Upland Nation

Favorites Friday: In this reprise, a guy who's forgotten more than we'll ever know. Here's your chance to learn from him if you missed this interview from July, 2024 ...
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 with a pointing dog. We'll get dozens of tips on tactics and strategy, dog care too, and Al answers a listener question, too.
Listeners share their thoughts on when to start a youngster, and "Handle It" focuses on reining in a big-running dog, with advice from me (and some much better qualified listeners!).
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, LandTrust.com, HiVizSights.com, Pointer shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
And don't miss the Wingshooting USA TV starting now airing 1 on local stations, sports networks and national TV networks. Learn more here.

"Grouseman" Steve Grossman is joined by his son Travis as we get a pro-guide two-fer. These guys know ruffies, sharpies, Huns and prairie chickens from decades guiding in both South Dakota and Minnesota. We'll cover habitat and habits, less-common food sources and their importance, and what really matters on a hunt.
Both talk dog handling, broaden our definition of "edge cover," discuss pairing cockers with pointing breeds, and share lore and legend from the grouse woods and vast prairies.
"Fix It" is a primer on e-collar considerations for young dogs, and listeners answer the question "Do you trial or test, and why?"
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Favorites Friday: This reprise of Clyde's interview is worth another listen ...
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. But as his email signature says, "Let Success Make The Noise," not self-promotion. His test records are his success. The noise comes from his legion of dedicated friends and customers.
In a wide-ranging discussion, we cover the lure of prairie grouse, how to recruit more conservationists, how he uses training birds, and his unique way of training steadiness ... without "whoa." We cover retrieving as well, including why for some pups tug-of-war is a good thing. There's hunting advice, some unique items he carries in his vest (and why), and when you're done I guarantee you'll see dog training differently.
Listeners share advice on introducing a new dog to your pack, and "Handle It" is a primer on hunting dog pad care from my personal experience.
And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, LandTrust.com, HiVizSights.com, Pointer shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
And don't miss the Wingshooting USA TV starting now airing 1 on local stations, sports networks and national TV networks. Learn more here.

From the depths of America's deepest canyon, pro guide Grant Ritchie takes us on chukar hunting adventures that often end uphill in ruffed grouse habitat. His outfit floats the Snake River in search of devil birds, putting clients in virtually unhunted territory where every bird is earned in boot leather and sweat.
Grant runs Minam Store Outfitters, an Orvis-endorsed guide service in eastern Oregon. He runs Cesky Fousek dogs, and has a generations-long acquaintance with the wildest canyon in the Pacific Northwest. We talk about the importance of conditioning (human and dog), chukar habits and habitat (not always what you think), and some unusual food sources for these elusive birds. We also walk the draws so to speak, encountering valley and mountain quail, ruffed and blue grouse, and even turkey.
We'll talk about shooting strategies and dog training, too. "Fix It" offers a puppy-acquisition primer, and our social media survey invites you to join the discussion if you're going to Pheasant Fest. I'll be doing podcast interviews and might just invite you to be part of the show! I'll be doing interviews with the leaders in our world Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pyke Gear booth, #1121 near the Public Lands stage. (I'll also be on a panel of podcasters on that stage Sat. 3 p.m.)
And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

“Experience is the comb Mother Nature gives us … after we’re bald.” But who wants to wait? 
Here's a compendium of 29 tips on everything from caring for your dog to shooting better. They're compiled from conversations with pro guides, hunting partners' advice, friends' suggestions, and my own hard-won experience (I'm not bald, though from all the lessons, I should be). 
Somewhere in here is something you never knew, should have done, could do next season, or might share with someone else.
Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Heartland Lodge, where you'll get special freebies and gifts for every booking (learn more here).
[Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.]

You know him as author of three volumes of the book Endless October, or his blog A Bird Hunter's Thoughts. Randy Schultz spends most of his fall on the hunting road, and has forgotten more about birds, habitat, strategy and dogs than we'll ever know.
I'll pick his brain for help on all of the above, plus the value of field trials for hunters, how books are created (and recorded), public access strategy and more. We'll get a full debrief on his season in a number of states, with info on bird numbers, habitat conditions and hunting success.
"Fix It" helps you hit hard crossers, and listeners contribute fond memories of beloved dogs ... and photos too. 
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

He's trained over 100 field champion retrievers and is a Retriever Hall of Fame inductee ... and now in retirement he's running a wirehair and a pointer. Of course we'll talk about why! But we'll also get Mike Lardy's take on all things retrieving, from how to introduce it to how to refine it. 
Mike shares his early exposure to dogs and hunting, highlighting his journey as a professional retriever trainer since 1981. He reflects on the highlights of his career, including training exceptional dogs and the joy of seeing them succeed in the field.
The conversation delves into the intricacies of dog training, particularly focusing on retrieving techniques and the importance of positive reinforcement. Mike emphasizes the need for patience and understanding in training, especially when working with young dogs. He also discusses his recent experiences with pointing dogs, sharing insights on the differences between training retrievers and pointers. The episode concludes with Mike offering valuable advice on maintaining a mentor-mentee relationship with dogs, underscoring the significance of setting them up for success rather than relying solely on coercion.
And why does he hunt now, for fun, with pointing breeds? Well, we'll find out.
"Fix It" helps motivate you to a New Year's resolution, and listeners tell us what time of day they start a hunting and why.
And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
 

Exclusive! We venture inside the Beltway to analyze the Sen. Lee land-sale debacle, look back on the victories, defeats and delays in law-making and public policy with our friends Jeff Crane (Pres./CEO) and Taylor Schmitz (Sr. VP - policy) of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. That organization roams the halls of congress and all the alphabet agencies that restrict, protect and frustrate us, advocating on our behalf with legislative staff, elected officials and bureaucrats who make the rules.
We'll look ahead, too, at some critical policy and legal opportunities including the chance for a new Farm Bill - the catchall legislation that funds CRP, among other programs. We'll also learn how plain old sportsmen and women can get involved at every level to ensure our voices are heard - and heeded.
Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Heartland Lodge, where you'll get special freebies and gifts for every booking (learn more here).
[Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.]