Upland Nation

French Brittany: "pocket rocket" history and hunting style and your best bird hunt of last season

From the national conclave of the Club Epagneul Breton: foundation breed, growing in popularity here in the States, the Epagneul Breton (French Brittany) has earned a reputation as an energetic, vest-pocket-sized bird dog. We'll trace the history on both sides of the Atlantic with Fred Overby, the unofficial historian of the Club Epagneul Breton USA. From um, prosaic and practical beginnings to the present, we'll get the details on everything from genetics to performance.
Todd Farris' hunting club grounds were the setting for our interviews, and he joins me to talk about how great habitat is created, his introduction of valley quail in Oklahoma, and even some bird hunting advice!
A new "Field Test" feature reviews an affordable power station, and listeners share their memories of the best hunt of last season.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ESPAmerica,Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
 

Off-season training for you and your bird dog: your main objectives and some tips to help

It's training season ... all those new year's resolutions, promises to your buddy or your dog ... you've told me what you want to work on and we'll cover it with some tips and suggestions. Steadiness, recall, retrieving are the main points you've asked about, but we'll also address some other things YOU should do before Opening Day to make next season stellar.
"Road Trip" covers some birdy beer towns, and listeners share photos of their tricked-out hunting rigs - you're sure to find something you'll want to do to your own.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Texas pro bird hunting guide: practical advice and what trips his trigger out there

From "Quail Alley" in Texas, Orvis 2023 Guide of the Year Jon Hubble enlightens us on quail hunting and habitat, tactics, and dog handling. Jon's Premier Wingshooting is in country that still looks - and hunts - like the old days, with oaks, native grasses and plenty of water.
We'll also cover how to handle bad scenting conditions, why it's better not to shoot sometimes, and how he handles a cocker-pointer combination. Jon also gives us the definitive way to use inner-tube dog boots. We also peek in his vest for must-carry gear.
Listeners share the strange and cool things they found on a hunt (not counting hunting partners), and "Handle It" may help you avoid a vet visit.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ESPAmerica,Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunter's guide to dog games and why you should enter one

Extend your hunting season, forge a year-long bond with your hunting dog ... just two reasons to try a trial, hunt test or "bird dog challenge." I've entered, marshalled, gunned for, cooked for, passed - and failed - a lot of them, and gotta tell you, it's the best way to enjoy your dog during the off season. Oh, and he'll LOVE it.
From how to find one, finding a group that fits your needs, to reasons you'll be glad you entered, to how they work, I'll offer my 30-plus years of um, "trial and error" (lots of error). If nothing else, you'll laugh at the many goofs me and my dogs have made over the years.
Then, we look at your clever license plates, and help you start planning now for next year's big road trip - with a few strategies most of us don't use.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Two whistles and a compass: Bird hunting guide Durrell Smith talks dogs, bobs, chukars and public access

Why didn't we talk sooner? Durrell Smith is an Orvis-endorsed guide, fine artist, dog man, podcaster and probably a lot of other things we never got around to in this wide-ranging discussion. We'll cover his tips on accessing more public land to hunt, dog behavior and some stellar moments from this season. We also hear a touching story of three generations of quail hunters, how to read habitat and why to seek out the ugly stuff. Hunting strategies and essential gear he takes with him are also on the docket.
We'll share our thoughts on what constitutes a long shot in the field and why ... and I've got one last warm-weather late-season destination for you.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Better wingshooting - a champion’s advice; your winter hunt photos & your dog’s holiday haul.

Shoot better simply by paying attention ... to this champion. Anthony Matarese Jr. joins me to talk shooting techniques, styles, and the things that vex us in the field and on the range. From foot position to lead, practice strategy to gun mount, this guy knows his stuff. In 2014 Anthony became the youngest shooter in history to be inducted into the National Sporting Clays Hall of Fame.  In 2016 Anthony became the first American to win the World Sporting Clays Championship.  In 2020 Anthony became the first person win all 4 major titles during his shooting career: The US Open, National Championship, World Sporting Clays Championship, and the World FITASC Championship.  
We'll also look at your winter hunting photos, and your dog's holiday presents. Okay, you can play with the box!
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
 

Bird dog training pro: steadiness, explained well. On location at the Epagneul Breton conclave: high-level tests, and your new year’s resolutions

Coming to you from the Club Epagneul-U.S. national conclave, I cornered trainer/hunter Jake Bartells between runs. Jake is a consummate trainer with five NAVHDA Invitational Champions and a number of CEB-US titles. Jake brings us up to speed on the breed, the club, the testing process, and then takes us to school on training our own dogs.
Jake's insights on steadiness are priceless ... and I'll bet you haven't heard it explained quite this clearly.
We talk about your off-season training goals, and share some new year's resolutions. Whether you keep them or not is up to you - and your dog.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Warm & dry bird hunting ... you want it, dontcha? Here’s where to go.

I pulled together notes from all the places I've hunted in winter, polled good friends and reliable sources, to provide you with a list of publicly-accessible, wild-bird starting points for warmer hunting spots when you're tired of shoveling snow. There's nine different states, a multitude of new species (to most of us) and dozens of places to start your search for dry ground and shirt-sleeve hunting weather.
"Handle It" address the backsliding dog who needs a reminder prior to a hunt, and listeners chime in on what has pleasantly surprised them so far this season, from habitat to hunting buddies.
And it's all brought to you by Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.