Episodes
3 days ago
3 days ago
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 world.
A former U.S. Army Airborne Ranger, Dave's combat experience, experience training military and tactical teams, and as a hunter combine in this book that will make you think about why we do what we do. He and his writing team's take on hunting is comprehensive and thought-provoking, addressing why we hunt, how our dogs fit into the equation, and why hunting is perhaps more important in this "civilized" world than ever before.
Ever think of yourself somewhere besides the top of the food chain? Dave explains why we aren't, and how it affects everything we do in the field, under pressure, and in life.
Anti-hunter in the family? Vegetarian at your dinner table? Dave has suggestions on how to carry on a conversation with them as you take pride in your chosen passion.
Listeners share their best hunt of the season and why it was spectacular, and the "Handle It" feature tips you to calming your dog for better training.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, HiVizSights.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
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 USA. From um, prosaic and practical beginnings to the present, we'll get the details on everything from genetics to performance.
Todd Farris' hunting club grounds were the setting for our interviews, and he joins me to talk about how great habitat is created, his introduction of valley quail in Oklahoma, and even some bird hunting advice!
A new "Field Test" feature reviews an affordable power station, and listeners share their memories of the best hunt of last season.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ESPAmerica,Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Friday Mar 01, 2024
Friday Mar 01, 2024
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 season stellar.
"Road Trip" covers some birdy beer towns, and listeners share photos of their tricked-out hunting rigs - you're sure to find something you'll want to do to your own.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Friday Feb 23, 2024
Friday Feb 23, 2024
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 not to shoot sometimes, and how he handles a cocker-pointer combination. Jon also gives us the definitive way to use inner-tube dog boots. We also peek in his vest for must-carry gear.
Listeners share the strange and cool things they found on a hunt (not counting hunting partners), and "Handle It" may help you avoid a vet visit.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ESPAmerica,Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Bird hunter's guide to dog games and why you should enter one
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
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 one, finding a group that fits your needs, to reasons you'll be glad you entered, to how they work, I'll offer my 30-plus years of um, "trial and error" (lots of error). If nothing else, you'll laugh at the many goofs me and my dogs have made over the years.
Then, we look at your clever license plates, and help you start planning now for next year's big road trip - with a few strategies most of us don't use.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Monday Feb 05, 2024
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 cattle and quail can get along.
Kelly is also an avid bird hunter so he looks at the practical as well as the academic challenges hunters face. His research dispels some notions that we've accepted as fact and helps us find more birds. From where to stand when you shoot, to what a dog actually smells when he scents a covey, to the best habitat for quail hunting, he's got suggestions. We'll explore bird behavior and where birds go when they flush, "weird quail" and how to hit more birds on the wing.
"Handle It" covers training your dog for doctoring, and listeners share their shooting problems ... and some solutions.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
Pro chukar guide on wild birds, dogs, strategies & tactics
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
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 setters versus shorthairs, learn about bird behavior, habitat, and he'll share his strategies and tactics for getting closer to birds. We'll talk conditioning dogs, training and pad care too.
"Handle It" offers a new in-field energy supplement for dogs, and listeners share their own training goals for 2024.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ESPAmerica, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Friday Jan 19, 2024
Friday Jan 19, 2024
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 generations of quail hunters, how to read habitat and why to seek out the ugly stuff. Hunting strategies and essential gear he takes with him are also on the docket.
We'll share our thoughts on what constitutes a long shot in the field and why ... and I've got one last warm-weather late-season destination for you.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.