Upland Nation

Here's the second episode of the new, bi-weekly bonus programs doing a deep dive into single topics, inspirational stories, hunting adventures and special people. 

This one is a list of ways to save money so you can wring out an extra day, buy more shells, or drink better beer on a road trip. I've compiled a bunch of suggestions, ideas and advice from my own years as a road warrior that might help you this season.

From booking trav...

He's a fanatic bird hunter, conservationist, dog trainer and strong advocate for recruiting newbies to our ranks. Oh, he's also on the board of Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever. Douglas Spale has a unique backstory, too, and all his passions and life experiences combine to make him a fantastic interview.

We'll cover everything from his own hunting origin story to dog training tips, hunting strategies to conservation. Then, we'll tal...

Bird Dog Hall of Famer Rick Smith of the legendary family that includes father Delmar and cousin Ronnie, joins me from the floor of Pheasant Fest. In a wide-ranging discussion, we cover rodeo(!), essential training gear, and do a very deep dive into dog psychology and training methods. We talk about steadiness, retrieving, picking a pup, a dog's mindset and how to change it.

Listeners offer their critique of my survival kit, includ...

Here's the inaugural episode of bi-weekly bonus programs doing a deep dive into single topics, inspirational stories, hunting adventures and special people.

I took stock of last season, made a "to-do" list, and will share my priorities ... maybe some will become yours too. From steadiness to shooting skills, we'll touch on the stuff you can do now to ensure a more successful season this fall.

Insider editions are brought to you by...

From the floor of Pheasant Fest: hunting for bobwhites will be a lot easier with the advice you'll get here from Frank Loncarich and Kyle Hedges of Land & Legacy. They've got boots-on-the-ground know-how based on decades of science and practical experience. We'll learn more about behavior, reproduction, and fundamentals from hunting strategy to tactics.

"Fix It" reminds everyone of simple ways to keep a dog engaged on a road t...

From the floor of National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic: Put down your coffee cup - you won't need any more caffeine once you feed off Kali Parmley's energy. She's editor of Gun Dog magazine, a hard core upland hunter, hosts the Wild Upland TV series, and hunts hard all season. You'll find her in the stratosphere chasing ptarmigan, and among the lava rock where chukars dwell.

We'll talk about how she decides what gets into a ma...

Re-live your own season while listening to the stories of my friends George Gomez and Rashawn Gordon. George had an incredible Montana hunt and we'll get the highlights from him: dog work, bird numbers and other challenges. (And I share a once-in-aplifetime shot!) Rashawn trains dogs and guides in the Southwest, where he chases primarily Gambel's quail. We'll get advice on steadying dogs to running birds, the importance of recall, ...

We peek behind the curtains with insights from Scott Trulock of Trulock Chokes on everything from the state of the industry to why steel quality counts, and an explanation of what TSS really is. Then Chris Ingram talks about launching a new magazine for sport dogs of all stripes (and their owners) from the United Kennel Club and American Field. From content strategy to nitty-gritty, Chris shares his plans.

Listeners tell us what th...

Chukars to Mearn's quail, we've got you covered as the season debriefs roll on. I'm joined by two avid bird hunting friends on this edition: Lance Larson of Arizona, and Omar Alyahya of Oregon. Weather, dog work, challenges from puppies to cactus all are part of the discussion. Omar also shares his hunting upbringing in Kuwait.

We'll learn about chukar and desert quail habitat, how chukars defied conventional wisdom later in the s...

Now's the time to practice this - when nobody's under any pressure. I'll share the lessons I've learned the hard way about keeping your dog's eyes clean and functioning well. From teaching him to let you poke around, to getting out the crud under his eyelids, to when NOT to use eye drops. I'll outline the few tools you need, some of the methods, and caution you on when it's time to leave the job to a veterinarian.

And it's all brou...

Motivation, inspiration and savvy advice: re-live your own season as you listen to an avid hunter, and a Registered Maine Guide recount theirs. Amanda Ponti joins me for a look at hunts from Montana to New Mexico ... dog work, desert quail, camaraderie, and some useful insights on what to bring. Then Craig Morrison tells us how the the woodcock and ruffed grouse season played out for him and his clients. Bird behavior and habitat s...

I've spent much of the last few seasons passing by my old standby hunting spots, instead visiting those intriguing, unexplored places that might hold bird hunting adventures. My friend Tom got me started, marking my online map like he does, with the Sasquatch icon for places that might be worth a detour.

Sure, some don't pan out. Others are a bonanza of birds, dog work, scenery and exhilarating experiences. I'll take you through my...

Two real professionals join me to share their bird seasons ... ups and downs, surprises and insights. Michael Salamone guides upland hunters in the deep woods of Colorado for forest grouse and will clue us into their mysteries. Bret Wonnacott is an author/writer and avid dog trainer and hunter. We talk chukars, dog development, including why we should think about NOT using an e-collar.

"Fix It" does some spring cleaning on our phon...

Two hardcore hunters join me to share their seasons ... highs and lows, stellar dog work, insights and observations. Jim Millensifer has hunted 14 bird species (including snowcock!) and spends more time hunting than anybody I know. We'll talk Kansas, Arizona, North Dakota and who knows where the discussion will go - from mountain tops to desert plains. Jim offers tips on traveling, what helps the lightbulb go on in a younger dog (o...

Buckle up for a first-hand report on a recent road trip in search of quail and chukars ... and better weather. We'll be hunting Nevada and California and learning a lot. Some astounding dog work and fascinating observations on bird behavior and habitat, especially in the Golden State. Strategies need adjusting in the high desert of California, where cactus is king and rattlesnakes roam all year ... even finding birdy places require...

According to Garden & Gun magazine, he's one of the top five dog trainers in the South. His track record as a field trialer and hunter, proves it. Todd Agnew of Craney Hill Kennels takes us to spaniel school in this episode. Pointer fans take note: his views on dogs cross the divide, so get ready to learn as well.

From teaching range for flushing dogs, to what motivates a hunting dog, Todd's point of view is a little different ...

If you haven't had your close-to-perfect hunt yet this year, re-live mine and maybe learn something. Or get inspired to do one more trip. Either way, there are tips and observations, suggestions and hints from an uphill walk in Great Basin country.

"Fix It" has a cold-weather shooting tip, and listeners share their artful dead bird photos.

You get another chance to enter to win the Sage & Braker shotgun cleaning mat in our furf...

If you have a young dog or are getting one, listen carefully!

Jim Van Engen's Right Start Kennel has cranked out almost 200 field trial champions thanks to his unique specialty: the first two years of a dog's life. He'll outline his overall philosophy, as well as practical tips on everything from managing a dog's range to introducing gunfire. We'll cover retrieving and steadiness, verbal commands and e-collar use, too.

Jim's specia...