Upland Nation

Spencer Greene has more degrees and professional bonafides than any other three people I've met. What matters to bird hunters and their dogs is his expertise in toxicology, with a specialty in venomous snakes including the ones we'll meet in the field.

Former fire fighter, MD, professor at Univ. of Houston, and emergency room physician, this guy has seen it all, and treated it. We'll dig deep into poisonous snakes (pardon the pun), their dangers to dogs and humans, what to do and not do when bitten. Spencer will steer us straight on what to do if...

Fresh off a two-week, two-state early season odyssey, Randy focuses on an unsung wild-bird state: Wyoming. We'll talk about Montana, too, but the things he has to say about the Cowboy State are both helpful and cautionary. 

We'll re-live some of his best hunts in the high-elevation grasslands and deep woods, recounting a trip where he shot at sage grouse, sharptails, Huns, chukars and dusky grouse. (He hit many of them). 

We'll cover the habitat challenges everyone will see this season, and how to adapt. Why you might change your strategy based on current conditions, an...

Curtis Fry has handled his own and other dogs to NAVHDA Invitational and AKC hunt test titles, is an avid hunter, seminar leader, and hunt test judge who translates esoteric, theoretical concepts into actionable training tasks. 

We'll cover everything from breeding for performance, to creating a love for water, to better ways to train retrieving (particularly in water). Do they work? Curtis runs English Setters who will swim with the best of Labs. Some hunting stories come up, of course, some early-season observations about grouse numbers in a couple states, and the differences between NAVHDA and AKC h...

Audio exclusive: avid hunter, friend and author, pro trainer George DeCosta joins me to debrief his recent Montana trip ... overcoming low bird numbers to share a couple wonderful stories about a dog's growth and owner's light-bulb moment. We get some advice on bird behavior and habitat, too, plus some lessons in how going along helps you get along in bird country. There's a lesson in being mobile and nimble, too.

Thanks George!

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If you've ever left the dog behind, forgotten your license or bought a new sleeping bag enroute to your bird camp, this Insider episode is dedicated to you. Over the years, and with help from many of you, we've compiled a comprehensive list of just about anything you'll need on a bird hunt. Here's your reminder. 

Here is the link (all lists are in this master list): Ultimate Upland Checklist

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Audio exclusive: My friend Eric Thompson sums up his recent prairie grouse adventures, from how to overcome thin bird numbers to epic dog work, the development of a young Braque, mud and Canadians. Eric is the poster child for walking another mile (or 17) to find elusive birds. We'll find out why.

We cover sage grouse, Huns, and Sharptails on this excursion into productive cover that might be a little bit different than you'd expect. There's a lesson in kindness, and another in the value of discovery, too.

Thanks Eric.

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My friend and pro guide Al Gadoury walks us through a recent prairie grouse hunt. The predictions were dire, but in true 6X Outfitters fashion, Al came through for his client, turning it into a stellar day. You'll learn something about birds, habitat, behavior, and enjoy the tales of his young dog's adventures, among other things.

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In this Insider edition, Brent Pike joins me to preview some of his Pyke Gear company's newest and soon-to-be-available products and provide insights into the how and why of design and manufacturing. we'll get a "consumer's guide" to what makes a quality pant, vest and more.

From materials, to innovation, to why you really do get what you pay for, Brent has some thoughts that might help you with your next investment.

We'll talk hunting too - including a 28-covey quail hunt.

"Fix It" has a different way to look at crowded hunting...

Heading our way? There's a lot to pack ... and to unpack ... about hunting here in the West. From planning and strategy to safety and um, er, getting along with the locals (human and otherwise), I'll outline some of the things you should think about. Even seasoned western hunters might find something they forgot.

In this audio exclusive "Insights" edition, a quick compendium of some of the important considerations you might find of use as you pick a location, travel, and hunt the vast prairies and craggy draws that make up the West.

And it's all...

A panel of active hunters from across the country share their opinions and perspectives on this hot topic. We enjoy an enlightening and informative, civilized debate on a topic that induces white-hot beard-on-fire rage in a few folk (who, invited multiple times, agreed to participate then didn't show up).

Brave, outspoken and perceptive participants included Matt Millbauer or Washington, Matt Soberg of Covey Rise magazine, Robert Poor of Arizona, and Michael Mortara of Texas.

Even the "over my dead body" types might want to consider some of this panel's explanations and motives from conservation funding...

This week in our continuing series on pheasant-rich states, we focus on Kansas. Who better to clue us in than the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife & Parks' upland game bird program coordinator, Jeff Prendergast? Jeff gives us the 30,000-foot-level view of the state's prime regions, then breaks down the factors that make them so good. We'll do the same with bobwhites, including key food sources, cover types, hunting strategies and tactics.

Jeff offers tips on finding birds, coping with crowded walk-in areas, and shares some of his department's resources available to hunters.

"Fix It" clarifies a...

Bryan O'Connor manages the state's upland bird programs and has an intimate knowledge of their habitat and habits. He'll share his observations on bird numbers and populations dynamics, some of the better places to start your hunt, and insights into the state's walk-in program. Bryan has a long list of things he does differently from other hunters that we might try, advice on tactics and strategies, too.

"Fix It" finds a semi-bright side to hunting in wildfire country, and viewers and listeners offer up their best advice on teaching retrieving.

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We continue our journey through pheasant country (with a few detours along the way), as I debrief North Dakota's wild bird experts from their Dept. of Game & Fish. Joining me are Jesse Kolar, upland game bird supervisor, and his right hand, RJ Gross. Their perspective as biologists, coupled with their extensive hunting experience, will be of service no matter where you hunt.

We talk good starting points for ringnecks, Huns and sharptails, plus habitat quirks and go-to spots. They'll offer insights into the birds' habits, population dynamics, and biology, offer hunting and scouting tips, and bring us...

There are many organizations working on hunters' behalf behind the scenes, and one of them is led by Chuck Sykes. He's executive director of the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports, facilitating hunter recruitment, retention and re-activation across the country. The group serves as a brokerage, a clearing-house, of data, research, information and initiatives to support state wildlife agencies, non-profits and conservation groups. 

We'll talk about why more hunters are critical to conservation, how it's funded, and who are the most likely successful new hunters (hint: not kids, according to the research). Chuck will share what t...

Audio exclusive: Nicks, cuts, scratches, snakebite and worse ... what do you do? How do you recognize medical problems in the field? How do you decide when to conduct a field repair and when to race for the nearest veterinarian?

I'll recall my own experiences and how to handle many of them. No, not veterinary advice, but at least a heads-up for you. There's some tools and gear, some clues to what might be wrong, and a list of those situations where time is of the essence.

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There's little doubt your hunting season will be affected by the hundreds of wildfires that have devastated vast swaths of bird country. So how do we make the most of it, balancing ethics, conservation, and our own passion?

Mikal Cline is the Upland Game Bird Coordinator at Oregon's Dept. of Fish and Wildlife; Justin Small is Upland Game Staff Specialist at Nevada's Dept. of Wildlife. Two biologists who hunt, they've got a unique perspective on how fire impacts birds and their habitat.

We'll learn how birds react to fire, which ones will likely survive and...

Bathroom stops, flat tires, curiosity ... I've stumbled onto postage-stamp sized parcels and massive tracts of public and publicly-accessible land open to hunters. Many of them are managed by obscure agencies we never think of when it comes to planning our hunting trips. Others are below-the-radar properties we drive past without even considering their bird hunting potential.

Somewhere in this list is a place you might want to try this season.

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Enjoy this very popular (read: helpful) show even if you heard it a few years ago ...

Pro trainer, chukar hunter, and author ... George DeCosta Jr. is also a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon fanatic. We'll talk puppy development, go to school on steadying a dog (hint: long before he encounters birds), and get a few chukar hunting tips too. George suggests some essential training gear and what he carries in his hunting vest that we should too.

George's new book Tips and Tales covers just about everything you need to train a versatile dog, some hunting stories...

Avid hunter, world traveler and former chief instructor for the National Sporting Clays Association, Don Currie shares his decades of experience helping people like us to shoot better. We'll focus on transferring on range skills to the field, quick gun fitting fixes, what to look at when mounting your shotgun, and the critical parts of a good gun mount.

We'll cover ways to ensure you're in the right place at the right time on flushing birds, how foot position helps, our most common shooting errors and more. We'll get Don's take on adjusting choke tube constrictions to...

Audio exclusive! Here's the list of things I carry - and where - to ensure a safe and productive hunting trip. We go from front bumper to roof rack and touch on the gear that you too might want to carry. From safety and rescue stuff to dog-care, I'll share my inventory in hopes there's something there you might want to pack.

I'll also mention a few things in my hunting vest you may not have considered that could save your dog's life.

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Kicking off our series on bird-rich states and their resident experts, Alex Solem joins me from South Dakota. Senior upland biologist for the state's game, fish and parks department, this avid bird hunter has the 4-1-1 on America's most popular game bird.

Our wide-ranging discussion covers bird habits and habitat, a day in the life of a rooster, a list of best starting points on the map, hunting strategies for the day after the opener, and how to find public access ground. He clues us in to how successful hunters differ from the rest of us...

A short essay on how opening day is more than 24 hours long. Starting the last day of the season, we assemble dreams, practical stuff, memories and hopes to construct a first day of the season. 

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems. [Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.] with additional support from USA Clay Target League, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

What goes into making a great upland bird hunting magazine? Matt Soberg is ideally suited to answer that question, having edited the Ruffed Grouse Society's magazine for years, and is now at Covey Rise magazine. Avid hunter, conservationist and passionate communicator, Matt and I cover everything from how to get your article or photo published, to what makes a great story (hint: it's a great story). 

We'll also dig into how magazines influence the bird hunting zeitgeist, share hunting stories, find out what Matt carries in his hunting vest, and get some ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting t...

Here's an avenue for every kid who wants to make a school sports team - clay target shooting. That's the goal of the USA Clay Target League, and California state coordinator Anna Canon will show us how it works, from recruitment to competition and the life-long results in a sport where every kid competes.

The largest organization of its kind, USA Clay Target has over 55,000 youth participants and another 11,000 adults, competing locally, regionally and nationally. Open to any student from grade 6 through college, the group relies on volunteer coaches and has the support of school officials nationwide.<...

Your questions have been flowing in ... and here are my answers. In our somewhat-annual foray into your inquiries, I'll try to offer advice and suggestions that'll help you be a better hunter, sportsman, dog handler and shooter.

We'll cover everything from bird-shy pups to physical fitness, where to go and why those places become special. There are questions on finding new hunting partners and where to stay on a hunt. So if you DM'd, texted, called or emailed a question get ready - it might be right here.

"Fix It" helps you find cold-weather birds...

I've received so many questions about this topic, thought a quick primer would be in order. I'm no veterinarian, but there are basic procedures and habits I've picked up over the years (and many vet visits) that will keep your dog in the hunt and forestall further injury to his second-most-important sense. (First being his nose!)

From practice to reality, some common issues and how to recognize them, I'll hit the major issues you'll likely encounter and how to handle them. I'll introduce a few tools that might be helpful.

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"Nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded." Yogi Berra said it, and sometimes, we live it when searching for great hunting ground. But what if you adjusted your expectations, settled for second-best to access uncrowded territory that might, just might, have some decent hunting?

That's today's soapbox session, as I encourage you to seek out the runners-up states, regions, and places that don't end up on magazine covers. I'll share some of my own stories, offer some strategy and tactics you might employ, and provide incentives that might get you far from the madding crowd.

Re-visit Tom and absorb his wisdom ...

The joy of a first hunt with a young dog - that moment when the light bulb flickers on for the first time. Drones, the origins of his legendary Dead Fowl Trainer, training the human after training the dog ... we'll cover it all in this extensive interview with notable hunting dog trainer Tom Dokken. From getting the most from flushing breeds in the uplands to the most important commands, how to ensure your dog's peak performance in the field and must-have training tools, Tom has decades of experience and he's willing...

Orvis-endorsed outfitter Rick Watson joins me for a wide-ranging discussion on all things grouse and woodcock. We'll nail down good coverts and bird behavior, shooting techniques, and dog handling ideas. 

We dig deeper into the mystique of ruffies, why setters are his chosen breed, and why "steadiness" is relative. There's a short trip to Georgia and Scotland, and one indispensable item he never leaves home without.

Our social segment shares some training gear you might want to try, and "Fix It" has a shotgun tip.

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Feeling nostalgic, I wax poetic on some of the things that made last season's opener so memorable. From friends to dog work, new country and a broken bone or two, here are some recollections that might spur a few of your own.

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems. [Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.] with additional support from USA Clay Target League, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

I've compiled my notes, advice from friends and a ton of pro guides' advice into a how-to, where-to, why-to tutorial on the sharptailed grouse. I'll cover the states with huntable populations, habitat, food sources, hunting strategy and tactics, and a few hunting stories.

From history (cavemen to Custer), to public access, to shooting, to which dogs are ideal (most of the time), I've got some background and suggestions. I'll explain what I consider the two differing sharptail seasons, and there's a TV story or two, and horses were involved. It's a fun and extensive look at one...

Be prepared, the Boy Scouts say. Here's your chance - with a reprise of a very popular subject:

I hope it never happens to you - that eerie silence when you hoped to hear collar tags jingling, knowing your dog is well and truly lost. Or, he limps back, bleeding. As the season gets into full swing, what better than to prepare for each of these situations?

I'll offer a four-step strategy for finding your dog, from preparation to gear, to starting your search. There may be something there that will help you, based on...

Phil Puckorius and Dominic Grossi are avid hunters and the chief and assistant chief instructors for the National Sporting Clays Association ... who better to help us hit more birds? They've got theory and practice to share ... from "reading" the bird in flight to shotgun fit, foot position to a version of "follow-through" that actually works.

We go into the deep woods for shooting tactics on ruffies and woodcock, and sit in a duck blind for a bit. Phil and Dom offer practice strategies for bird hunters at the range, too. Where does a mirror fit into your...

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride ... Huron plays second fiddle to many of the marquee pheasant hunting towns in South Dakota. But that's one reason it should be on your shopping list: less attention means fewer hunters. Add a mixed bag and massive number of public-access acres, and you might want to take a look

Here's my admittedly-biased perspective on a town I've visited a lot, hunting for work and play. 

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He runs twice as far as you walk ... and he does it barefoot. Taking care of your bird dog's feet ensures a great day in the field and a long, problem-free season. I'll share advice from veterinarians and my own and friends' experience preparing our dog's feet for hunting season.

I'll offer my personal perspective on "toughening" pads, and what to use for "boots."

And once you're out there, I'll outline some things you should do before, during and after the hunt to keep him firing on all eight cylinders and all four paws. Identifying...

Get ready now - listen again to this hard-won advice:

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.

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From the deep woods to the dusty desert, Mark Nissen knows game birds. Orvis-endorsed guide of the year, he and his Classic Bird Hunts outfitting team chases ruffies, woodcock, and all three desert quail in Wisconsin and Arizona. In our wide-ranging chat, Mark covers best habitat, bird behavior, and relates an inspiring highlight from last season. 

We also talk strategies for elusive scaled quail, shooting advice for grouse hunters, and helping your dog adjust to a new type of cover and bird species. We'll get the latest information on bird populations, and learn about a lesser-known bird-hunting s...

If you're still planning your big trips for the season, I've got some suggestions. Here's a list and brief reasons why you might want to consider these five states for your destination. 

I've weighed my personal experience, quality of walk-in and public land access, number of acres available to bird hunters, and a few other criteria to assemble a "top five" list. Yours may be different, but if you're looking for a new place, new bird species, or different terrain here are some starting points.

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You want more, you got it in this reprise of a highly-rated interview:

Grouse, woodcock, training during the hunt, and a short history of Gordon Setters ... those are the topics in my conversation with Stephen Faust, pro grouse and woodcock guide, dog trainer and breeder, and avid hunter. We'll also cover a typical guide's day in the field, how we can be better guide clients, and dog training tips. 

We'll track a woodcock's day - where it hangs, what it eats and even how professionals like Stephen tag chicks in the spring. We'll look at h...

Orvis-endorsed guide Michael Browning of Grouse Haven Wing-Shooting takes us into the Maine woods for a tutorial on all things ruffies and timberdoodles. From the birds' daily schedule to good habitat types, he's got decades of experience in the deep woods.

Well, not so deep. That's one thing we'll learn about habitat. We also explore how to handle our dogs in the forest, being a good guide client, bird behavior, finding public ground, and get a few dog-training insights.

"Fix It" reminds us of another important date for walk-in hunters, and listeners share their "lightbulb...