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Midwest Flyways Podcast

Midwest Flyways

Duck Hunting and Goose Hunting is in our blood and we live it everyday! The Midwest Flyways Podcast is an authentic take on waterfowl hunting from Midwest Flyways. Duck and goose hunting has continued to evolve throughout the years and we aim to connect duck hunting traditions with the future of waterfowling. If you‘re passionate about ducks and geese then come hang with Joey Vassallo and Cal Ness as they talk duck hunting, goose hunting and everything else in between.

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#586
Today · 1 hr 7 min
Sports Guyz Only; Quarterback Shopping Again
This week on Sports Guyz Only... The Caleb Williams apology tour has officially begun. After spending plenty of time questioning whether he was actually the guy, the boys finally admit what has become pretty hard to deny: Caleb is really damn good at football. The Bears suddenly look dangerous, Ben Johnson appears to have unlocked exactly what Chicago hoped he would, and Vikings fans now have another NFC North problem to worry about. Unfortunately for Minnesota, their own quarterback situation isn't inspiring nearly the same confidence. That turns into the biggest debate of the episode: should the Vikings actually trade for Mac Jones? With Minnesota sitting at 6-1 behind one of the best defenses in football but getting almost nothing offensively, Gavin starts making the case for going all-in. First-round picks, second-round picks, Brian O'Neill, Kyler Murray—just start throwing things on the table and figure out what San Francisco wants. The guys argue over whether Mac is actually worth serious draft capital, whether Minnesota can afford to waste this defense waiting on quarterback development, and why a merely average offense might be enough to make a legitimate Super Bowl run. From there, the quarterback debates keep coming. The crew wonders whether Josh Allen could somehow finish his career without a Super Bowl despite being one of the most talented quarterbacks they've ever watched, and whether Buffalo has simply made it too difficult to build enough talent around him. Brock Purdy gets the complete opposite treatment, with Cal finally putting him firmly among the NFL's top quarterbacks and comparing his pocket presence to Tom Brady. And, of course, there's another full week of NFL picks, underdog locks, fantasy football trash talk, and everyone trying to convince themselves they definitely know what they're doing. Plus: •Brian O'Neill finally gets his flowers •Caleb Williams and the suddenly dangerous Bears •Should Minnesota go all-in at the trade deadline? •Jonathan Taylor trade hypotheticals •NCAA tournament expansion •The Wild's hot start and Kirill Kaprizov praise •MLB salary-cap and salary-floor ideas •More Wolves and LaMelo Ball optimism It's quarterback desperation, trade-machine chaos, NFL picks, Minnesota sports optimism, and the boys talking themselves into increasingly expensive solutions for the Vikings offense. Thanks so much for listening to Sports Guyz Only and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU
#585
Tuesday · 14 min
Should You Mount That Duck?
In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, the guys tackle one of the most common questions waterfowl hunters ask every fall: should I get this duck mounted? Joey shares what he has learned after getting plenty of birds taxidermied over the years, including why age, feather condition, plumage, and sentimental value all matter when deciding whether a bird is worth sending to a taxidermist. They get into how to tell whether a duck is fully plumed, why early-season birds can be much harder to work with, and why a late-season canvasback or redhead can look completely different from the same species shot earlier in the fall. The guys also cover choosing a good waterfowl taxidermist, rising prices and long wait times, different mount styles, and how to properly store a bird in the freezer without ruining it. There’s plenty of personal experience mixed in too, from damaged mounts and freezer failures to birds that looked perfect at the time but didn’t compare to their late-season counterparts. They also explain why keeping a potential trophy bird dry after the shot can make a big difference and come back to the most important point: if a duck means something to you, that matters more than whether it is technically the “perfect” specimen. For anyone considering duck taxidermy this season, this episode is a practical look at what to watch for before putting a bird in the freezer. Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU
#584
Monday · 38 min
Taking the Kids Duck Hunting
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, Cal and Joey are getting the next generation into duck hunting. Cal shares what it was like taking his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter on her first hunt, where she became way more interested in the ducks than the geese, sang her ABCs with birds overhead, and left with a brand-new pink coat covered in blood. Joey also took his kids out together for the first time on the water, which meant muddy falls, donuts, boat rides, one mallard, and plenty of chaos along the way. Despite the challenges, both hunts were a good reminder that introducing kids to waterfowl hunting looks a lot different than chasing limits. The guys also talk about the late-October trickle of ducks, upcoming diver hunts, and jump into another round of Say What?! Topics Covered: •Taking kids duck hunting •Cal's daughter's first hunt •Hunting with multiple young kids •Keeping kids entertained in the blind •Late-October duck movement  Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU
#583
October 29 · 22 min
The Duck Blind Cheat Code
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, Joey may have found his new favorite way to hide while duck hunting. After experimenting with artificial blind grass and a MoMarsh setup, Joey walks through how he brushed the blind, changed the shape of the cover, and tested it on a familiar pond. The result? Ducks worked the spread like he wasn't even there. The guys talk about why a good hide can make or break a hunt, how much time permanent artificial cover could save, and why this setup could be especially useful in cattails, marshes, and permanent blinds. The conversation also gets into the pontoon blind, gear organization, tinnitus, and the different ways Joey and Cal try to keep their brains organized when hunting season, work, and life all start piling up. Topics Covered: •Artificial blind grass •Building a better duck hide •MoMarsh hunting setups •Duck hunting concealment •Staying organized during hunting season Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU
#581
October 27 · 14 min
History Lesson: The Chesapeake of the West
In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, the guys dive into the forgotten history of Huron Lake, Minnesota-a place once known as the “Chesapeake of the West.” Historical accounts describe as many as 700,000 canvasbacks gathering there during fall migration, attracting professional market hunters, wealthy sportsmen, guides, duck camps, and trainloads of harvested birds. At its peak, Huron Lake was considered one of the greatest waterfowl destinations in the country. The guys get into the massive market hunting operation surrounding the lake. They also cover James Ford Bell, whose concern over declining hunting eventually helped push him toward waterfowl research that became connected to the beginnings of Delta Waterfowl. Along the way, there’s plenty of the usual joking around, including the equally devastating historical decline of canvasbacks and Burger Kings. What ultimately changed Huron Lake wasn’t just hunting pressure-it was the disappearance of the surrounding habitat. With nearly all of the original wetlands in the watershed eventually drained, one of Minnesota’s greatest duck hunting destinations faded into relative obscurity. It’s a fascinating and frustrating look at just how different Minnesota waterfowl hunting once was. Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU
#582
October 26 · 56 min
Matt Judy; Ducks, Dogs & Farm Life
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, Matt Judy is back for the annual catch-up covering duck hunting, farming, Dive Bomb, dogs, and plenty of stories from the past year. Matt talks about hunting ducks out of the creek behind his house, grinding through muddy potato fields, growing up around agriculture, and the surprising career he had with Driscoll's before eventually making the jump to Dive Bomb. The guys also get into how Dive Bomb has grown while keeping its media and customer interaction in-house, what it's like working with the same crew for nearly a decade, and why personality has become such a big part of the brand. Matt also clears the air on last year's chocolate lab controversy, talks about life with a dog boarding kennel, and tells the story of spending three hours chasing escaped sheep before finally tackling one in the creek. Topics Covered: •Backyard duck hunting •Traffic hunting mallards •Muddy potato field hunts •The chocolate lab controversy •The escaped sheep story •Hunting across the country Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_judy/ Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU
#580
October 23 · 53 min
Sports Guyz Only; Wolves Are Cooking
This week on Sports Guyz Only... Nathaniel is out trying to punch a ticket to the state soccer tournament, the Timberwolves are playing their season opener on the TV, and Anthony Edwards is casually dropping 40-plus while the guys attempt to record a sports podcast around him. That quickly turns into Wolves optimism, Rudy Gobert slander, and the realization that maybe this roster finally has exactly what Ant needs around him. The guys start with Jalen Hurts' blood-clot situation and questions about Philadelphia's medical staff before Big Dom enters the conversation. From there, things completely derail into alleged mob ties, Gavin's former chemistry teacher who supposedly worked for organized crime, and a documentary claim that sends everyone down a rabbit hole about how many New Jersey homeowners might be living above something they absolutely do not want to find. Eventually, football returns. The crew debates which NFL teams are actually for real, whether Saquon Barkley is starting to show the wear of back-to-back heavy workloads, and how much Christian McCaffrey's usage should change as he gets older. Caleb Williams also sparks one of the biggest debates of the show after brushing off questions about his hamstring injury. The guys argue over media responsibility, player maturity, how much criticism young quarterbacks should have to tolerate, and whether Caleb simply needs to stop reading the comments and grow up a little. And, of course, another week means another round of NFL picks and locks, including some very questionable confidence in Tennessee. Plus: •Is Draymond Green the real problem in Golden State? •Fantasy football injury excuses and leaderboard trash talk •A.J. Brown's brutal drops •Brock Purdy proving he doesn't need healthy receivers •Old-school NBA players apparently staying strapped •Wolves Finals predictions already arriving on opening night It's NBA opening-night overreactions, NFL arguments, fantasy football grudges, and a mob tangent that probably went several miles farther than anyone intended. Thanks so much for listening to Sports Guyz Only and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU
#579
October 22 · 41 min
Mid-October Duck Update
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, the guys are finally starting to see signs of new ducks showing up across Minnesota. Despite temperatures pushing 90 degrees one weekend and dropping back into the 30s and 40s shortly after, Joey has been seeing a steady trickle of new birds including plenty of fully plumed mallards. The crew talks about what they're seeing locally, getting the pontoon blind ready, and what they hope the next few weeks of duck season will bring. They also get into whether flooded timber could work as waterfowl habitat in Minnesota, why ducks use it so heavily in the South, and some of the challenges that would come with managing water and trees farther north. Then Say What? takes over with a different twist - deciding whether names like the ruddy shelduck, cotton pygmy goose, and torrent duck are actually real birds before jumping into another round of waterfowl trivia. Topics Covered: •Signs of the duck migration •New mallards showing up •Warm October weather •Getting the pontoon blind ready •Flooded timber in Minnesota •Waterfowl habitat management Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU
#578
October 20 · 18 min
History Lesson: The Legend of Bo Whoop
In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, the guys dive into the story of one of the most famous shotguns in duck hunting history: Nash Buckingham’s legendary Bo Whoop. Buckingham was one of the biggest names in early American waterfowl culture, known for his outdoor writing, flooded timber hunts, and incredible reputation as a wingshooter. His custom A.H. Fox double gun became almost as famous as he was, thanks to its tight patterns, distinctive sound, and the stories Nash told about hunting with it. The story takes a turn in 1948 when Nash accidentally left Bo Whoop sitting on the fender of a car after a duck hunt in Arkansas. By the time he returned, the gun was gone and it stayed missing for decades. More than 50 years later, an old broken-stock shotgun brought into a gunsmith’s shop turned out to have inscriptions tying it back to Buckingham. The guys break down how the gun was authenticated, the serial number mystery, and how a shotgun once bought for $50 eventually sold at auction for more than $200,000. Bo Whoop’s story eventually came full circle when it was donated to Ducks Unlimited and even returned to the marsh for another hunt decades after Nash lost it. It’s part mystery, part duck hunting history, and a great example of how certain guns, dogs, places, and stories become bigger than the hunts themselves. Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#577
October 16 · 1 hr 4 min
Sports Guyz Only; Kick The Ball
This week on Sports Guyz Only... Nathaniel manages to cancel after the podcast has essentially already started, the fantasy football trash talk is getting increasingly personal, and Cal is already questioning whether half his roster belongs in the garbage disposal. Somehow, that's only the warmup. The Vikings are 5-0, Brian Flores might deserve every dollar Minnesota can find, and the guys are starting to wonder just how far this defense can carry the team. There's more Justin Herbert trade talk, another Brian O'Neill appearance, and a debate over whether NFL teams should start paying elite coordinators like head coaches just to keep them in the building. Then comes one of the strangest NFL endings of the season. The guys break down Washington getting into field-goal range against the Giants with a chance to win, only for the clock to expire without a kick ever happening. Carter initially puts Dan Quinn on the hot seat, Gavin digs into the actual play design, and the blame slowly shifts toward Jayden Daniels for turning what should have been a simple finish into complete chaos. From there, it's a wider look around the NFL. Josh Allen and the Bills' wild game against the Rams leads to a conversation about knowing when to kill a play, while Matthew Stafford gets plenty of love for being one of the best late-game quarterbacks of his generation. The guys also build their early NFL power rankings, debate whether San Francisco belongs at No. 1, and try to figure out which teams actually look like Super Bowl contenders. Plus: •Shohei Ohtani's playoff slump •Fantasy football waiver-wire victory laps •The fragile life of an NFL kicker •Another full week of NFL picks and underdog locks •Timberwolves championship optimism •Whether active NFL players need podcast supervision It's bad clock management, NFL power rankings, fantasy football grudges, and enough questionable coaching ideas to fill an entire staff. Thanks so much for listening to Sports Guyz Only and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#576
October 15 · 45 min
What Really Happened on Duck Opener?
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, the guys address the controversy surrounding their Minnesota duck opener and add some context to what actually happened that morning. After getting permission to hunt a private property, Cal and Joey arrived to find another group already set up on the water. They walk through the conversations with the landowners, the questions surrounding access and riparian rights, their attempt to work together with the other hunters, and why the situation became much more complicated once clips from the encounter started making the rounds online. The goal isn't to pile on anybody or restart the argument. The guys explain what they could have handled differently, why they eventually moved farther away, and why they'd rather see more young hunters passionate about waterfowl than turn the entire situation into an online feud. They also recap a tough goose hunt with two Flyways Hunt Club members, talk about a frustrating start to the season, and why a few bad hunts aren't enough to change how they feel about duck hunting. Topics Covered: •The duck opener controversy •Private property and water access •Riparian rights questions •A tough weekend of goose hunting •Flyways Hunt Club giveaway hunt •Staying positive through a slow start Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#575
October 12 · 1 hr 5 min
Jordan Fromer; Learning Duck Hunting the Hard Way
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, the guys sit down with Jordan Fromer from Duck Gun Chronicles and Duck Gun Wild Seasonings to talk duck hunting, content creation, wild food, and one of the craziest boat projects we've heard about. Jordan shares how he taught himself to duck hunt and went 11 hunts before finally killing his first duck. From there, he built Duck Gun Chronicles, started a podcast, and eventually turned his passion for cooking wild game into Duck Gun Wild Seasonings. The guys also get into the Timber Queen, Jordan's 43-foot wooden boat that he bought for $1 and rebuilt to follow the migration down the Mississippi River. They talk repairs, breakdowns, storms, losing a prop in the river, and why the entire project was worth it despite everything that went wrong. The conversation wraps with duck and goose recipes, hunting etiquette, helping new hunters, and why keeping waterfowl hunting fun matters more than chasing limits. Topics Covered: •Learning to duck hunt from scratch •Duck Gun Chronicles •The Timber Queen •Cooking duck and goose •Helping new hunters •Keeping hunting fun Check out Jordan Fromer and Duck Gun: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/duckgunchronicles Duck Gun Wild Seasonings: https://duckgunwildseasonings.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duckgunchronicles/ Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#574
October 9 · 1 hr 2 min
Sports Guyz Only; Cal Goes Nuclear
This week on Sports Guyz Only... The whole crew is finally back in studio, there's a birthday to celebrate, and everyone spends about 45 seconds being nice before the Vikings completely destroy the mood. Minnesota is somehow 4-0 despite having one of the lowest-scoring undefeated starts in NFL history, which naturally leads to the question every Vikings fan is already asking: how fraudulent is this team actually? Then Cal gets presented with Brian O'Neill's latest grades, and things deteriorate quickly. Despite the numbers saying Minnesota's right tackle is playing great football, Cal has seen enough. What follows is a full offensive-line crashout about sacks, missed blocks, PFF grades, Cris Collinsworth, and the apparently unreasonable request that a 6'7" NFL tackle simply block the one guy standing in front of him without falling down. The guys debate whether the Vikings' dominant defense can keep carrying an offense that still can't protect the quarterback and make predictions for where a 4-0 Minnesota team actually finishes this season. Around the rest of the NFL, Bryce Young's resurgence sparks a bigger conversation about how quickly fans and media give up on young quarterbacks. Josh Allen's rough rookie season gets brought back up, and Brock Purdy's ridiculous start forces a few people in the room to officially admit they were wrong. There's also another round of NFL picks and underdog locks, including the struggling Eagles, the surprisingly dangerous Panthers, Buffalo's receiver problem, and plenty of disagreement over which early-season records are actually real. Plus: •Cris Collinsworth and the war against player grades •Vikings season-record predictions •Bryce Young proving people wrong •The Bills desperately needing a real WR1 •Timberwolves championship optimism •Joey Chestnut somehow eating 16 pounds of baked beans It's Vikings rage, NFL overreactions, fantasy football arguments, and one of the most passionate explanations of offensive line play you'll ever hear. Thanks so much for listening to Sports Guyz Only and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#573
October 8 · 1 hr 3 min
Alex Langbell; Dogs, Ducks & Doing It Right
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, Alex Langbell from Gundog Outdoors is back in the Game Fair studio for a wide-ranging conversation about hunting dogs, waterfowl hunting, building better products, and everything he's learned after more than 40 years chasing birds. Alex talks about the growth of Gundog Outdoors and why he built the company around keeping hunting and working dogs safer in the field. He gets into new products, bringing more manufacturing back to the United States, and how years of hunting and his background as a firefighter continue to shape the gear he develops. The guys also get into Alex's Montana property and the work he's doing to turn it into a better waterfowl property, including building a pond, planting food, managing water levels, and creating habitat that ducks actually want to use. That leads into plenty of duck hunting talk, from 28 gauges and .410s to small decoy spreads, river hunting, motion, and why sometimes doing the opposite of everyone else is exactly what pressured birds need. The conversation also turns toward the culture around waterfowl hunting and how social media has changed it. Alex and the guys talk about competition, negativity online, why newer hunters can feel intimidated, and why the best hunters are usually the ones who can still enjoy a bad day instead of measuring every hunt by the size of the pile. Toward the end, things get more personal as Alex talks about raising his daughter Sierra around hunting, making the outdoors fun for kids without forcing it, and why those early experiences can stick with them for life. The guys also share how hunting gave them direction during different points in their lives and why being outside became something much bigger than simply shooting ducks. Topics Covered: •Keeping hunting dogs safe •New dog gear and products •Building waterfowl habitat •Sub-gauge duck hunting •River hunting strategies •Waterfowl hunting culture •Social media negativity •Enjoying hunts without chasing limit •Raising kids around hunting  Check out Alex Langbell and Gundog Outdoors: https://gundogoutdoors.com/ https://www.instagram.com/alex_langbell_outdoors/ Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#572
October 2 · 48 min
The Ducks Are Acting Weird
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, the guys are trying to figure out where the ducks went and whether some seriously strange weather is about to shake up the migration. After duck opener, Joey, Cal, and Carter compare what they've been seeing around Minnesota. Some areas that normally hold plenty of birds have been surprisingly empty, while reports from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta sound like hunters are still seeing plenty of ducks farther north. At the same time, geese are starting to show up in bigger numbers around the metro, leaving the guys wondering when the next real push is coming. That leads into a long conversation about rain, flooded corn, winter weather, snow, and how unusual conditions could affect duck and goose hunting throughout the Midwest. The guys also revisit the duck population surveys and compare those numbers with what they've actually been seeing in the field so far this season. They also talk about why a real winter would be such a welcome change, especially when it comes to pushing fresh birds down the flyway and creating some of those classic late-season duck and goose hunts in the snow. To finish things off, Carter puts Joey and Cal through another round of Say What?! Topics Covered: •Where the ducks went after opener •Reports from Canada •Weather and duck migration •Snow and late-season hunting •Say What?! waterfowl trivia  Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#571
October 2 · 1 hr 1 min
Sports Guyz Only; Sell the Farm
This week on Sports Guyz Only... Cal is calling in sick from the corner of his bedroom, Carter is extra crabby after another week of fantasy football abuse, and the guys waste no time revisiting some truly terrible roster decisions. Between insulting trade offers, injured players, and everyone finding a draft pick they'd like back, the fantasy league is already providing exactly the level of dysfunction everyone expected. Then the conversation turns to the Vikings and a much bigger question: if Justin Herbert is actually available, do you sell the farm to get him? With the Chargers offense struggling and Herbert looking like he could use a fresh start, the guys debate whether Minnesota should throw three first-round picks or even more at the Chargers and finally take a massive swing at quarterback. They compare Herbert to Kyler Murray, question how much patience the Vikings should have with their current situation, and ask whether a roster with this defense is simply too good to waste waiting for average quarterback play. That opens up an even bigger conversation about team building. Are first-round picks overrated when you're already close to competing? Should the Vikings copy the Rams and trade future assets for proven stars? And if Minnesota is sitting near the top of the NFC with a Super Bowl-caliber defense, how aggressive should they be about fixing the few positions still holding them back? The guys also run through another week of NFL picks and underdog locks, debate whether Case Keenum should keep starting in Chicago, react to the Chargers' brutal start, and continue trying to figure out which NFL teams are actually good after the first few weeks of the season. Plus: •Carter's latest questionable fantasy trade offers •The Vikings' offensive line problems •Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy •Marvin Harrison Jr. as a potential Vikings trade target •The NFL admitting it blew a Rams call •Scottie Scheffler's classy Presidents Cup moment •Playoff baseball heating up •Another week of fantasy football regret It's Vikings trade-machine madness, fantasy football slander, NFL overreactions, and one simple solution to every problem: trade the picks and go get somebody good. Thanks so much for listening to Sports Guyz Only and be sure to subscribe and review! Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#569
September 28 · 1 hr 10 min
Sam Soholt; Protecting a Life Outdoors Pt. 2
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, Sam Soholt is back for Part 2 of the conversation, and this time the focus turns heavily toward conservation, habitat, and what hunters can do to protect the places and wildlife they care about. Sam and the guys talk about how your perspective changes the longer you hunt. At some point, it becomes about more than shooting ducks, you start thinking about where those birds come from, the habitat they need, and what needs to happen to make sure the next generation still has the same opportunities. The conversation gets into wetland loss, drain tile, changing agricultural practices, conservation organizations, Duck Stamp dollars, and why habitat remains at the center of so many wildlife issues. Sam also explains why wetlands matter far beyond waterfowl, from water quality and flood control to the hundreds of species that depend on them. They also talk about putting conservation dollars directly toward specific projects, getting involved locally, and Sam's Duck Ruck including what it was like walking 100 miles in three days and eventually knocking out 50 miles in a single day to raise money for conservation. Toward the end, things get more personal as Sam talks about becoming a dad, wanting his kids to experience the same outdoor life he grew up with, and why preserving those opportunities matters even more now. The guys also look at how duck hunting changes as you get older, from chasing limits to appreciating the entire experience and finding just as much enjoyment in passing it on to someone else.  Topics Covered: •Hunters and conservation •Protecting waterfowl habitat •Wetland loss and drain tile •Duck Stamps and where the money goes •The 100-mile Duck Ruck •Passing hunting on to the next generation  Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#568
September 24 · 1 hr 18 min
Sam Soholt; Chasing a Life Outdoors Pt. 1
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, the guys sit down with photographer, filmmaker, conservationist, and lifelong hunter Sam Soholt. Sam takes the guys through how he actually broke into the outdoor industry, from filming hunts and taking whatever opportunities he could find to eventually turning outdoor photography and filmmaking into a career. They talk about rejection, grinding when nobody knows who you are, and why simply showing up over and over again can eventually open some pretty crazy doors. And in Sam's case, some of those doors led to filming from helicopters, working on television productions, spending time on Kodiak Island, and ending up in situations where he wasn't entirely convinced he was making it home. The conversation also gets into duck hunting versus big game, some unforgettable hunting stories, and what eventually pushed Sam toward doing more of his own work instead of always working for someone else. Toward the end, the guys get into the beginnings of Sam's public land work, including the ideas that eventually became Public Land Tees, the Public Land Bus, Stamp It Forward, and some of the conservation projects he's become known for. Topics Covered: •Sam Soholt's path into the outdoor industry •Getting your foot in the door •Dealing with rejection •Public Land Tees •The Public Land Bus •Stamp It Forward •Waterfowl conservation and public lands Part 2 with Sam Soholt continues next week. Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#566
September 22 · 20 min
History Lesson: The Reelfoot Night Riders
In this episode of Ten Minute Tuesday, the guys continue the story of Reelfoot Lake with Part 2, diving into the violent conflict that erupted over who actually had the right to control the lake. After the earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 transformed dry land into water, generations of local families came to rely on Reelfoot for fishing, hunting, and travel. But when private land claims began colliding with those long-standing public uses, the dispute quickly became much more than a legal argument. The episode gets into the rise of the Night Riders, a masked group that used intimidation and violence as the fight over Reelfoot intensified. The conflict ultimately led to the kidnapping of two men, the killing of Quentin Rankin, a major Tennessee National Guard response, mass arrests, death sentences, and eventually a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling over the lake’s legal status. Along the way, the guys mix the history with plenty of side conversations and joking around, from movie references to earthquakes, ancient seismic detectors, and the strange natural disasters that have shaped different parts of the country. What started as a fight over fishing rights became one of the strangest chapters in American outdoor history. In the end, the courts determined that Reelfoot Lake would be held for public use, helping preserve the same legendary waterfowl destination hunters still recognize today. Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP
#567
September 21 · 1 hr 1 min
Nick Johnson; The Traveling Waterfowler
This week on the Midwest Flyways Podcast, Nick Johnson is back for his annual visit to talk waterfowl hunting, traveling the world, and some of the weird stuff he’s tried along the way. Nick and the guys get into everything from old-school duck hunters and spring goose hunting on James Bay to chasing waterfowl in Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Europe, and beyond. They talk about the places Nick has already hunted, the trips still on his list, and why some of the most interesting waterfowl hunting in the world happens far outside the places most hunters ever think about. The conversation also gets into changing hunting regulations in Canada, freelance hunting versus outfitters, and whether the giant pile pictures coming out of Canada and Mexico actually have as much impact on duck populations as people think. Nick breaks down why hunter numbers matter and what he believes really determines whether a hunt is going to be great or miserable: weather, juvenile birds, and how hungry the birds are. Nick also talks about turning Wingshoot Wisconsin into a full-time career, what guiding has taught him about bad hunts, and why keeping the right attitude matters when the birds don’t cooperate. And because it wouldn’t be a Nick Johnson episode without trying something ridiculous, the guys finish with live pigeon decoys, baiting pigeons, hawk attacks, and a few experiments that definitely sounded better on paper. Topics Covered: •Waterfowl hunting around the world •James Bay spring goose hunting •Changes to Canadian hunting regulations •Freelance hunting vs. outfitters •Weather, juvenile birds, and hungry birds •Building Wingshoot Wisconsin •Hunting experiments Thanks for listening to the Midwest Flyways Podcast! Be sure to check out the Flyways Hunt Club for even more exclusive content every week. Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

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