Ramsey Russell: Global Waterfowl Hunter and Conservation Advocate

Early Life and Wildlife Background

Ramsey Russell grew up in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, immersed in the rich outdoor traditions of fishing and hunting. Introduced to dove hunting and fishing by his grandfather, he developed a passion for wildlife early on. He pursued this interest academically, earning a degree in Forestry and Wildlife from Mississippi State University’s College of Forest Resources. Professionally trained as a forester and a certified wildlife biologist, Russell began his career managing wildlife and habitat.

Over 16 years, he worked as forester with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), focusing on habitat management and wetland restoration. Notably, he co-authored the USDA Forest Service’s Planning for Forest Stewardship Desktop Guide (2002), while managing the Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge. This comprehensive guide, aimed at private landowners and forest management professionals, underscores Russell’s early contributions to sustainable forestry and wildlife habitat conservation. A life-altering injury Russell suffered as a teenager ultimately shaped his outlook – it inspired him to seize life’s opportunities and fueled his passion for waterfowl hunting on a larger scale.

Ramsey Russell wildlife biologist and forester assisted bobcat research studies while at Mississippi State university — Pursuant to earning degrees in wildlife management and forestry at Mississippi State University, Ramsey Russell worked hands-on in wildlife conservation, conducting bobcat research fieldwork in Central Mississippi and assisting white-tailed deer management in South Texas.

Founding of GetDucks.com

In 2003, Russell transformed his lifelong passion into a global business by founding GetDucks.com — a premier sporting travel agency offering guided duck hunting trips on six continents. A division of Ramsey Russell, LLC, GetDucks.com provides meticulously vetted, high-quality waterfowl and upland bird hunts, backed by personalized service.

Russell coined and trademarked the phrase “It’s Duck Season Somewhere®”, which reflects his belief that duck hunting is a year-round pursuit across the globe. From Argentina to Australia, Azerbaijan to Alaska, Russell and his team curate hunting experiences that blend culture, conservation, and adventure. The company’s success is largely driven by word-of-mouth referrals and a high client return rate, hallmarks of its reputation. Today, Russell’s company is recognized as a foremost provider of international duck hunting trips, helping hunters–species or experience collectors alike–pursue 100+ species of waterfowl around the globe.

On the home front, Russell leverages decades of experience to connect hunters with the best waterfowl hunting guides in North America. Having successfully hunted ducks and geese in 49 U.S. states and 7 Canadian provinces, and with over 25 years of organizing guided duck hunts, he has built a nationwide network of trusted outfitters. Through his exclusive, highly personalized US Hunt List, Russell personally vets each guide and outfitter, ensuring quality, reliability, and world-class hunting opportunities. Whether you’re looking for premier duck hunting trips or expert-recommended waterfowl outfitters, USHuntList.com is the go-to resource for hunters who want to book with confidence.

Ramsey Russell founded GetDucks.com, hosts Duck Season Somewhere podcast is an advocate for wildlife conservation. — Ramsey Russell founded GetDucks.com, has waterfowl hunted extensively throughout 6 continents, bagging well over 100 waterfowl species. He shares global waterfowl hunting cultures and experiences via his Duck Season Somewhere podcast and @ramseyrussellgetducks Instagram account.

Conservation Work & Professional Credentials

With his rare combination of academic training and field experience, Ramsey Russell stands as a respected voice in both wildlife conservation and the international hunting community. As a certified wildlife biologist, he developed conservation easement baseline reports throughout Mississippi and Louisiana, wrote wildlife management plans and worked on restoration projects crucial to wetland habitats.

In 2017, he participated in a National Wildlife Federation conservation fly-in to Washington D.C., advocating for the protection of Louisiana’s vanishing coastal wetlands—a wintering ground for millions of ducks and geese– highlighting his commitment to conservation beyond just hunting.. Later that year, he was invited to speak in Australia by Field & Game Australia, where he highlighted the similarities between Australian and American duck hunting culture and urged global hunters to unite against anti-hunting activism. Russell used this platform to stress that anti-hunting issues in one part of the world affect hunters everywhere, urging unity in defending sustainable hunting traditions. He was encouraged to find that Australia’s hunters remain resilient and that opposition groups, while loud, are a minority . This engagement abroad underscored Russell’s role as an international ambassador for hunters’ conservation efforts.

He’s since returned to Australia with research geneticist and museum curator to facilitate collecting invaluable data and specimens. By combining his professional hunting contacts and skills conduct fieldwork on wild yellow-billed ducks and African black ducks from South Africa so that Lavretsky Labs could gain the first-ever genomic understanding of these species, but they are using this information to build informative field keys.

Russell is also active in Safari Club International (SCI), serving as the sub-chair of the Gamebirds of the World Awards program which educates hunters about global wingshooting opportunities and recognizes those who pursue a diversity of game bird species. Through this role, he promotes global wingshooting and encourages ethical, sustainable hunting. His involvement with SCI and other groups reflects a broader influence: bridging the gap between sport hunting and conservation. Through articles and seminars, he often emphasizes that well-regulated hunting plays a crucial role in wildlife management and habitat funding.

Ramsey Russell GetDucks.com speaking at Field & Game Australia dinner. — Ramsey Russell, GetDucks.com, was invited to speak to members of Field & Game Australia. During a week-long visit to Victoria, he shared his perspectives on worldwide duck hunting, waterfowl habitat conservation, and hunting advocacy, noting the striking similarities between duck hunting culture in Australia and the United States – from the camaraderie and traditions to ducks decoying over flooded timber – as well as key differences like unique species, such as the pink-eared duck, and vocal anti-hunting activists.

Media Appearances and Industry Recognition

Ramsey Russell influential in outdoor and hunting industry-- transformed guided duck hunting travel by wading world’s uncharted wetlands — Ramsey Russell gained recognition in the outdoor and hunting community after 25 years slogging world wetlands, searching for authentic experiences, discovering what he calls real duck hunts for real duck hunters.

Ramsey Russell’s expertise has been widely recognized in outdoor media. His stories and opinions have been featured in publications like Wildfowl Magazine, Safari Magazine, and Sporting Classics. In a 2024 issue of Safari Magazine, Russell authored “Battleground: Australia Duck Hunting,” in follow up to a pro-hunting video and detailing the cultural clash over waterfowl hunting in Oceania. Similarly, Sporting Classics Daily published his article “Ducks Down Under,” where he chronicled an unforgettable Australian hunting experience. That piece also summarized his business succinctly: “Ramsey Russell owns and operates GetDucks.com, a full-service agency specializing in worldwide hunting adventures for serious duck hunters. Wading the world’s uncharted wetlands, constantly searching for another great duck hunt, is his commitment to clients and personal life mission.” Such media portrayals underscore his reputation for relentlessly scouting new hunting frontiers.

His media presence extends beyond print: he’s appeared on shows like Mossy Oak’s GameKeepers Podcast and SuperTalk Outdoors, discussing issues such as habitat degradation, hunting ethics, and farm-raised ducks. Known for his engaging storytelling, Russell was once described as a “waterfowling cultural anthropologist,” a title he embraces as he explores the human side of hunting traditions.

Russell has been interviewed on numerous podcasts, videos, and TV segments about duck hunting. He’s appeared on shows like Mossy Oak’s GameKeepers Podcast, MeatEater, and others, discussing topics from the ethics of hunting to the importance of habitat conservation. In a 2024 interview on Mississippi’s SuperTalk Outdoors, for example, he spoke about issues ranging from farm-raised ducks to anti-hunting efforts in the Mississippi Flyway, sharing his candid views as a hunting advocate. Russell’s storytelling ability and expertise have made him a sought-after guest; he’s known for conveying the adventure of international duck hunts and the lessons learned from different hunting cultures.

Within the hunting industry, Ramsey Russell’s influence is widely recognized. He is often referred to as one of the most traveled waterfowl hunters alive – a moniker earned by having hunted ducks on six continents and harvesting well over 100 species and subspecies of waterfowl. Various media have even dubbed him “the Christopher Columbus of the modern duck hunting world” and “the Pied Piper of duck hunters,” given how he charts new destinations and inspires other hunters to follow. Major outdoor brands have partnerships and friendships with him; for example, he’s been featured by MOJO Outdoors (a leading decoy manufacturer) and Benelli USA (a premier shotgun maker) describes Ramsey as “the foremost authority in worldwide duck hunting”. He has also collaborated with conservation organizations like Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited, serving as a voice for hunter-backed conservation. His photography and hunting tales regularly appear on social media (his Instagram account @ramseyrussellgetducks has over 60,000 followers), further amplifying his reach. Through these channels, Russell not only entertains with exotic hunting stories but also educates on species, local traditions, and the conservation status and importance of waterfowl globally.

Ramsey Russell's quests for unique waterfowl hunting adventures leads to interesting experiences — Searching the world for unique waterfowl hunting experiences spans temporal as well as geographical space. While visiting the United Kingdom–primarily to shoot flighted pink-footed geese by moonlight–Ramsey Russell was introduced to the lost art of punt gunning. He later described that pulling the tether on “Napoleon era fowling technology” as transporting to a time in duck hunting that’s now almost forgotten.

Host of Duck Season Somewhere Podcast

Ramsey Russell Duck Season Somewhere podcast host features the kinds of topics duck hunters talk about at camp and in the duck blind — Ramsey Russell uses the Duck Season Somewhere podcast platform to talk about global duck hunting experiences, conservation issues, habitat how-to, and things duck hunters talk about at camp or in the blind. Here he meets with Mississippi Delta natives hank Burdine and Dominic Signa at the iconic Doe’s Eat Place in his hometown of Greenville, Mississippi.

Russell is the creator and host of the acclaimed podcast “Duck Season Somewhere”, produced in partnership with MOJO Outdoors. The show celebrates the GetDucks.com ideal that for “365 days a year, somewhere in the world, it’s duck season.” Each episode features authentic conversations with hunters, biologists, outfitters, and conservationists from around the globe. Listeners join Russell vicariously on duck hunts from the Bering Sea to the Australian Outback. The podcast often highlights specific locations and species – for example, one episode might explore mallard hunting with family heirloom in the Mississippi Delta, while another profiles bar-headed goose hunting in Mongolia– giving the audience a cultural and ecological tour of waterfowling. The tone is candid and conversational, mirroring the “stuff we talk about between the volleys” in a duck blind. Tom Beckbe once described Russell as “the cultural anthropologist of waterfowl,” which Russell received as the ultimate compliment.

Listeners are taken on a cultural tour of duck blinds across continents—from mallards in the Mississippi Delta to bar-headed geese in Mongolia. Ranked among the Top 1% of all podcasts worldwide, “Duck Season Somewhere” blends storytelling, advocacy, and insider hunting knowledge. Russell uses the platform not only to entertain, but to raise awareness about critical issues like declining waterfowl habitats or hunting regulations, wetland loss and species conservation.

Sponsors like MOJO Outdoors and other industry leaders back the podcast, but its authenticity remains its hallmark – it’s clear that for Russell, this endeavor is a labor of love that keeps him connected with the global hunting community even when he’s not physically traveling. His photographs and field stories reach tens of thousands of followers via Instagram (@ramseyrussellgetducks), and he uses this platform to highlight species, cultures, and conservation issues from around the world.

Ramsey Russell’s Influence in the Hunting World

Ramsey Russell’s influence in the outdoor and hunting industry is both broad and deep, far beyond the GetDucks.com website. Professionally, he transformed the niche of guided duck hunting travel by opening up less-traveled parts of the world to average hunters. Places like Azerbaijan or Australia – which were not on the radar for duck hunters decades ago – are now accessible adventures, thanks in part to Russell’s pioneering exploration and outfitting. By “wading the world’s uncharted wetlands” in search of the next great hunt, he has expanded the horizons for waterfowl enthusiasts. This global outlook has earned him respect as an innovator in the outfitting business. Hunting clients often seek out GetDucks.com specifically because of Ramsey’s personal reputation for vetting the best and most authentic experiences. His hands-on approach (he often personally hosts or joins hunts with clients, and never offers hunts without first having put muddy boots on the ground) and insistence on ethical, sustainable hunting practices set a high industry standard.

Within conservation circles, Russell is recognized as a pragmatic advocate for hunters’ role in wildlife management. He exemplifies how a hunter can also be a conservationist – a message he delivers in speaking engagements and media. Regional conservation groups in his home state and beyond have invited him to share his story. For instance, Delta Wildlife magazine featured him in a 2020 profile titled “Behind the Ducks,” detailing how over two decades he turned his passion into a platform for promoting wildlife and habitat conservation. He has been a guest speaker at events like the Safari Club International convention, his alma mater Mississippi State University, College of Forestry Resources, and wildlife expos, where his stories of global hunting adventures invariably circle back to the importance of conserving those species and places. His perspective carries weight because it’s grounded in real-world experience and bolstered by his academic background.

Finally, Ramsey Russell’s contributions to outdoor media – whether through articles, his web series “Life’s Short, GetDucks,” social media content, or the podcast – have made him somewhat of a celebrity in some waterfowling circles. Though he hates such recognitions, always saying he’s just a simple duck hunter, he was recently inducted into the Mississippi Outdoors Hall of Fame. He’s part of a small cadre of hunting personalities who are recognized not for trophy records but for the richness of their experiences and knowledge. In short, Russell has become an ambassador of duck hunting. His motto “Life’s short, get ducks,” born from surviving a near-fatal incident in his youth, encapsulates his seize-the-day approach. It resonates with hunters who understand that each day afield—and in life itself—is a treasured gift. Through his entrepreneurship, conservation advocacy, and storytelling, Ramsey Russell has left a considerable mark on the hunting industry – inspiring others to explore the world’s wetlands, respect wildlife, and cherish the shared heritage of hunting.

Collaborations with Outdoor Brands

MOJO Outdoors
Alberta Professional Outfitters Society
Benelli Shotguns
BOSS Shotshells
Bow and Arrow Outdoors
Ducks Unlimited
Flash Back Decoys
HuntProof Premium Waterfowl App
Inukshuk Professional Dog Food
onX Maps
Sitka Gear
Tom Beckbe
Voormi

Speaking Engagements & Advocacy Work

Russell is a sought-after speaker at:

Safari Club International conventions
Mississippi State University
Wildlife expos and conservation forums

His presentations focus on the intersection of sustainable hunting, habitat conservation, hunting experiences, and global travel for waterfowlers.

Final Word: Life’s Short, Get Ducks

Ramsey Russell is more than a hunter and founder of GetDucks.com—he’s a global ambassador for waterfowling, a conservationist, and a master storyteller. His motto, “Life’s short, get ducks,” reflects a deeper philosophy born from surviving a traumatic injury and choosing to live life to the fullest. Through GetDucks.com, his podcast, social media platforms and his conservation work, he has left a lasting mark on the outdoor industry, encouraging hunters to explore, respect, and protect the world’s wetlands.