Upland Nation

Bird hunting podcast: Guide to my top-four states for public access and wild birds, NE pheasant forecast, more open to hunting land

My boots, their ground ... I tip you to the four states that in my experience offer the best access, most wild birds, and an incredible total bird hunting experience. If you're looking for new country for this season, here's a good place to start. From bird species, general locations,terrain and habitats, towns to headquarter in, nightlife and culture too.
News on wildlife refuge hunting, pheasant numbers for Nebraska, and a chance to win a prize just for listening.
Brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, Pointer shotguns, RuffLand performance Kennels; HuntHuronSD.com, UplandNationDeals.com, Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting podcast: public access from A-Z, a prize, and the ultimate simple survival kit

Start the season with a bang ... maybe a double!
"This Land is Your Land," and this primer on finding public access hunting grounds will take you from nowhere to unexplored (by you) territory that might become your favorite spot. From online and IRL information sources, to the people and apps that can help you find walk-in land and the birds you and your dog love to pursue.
A few warnings about who you can and can't trust or don't want to piss off (bureaucrats), whether you should trust your mobile mapping app (NO) and the main reason you should exploit every information source you can.
Then, don't leave home without it: the ultimate "10 Essentials." Call it a survival kit if you like, but these must-have, must-carry lifesavers should be in every hunter's vest.
And a chance to win a Peet boot dryer too!
Brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, RuffLand performance Kennels; HuntHuronSD.com, UplandNationDeals.com, Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting podcast: Montana Sharptail hunt debrief, find a job, pheasant phorecasts for ND, KS

My recent foray to public lands near Lewistown was enlightening and exciting. A celebration of wild birds, camaraderie, and wonderful dog work, I'll give you a brief rundown on what we saw, did, and shot ... plus tips on sharpie hunting strategy and tactics, habitat and the amenities available in the area.
We'll flank quivering pointing dogs, celebrate the wildest of wild, and revel in the big sky, get practical on important details and explore the Block Management Access system.
There's news on job openings in our world, plus pheasant population guesstimates from North Dakota and Kansas.
Brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, RuffLand performance Kennels; HuntHuronSD.com, UplandNationDeals.com, Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Remastered! Upland bird hunting podcast: guru Bob Farris on Pudelpointers, wild bird hunting, breeding and training

Our most popular episode, remastered and worth another listen. Author of "Breeding and Training Versatile Hunting Dogs," NAVHDA judge, hunter, trainer and breeder, this guy has done it all ... including handling his dog to retrieve kicking tees for college football games! Bob Farris is well-respected for his dogs, training techniques, and insights that only come from judging hundreds of versatile hunting dogs.
We talk every aspect of dogs and hunting: wild bird strategies and tactics, puppy picking, socialization, training do's and don'ts. Bob covers the difference between breed clubs and the new Pudelpointer Alliance, and outlines the three most important skills you should teach to a dog and more.
Plus, advice on finding - and taking advantage of - public access ground, merchandise discounts and a chance to win a new Pointer shotgun.
(Can't wait for the discounts? Get 10% off and free shipping at Dogtra with the code SLUN10; 30% off your first order at Dr. Tim's performance dog food with the code UPLANDNATION. Win that gun by signing up for the mailing list at findbirdhuntingspots.com.)

Bird hunting podcast: opera and bird dogs ... ptarmigan hunting, public-access spot, your doggy dreams and what they mean

How a beautiful dog in the field is like an operatic aria ... and other poetic observations. Those are part of this week's interview with Alaska hunter Christine Cunningham as we explore her state's iconic birds, the three species of ptarmigan.
From habitat to tactics, the joys of a household with eight dogs, uniquely Alaskan hunting challenges, Chris covers the vast spaces where ptarmigan dwell, rocky crags and spongy tundra and most of it home to brown bears!
Chris is an artist with words - in print and on this podcast - so get ready to be inspired by her descriptions of our shared lifestyle.
We also find out who mentored most of us, take a look at news and controversy over duck stamps, visit a public-access spot in Kansas, and learn what your dream about hunting dogs really means and the entire podcast is brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, RuffLand performance Kennels; HuntHuronSD.com, UplandNationDeals.com, Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting podcast: A boy dog named Sue and his inspiring human ... public-access tipsters, gamebird population estimates for three states

She braved national television, putting her shorthair and herself to the test: agility, acrobatics and grueling competition. For her, it's about that magical bond between dog and human ... maybe you too?
Sara Chisnell is a lawyer, hunter, and she and her dog Sue are heading to the NAVHDA Invitational soon. She offers insights and advice to anyone ready to go to whatever is their "next level." For her, it was the TV show "America's Top Dog."
From favorite hunting quarry, to Shutzhund training, Sara's can-do attitude is an inspiration to us all.
Scott offers some less-likely candidates you might cozy up to if you're looking for more public-access hunting ground, three states' gamebird population estimates for fall, and a "found dog" story that will put a smile on your face.
And the entire podcast is brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, RuffLand performance Kennels; HuntHuronSD.com, UplandNationDeals.com, Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Himalayan snowcock to the chachalaca ... he's shot every single North American upland game bird. Better cellphone photos, giving back, your Opening Day, and Oklahoma public access.

Bird hunting podcast: From America's least-hunted bird on the summit of Ruby Dome, to a bird whose name is harder to pronounce than it is to shoot ... photographer/author Gary Kramer takes us on a continent-wide adventure in pursuit of every upland game bird. He personally chased and photographed - with a hunter's eye - every single one of them. His book GAME BIRDS - A Celebration of North American Upland Birds is the ultimate hunter's reference and conversation-starter. You can get it here.
Gary helps us take better photos with our cellphone, of birds, the habitat and our dogs, offering tips and advice that will make every nimrod a better "shooter." Oh, we'll also debrief his recent Amazon-basin fly fishing trip just for fun!
We look at lesser-known public-access ground in Oklahoma, get your thoughts on Opening Day (yay!), cover news you can use from a bright spot on the crowded fields we might be anticipating to another way for you to pay it forward and the entire podcast is brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, RuffLand performance Kennels; HuntHuronSD.com, UplandNationDeals.com, Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
 

Bird hunting pro guide shares his secrets, Her Majesty has something for your dog, best sage grouse spot

What do pro guides think of clients, and vice-versa? What are the most important things we should do in the field? Rich Knarr of Rrank Gundogs shares guide secrets on hunting strategy, habitat, tactics, and dog training this week.
Rich cites his most important training too, what's important for hunters in the field, and more. He helps us if we are going to work with a pro guide, and why he chose shorthairs as his breed of choice ... along with a few cockers! Strategic feeding and his go-to remedy for a dog's low-blood-sugar problem (luckily, seldom needed) are also covered.
You'll get news you can use, also: youth hunts, a mentored hunter program and even Queen Elizabeth's new venture into the dog world. Our public access feature directs you to the best sage grouse prospects in the West. And the entire podcast is brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Dr. Tim's performance dog food, RuffLand performance Kennels; HuntHuronSD.com, UplandNationDeals.com, Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.