Duck Call Room – Episode Summary

Episode: Justin Martin Came Face-to-Face With a Home Intruder
Date: January 20, 2026
Hosts: Si Robertson (“Phil”), Justin Martin (“Martin”), John Godwin (“Goblin”), John-David Owen, Jay Stone, Phillip McMillan, Jacob Mayo
Main Theme: Hilarious and suspenseful tales from the Duck Call Room gang, centered around Martin’s recent confrontation with a home intruder, with plenty of detours into duck hunting, Southern food traditions, and childhood memories.

Overview

In this episode, the Duck Call Room crew recounts Justin Martin's harrowing experience encountering an intruder at his family's property. Packed with humor, wisdom, and the unmistakable, easy-going Southern banter the group is known for, the episode also covers changing duck migration patterns, fish cleaning mishaps, and the quirks of classic Louisiana dining.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Justin Martin’s Home Intruder Story

[03:13–08:12, 11:44–13:02]

• Martin discovers, via a trail cam app, that someone is trespassing at his grandparents' house (which doubles as a storage and gardening spot). After a long duck hunting day, he gets dressed and heads over with his shotgun, staying on the phone with the sheriff’s office.
• The story escalates with Martin confronting the hooded trespasser, shotgun drawn. He describes the adrenaline and his self-control when facing the unknown.
• The sheriff's department commends Martin for not pulling the trigger and handling the tense situation without violence. The trespasser ran, and nothing was stolen.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Martin: “I just looked at him and I had that shotgun on his forehead and I said, buddy, make the right decision. And he took off running the other way. I said, you made the right decision.” [06:29]
• The event sparks reflection on self-defense, adrenaline response (“my heart rate got up to 172”), and the value of restraint.

2. Reflections on Self-Defense and Heritage

[08:43–16:42]

• Martin and the team discuss the emotional weight of defending family property and the old-fashioned, uncompromising values learned from grandparents. There's pride in resolving things without violence, but also an understanding of the danger involved.
• Notable Quote:
  • Phil: “Hey, you’re going in my grandmother's house. I will shoot you. It ain't no doubt about that.” [15:53]
• The crew jokes about their ancestors’ toughness and how people today might not appreciate the deep roots attached to such places.

3. Duck Hunting, Land Stewardship, and Changing Environments

[23:02–32:23]

• Shifts in duck migration: The hosts compare old and modern duck hunting. Phil reminisces about the 70’s, when ducks were abundant—describing “tornadoes” of ducks in the sky due to plentiful agriculture, open land, and less concrete.
• Discussion about how land use changes (urbanization, intensive ag practices) have reshaped wildlife habitats, with strong opinions about “stewarding land.”
• Heated social media debates about modern duck hunting methods (e.g., “flooded corn is the forward-facing sonar of duck hunting” [23:50]) and internet controversies.

4. Southern Food Traditions and Fish Cleaning Mishaps

[34:13–44:53]

• The crew lightheartedly discusses the differences between left and right-handed fish cleaning, passing down this “art” to the next generation.
• Jokey exchanges about eating odd parts of fish (“Next time you get to taste tungsten!” [08:02]), frying crappie eggs, and the revelation that the caviar on deviled eggs is, indeed, fish eggs—this leaves some in shock.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Goblin: “That little pop of salt is so good. That's a fish egg.” [50:34]
• Phil and others recall growing up eating every part of the catch, and how hard times once demanded “using it all.”

5. On Different Opinions and Social Media Fights

[20:30–21:05]

• Reflection on why internet culture has become so polarized in the hunting community and beyond.
• Goblin: “I don't get that we live in a society now where if you have a different opinion, you're the devil.” [20:35]
• The team laughs about how everyone wants to “pick a side,” but the truth is often somewhere in the middle.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Restraint During Crisis:
  • Goblin: “I wanted a peaceful resolution. And him running away is peaceful. Like, that's fine.” [08:37]
• On Facing Adrenaline:
  • Martin: “How fast is your heart beating?”
    Goblin: “172. I had to know.” [11:47]
• On Respecting Heritage:
  • Phil: “Hey, you're going in my grandmother's house. I will shoot you. It ain't no doubt about that.” [15:53]
• On Changing Times:
  • Phil: “As humans, we suck at stewarding land. …Now we're paying the price for that way of thinking.” [31:00]
• On Middle-Ground Opinions:
  • Goblin: “To have a common sense opinion and be middle of the road on all this … Nope. You gotta choose a stance. I'm like, why?” [32:23]
• Culinary Surprise:
  • Goblin: “That's caviar. That little salty bite of the deviled egg at Parish is caviar.” [50:10]
• Classic Southern Humor:
  • Hunter: “Just think about the shoes that frogs wear. What, open toed?” [44:20]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:13 – 08:12: Martin’s Home Intruder Story
• 11:44 – 13:02: Heart Rate & Handling Stress
• 15:43 – 16:42: Heritage and Family Property Sentiment
• 23:02 – 32:23: Duck Migration, Land Use, and Social Media “Controversy”
• 34:13 – 44:53: Fish Cleaning, Traditions, and Caviar Discovery
• 52:04 – 52:28: Closing Verses, Luke 11:11-13

Tone & Atmosphere

• Laid-back, conversational, and peppered with classic Duck Commander humor
• Candid reflections on adrenaline, self-control, and responsibility
• Strong sense of reverence for family, tradition, and the outdoors
• Gentle ribbing between friends, with real wisdom about country living and human nature

Closing

The episode wraps with Martin reading a Bible verse (Luke 11:11-13) that directly ties into their theme—fathers, gifts, and protection—perfectly echoing the day’s stories.

Martin: “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead…?” [52:04]
Goblin: “Yeah. There you go.” [52:28]
Phil: “Well, we'll see y’ all next time right here in the duck call room. We're out.” [52:30]