Welcome to another episode of Delta Waterfowl’s The Voice of the Duck Hunter.

In October of 2015, Kansas City firefighters John Mesh and Larry Leggio lost their lives in the line of duty while battling an arson fire. A wall collapse claimed both men—an unimaginable loss felt deeply by their families, their fellow firefighters, and their community.

John Mesh grew up in a family of eight brothers and sisters, raised with a deep respect for the outdoors and a passion for hunting and fishing. Those values shaped his life—and he was already passing them on to his four daughters.

In the year following John’s death, his family, friends, and fellow firefighters established the John V. Mesh Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor his life and continue the hunter recruitment efforts that meant so much to him.

In this episode, I had the honor of spending time in the duck blind with Jim Mesh, John’s brother, to learn more about the man behind the name—the firefighter, the duck hunter, the family man—and how his legacy continues through conservation, mentorship, and tradition.

This is a story about sacrifice, purpose, and the enduring bond between the outdoors and those who cherish it.

Let’s welcome Jim Mesh to the podcast.

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If you hunt waterfowl on public land, this is an episode you need to hear.

In this episode of The Voice of the Duck Hunter Podcast, host Joel Brice is joined by Cyrus Baird, Delta Waterfowl’s Vice President of Government Affairs, to break down one of the most important — and least understood — policies impacting hunters today: the National Wildlife Refuge System’s Hunt Fish Rule.

Cyrus is on the front lines every day defending waterfowl hunting access, working to protect the opportunities hunters currently have while pushing to expand quality public hunting across the country. We dive into how the Hunt Fish Rule mandates expanded access on national wildlife refuges, why it matters to duck hunters, and the critical role Delta Waterfowl plays in making sure hunters still have a seat at the table.

Whether you hunt refuges every season or care about the future of public land hunting, this conversation is essential.

🎧 Listen, learn, and stay informed — because access doesn’t protect itself.

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What happens after the shot matters just as much as the hunt itself.

In this episode of Delta Waterfowl’s Voice of the Duck Hunter, Joel Brice sits down with Blake Robbins, a graduate student in meat science at Oklahoma State University, and Dr. Morgan Pfeiffer, professor of Animal & Food Sciences, to break down best practices for caring for waterfowl meat from field to table.

Whether you’re a new hunter chasing sustainable, natural food or a seasoned waterfowler looking to improve meat quality, this conversation covers:
-Proper meat care after the hunt
-Common mistakes that ruin duck and goose meat
-Preservation techniques between cleaning and cooking
-How science meets tradition in wild game nutrition

If you care about honoring the bird, the hunt, and the meal that follows — this episode is for you.

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Delta Waterfowl has just announced what may become one of the most significant efforts in our organization’s history — the Restoring Our Refuges initiative.

This groundbreaking project focuses on two critical missions:
• Restoring vital habitat for migrating waterfowl across the flyways
• Rebuilding hunting access lost as habitat on National Wildlife Refuges and state wildlife areas has declined

Joining Joel are Delta CEO Jason Tharpe and Chief Policy Officer John Devney — the leaders at the forefront of this initiative. Together, they break down why Restoring Our Refuges has the potential to change the future of waterfowl hunting in North America.

With early-season reports showing urgent habitat challenges, the time to act is now.
Hit play and learn what’s coming next for hunters, conservation, and our refuges.

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Part 2 of our interview with retired U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Special Agent Rich Grosz.
In this episode he shares some of the most unbelievable stories from his years in the field—cases, encounters, and operations most people never hear about.

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Join us on Delta Waterfowl’s Voice of the Duck Hunter Podcast as Joel Brice sits down with Rich Grosz, retired U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Special Agent and lifelong waterfowl hunter.

Rich spent his career standing on the thin green line, taking down dangerous poachers, protecting migratory birds, and carrying on the legacy of his father, legendary warden Terry Grosz.

In this episode, Rich shares what it’s really like to confront wildlife criminals, why hunters and wardens must work together, and how passion for ducks shaped his entire life.

If you care about waterfowl, conservation, or the stories behind the badge — this episode is for you.

Website and Social Media Links:
Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

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In our busy lives, finding time to hunt can be tough—whether it’s before work, before church, or between other commitments. But even a one-hour hunt can be productive if you approach it the right way.

Joining me is longtime Delta contributor and outdoor writer Brian Lovett, who shares practical tips for setting spreads, getting shots, and maximizing your time in the blind.

If you’ve ever felt like there’s never enough time to hunt, this episode is packed with insights to help you hunt smarter, not longer.

🎯 Topics Covered:
-How to plan an effective one-hour hunt
-Tips for fast setup and decoy placement
-Maximizing your chances in short windows

Don’t forget to subscribe for more tips, stories, and strategies from Delta Waterfowl’s Voice of the Duck Hunter.

#DeltaWaterfowl #DuckHunting #VoiceOfTheDuckHunter #WaterfowlTips #HuntingPodcast

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In this episode, host Joel Brice sits down with two of the newest members of Delta’s research team—Dr. Todd Arnold and Dr. Jay VonBank.

Todd, a longtime professor at the University of Minnesota, and Jay, formerly with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, bring decades of combined field and academic experience to Delta’s mission.

Together, they’ll share their backgrounds, the exciting research projects they’re leading, and what their work means for both ducks and duck hunters. You’ll also pick up some fascinating—and flat-out cool—facts about ducks along the way.

👉 Subscribe to The Voice of the Duck Hunter for more conversations at the heart of waterfowl science and conservation.

Want me to also spin out a few alternative, punchier titles (more YouTube-style hooks like “Duck Facts You Didn’t Know”)?


Website and Social Media Links:
Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/