Hunting, Heritage, and Why Bands Still Matter with Rusty Creasey

The crew welcomes legendary duck club manager and waterfowl ambassador Rusty Creasey to the show. From growing up a mile from the Coca-Cola Woods to managing it for over two decades, Rusty shares how he turned a family legacy into a personal mission—educating, inspiring, and passing it on.

We dive deep into flooded timber hunting, managing duck clubs, moist soil strategies, and the behind-the-scenes work that makes a successful season. Rusty opens up about career change, building a platform through authenticity, and why telling your mentors “thank you” might be the most important thing you ever do.

We also talk calling, banded birds, and how one screenshot from a New York Times article turned Rusty into a national voice for waterfowl conservation. 

Key Topics:

Life after Coca-Cola Woods

What it really takes to manage a duck club

Calling ducks vs. reading ducks

The banding program controversy

Legacy, mentorship, and raising the next generation right

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