Upland Nation

Steve Shurtleff poses ten questions to Scott about everything a relatively-new bird hunter might want to know: from best breed for a first dog owner, shot size and gun choice, habitat types and bird behaviors.
We re-live some epic moments in the field, talk youth hunting, how to hunt without a dog, and how to find publicly-accessible land. Your own hunts are covered in our "Monday Morning Debrief," a new use for your e-collar "tone" function, and a lesson in how being nice might get you onto hard-to-find public land.
... and it's all brought to you by:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com and Gunner.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on most purchases over $200 at Dogtra with the code SLUN10 (plus sale prices on many collar-transmitter bundles); 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's performance dog food with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner kennel.

(Just kidding on that last one) but we cover a raft of topics posed by listener Wayne Harvat, no slouch himself as a breeder-trainer of Epagneul Bretons. Wayne asks me about everything from choke tube choice to dog training, to hunting tactics.
We talk strategy, dog care, various bird species' behavior ... and a little of everything else including introducing young dogs to gunfire. E-collar use and when to keep your hand off the red button is also on Wayne's list.
Everyone learned something - on both sides of the control board - and so will you. (If you want to ask your own ten questions, drop me a line here.)
“Handle It” addresses sunglasses and their potential effect on your dog's ability to understand commands, and the public access segment lists some places to go in Kansas for a first time public-land hunter ... and it's all brought to you by:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com and Gunner.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on most purchases over $200 at Dogtra with the code SLUN10 (plus sale prices on many collar-transmitter bundles); 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's performance dog food with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner kennel.

I'll cover their history, our heritage, places to go and how to hunt them. From Gen. George Armstrong Custer to Theodore Roosevelt National Grassland I’ll give you starting points, some guide-tested unorthodox tactics, and explain as best I can how “America’s bird” thinks and behaves.
We'll cover prime habitat and hunting in a circle, using dogs as blinds, where to go in South Dakota (and other states); I’ll give you a jump-start on chasing these fascinating, native birds. Best dog breeds, equipment and shotgun recommendations, too!
“Handle It” covers the dilemma of hunting two dogs simultaneously – the up and downside. I’ll suggest a ruffed grouse hunt in the Northeast Kingdom, and it's all brought to you by:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com and Gunner.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on most purchases over $200 at Dogtra with the code SLUN10 (plus sale prices on many collar-transmitter bundles); 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's performance dog food with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner kennel.

We take a deep dive into YOU and your fellow hunters from our social media topics and questions to my annual Upland Nation Index survey. What's important to you?
From introducing a pup to gunfire, to how COVID-19 has affected your hunting, to our favorite dog breeds, what we do in our free time, and what we plan to buy this year. We'll get a look at the most important issues we face, what we want to learn, and why.
"Handle It" covers a new "cue" to help your dog respond to commands being pioneered by the Monks of New Skete; "This Land is Your Land" looks at Goodland, Kansas' walk-in hunting opportunities, and it's all brought to you by:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com and Gunner.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on most purchases over $200 at Dogtra with the code SLUN10 (plus sale prices on many collar-transmitter bundles); 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's performance dog food with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner kennel.

Marissa Jensen and Colby Kerber of Pheasants Forever share their expertise on turning your friends and family into fellow hunters - from identifying hot prospects to sustaining their interest. What motivates newbies, typical objections, great "entry points" for a discussion about hunting are all covered.  We get an update on the progress their own initiatives are making in this area, and most importantly, we learn how important it is to create new hunters - for the habitat and the sport.
There's a dog handling tip on timing of commands - what to watch for - plus the reader poll on what type of shotgun you're buying next. Our public access segment looks to Central Washington for a valley quail spot.
It's all brought to you by these sponsors:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com and Gunner.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on most purchases over $200 at Dogtra with the code SLUN10 (plus sale prices on many collar-transmitter bundles); win a Pointer shotgun at FindBirdHuntingSpots.com; 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's performance dog food with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner kennel.

Dale Rollins, Ph.D. has spent his entire adult life pursuing quail ... 55 years of hunting, study, dogs and research, much of that time accompanied by his "Betters," a unique cross of Brittany and English Setter he co-developed. He is the executive director of the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation, where he leads efforts to improve habitat and determine the limiting factors affecting bobwhite populations ... from disease to weather to predation.
Dale will share the Foundation's data, offer tips and suggestions on quail behavior and how to improve your hunting for them as a result. From a bob's daily schedule, to hunting strategy and tactics, he's got thousands of coveys of experience. He'll talk dog training and how to work most effectively with bird dogs in the field, and explain why he loves his "Better" dogs. Bonus: Dr. Rollins also has extensive experience with blue quail and we'll talk about how to hunt those elusive critters too. Learn more about the Foundation's efforts, and tap into their vast resources, here.
In the "Handle It" segment, I talk about how to stick birds once pointed, and "This Land is Your Land" touches on a western Kansas community with something for everyone, including your spouse!
It's all brought to you by these sponsors:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com and Gunner.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on most purchases over $200 at Dogtra with the code SLUN10 (plus sale prices on many collar-transmitter bundles); win a Pointer shotgun at FindBirdHuntingSpots.com; 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's performance dog food with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner kennel.

If you're not already, many of you (and me) will soon be sick and tired of cold temperatures and snow and ice. If you're lucky, you can migrate south. I've got some suggestions on general destinations for bird hunting where the ground is clear and a light jacket might be just enough. (It's heavy on the West because that's where I go) but there should be a starting point for almost everyone.
There's also a dozen or so tips and tricks I've picked up from pro guides, seasoned hunters and dog handlers ... plus a few of my own that could save you time, money, and aggravation. From water storage to travel hacks, you might learn something of use on your next hunting trip.
I'll also offer an alternative to pricey dog boots, too, in the "Handle It" segment.
It's all brought to you by these sponsors:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com and Gunner.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on most purchases over $200 at Dogtra with the code SLUN10 (plus sale prices on many collar-transmitter bundles); win a Pointer shotgun at FindBirdHuntingSpots.com; 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's performance dog food with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner kennel.

I'm outlining the things I use that would make great gifts no matter what you celebrate: Christmas, Hanukah, Festivus or the solstice. Any size budget, for hunters with two or four legs, every one of these would make a wonderful addition - under the tree or in a stocking that's been hung with care.
Naught or nice, the list includes everyone and has been checked twice - you're on it. Have your spouse listen too - just in case! And what you and your fellow hunters think are the most critical factors affecting our sport.
Plus, more practical gifts: a guerilla tactic for hard-hunted public ground, and advice for those who own hard keepers who won't eat after a hunt.
It's all brought to you by these sponsors:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; Happy Jack, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com and Gunner.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on most purchases over $200 at Dogtra with the code SLUN10 (plus sale prices on many collar-transmitter bundles); win a Pointer shotgun at FindBirdHuntingSpots.com; 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's performance dog food with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner kennel.