Upland Nation

It's our somewhat-regular "Industry Insiders" edition, where I talk with leaders and up-and-comers about the business of bird hunting, their company, new products and tech. We also get their advice on taking care of our gear, our dogs, and ourselves. Oh, and these guys are also experts on bird hunting so expect some valuable tips.
This week, Fred Bohm of Sage & Braker talks new gun care gear, field-care for our shotguns, and desert quail hunting. This guy lives in the hotbed, Southern Arizona, and earned his spurs by climbing the hills and battling the cholla cactus for elusive Mearns, Gambel's and scaled quail. Phil Francone is the president and founder of Meindl USA, bringing that legacy brand of boots to America. Phil helps us with everything from fitting boots and breaking them in, to care for this most important component of your hunting ensemble. He also spills the beans on a brand-new boot model.
"Handle It" covers some helpful puppy-care stuff you may not have thought about, and you listeners weigh in with how your dogs are doing so far this 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, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

You learn a lot poking around out there. From government tracts owned by the forest service, to walk-in ground that changes every year. We'll cover the things you need to know to get started - but experienced hunters will also find a tip or two on planning, research, tactics when you get there and going where nobody else goes.
Listeners chime in no bird populations this season, and share their opening day joys, and I advocate for remote-control bird launchers.
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, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Knot-tying to breaking up a dog fight ... these are essential capabilities you will be glad you have at some point in your hunting career. You might know some of them, but probably not all of them. Or, if you DO, this is your nudge to teach them to someone else! Taking photos, staying warm, getting found (or not getting lost!), this knowledge comes in handy every day.
"Road Trip" covers two pheasant states without "Dakota" in their name.
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, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

From care & feeding to saying goodbye to a loyal canine hunting companion, we cover it all in this wide-ranging discussion with author, podcaster, blogger Randy Schultz. Randy's a road warrior, logging more windshield time than most, so of course we'll get some hunting reports (Blues, Huns, sage grouse, chukars, sharptails, so far). We also trade notes on what to bring, and get a whiskey recommendation for the post-hunt tailgate.
"Road Trip" showcases a sweet spot in Northern Nevada, 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, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

The unsung hero of upland hunting is the Sunflower State: Their season starts later but it's warmer. You can shoot more birds, licens costs are friendly, and their walk-in hunting program is well-managed. As an alternative to the Dakotas, it offers a number of advantages, and I'll outline them via my own experiences hunting for fun and making TV shows.
We'll talk about alternate uses for your e-collar in the "Handle It" segment, and you might be surprised at what your fellow hunters were shooting at last month.
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, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Your questions get my answers - most learned the hard way, so you don't have to! From nutrition to first-aid, dog boots to San Francisco hunting destinations, we cover it all. Then, I ask you what you listen to on your drive to a hunt and the answers might just make up your new play list.
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, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Somewhere in Montana, I hunted with Nic De Castro (founder) and Trevor Walz (partnership manager) of LandTrust.com ... a new company with an entrepreneurial approach to accessing high quality private hunting land ... sort of an "AirBnB" for folks like us. They make a match between willing landowners and hunters.
Following a fascinating hunt, we sat down to talk about their business model, then had a wide-ranging discussion on our day afield, bird dog training and care, prairie bird tactics and strategies, how habitat "givens" are off the table this season, lessons we've learned working with dogs, and more.
Enjoy this bonus episode 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, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
 

I've fielded so many questions over the years, I decided it was time to offer up a primer on hunting these fascinating, mystifying game birds. I've asked the dumb questions to smart hunters, learned a few things the hard way, and spent more than a few nights puzzling over their habits and habitat. If you've ever wondered where to find them, how to prepare, get your dog trained up, successful strategies and tactics from shot size to e-collar tricks, here's your starting point.
Then, start walking. Uphill.
Listeners tell us where they're going on opening day, and "Road Trip" offers some alternative information sources to get you on public-access land.
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, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.