Episode #292 The Biggest Threat to Duck Habitat Right Now? | Dr. Scott Stephens & Dr. Mike Brasher

Take Action Now!! Submit your public comment/Sign the petitionhttps://www.ducks.org/save-the-duck-factory For decades, duck hunters have invested in protecting the Prairie Pothole Region through duck stamp purchases and wetland easements. Now, a proposed change by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could weaken protections for more than 1.7 million acres of these critical wetlands. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Scott Stephens, Senior Director of Conservation Strategy for Ducks Unlimited, and Dr. Mike Brasher, Senior Waterfowl Scientist for Ducks Unlimited, to break down exactly what's happening, why it matters, and what it could mean for the future of waterfowl hunting. We discuss: • What wetland easements are and how they work• What drain tile setbacks are and why they matter• Why Ducks Unlimited is urging hunters to take action• How this could affect duck production in the Prairie Pothole Region• The science behind the current 2024 rule• What every waterfowl hunter can do before the August 7 comment deadline This is an issue that goes beyond politics or social media arguments. If you care about ducks, duck hunting, and the future of the resource, this is a conversation you need to hear. If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another waterfowler. The more hunters who understand what's at stake, the stronger our voice will be. Partners Mentioned in This Episode Slayer Duck Callshttps://slayercalls.com Flight Day Ammunition (Use code NAW10 for 10% off)https://flightdayammo.com Mammoth Guardian Dog Crateshttps://mammothpet.com Retay USAhttps://retayusa.com Shotty Gear (Use code FDH10 for 10% off)https://shottygear.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices