Podcast Summary: Legends of the Wild – Episode 12

"Born for the Blind: Justin Martin’s Journey from Louisiana Woods to Duck Commander"

Host: Sam Soholt
Guest: Justin Martin (Duck Commander)
Release Date: November 19, 2025

Overview

This episode of Legends of the Wild, hosted by Sam Soholt, offers an in-depth conversation with Justin Martin—a well-known face of Duck Commander—about heritage, growing up in Louisiana, the evolution of hunting culture, family, conservation, and his unique path in the outdoor world. Justin walks listeners through memories rooted in hunting camps, the value of tradition, his unplanned journey into the industry, and why he’s so passionate about passing down both skills and values to the next generation. The discussion weaves personal anecdotes, hunting tales, career lessons, and reflections on what it truly means to be “born for the blind.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Heritage of Field & Stream and Outdoor Storytelling

• Timestamps: [01:28] – [05:22]
• Both Sam and Justin share nostalgia for outdoor magazines like Field & Stream, which shaped their early conceptions of adventure and hunting culture.
  • “Our heritage is everything, especially in hunting world, man.” – Justin [01:28]
  • Stories from printed magazines offered a portal into adventure and inspired a generation before the digital era took hold.

Growing Up Outdoors in Louisiana

• Timestamps: [04:21] – [13:24]
• Justin recounts his upbringing in rural north Louisiana—parents working hard, grandparents teaching him to hunt and fish.
• Shifted from deer hunting/crappie fishing with grandparents to discovering duck hunting at age 10–11 through friends of his father.
• The moment duck hunting clicked:
  • “I said, I’m in, boys. Whatever this sport is, I am in. This is it… what I was born to do.” – Justin [13:15]
• The camaraderie and bonds of “Duck Eve” (duck season eve)—a family tradition that’s grown with each generation.

How Justin Landed at Duck Commander

• Timestamps: [10:56] – [25:22]
• Started as a hunting-obsessed kid, worked in local sporting goods, struck up a relationship with Willie Robertson while selling Duck Commander products.
• Academic detour: pursued biology, attempted prairie restoration, realized his calling was outdoors, not hospitals or academia.
• Legendary origin story: accepted an unpaid job cold-calling every Walmart in the country to get waterfowl products back on shelves.
  • “If you want a real exercise in futility, call the front desk at Walmart in 2008 and ask for the sporting goods manager.” – Justin [19:20]
• Gradually transitioned from sales to making and selling duck calls, eventually rising to general manager.

The Reality of Hunting, Content & Burnout

• Timestamps: [45:21] – [49:32]
• Justin discusses the realities of content creation—camera work, repetition, personal burnout, and needing to recharge.
  • “There’s only so much content... one guy can have, especially for a guy—people probably would never guess this—I’m an introvert from way back.” – Justin [46:04]
• Stepped back from management to focus on family and more intentional, meaningful projects—like taking kids outdoors, cooking, and celebrating lifestyle over results.

Conservation, Duck Stamps & Giving Back

• Timestamps: [50:23] – [54:16]
• Passionate segment about self-funding conservation, the Duck Stamp program, and giving back.
  • “As much as we take from them, please let me give this back.” – Justin [53:21]
• Justin’s tradition: buying extra stamps to pass to others, commemorating hunts, and reinforcing the importance of investing in the resource.
• Sam credits Justin’s influence in sparking the “Stamp It Forward” project.

Evolving Ethos: Selective Harvest & Mentorship

• Timestamps: [55:25] – [61:15]
• Talks about ethical progression—moving past stacking limits to prioritizing drake-only hunts, reducing harvest of hen ducks, and developing a camp fine system for accountability.
  • “None of us are doing this because we’re hungry. If you... want to go duck hunting because you’re starving, first off, I’m going to go to my freezer and get some just in case we have a terrible hunt.” – Justin [55:25]
• Addressing inclusivity and mentoring young/new hunters, supporting regulations that lower barriers while emphasizing self-regulation and responsibility.

Family, Legacy, and Documenting the Outdoors

• Timestamps: [27:24] – [32:00]
• Justin reflects on being present for his young twin sons, documenting memories, and cherishing the role of mentor/father.
  • “If somebody hadn’t poured into me at that age, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing... I’m getting to be that for my kids at this stage.” – Justin [27:42]
• Sam shares plans to create annual audio chronicles for his daughter’s childhood—a “time capsule” of the family journey.

Respect for Wildlife & Teaching the Next Generation

• Timestamps: [32:00] – [36:27]
• Importance of teaching respect (not fear) for all creatures.
• Justin’s approach to situations like encountering snakes—choosing to show respect and teach safety/identification.

Memorable Hunts & The Value of Experience

• Timestamps: [62:08] – [65:56]
• Justin and Sam swap stories, highlighting hunts that transcend success by numbers—like watching a “wall of mallards” in Kansas and deciding not to shoot due to their sheer number.
  • “There was just a wall of mallard duck... no way to not kill more than five. That’s how many were. It was a layered wall…” – Justin [64:54]
• Lessons in perspective, maturity, and capturing childlike wonder with guests—whether it’s a seasoned hunter, a newcomer, or a child’s first duck.

The Lasting Influence of Phil Robertson

• Timestamps: [65:04] – [67:45]
• Justin and Sam reflect on the personal and spiritual legacy of Phil Robertson—a commitment to share not just hunting skills but hope and faith with everyone encountered.
  • “He wanted to be remembered as someone who was unashamed to share Jesus… as much as he loved killing ducks, it didn’t come anywhere close to changing people’s lives forever.” – Justin [65:04]

Standout Quotes & Moments

• On Heritage:
  "Between Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, all those game and fish mags as a child... that's what was on the table... you knew like once you got to hunting camp, you could go through 10 or 15 years worth of stories, man, because you never threw them away."
  — Justin [01:28]

• On Duck Hunting’s Appeal:
  "This is so far and beyond better than deer hunting. I can't even begin to explain... I'm in, boys. Whatever this sport is, I am in."
  — Justin [13:15]

• On Conservation:
  "As much as we take from them, please let me give this back."
  — Justin [53:21]

• On Mentorship & Legacy:
  "If somebody hadn't poured into me at that age, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing. So... I'm getting to be that for my kids at this stage..."
  — Justin [27:42]

• Phil Robertson’s Wisdom:
  "Man, I sure hate to waste a sunrise."
  — Phil (as recounted by Justin) [64:54]

Notable Sections (Timestamps)

• Heritage of Field & Stream, importance of storytelling: [01:28] – [05:22]
• Justin’s upbringing and transition to duck hunting: [10:56] – [13:24]
• Start at Duck Commander and the Walmart story: [16:47] – [21:03]
• Moving from sales to the call room; career evolution: [24:18] – [27:24]
• Family and mentoring the next generation: [27:24] – [32:00]
• Conservation and Duck Stamp role: [50:23] – [54:16]
• Mature hunter perspective and fine system for hens: [55:25] – [61:15]
• Memorable mallard hunt and Phil’s philosophy: [62:30] – [65:56]
• Phil’s spiritual legacy and impact: [65:04] – [67:45]

Where to Find Justin Martin

• Social Media: @jmartinduckman (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)
• Still active in official Duck Commander channels and “Duck Call Room” podcast.

Closing Message

Justin closes by encouraging listeners to approach him if seen in the field and by championing the diversity of hunting styles and experiences.

• “There’s a hundred different ways to do this. None of them are right. None of them are wrong. So just go have fun and enjoy the experience.” — Justin [70:08]

For Outdoor Enthusiasts:
This episode is a vivid portrait of how the outdoors can shape a life, a family, and a philosophy. Through humor, humility, and heartfelt storytelling, Justin Martin exemplifies what it means to honor the past, mentor the future, and hunt not just for game, but for connection.