Upland Nation

Dog training, conservation, helping newbies ... oh, and behind-the-scenes look at PF/QF's inner workings

He's a fanatic bird hunter, conservationist, dog trainer and strong advocate for recruiting newbies to our ranks. Oh, he's also on the board of Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever. Douglas Spale has a unique backstory, too, and all his passions and life experiences combine to make him a fantastic interview.
We'll cover everything from his own hunting origin story to dog training tips, hunting strategies to conservation. Then, we'll talk how to help motivate and engage potential hunters. As a board member, Douglas also offers insights into the policies and operations of the largest upland conservation groups, PF/QF.
"Fix It" asks the question: are you responsible for your dog's broken points? And listeners share the highlights of their most recent hunting season - a segment full of motivation and inspiration.
You get a chance to enter to win a four-pack of Pointer shotguns or free day of private land hunting from LandTrust.com, value $150 in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, MidwayUSA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Legendary bird dog trainer Rick Smith ... finally!

Bird Dog Hall of Famer Rick Smith of the legendary family that includes father Delmar and cousin Ronnie, joins me from the floor of Pheasant Fest. In a wide-ranging discussion, we cover rodeo(!), essential training gear, and do a very deep dive into dog psychology and training methods. We talk about steadiness, retrieving, picking a pup, a dog's mindset and how to change it.
Listeners offer their critique of my survival kit, including other things to add; and "Fix It" talks about, well, talking to your dog.
You get a chance to enter to win a free day of private land hunting from LandTrust.com, value $150 in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, MidwayUSA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting insider: bonus episode on 5 things you should do now for next season

Here's the inaugural episode of bi-weekly bonus programs doing a deep dive into single topics, inspirational stories, hunting adventures and special people.
I took stock of last season, made a "to-do" list, and will share my priorities ... maybe some will become yours too. From steadiness to shooting skills, we'll touch on the stuff you can do now to ensure a more successful season this fall.
Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Purina Pro Plan Sport dog food.

Bird hunting besties: Quail pro's on habitat, strategy, tactics

From the floor of Pheasant Fest: hunting for bobwhites will be a lot easier with the advice you'll get here from Frank Loncarich and Kyle Hedges of Land & Legacy. They've got boots-on-the-ground know-how based on decades of science and practical experience. We'll learn more about behavior, reproduction, and fundamentals from hunting strategy to tactics.
"Fix It" reminds everyone of simple ways to keep a dog engaged on a road trip, and listeners offer their answers to the question "do you say anything once your dog hits a point?"
You get a chance to enter to win a free day of private land hunting from LandTrust.com, value $150 in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Pointer shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, MidwayUSA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Gun Dog editor from Pheasant Fest: pups, making TV and magazines, hunting season debrief

From the floor of National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic: Put down your coffee cup - you won't need any more caffeine once you feed off Kali Parmley's energy. She's editor of Gun Dog magazine, a hard core upland hunter, hosts the Wild Upland TV series, and hunts hard all season. You'll find her in the stratosphere chasing ptarmigan, and among the lava rock where chukars dwell.
We'll talk about how she decides what gets into a magazine and why ... starting a new pup ... hunting two dogs as a brace and separately ... adventures of a TV host ... and re-live her hunting season together. Tips and strategies for wild birds are also part of our discussion.
"Fix It" puts you into new public-access land in a neglected location and I'll announce the latest winner in our Fur Feathers Friends-Pointer Shotguns giveaway.
You get a chance to enter to win a free day of private land hunting from LandTrust.com, value $150 in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Pointer shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, MidwayUSA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Season debrief: Montana sharptails, Gambel's quail ... hunting two dogs and train in the house

Re-live your own season while listening to the stories of my friends George Gomez and Rashawn Gordon. George had an incredible Montana hunt and we'll get the highlights from him: dog work, bird numbers and other challenges. (And I share a once-in-aplifetime shot!) Rashawn trains dogs and guides in the Southwest, where he chases primarily Gambel's quail. We'll get advice on steadying dogs to running birds, the importance of recall, and training away from sight points.
Listeners share their thoughts on hunting a brace (or more!) of dogs simultaneously, and "Fix It" covers some reasons to take your training into the house.
You get a chance to win a pair of Chad Hodge signature choke tubes from Trulock Chokes (value $199) in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, too, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Pointer shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, MidwayUSA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird dog, shotgun industry insiders tip us on choke tube manufacturing, launching a new magazine

We peek behind the curtains with insights from Scott Trulock of Trulock Chokes on everything from the state of the industry to why steel quality counts, and an explanation of what TSS really is. Then Chris Ingram talks about launching a new magazine for sport dogs of all stripes (and their owners) from the United Kennel Club and American Field. From content strategy to nitty-gritty, Chris shares his plans.
Listeners tell us what they're doing in the off-season, and "Fix It" tunes up your hunting vest.
You get a chance to win a pair of Trulock choke tubes (value $199) in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Pointer shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, MidwayUSA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunters debrief: chukars to quail, dogs to habitat, your dog's injuries tallied

Chukars to Mearn's quail, we've got you covered as the season debriefs roll on. I'm joined by two avid bird hunting friends on this edition: Lance Larson of Arizona, and Omar Alyahya of Oregon. Weather, dog work, challenges from puppies to cactus all are part of the discussion. Omar also shares his hunting upbringing in Kuwait.
We'll learn about chukar and desert quail habitat, how chukars defied conventional wisdom later in the season, pick up a couple hunting strategies, and find out how bird populations fared. Omar has first-hand experience and recommends a very important piece of gear.
"Fix It" is my take on feeding your dog during the off season, and listeners relate their dogs' injury situation after a long season - words to the wise!
You get a chance to enter to win a pair of Trulock Choke tubes (value $199) in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Pointer shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, MidwayUSA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.