2023 Waterfowl Season Outlook

Dr. Mike Brasher

Mike Brasher  is a senior waterfowl scientist at Ducks Unlimited’s national U.S. headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to this role, Mike served for 13 years as biological team leader for the Gulf Coast Joint Venture in Lafayette, Louisiana. In his current position, Mike collaborates with DU staff and partners to communicate and advance the scientific foundation of Ducks Unlimited’s conservation activities. Mike also serves as a co-host of the Ducks Unlimited Podcast.

Dr. Matt Dyson

Matt Dyson is a waterfowl research scientist at Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research who studies the behavioral and demographic responses of ducks to landscape change. Matt has studied duck nesting ecology in Alberta’s boreal forest, nesting and brood ecology of wood ducks in southern Ontario, Canada goose nesting ecology on James Bay, and even woodland caribou in northern Ontario.

Ryan Callaghan

Ryan "Cal" Callaghan is MeatEater's director of conservation and a national board member of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Cal has been a passionate member of the outdoor community, having grown up hunting, fishing, guiding and playing in the West. Cal is host of the MeatEater podcast, “Cal’s Week in Review.”

Mark Koneff

Mark Koneff is a pilot-biologist and chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Branch of Migratory Bird Surveys. In that role he coordinates, manages and conducts large-scale monitoring programs for waterfowl and other migratory birds including aerial surveys and banding operations. Mark previously served as chief of the Division’s Population and Habitat Assessment Branch, overseeing biological assessments to inform harvest management and habitat conservation. Prior to that his work focused on planning, evaluation and delivery of habitat conservation through the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

Brook Richard

Brook Richard is the director of marketing at Higdon Outdoors, co-host of Higdon Outdoors TV, and a World Team Live Duck Calling Champion. Having grown up in South Louisiana, Brook enjoys chasing white-fronted geese across the Mississippi Flyway on his free time.

Virginia Getz

Virginia Getz is the director of conservation programs at Ducks Unlimited’s Western Regional Office, overseeing wetland conservation program in the region and serving as a member of its management team. Prior to joining Ducks Unlimited more than 23 years ago, Virginia served for 12 years as a senior biologist for a private consulting firm.

Dr. Julianna Lenoch

Julianna Lenoch is a veterinary epidemiologist and national coordinator for USDA APHIS Wildlife Services National Wildlife Disease Program. She has been with USDA since 2016, working at the forefront of disease investigations, including recent work on highly pathogenic avian influenza, chronic wasting disease, African swine fever, SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging diseases. Dr. Lenoch is the United States designated Focal Point for Wildlife for the World Organisation for Animal Health.