Upduck Podcast

Brad Heidel, executive director of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, joins the UpDuck Podcast to preview the 2026 Waterfowl Hunters Expo and explain how WWA supports Wisconsin ducks and duck hunters. Brad shares his path through the conservation industry, the three pillars guiding WWA's work and what hunters can expect at this year's expo—including retriever demonstrations, calling contests, firearms you can try before buying, seminars, youth activities, vendors and wild-game cooking. The Waterfowl Hunters Expo takes place August 21–22 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Learn more at ⁠waterfowlhuntersexpo.com⁠ and support the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association at ⁠wisducks.org⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when you hunt upland birds with both flushing Labs and a pointing dog? Coleton Johnson of Prairie Upland joins the Upduck Podcast to share how a fully trained British Lab from a Catholic priest introduced his family to bird hunting—and eventually led them to an unconventional team of British Labs and a German wirehaired pointer. We discuss how the dogs work together, hunting pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge and ruffed grouse across Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the habitat challenges facing Canada’s upland birds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff returns to the Upduck Podcast to catch up on everything that has happened since stepping away from the show. He shares updates from Shot Shell Hunting, the improvements he has made to his waterfowl and turkey decoy motion systems, and why he traded his long-tail mud motor for a surface drive. Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn as Jeff explains his plan to hunt ducks and geese with a compound bow, flu-flu arrows, and oversized broadheads. The guys also discuss new puppies, aging gun dogs, retriever training, hunting-season plans, and the chaos of balancing work, family, dogs, and the outdoors. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Southern Flight Podcast host Robby Nelson joins the Upduck Podcast to talk Southern duck hunting, waterfowl travel, changing migration patterns, habitat loss, flooded corn, and the growing criticism of conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl. Robby shares how he became a duck hunter, why Southern hunters are seeing fewer birds, and why habitat loss, warmer winters, hunting pressure, and changing agriculture cannot be reduced to one convenient villain. They also discuss social media, unrealistic hunting expectations, respect for wildlife, and the responsibility waterfowl creators have to the next generation. We also talked a lot about this wonderful organization: Second Chance Flight Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wisconsin’s new waterfowl hunting framework is officially set for 2026–2030. Tyler sits down with Wisconsin DNR Game Bird Ecologist Taylor Finger to break down what duck and goose hunters need to know heading into the coming seasons. They cover the return of the Mississippi River Canada goose opener to the regular duck opener, what stayed the same across Wisconsin’s north, south, and open-water zones, how bag limits can still change within the five-year framework, the outlook for teal season, and why hunter feedback matters long before the next framework is built. To get in touch with Taylor, you can reach out to him via email: Taylor.Finger@wisconsin.gov Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does a Pheasants Forever wetland easement biologist actually do—and why should duck hunters, deer hunters, upland hunters, and conservation-minded landowners care? This week, Nate Fore of Pheasants Forever joins the Upduck Podcast to break down wetland and floodplain easements, private-land habitat restoration, and the partnership between Pheasants Forever, NRCS, Ducks Unlimited, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, and private landowners. Nate explains how conservation easements work, how landowners are compensated, what they can still do on enrolled property, and how restored wetlands, prairie, and upland buffers benefit wildlife from mallards and pheasants to whitetails and trout. They also dig into prescribed fire, invasive-species management, wetland restoration timelines, public-access opportunities, and how landowners can explore conservation programs through their local NRCS office. Check out Pheasants Forever's Habitat University Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professional dog trainer Dan Ihrke of Gun Dog Success joins the Upduck Podcast to talk puppy training, Puppy Foundations, steadiness, positive reinforcement, pressure, and building a better gun dog. Dan breaks down common mistakes amateur trainers make with young retrievers, why success and confidence matter, and how to simplify training when things fall apart. He also explains who the Puppy Foundations program is built for and how it helps prepare duck dogs, upland dogs, and hunt test retrievers for formal training, hunting season, and life in the field. Whether you’re bringing home your first puppy or trying to do things better with your next gun dog, this episode is packed with practical retriever training advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tyler and Matt sit down with Cade & Luke McBride, founders of ReedSpeed, a new oil and lubricant built for duck calls and shotgun actions. Cade shares how his background in the chemical industry helped him create a product designed specifically for duck hunters, after nearly two years of testing and development. The goal was simple: make a light oil that keeps a duck call running clean without changing the sound, while also helping a shotgun action stay smooth in the blind. The guys talk duck call maintenance, shotgun maintenance, waterfowl gear, hunting product development, and what it takes to launch something new in the hunting industry. Cade also explains why ReadSpeed is made to live on your lanyard, not buried in the blind bag. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tyler sits down with Spencer Jost from the Wisconsin DNR to talk about the new Waterfowl Wednesdays series and the upcoming free Intro to Waterfowl Calling Workshop. Spencer breaks down what hunters can expect from the June 10 calling class, including beginner-friendly instruction on duck calls, goose calls, basic cadence, calling technique, and the purpose behind different waterfowl sounds. The conversation also covers why in-person feedback can be so valuable for new duck and goose hunters, how hunters can register through Go Wild, and why these free skills-based classes are a great opportunity for anyone looking to get started or improve before waterfowl season. The episode also previews future Waterfowl Wednesdays topics, including waterfowl retrievers, decoy placement, women’s waterfowl education, duck identification, and regulations-focused refreshers before the season. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Subscribe on Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff is stepping away from being a weekly voice on the Upduck Podcast, but he is not going far. In this episode, Tyler and Jeff sit down for a short, honest conversation about Jeff’s decision to take a breather from the podcast as Shot Shell Hunting Systems continues to grow. After a big showing at the Open Season Expo and a wave of orders for his turkey rigs, Jeff has been spending late nights building rigs, filling orders, answering customer emails, and preparing for what comes next. The conversation covers the success of Shot Shell Hunting, what Jeff has learned from customer feedback, improvements he is making to his rigs, future show plans, migrator rigs for fall, and what his role with Upduck may look like moving forward. It is not goodbye. It is more of a “see you later.” Jeff will still be around for hunts, recap episodes, and plenty of banter when the time is right. Check out Shot Shell Hunting at shotshellhunting.com and follow Jeff on social at @shotshell_hunting. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Subscribe on Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

we sit down with Dean Johnson of The Tailgate Foodie to talk wild game cooking, food science, content creation, and how a Wisconsin ICU nurse turned a side hobby into a full-time business. Dean shares the unlikely story behind starting The Tailgate Foodie, how social media changed the direction of his business, and why creating seasoning blends for venison, duck, turkey, and other wild game became a natural fit. We also dive into recipe development, balancing flavors for wild game, building a brand through organic content, and what it actually takes to create food videos that stop people from scrolling. If you’re into hunting, wild game cooking, social media strategy, grilling, smoking meat, or just hearing honest conversations about building something from scratch, this episode is for you. Topics include: The story behind The Tailgate Foodie Wild game seasoning and flavor pairings Duck, venison, turkey, and upland bird cooking Food content creation and social media strategy Growing a business through organic video content Wisconsin hunting and outdoor culture Packers, Badgers, golf, and Midwest opinions Follow Dean here: Instagram: @tailgate_foodie_recipes Website: The Tailgate Foodie Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tyler sits down with George Ermert, board member and policy chair of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, to break down what just happened with Wisconsin's Sandhill Crane hunt bill. The bill passed the State Assembly before stalling in the Senate. George explains the science behind a responsible Sandhill Crane hunt, the Eastern population numbers, USDA depredation tags, the coalition pushing this forward (Delta Waterfowl, Safari Club International, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation), what's coming in 2027, and how Michigan and Ontario are watching. Visit widucks.org for talking points and to get involved. Topics: Wisconsin Sandhill Crane hunt, waterfowl policy, conservation, hunting advocacy, Delta Waterfowl, USFWS, Eastern Sandhill Crane population. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Stipetich, Senior Precision Ag and Conservation Specialist for Pheasants Forever in Wisconsin, joins Tyler and Matt to unpack how yield and profitability data are reshaping habitat conservation on working farms. We dig into identifying marginal cropland, converting unprofitable acres into prairie strips, pollinator plantings, and wetland restoration, and why wider habitat corridors mean better nesting success against fox, skunk, and coyote predation. A must-listen for upland hunters, landowners, farmers, and anyone interested in pheasant habitat, CRP, and practical farm conservation in the Upper Midwest. If you are looking for more information on the topics in this episode, check out these links: Pheasants Forever - Find A Biologist Precision Ag & Conservation in Wisconsin Story Map Precision Ag & Conservation in Wisconsin Minidocumentary Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A major piece of legislation could have serious consequences for hunters, gun dog owners, and the future of dog training. In this episode of the Upduck Podcast, Tyler is joined by Chris Ingram of the United Kennel Club (UKC) to break down the controversial Greyhound Protection Act and its inclusion in the Farm Bill. While intended to target commercial greyhound racing, the bill’s broad language may extend far beyond that—potentially impacting hunting with dogs, field trials, hunt tests, and training with live birds. Drawing from the latest update and announcement released by UKC, we unpack why this language is raising concern across the hunting and dog training communities. We cover: What the Farm Bill is and why it matters to hunters How this legislation could affect retrievers, pointers, upland dogs, and waterfowl hunting The potential risks to gun dog training, UKC events, and conservation practices Why groups like Sportsmen's Alliance are sounding the alarm How you can take action in under 60 seconds using the Sportsmen’s Alliance tools Take action & learn more: UKC announcement Sportsmen’s Alliance action center: House of Representatives & Senate If you hunt, train dogs, or care about the future of hunting and conservation, this is one you need to pay attention to. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Upduck Podcast, we sit down with Bill Kehoe—President of Badger State HRC—to dive deep into the world of hunting retriever clubs, gun dog training, and the community behind it all. Bill shares his journey from getting his first Labrador Retriever to helping build one of Wisconsin’s HRC clubs, along with lessons learned from decades of training, hunting, and competing with retrievers. We break down how HRC (Hunting Retriever Club) organizations work, why joining a training group can dramatically improve your dog, and how these clubs create lifelong friendships, hunting opportunities, and better hunters. We also cover: The benefits of group dog training vs. going solo How HRC hunt tests work (Started, Seasoned, Finished) Building a retriever to the Hunting Retriever Champion level The role of mentorship, land access, and shared equipment Real-world hunting applications of training The challenges of running an HRC club and organizing events Plus, Bill shares stories from his military career, hunting experiences across North America, and insights into raising and training successful gun dogs. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a luxury watch entrepreneur from New Jersey goes on his first duck hunt in Louisiana and immediately gets hooked? In this episode of the Upduck Podcast, the guys sit down with Christian of Theo & Harris to talk about his rapid-fire introduction to hunting, the culture shock of stepping into the outdoors, and why the experience hit deeper than he ever expected. They cover adult-onset hunting, first duck hunt nerves, gear overload, hunting dogs, camaraderie in the blind, social media, masculinity, wild game, and the overwhelming world of waterfowl, upland, turkey, and big game hunting. Christian also shares how hunting is reshaping the way he thinks about life, purpose, adventure, and what it means to pursue something real in a modern world. If you’ve ever wondered what hunting looks like through the eyes of a total newcomer, this one is honest, funny, thoughtful, and packed with perspective. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Upduck Podcast, we sit down with dog trainer, behavioral specialist, and hunter Sami Strutz to break down what really goes into building a great hunting dog. From common puppy mistakes to handler habits that quietly ruin dogs, Sami shares practical, real-world advice on training, behavior, and creating a dog that performs in the field and fits in the home. We dive into: The biggest mistakes new dog owners make How to balance hunting dog vs house dog Why consistency matters more than talent Off-season training and keeping dogs sharp The truth about genetics vs training Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Upduck Podcast, we sit down with Eric Forrester of Ghost Point Wirehairs to talk German Wirehaired Pointers, breeding and training bird dogs, NSTRA field trials, and the adventure of traveling out West to chase upland birds. From building a kennel to DIY bird hunting in big country, this episode is packed with bird dog insight, hunting stories, and practical advice for upland hunters. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wisconsin waterfowl hunters—your window to speak up is open. We break down the Wisconsin DNR public input period for the 2026–2030 duck and goose season framework, how to submit the survey, and why more than “Facebook complaining” matters. We also hit the latest on a potential Wisconsin Sandhill crane hunt, the urgency around Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funding, and why the holiday goose hunt timing frustrates public-land hunters. Plus: Open Season Sportsman’s Expo plugs, turkey-rig talk, and a quick puppy update—because dogs fix everything. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re joined by Alec Bekkers, Chair of the Wisconsin chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), for a wide-ranging conversation on what’s really happening with public land hunting. Alec shares how he got into hunting as an adult, why public land flipped a switch for him, and what BHA is doing to protect and expand access. We get into conservation vs preservation, why public land feels more crowded (hint: habitat and access), the realities of funding wildlife work, and how R3 can create better hunters and stronger conservation advocates. (Quick PSA up top: Wisconsin’s public input window for the next 5-year waterfowl season framework is coming soon—watch for details.) Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Subscribe on Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices