Duck Hunting and Goose Hunting is in our blood and we live it everyday! The Midwest Flyways Podcast is an authentic take on waterfowl hunting from Midwest Flyways. Duck and goose hunting has continued to evolve throughout the years and we aim to connect duck hunting traditions with the future of waterfowling. If you‘re passionate about ducks and geese then come hang with Joey Vassallo and Cal Ness as they talk duck hunting, goose hunting and everything else in between.
Episodes
5 hours ago
5 hours ago
We recorded this episode on April Fools, and the guys kick things off the right way—by having a little fun at Nathaniel’s expense.
The episode opens with a classic setup, baiting Gavin into a passionate rant about LeBron James. Just when he’s fully bought in, the conversation flips back on him—drawing some interesting comparisons to his recent big bets. Let’s just say, not everyone saw where things were headed.
From there, it’s full March Madness chaos. Cal somehow remains the last man standing with his bracket intact, while major upsets—including Duke’s exit—continue to shake up the tournament. Looking ahead, the guys break down what’s next and make a few bold predictions, including why a potential Michigan vs. Arizona matchup might be the real national championship. Plus, a look at how teams like Illinois are building rosters with a global pipeline.
With the NBA playoffs right around the corner, the conversation shifts to who’s heating up at the right time and what storylines to watch as the postseason picture comes into focus.
To close things out, the guys highlight a powerful story from Gary Woodland, who has been open about his battle with a brain tumor and PTSD—bringing some real perspective beyond the game.
Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP
3 days ago
3 days ago
The times they are a-changin’. At least they are in Saskatchewan for non resident duck hunters. We discuss the new regulations on American hunters and why it’s happening. In the midst of this, Joey and Cal also have the MN Duck Summit and they prep for their hopes at that and what it could bring forth. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP
4 days ago
4 days ago
In this MWF History Lesson, we dive into the evolution of duck decoys—from the earliest hand-carved wooden blocks to today’s mass-produced plastics—and how each phase changed the way hunters approach the game. What started as simple tools rooted in Indigenous tradition grew into a craft, an industry, and eventually a collector’s market worth millions.
We break down the golden age of carving, highlight legendary makers, and explore the shift from handmade birds to factory production. Along the way, we touch on wild stories of decoys found in barns and garages that turned out to be worth small fortunes—and the reality that some of the most valuable decoys ever made were once just tools in a working spread.
At its core, this episode isn’t just about decoys—it’s about the constant evolution of waterfowl hunting, the people who shaped it, and the one thing that’s never changed:
It’s not about perfection… it’s about creating confidence and fooling the bird.
Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP
Friday Mar 27, 2026
Friday Mar 27, 2026
We are all back in studio and Nathaniel rejoins coming off a poolside week in Vegas (for work) watching March Madness on the mega screens. It turns out Cal, our resident college basketball expert is fired, effective immediately. We relive the first weekend of tournament basketball and talk Big Ten DOMINANCE with 6 teams making the Sweet 16! Carter won’t stop talking about the 100 leg parlay that South Florida ruined for him and Gavin comes with the hottest takes ever had by mankind. Some of those takes might turn out to be hot garbage, some might turn into the Eagles Super Bowl debacle. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP
Thursday Mar 26, 2026
Thursday Mar 26, 2026
This week we talk about a bunch of different topics including a conversation about Eiders becoming lost at seas during storms and ending up taking refuge on passing ships. We also talk snow goose season and when that itch starts to set in during the off season. We round things out with a close race to the top of the Say What?! Leaderboard. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
This week on Ten Minute Tuesday, we dive into the history of waterfowl banding and how it transformed conservation in North America. From early pioneers like Jack Miner to the millions of ducks banded over the past century, these little bands have revealed the true story of migration, survival, and harvest. Banding turned guesswork into data—mapping flyways, shaping hunting regulations, and helping ensure sustainable waterfowl populations. Every band tells a story, and every hunter who reports one becomes part of that legacy. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP
Friday Mar 20, 2026
Friday Mar 20, 2026
Well, well, well. Carter gets his biggest dream to come true by bringing Kyler Murray to the Minnesota Vikings. Gavin is in agony and we review where this leaves the Vikings and the state of the NFC North. We also talk some our other favorite resolutions and then we break down our favorite upsets and games for the men’s NCAA basketball tournament. March Madness is officially here! Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
For the last few months we’ve been busy planning and working on the next adventure for Midwest Flyways, and we’re so pumped to share that the Flyways Hunt Club is now live on Whop. Our new platform will have exclusive giveaways, access to The Vault, live weekly podcasts, discounts on merch, calling lessons and more. Support us by clicking the link above! We also talk snow goose season and play Say What?! To round things out. Thanks so much for listening, subscribing and for all of your support over the years! We’re just getting started.
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Reminder, the Flyways Hunt Club is live now and you can join at the link here!
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
This week for Ten Minute Tuesday, we’re back with another one of Cal’s history lessons. This time, we’ll be going through the lead shot ban and how that change took place over a few years. After decades of having become accustom to shooting lead and relying on the payload and consistency of lead shot, science told us a story we hadn’t really seen as hunters. This story was the reality, birds were dying because of lead poisoning. For many of us, this change happened before we started our hunting journeys and hearing about the changes we’ve come to know as standard practice are helpful to paint the broader picture of the history of waterfowl hunting! Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP
Friday Mar 13, 2026
Friday Mar 13, 2026
What a weird NFL world we live in now, where teams make deals before deals are able to be made and then back out of those deals before you can blink. This week the boyz are in studio talking the Maxx Crosby situation and how shady the Ravens were through the trade process. This is also one of the craziest times of the year in the NFL as players and relocating and taking their talents to new cities. We break down the NFL free agency frenzy, discuss the new possibilities these players offer their teams, and make predictions about the coming season. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!
Join Flyways Hunt Club and get 1 month free! Flyways Hunt Club
New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana
Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite
(Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX
Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions
Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby
Support Conservation: DU
(Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear
Live Free: Turtlebox
Add motion to your spread: Flashback
Better Merch: /SHOP