Conservation isn’t just about habitat — it’s about people, relationships, and showing up when decisions are being made.

In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher sits down with Bill Cooksey, Partnerships Program Leader for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, to talk about a career spent at the intersection of conservation, policy, industry, and grassroots advocacy. Bill brings decades of experience from Avery Outdoors, National Wildlife Federation, and now TWF, offering a unique perspective on how conservation decisions actually get made — and why personal relationships still matter more than emails, posts, or press releases.

The conversation spans conservation advocacy, wildlife policy, changes in the hunting community, misinformation, and how sportsmen can still shape the future if they’re willing to engage directly.

In this episode, listeners will hear about:

• Bill Cooksey’s path through the outdoor industry, conservation NGOs, and policy
• The role of state wildlife federations and how they differ from national organizations
• Why conservation advocacy is ultimately about relationships and trust
• “Pick up the damn phone” — why real conversations still move the needle
• How sportsmen influence policy at the state and federal levels
• Protecting hunting rights through proactive engagement
• A landmark Tennessee case involving duck hunters and municipal restrictions
• Why misinformation spreads faster than science — and how to respond productively
• Changes in how hunters get information and engage with conservation
• The decline of CRP, habitat loss, and consequences for duck populations
• The chronic underfunding of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Why engagement — not social media outrage — creates real impact
• Practical advice for contacting legislators and making your voice heard
• Reasons for optimism about the future of waterfowl conservation

This episode is a reminder that conservation success still depends on individuals willing to speak up, build relationships, and advocate for the resources they care about.

SPONSORS:

Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited
Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

Dr. Jim Nichols rejoins the DU Podcast to share stories about early champions of Adaptive Harvest Management and how they promoted it as a better way of setting harvest regulations, with unexpected support resulting from unusual political maneuverings in the mid-90s. Dr. Nicholas and Dr. Mike Brasher also begin discussing key components of AHM, including harvest management objectives and regulatory packages, with a goal of demystifying some of the “black box” of AHM.

SPONSORS:

Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited
Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.

If North America’s duck populations are the engine of waterfowl hunting, the Prairie Pothole Region is its factory—and keeping that factory running requires permanence, partnerships, and people on the land.

In this episode, DU Senior Waterfowl Scientist and host, Dr. Mike Brasher, continues the regional operations series with Dr. Johann Walker, Director of Operations for the Great Plains Region, based in Bismarck, North Dakota. Johann brings more than two decades of experience working in the heart of the prairie duck factory and offers a candid, detailed look at habitat conditions, conservation delivery, and the role of permanent easements in sustaining duck populations and rural communities.

The conversation covers current wetland conditions across the Dakotas, migration timing, and how improved spring moisture may influence breeding distribution this year. From there, it dives deep into DU’s most important conservation tool in the prairies: voluntary grassland and wetland easements.

In this episode, listeners will hear about:

• Spring habitat conditions across the Prairie Pothole Region
• Wet years vs. dry years and what Johann has seen over 22 years on the prairies
• How migration timing interacts with available wetland conditions
• Why permanent grassland and wetland easements are critical for the future of duck production
• How the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Small Wetlands Acquisition Program works
• Why easements are voluntary, minimally restrictive, and landowner‑driven
• How Duck Stamp dollars directly fund prairie easements
• Threats to conservation easements and what DU is doing to defend them
• Why permanence matters for both wildlife and working ranches
• The rancher’s perspective on protecting grassland for future generations
• Philanthropic support accelerating large‑scale habitat protection
• Additional DU programs restoring grasslands, wetlands, and migration habitat
• Expanding public access while supporting private landowners
• Why protecting prairies today matters for hunters tomorrow

This episode offers one of the clearest explanations yet of how Ducks Unlimited protects the prairie duck factory—and how every duck stamp buyer plays a role in that success.

SPONSORS:

Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks Unlimited
Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.

Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:
Whether you’re winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.