Upland Nation

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

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

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

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.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends Joy Dog Food and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

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?
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

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

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