Feather Wars: Inside the Great Crusade to Save America’s Birds (Ep 753)
Ducks Unlimited Podcast
Ducks Unlimited Inc.
4.9 • 599 Ratings
🗓️ 3 March 2026
⏱️ 39 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The history of bird conservation is full of conflict, characters, chaos — and ultimately, hope.
In this special episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher sits down with journalist and author James H. McCommons, whose new book Feather Wars uncovers the dramatic, surprising, and often untold stories behind how America saved its birds from the brink of extinction.
From market hunting and plume traders to poetic bird lovers, political maneuvering, and early wildlife heroes, this book chronicles the people, laws, and events that shaped modern conservation — including stories waterfowl hunters will instantly recognize.
In this episode:
- The early days of shotgun ornithologists and egg collectors
- How plume hunting and the feather trade ignited a national movement
- Why hunters played a crucial role in securing early conservation laws
- The real story behind the Lacey Act, Weeks-McLean Act, and MBTA
- The wild saga of Ray Holland vs. the Missouri Attorney General
- Ding Darling, duck clubs, and the birth of the Federal Duck Stamp
- How past conservation battles mirror today’s challenges
If you love birds, hunting history, conservation law, or simply great storytelling — this episode (and this book) are must-listens.
Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
Send feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.org
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.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, everyone, join us on today's episode as we sit down with James H. McCommons, author of The Feather Wars and The Great Crusade to Save America's Birds, a brand new book that chronicles the history of migratory bird conservation in America. |
| 0:15.8 | You'll hear all sorts of cool stories of how hunters and others have played a couple role in what we know of |
| 0:22.3 | today's modern bird conservation world. Stay with us, folks, as we visit with James and learn more |
| 0:28.8 | about this exciting story. Can we do a mic check, please? Everybody, welcome back to the Ducks |
| 0:34.3 | on the podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Mike Brazier. I'm your host, Katie Burke. I'm your host, Dr. Jared Henson. podcast I'm your host dr. Mike Brazier I'm your host |
| 0:37.5 | Katie Burke I'm your host dr. Jared Henson and I'm your host Matt Harrison |
| 0:41.7 | Welcome to the Ducks Unlimited podcast the only podcast about all things waterfowl. |
| 0:55.2 | From hunting insights to science-based discussions about ducks, geese, and issues affecting |
| 1:00.0 | waterfowl and wetlands conservation in North America. |
| 1:03.4 | The D.U. Podcast, sponsored by Purina ProPlan, the official performance dog food of Ducks |
| 1:08.5 | Unlimited. |
| 1:09.4 | Purina Pro Plan, always advancing. |
| 1:12.4 | Also proudly sponsored by Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails. |
| 1:15.8 | Whether you're winding down with your best friend or celebrating with your favorite crew, |
| 1:20.0 | Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. |
| 1:23.3 | Enjoy responsibly. |
| 1:38.4 | Hey, everyone. |
| 1:40.1 | Welcome back to the Ducks Unlimited podcast. |
| 1:42.7 | I'm going to be your host today, Dr. Mike Brazier. |
| 1:48.6 | And I'm really excited about this episode because it's something a little bit different from what we normally do. |
| 2:01.3 | We're going to be speaking with James H. McCommons, an author and journalist who has a brand new book out called The Feather Wars and the Great Crusade to Save America's Birds. |
| 2:06.7 | I have been fortunate to receive an advanced copy of it to prepare for this recording. |
... |
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