EP. 119: Don't Drain The Duck Factory with Dr. Mike Brasher & Dr. Scott Stephens

For generations, duck hunters have invested in the future of waterfowl through Duck Stamps, hunting licenses, excise taxes, and conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited. But what happens when wetlands hunters have already paid to protect could still be at risk?

On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, your host Brian Halbleib is joined by Dr. Mike Brasher, Senior Waterfowl Scientist, and Dr. Scott Stephens, Senior Director of Conservation Strategy at Ducks Unlimited, to discuss the "Don't Drain the Duck Factory" campaign and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule currently under review.

Together, they break down what the Prairie Pothole Region—known as North America's "Duck Factory"—means to the future of waterfowl, how voluntary wetland easements work, what tile drainage is, and why Ducks Unlimited believes maintaining the current rule is critical to protecting habitat that supports millions of ducks each year.

Whether you're a lifelong duck hunter or simply care about the future of wetlands and waterfowl conservation, this episode will help you better understand the science, the policy, and what's at stake for our hunting heritage.

Topics discussed include:

Why the Prairie Pothole Region is called the "Duck Factory"

How federal wetland easements protect critical habitat

What tile drainage is and how it affects wetlands

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2024 rule and why it's under review

What repealing the rule could mean for waterfowl and duck hunters

How hunters can make their voices heard

Learn more about the Don't Drain the Duck Factory campaign and how to participate in the public comment process at ducks.org/save-the-duck-factory.