# EP. 113: Expanding Opportunities For Waterfowl Hunters & California Duck Hunting With Fred Broad Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-migration-waterfowl-podcast-6912521/ep-113-expanding-opportunities-for-waterfowl-hunters-california-duck-hunting-with-fred-broad Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-migration-waterfowl-podcast-6912521/ep-113-expanding-opportunities-for-waterfowl-hunters-california-duck-hunting-with-fred-broad.md Podcast: [The Migration Waterfowl Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-migration-waterfowl-podcast-6912521) Published: 2026-06-25T09:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://www.migrationwaterfowl.com Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/WPCM4531846443.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-migration-waterfowl-podcast-6912521/episodes/ep-113-expanding-opportunities-for-waterfowl-hunters-california-duck-hunting-with-fred-broad Duration seconds: 7024 ## Resource Most waterfowl hunters probably don't think of California when discussing the best duck hunting in North America—but maybe they should. On this episode of the Migration Waterfowl Podcast, I'm joined by lifelong waterfowler Fred Broad, whose journey has taken him from Pennsylvania to a new life in California and 9 consecutive years of hunting in Canada. Along the way, Fred became what he proudly calls a "mallard purist," dedicating decades to chasing greenheads and learning what makes them one of the most challenging and rewarding ducks to hunt. Fred explains why he believes California is one of the best-kept secrets in waterfowl hunting, breaks down the state's unique refuge system, and reflects on what California mallard hunting looked like during its heyday. We also discuss how changing habitat, agriculture, weather patterns, and hunting pressure have shaped today's seasons and what the future may hold for Pacific Flyway hunters. Fred also shares his proposal for establishing a Senior Hunt alongside existing Veteran Hunt days, making the case for recognizing the generations of hunters who have spent decades supporting conservation through licenses, duck stamps, and organizational memberships. Whether you're a die-hard mallard hunter, planning your first trip west, or simply enjoy hearing stories from someone who has spent a lifetime following the flyways, this episode offers a unique perspective from one of waterfowl hunting's true enthusiasts. Key Takeaways: • Why Fred believes California is America's best-kept waterfowl hunting secret. • What makes California's mallard hunting different from the rest of the country. • How California's refuge system works • A look back at California duck hunting during the 1980s and 90s—and why it has changed. • What it really means… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-migration-waterfowl-podcast-6912521/episodes/ep-113-expanding-opportunities-for-waterfowl-hunters-california-duck-hunting-with-fred-broad/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-migration-waterfowl-podcast-6912521/ep-113-expanding-opportunities-for-waterfowl-hunters-california-duck-hunting-with-fred-broad.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.