S4EP80 - Mike Neiduski Ugly Dog Hunting Co

Amaazen Outdoors Podcast

Mike, the owner of Ugly Dog Hunting Company, discusses the risks and challenges of bird dog hunting, including injuries and accidents that can occur in the field. He shares personal stories of his dogs encountering porcupines and other hazards. Mike also provides insight into the history of Ugly Dog Hunting Company and its evolution as a supply shop for bird hunting and dog training gear. The conversation delves into the topic of chaps and clothing brands, exploring the challenges of manufacturing and competing in the hunting gear industry. Lastly, Mike reflects on his experience at Pheasant Fest and the importance of conservation in the hunting community. The conversation covers the experience of attending Pheasant Fest and the challenges of running a booth, the importance of learning and growing in business, the goal of giving back to conservation, and the excitement of discovering new bird species. It also discusses hunting experiences in Nebraska, Kansas, and locally, as well as the challenges of hunting in hot weather and finding less pressured areas. The conversation covers various topics related to outdoor gear and equipment, with a focus on Garmin products. The host and guest discuss the importance of enjoying nature and the outdoors, as well as the new Garmin 300 and TT 25 collars. They also talk about the inReach capability for satellite texting and the battery life and screen brightness of Garmin devices. Other topics include custom leather holsters, wet mud kennel mats, bird launchers, blank pistols, and the importance of customer feedback and requests. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the balance between seriousness and levity in the brand and the importance of providing personalized service and delivery.

https://www.uglydoghunting.com/

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www.amaazen.com

Takeaways

Attending trade shows like Pheasant Fest can be a valuable experience for businesses, but it also comes with challenges and anxiety. Running a business requires continuous learning and growth, as well as the ability to overcome bad days and focus on the rewards. The goal of Ugly Dog is to grow and give back to conservation efforts, with the hope of making a significant difference in protecting wild places. Minnesota offers a variety of hunting opportunities, including grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, and pheasants, and there are still areas with good bird numbers. Hunting in Kansas can be challenging due to factors like heat, drought, and difficult road conditions, but with the right preparation and local knowledge, it can still be a rewarding experience. Enjoying nature and the outdoors is a key aspect of outdoor activities. Garmin offers a range of products for outdoor enthusiasts, including the new Garmin 300 and TT 25 collars. The inReach capability allows for satellite texting, which is useful for camping and hiking. Garmin devices have long battery life and bright screens, making them ideal for outdoor use. Customization options, such as custom leather holsters and laser engraving, provide a personalized touch. Listening to customer feedback and requests is important for expanding inventory and adding new products. Providing personalized service and delivery is a key aspect of the brand's customer experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Ugly Dog Hunting Company 02:07 Risks and Challenges of Bird Dog Hunting 09:41 Dog Injuries and Accidents 15:01 History of Ugly Dog Hunting Company 26:37 Competition and Collaboration in the Hunting Gear Industry 29:04 Pheasant Fest and the Importance of Conservation 30:02 Attending Pheasant Fest and the Challenges of Running a Booth 31:01 Improving Booth Space and Future Shows 32:22 The Rewards and Challenges of Running a Business 33:46 The Importance of Learning and Growing 35:34 The Goal of Giving Back to Conservation 36:04 Conservation Efforts in Minnesota 37:03 Expectations for the Upcoming Hunting Season 38:27 The Hunt for Grouse and Sharp-tailed Grouse 39:24 The Excitement of Discovering New Bird Species 40:18 The Challenges of Habitat for Grouse and Pheasants 41:47 Hunting Experiences in Nebraska and Kansas 44:02 The Love for Chicken Hunting 45:50 Mixed Reviews on Hunting in Kansas 48:51 Challenges of Hunting in Hot Weather 50:44 The Dangers of Hunting in Kansas 54:56 Hunting Locally and Exploring New Areas 57:20 The Abundance of Hunting Opportunities in Minnesota 58:04 The Challenge of Finding Less Pressured Areas 01:00:02 The Benefits of Hunting During Training Season 01:01:03 Enjoying the Outdoors and Nature 01:01:33 New Upland Gear: Garmin 300 and TT 25 Collars 01:02:01 InReach Capability and Satellite Texting 01:02:27 Battery Life and Screen Brightness of Garmin 300 01:02:53 TT 25 Collars and Extended Life Batteries 01:03:22 Improved Lights and Straps for TT 25 Collars 01:03:52 Custom Leather Holsters for Garmin Units 01:04:21 Wet Mud Kennel Mats for Wet Dogs 01:04:50 Expanding Inventory: Bird Launchers, Dummies, and Blank Pistols 01:05:20 Carrying Dogtra and Garmin Products 01:05:50 Different Garmin Watch Models 01:06:19 Offering Customization with Laser Engraver 01:06:48 Encouraging Customer Feedback and Requests 01:07:14 Providing Personalized Service and Delivery 01:07:43 Expanding Inventory and Adding New Products 01:08:13 Quality and Durability of Garmin Products 01:08:42 Adding More Color Options for Products 01:09:12 Adding More Customization Options with Laser Engraver 01:09:37 Balancing Seriousness and Levity in the Brand 01:10:05 Expanding Inventory for Training Season 01:10:35 Challenges of Carrying High-Dollar Items 01:11:01 Importance of Personal Relationships with Customers 01:11:31 Listening to Customer Feedback and Adding Products 01:11:58 Providing Personalized Service and Delivery 01:12:26 Offering Affordable Options for Customers 01:12:55 Helping Customers Choose the Right Products 01:13:25 Adding Wet Mud Kennel Mats to Inventory 01:13:53 Expanding Inventory with Shotgun Blanks 01:14:22 Providing Quality Products and Personal Touch 01:14:50 Offering Variety of Colors and Customization Options 01:15:16 Addressing Durability and Cost of Products 01:15:38 Recognizing the Humbling Nature of Dogs 01:16:06 Expanding Inventory and Adding More Products 01:16:34 Introducing Laser Engraver for Customization 01:17:03 Encouraging Customer Feedback and Requests 01:17:31 Balancing Seriousness and Levity in the Brand 01:18:23 Recognizing the Humbling Nature of Dogs 01:18:53 Encouraging Customer Feedback and Requests 01:19:20 Learning and Growing as a Business 01:19:51 Helping Customers Make Informed Decisions 01:20:19 Sharing Expertise and Opinions with Customers 01:20:46 Engaging with Customers through Q&A Sessions 01:21:13 Helping Customers Spend Money Wisely 01:21:39 Choosing the Right Garmin Products for Customers 01:22:09 Providing Personalized Service and Delivery 01:22:39 Expanding Inventory and Adding More Products 01:23:08 Helping Customers Choose the Right Products 01:23:38 Using Garmin Alpha for Tracking Dogs 01:24:07 Ensuring Safety and Finding Lost Devices 01:24:35 Offering Personalized Service and Delivery 01:25:00 Addressing Technical Issues with Garmin Devices 01:25:28 Providing Personalized Service and Delivery 01:25:58 Ensuring Safety and Finding Lost Devices 01:26:28 Using Garmin Devices in the Field 01:26:49 Providing Personalized Service and Delivery 01:27:18 Encouraging Customer Feedback and Requests 01:27:42 Expanding Inventory and Adding New Products 01:28:12 Providing Personalized Service and Delivery 01:28:42 Expanding Inventory and Adding New Products 01:29:03 Offering Affordable Options for Customers 01:29:32 Listening to Customer Feedback and Adding Products 01:30:00 Addressing Technical Issues with Garmin Devices 01:30:29 Providing Personalized Service and Delivery