Ep. 81 Pintails, Wood Ducks, And Million Milestones: A post season deep dive

On this episode of Save it for the Blind, hosts Jeff Smith and Carson Odegard sit down with two of California Waterfowl’s leading waterfowl biologists—Brian Huber, Wood Duck Program Coordinator, and Jason Coslovich, Egg Salvage Program Coordinator—for an in-depth look at the science, stories, and successes behind CWA’s critical conservation work. They cover the results of this year’s pintail banding efforts, surprising data from the field, and how weather and habitat conditions shaped the season. The conversation also celebrates a major milestone: the banding of CWA’s one-millionth wood duck—and what that achievement means for the future of waterfowl conservation. Brian and Jason also break down the Egg Salvage Program, explain how rocket netting works, and share incredible banding stories—from record-setting bird recoveries to rare hybrids spotted along the way. Plus, they offer advice on how hunters, landowners, and outdoor enthusiasts can support these vital programs and why reporting band recoveries makes a real difference for wildlife management. If you love ducks, science, and good stories, you won’t want to miss this one! 👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your feedback or topics you'd love to hear us cover in future episodes! Your support helps us keep the conversation—and conservation—going.