Iowa Roosters, Stale Mallards & Gun Deer Opener Traditions

Jeff and Matt are running the show while Tyler is home fighting the family stomach bug, and they’re fresh off their second annual central Iowa pheasant hunting road trip. In this episode of the Upduck Podcast, the guys break down two full days of chasing wild roosters on a mix of private and public ground along Highway 20—hot 70-degree November temps, tough scenting conditions, soaked boots, a surprise loose farm pig in the CRP, and plenty of laughs along the way. They talk through how the dogs, Josie (pointer) and Maggie (retriever), adjusted from a rough Day 1 to lights-out dog work on Day 2, finishing with a pile of Iowa pheasants and a couple bonus ditch-jump ducks. From there, the conversation shifts to a real-time Wisconsin duck hunting and migration report: stale mallards, birds that won’t finish over decoys, crowded weekday marshes, and why this late-season Midwest waterfowl pattern just feels “off” this year. Jeff also looks ahead to their upcoming Oklahoma duck trip and the tradition of Wisconsin gun deer opener—deer camp, the orange army, and going into the season old-school with no trail cameras, just a tree stand and hope for venison. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Subscribe on Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices