Mike Brasher
DUPodcast Science Host
Appears in 126 Episodes
RELOADED EP78 | Estimating Annual Waterfowl Harvest, Part 2
In part 2 of this series on waterfowl harvest estimation, Drs. Kathy Fleming and Paul Padding go in-depth on the Harvest Information Program, known to most people simp...
RELOADED EP77 | Estimating Annual Waterfowl Harvest, Part 1
Waterfowl hunters harvest 12–14 million ducks and 3 million geese annually in the U.S. The process used to estimate annual waterfowl harvest has several components an...
RELOADED EP288 | Wildfire & Duck Science in the Boreal Forest
The Canadian Boreal Forest is an important breeding region for many species of ducks, but it is regularly influenced by wildfire and other disturbances. Moriah Tanguay...
Ep. 704 - 2025 WATERFOWL SEASON OUTLOOK
Before you pack your decoys and start scouting, tune in to watch waterfowl experts from Ducks Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and guest panelists from across North ...
Ep. 703 - Breaking News: 2025 Duck Numbers are Released
On this special episode, Dr. Mike Brasher and Dr. Jerad Henson break down the freshly released U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2025 Waterfowl Population Status report a...
RELOADED EP34 | Dr. Fritz Reid Breaks Down The Importance Of The Boreal Forest For Waterfowl Populations
Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher talk Boreal Forest with Dr. Fritz Reid, director of conservation programs for the Boreal and Arctic for Ducks Unlimited. Reid...
Ep. 702 - From Surveys to Seasons: Previewing the 2025 Duck Numbers
In anticipation of the 2025 Waterfowl Population Status Report, Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Dr. Jerad Henson and Nathan Ratchford to preview this annual treasure tro...
Ep. 700 - Ducklings, Drones, and Thermal Imagery
Catrina Terry and Dr. John Coluccy join Kayci Messerly and Dr. Mike Brasher for an in-depth look at the life of a duckling and how new technology is enabling researche...
RELOADED EP404 | Arctic to the Yucatan and 32 Years of Advice: Tales of a Pilot Biologist, Part 2
We’re back with more adventures from retired USFWS pilot biologist Fred Roetker! This episode is highlighted by memorable observations, including a wolverine, barren g...
RELOADED EP403 | Half Million Miles of Duck Habitat: Tales of a Pilot Biologist, Part 1
Retired USFWS pilot biologist Fred Roetker reflects on his 32-year career of surveying ducks and geese across North America and shares stories of the places he saw, pe...
Ep. 695 - Habitat Update - Is It Time to Sell Your Decoys?
DU chief scientist, Dr. Steve Adair, joins Dr. Mike Brasher and Dr. Scott Stephens to discuss reports and observations of spring and summer habitat conditions, what it...
RELOADED EP242 | Duck Camp On Wheels
Host Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by co-host Chris Jennings to discuss a feature article from the March/April DU Magazine, Duck Camp on Wheels. Jennings explains how he ...
Ep. 689 - Science for a Changing World—The Legacy of Patuxent
"There's nothing adaptive about AHM!" Why is this viewpoint wrong? "Follow the science!" Why is it not that simple? On this episode, Kayci Messerly and Dr. Mike Brash...
Ep. 686 - Bird Banding — Behind the Scenes at the Bird Banding Lab
In this episode, Dr. Mike Brasher and Kayci Messerly sit down with Dr. Tony Celis-Murillo and Dr. Lauren Walker of the USGS Bird Banding Lab (BBL) for a deep dive into...
Ep. 683 - Reassortment and Genetic Change in Bird Flu - Why It Matters
Dr. Lisa Kercher, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, joins Dr. Mike Brasher and Kayci Messerly for a lesson in Virology 101 and an update on the hunt for genetic ch...
Ep. 682 - Bird Declines Continue, But What About Ducks?
Since 1970, North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds, and while ducks and geese have long been a bright spot, their lights are dimming. On this co-branded episode...
Ep. 672 - Prairie Predictions - What are We Hearing and Seeing?
It's springtime, which means ducks are migrating north to their breeding grounds and hunters are wondering what they'll encounter when they get there. Dr. Scott Stephe...
RELOADED EP90 | Ducks Nesting In Your Backyard? Learn What To Do
So, you found yourself with a mallard or Canada goose nesting in your flowerpot. Why is this happening, what should you know, and what are your options? Join the DU ...
RELOADED EP52 | Do Ducks & Geese Mate For Life?
Hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher discuss waterfowl mating systems and how behavior changes related to mating and courtship directly impact hunting as the seas...
Ep. 669 - 3 Pintails: New Harvest Regulations for the 2025–26 Season
For the first time in decades, American duck hunters will have the opportunity to legally harvest three pintails during the 2025–26 season due to a new interim pintail...