Upland Nation

In light of the incredible reaction to Sen. Lee's recent proposal to sell public lands, I'm adding fuel to the fire with information and motivation to keep you poised for the next battle. "Knowledge is power" and knowing from where the money comes and where it goes, arms us better than a 10-gauge street sweeper with a 50-round drum magazine. 
Until re-election time and the need for campaign contributions, those in power often forget who really holds the purse strings. So here's your opportunity to learn how - and why - hunters and shooters are the driving economic force in wildlife management and conservation. I'll outline the ways we pay more than any other group to take care of the land and the animals dwelling on it. I'll also point out the discrepancy between the loudest voices in the debate (who pay little) and our own brethren (who should be louder and prouder). 
All of this with one goal: giving you the ammunition to get involved - at any level - in the things that matter. Hunters and shooters have paid the price of admission; we've earned our place at the negotiating table. It's time to go out and use that power for good.
Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Heartland Lodge.
[Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.)
Early bird specials and goodies with your stay at Heartland Lodge. Go here.

Summer camp! Nope, not braiding lanyards and making s'mores. Out on the prairie, it's all about dogs and wild birds and Mel Leuck joins me from her camp to give us the lowdown on what really happens there. What's a day look like? Why drive so far? She'll have the answers. We also cover important training topics including steadiness on birds, keeping your dog out in front of you, and how to keep dogs cool early in the season.
A vet tech too, Mel will help us pull porcupine quills the right way, and shares some emergency gear she carries in the field.
[Note: Mel mentions using dry ice as a cooling agent in her trailer's dog room. Dry ice can increase harmful carbon monoxide in a closed space. She ventilates the room well, but you might consider an alternate cooling method. Thanks observant listener!]
"Fix It" offers a way to get pup to come a-runnin', and from our social media we perpetuate the debate on 16 gauge shotguns ... the perfect solution to any problem?
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

The smoke has cleared and yes, we won on that proposal of Sen. Mike Lee's to sell off public lands. My guests from the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership are Michael O'Casey and Tristan Henry, and we'll look back on what happened and how, and more importantly what bird hunters can do NOW to prevent another land grab. From "all politics are local" to adopting your very own cause, we'll go deep into the weeds on policy and how critical it is that we grass roots stay engaged.
We'll also get some advice on finding public access ground, and share dog notes - both guys are avid chukar hunters and versatile dog owners. "Fix It" has three points of view on caring for your dog's pads.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

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
Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems (10% off use promo code CG10) and Heartland Lodge (goodies, check-in gifts, early bird specials and hunt with me details here.)

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 habitat and habits, and dog handling for these wily birds. Then, into the grouse woods for insights into some lesser-known prime food sources, cover types, and habitat needs from opening day to winter. 
"Fix It" offers a useful web source for finding birds, and listeners (a lot of them) weigh in on "Do beeper collars scare birds?" You'll take something useful away from that discussion!
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Hey, some of the answers might be right ... and helpful! Listeners ask a lot of questions, and I'm tackling them all on this episode. From pad care to finding new spots to hunt, feeding your dog to finding a shooting instructor, I've dug deep to provide useful starting points - and points to ponder - for a couple dozen questions. (Have your own? Send them here for the next edition: scottlindenoutdoors@gmail.com.)
"Fix It" offers another place to bed down on a road trip, and listeners tell us why they do - or don't - use an e-collar or GPS collar.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

It's the time of year when you're assembling this and searching for that, getting your gear together with an eye toward opening day and adventures to come. Here's one piece of gear that you truly shouldn't leave home without - a survival kit. It doesn't need to be big or heavy - this one weighs just over a pound - but its contents could save your life or minimize the inconveniences that come your way.
From staying warm and dry to finding your way back to camp, I've got suggestions on what to bring and why. Some is high tech and others old-school, but all are critical if you want to "live to tell about it."
Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Heartland Lodge, where I'll be doing a residency this fall (learn more here).
[Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.]
 

Pro cocker spaniel trainer Gene Barnhardt joins me to cover all things flushing ... and more! You've seen Gene handling dogs on Wingshooting USA TV, and now we'll hear his insights into spaniels from retrieving to range, quartering to water work. Gene is also a breeder so expect insights on how to find the best pup, too. We'll talk teaching steadiness, how to hunt with flushers, mistakes we make when training a flushing dog, and how a "place board" is the ultimate retrieving tool. 
Gene also offers a couple unique observations on what to do - and not do - when your dog brings a bird back to you ... "Fix It" covers a few useful data sources for planning your road trips, and listeners tell us if they're swapping shotguns this season and why.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.