Upland Nation

30 years of bird dog training tips, observations, gentle suggestions and advice you might want to consider

So many questions from my Pheasant Fest visit ... and as it's training season I thought sharing some of my observations, suggestions, tips and advice might, just might, be of use to you and your dog. From better hand signals to what a dog hears "down there," to when to give commands, here are some things that most other seminars, books and videos don't cover.
We also arrive at "F" in the Upland Nation Glossary and offer up a way to do a solid for one of your mentors.
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; AudioCardio.com, and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Conservation: Who pays? Bird hunters, anglers and target shooters.

Who pays for conservation? The answer may surprise you, and that's what the new organization Outdoor Stewards of Conservation is all about: hunters, anglers and target shooters. Executive director Jim Cucuruto outlines the creative and inclusive ways his new group are spreading the word ... and helping even more.
We also cover recruitment of new bird hunters, from how to invite someone on a hunting trip to what's required afterwards.
You also get to the letter "D" in our Upland Nation Glossary ... and a chance to honor one of your hunting mentors and improve their hearing in a new contest.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource; AudioCardio.com, and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Wild bird hunters talk season highlights, public access tips, puppies, high-level hunting dog tests

How was your season? My friend Ben Warner and I talk about our days afield, and we review some of your recollections too. Wild Hun, quail and chukar spots and how to find them, the joys of running multiple dogs simultaneously, how to share spots without spoiling the adventure ... we cover it all. We'll also talk puppy development, and the road to the NAVHDA Invitational test.
There's news, and the Upland Nation Glossary explores the letter "C."
And it's all brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource; AudioCardio.com, and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting and clay targets: inextricably linked ... this instructor who shows you why and how

Dave Fiedler owns Mid-Valley Clays and Shooting School in Gervais, Oregon. He is a high level instructor, champion shooter and hunter. He offers us all tips on becoming better hunters, from gun mount to which clay target games we should practice and why.
Dave has insights and advice on cross-dominance, our biggest shooting mistakes and how to avoid them, transferring clay target skills to the field, and how to help a beginner start off on the right foot. And we continue our journey through the alphabet in the Upland Nation Glossary. Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource; AudioCardio.com, and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Pro bird dog trainer: puppy development, how a dog thinks, building his brain power

Mark Fullmer of Sarahsetter Kennels outlines his proven theories on building a pup's brain power starting on Day One, and how that turns dogs into bird finding machines. From why he feeds a puppy raw quail, to e-collar use, to positive and negative reinforcement, he'll turn your own thinking around and help you become a better trainer.
We talk training methods for everyone, bird introduction, and clicker training. And then, Scott introduces the first Upland Nation Glossary word, and we lick our wounds, literally, when you tell us how your dog was injured last season and where.
And it's all brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource; FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting: chukars, the devil bird, explained by an expert who lives there - Travis Warren of Upchukar Podcast.

From dogs to habitat, tactics and strategies, Travis Warren has advice for anyone pondering pursuit of these diabolical birds. He spends considerable time in chukar country ... right outside his yard!
We'll trade notes, discuss gear, and everyone will learn something about how and where to hunt them, dog training and tactics, habitat, gun, choke and shot selection and more.
We take a look at your photos of the awesome views you found last season, and you could win a Scott Linden Signature Series Comfort Collar in our Upland Nation Puzzler question, all brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting: what does your dog really want? Your plans for the off-season

Now that the season is finally over, you tell me your highest priority is taking your dog to the next level. I'm with ya there!
So, let's begin the journey to canine excellence with a look at what a dog wants from you, why he works for you, and how you can become a better trainer/handler. I'll offer a few suggestions and observations that might not be in your bag of tricks yet.
Plus, we'll find out what else is on your "to-do" list for the off season, you could win a Scott Linden Signature Series Comfort Collar in our Upland Nation Puzzler question, all brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting podcast: What the Dogs Taught Me ... and maybe you too. Are you still hunting ... in this weather?

With the season winding down, it's time to look ahead to training ... and thinking about how our dogs think. Anticipating a third printing of my book What the Dogs Taught Me in May (new title: Training and Hunting Bird Dogs: How to Become a Better Hunter and Dog Owner - available now on Kindle), let's take a look at some of the less-common tips and tactics.
From how a dog thinks, to little changes that have big impact, training methods and hunting strategies, we'll survey a number of subject areas, all with the goal of cultivating a better relationship between you and your dog.
You'll also have a chance to win a rare Signature Series Real Bird Bumper, and we find out why some of you are still out there slogging around in pursuit of birds and the dogs we love.
And it's all brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.