Upland Nation

Train your bird dog during the season: why and how; and what he’s getting you for Christmas

It's mid-season. Would your dog say you've gone off the rails? Would you say he's gone with you?
We'll address some of the ways to train during the season, relate some common situations, and offer some suggestions. So will you - telling us about your dogs, your issues - and hopefully, we'll get to some answers. Plus, your dog's Christmas wishes - and your own - whether you're on the naughty or nice list.
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.

That hunting dog lung disease: vet/specialist has answers, plus shooting advice from your friends

We have the latest news on a widespread, unspecified respiratory disease is affecting dogs nationwide ... pandemic or not? Dr. Jane Sykes, infectious disease specialist at the Univ. of California Davis Veterinary School, address the potential causes, symptoms, preventive measures we can take, and everything else we need to know to keep our dogs safe and healthy. A Labrador owner herself, she is uniquely qualified to help hunting dog owners navigate the maze of rumor, sensational headlines, and real risks of what's being called Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex. You have questions, Dr. Sykes has answers.
Then, shooting better is a high priority for you ... and we'll get some honest appraisals from listeners of how theirs is going this season followed by loads of good advice on improving it from a dozen more listeners!
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.

Grouse guide’s bird hunting tips, a big test, strategic feeding, plus what you forgot

Pro ruffed grouse guide Terry Petro joins us from the Armbruster - a grueling test for Deutsche Drahthaars - and sums up the components of this multi-day evaulation. We jump from there to his thoughts on everything from strategic feeding to a key, oft-overlooked way to start choosing a new dog food, to bringing an more mature dog into the household. Terry offers tactics on grouse hunting and shooting, too.
Listeners comment on the things they wish they'd brought on that last trip - and now you'll know what to remember! And "Road Trip" covers some suggestions on Southeastern U.S. quail destinations for late-season hunts.
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.

Bird-dog’s first-year gear: the comprehensive list, plus your tribute to your dogs

The cost of the pup is the least of your (monetary) problems! Here's the comprehensive list of all the stuff you need to raise a high-performing puppy. From checkcord to bird launcher, and a lot of stuff you may not have thought of. This gear will make both of your lives easier, and turn your dog into a bird-finding machine.
Then, how far do you walk on your hunts? Listeners tell us some of their stories. And then, you honor your dogs and we share your stories - old guys, pups, and every other dog that's touched your heart.
"Road Trip" clues you into a program in Nebraska that is worth a side-trip.
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.

Bird hunting industry insiders on new products, gun care, desert quail hunting, boot tech and making them last longer

It's our somewhat-regular "Industry Insiders" edition, where I talk with leaders and up-and-comers about the business of bird hunting, their company, new products and tech. We also get their advice on taking care of our gear, our dogs, and ourselves. Oh, and these guys are also experts on bird hunting so expect some valuable tips.
This week, Fred Bohm of Sage & Braker talks new gun care gear, field-care for our shotguns, and desert quail hunting. This guy lives in the hotbed, Southern Arizona, and earned his spurs by climbing the hills and battling the cholla cactus for elusive Mearns, Gambel's and scaled quail. Phil Francone is the president and founder of Meindl USA, bringing that legacy brand of boots to America. Phil helps us with everything from fitting boots and breaking them in, to care for this most important component of your hunting ensemble. He also spills the beans on a brand-new boot model.
"Handle It" covers some helpful puppy-care stuff you may not have thought about, and you listeners weigh in with how your dogs are doing so far this 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, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Bird hunting public-access ground: 30 years of hard-won lessons on finding, and hunting walk-in and government land

You learn a lot poking around out there. From government tracts owned by the forest service, to walk-in ground that changes every year. We'll cover the things you need to know to get started - but experienced hunters will also find a tip or two on planning, research, tactics when you get there and going where nobody else goes.
Listeners chime in no bird populations this season, and share their opening day joys, and I advocate for remote-control bird launchers.
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.

Bird hunter’s 15 must-have skills for the field

Knot-tying to breaking up a dog fight ... these are essential capabilities you will be glad you have at some point in your hunting career. You might know some of them, but probably not all of them. Or, if you DO, this is your nudge to teach them to someone else! Taking photos, staying warm, getting found (or not getting lost!), this knowledge comes in handy every day.
"Road Trip" covers two pheasant states without "Dakota" in their name.
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.

A bird hunter’s thoughts: Randy Schultz shares his

From care & feeding to saying goodbye to a loyal canine hunting companion, we cover it all in this wide-ranging discussion with author, podcaster, blogger Randy Schultz. Randy's a road warrior, logging more windshield time than most, so of course we'll get some hunting reports (Blues, Huns, sage grouse, chukars, sharptails, so far). We also trade notes on what to bring, and get a whiskey recommendation for the post-hunt tailgate.
"Road Trip" showcases a sweet spot in Northern Nevada, 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.