Upland Nation

Lighten up! Or at least try to with this (hopefully) funny take on some of the questions I get. But seriously, you'll also get some new spots to visit when the snow flies, how hand signals can confuse your dog, and your hunting reports too.
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 with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner kennel.

Shooting advice from a champion, and how to buy a new or used shotgun ... just some of the topics we'll hit on when I interview John Fournier, g.m. at Pacific Sporting Arms.
John talks high-end and low-end guns, shopping tips, red flags, shopping protocols and what differentiates good from bad shotguns. We'll also cover the care and feeding of our hunting guns, why grease is better than oil (sometimes), cleaning misconceptions, common problems and how to avoid them.
The "Handle It" dog-care segment focuses on strategic feeding; "This Land is Your Land" offers road trip advice and routines so everyone arrives rested and ready to 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 with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner kennel.

Inspired by a recent trip, I'd like to share some insights into these little magic-makers. Lore, legend, techniques and tactics, plus where to find them. Often a bonus bird when chasing chukars, they are often the salvation for footsore hunters an dogs on the third day of a long hunt, requiring less climbing and more opportunity.
Plus, some starting points to chase them throughout the west, and taking care of your dog's pads so he's ready to roll the next day.
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 Kennels.
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 with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner Kennel.

Renowned hunting and fishing photographer Brian Grossenbacher joins me this week, sharing insider tips and secrets from shooting sporting photography around the world. Hair-raising stories from the jungle, inspiring dogs, and beautiful places are the stuff of his life and this podcast.
If you're looking for one tip to make better images on your next hunt, Brian has a bunch. He also shares his secret for world-class dog photos - heck, even I can do some of them! From lighting to composition to staying safe when you're armed with a camera and everyone else has shotguns, this podcast is full of ideas and suggestions that will make your hunts memorable long into the future - because of the great pictures you took!
If you're looking for an alternative to the "tailgate body pile," Brian has some ideas. Plus, I'll direct you to the best public mountain quail hunting in the west, and explain why taking care of your dog's pads is critical - and how to do it.
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 Kennels.
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 with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner Kennel.

Steve "Grouseman" Grossman offers 40 years of hitting it hard ... ringnecks, prairie grouse, ruffies, dog training, and even some advice on being a good client of a pro guide. Orvis-endorsed wingshooting outfitter and proprietor of The Grouse Lodge and Wild Prairie Lodge, he logs hundreds of hunting miles in the woods and grasslands every year.
If you don't learn something today, you need to turn up the volume!
We'll cover critical habitat and strategies to find birds in each, birds' evasive behaviors, how to work better with your own or a guide's dog, shooting tips and tricks.
Even guide tipping protocol is covered in this extensive interview that also includes ensuring peak performance with care and feeding hard-working dogs, how to introduce a collar bell to your dog, faux pas we commit on a guided hunt, and how to hit grouse in the thick stuff.
Scott and Steve collaborate on aspects of a "tailgate exam" for your dog, Scott shares a walk-in destination in Montana, and we look at photos of your favorite hunting spots.
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 Kennels.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on any purchase 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 with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner Kennel.
 

Wild food is: the culmination of a hunt; a celebration of our natural world; a way to introduce non-hunters to our sport; a sensual experience. Jennie Nguyen-Wheatley and husband Rick Wheatley are passionate about taking us from field to feast. They share their knowledge at their blog, and this week, with all of us!
We'll talk wild bird and public-access hunting, why it resonates with them, then jump right into the stuff you can use this season: care of game after the shot, "hanging," storage in fridge or freezer to ensure the highest quality dining experience. Then, simple ways to dazzle your friends and family with easy dishes - often simply substituting game birds for other meats.
We also cover cooking do's and don'ts, essential cooking gear and spices, and easy ways to avoid "gamey" and "fishy" tasting game bird dishes.
Hey! Stop drooling!
We also cover a walk-in sharptail hunting spot; and suggestions on influencing your dog's search pattern.
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 Kennels.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on any purchase 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 with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner Kennel.

The Monks of New Skete revolutionized dog training with their million-selling books The Art of Raising a Puppy, How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, and Let Dogs Be Dogs. Their newest book is The Art of Training Your Dog: How to Gently Teach Good Behavior Using an E-Collar. Co-authored with Marc Goldberg, it may take hunting dog training to the next level. The insightful way the monks are using e-collars will change your thinking - for the better.
I have the first and only interview in the bird-dog world, with authors Brother Christopher and Marc Goldberg. The book debuted last week, and is now available wherever books are sold.
We'll also cover everything from how a dog thinks, week-by-week "lessons," why dogs do what they do, critical commands and what we should all do - and not do - when training.
There's a suggestion for walk-in public hunting in Central Kansas, too.
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 Kennels.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on any purchase 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 with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner Kennel.

The National Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan has existed since 2016 ... administered by Pheasants Forever and coordinator Scott Taylor, Ph.D. So, how's it working? Scott reports on the current status of the plan, wins and losses, challenges to its implementation, and what's in store for the future of this mega-project.
But Scott also knows pheasants inside and out, and offers advice and suggestions on bird behavior, good and lesser-known habitat types we should explore, how to hunt hard-pressured ground, tactics and strategies to help you become a better hunter.
There's also a public-access tip for late season, and hard-won advice on what you train your dog for and why.
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 Kennels.
Take advantage of great deals from many of our sponsors: 10% off and free shipping on any purchase 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 with the code UPLANDNATION; and free shipping for your Gunner Kennel.