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Save it for the Blind Podcast

California Waterfowl

Welcome to the Save it for the Blind Podcast. Dive into the world of duck hunting, conservation, and legislation. Join us for insightful discussions on preserving both tradition and nature. Our podcast isn't complete without tackling the legislative side of things. Discover how local and national policies impact hunting seasons, bag limits, and wetland preservation. Interviews with experts and policymakers will shed light on the intricate balance between hunting traditions and the need for sustainable practices. RSSVERIFY

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25 episodes
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English

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S1 · E130
Wednesday · 34 min
Protecting Your Hearing in the Blind with Jeff Thruston
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Jeff Thruston, owner of ESP Hearing Protection, for a conversation about something a lot of waterfowl hunters ignore until it’s too late: hearing loss. Jeff explains how ESP’s custom-fit electronic hearing protection works, why comfort and directional sound matter in the blind, and how modern technology can protect your hearing without taking away the sounds that make hunting what it is. Episode highlights Why duck hunters skip hearing protection — bulky earmuffs, poor fit, wind noise, and wanting to hear calls and birds are some of the biggest reasons hunters leave protection at home. Custom fit vs. one-size-fits-all — the crew talks about molded hearing protection, keeping earbuds secure in wet hunting conditions, and why fit becomes especially important in the marsh. Hearing the hunt around you — Jeff breaks down how ESP maintains directional and environmental awareness, so hunters can still tell where birds, voices, and other sounds are coming from. Choosing the right setup — Apex, Stealth, Elite Digital, and Classic models come into the conversation, along with pricing and how hunters can determine which level of protection makes sense for them. Simple matters in the field — Carson highlights the straightforward design: turn them on, adjust the volume, and hunt without dealing with multiple modes or complicated connections. When hearing loss becomes noticeable — Jeff and Carson share personal examples of realizing one ear was no longer hearing as well as the other, and how that can affect everything from hearing birds to communicating with hunting partners. Shotguns are loud — the conversation puts gunfire into perspective by comparing a shotgun blast at roughly 140 decibels with other extremely loud noises, reinforcing what repeated exposure can do over a lifetime of hunting. It’s not just about shooting — hearing loss can make it harder to locate a gobble, elk bugle, calling duck, or even hear your partner say “take ’em,” turning hearing protection into a hunting-performance and safety issue too. Waterfowling is built around sound—from wings overhead and geese in the distance to calling with your buddies in the blind. This episode is a reminder that protecting your ears now can help make sure you’re still hearing all of it years down the road.
S1 · E129
October 29 · 20 min
2026 Waterfowl Opener Recap
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down for a quick opening-weekend recap, breaking down how California Waterfowl properties performed across the state and comparing this year’s results with recent seasons. From a seven-bird average at Sanborn Slough to strong shoots at Grizzly Ranch, Butte Creek Island Ranch, Potrero, and Goose Lake, the opener delivered plenty of opportunity—but also a few surprises in bird behavior and species composition. Episode highlights A strong opener overall — CWA properties combined for roughly a 4.6-bird average, nearly a bird better than the previous year. Sanborn Slough stole the show — hunters averaged seven birds per hunter, including geese, making it potentially one of the strongest CWA property openers on record. Grizzly Ranch delivered again — a 5.4 average, led by green-winged teal and northern shovelers, with enough opportunity that Carson felt most groups had a real shot at limits. Butte Creek bounced back — after averaging 2.3 birds last year, the property climbed back to a five-bird average, with wood ducks leading the way. Potrero moved in the right direction — after flooding earlier this year, the Suisun property jumped to a 4.6-bird average, while nearby Denverton came in lower than expected. Goose Lake stayed productive — the Tulare Basin property averaged 3.8 birds, down slightly from last year but still providing plenty of shooting opportunity. The ducks are already acting educated — Jeff and Carson talk about birds in the rice behaving more like January ducks than opener birds—circling, ignoring calls, and doing their own thing despite plenty of birds being present. Refuge results — Yolo finished among the strongest state wildlife areas, while Delavan posted a solid opener with pintail leading the harvest. More hunts are coming — first-come, first-served rice blinds are expected to open soon, along with additional pig hunts and donated family opportunities in the Yolo Bypass. Opening weekend showed that there are plenty of birds on the landscape—but with mild weather in the forecast and ducks already showing signs of pressure, the question now is how quickly things settle into the early-season doldrums and what the next weather change brings.
S1 · E128
October 22 · 1 hr 1 min
Opening Week: Birds, Refuges & What Hunters Can Expect
With California’s balance-of-state opener right around the corner, Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down for a full preseason check-in with people who have been watching birds and habitat firsthand. The crew talks expectations for opening weekend, what they’re seeing on CWA properties, and why there’s real optimism heading into the season—with plenty of ducks already on the landscape and more birds still holding farther north. Episode highlights There are birds around — Carson says nearly everyone he’s talked to is seeing ducks, and one CWA property was holding more birds than he’s seen there in ten seasons working for the organization. Could another push still be coming? — plenty of birds remain farther north, setting up the possibility of another migration push if colder weather finally forces them south. Weather could make or break it — after several seasons of flooding in the Butte Sink, Jeff and Carson talk about how concentrated storm systems and winter weather could reshape hunting again this year. Yolo Wildlife Area update — Wildlife Area Manager Garrett Spann joins the show to discuss current conditions, hunter access, property changes, habitat projects, and what visitors should know before heading out this season. A firsthand look at bird movement — CWA’s egg salvage coordinator and waterfowl biologist checks in after spending time trapping pintail on refuges and shares what the crew has been seeing across the Valley. Specks, snows, and one unusual goose — the conversation turns to goose numbers and a recently banded bird that appears to be some type of hybrid. Diver hunting preview — the final portion of the episode shifts toward divers, coastal hunting, specialized boats, and how flooded conditions can change when and where birds return to an area. The real cost of getting out there — rising fuel prices also enter the conversation, especially for hunters making long drives to rice blinds and refuges multiple times a week. There’s always plenty of preseason speculation, but this episode brings together boots-on-the-ground observations, refuge updates, and firsthand bird reports to give California hunters a better idea of what they may find when legal shooting time finally arrives.
S1 · E127
October 12 · 46 min
Hunting Dog Health with Dr. Seth Bynum
Carson Odegard sits down with Dr. Seth Bynum, avid bird hunter, outdoorsman, photographer, veterinarian, and Veterinary Communications Manager for Purina, for a practical conversation every hunting-dog owner should hear before the season gets rolling. Seth shares his unconventional path from journalism and outdoor photography into veterinary medicine, then dives into the health and conditioning questions that come with putting a retriever back to work after months away from the marsh. Episode highlights Getting your dog season-ready — what hunters should be thinking about when conditioning a dog that may have been out of hunting shape for eight months or more. Hot-weather hunting — California openers can push toward 90 degrees, making heat and physical exertion an important consideration even for dogs accustomed to warm weather. When to use a dog vest — cold water, fog, wind, body condition, and protection all come into the conversation when deciding whether your retriever needs neoprene. What belongs in a canine first-aid kit — plus why hunters should give their dogs a thorough post-hunt check for seeds, cuts, paw injuries, and other problems that adrenaline can hide in the field. Rest and recovery — how to think about hunting multiple days in a row, recognizing fatigue, and knowing when your dog may need a day off. Swimmer’s tail and heavy water work — a condition many waterfowl hunters have seen after long days of retrieving and swimming. Feeding through hunting season — whether food intake or diet should change as workload increases, and how far ahead of the season hunters should begin making adjustments. Puppies and veteran dogs — when a young dog may be ready for its first real hunt and how owners should think about eventually retiring an older hunting companion. Whether your dog is heading into its first season or has spent years riding shotgun to the refuge, this episode is packed with practical reminders for keeping that hunting partner healthy, comfortable, and ready to work.
S1 · E126
October 7 · 41 min
Klamath Wetlands, Waterfowl & Restoration with Dr. Karl Wenner
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Dr. Karl Wenner, longtime Klamath Basin resident, hunter, farmer, and orthopedic surgeon, for a deep conversation about the landscape he has called home since the late 1980s. Karl shares how his background in biology and wildlife eventually brought him to Klamath, what he has watched change across the basin, and why he still believes wetlands can be a major part of its recovery. Episode highlights A lifetime in Klamath — Karl explains how he went from marine biology and wildlife work in Florida to medicine, waterfowl hunting, and eventually building a life in the Klamath Basin. Then versus now — after decades hunting and living in the region, Karl reflects on the incredible waterfowl years he witnessed and what current habitat and water conditions look like heading into this season. Wetlands as part of the farm — Karl describes how a roughly 70-acre wetland became a working tool on the property, filtering phosphorus from agricultural water before that water could return to the lake. When conservation and agriculture work together — the project allowed the farm to continue flooding agricultural ground for its operation and for waterfowl while using wetlands to improve water quality. Helping endangered suckers — Karl discusses experiments using wetlands as rearing habitat for young fish, what researchers have learned so far, and why demonstrating success on private ground could eventually lead to larger-scale restoration. The biggest challenge facing Klamath — in Karl’s view, the historic loss of wetlands remains at the heart of the basin’s problems. He describes the region as once being the “Everglades of the West,” with roughly 300,000 acres of interconnected wetlands. Reasons for optimism — rather than treating agriculture, fish, tribes, waterfowl, and the local economy as competing interests, Karl believes a functioning ecosystem can benefit all of them together. Restoration takes a team — CWA, Klamath Watershed Partnership, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, UC Davis, Ducks Unlimited, farmers, and others have all played roles in moving this work forward. This episode is a different kind of Klamath conversation—one focused on what can happen when working farms, wetlands, waterfowl, fish, and conservation are treated as pieces of the same system.
S1 · E125
September 28 · 43 min
Inside the Migration with Cory Overton
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Cory Overton, Science Director for California Waterfowl, for a preseason look at what hunters may see across the Pacific Flyway this year. Cory breaks down breeding conditions, mallard and goose numbers, an exceptional year at Klamath, and how weather could shape bird movement once the season gets underway. Episode highlights Overall season outlook — despite national mallard numbers being down, Cory explains why many of the breeding areas that supply California looked considerably better and why he expects a fairly average year overall. Klamath had a huge year — improved water conditions produced what Cory describes as one of Klamath’s best productive years in decades, with near-record mallard banding efforts and thousands of birds handled. Specks are a bright spot — Pacific Flyway white-fronted geese increased again this year, while snow geese faced much tougher breeding conditions in the north. Southern California banding — roughly 250 birds were banded in Southern California, the most CWA has been able to mark there in a long time. Smart-band technology — Cory shares early results from new tracking bands, including wood ducks unexpectedly showing up around Fresno and Gilroy, and explains how hunters carrying cell phones may actually help researchers collect more location data this winter. Some ducks really are homebodies — one tracked shoveler stayed around the same pond for years, while a hen mallard spent roughly three months inside a hunt zone without leaving during daylight. The El Niño question — Cory explains why California’s winter could look dramatically different depending on where the jet stream sets up, ranging from heavy atmospheric rivers to comparatively dry conditions in the Central Valley. New Delta mallard research — CWA is beginning additional telemetry work on hen mallards in the Delta to better understand how birds use different California regions for nesting, brood rearing, molting, and winter habitat. From breeding-ground conditions to the latest tracking technology, this episode gives California hunters a science-backed look at what could be coming down the flyway—and the factors that may determine how the season ultimately plays out. 🦆 Duck season is almost here. Hit Follow, leave a quick review, and share this episode with your blind crew so everybody knows what to watch for when the first birds start moving south.
S1 · E124
September 21 · 54 min
Hunt Bums with Casey Hartwell
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Casey Hartwell, founder of Hunt Bums, to talk about how a passion for waterfowl hunting turned into a growing platform built around gear reviews, field experience, and helping everyday hunters make better decisions. Casey shares his path back into hunting, why he started Hunt Bums, and how his marketing and research background shaped a more data-driven approach to reviewing products and understanding the hunting community. Episode highlights How Hunt Bums started — Casey talks about getting back into hunting as an adult and eventually building a platform around the lifestyle, gear, and experiences that came with it. Honest gear reviews — why Hunt Bums tries to evaluate products on their own merits, call out failure points, and avoid sugarcoating a review just because a company sent the gear. What hunters are actually spending — Casey breaks down findings from Hunt Bums’ hunter survey, including the Pacific Flyway’s high average annual spend and the rising cost of shotguns, shells, decoys, waders, and other essentials. Lowering the barrier to entry — his biggest advice to new hunters: find a mentor, borrow gear first, learn what actually works for you, and then invest in quality equipment. Keeping waterfowl culture alive — Casey makes the case that experienced hunters need to be more willing to bring newcomers along and show them that duck hunting is about far more than just pulling the trigger. California hunting challenges — rising costs, access to quality public ground, and overcrowding are some of the biggest issues he sees facing hunters in the state. Why California rice still hits different — even after hunting clubs and other setups, Casey explains why there’s still something special about spending a morning in a California rice blind. What gear has his attention this season — new shotshell technology, waders, decoys, and other products Casey is looking forward to putting through real-world testing. From gear and access to mentorship and the future of hunting culture, this episode is a solid conversation about making waterfowling more approachable while keeping the traditions and community that make it special.
S1 · E123
September 16 · 53 min
CWA Hunt Program Preview: 2026–27 Waterfowl Season
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard break down what’s ahead for the 2026–27 California Waterfowl Hunt Program, covering everything from dove and big-game opportunities to the full slate of duck and goose hunts coming this season. They walk through CWA-managed properties from Suisun Marsh and the Delta to the Butte Sink and Goose Lake, share updates on habitat and blind improvements, and highlight several donated hunts that give everyday hunters access to some exceptional private clubs. Episode highlights Dove season recap — how opening weekend went at Goose Lake and in the Butte Sink, plus why some of the best dove hunting can happen after the opener when most hunters have already moved on. A brand-new CWA property: the Golden Gate Duck Club joins the Hunt Program this year near the Pacific Flyway Center, with Wednesday hunts, two groups of two hunters, and decoys provided. Butte Sink updates — what hunters can expect at Butte Creek Island Ranch and Sanborn Slough, including habitat conditions and a new blind location at Sanborn. Staten Island & Quimby Island — why Staten continues to produce strong goose and duck numbers, and what makes both Delta properties capable of delivering a hunt of a lifetime. Goose Lake keeps improving — habitat work at the Badger Almond unit has helped turn it into one of CWA’s strongest-producing properties, with more improvements planned this season. More than waterfowl — the crew covers CWA’s Schaefer Ranch pig hunts, deer opportunities, and other programs available before and during duck season. Donated private-club hunts — opportunities at places like Mystic Lake, Lucky Seven, Upper Valley Ranch, and Mulberry, giving hunters access to properties they might otherwise never get the chance to experience. Whether you’re putting in for your first CWA hunt or already planning out your season, this episode is your roadmap to the properties, application hunts, and unique opportunities available this year. 🦆 Get those applications in. Follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with your blind crew—and keep an eye on CWA’s Hunt Program throughout the season as additional opportunities come online.
S1 · E122
June 18 · 54 min
Ep. 122 Klamath: The Road Forward
California Waterfowl CEO Jake Messerli and VP of Advocacy Mark Hennelly provide the latest update on one of the most critical waterfowl habitats in California – Klamath. While the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge benefited from significant water deliveries organized by CWA and its partners, the refuge faces a dry year ahead. Jake and Mark outline the makings of a long-term solution, including infrastructure investments, advocacy at all levels of government, and a “flow-through concept” that circulates water in the system to the benefit of all stakeholders including agriculture and tribes. Interested in supporting California Waterfowl’s efforts to save Klamath? Visit https://calwaterfowl.org/funds/lower-klamath to contribute. "
S1 · E121
April 27 · 59 min
Ep. 121 Dr. Bob McLandress on Building Early CWA
Mallard nesting at Grizzly Island, the story about CWA’s first biologist, and how research, banding, fundraising, and education all took shape Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Dr. Bob McLandress—past CWA president and one of the key figures in the organization’s early growth—for a look back at how California Waterfowl found its footing. Bob traces his path from Canada and Ducks Unlimited into graduate work under Dennis Raveling at UC Davis, then into CWA in 1985 as the organization’s first biologist—not its first employee, as the old story often goes. From there, the conversation moves through the early Grizzly Island mallard nesting work, the discovery of surprisingly high nest densities, the launch of CWA’s first major banding efforts, and the way one research project quickly snowballed into fundraising dinners, youth education, development work, and the broader conservation mission the organization carries today. Episode highlights Bob’s path from Winnipeg into waterfowl biology, and how early work in Canada helped set the course for his career. The real story behind the long-running myth: Bob was CWA’s first biologist, but not its first employee. Why the early Grizzly Island nesting work changed the conversation around California mallards. How CWA’s first banding efforts got rolling—and how those early permits and projects helped build the program that followed. What early CWA really looked like: volunteer-driven, underfunded, chaotic, and full of people trying to build something that mattered. How one biologist’s job quickly turned into fundraising, education, development, and helping define CWA’s long-term role in California conservation. 🦆 If you love hearing where this work really started, hit Follow, leave a quick review, and share the episode with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.
S1 · E120
April 20 · 49 min
Ep. 120 Chemistry, Calls, and Canada Geese with Chance Wadsworth
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Chance Wadsworth, owner of Quill Creek Championship Calls, to talk goose calling from the inside out—how a chemistry background helped him design the Mach One, why he refuses to sell a call he hasn’t proven at a high level, and how contest calling sharpened the way he hunts real birds in Wisconsin. The conversation covers mentors, stage nerves, field philosophy, traffic hunting, and the kind of repetition it takes to actually get good. Episode highlights How Quill Creek started — Chance launched the company in 2024 after roughly two years of prototypes, testing, and refining a goose call he felt confident enough to take on stage. Built like an experiment — with a chemistry background and CAD-based design, he worked through more than a thousand call combinations to understand how length, wall thickness, contour, and overlap affect both sound and feel. Mentors matter — Chance credits Tim Steele and Mike Benjamin for helping him build the foundation and accelerate as a contest caller. Field calling vs. contest calling — the crew breaks down the difference between stage performance and practical hunting, and why some contest calls still absolutely work in the blind. Why he cares so much about calling — in traffic situations, when birds are not already committed to the food, Chance believes calling becomes a huge part of the game. Wisconsin goose hunting realities — leasing fields, learning roost patterns, hunting cut corn and beans, and why he believes leaving spreads out too long can educate birds. Advice for new contest callers — be okay with not winning, use YouTube and good mentors, put in the work, and understand that progress comes from repetition. If you care about goose calls, competition, and the crossover between stage skill and real-world hunting, this one is packed with practical insight and a lot of heart.
S1 · E119
March 16 · 58 min
Ep. 119 Tracking the Flyway with Cory Overton
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Cory Overton for a data-driven look at what really happened during this season’s migration. Instead of relying on blind chatter and guesswork, Cory breaks down what tagged birds actually showed—how prolonged fog affected movement, why a warm winter kept birds north longer than usual, and how some California-marked ducks are spending more time in places like the Northeast Zone, Klamath, and other areas north of the Sacramento Valley. Episode highlights What the tags revealed this season — GPS-marked birds helped explain why many hunters felt like the “big push” never really came. Fog and warm weather effects — prolonged fog and one of the warmest winters on record appear to have slowed or altered normal migration timing. Local vs. migratory birds — some mallards and gadwall tagged in California are molting north of the Valley and, in some cases, barely leaving those regions at all. How far birds really move — the conversation gets into flight speed, regional shifts, and why some birds bump around California rather than making dramatic southbound moves. Where ducks are sitting now — Cory explains where large concentrations of birds are holding in early spring and why those areas remain attractive. Mexico, Baja, and Southern California connections — the crew also digs into which species continue farther south, and how often marked birds show up in places like Wister, Baja, or mainland Mexico. The future of tracking tech — from GPS units to more advanced devices that could one day measure energy burn and flight conditions, Cory explains where waterfowl science is headed next. Why recovered tags matter — as tracking tools get smaller and store more onboard data, getting those devices back from hunters will become even more important. If you’ve ever wondered where the birds actually went, why they stalled out, or what modern science can tell us about the migration, this episode is packed with insight straight from the data. 🦆 Like the show? Hit Follow, leave a quick review, and share it with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.
S1 · E118
February 9 · 40 min
Ep. 118 Season Recap: January Averages, Year-to-Year Swings & Pintail Puzzles
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard wrap the season with a clean, property-by-property breakdown—January numbers, year-over-year changes, species quirks, and the big themes (fog, late rains, road work, king tides) that moved the needle across CWA hunts. Expect straight talk on mallards and pintail, why Staten keeps trending up, and how Goose Lake quietly turned in one of its best mixed-bag years. January by the numbers Staten Island: 4.4 birds/hunter; GWT + specks led. Goose Lake (Tulare Basin): 4.2; teal-heavy, strong mixed bags. Quimby Island (Delta): 3.4; GWT + mallard. Sanborn Slough (Butte Sink): 3.4; deeper water pushed hooded mergansers & ring-necks. Grizzly Ranch (Suisun): 2.6; GWT + spoonies, up from December. Butte Creek Island Ranch: 2.6; flood/high water effects. Potrero (Suisun): 1.7. Denverton (Suisun): 1.5. Season takeaways Mallard softness: Big drop at Quimby (248 → 101 mallards) and a lighter mallard picture statewide. Goose gains where it counts: Staten goose harvest jumped (specks 231 vs. 146; snows 156 vs. 75). Species surprises: Goose Lake went from 0 → 33 redheads; Staten logged a long-tailed duck and Eurasian wigeon. Weather & work mattered: Long tule-fog stretches, night road work, king tides, and late rains reshuffled use patterns—good for some units, tough on others. Pintail reality check: A 3-bird limit didn’t blow the doors off harvest totals—availability and conditions were the limiter. Quick stat stack (program-wide) 1600+ teal • 1040+ spoonies • 390+ mallards • 330+ specks. If you hunted with us—thank you. Keep an eye on calwaterfowl.org for spring turkey, pig hunts, and next season’s applications. 🦆 Like these intel episodes? Tap Follow, leave a quick review, and share it with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.
S1 · E117
February 2 · 50 min
Ep. 117 Senior World Champ Duck Caller — Craig Wilson
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Craig Wilson, owner of River Oaks Outdoors and a Senior World Duck Calling Champion to trace his path from SoCal refuge rat (Wister/Kern) to Idaho mallard country, and what that journey taught him about scouting, pressure, and staying calm on stage. Craig breaks down how to practice with purpose, the real differences between Main Street contests and meat calling, and why late-season California birds demand restraint on the call. He also dives into the shop side—how he builds custom call displays (smart dowels, snug fit, clean glass) and the little design details that keep a lanyard organized and a collection looking sharp. Episode highlights SoCal to Idaho: how refuge days shaped today’s mallard-first approach, and why scouting beats slogging Contest nerves & routine: making the jump from good caller to stage-ready—and staying clean in Round 3 Meat vs. Main Street: what actually carries to ducks versus judges Late-season reality: why whistles and quiet spreads often beat hail calls in California Shop talk: River Oaks Outdoors display builds, dowel sizing, and protecting your calls the right way 🦆 If this episode sharpened your calling or got you tinkering with your setup, hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share it with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.
S1 · E116
January 26 · 41 min
Ep. 116 CWA-New Zealand Hunter Exchange Program with Eben Herbert
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard welcome Eben Herbert from the New Zealand Hunter Exchange to compare notes on waterfowling half a world apart—what shocked him about the Suisun Marsh, why California’s public access and species variety feel endless, and how late-season calling here differs from New Zealand’s “call hard, break ’em from the sky” approach. We hit rice country pits (illegal back home), foggy boat rides to island blinds, a tough-but-worth-it California quail mission, and even a little crab-and-rockfish bounty from Bodega Bay. Episode highlights Scale & access: the density of clubs and marsh across Suisun vs. the smaller, scattered options in NZ—plus why CA birds have “a hundred places to go.” Calling culture: aggressive hail-calling to pull distant flocks in NZ vs. whistles and lighter calling for pressured late-season birds in CA. Pit blinds & rice: first time hunting California rice; why true pit blinds are illegal in New Zealand. Fog, flood & plan B: how tule fog and high water forced mid-morning moves—and still produced solid straps. Taste test: why California ducks eat milder (hello, rice fat) than NZ birds on invertebrate-heavy diets. Checklist species: pintail, wigeon, teal, a Ross’s goose, and the ongoing quests for mallard and speck before wheels up. 🦆 Like these cultural deep dives? Hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share the episode with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.
S1 · E115
January 13 · 1 hr 8 min
Ep. 115 Mapping the Flyway: CWA Science Director Corey Overton on Telemetry, Pintail, and the Klamath Connection
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard welcome Cory Overton, California Waterfowl’s new Science Director, for a clear, field-level look at how modern telemetry is rewriting what we know about duck movements—and how that science feeds better habitat work and smarter regs. From the original PINSAT satellite project to today’s GPS/cellular tags and emerging smart bands, Cory explains what the data actually show: longer staging in SONEC/Klamath, pintail that roam like “five-year-olds on espresso,” fog-driven chaos that scatters birds, and why some geese will cross wildfires or even sit down on the ocean to ride out smoke. He also digs into CWA’s role training the next generation with UC Davis and how new assessment tools will tie real duck use to on-the-ground management. Episode highlights Telemetry 101 to now — from old VHF triangulation to GPS/cellular tags and first-gen smart bands that could run for decades What PINSAT taught us — SONEC as the spring gas station, and how routes/timing have shifted since the early 2000s Fog, storms, and smoke — why pea-soup weeks burn calories, scramble patterns, and sometimes push birds hundreds of miles the “wrong” way Pintail vs. mallards — restless travelers vs. homebodies, and how that plays into the new pintail framework Klamath staging — more birds lingering north into winter, with some not dropping to the Valley until late (or at all) What’s next at CWA — postseason pintail banding, valley-wide habitat assessment tools, and a UC Davis pipeline for future wetland pros 🦆 Like the show? Tap Follow, drop a quick review, and share this one with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.
S1 · E114
January 8 · 50 min
Ep. 114 Uruguay Mixed-Bag Done Right: Closaway Outfitters with Dwight Jones
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Dwight Jones, founder of Closaway Outfitters (Uruguay) and CEO of Okmulgee Fields Inc., to unpack a boutique, American-run operation built for wild birds, predictable shoots, and no-surprises pricing. From why shore blinds mean no waders, to how legal baiting and lead shape reliable duck hunts, to the perdiz over dogs that steal the show—this is a clean, honest look at South American wingshooting done right. Learn travel logistics (LATAM into Montevideo, 2h40 lodge transfer, hunt the day you arrive), what’s truly wild vs. planted, and how Closaway keeps pressure low by resting ponds and limiting hunts. More at closaway.com/about-us Episode highlights Why Uruguay, not just Argentina: high-quality mixed bag (ducks, dove/pigeon, wild perdiz) with shorter drives and afternoon duck hunts that “feel like a war at first light.” Predictable ducks, lower pressure: 30–50 ponds prepped each season, legal baiting, and ponds hunted only 2–3 times to keep birds finishing. All-inclusive, transparent pricing: airport transfers, daily gun rental, laundry, Wi-Fi, meals, and 125 shells/day included—no surprise add-ons at checkout. Guns, shells & safety: quality Beretta/Browning/Bennelli inventory, Magtech ammo, and shore setups that skip horses and chest-deep wades. Species & export notes: Rosybill, White-faced Whistling Duck, Speckled Teal—plus context on limited export rules for skins. Food & culture: Italian/Spanish-inspired meals, cook your harvest, and lodge life that feels like visiting a friend—not a hotel lobby. If you’re curious about a wild, fair-chase South American hunt—without the shell-bill sticker shock—this one lays out the full playbook so you know exactly what you’re getting into. 🦆 Like the show? Hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share this with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.
S1 · E113
Dec 29, 2025 · 21 min
Ep. 113 December Property Recap: Floods, Fog, and Averages Across CWA Hunts
Carson Odegard sits down with Jeff Smith to break down December’s numbers across California Waterfowl properties—what got better, what got buried under water, and how long tule fog and rolling storms shifted bird behavior. From Staten Island’s goose grind to surprise surges at Potrero Hills and Goose Lake, this is your clear, no-spin field report. By the numbers (December): Staten Island — 3.44 birds/hunter in Dec; season avg 4.3 (leaders: Aleutians, specks) Potrero Hills (Suisun) — 3.4 (up from 1.3 in Nov); spoons, GWT, with wigeon coming on Goose Lake (Tulare Basin) — 3.35; road-closure cancellations, but big success when open (spoons, ring-necks) Grizzly Ranch (Suisun) — 2.24; steady two-bird days (GWT, spoonies) Quimby Island (Delta) — 2.16; mallards + wigeon; slight dip from Nov Butte Creek Island Ranch (Butte Sink) — 1.83; GWT + ring-necks Denverton (Suisun) — 1.8; spoonies + GWT Sanborn Slough (Butte Sink) — 1.74; wigeon + ring-necks; flood closures and deep water Pope Ranch (Dixon) — 0.71 for ducks (mallards); still a strong wild pheasant option What shaped the hunt: Flooding & safety — county road closures and moving water shut some days down; expect a lag before birds re-concentrate after high water. Prolonged tule fog — helped rice country, hurt island visibility/pull at times. Migration pops — late-month pushes showed up in the Grasslands and south valley units. January outlook: Watch for wigeon and pintail to build in Suisun, mallard trickles where floodwaters recede, and more mixed bags at Staten as weather swings churn the Delta. 🦆 If this recap helps your game plan, hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share it with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.
S1 · E112
Dec 22, 2025 · 49 min
Ep. 112 Questions from the Blind: Jeff & Carson’s Mid-Season Q&A
Merry Christmas! This episode drops right before the holiday—here’s to safe hunts, full straps, and time with your crew and family. Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard dig into listener questions—from “what time do you pack it in?” to the weather that really moves birds, why consistency (choke + ammo) beats tinkering, and how to tweak spreads when wind, fog, or pressure make ducks stubborn. They also hit species quirks (why wood ducks and late-season mallards can be maddening, and why specks act different in Suisun), plus the do’s/don’ts of hiding in tules vs. under trees. Want your question on the show? Drop it via the form at calwaterfowl.org → Save It for the Blind. Episode highlights When to call it — why most hunts wrap by about 10:30 and how to read a dead morning versus a late bite Best weather — clear, cold, and a 5–12 mph breeze is better than big gale days; avoid full-moon lulls Calling smarter — practice outside (15 min/day), read wing tips and butts, and remember that whistle work wins in California Chokes & shells — pick one choke and one velocity… and stop switching mid-season Hide choices — tules give 360-degree cover; trees can block shots and make ducks wary Spreads that finish birds — go lighter with more motion as pressure builds; pull spinners in fog or overcast if birds hang at 40 Refuge tactics — scout the pond line, move early if birds are setting elsewhere, keep the sun at your back, and leave a landing hole 🦆 Merry Christmas and thank you for riding with us this season. If this helped your game, hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share it with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.
S1 · E111
Dec 15, 2025 · 32 min
Ep. 111 Rugged Sound for the Duck Life: DEMERBOX with President Alex Keil
Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with Alex Keil, president of DEMERBOX, to unpack how a garage-built, Pelican-case speaker turned into a made-in-USA workhorse for hunters and outdoor crews. From Zac Brown’s early buy-in to today’s South Florida build shop, Alex walks through durability tests (yes, trucks and shotguns), smart features like USB-C/A charging, true ported sound with a waterproof plug, 40-hour battery life, and why the team still repairs your unit years down the road. What you’ll learn Origin story, built for abuse — TV-set audio tech meets Pelican cases; Zac Brown helps scale; U.S. assembly keeps it tough and fixable. Real features that matter — ported audio you can plug for water, floats, doubles as a dry box, and charges your phone inside the case. Specs & models — DV2 (dual-driver stereo) vs. the smaller 1150 case; pair up to six; $249 and $399 price points. Beat-it-up testing — ladder drops, truck tires, even 12-gauge at 70 yards—and it keeps playing. Use cases — from camp music to call box duty, first-aid storage to poolside sound; why outdoor folks are the natural audience. What’s next — cleaner one-button pairing, accessories, and more rugged gear on the roadmap. If you want a speaker that survives the hunt truck, keeps your phone alive, and still thumps at 100%, this episode breaks down the kit—and the culture—that make DEMERBOX a legit piece of field gear. 🦆 Dig the convo? Hit Follow, drop a quick review, and share the episode with your blind crew—your support keeps these conversations rolling and the flyway thriving.

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