Upland Nation

Versatile hunting dog judge, champion trainer, wild bird hunter has dozens of tips

You've seen his dog excel in the NAVHDA Invitational test on Wingshooting USA TV. In one of the most memorable and jam-packed conversations I've had, Curtis Fry walks his talk, and boy, can he talk! Versatile dog judge, champion trainer, avid upland hunter, Curtis will share his wisdom on everything from gunshyness to bird introduction, hunting strategy and dog psychology, to strategic feeding. I guarantee you will take away a heaping, steaming pile of knowledge that will make you a better dog trainer and bird hunter ... or your money back.
I asked on social media what conservation groups are doing a good job, and boy did I get an ear, er, eyefull. I'll share your opinions, without judgement, knowing your um, criticism was meant to be constructive. On our Road Trip public access segment, I share one of my favorite towns, the jumping-off point to less-well-known wild pheasant hunting spots.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, 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.

Bird hunting podcast: Pheasants/Quail Forever CEO retiring, shares his legacy and the glory

Howard Vincent retires after 35 years serving the conservation groups, starting as a volunteer before his rise to the top position in 2000. The two groups have become major conservation players, the dominant upland/bird hunting group, and conserving thousands of acres per year for habitat and wildlife.
Vincent recounts his rise and the group's accomplishments, how a savvy "big tent" philosophy has brought disparate groups to the negotiating table in the interest of wildlife and habitat. He'll outline how everything from honeybees to sorghum are relevant to hunters. He'll look back on some milestones, and ahead to what's in store for him after retiring at the close of Pheasant Fest 2023.
We go to New Mexico for wild bird public access, and hit on some of the 390 dog names you haven't used yet, but hope to.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, 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.

Bird dog trainer, hunter & e-collar pro on new tech, strategies for the yard and field

You're probably putting it on your dog wrong. His training collar, that is.
Got a question about e-collars or GPS collars? Dogtra's Pete Fischer has the answer. We'll dig deep into new technology, practical application of it, better ways to look at and use these tools in the yard and the field. Pete also suggests rules to live by in the field, how a dog thinks, and the strategy behind pressing the stim button.
You tell us if you're using a new shotgun this season and why, and we explore a public-access hunting spot in Missouri.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Trulock Chokes, 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.

Bird hunting industry insiders spill the beans: gear, nutrition, performance, hunting tips

Feed for top performance, get the gear too. We talk with a couple industry insiders about the state of the businesses: hunting and dog training equipment with Terry Wilson, founder of Ugly Dog Hunting; and Karl Gunzer, director of the sporting dog group at Purina.
Both are hard-core hunters and dog trainers, so their experience and knowledge is hard-won. We cover everything from what's new in e-collars to woodcock hunting tips, to why feeding before a hunt is a bad idea. We cover supply chain issues and new products, and what each pro wouldn't leave home without.
You chip in with thoughts on the importance of shooting a limit, and we look at some public-access ground in Arizona.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, 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.

Better bird hunting through better shooting: expert instructors take us to school, literally

A good buddy and I take a lesson with champion shooters, instructors and bird hunters Vandy and Dave Fiedler of Mid-Valley Clays and Shooting School in Gervais, Oregon. What we learned was you don't have to change your entire shooting style, just a few careful tweaks will make you move-mount-shoot better. If you'd like an extra bird or two in the bag, listen carefully to what they have to say.
We head for North Dakota again in our public access "Road Trip," and share some of your advice on what you never leave home without on a hunting trip ... you may be surprised!
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, 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.

Bird hunting podcast: what will you never do again? And Scott Trulock takes us to school on choke tubes

What they learned the hard way, we don't have to. That's our goal this week as listeners and Facebook friends share our worst mistakes so you won't make them. From forgotten stuff (and dogs) to where you'll never hunt again, we've got some doozies.
Scott Trulock of Trulock Chokes will share the dramatic impact (pardon the pun) of choke choice on our hunting success, and gives some insights on the state of the industry and technology.
We go to North Dakota for some tested public hunting grounds, and the Upland Nation Glossary stops on the letter W this week.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, the Ringneck Nation of Huron, SD, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource, KAMOInc.org, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting podcast: chukar hunters share stories, dog training, new places to go

My friend Eric Thompson joins me in studio (sorry about the goofy audio in the main section!) for a wide-ranging discussion about chukars, dogs, strategy and tactics. We cover how and why to bring new hunters into the sport, why Huns are on the upswing, make some predictions on this season, and share some good times.
The Upland Nation Glossary stops at the letter "V", and we have a public access spot you might want to visit this winter. Listeners chip in on the new places they hope to hunt this season, too.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, the Ringneck Nation of Huron, SD, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird dog trainer, test judge, talks mental telepathy, wild AZ quail, socialization, test tips and hunt strategy

Ruth Weiss is an avid wild quail hunter, pro trainer, NAVHDA judge ... and soon, will run her dog in the NAVHDA Invitational test, the pinnacle of hunting dog tests. Her insights on everything from hunting strategy to socializing young dogs will benefit anyone with a shotgun or a bird dog.
We talk training philosophy and practical tips, the value of "Yes" versus "good dog," Mearns quail habitat and tactics ... training for tests and why it makes a better hunting dog, how dogs adjust to other dogs and new bird species.
The Upland Nation Glossary stops at the letter "U" and we find a new wild bird/public access spot in Cajun country. Listeners share their hunt-trip plans - you might get an idea or two.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, the Ringneck Nation of Huron, SD, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.