Just in time for Christmas–because few if any of us are leaving the blind to elbow our way through crowded shopping malls–Duck Unlimited’s David Schuessler takes us Into the Vault, where this year’s offerings are bigger and better than ever. Whether trying to find something for that someone’s that’s hard to shop for, or shopping for yourself, here’s your extraordinary chance to claim rare and exclusive treasures, from unique, one-of-a-kind firearms to remarkable prints and never-before-seen relics. Bidding opened November 27–go check it out now. And best of all–you’re giving back to the ducks, too!
Back home for the Mississippi duck season opener, Ramsey meets his 2 favorite hunting buddies, sons Forrest and Duncan. Duck season opener at camp a decades-old tradition. Recalling past times and people, they discuss the day’s events and plot the season’s remainder.
Ramsey hears what fathers and sons most enjoyed about their bucket-list hunt in Argentina for ducks, doves, pigeons and more. Their answers might surprise you. And how the heck did Ramsey go from favorite nephew to 5th-favorite of only four?! Tune in to find out. Whether curious about what it’s all about or thinking about a bucket-list hunt yourself, you’ll probably enjoy these candid perspectives.
What kind of migration might you expect to see this duck season? FowlWeather Podcast host, Michael Schummer, returns to give us the lowdown on this year’s migration forecast, explaining how and why his forecast indices were developed, important cues to monitor, how to stay updated weekly, and relevance to both anxious duck hunters and to continuing science-based, hunter-oriented waterfowl management. By the time this special episode airs, the US waterfowl hunting season will be ongoing nearly nationwide, and this conversation offers food for thought while awaiting waterfowl over your decoys!
PART 2—For 71 years, Worth Matthewson of Eugene, Oregon, has chased waterfowl and other gamebirds throughout North America and worldwide. A genuine side-by-side and big-bore aficionado, he’s authored many books and is widely recognized as an authority in waterfowling history, having accumulated so many stories it takes 2 episodes to scratch the surface good. With unrivaled perspective, Matthewson covers many topics to include an early interest in birds, memorable hunting locations, influences, favorite species and the ones that elude him still, collecting big-bore and traditional shotguns, recovering a favorite shotgun 2 years after losing it overboard, a tragic hunt on Tillamook Bay, favorite and most challenging gamebird species, punt gunning, hunting worldwide with his hunting partner wife, sportsmanship and bag limits, old-school and modern-day waterfowl hunting methods, best hunter ever met, band-tail pigeon hunting, selling off his collection for a good cause, changes he’s witnessed, things he’d maybe change, hopes and concerns for the future of waterfowling, and much more.
PART 1—For 71 years, Worth Matthewson of Eugene, Oregon, has chased waterfowl and other game birds throughout North America and worldwide. A genuine side-by-side and big-bore aficionado, he’s authored many books and is widely recognized as an authority in waterfowling history, having accumulated so many stories it takes 2 episodes to scratch the surface good. With unrivaled perspective, Matthewson covers many topics to include an early interest in birds, memorable hunting locations, influences, favorite species and the ones that elude him still, collecting big-bore and traditional shotguns, recovering a favorite shotgun 2 years after losing it overboard, a tragic hunt on Tillamook Bay, favorite and most challenging game bird species, punt gunning, hunting worldwide with his hunting partner wife, sportsmanship and bag limits, old-school and modern-day waterfowl hunting methods, best hunter ever met, band-tail pigeon hunting, selling off his collection for a good cause, changes he’s witnessed, things he’d maybe change, hopes and concerns for the future of waterfowling, and much more.
Born-and-raised Arkansas native Rusty Creasey was manager and head guide at legendary Coca-Cola Woods Duck Club for 20 years, continuing the legacy of his uncle Harvey, who managed the property for the 40 years prior. Recognized for his learned-from-a-lifetime-doing-it expertise, Rusty shares his thoughts on Arkansas flooded timber hunting, thoughtfully covering the topics of growing up in rural Arkansas, life lessons and important influences, a lifetime spent in Coca Cola woods, habitat conditions and management, hunting “local” versus “migrator” mallards, the do-and-don’t rules hunting flooded timber effectively, archery hunting green heads, and why for the first time since 1958 there won’t be a Creasey family member in the iconic Coca Cola woods this season. Like watching mallards magically spilling over the tree tops and splashing at your feet, it’s a memorable conversation.
Regional Director, Ryan Watson gives us a great then-and-now overview of Delta Waterfowl and how they fit in the grand scheme of conservation both locally and continentally. We talk about the origins of Delta waterfowl, predator management, accomplishing the Million Duck initiative, hen houses, nest boxes, working with other conservation orgs, volunteering and, importantly, how chapters can put conservation on the ground locally.
One of North America’s most unique webless gamebirds, sandhill cranes are oftentimes referred to as “ribeyes of the sky” and included among popular waterfowl slam listings. Alabama biologist Courtnay Conring has studied them extensively and hunted them seriously. We do a deep dive into sandhill cranes to include migrating and non-migrating populations, which populations are hunted and protected, differences between greater and lesser sandhill cranes, habitat, diet, habitat conservation, new hunting opportunities, cooking and how-to sandhill crane hunting techniques. Whether collecting groceries, trophies or experiences, most North American waterfowl hunters may likely find themselves chasing sandhill cranes and will appreciate this informative discussion.
You’ve traveled far away from home for a dream hunt and–all things equal, some days better than others–waterfowl are a constant. It’s the everything else that really makes a huge difference. Which is why on the heels of another epic 3-day waterfowl hunt at Prairie Limits Outfitters, I met with Brian Cramer to gain insight on “controlling the controllables” and delivering superior, made-to-feel-at-home hospitality. Because too few do it as well.
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