MOJO’S Duck Season Somewhere Podcast
EP 468. When Conservation Came to Mississippi
Veteran wildlife biologist Cathy Shropshire was integral to black bear reintroductions in Mississippi. As long-time coordinator of Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Program at Mississippi’s Museum of National Science, she oversaw cataloguing and studying the state’s rare and endangered species, plant and animal communities. But there were some mighty big shoes to fill. She learned about Fannye Cook, one of her predecessors that single-handedly ensured creation of a state agency now known as Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks–the last state to do so in the Lower 48–and more. Great story about how one lady changed conservation forever through sheer will and determination.
EP 467. Osage Basin–A Collaborative Approach to Habitat How-To
Trust me. Amid an increasingly shrinking, more highly fragmented landscape, one-plus-one habitat management equals 3, not 2. To create larger landscape-level habitat blocks to attract and hold overwintering waterfowl, Osage Basin Wetlands is forging a collaborative approach to educate landowners about the right plants in the right places. And more. Self-described “weed farmers,” founders Jeff Watt and Josh Cussamanio discuss habitat how-to, managing water for ducks, what they’ve learned about better habitat management, how the idea for habitat workshops originated, why it takes everyone within a watershed working together, and where they hope their idea goes from here.
EP 466. The NEW Nayarit Mexico Duck Hunt Combo
While putting boots on the ground last season, the authenticity, hunting quality, and surprisingly affordable all-inclusive rates of the new Nayarit Mexico duck hunting combo seemed impressive. But what would client-hunters think? Accepting weeks worth of reservations, we were fixin’ to find out! Hunters from all walks of life and coast to coast, ranging from experienced travelers to first-timers, describe their off-the-beaten-path, south-of-the-border Nayarit Mexico duck and dove hunting adventure. Whether just wondering what hunting is like beyond your own backyard, or thinking about chasing ducks further south one day, you’ll enjoy these honest conversations.
Related Links:
Nayarit Mexico Duck Hunting Combo
https://www.getducks.com/photo-galleries/nayarit-mexico-duck-hunting-and-dove-hunting-combo/
EP 465. US “Duck Factory” Productivity — How Bad is It?
It’s all about supply and demand, huh? So in the US, are we killing too many ducks in past seasons? Or producing too few? Discussing continental “duck factory” production is complex, but Ducks Unlimited biologists Scott Stephens and Johannes Walker have the numbers–how many fewer continental mallards exist? What factors influence the US and Canadian prairies’ ability to produce ducks? How does US habitat aceage compare to Canada? How dry is it, and how might this impact waterfowl productivity for years to come? How many acres nesting cover have been lost, and what do global commodity prices have to do with it? Because the simplest answer is usually best, do not miss this sobering episode.
Related Links:
2019 Wetlands Status and Trends Report provides scientific estimates of wetland area in the conterminous United States as well as change in area between 2009 and 2019. The report also discusses drivers of wetland change and recommendations to reduce future wetland loss.
Wetland loss increased by more than 50% since the previous study. 221,000 acres of wetlands were lost, primarily to uplands through drainage and fill. Wetland loss disproportionately affected vegetated wetlands, resulting in the loss of 670,000 acres of these wetlands. Salt marsh experienced the largest net percent reduction of any wetland category (2% or -70,000 acres) while freshwater forested experienced the largest loss by area. (-426,000 acres) Our Nation’s remaining wetlands are being transformed from vegetated wetlands, like salt marsh and swamp, to non-vegetated wetlands, like ponds, mudflats, and sand bars.
EP 464. Duck Hunting in Mazatlan Mexico
The cat’s out of the bag–duck hunting Mazatlan Mexico is lots of fun for both hunters and non-hunters, usually selling out well in advance. But why? What do customers have to say about this so-called “honeymoon duck hunt?” Whether curious about south-of-the-border duck hunting or possibly shopping your next shotgun-in-hand vacation, you (and your non-hunting spouse) will probably enjoy hearing what folks say about the hunting, species, local foods, lodging and other things to do. See links below for more.
Related Links:
More info: Mexico Duck Hunt in Mazatlan
EP 228. Mazatlan, Mexico and South-of-the-Border Duck Hunting
EP 229. Why “Honeymoon Duck Hunt” in Mazatlan, Mexico?
EP 345. Birds of a Feather Together: Mazatlan Mexico Duck Hunting
EP 463. Full Plume Photo
Veterinarian Jen Barton was introduced to duck hunting by her husband, who later gifted her a camera, setting her life into a completely new orbit. Whether swinging shotguns or lenses, Jen approaches duck hunting from a quality-versus-quantity perspective. Sharing her California hunting experiences, prefered ducks species for table fare and photography, favorite things about waterfowling, first magazine cover shot, Jen also describes growing up in middle-of-nowhere Illinois and introduces me to a historic waterfowl retriever breed.
Related Link:
Full Plumed Photo Instagram
EP 462. How Is Waterfowl Migration and Distribution Changing?
Deep South duck hunters, especially, have been saying it for years—ducks are short-stopping way north of historical wintering grounds. The migration is different. Distribution has changed. But is it true? And if so, how have waterfowl migration and distribution changed, does it differ among species, what are the causes? Importantly, how might it affect traditional, continental waterfowl conservation efforts—and duck hunting as we know it?! Armed with recent research findings (some based on SIXTY YEARS worth of U.S. harvest data), US Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Heath Hagy and I race headlong into this daunting topic, covering mallards, pintails, divers, white-fronted geese, blue-winged teal, and more. Much more. Hang on, folks. Y’all might find yourself reaching for the oh-shit bar on this one!
Related Links:
2019 Wetlands Status and Trends Report provides scientific estimates of wetland area in the conterminous United States as well as change in area between 2009 and 2019. The report also discusses drivers of wetland change and recommendations to reduce future wetland loss.
Wetland loss increased by more than 50% since the previous study. 221,000 acres of wetlands were lost, primarily to uplands through drainage and fill. Wetland loss disproportionately affected vegetated wetlands, resulting in the loss of 670,000 acres of these wetlands. Salt marsh experienced the largest net percent reduction of any wetland category (2% or -70,000 acres) while freshwater forested experienced the largest loss by area. (-426,000 acres) Our Nation’s remaining wetlands are being transformed from vegetated wetlands, like salt marsh and swamp, to non-vegetated wetlands, like ponds, mudflats, and sand bars
EP 461. Wisconsin Waterfowl
With 63,000 license holders, it’s fair to say that waterfowl hunting is a pretty big deal in Wisconsin! Wisconsin Waterfowl Association was founded decades ago to address waterfowl and habitat conservation at the local level. Executive Director Bruce Ross describes habitat projects that keep them busy, mission-critical partnerships, and the increased importance of Wisconsin waterfowl hunters in an ever-changing landscape.
Related Links:
Wisconsin Waterfowl Association wisducks.org
EP 460. Going for the Gold
Amber English grew up around hunting and guns in Colorado, learning to shoot when she was only 6 years old. While her parents, uncle and aunt all shot competitively, it wasn’t until after highschool gymnastics that she began doing so. Now a Captain in the US Army, she humbly describes choosing shotguns over rifles, shooting her way into international skeet shooting competitions, joining the Olypic Team, winning the gold (where she set a new Olympic record, by the way) and preparing to do it again. We also talk about traveling with firearms and, with the warning that I can miss with the absolute best of ’em, make plans to duck hunt together.
EP 459. 50 Ducks
Anything can happen while duck hunting. Greer Smith probably isn’t the only person the get stuck while hunting near Venice, Louisiana, but watching ducks fly overhead and wondering where they’d originated sent his life into a new orbit. “There’s a growing need for awareness,” says Greer, who grew up duck hunting in Georgia. Quitting his day job and putting plans into motion, he started 50 Ducks in hopes that he can spark an interest in waterfowl conservation among school children and the non-hunting community. This year he’s banding ducks in Sonora Mexico and at Jack Miner’s in Ontario. Greer eventually hopes to generate much needed revenues to fund waterfowl research projects. Along with a drake shoveler named Sir Dabble presently streaming his whereabouts from nature to computer monitors worldwide, he’s off to a danged good start! See related link below!
Related Links:
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