ASCEND: The Outdoor Icks: Real Talk on Confidence, Community, and Hunting Culture (Ep 743)

Stop second-guessing yourself outdoors: learn what’s actually “icky,” what’s just noise, and how to build confidence fast.
 
Julia Stallings is joined by DU Ascend host Erin Crider and Maggie Williams (duck hunter and women-in-the-outdoors advocate) to talk real etiquette, safety, and community.

This episode gets honest (and funny) about the “icks” women run into in hunting and fishing culture—everything from performative photos to gear judgement. Erin and Maggie share practical ways to keep the outdoors welcoming: lead by example, teach without shaming, and prioritize safety when you’re alone on public land. You’ll also hear real talk on makeup, social media pressure, and how women are “redesigning what conservation looks like” through community and positivity.

• Why “duck in your mouth” photos turn people off—and what to do instead
• Makeup in the blind: do it or don’t, but don’t let it define you
• The fish photo ick: wide-angle, long-arming, and posing vs documenting the journey
• Safety on public land: why some women avoid pink and try not to “look like a girl” alone
• Gear talk that matters: fit challenges, cost, and what keeps new hunters coming back
• How to correct a newcomer without tearing them down (DMs, tone, and leading by example)

Subscribe and join this exciting journey to explore, learn, and grow together in the outdoor world.
Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.

Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast
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SPONSORS:
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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.

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