Upland Nation

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.

Bird hunter's bonus: hunting dog eye care

Now's the time to practice this - when nobody's under any pressure. I'll share the lessons I've learned the hard way about keeping your dog's eyes clean and functioning well. From teaching him to let you poke around, to getting out the crud under his eyelids, to when NOT to use eye drops. I'll outline the few tools you need, some of the methods, and caution you on when it's time to leave the job to a veterinarian.
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.

Out & About: hit more chukars - slide down the hill

Shooting tip from someone who's twisted a few ankles enroute to a covey flush. Enjoy!

Hunt debrief: No end to bird season here ... listen to these hunters' stories, recount your own, and learn something

Motivation, inspiration and savvy advice: re-live your own season as you listen to an avid hunter, and a Registered Maine Guide recount theirs. Amanda Ponti joins me for a look at hunts from Montana to New Mexico ... dog work, desert quail, camaraderie, and some useful insights on what to bring. Then Craig Morrison tells us how the the woodcock and ruffed grouse season played out for him and his clients. Bird behavior and habitat strategy are among his topics.
"Fix It" answers the proverbial question about an older person getting a new puppy ... and listeners share some of the many states they hunted last season in addition to their own.
You get a chance to win a four-pack of Pointer shotguns or set of Chad Hodge upland chokes 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.

Chasing Sasquatch: finding motivation, inspiration and new places to hunt birds next season

I've spent much of the last few seasons passing by my old standby hunting spots, instead visiting those intriguing, unexplored places that might hold bird hunting adventures. My friend Tom got me started, marking my online map like he does, with the Sasquatch icon for places that might be worth a detour.
Sure, some don't pan out. Others are a bonanza of birds, dog work, scenery and exhilarating experiences. I'll take you through my rationale, strategy, and share some of my experiences as starting points for your own forays.
"Fix It" gets your shotgun ready for next season, now. Listeners tell us how their dogs did this past season, and you get a last chance to enter to win a pair of Pyke Gear Dakota pants (value $230) 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.

Re-living the season: two avid hunters offer insights and professional advice ... Bret Wonnacott & Michael Salamone

Two real professionals join me to share their bird seasons ... ups and downs, surprises and insights. Michael Salamone guides upland hunters in the deep woods of Colorado for forest grouse and will clue us into their mysteries. Bret Wonnacott is an author/writer and avid dog trainer and hunter. We talk chukars, dog development, including why we should think about NOT using an e-collar.
"Fix It" does some spring cleaning on our phones, and listeners share their rationale for hunting public access ground with some surprising observations.
You get a chance to enter to win a pair of Pyke Gear Dakota pants (value $230) 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.

Season debrief with two pro hunters, your own season, fix those feet

Two hardcore hunters join me to share their seasons ... highs and lows, stellar dog work, insights and observations. Jim Millensifer has hunted 14 bird species (including snowcock!) and spends more time hunting than anybody I know. We'll talk Kansas, Arizona, North Dakota and who knows where the discussion will go - from mountain tops to desert plains. Jim offers tips on traveling, what helps the lightbulb go on in a younger dog (or more mature one for that matter), and recounts a "chicken chase" where the goal was one of every grouse species in the country.
Steve "Grouseman" Grossman then offers an outfitter's perspective on the past few months, plus passionate observations on dog development and how weather affects bird populations. Steve also suggests something intriguing about dogs scenting birdy cover, as well as his practical tips and tactics.
"Fix It" reminds everyone of a chore we often shelve during the off-season, and listeners as a whole sum up their season: epic, average or dismal ... find out where you fall in.
You get a chance to enter to win a pair of Pyke Gear Dakota pants (value $230) 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.