Mon, Feb 14, 2022
Every September, as dove and football season are just kicking off, much of the United States has a teal-only duck season, meant to give hunters an opportunity to shoot some of the early-migrating blue-winged teal. In this episode of Duck Lore, Sean is joined by Louisiana-native Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois, and the two of them set out to hunt teal in a coastal Texas marsh neither of them have laid eyes on. The weather turns for the worst as Hurricane Nicholas forms in the Gulf.
Mon, Feb 21, 2022
A grand migration takes place every fall to North Dakota, of both waterfowl and people, and they have the same destination: the Prairie Pothole Region. In this episode, Sean is joined by Matt Chouinard, Delta Waterfowl's Waterfowl Program Manager, and Ryan Callaghan, Meat Eater's Director of Conservation. They hunt geese, cranes, and ducks, explore the importance of the Prairie Pothole region, and even give a little back by making and placing some hen houses.
Mon, Feb 28, 2022
Hidden in the dunes of the Sandhills in Nebraska is an unexpected sight: thousands of waterfowl scattered across the meadows and sloughs. In this episode of Duck Lore, it's mid-October, and Sean is joined by MeatEater's own Janis Putelis. They are knocking on doors for private access, and hunting marshes full of smartweed for mallards, gadwall, wigeon, and even pintails.
Mon, Mar 7, 2022
While the "U.P." doesn't have the puddle duck hunting of The Great Plains, in the shadow of the Mackinac Bridge can be found some of the best diver hunting the Great Lakes have to offer. In this episode of Duck Lore, Sean is joined by MeatEater's Founder Steven Rinella and local Michigander Dylan Graves. Neither Steve or Sean have hunted layout boats before, and they learn quickly that there's more to it than meets the eye.
Mon, Mar 14, 2022
Sitting at the top of the Pacific Flyway in Washington is a duck hunter's dream; liberal limits, lots of public land, and no shortage of ducks and geese. In this episode of Duck Lore, it's mid-November, and Sean is joined by Jason Phelps of Phelps Game Calls, and Trevor Austin of Pacific Calls. This is Sean and Jason's first time hunting this area, and Murphy's Law does its best to keep them from getting on the ducks and geese.
Mon, Mar 21, 2022
Kansas is world-renowned for its hunting; many know it for its whitetail deer, but just as impressive is its duck and goose hunting. In this episode of Duck Lore, it's early December, and Sean comes down with Covid. So MeatEater's own Ryan Callaghan, Seth Morris, and Cal's dog Snort pick up the torch, and try their hand at freelance hunting ducks and geese in Kansas.
Mon, Jul 18, 2022
Every year, millions of waterfowl and shorebirds head to The Great Salt Lake to winter and feed on brine shrimp. But, the vast shallow expanses of this lake make access to the birds a challenge. In this episode, Sean Weaver joins his friend Glade Harris, a mechanical guru who more than knows his way around both airboats and ducks. With a brutal cold front colliding with the West, this hunt is far from normal as ice build up takes out decoys, shovelers, and teal alike.
Mon, Jul 25, 2022
Wyoming isn't just cowboys and big game hunting. The rivers here provide irrigation for wheat and corn fields, great food for ducks and geese. In this episode, Sean Weaver is hunting with Kevin Harlander from First Lite and Josh Wright, a long-time goose hunting buddy of Sean's. They are knocking on doors to field hunt geese and ducks, and see quickly that the migration is on.
Mon, Aug 1, 2022
It's no secret that Missouri is one of the best states for shooting mallards. Ducks that nest in both the Mississippi and Central Flyways funnel through here on their way to the Arkansas Delta, and the habitat is great for greenheads. In this episode, Sean Weaver is joined by Logan Williamson, First Lite's Waterfowl Category Manager. It's cold, late-season, and the goal is simple: big flocks of mallards, greenwing teal, and wigeon on the big water.
Mon, Aug 8, 2022
New Mexico is far from most people's minds when they think about duck hunting. But New Mexico lies at the convergence of the Central and Pacific Flyways, and the rivers that cut through this desert create an oasis for wintering waterfowl. In this episode, Sean Weaver is joined by spearfisherwoman Kimi Werner. Its Kimi's first duck hunt ever, and the desert isn't going to let success come easily, but the beauty of wigeon and cranes against a mountain backdrop makes up for it.
Mon, Aug 15, 2022
Stuttgart Arkansas is the duck hunting world's worst kept secret. It is, after all, the rice and duck capital of the world. The city sits in the heart of the Arkansas Delta, and the timber and acorns that flood each winter here are the ancient draw for mallards and hunters alike. In this episode, Sean Weaver is joined by Anne Marie Doramus and Clay Newcomb for the last week of duck season. The mallards are thick, the hunting pressure intense, and we see first hand why Arkansas is on the bucket list for duck hunters everywhere.
Mon, Aug 22, 2022
In this episode, Sean Weaver is joined by Mikal Gowins and Kevin Gillespie in South Dakota, which is one of the most important places for duck populations during the nesting and migration periods. But it's not just ducks that it benefits; with endless corn fields and glacial lakes, Eastern South Dakota is vital Snow Goose habitat, with millions migrating through here each spring.