Upland Nation

Chukar hunter’s handbook: experts’ advice plus my 34 years of questionable success

I've fielded so many questions over the years, I decided it was time to offer up a primer on hunting these fascinating, mystifying game birds. I've asked the dumb questions to smart hunters, learned a few things the hard way, and spent more than a few nights puzzling over their habits and habitat. If you've ever wondered where to find them, how to prepare, get your dog trained up, successful strategies and tactics from shot size to e-collar tricks, here's your starting point.

Then, start walking. Uphill.

Listeners tell us where they're going on opening day, and "Road Trip" offers some alternative information sources to get you on public-access land.

And it's all brought to you by:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunter’s vest dump! Mine, yours, and ours - the critical contents. How motion makes your dog more obedient.

You show me yours, I'll show you mine! Our annual peek into hard-core hunting vests: configuration, contents, and advice from you and my three decades learning the hard way. If you don't have it, you'll want it.

"Handle It" covers a better way to deliver hand signals, you tell us how many wild birds you shot last season, and there's a shot at $60K toward a new truck if you hunt Huron, SD.

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Pheasant hunting, step-by-step; pro guide shares his secrets ... including SHUT UP and SHOOT

My friend Al Gadoury opens his book on all things ringneck ... plus a few observations on sharptails and Huns, too. You may have seen him on a few episodes of Wingshooting USA TV, Al is a pro guide in Montana who knows of what he speaks. He'll clue us in to why sharptails won't be where they usually are and why, plus some tips on developing a young dog on the prairies.

Al will take us to school on hunting pheasants, starting with habitat, to stealth, to strategy and tactics for hard-hunted public birds. We'll learn why blocking isn't just for South Dakota mob-scene hunts, and gain insight into the fascinating world of spaniel trial gunning - not for the faint of heart!

"Road Trip" offers some starting points for sharptailed grouse, and we look at what birds you hunt most.

And it's all brought to you by:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunter’s notebook: public-land pheasant lessons I learned the hard way so you don’t have to

Three decades of public-land hunting distilled down to one podcast ... yeah, I learned the hard way so you don't have to. I'll cover everything from finding it, planning and research, to hunting walk-in and public property for Phasianus colchicus, the ringnecked pheasant. From travel tips to tactics for overcrowded parking areas, habitat hints and coping with bad weather, I've dug deep into my notes and compiled a few dozen suggestions you might want to consider if you're traveling this season. You'll get some states, regions and towns to start in ... then, it's up to you.

"Handle It" extols the virtues of food treats - not just for pups ... and we look at last season's scorecard: how many wild birds did YOU shoot?

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Bird hunting Mecca: a close-up look at South Dakota from where-to-go, to finding more public access

One of my favorite states, and on most hunters' bucket list if not this season's destination ... South Dakota is the focus this week, as I recount some stories, give you some starting points, go species-by-species through the state. I'll also outline habitat types, strategies for each bird, and some helpful tips and tactics.

There's also one of my coolest hunts in Nebraska, and listeners share their pre-season shopping list. Maybe there's something on it you should get, too.

And it's all brought to you by:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Pro bird dog trainer on new book, steadiness, how dogs think, puppy development ... and chukar hunting tips

Pro trainer, chukar hunter, and author ... George DeCosta Jr. is also a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon fanatic. We'll talk puppy development, go to school on steadying a dog (hint: long before he encounters birds), and get a few chukar hunting tips too. George suggests some essential training gear and what he carries in his hunting vest that we should too.

George's new book Tips and Tales covers just about everything you need to train a versatile dog, some hunting stories and a ton of wisdom. We'll go page by page through some of the stuff you are probably working on right now.

Listeners tell us where their dog sleeps on a hunting trip, and the Handle It segment offers a DIY project that will steady your dog when a checkcord is impractical.

And it's all brought to you by:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting’s newest target game ... an epic hunt: one state, 7 species ... find grouse here - or there

We're getting ready for Opening Day with a big, steaming pile of useful information. First, listeners' advice on reinforcing the "whoa" command, then we shoot a new target game that simulates wild birds and is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Dave Fiedler and Dan Pesznecker are at Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, where we talk about Helice (that's a Helice target in the photo).

Kevin McGlaughlin takes us on his recent epic hunt to Montana, where he shot seven species of upland birds ... who knew there were chukars in Montana? In our "Road Trip" segment I'll share some starting points for first-time grouse hunters in the Northeast, then it's up to you.

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Labor of love: training bird dogs for their forever homes, industry insights from HIVIZ on shooting and tech

Problem dogs and better shooting ... can you relate? This week we go back inside the industry, actually two industries: Renee Hernandez and Trevor Young of HIVIZ Sights talk about the company's founding (to help shotgunners), its recent move to Wyoming, and what's new in technology. We get some shooting help and a hint of new products coming down the pike.

Then Mike Mapes shares his vision for a place where gun dogs can go to prepare for their forever home. Second Chance Bird Dogs trains them for hunting homes and new owners, a labor of love for Mike and now a thriving operation. Learn from him how to cope with sticking points in your own dog's behavior, from heeling to steadiness, and more generally what traits we can seize on to become better trainers and dog owners.

And listeners contribute their beliefs - and more than a few laughs - at the "right" way to shoot ... pull-through, instinctive, sustained lead or poke and hope.

And it's all brought to you by:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunter/shooting instructor takes us to school on ruffed grouse, better shooting, his new book

Buying a used gun, shooting grouse, gun fit, and why we're always missing ... instructor/clinician/fitter and fine gun dealer Bryan Bilinski can now add author to his resume'. The proprietor of FieldSport Ltd. has 35 years of experience messing with guns, dogs, and birds, and teaches hundreds of hunters to shoot better every year in his wingshooting workshops.

We'll get an early peek at his new book: Wingshooting The Art & Science. Then we'll work step-by-step through a few tough grouse shots, hunting strategies and tactics, learn how to practice shooting the right way, and find out what the biggest warning signs are when buying a used shotgun.

"Road Trip" this week goes to Wyoming for Huns and chukars, and listeners chime in with the pro's and cons of paper maps in the digital age.

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Chukar and quail hunting, product design, industry insights ... and how you feel about trash!

Bird hunting industry insider, product designer and passionate hunter Matt Davis offers tips on chukar and Mearn's quail hunting from habitat to strategy, tactics to hints. He then outlines the thought behind his flagship product, the Final Rise strap vest, innovations and features. We learn about new products from the company as well.

"Handle It" covers less-common forms of praise you might want to use in the field, and boy, do listeners have something to say about finding empty hulls in the field!

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Pro trainer: why a pen is your best training tool, and use a femur bone to teach retrieving

Pro spaniel trainer Todd Agnew of Craney Hill Kennels answers questions about cockers and Springers, Labs, and puppy training. We do a deep dive into how dogs think and why we ought to think about that, a foundation for retrieving training, and how to break commands into manageable pieces and why. In addition to a few hunting tips, he'll outline the most important aspects of a habitat for finding birds. Todd outlines how to build a relationship with your dog - and why it is the critical first factor in training, and how a cow's femur bone is critical to retrieving training.

"Road Trip" helps get your s*#t together in the truck, and listeners chime in on their favorite post-hunt libations.

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Chukars, pups, steadiness and retrieving - pro shares insider tips

Jeff Funke of Three Devils Kennel is my friend, breeder of my last three wires, avid chukar hunter, trainer and hunt test judge. His wisdom runs broad and deep, and we'll cover as much as we can in an hour. We'll talk training retrieves and steadiness, how genetics should guide a puppy purchase or breeding program, best conditioning activities for a bird dog, and of course, chukar hunting strategies and tactics. We'll even get a blow-by-blow of Jeff's recent Arizona Mearn's quail hunt.

"Road Trip" focuses on keeping your dog well-fed on long hunts with a few tricks to get him to eat, and listeners share the photos that define "why they hunt."

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Bird hunter & shotgun coach’s tutorials on crossers, low flyers and sight picture, what you wear and the paws that refreshes

If you don't bag more birds this season as a result of his teaching, you might wanna take up golf. Don Currie is a bird hunter, head instructor for the National Sporting Clays Association, author, DVD producer, gun fitter and shooting coach. His insights into everything from shooting stance, to mount, to sight picture are gold. We focus on the bird-hunting side of shotgunning, and get taken to school on the right way to focus on the target and why (nope, not why you think), determining cross-dominance, plus tutorials on crossing and low-flying birds. And why the heck are we talking about Maglites and mobile phones?

"Handle It" focuses on your dog's paw care, and listeners suggest must-have hunting clothing, too.

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Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport dog food, HiViz Sights, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird dog trainer Tom Dokken on drones, that bumper’s origin story, flushing dogs in the uplands plus tips for every human carrying a shotgun

The joy of a first hunt with a young dog - that moment when the light bulb flickers on for the first time. Drones, the origins of his legendary Dead Fowl Trainer, training the human after training the dog ... we'll cover it all in this extensive interview with notable hunting dog trainer Tom Dokken. From getting the most from flushing breeds in the uplands to the most important commands, how to ensure your dog's peak performance in the field and must-have training tools, Tom has decades of experience and he's willing to share.

Then, listeners share critical gear they carry in the field - bet you'll add something to your vest after hearing their suggestions. And "Road Trip" recalls a recent lesson I learned - again - that you'll want to consider.

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The definitive bird dog ”tailgate exam” ... your gnarliest cover ... what’s in your truck?

Train now for the drill that could add days or weeks to your hunting season ... by keeping your dog healthy and in one piece! We'll go from tail tip to toes to top line with techniques that will find and fix most anything that happened to your dog in the field. Poke into ears and eyes, and get the bad stuff out.

Then, you reminisce on the nightmarish covers you've lived to tell about. From cedar swamps to clear cuts, everyone else should be grateful. And "Road Trip" is about the critical stuff you may not have yet in your hunting rig.

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Bird hunter, mentor, chukar fanatic talks new hunter recruitment, chukar strategy & tactics

Chukar hunter, mentor, and my good friend Eric Thompson joins us from the floor of Pheasant Fest to talk about his effort to recruit and motivate new hunters, Hardwired Outdoors . Then, it's all about chukar hunting: habitat, bird behavior, strategy and tactics, and how to find - and shoot at - the "devil bird."

We'll look at how many of you have used a pro trainer in the past ... and in the Handle It segment, I broach a somewhat-touchy subject: silence or talk when a dog slams a point?

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Bird dogs and hounds - common ground for training and care ... and is there room for non-toxic shot in your vest?

Slat mills, epsom salts and other stuff we should know about, courtesy of bird hunter, competitive houndsman and dog food rep Josh Michaelis. You'll be surprised at how many training tips, nutrition, first aid and dog care knowledge is relevant and transferable from coonhounds to the bird dog world.

Hannah Leonard is with Sporting Lead Free, an organization educating us to the long-term hazards of lead ammo to the habitat and our sport. She'll bring up some stuff I didn't know and may convince you to consider non-toxic shot.

"Handle It" offers a reason to have your pointing dog sit one out in lieu of a flusher, human or otherwise ... sometimes. And you share your "old dog" photos and share some heartfelt stories about those wizened dogs.

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Bird hunting tips from listeners - wisdom, humor, practicality and philosophy, 10 words at a time

You are the stars of this episode as I share the dozens of bird hunting tips you provided on social media when I asked for your hard-earned advice. From developing puppies to shutting the heck up, and everything in between, there are hundreds of years' experience in these hacks and helps. You'll learn, laugh and love some of the stories and suggestions.

"Road Trip" explores a little-known slice of South Dakota, and we find out where everyone is going on their big trips this season from the newsletter poll.

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Bird hunting gear gurus share the good stuff and what’s in the pipeline, how to wear a strap vest and new technologies

Gear geeks unite! We go deep into the machinations of a legacy company and an upstart for insights into vests, apparel, and more. Russ Jones of Browning Apparel will showcase some of their newest gear, take us to school on everything from what "denier" means to the engineering behind their strap vest, plus talk about some of the newest technology in fabrics and design. Then Heath Seiner of Hunt Redi talks about why the world needs a new strap vest and how his company's innovations set them apart, and we get a tutorial on how to wear and utilize every aspect of the new technical gear.

"Handle It" helps your dog succeed in the training yard by you being more of a Boy Scout, and listeners tell us where their dog rides on the way home from a hunt and why.

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Who’s your (conservation) daddy? Bird hunter, TRCP CEO talks shaking up guv’ment on our behalf

Whit Fosburgh of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership joins me from the floor of Pheasant Fest with insights into his organization, how they help us get more and better access to hunting ground, and gives us an insider look at government. It's a dirty job, but his group is in there fighting for us daily. We go way back to the early days, and find out what's happening in the halls of Congress right now that will affect our hunting.

You share your training goals for the weekend, how many of us give our bird dog a vacation, and the "Handle It" dog training segment encourages you to let your gear take the heat when it comes to correcting your dog.

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Bird dog training couple: helping and preventing gun shy dogs, fly vs. ladybug, why the eyes have it, and using a sundial

I'd originally reached out at the suggestion of a listener who thought Jon and Jessica Hann of Perfection Kennels could answer every imaginable question about gunshy dogs and how to prevent or cure them. Sure enough, they'll be addressing that issue in depth. But as hunters themselves and successful field trialers they have a lot more to offer. From steadiness to use of the e-collar, hunting strategies and tactics, essential hunting and dog training gear, they've got something of interest to every serious bird dog owner.

Listeners talk about their big trip ... and our "Roadtrip" segment has suggestions on information sources you may not have considered when doing your research.

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Bird hunters’ shooting lessons - what other folks have taught me (and now, you)

Do as I say, not as I do on TV! Who doesn't want to shoot better? Here are 15 tips I've picked up and written down from people who outshoot me. Instructors, hunting buddies, random actors at the tavern ... all have something of value to share with you - and it won't hurt if I review them again. And again.

From foot position when approaching a point, to gun mount, gun fit to why most of us shouldn't be shooting doubles ... there's sure to be something of use to you in here.

"Handle It" is all about how a dog thinks - I think - and why when you do too, your dog becomes a stellar performer. And you listeners share some of the mischief your dogs get into.

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Bird dog training family offers two generations-worth of wisdom ... would you ”pay to play?”

We're back on the floor of Pheasant Fest and we need a lot of room for the four members of the Carter family of Merrymeeting Kennels of Brunswick, Maine. Blaine, Patti, Jason and Missy are versatile dog trainers and breeders - you've seen most of them with us on quail hunts on Wingshooting USA TV - and have a wealth of wisdom and experience to share.

From when to start training a dog, to why to use "baby talk," best treats, to a dog's mindset and how to use it to your mutual benefit, these folks will share two generations' worth of experience in the Maine woods and across the country. They'll offer hunting tips, too.

"Road Trip" offers a practical, strategic tip that could save you time, money, and aggravation; listeners chime in on whether they'd "pay to play," purchasing access to good hunting ground and you'll be surprised at the response.

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Shotgun industry insider Tim Frampton on supply chain, innovation, new products, shooting and hunting tips

Browning's shotgun product development manager Tim Frampton offers a rare peek into the history and operations of the pioneering firearms company. From humble beginnings to innovations including the 1911 pistol and BAR, "Sweet 16," to Citori, Tim will take us around the world to Browning facilities in Europe, Asia and the U.S.

He'll hint at new products to come soon, touch on classics including the resurrection of the A5 Sweet 16, and then offer tips on gun fitting, shooting and hunting. We'll get some good news on the supply chain front, too.

Our "Road Trip" features sets foot on ground managed by some low-profile federal agencies, and listeners sound off on  poignant memorials they've found in the field.

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Pro bird dog training couple goes deep, shares wisdom: Ronnie Smith & Susanna Love

Joining us from the floor of Pheasant Fest: Bird dog training royalty, Ronnie Jr. & Susanna are carrying on the legacy of Ronnie's dad Ronnie Sr. and his uncle, Delmar and their famous methods, refined for the 21st century. The husband-wife team offer insights on everything from gun sensitivity to puppy development, steadiness to getting a dog into a receptive frame of mind for learning.

"Handle It" covers another aspect of dog training with a lesson from my yard; and you sound off on 'pay to play' ... would you or wouldn't you?

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Bird hunting pro & Pheasants Forever magazine editor Tom Carpenter shares tips, advice, wisdom

We're back on the floor at Pheasant Fest, talking with the editor of Pheasants Forever's magazine, Tom Carpenter. Tom will explain how and why he chooses the stories he does. Then we get deep in the cattails talking about his own hunting calendar, and he offers tips on hunting and dogs garnered from his decades in the field.

The Road Trip feature returns on a rotating basis, this week covering a mixed-bag public-access destination in Kansas. Listeners share what they'll be shooting at next, and I've got a tip for cold-weather training.

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Helping bird hunters find more ground: BHA exec’s practical tips and legislative agenda

Fighting for access to publicly-owned hunting and fishing ground ... that's the mission of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and their CEO Land Tawney joined me on the floor of Pheasant Fest to explain how they're doing it. Spoiler alert: beer is often involved in the planning and fellowship process.

From on-the-ground projects to legislative efforts, BHA is filling a niche and helping any hunter who steps off the pavement. But it all starts with welcoming virtually anyone interested in access to public land, from mushroom hunters to bird watchers. Tawney will bring us up to speed on critical regulatory changes, share some access tips, help us better use an online mapping app, and he'll share some of his own hunting stories.

"Handle It" covers essential training gear for puppy owners; and listeners chime in with their feelings about dog food - would you switch brands?

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Pheasant Fest continues: E-collar guru shares hard-won wisdom and some clever uses

E-collar guru Pete Fisher of Dogtra joins us from the floor of Pheasant Fest, covering a number of topics from innovative uses for all of a training collar's capabilities including some you may not have thought of ... when to stow the handheld, what a collar's stimulation should be used for, and of course, he shares his wisdom from decades as a pro trainer and bird hunter.

Listeners answer the question "hunting preserves ... is there an upside?" And, in the Handle It segment, I'll outline some of the places to run a dog when there's nowhere to run a dog.

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Is your bird dog fat? And other nutrition and performance questions from the floor of Pheasant Fest

Eukanuba's Russ Kelley, scientist and bird dog owner, clues us into the mysteries and magic of proper bird dog feeding. From key ingredients, to why meat is not as important as the amino acids it contains, how muscle is built and fat is managed, Russ answers your questions.

Back in the studio, we talk about your training goals for the off season, cover the advantages of teaching "whoa" on furry critters, and how to challenge your dog - mentally - when it's dark and cold outside.

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Bird hunting podcast: why doesn’t South Dakota count pheasants anymore? Tips, tricks, strategies from Pheasant Fest

In our first in the series, we re-visit the floor of Pheasant Fest, where I interviewed industry leaders, insiders, experts and good friends. This week, Nick Harrington and Chris Hull of South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks answers your questions on the past season's harvest numbers, why the department doesn't count pheasant broods anymore, and then offer strategies and tactics on finding more birds - and land - in the pheasant hunting capital of the world.

Back in the studio, we cover one more essential item to put in your vest, answer the question about whether or not you've ever been really, really lost, and recap a recent chukar hunt that had a few surprises.

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Bird dog first aid: essential gear for your vest and your truck

Get the gear:

After a long and arduous season and 35 stitches (in Flick), I'm more qualified than ever to speak to the gear that will keep a dog safe, effect repairs in the field, and stabilize him for a balls-out drive to the veterinarian. I'll go over the kit I carry in my vest and the bigger bag that's in my truck, including why each item might be helpful to you.

Then, a shopping list for the new puppy's early training career, and from social media how your dog summed up the hunting season.

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Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird dog trials and how they make you a better hunter

The National Shoot to Retrieve Association's first objective is to help members extend their hunting season ... a good reason to join! But President Bill Sumpter has a lot of other reasons you should consider as well.

And much of what makes a dog and handler excel at NSTRA trials will benefit both on a hunt too. Bill offers sage advice on scoring higher ... from obedience, to bird handling, to strategy, dogs and humans who hone their skills in a trial will likely find more birds in the field. Bill outlines the why and how, shares some hunting tips and one piece of critical gear, and then we talk Huns and sharptail hunting.

Bill goes deep to explain his passion for setters, and why he loves Hungarian partridge hunting.

You chip in with why (or why not) to feed the morning of a hunt; our "Handle It" segment covers instant energy in the field - for your dog.

It's brought to you by:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunter, chef Andrew Zimmern shares adventures and cooking tips

This guy knows critters: how to hunt them, and how to cook them. Perhaps best known for his Travel Channel show Bizarre Foods, Andrew Zimmern also packs a shotgun, and turns what he shoots into culinary marvels. A four-time James Beard Award winner, he's sharing his experience on the Outdoor Channel program Andrew Zimmern's Wild Game Kitchen and exclusively here on the Upland Nation podcast.

We'll hear fascinating stories about giant porcupines and scary stuff he's put in his mouth, but we'll also get practical, inspirational advice on taking game birds from field to feast. From basic cooking techniques to seasonings that easily take your birds to the next level, he's got you covered.

Your sense of humor is on display when you caption my social-media photos, and "Handle It" suggests why you might Keep Calm and Carry On.

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Bird hunters, shooting instructors share tips and advice on wild birds and gun fit

Make your dog happy. Shoot better. That's one of the topics as shooting instructors and hunters Dave and Vandy Fiedler of Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School join us. We'll cover the Churchill method of shotgunning, hunting scenarios, common mistakes, and some easy ways to get closer to a better shotgun fit at the big-box store.

We learn to shoot doubles better, find out why patterning the gun is overrated and patterning your ammo is underrated, how to select a shotgun, and using clay targets to become a better bird hunter.

"Handle It" shows you a fun game that will teach you how much praise to use when training your dog; and you chime in on your new year's resolutions for your dog.

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Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Pro chukar guide’s tips, advice, wisdom for all bird hunters and their dogs

Grant Richie is a professional chukar hunting guide, roaming (and floating) Hell's Canyon and surrounds from his base at Minam Store. A fourth-generation resident, he knows the area like nobody else, and he also knows chukars.

Grant will share his hard-earned wisdom, tips and strategies, tactics and advice on everything from the magic and history of the "Chukar Fortress," as he calls it, to dog care for the grueling climbs, shooting advice, prime habitat and bird behavior. He's giving us a rare inside look at what makes the birds tick and how to find them. We get a glimpse at his favorite dog breed (Cesky Fousek), how fire, water, weather and chukars interact, and how he gets four dogs, two hunters and a guide into one boat!

"Handle It" divorces praise from release commands, and your dogs tell us what New Year's resolutions they've made for you.

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32 years a wild bird hunter: dogs I’ve known and loved

Hundreds of TV episodes and thousands of miles chasing wild birds ... there's gotta be some dogs worth talking about. What do we learn from them? How do they affect us? Can we ever repay the lessons they teach us?

I'll boil it down to a few hunting dogs that have brightened a day afield, given me food for thought, and got me thinking. With luck, my stories will kindle some of your own.

Our Handle It segment has a tip for keeping your dog steady at the flush; and you chime in with your favorite smells in the field.

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MeatEater confidential: my exclusive interview with Steve Rinella

He probably doesn't need an introduction. His MeatEater brand is ubiquitous. Steven Rinella is the host of the long-running television show MeatEater and top-ranked MeatEater podcast. And he's the cover story in a recent magazine article I wrote. In listening to my interviews, I thought you might enjoy learning what I learned about the man, the brand, the evolution of all things MeatEater, and where his inspirations come from (hint: not where you think). You won't find this frank, wide-ranging discussion anywhere else, even in the magazine article I wrote.

It was never meant to be a podcast, so there's a lot more me-talk than you'd get in a regular episode. But it's two friends, catching up, sharing notes, and in the course of it, you and I get to learn a bit.

We go down a few rabbit holes, get sidetracked in industry geekdom, talk business and family, and share some stories since the last time our paths crossed. Okay, so there's not much bird hunting or dog talk, but there's plenty of good stuff. Enjoy.

Steve Rinella is the New York Times bestselling author of ten books dealing with wildlife, hunting, fishing, and wild game cooking. He is the recipient of the Conservation Achievement Award from The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

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Bird hunting guru ”Grouseman” Grossman returns with more wisdom, tips, strategies and epic hunt stories

A real upland bird hunting guru returns to share his hard-earned wisdom. Steve "Grouseman" Grossman guides on the South Dakota prairies and Minnesota woods, and will offer us tips on everything from keeping dogs cool early in the season, to getting them to go "your way."

We'll trade stories on epic dog work and incredible hunts, must-have gear, strategies and habitat for sharptails, ruffed grouse, and woodcock, from food sources to what makes for birdy edges, handling a dog in the thick stuff and shooting better in it too.

The "Handle It" segment offers tricks you might use to mentally challenge your dog, and followers chime in with how they reward a bird dog for a job well done.

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Wild chukar & quail hunter shares secrets, a new SXS, and bird-dog psychology

Wild valley quail and chukar hunting strategy and tactics are the main topics this week, as I talk with Andy McCormick, executive vice president at Legacy Sports, importer of Pointer Shotguns. Andy walks his talk, spending much of his free time in the field chasing these two iconic western game birds, he's learned a lot and is willing to share.

We'll trade stories about finding birds, calling techniques, and taking care of your bird dog on arduous hunts in desert country. Andy will open his hunting vest and tell us what he carries, he'll rave about his chosen breed, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, and we'll even learn how hawks can be our best friend in the field.

The "Handle It" segment suggests a way to ensure your dog will execute your command flawlessly by eliminating one simple problem, and listeners will share the highlight of their season ... so far.

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Tom Huggler on Ukraine bird hunts, the hunting partner from hell, dog training tips galore

Before the artillery and airstrikes, the shots were all at Eurasian woodcock, and Tom Huggler was there. He'll relate that story, and so many others about hunts around the country and abroad, plus why every hunter should slow down, some wacky hunts and hunting partners, and what to do when your dog vanishes from an airliner like a sock in the dryer.

This prolific book author, magazine writer and video producer also has a few useful things to say about why woodcock migration is so cool, how to shoot better, what a dog on the chain gang learns, what shots size/gun/chokes are best for ruffies, and why hunting, for him, is full of (good) drama.

We bring back the "Handle It" dog training tip, and look at what everyone's doing out there.

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Your bird hunting questions and my answers - you decide if they’re any good.

From steadiness to the difference between "fetch" and "dead bird," we'll cover a host of topics you've asked about. I'll cobble together some answers that might be helpful! Dog boots, how to gather information, finding a lost bird dog and why chukars are always uphill from us, we'll explore the wide world of birds, dogs, and shooting too.

The Road Trip goes to nowhere ... but offers a suggestion on getting your dog back if he's lost on a hunting trip. And we take a look at your favorite bird - and others' as well - as defined by our Upland Nation Index survey.

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Bird hunting: where science and sport meet, how capitalism might help endangered species

Why an entrepreneurial approach to habitat conservation might be the best way to save game birds, among other species ... that's one topic in our conversation with Ted Koch, executive director of the North American Grouse Partnership. We also talk ruffed grouse hunts along the Snake River, missed mallards, and how to catch a big brown trout.

The NAGP is deep into promoting an initiative that will do for upland birds and prairie habitat what has already been done for wetlands, resulting in significant upswings in duck and goose numbers. We'll learn more about it, and get down to the nitty gritty on why wind energy is so bad for prairie birds, where cheatgrass and fire fit (or don't) in the conservation model. Sharptailed grouse hunting tips are also on the agenda.

The public-access Road Trip covers my four favorite states and why; and we find out what your priorities are when it comes to being better hunters.

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Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunter, conservation leader talks timber cuts, grouse and woodcock hunting

Ben Jones, CEO and president of the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society, updates us on a tumultuous couple of years. When we last talked at the start of the pandemic, the organization was undergoing significant challenges from a locked-down fundraising/banquet season to a quantum shift in its business model. We'll find out how things are going today and how the groups' efforts are paying off in the bank and on the ground.

We also talk ideal habitat, grouse dogs and hunting strategies and tactics.

Our Road Trip looks at a Kansas public-access bobwhite haven; and we cover early numbers on the annual Upland Nation Survey and what bird hunters say are the sport's highest priorities.

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Bird hunting podcast: trial champ, hunter & trainer trade notes, share their secrets

How do you become one of just five women to win a national amateur field trial championship? That's the question I asked of Camie Barrow, and Jim Keller, the pro trainer who helped her bring her Springer Bailey to the rarified air of a national championship. Their answers are helpful whether you aspire to competitive dog games, or simply to train a better hunting dog.

From "dog psychology" to the handler's mental preparation, the tools they use, what a trial encompasses and how it all translates to bird hunting, we'll cover it with Camie and Jim.

Our Road Trip public access segment covers some New Mexico quail ground, and listeners answer the question about their use of mobile mapping apps.

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Bird hunter, author Tom McIntyre’s last interview

I consider him the best hunting writer we had ... until we lost him two days after this interview. Tom McIntyre was a friend, author, magazine writer, and in ways a mentor - he helped me get my first book deal, among other things. While Tom's passion was Africa and exotic game species, he was also a dog owner and bird hunter and we'll talk about all of that.

You'll find him insightful, observant, and more than a bit of a philosopher. It'll be good for your soul to listen, trust me. Tom's new book comes out in early spring, so watch for Thunder Without Rain from Skyhorse Books.

We'll also cover some late season hunting opportunities, and find out who won on your opening day.

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Bird hunting podcast: where do bobs go when we burn them out? Plus: ”AirBnB” of wingshooting founder

The joy of a new puppy ... and where to find bobwhites are just two of the topics as John Morgan, director of the National Bobwhite & Grassland Initiative joins us. Then, our industry insider series continues with Shawn Mahaffey, CEO and founder of what could be described as the AirBnB of wingshooting, WingIt.

(Hey, get in on a sweet deal and big savings before everyone else, by signing up for the WingIt mailing list now.)

Morgan touches on old and young dogs, offers scientific insights on quail hunting from ideal habitat to the real reasons rain is good - and bad - for their population. He outlines a new, public-private strategy for the organization (formerly National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative), the reason for the name change, then jumps back to quail hunting strategy and tactics based on science. He then takes us into the ruffed grouse woods for a new perspective on hunting the King of Gamebirds.

And soon, there's an app for it. That's what Shawn Mahaffey says about a way to book a day of hunting on private land via your mobile phone. We get an exclusive preview of the tech and the reasons it may be the next big thing for bird hunters.

Our public access feature touches on the borders of a chukar state, and you chime in with the name of your most recent hunting buddy and a report on your opening day shooting skill, such as it was :).

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Two bird hunting friends talk wild chukars and quail, public access, serendipity, and fire pits

Same place, same opening weekend and we didn't even hunt together. It still may have been the best opener ever, in large part for reasons other than bird numbers. My friend Tom Jenkins joins me to debrief our separate-but-equally cool chukar openers where camaraderie, family, friends, and brutal heat all contributed to a unique hunting experience.

Learn what we learned about coping with summer-like conditions - dog care, bird behavior and personal um, hydration. How serendipity is often what makes a hunting trip memorable, some of our tactics and strategies for wild birds, including valley quail.

The Road Trip hits some starting points for public access ruffed grouse in the Northeast, and we look at your photos of opening weekend - outstanding!

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Versatile hunting dog judge outlines the German testing system, why DDs rule, offers training wisdom

"Never lie to a dog," she says. Find out why on this episode. Lynda Krull and her dogs not only excel at the highest standards as German versatile hunting test entrants she now judges other German dogs aiming for success at the toughest test in dogdom. Her Deutsch Drahthaars honed their skills at Lynda's South Dakota hunting lodge, and chasing wild birds across America.

We learn why bond are critical between owner and dog, how to build them, and the benefits of a dog that works for you, not him.

Lynda shares her wisdom, insights and advice on everything from the German hunting culture to preparing for those rigorous hunt tests. She offers dog training tips, covers conditioning dogs for a long season, explains why silence in the field is the best way to handle dogs, and why a steady dog at all costs is often the wrong approach on wild birds.

Our Road Trip to public access covers a species of land that we might not think of when searching for upland hunting, and listeners chime in on how their opening weekend went.

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Bird hunter’s podcast: O.G.’s 6,500 miles of hunting experience helps you make the opener epic

Twenty-six states, 32 years, over 6,500 walking miles ... I've learned a thing or two traveling the country chasing birds for fun and (very little) profit. Much of it is most helpful on Day One of your season, from travel tips to picking the right hunting partner. I'll cover them in hopes one or two might be handy, new, or you needed a nudge to remember.

From organizing your gear to what not to do with your dog on that first morning, there's something for everyone in this free-wheeling monologue. Then, we take a look at your ammo and shotgun choices, and what you'll be shooting at on opening day.

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Bird hunting podcast with pro photog Lee Kjos on picture tips, puppies, and why non-toxic ammo makes sense to uplanders

Intense, exuberant, committed to a cause and pretty damn talented: photographer Lee Kjos joins me to talk all things outdoor photography from his grueling travel schedule to where you've seen his work (everywhere). We'll get tips on how to make even your ugliest hunting buddy better looking and getting your dog camera-ready.

We'll talk about Lee's new cocker pup, dogs in general, take a deep dive into his ruffed grouse passion, delve into some outdoors history and even a little philosophy. Where the heck do Greg Allman and Harley Davidson motorcycles fit into this? Listen to find out.

Lee's making waves in the ammo business, too. Co-founder of Boss Shotshells, he'll make a case for using non-toxic ammo in the uplands before the feds force it down our throats. His conservation - and practical - arguments ring true to me. Listen for yourself and decide.

You share your thoughts on where your dog rides ... and we look at Texas public-access (yes, there is some).

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Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, KAMO's Burt County Bird Bounty, the Ringneck Nation of Huron, SD, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.