Upland Nation

Pro bird hunting guide Mark Nissen on all things grouse, dogs ... and a few woodcock, too!

Orvis wingshooting guide of the year for 2018, Mark Nissen of Classic Bird Hunts guides hunters in Wisconsin for ruffed grouse and woodcock, then travels to Arizona for quail and doves when the snow flies. Fifty years in the woods, 40 of them guiding, he knows a bit about the sport, the dogs, and how to help you become a better hunter.
We discuss everything from puppy's most important early lessons to safety in the woods. Strategy and tactics for both bird species from a guide's perspective, beeper-versus-bell, must-take stuff you probably forgot, and shooting tips for those pesky trunks and branches.
Mark also helps us train our dogs for all types of birds, provides insights on working with a pro guide, tipping etiquette and (drum roll, please) ... a great woodcock recipe.
You also get dog training tips, another publicly-accessible place to hunt, gear discounts and a chance to win a Pointer shotgun. And it's all brought to you by these sponsors - check out their deals:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; FindBirdHuntingSpots.com and Gunner Kennels.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on any purchase over $200 at Dogtra with the code SLUN10; wing a Pointer shotgun at FindBirdHuntingSpots.com; 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's with the code UPLANDNATION; and financing on your Gunner Kennel.

Bird hunting podcast: What do you admire about your hunting dog?

You'll be surprised at the attributes callers cite when they tell me what they love about their dogs. From heart and drive to that special bond between human and animal, I'll bet you can relate.
Intensity? Sure. But many callers say their dog keeps them young, fit, and in stitches sometimes! Facebook messages are just as creative: mischief and comic relief, to loyalty and single-mindedness in the field. Does your dog have an on-off switch too?
Some of your friends might be on this week. Check the list: Marc Reeves, James Fritz, Matt Templeton, Ken Welsh, Jeremy Slate Smith, Mike Siebert, Linda Seick, Jim Brehm, Lance Larson, Ludell Heaton, Mark Kimbrough, Joe Omundson, Ken Welsh, Bobby Westbrook, Michael Deegan, Bob Clayton, Seth Rauch and Steve Maus all weigh in on their dogs and why they love them.
You'll also get exclusive tips on public-access, advice on pups and old dogs, breed info from insiders, a hunting dog care tip (save some money), discounts on gear, and the chance to win a shotgun.
It's all brought to you by Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; FindBirdHuntingSpots.com and Gunner Kennels.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on any purchase over $200 at Dogtra with the code SLUN10; wing a Pointer shotgun at FindBirdHuntingSpots.com; 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's with the code UPLANDNATION; and financing on your Gunner Kennel.

Upland bird hunting podcast: Side-by-side vs. over-under, the virtues of a pump gun ... and the advantages of a semi-auto.

Callers share their love of shotguns ... and take us to school on the fine points. No rivalry is more rampant than this one, unless you talk pointers vs. flushers! If you're partial to a double gun, you may change your mind (I doubt it!). But you will understand the passion each aficionado has for their style.
Not only will you learn why you love your gun(s) and your friends love theirs, you'll get helpful tips on caring for your shotgun. Learn about chokes, cast-off, gun fit, and all the intangible stuff that makes guns an extension of our psyche. From grandpa's heirloom Purdey, to the most efficient Italian semi-auto, you'll get an education on the why's and wherefore's of shotguns.
Some of the stories will remind you of your own ... fathers bestowing vintage guns on sons, first birds by daughters, great dogs and wonderful friends long-gone. Take out your (unloaded) gun and listen along with callers and Facebook messagers who shared their memories and advice on shooting, ammo choices, gun fit, and gun care.
Plus, gear discounts, a chance to win a Pointer shotgun, dog training advice and Scott's bucket-list public access destination for this fall.
The Upland Nation podcast is brought to you by @cabelas @sageandbraker @espamerica @drtims and @dogtra

Keeping things positive in these wacky times: bird hunting podcast covers your favorite bird species and why - calls, messages, and opinions

We will be hunting this fall!
Inspiration and motivation from callers and Facebook messagers comes this week in the form of passion for a favorite bird species. Find out why they love their sharpies, timberdoodles, chickens and ditch parrots ... among others ... and learn something to help you this fall.
Out of some fascinating conversations came tips and techniques, hunting strategies, family traditions and touching stories of multi-generational hunts and childhood memories. Plus, what we can learn from some of the old-timers about hunting dogless, learning how birds and dogs think, and what defines a "good hunt."
Funny stories, how to stage-manage a large party pheasant drive, and finding woodcock habitat are also part of the discussion as we look downrange to the coming hunting season.
Hey @Don Mraz, @David Brebner, @DSunDet, @Gary Forrest, @John Pivetta, @Brandon Murphy, @Celia Rausch, and @Billy Turner ... you're on the show this week!
Plus, gear deals from Dogtra (10% off plus free shipping with code SLUN10), Gunner Kennels (finance your purchase), and Dr. Tim's dog food (30% off first order with code UPLANDNATION).
Also brought to you Cabela's, Sage & Braker gun care, ESP hearing protection, and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

BREAKING NEWS: Ruffed Grouse Society restructuring and it's implications for birds, members, and the conservation community as a whole

In this special edition, the organization's CEO Ben Jones joins me for an exclusive interview outlining the reasons for a massive revamping of the group's business model.
A model for every group? Jones says there are fundamental economic realities exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis that his group has addressed in sweeping actions including layoffs, new hires, and cost-savings, but primarily in a new way of funding the organization. Their approach to "entrepreneurial conservation" may prompt other organizations to look at what RGS and sister group American Woodcock Society are doing:
Replacing biologists with foresters adept at timber marketing as well as biology; utilizing the forest as a cash source; becoming more adaptable and nimble to meet the needs of both the resource and the organization's mission ... pulling ruffed grouse and woodcock back from the brink of endangered or threatened species designations.
The long-term objectives, Jones says, will be exponentially greater acreage under conservation management, a financially-stable RGS/AWS, and larger membership base ... while redoubling the group's commitment to science and member service.

We WILL be hunting this fall! Callers share their favorite bird hunting states and why you should go there.

Stay positive. Be optimistic. Plan ahead. We will beat this thing.
In the spirit of sportsmanship, our callers share their favorite bird hunting states ... from bird species, to terrain, to scenery, challenges, and the people who make visiting so fun.
Passions are many, and you'll hear them all in my continuing effort to stay focused on the future, when we are all free again to pursue our sport ... with our friends, family, and our dogs.
Thanks to all the callers who kept things upbeat and encouraging - personal stories about friendship, dogs, family and nostalgia that will keep us going until the leash is unclipped and we're in the field again.
You'll also get gear discounts, a chance to win a shotgun, dog-care tip, and strategies on planning your public-access hunting trips.

Bird dog podcast: "shelter in place" doesn't mean you can't have some fun with your dog! How to cope with the "new normal."

Your calls on ideas for these wacky times ... from training tips to gear, motivation to encouragement.
An update on news that affects bird hunters and dog owners, a way to help victims of the Nashville tornadoes, too.
Improve your shooting and your dog's skills ... no matter what kind of challenges you face during these trying times. Plus gear you can make, a buckaroo's tip on negotiating the most challenging aspect of public-land access ... barbed-wire gates!
Gear and dog food discounts, too!

Special Edition: Coronavirus - effects on our sport and our dogs

While everything is changing on an hourly basis, here are some things to know, now.
What should we do? Avoid? How do we protect ourselves from a virus that may have come from a Chinese live-animal market?
Is my dog food safe? Can my dog infect my family? Vice-versa?
What about my field trial - cancelled? Conventions and sportsmen's shows?
How do we protect our dogs? Are there risks in using training birds?
What about gear? Should we be worried about our new Italian shotgun now on order? What about components sourced overseas?
I've done some digging and have up-to-the-hour information from industry insiders, public health experts, and others ... in hopes of bringing a bit of sanity to a crazy issue. Hope it helps!