MOJO’S Duck Season Somewhere Podcast
EP 552. Last of a Dying Breed: The Lost Art of Punt Gunning (Part 1)
Banned 107 years ago in the United States pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treat Act of 1918, punt gunning has since persisted in the United Kingdom. It’s still practiced by a few hardy old salts like today’s guest, Ginger Blayney, who gives us proper introduction. Where’d punt guns originate, what are the components of a punt gunning, under what environmental conditions are they most successfully used, and what are the dangers? What’s an ideal waterfowl bag when using punt guns, what are punt gunning’s advantages and limitations, how does perception differ from reality? How might the men that still practice punt gunning be characterized, and why is punt gunning becoming a lost art? We get into all of this and much, much more in today’s incredibly interesting last-of-a-dying-breed discussion that you do not want to miss!
EP 551. The Perfect Trigger Pull
All the time and effort that goes into putting waterfowl on the strap–travel, scouting, walk-ins decoy placement, calling, early wake ups–all boils down to a crucial moment: the perfect trigger pull. Is your shotgun throwing its best pattern when that time comes? Joel Strickland went down a deep rabbit hole on the topic for his Surviving Duck Season YouTube series. Firing tens of thousands of rounds, using nearly every type of cartridge, choke and shotgun, exploring patterns and penetration, showing us everything we needed to know so that we can make the perfect trigger pull ourselves. Today he shares his insights.
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EP 550. “Shooting the Raft” and Arkansas Public Land Hunting
A die-hard Arkansas public land duck hunter since forever, Arkansan call maker Bryce Decker describes the stark realities and absurd challenges of public duck hunting Arkansas. How do thing seems different now than back in the good ol’ days? When and why did it change and how do today’s hunters differ from the old-timers that introduced Decker to hunting? What the heck is “shooting the raft,” is it good or bad, and how might it be affecting hunt quality throughout Arkansas? Can anything be done to reverse trends–or is it all just a sign of modern times? This candid conversation deserves a close listen. Let us know your thoughts in comments section.
EP 549. Wildlife Artist a Natural Historian
British wildlife artist Terrence Lambert’s work has been reproduced in more than 40 publications, selected for many of the world’s most prestigious wildlife exhibitions, and collected by such prominent families as the McCartneys and Astors. A hunter and fisherman since boyhood, his story reflects a lifestyle we can all appreciate, and provides cultural context to traveling and hunting in the United Kingdom.
EP 548. Managing Waterfowl Across the Pond
“Because the ducks aren’t going to let you [overharvest them],” replied Mike Swan matter of factly when asked how there could still possibly be healthy waterfowl populations in the United Kingdom. The UK is not quite twice the size of Mississippi, bag limits and shooting hours are nonexistent, baiting is allowable, and anything with a bore diameter less than 2 inches is considered a shotgun–yes, they can still shoot 2-, 4-, and 8-gauge shotguns, and even punt gunning is still practiced by a few die hards. What’s it like hunting here? A long-time biologist for Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Swan vividly describes his lifetime hunting and managing waterfowl in a landscape that was completely tamed a very long time ago. And how has duck hunting changed in the decades since he first started hunting? While his sobering answer is surprising, the entire discussion somewhat challenges “the sky is falling” narratives here on our own side of the pond where we are benefactors of an envy-of-the-world North American Model.
EP 547. Oak Grove Hunting Club, Louisiana
Following an eventful morning duck hunt in the Louisiana marsh, Ramsey joins General Manager, Mike Baccigalopi and General Manager, Fred Stewart, to discuss their experiences at Oak Grove Hunting Club, that was founded in 1932. They provide interesting insights into the historic club, duck hunting and local culture in their little corner of Louisiana.
EP 546. A Lifetime Hunting Virginia’s Eastern Shore
Chicoteague, Virginia’s outgoing mayor, Arthur Leonard is a lifelong duck hunter and decoy carver that recalls his family being among the first to inhabit the little island along Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where he grew up plying nearby water for fishes and waterfowl. He takes us on a tour of his storied back yard, discussing island life, duck hunting species, tides, boats, decoys, carving, wild horses, sika deer, changes and much more.
EP 545. The Rifle Project
For combat veteran Andrew Biggio, who’s now on the Boston Police force, a relative’s hand-written letter from the WWII Pacific battlefield compelled him down an interesting life path. He’s collected WWII combat stories from over 500 veterans as told through a M1 Rifle. Through book proceeds and donations, the Rifle Project has returned with over 50 Veterans back to their former battlefields in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands at no cost to the veteran or their family. Biggio shares some great insights and talks in-depth about the Rifle Project and America’s Greatest Generation.
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EP 544. A Classical Decoy Carving Family Tradition
Following a duck hunt along Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Ramsey meets with father-son carvers, Ian and Mark McNair, who are committed to crafting wooden waterfowl decoys using only traditional hand tools and methods. More than simply turning out beautiful decoys, their decoy carving story is about a classical approach to duck hunting as well as to life.
EP 543. Decoys Made with “Never Settle” Determination
With legions of die-hard customers, Dave Smith Decoys have long been regarded as the most realistic and utterly effective decoys available. But who is the man behind these legendary craft decoys, and what does his functional art say about him as a hunter and a human being? You’d have to figure him a serious goose hunter if nothing else. Legendary decoy maker Dave Smith describes growing up hunting and trapping in Oregon, artistic influences, starting a decoy company, and more. We get deep into the many various goose species hunted in Oregon, why regular ol’ honker decoys aren’t effective in luring various species, hunting techniques, leg bands and neck collars, new DSD duck decoys, turkey decoys, what makes his DSD best, and continually striving to be better. Really good stuff.
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