Down to brass tacks we go with writer, editor, publisher Jim Matthews. He's been helping desert hunters find publicly-accessible game birds since the nineties, and he'll dial us in to finding some of the spots, strategies and tactics we need for valley and Gambel's quail, chukars, and the occasional mountain quail. Jim will take us from habits to h…

Are you ready yet? Listen carefully to what I'm carrying this season in my hunting vest and you may change your answer. I've re-configured and loaded new gear into the ultimate western hunter's strap vest ... anything that might help keep you safe, your dog productive, and help you shoot better. Oh, and bail out your hunting buddy, too. From gettin…

I've pulled together all my notes on places I've hunted and fantastic advice from pro guides and experienced DIY hunters. If you're enroute to sharpie country, there might be something in this that'll help. All sharptails, all the time on this bonus episode ... it's the start of the season for "America's bird," so enjoy the stories, strategies and …

In our continuing "Industry Insider" series, I talk with Larry Potterfield, who founded Midway USA on a wing and a prayer, selling shooting supplies to enthusiasts. He's grown the company into an international power player in most outdoors categories, and is overseeing a growth spurt that includes a new state of the art distribution center and head…

He's probably trained or handled more NAVHDA Prize 1 Utility dogs than anyone at his Sharp Shooter's Kennel; Clyde Vetter is a dog trainer with a different way of thinking about his passion: creating elite hunting dogs. He's created a training philosophy used by many of his fans and followers that sometimes flies in the face of conventional wisdom.…

A lot of water under the bridge since we last talked: pandemic lockdown, a major restructuring of his organizations, and a new puppy. Ben Jones is CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society, and we've got a lot of ground to cover. We'll get an update on the new strategic direction and how it's affected the groups' operations and…

She's had more than a year to get her footing and boy has she! Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever CEO Marilyn Vetter is guiding the 40-year old organization through a time of major strategic transitions and a new era of accountability and metrics-based policy. We talk about the group, its goals, measuring their progress and of course, dogs and hunting…

In this episode I outline some of the practical and philosophical reasons to go deeper, risk a blown tire, and possibly your health. I share some of the lessons I've learned walking miles of wilderness for wild birds that you can apply in your own adventures. If you're up for the drive, the walk, and the risk, there is massive reward at the end of …

Wild pheasants in Big Sky country ... with advice from a seasoned guide and friend, Al Gadoury of 6X Outfitters. Al will take us to school on ringnecks, along the way dispelling some myths about habitat and wild bird behavior. He'll also offer advice on the right way to employ blockers (not what you think), and his method for pairing a flushing dog…

Is cheatgrass really the magic potion for chukar hunters? Pro chukar guide Grant Richie addresses some long-held notions about this bucket-list bird, from habitat and feed, to proven tactics and strategies. Grant runs hunts in the legendary Hell's Canyon region, some of the most rugged chukar terrain in the U.S. He offers tips and advice on finding…

Jake Bartells re-joins us to share his hard-won wisdom on training dogs to the highest level. His bonafides include multiple NAVHDA Versatile Champions and a 12-year-old daughter who's learned enough to have her own dog entered in the Invitational Test this year. You want help with your dog's steadiness, well Jake's got a step-by-step tutorial you …

I'm recounting one of my many visits to this incredible state, often overlooked by passionate pheasant hunters hell bent on one of the Dakotas. Take three days, in three different places, that may offer an alternative to the usual spots for this year's road trip. We'll explore public and walk-in habitats in the midst of pheasant country, Kansas sty…

He's been through the wringer, but came out the other side stronger, more resilient and committed to the therapeutic value of hunting. Avid pheasant hunter and theologian Tony Jones outlines it all in his new book The God of Wild Places, and in this fascinating interview from the floor of Pheasant Fest. Starting late in life, Tony's outdoor journey…

This guy, like many of us, has learned things the hard way so you don't have to. Keng Yang (@kengyang1) is a hardcore DIY hunter from Minnesota who inspired us at Pheasant Fest last year with ideas and tips on finding new public access hunting land. His personal experiences are lessons for all of us. From the floor of Pheasant Fest we talk dogs, hu…

Thanks for all your positive feedback on that Montana bonus episode ... now, another of my favorite places - the West's Great Basin. If chukars are on your bucket list, here's a primer on where to go, what to do, and how to hunt them. From topography to behavior, habitat characteristics to strategy, here's my 30 years' experience roaming this incre…

"Figure out what your gun likes ..." one of the best pieces of advice you'll ever get from shotgun guru and Gun Dog magazine writer Brad Fitzpatrick. He's authored the shotgun column in the magazine for years, and has the enviable job of test-shooting everything new and classic in the shotgun world. Brad is a bird hunter, TV host, author of five bo…

Hunter, dog trainer, nutritional guru, magazine writer, an Upland National treasure ... Bob West of Purina joins me for a wide-ranging discussion full of reminiscences. Besides talking about his fellow legends, Bob's backstory might just prove he was the first "influencer" in our world ... back when TV was still made on magnetic tape and in 4:3 scr…

Pack the dog, extra ammo, and fasten your seatbelt. We're headed for Big Sky country on this bonus episode. Stories, suggestions and tips, starting points and advice that might help on your next road trip. This state is loaded with public-access walk-in and government-administered ground. I'll cover my own experiences with habitat, seasons, and tac…

He and his dogs are NAVHDA versatile champions several times over ... and those dogs are English Setters. It's one testament to this guy's training acumen, passion for dogs and bird hunting. Curt Fry is also a hunt test judge, clinician, hardcore grouse and woodcock hunter. We do a deep dive into steadying a bird dog from start to finish: objective…

It's the off-season, and time to re-live some of the hunts from last fall. In this Field Debrief, I'll relate a chukar hunt we did on eclipse weekend last October in Northern Nevada. Fascinating finds, beautiful country, and a few lessons, too. Then, everyone offers suggestions on saving money on gear, trips, and dogs. And, what NOT to economize on…

This week, we talk to industry insider Dan Compton, product director for The Kinetic Group's Remington, Hevi-Shot and Federal shotgun ammunition lines. He's a hunter so of course we'll talk about that, but we'll also find out what's new at each company, what's in development, and how shotshells work. We look at recent innovations in design, find ou…

This week's "Industry Insider" is Andy McCormick, president of sales & marketing for Legacy Sports International, whose Pointer shotgun brand is our first topic. We talk all things shotgun business: design and manufacturing, quality control, trends in the industry, and advice on what to look for when shopping for a new shotgun. We cover the relativ…

Recent recipient of the NAVHDA Jim & Bobby Applegate Award for Outstanding Volunteer Contributions, Phil Swain joins us to provide insights, tips, and a bit of "dog-ology." He's a trainer, clinician, test judge, bird hunter and all-around good guy willing to help just about anyone with a bird dog. Among other things, we talk developing a steady dog…

You will learn something, I guarantee it. Pete Fisher of Dogtra knows e-collars, and as a pro trainer he also knows the dogs we put them on. We'll re-visit Pheasant Fest for an insightful, wide-ranging interview covering the right way to use e-collars, some clever additional ways to employ them, and a ton of dog training tips and advice. We take a …

Peak performance ... what we all want from our hunting dog. Karl Gunzer will help - he's director of the sporting dog group at Purina Pro Plan Sport, a dog trainer and hunter. He's as in-the-know as anyone I know about all things nutrition for canine athletes, from a theoretical and a practical basis. He's also hanging around with all the folks in …

In the yard and in the field, taking good care of your dog is critical to a successful hunt. After all, you probably go hunting to watch him work. So keeping him healthy is a high priority, and there's nobody better to help us than the "Gun Dog Doc," Joe Spoo, DVM. A hunter, elite athlete and veterinarian, Joe knows more than a bit about canine fir…

Join Bristolian artist Claudia Collins and Australian artist Heather Matthew in this episode of #BricksPodcast as they embark on a journey through the labyrinth of ADHD and the artist's path. Expect unexpected twists and turns as they delve into the enchanting world of straying off course. Just like the trails left by curious snails, their conversa…

You're the first to hear it ... a pilot episode that may become a series. I've been doing a short-form feature on satellite radio for over two years and much of the material is probably of use to you and your family, so here it is. It's a work in progress, but here's your chance to make suggestions on what you like, length, topics, and format. Your…

If you don't learn something that makes you a better shooter, well, the Olympic shooting team has an opening. Don Currie is a bird hunter and the chief instructor of the National Sporting Clays Association. His instructional DVD “Focus – Movement – Faith” is the #1 rated sporting clays DVD on Amazon.com. And he's here to help you hit more birds and…

Join Chloe, Naomi and Jenny from The Art and Energy Collective on this episode of #BricksPodcast as they take us on a journey through climate action, collective creativity and the surprising ways in which we can learn from moss. With extra contributions from Bryologist Matt Stribley and Executive Director of The Climate Coalition Helen Meech, as we…

A peek into the operations of a leading choke tube maker, and insights into the need for a new non-profit to help bird dogs - and their owners. This week in our periodic "Industry Insider" series, Scott Trulock of Trulock Chokes joins us to delve deep into their manufacturing process, materials, engineering, and he previews the company's newest pro…

The "first couple" of bird dog training joins us from the floor of the 2024 Pheasant Fest: Ronnie Smith and Susanna Love cover all things puppy development, from mindset to introducing birds, getting pup ready for gunfire and introducing steadiness. They have some fascinating insights into how a dog thinks and how we should alter our own thinking a…

Peek inside the workings of Gun Dog magazine ... courtesy of its editor-in-chief, Kali Parmley, then we go afield where she takes us to incredible locations, hunting a wide variety of bird species. Kali offers hunting tips and strategy, insights into owning multiple dogs and older dogs, training too. Kali tells us how a TV show works, shares the ri…

Back to Pheasant Fest for an in-depth tutorial on everything from dog training to sharptail hunting from two guys who hunt hard and often: Trevor Walz and Tom Dombroski of LandTrust.com. For fun, to scout new properties, a little guiding, and to work a long string of dogs, these guys are on the ground all season and have a couple lifetimes of exper…

What is the meaning of death? Gotcha! You thought I'd ask the meaning of life. Okay, we'll address both, within a hunting context, thanks to Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, one of three authors (with Linda K. Miller and Capt. Keith A. Cunningham) of the new book ON HUNTING ... A definitive study of the mind, body and ecology of the hunter in the modern wor…

From the national conclave of the Club Epagneul Breton: foundation breed, growing in popularity here in the States, the Epagneul Breton (French Brittany) has earned a reputation as an energetic, vest-pocket-sized bird dog. We'll trace the history on both sides of the Atlantic with Fred Overby, the unofficial historian of the Club Epagneul Breton US…

It's training season ... all those new year's resolutions, promises to your buddy or your dog ... you've told me what you want to work on and we'll cover it with some tips and suggestions. Steadiness, recall, retrieving are the main points you've asked about, but we'll also address some other things YOU should do before Opening Day to make next sea…

From "Quail Alley" in Texas, Orvis 2023 Guide of the Year Jon Hubble enlightens us on quail hunting and habitat, tactics, and dog handling. Jon's Premier Wingshooting is in country that still looks - and hunts - like the old days, with oaks, native grasses and plenty of water. We'll also cover how to handle bad scenting conditions, why it's better …

Extend your hunting season, forge a year-long bond with your hunting dog ... just two reasons to try a trial, hunt test or "bird dog challenge." I've entered, marshalled, gunned for, cooked for, passed - and failed - a lot of them, and gotta tell you, it's the best way to enjoy your dog during the off season. Oh, and he'll LOVE it. From how to find…

Dr. Kelly Reyna is Director of the Ted and Donna Lyon Center for Gamebird Research and Principal Investigator of the Quail Research Laboratory at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He's a bit of an optimist, and conducting leading-edge research on "untaming" pen-raised birds, how wild birds really react to predators, and habitat ... including how cattl…

Wild chukars, Huns, sharptails and sage grouse are Ryan's domain, roaming the uplands of Wyoming as an Orvis-endorsed hunting guide. He and his string of 10 dogs (setters, shorthairs and a springer) take clients into some of the roughest, most challenging terrain in the West, and he's got a few lessons for us. We cover the relative merits of setter…

Why didn't we talk sooner? Durrell Smith is an Orvis-endorsed guide, fine artist, dog man, podcaster and probably a lot of other things we never got around to in this wide-ranging discussion. We'll cover his tips on accessing more public land to hunt, dog behavior and some stellar moments from this season. We also hear a touching story of three gen…

Shoot better simply by paying attention ... to this champion. Anthony Matarese Jr. joins me to talk shooting techniques, styles, and the things that vex us in the field and on the range. From foot position to lead, practice strategy to gun mount, this guy knows his stuff. In 2014 Anthony became the youngest shooter in history to be inducted into th…

Coming to you from the Club Epagneul-U.S. national conclave, I cornered trainer/hunter Jake Bartells between runs. Jake is a consummate trainer with five NAVHDA Invitational Champions and a number of CEB-US titles. Jake brings us up to speed on the breed, the club, the testing process, and then takes us to school on training our own dogs. Jake's in…

I pulled together notes from all the places I've hunted in winter, polled good friends and reliable sources, to provide you with a list of publicly-accessible, wild-bird starting points for warmer hunting spots when you're tired of shoveling snow. There's nine different states, a multitude of new species (to most of us) and dozens of places to star…

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 - a…

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 saf…

V další epizodě podcastu Learn Czech Online mluvím o některých frázích, které jste mi napsali jako vaše oblíbené nebo jako ty, kterým nerozumíte. Jsou to tyto fráze: Ještě stále mi můžete psát, jestli máte v češtině nějakou oblíbenou frázi nebo zda je v češtině nějaká fráze, které nerozumíte. Svoje odpovědi mi prosím napište sem. Odkazy […] The pos…

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…

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 wa…