Upland Nation

Fighting for access to publicly-owned hunting and fishing ground ... that's the mission of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and their CEO Land Tawney joined me on the floor of Pheasant Fest to explain how they're doing it. Spoiler alert: beer is often involved in the planning and fellowship process.
From on-the-ground projects to legislative efforts, BHA is filling a niche and helping any hunter who steps off the pavement. But it all starts with welcoming virtually anyone interested in access to public land, from mushroom hunters to bird watchers. Tawney will bring us up to speed on critical regulatory changes, share some access tips, help us better use an online mapping app, and he'll share some of his own hunting stories.
"Handle It" covers essential training gear for puppy owners; and listeners chime in with their feelings about dog food - would you switch brands?
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

E-collar guru Pete Fisher of Dogtra joins us from the floor of Pheasant Fest, covering a number of topics from innovative uses for all of a training collar's capabilities including some you may not have thought of ... when to stow the handheld, what a collar's stimulation should be used for, and of course, he shares his wisdom from decades as a pro trainer and bird hunter.
Listeners answer the question "hunting preserves ... is there an upside?" And, in the Handle It segment, I'll outline some of the places to run a dog when there's nowhere to run a dog.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Eukanuba's Russ Kelley, scientist and bird dog owner, clues us into the mysteries and magic of proper bird dog feeding. From key ingredients, to why meat is not as important as the amino acids it contains, how muscle is built and fat is managed, Russ answers your questions.
Back in the studio, we talk about your training goals for the off season, cover the advantages of teaching "whoa" on furry critters, and how to challenge your dog - mentally - when it's dark and cold outside.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

In our first in the series, we re-visit the floor of Pheasant Fest, where I interviewed industry leaders, insiders, experts and good friends. This week, Nick Harrington and Chris Hull of South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks answers your questions on the past season's harvest numbers, why the department doesn't count pheasant broods anymore, and then offer strategies and tactics on finding more birds - and land - in the pheasant hunting capital of the world.
Back in the studio, we cover one more essential item to put in your vest, answer the question about whether or not you've ever been really, really lost, and recap a recent chukar hunt that had a few surprises.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Get the gear:
After a long and arduous season and 35 stitches (in Flick), I'm more qualified than ever to speak to the gear that will keep a dog safe, effect repairs in the field, and stabilize him for a balls-out drive to the veterinarian. I'll go over the kit I carry in my vest and the bigger bag that's in my truck, including why each item might be helpful to you.
Then, a shopping list for the new puppy's early training career, and from social media how your dog summed up the hunting season.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

The National Shoot to Retrieve Association's first objective is to help members extend their hunting season ... a good reason to join! But President Bill Sumpter has a lot of other reasons you should consider as well.
And much of what makes a dog and handler excel at NSTRA trials will benefit both on a hunt too. Bill offers sage advice on scoring higher ... from obedience, to bird handling, to strategy, dogs and humans who hone their skills in a trial will likely find more birds in the field. Bill outlines the why and how, shares some hunting tips and one piece of critical gear, and then we talk Huns and sharptail hunting.
Bill goes deep to explain his passion for setters, and why he loves Hungarian partridge hunting.
You chip in with why (or why not) to feed the morning of a hunt; our "Handle It" segment covers instant energy in the field - for your dog.
It's brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

This guy knows critters: how to hunt them, and how to cook them. Perhaps best known for his Travel Channel show Bizarre Foods, Andrew Zimmern also packs a shotgun, and turns what he shoots into culinary marvels. A four-time James Beard Award winner, he's sharing his experience on the Outdoor Channel program Andrew Zimmern's Wild Game Kitchen and exclusively here on the Upland Nation podcast.
We'll hear fascinating stories about giant porcupines and scary stuff he's put in his mouth, but we'll also get practical, inspirational advice on taking game birds from field to feast. From basic cooking techniques to seasonings that easily take your birds to the next level, he's got you covered.
Your sense of humor is on display when you caption my social-media photos, and "Handle It" suggests why you might Keep Calm and Carry On.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Make your dog happy. Shoot better. That's one of the topics as shooting instructors and hunters Dave and Vandy Fiedler of Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School join us. We'll cover the Churchill method of shotgunning, hunting scenarios, common mistakes, and some easy ways to get closer to a better shotgun fit at the big-box store.
We learn to shoot doubles better, find out why patterning the gun is overrated and patterning your ammo is underrated, how to select a shotgun, and using clay targets to become a better bird hunter.
"Handle It" shows you a fun game that will teach you how much praise to use when training your dog; and you chime in on your new year's resolutions for your dog.
It's brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.