The Hunting Dog Podcast

John Jurcich never intended to be a C.O. but life has a funny way directing a young man's path in life. From a beer at a wedding to a life long career in law enforcement. John has owned and  hunted with many bird dogs and hunted down a few bad characters along the way. 

Sometimes I just hit record and see what comes out. This is one of those times. 

Just some observations and thought on the strangest season yet!

Thi episode is a quilty pleasure. I bought my first pair over forty years ago. But until now I never really knew the history of Russell Moccasin boot company. I do now.

Dr. Randall Williams recently hunted Austria. Things are done differently in Europe, but the passion and conservation are not different. There deeply woven into the culture.

This season started of with a bang! and another bang. bang, bang, bang. That is the sound of dove hunting. lots of shells, lots of laughs and lots retrieve work for the dogs. September teases us with the start of wingshooting at its finest. Dove is the most harvested bird in this country.

Dominic and I have known each other quite a few years. But until recently I did not know how much more he has added to his plate. Besides hunting, judging and breeding, Dom has expanded to guiding and avoidance training. All the way to keeping rattlesnakes on hand to three pet porcupines that eat right out of his hand!!!

Nick Larson from The Birdshot Podcast and my friend Pete Aplikowski join me in a great conversation about their path to the uplands. Two distinct roads that lead to the same end product. Which is a reliable and enjoyable hunting companion.

Dove hunting is the traditional kickoff for wingshooters everywhere. This year, I'm swinging west of the Mississippi to keep the dogs happy and the barrels hot.

If you have hunted the ruffed grouse or woodcock, or if you ever plan to, this episode is for you! RGS and AWS are swinging the axe of conservation. Ben Jones and Mark Hatfield give us some updates and news from the front lines of habitat.

If you have hunted the ruffed grouse or woodcock, or if you ever plan to, this episode is for you! RGS and AWS are swinging the axe of conservation. Ben Jones and Mark Hatfield give us some updates and news from the front lines of habitat.

It's been awhile  since I have had Ed on the show. He is the CEO of The Wildlife Society and as a Certified Wildlife Biologist he knows stuff that usually scares me a bit, but we can find an Upland silver lining if we try!

Gabe and Zach from RGS AWS jump on this episode to talk about a first of it's kind event, and a first of a kind hunt. Conservation doesn't sleep, and neither does the Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Society when it comes to fighting for every acre to produce great Habitat

Gabe and Zach from RGS AWS jump on this episode to talk about a first of it's kind event, and a first of a kind hunt. Conservation doesn't sleep, and neither does the Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Society when it comes to fighting for every acre to produce great Habitat

This old episode was the start of many that introduced you to Michigan's best known dog trainer. It was in hindsight the jumping off point of what would become The Upland Institute. In the following weeks I will be sprinkling in some of best episodes that we recorded.

Alberto and Adrian fill us in on the growing pack and the growing family! Training, testing, planning trips and learning to change diapers. 

Everybody has a Dad, and everyone owes them a little something. Here is a story about my Dad.

Everybody has a Dad, and everyone owes them a little something. Here is a story about my Dad.

Lynndee Galey of Firelight Setters joins me in a great conversation about a breed that wears many hats. She has a long history in the Setter world. Starting with Irish Setters, then Gordon Setters and now for the past thirty years, English Setters. Lynndee shares her knowledge, experience and wisdom on this episode.

Fritz Heller stopped into the Studio/ kennel to give me updates on acquiring two dogs that are 3 weeks apart in age and miles apart in style. Definitely a challenge, but doable! We also review last season in the Michigan grouse woods and the future of it.

Larry Ressler grew up in North Dakota about the same time I grew up in Illinois. We both had parents that did not hunt, but still found the path to the Uplands. We chat about the many dogs Larry has had, and the next one he is looking for. 

I went the the Second Chance Bird fun trial and it lived up to the title.....FUN. What do you get when you have a kitchen table, a microphone and some time to kill before a banquet? You rekindle old friendships and make new ones!!!

Holly Heyser had almost twenty years of hunting under her belt before she got her first dog. She did the research, and pulled a winning ticket out of the whelping box! 

Karen and I go way back.... really way back. We cover the basics of K9 health, advise in the field and why we still love Wirehairs.

Karl Gunzer joins me to talk about the many facets of what it takes to fuel our dogs and support our lifestyle. We chat about everything from labs to pointing dogs and even a segment on sheep dog trials. 

Mike Mapes started Second Chance Bird Dogs a few years back. His passion for bird dogs, especially those that get turned into shelters or rehomed over and over, was the catalyst for starting this. Mike has a full kennel year round, of dogs finding new homes and a waiting list of people looking for their next dog.

Jennifer jumped in to talk dogs, training, trialing and her newest passion project. Gnaw and Order. along with her last three months in GA/FL working her dogs. 

Carroll Kemp and Pete Aplikowski join us to talk about the History, Talents and Temperament of one of the country's most popular bird dogs-the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. Korthals Griffon is the historic name of this breed, and Korthals Griffon United States is a conservation society for Griffons in the USA and their UKC National Breed Club.

Casey Ressler is a fifth generation North Dakotan.He has noticed Cultural/Ecological/Economical impacts that have changed over the last 10-15 years in ND. We talk access, permission and policy along with dogs and my favorite bird.

I have followed Charlie Thorburn for quite some time. His You Tube Channel is Mordor Gundogs. His style is straightforward and he is not afraid to ruffle some feathers. But the proof as they say is in the pudding, or possibly in the United Kingdom.

Andy Blumberg introduces CHOWIE!  The next generation of hunters will thank him for years to come. Living and hunting out west, Andy made sure his Wirehaired Griffon was avoidance trained for snakes, skunks and porkies, but his dog Ada added one more critter to the list. A Big critter!!

Brent Pike came over to talk about what's new and whats needed to make the next trip just a bit more successful. Sometimes it's the place, sometimes it's the people and sometimes it's the gear. 

Kate Ahnstrom joins me to tell about her journey. Most people get the dog first and then figure it out. Kate reversed engineered the process. She is an incredible women who just can't say no......

Kate Ahnstrom joins me to tell about her journey. Most people get the dog first and then figure it out. Kate reversed engineered the process. She is an incredible women who just can't say no......

Jared Wickland of PF&QF joins me to recap the season and celebrate the event we all look forward to.

I first met Ben at my place in Virginia. We shared a drink, a bunch of stories and stayed in touch over many years. Ben and a few friends have figured out that Virginia is a true mixed bag of opportunities for anyone wanting to chase upland birds. As long as you don't mind going up hill both ways. This episode brings me back to the reason love this lifestyle. 

My buddy Dave Utzinger came over to show me some late season videos of his young lab. We talk and brag a bit about "not doing much training" and relying on natural instincts and cooperation. Or maybe were just getting luckier when we get new dogs??? Who knows?

Within 24 hours, two people I consider friends, passed away. Larry Lawton and Glen Blackwood were as different as night and day, yet cut out of the same cloth. Sadly I never recorded Larry's voice over the years. Glen on the other hand has been on a few episodes. I picked this one to re broadcast. 

Ohio Highway Patrolman Jake Lawrence joins me to discuss the similarities between police dogs and our dogs. As it turns out, there is not much difference when it come right down to it. 

On a Antarctic expedition in 1958 a team of sled dogs were left behind. It is a sad tale, but it says what dogs can really do to survive in spite of odds.