Mike Brasher
Ducks Unlimited Podcast Science Host
Appears in 43 Episodes
Ep. 575 – Bringing Respect Back to Snow Geese
“Sky carp” and “Saving the Tundra” are phrases that have become commonplace in the vernacular of light goose hunters across North America. Although born from well-inte...
Ep. 574 – Texas Ends their Use of the Light Goose Conservation Order
Beginning in spring 2025, for the first time in over 25 years, light geese wintering in Texas will find it a quieter and more welcoming place. That is because in April...
Ep. 573 – Help! A Mallard is Nesting in My Flowers!! What Should I Do?
Spring is a time for waterfowl nesting, and it’s also a time when our feathered friends venture into our neighborhoods and back yards looking for a safe place to lay e...
Ep. 568 – Discussion Topics for Duck Hunters this Spring
Host Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher sit down and discuss the hot topics of discussion for duck and goose hunters this spring. It may be turkey season, but avid du...
Ep. 566 – Why are Scientists Banding Scaup, Canvasbacks, and Redheads on Pool 19?
Lesser scaup are one of several duck species in North America that have experienced long-term population declines, and despite decades of research, the exact cause of ...
Ep. 565 – Prairie Conditions, the Specter of Restrictive Seasons, and a Commitment to Conservation
Dr. Johann Walker, DU’s director of operations for the Great Plains region, joins Dr. Mike Brasher for a mid-March update on the status of drought in the prairies and ...
Ep. 564 – Dedication to a Place – 130 Years of Waterfowl and Wildlife Science in the Illinois River Valley
The Forbes Biological Station in Havanna, Illinois, is North American’s oldest inland wildlife research station. Over its 130-year history, it has become one of our gr...
Ep. 562 – Trust In Food and DU Partner to Deliver Sustainable Ag and Ranching Practices
America’s farmers and ranchers feed and clothe our families and steward our lands. More than ever, they are among DU’s strongest partners in accelerating the pace and ...
Ep. 558 – Adventures on the High Seas with Polar Expeditionist and Ornithological Badass, Dr. Sarah Gutowsky
First-time guest and recent DU Canada postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Sarah Gutowsky, joins Dr. Mike Brasher for a trip around the world studying birds, leading polar exp...
Ep. 556 – "One of the Worst Hunting Seasons in Memory”—The 2023–24 Season in Review
Well, here it is— a look back on what has been referred to as “one of the worst hunting seasons in memory.” Co-hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher are joined by ...
Ep. 554 – Monthly Roundup – Season’s End, Duck Science, Snakes in the Pit, and Upcoming Projects
A hard freeze followed by rapid warm up and widespread rain made for an interesting and somewhat productive end to the 2023-24 hunting season. Chris Jennings, Katie Bu...
Ep. 552 – Young Ducks Team up with an Old Dawg for Ring-necks and Conservation
Dr. Mike Brasher recently joined the crew from Campus Waterfowl for an opportunity to reconnect with his roots, as he shared a soggy morning in the cypress swamp with ...
Ep. 549 – Sydnie Wells and Barstool Take Over the DU Podcast!
Buckle Up for fun and laughter as Sydnie Wells of Barstool Outdoors joins Dr. Mike Brasher on this special episode with first-time duck hunters Wonton Don and Feitelbe...
Ep. 548 – Species Profile: Brant (re-air)
In this special edition re-air of the brant species profile, Dr. Mark Lindberg shares insights from his 30+ year career as a waterfowl scientist on arguably the most f...
Ep. 547 – Pacific Flyway Update and “The Big Four” of DU’s Western Region
Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Jeff McCreary, director of operations for DU’s Western Region, for a recap of the 2023-24 waterfowl season and the struggles it delivered...
Ep. 546 – Edge of the Bering Sea: Life and Learning at a Brant Research Camp
Dr. Mike Brasher reunites with graduate students Jordan Thompson and Caroline Blommel and research assistants Lydia Martin, Laura Wallace, and Jacob Tepsa to recount t...
Ep. 544 – Monthly Roundup: Questions from Listeners, Arctic Blast, and Family Bonds of Duck Hunting
Dr. Mike Brasher and Katie Burke are on location at a family hunting camp in the Mississippi Delta for the January roundup. Joined by DU Podcast producer, Chris Isaac,...
Ep. 542 – What’s Up with Low Duck Numbers?
Dr. Scott Stephens joins Dr. Mike Brasher live and in-person to discuss the latest chatter about low duck numbers, drought, and challenging hunting conditions. Most im...
Ep. 541 – ConocoPhillips & Ducks - A Novel Partnership for Wetlands Conservation
In addition to being one of the world’s leading exploration and production companies based on both production and reserves, ConocoPhillips is the largest private wetla...
Ep. 539 – Dropping Ducks and Shooting Snipe with Winchester Ammo
Few activities are better for strengthening partnerships and building memories than bird hunts afield. On this episode, Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Jake Wallace of W...
Ep. 537 – Species Profile: Northern Pintail
Known by many names – sprig, pinny, bull – but unmistakable in appearance, the northern pintail is one of North America’s most recognizable, graceful, and well-studied...
Ep. 536 – Monthly Roundup: Easton, Status of the Migration & duckDNA
In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, hosts Dr. Mike Brasher, Katie Burke, and Chris Jennings provide updates on recent activities and upcoming events in wat...
Ep. 534 – Species Profile: The Mallard
Hosts Dr. Mike Brasher and Chris Jennings dive into North America’s most populous waterfowl species in this episode. Brasher and Jennings expand the mallard conversati...
Ep. 533 – South Carolina Ducks, Habitat, Hunting, and Research
Molly Kneece, waterfowl biologist for South Carolina DNR, makes her podcast debut by discussing ducks, dogs, habitat, and public hunting opportunities in The Palmetto ...
Ep. 527 – Monthly Roundup: Weather Changes, Avian Flu, duckDNA, and Dogs of Chernobyl
Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss updates from across the world of waterfowl. Reports are emerging of minor avian flu outbreaks across the US. What do you ne...
Ep. 522 – Uncovering Haunting Tales: Ghosts, Ghouls, and Goblins; feat. Expanded Perspectives Podcast
Do strange and spooky things happen while hunting? In this Halloween special episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher are joi...
Ep. 520 – El Nino, Winter Forecast, and FowlWeather with Dr. Mike Schummer
Dr. Mike Schummer, Roosevelt Waterfowl Ecologist at SUNY ESF, joins host Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss an incoming winter storm, how it will influence duck migration, an...
Ep. 514 – Innovative Growth in Wetlands and Waterfowl Conservation
Mike Sertle, manager of conservation programs, and Sara Burns, water program specialist, join Dr. Mike Brasher to share the exciting story of how DU is growing conserv...
Ep. 512 – duckDNA: Where Hunters Become the Scientists
Ducks Unlimited and the University of Texas at El Paso announce the launch of duckDNA, a new project where waterfowl hunters will collect and submit tissue samples fro...
Ep. 509 – Science of Ducks Unlimited Canada
Dr. Matt Dyson, DU Canada waterfowl research scientist, and Dr. Mike Brasher join forces to discuss the exciting growth and application of science in waterfowl and wet...