Code: GUARDIAN15 for a discount on Guardian crates Shotty Gear Waterproof blind bags, shell pouches, apparel, and gear built by real waterfowl hunters. Shotty Gear site https://www.shottygear.com Code: FDH10 for a discount on your order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 17

In this episode Elliott checks in from the heart of mid season in the Central Flyway with a full weather and migration update from Kansas. Warm temperatures and a late push of birds have made this stretch tricky, so he walks through the ten day forecast, talks about why he actually took a rare weekend off from hunting, and explains what he looks for when deciding whether to rest or grind. You will hear about date night at the old school winery, the feeling of being fully rested on a November Saturday, and how that ties back into keeping family and hunting in balance. Elliott also recaps a four day duck camp with Jordan Fromer, Brian Hallblieb, Aiden and Jeremy, complete with hot tent living, steak dinners, and some really solid hunts. He breaks down his current numbers at the midpoint of the season, the exact moment the migration flipped from mixed bags to true mallard season, and why he thinks the new trend of saying birds only show up on the first south wind day is overrated. Along the way he talks marsh etiquette, OnX yardages, Georgie’s sore paw, geese landing on spinning wing decoys, and how Thrill of the Fight on the Meta Quest is changing his fitness and mindset. If you love hearing honest talk about weather, birds, camp life, and the little details that make waterfowling special, this one is for you. TideWE — Use code FDH18 at tidewe.com for 18 % off. Shotty Gear — Use code FDH10 at shottygear.com for a discount on shell pouches, backpacks, gun cases and more. Flight Day Ammunition — Use code FDH10 at flightdayammo.com for your ammo needs. Mammoth Pet Products — Use discount code GUARDIAN15 for the Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate (search “Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate” on Amazon). Weatherby — (No code mentioned, but linked as a sponsor for shotguns.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices