Bird hunting podcast: ex-guide shares the joys of hunting ”for fun,” Mearns quail tips and tricks, picking a new dog, your regrets

Fascinating Mearn’s quail strategies from a former Arizona pro guide are the starting point, and from there we cover the waterfront!

Phil Wechsler shares why he left the pro guiding world ... the joys of hunting “for fun.” From the benefits to young dogs, to finding new places, there is a freedom to not guiding. Time of year to hunt, habitat and terrain, bird behavior … Gambel’s, scaled, Mearn’s. Why he loves Mearns the best. Hint: it involves bird dogs. In fact, they may be the perfect quail for steady pointing dogs.

Phil offers tips on developing young dogs, and the value of their bumping a covey, and how without paying guests every day is a training day. We discuss finding the “good spots,” how to take care of a kennel full of dogs, picking dogs, why he likes smaller dogs, the value of hunting each area just once, with a caveat.

Phil describes his “best year” of hunting … last season … not for the birds or dogs but for the friends he shared a hunt with. And, the best tip he ever got from a guide client.

You share how far you drive for a hunt, share your “regrets” and how we can all learn from them, a chance to win a Chief Upland hunting vest, and it's brought to you by:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School; UplandNationDeals.com, Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.