MOJO’S Duck Season Somewhere Podcast
EP 261. Of Ancient Indian Mounds, All But Forgotten Prehistoric Mississippians
Ramsey recalls that while growing up in the Mississippi Delta the only notable topography was in the form of ancient indian mounds scattered about an otherwise flat landscape. When were they built and by whom? How’d those people live and what became of them? Retired archaeologist Sam Brookes spent his career studying prehistoric Mississippian Indian cultures and takes Ramsey on a whirlwind tour spanning 13,000 years, explaining why these mounds were built, why they possibly represented the zenith of pre-American civilization, what they hunted–and what hunted them–interesting digs and much more. As well, Brookes describes what explorer Hernando Desoto found and what that expedition left in its wake. Fascinating conversation.
EP 260. The Old School Way – Lifetime Hunting Experiences For Fun
Growing up hunting waterfowl and small game in Southwest Louisiana, William Newlin first introduced his wife Carolyn to duck hunting while they were still high school sweethearts. They’ve remained best hunting buddies the nearly 70 years since. In aggregate, they’ve bagged about 300 game species “not including regular stuff around home like white-tailed deer and ‘gators.” From livestock-eating tigers and troublesome polar bears during military service to rare blue sheep and overpopulated barnacle geese, man, the stories these two can tell! The Newlins are old school. For them, it’s never been about awards or recognitions. Their plainspoken stories are about living life one hunting experience to the next—simply because it’s fun. Enjoy! Y’all are absolutely going to love this episode, the Newlins, and their many stories.
EP 259. Gaining Perspective From Half-Century “Studying Ducks” [Part 2]
Things get serious as Dr. Richard Kaminski and Ramsey, his former student, address the question, “What happened to US duck hunting during the past 25 years?” First discussing recent research pertaining to winter duck abundance and temperature trends in the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways, they move on to waterfowl habitat quality and quantity, preserving remaining wetlands, hunting pressure and game farm genetic influences. Now “retired,” but far from actually retired, Kaminski emphasizes the role of people as action points, offering sage words of wisdom to those considering waterfowl management careers.
EP 258. Mississippi Wild Hog Hunting Traditions
Traditional black bear hunting ceased when Mississippi Delta’s ancient hardwood forests were cleared long ago, but while the bears are no longer hunted, the sport itself continues. Within the region’s seething, dark thickets are thick packs of black, tusk-gnashing wild hogs which are now hunted similarly. Legendary Mississippi storyteller Hank Burdine tells Ramsey about the pigs, people, dogs–and you got to figure a dog named Homicide was somehow legendary–horses and tools-of-the-trade surrounding this hard-core Deep South culture.
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EP 257. Gaining Perspective From Half-Century “Studying Ducks” [Part 1]
A self-started Wisconsin duck hunter, Dr. Richard Kaminski left dental school to “study ducks.” And study ducks he did–for about a half-century. Beginning with graduate research studies at Delta Marsh, ending recently as Director of James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center, leaving in his wake numerous waterfowl biologists among state, federal and non-governmental organizations integral to delivering the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Between cups of coffee nd black lab fetches, he and Ramsey discuss the previous night’s family duck recipe and Kaminski’s duck hunting origins before slogging headlong into waterfowl-related topics researched extensively during his career: hemi-marsh, moist-soil management, soybean nutrition, forested wetlands, habitat complexes and more. Until Ramsey finally asks, “What happened to US duck hunting in the 25 years since I last attended your classroom?!”
EP 256. The Best Hunting Partners Are the Ones Raised
Going into Father’s Day weekend, Ramsey is joined by father-daughter hunting buddies Chris and Grace Nicolai for a truly memorable conversation about spending quality t-I-m-e with your mini-me’s. How old was Grace when did Chris start taking his daughters afield? How many goose species has Grace killed with a 410-shotgun? How many states has she hunted, how many species has she bagged–and what’s on her wish list? What else in waterfowling has hunting with ol” Dad inspired her to do? Any special challenges or considerations over the years? How is taking daughters different than taking sons–or is it? This fantastic episode is proof that your best hunting partners are the ones you raise. Enjoy. And Happy Father’s Day!
EP 255. Rice & Ducks: The Surprising Convergence That Saved the Carolina Lowcountry
Originating in enslaved people’s meager personal belongings when brought to South Carolina’s remote coastal plains during the 1600s, the long grains eventually became “Carolina Gold,” spawning an affluent rice producing culture that provided most of the world supply for over 2 centuries. It ended soon after the Civil War. But as author Virginia Christian Beach and Ramsey Russell discuss, the real story of South Carolina’s historically glorious rice culture is the enduring land ethic and the colorful cast of characters that made it happen–especially duck hunters.
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Rice & Ducks: The Surprising Convergence that Saved the Carolina Lowcountry
EP 254. Waterfowl Habitat Management: Good Intentions, Bad Ideas, Mismanagement
Ramsey and Kevin Nelms conclude this year’s 4-part duck habitat series discussing cypress brakes and bad habitat management ideas they’ve seen along Hell Road that’s usually paved with otherwise good intentions. As USDA NRCS Wildlife Biologist in the Mississippi Delta, Nelms has spent decades designing and developing numerous private-lands waterfowl impoundments. He’s worked extensively with private landowners throughout the region, improving desirable waterfowl habitat conditions, enhancing duck utilization, even putting together a handbook that Ramsey considers must-have essential for managing waterfowl habitat (refer to related links in the episode description for your own PDF copy). This is the final episode of a 4-part series that duck habitat nerds both new and old appreciate.
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EP 253. A Noah’s Ark for World Waterfowl Species: Pinola Conservancy
Meaningful waterfowl conservation comes in many forms. A life-long Louisiana duck hunter, Paul Dickson’s backyard waterfowl aviary seems like a naturally compatible hobby, but eventually evolved into something more. Much, much more. Pinola Conservancy is the largest waterfowl aviary in the United States. Privately owned and closed to the public, this aviary is home to hundreds of bird species from all corners of the globe, from critically endangered to common. Myriad ongoing research projects are the tip of the iceberg. Surplus birds are distributed to qualified institutions and zoological parks where in the future some species, such as Baer’s Pochard, might only exist due to habitat loss. How’d Dickson get started? When did it become more than a hobby, and what greater purposes does it now facilitate? How many waterfowl species are at Pinola Conservancy? What species are among the rarest or most endangered? Is it difficult raising all of these species in Louisiana, and how does he ensure they breed during Louisiana’s winter months? Does he have any personal favorites? What research projects are ongoing? What are some other cool things Ramsey learned during a brief tour? Pinola Conservancy is a beacon of hope in a rapidly changing global landscape. Your inner bird-nerd is going to be unleashed listening. Afterwards, visit Pinola Conservancy’s website for live streams and social media accounts for updates.
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EP 252. “And God Blessed Him With a Cannon”
I mean seriously, what little boy hasn’t dreamed of owning a real cannon?! Originally from Wisconsin, Duffy Neubauer took it absolutely next level. His Starkville (Mississippi) Civil War Arsenal is a private collection of various artillery, rolling stock and carriages comprising an artillery battery; the only of its kind in the US. After bantering about nuanced differences among the terms Yankee, Damned Yankee and Northerner, Nuebauer takes Ramsey on an absolutely amazing tour. How’d Neubauer develop an interest in Civil War field artillery, why’s the South such fertile grounds for his interests? In what ways are Civil War reenactments way bigger than the Super Bowl? What makes his collection the only of its kind in the US? How did artillery bring dignity to the battlefield, what different projectile types used? Necessity is the of invention invention, but what creative use of what natural, on-site material led decisively ended the siege of Vicksburg, ultimately ending the Civil War? And besides the obvious, what are 2 enduring legacies of the Civil War? Forget dull high school history lessons. Neubauer’s version is highly entertaining, absolutely full of riveting surprises. BOOM!
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