MOJO’S Duck Season Somewhere Podcast
EP 556. A Fresh Approach to Duck Hunting?
Following an incredible full-of-firsts hunting visit to the United Kingdom, we meet in host James Maunder Taylor’s game room, sharing tumblers of sloe gin and recounting the eventful, whirlwind trip. Don’t know exactly what I’d been expecting, but it wasn’t at all this–flighting ducks, moonlighting geese, punt gunning, driven woodcock, Chinese water deer, game biologists, renowned artists, absence of US-style migratory gamebird laws, strict adherence to long-standing hunting traditions. My real take away was their entirely tried-and-true approach to hunting, a mindset that in the absence of universal bag limits nonetheless reveres what hunting is truly about. And challenges my own.
EP 555. Anna V Outdoors
Anna Van Nostrand grew up in Georgia hunting small game and deer with family, but her introductions to feathers–shotgunning, waterfowl, upland birds, retrievers and pointers–launched her full-steam ahead into the future with newfound purpose. After talking about our recent experiences at Safari Club International convention (hint, it’s more than worlds-largest hunting show), we discuss getting involved into the waterfowl community, etiquette, becoming involved in the waterfowl hunting community, plantation hunting, getting women involved into the outdoors, why ladies aren’t more involved, and how hunting shapes lives.
EP 554. Last of a Dying Breed: The Lost Art of Punt Gunning (Part 2)
BOOM! Our discussion with a last-of-a-dyring-breed punt gunner continues! 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 practiced by a few hardy old salts like 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 553. Tom Beckbe Updates
Harkening a bygone era, Tom Beckbe’s lifestyle products just keep getting better and better. Meeting with Tom Beckbe’s Radcliffe Menge is always a great time, and in today’s discussion he catches us up on the meteoric growth in several directions this small lifestyle company from Alabama has experienced for good reason in just a few short years. Whether a die-hard fan of legendary Tom Beckbe gear like myself or just curious as to what the waxed-cotton buzz is all about, you’ll appreciate today’s episode.
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.
Related Link:
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.
As strong advocates of conservation, GetDucks.com supports the following organizations:
On GetDucks.com
Get Ducks Brochure
Want to receive a new GetDucks.com Brochure?
The new 36-page, full color GetDucks.com brochure is loaded with photography from the world’s best duck hunting adventures, to include trip summaries, available bird species, testimonial reviews and much more.
View NEW Full-color brochure online: Ramsey Russell’s GetDucks.com Catalog Contact us to receive a hi-res printed copy.