Upland Nation

Actually, they're probably someone else's secrets, but I wrote them down and live by them. In 30 years, hunting 26 states for wild birds, I've learned a helluva lot about finding and utilizing private ground open to hunters and publicly-owned land. If you're a do-it-yourself hunter, you might find a tip or two of use. If you're just getting started, this information might shorten your learning curve.
From timing to tactics, how-to and where-to, I'm sharing some hard-earned lessons and answering a few questions from listeners, too. I'll give you my top 12 strategies, list some states worth the drive for their publicly-accessible ground, and hopefully, provide encouragement to new and experienced hunters.
And in the "Handle It" segment, learn why acoustics are to blame for your dog's "disobedience."
All brought to you by these sponsors - check out their deals:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; 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 financing on your Gunner Kennel.

From how stories and images get chosen, to what readers want from their magazines, editor Jake Smith takes us deep into the world of sporting magazines. Plus, a preview of the next issue of Pointing Dog Journal.
Jake's wildlife background and journalism experience combine to provide us with hunting tips and advice, too. Plus great stories, insights into dogs and people, public access suggestions and dog training strategies.
Interested enough to subscribe? Go here for PDJ or here for Retriever Journal.
All brought to you by these sponsors - check out their deals:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; 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 financing on your Gunner Kennel.

Insightful, introspective and prompter-of-deep thoughts in us, Fergus has written some of the most memorable books in the genre. Titles include A Rough Shooting Dog, A Hunter's Book of Days, The Upland Equation, and Gun Dog Breeds: A Guide to Spaniels, Retrievers and Pointing Dogs. Charles was book editor for Shooting Sportsman magazine as well.
But Fergus also writes books about wildlife and nature, and his deep appreciation for all things outdoors show in every word he writes ... including his newest book A Stranger Here Below, a murder mystery set in the 1830s. The protagonist is a sheriff and a grouse hunter, and his dilemma is shaped not only by crimes but classic shotguns, dogs, and birds among other things.
We talk about writing, how dogs and birds affected him and his writing, and how a deeper working knowledge of the wild world could benefit all of us. He picks his favorite bird hunting book, shares some stories, and may just change your way of thinking about bird hunting and dogs.
Plus, my own tip on public land access, a hard-earned lesson in yard training, gear discounts and a chance to win a Pointer shotgun. All brought to you by these sponsors - check out their deals:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; 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 financing on your Gunner Kennel.
 
 

Author of the classic book Absolutely Positively Gundog Training, Robert Milner talks philosophy and practical applications of his minimalist-positive-science based approach to training.
Milner founded Wildrose Kennels, "retired," then founded www.duckhillkennels.com, where he trains British Labradors in ways you may not know about yet or even agree with! A student of "horse whisperer" Ray Hunt, Milner talks about the right number of training days per week and times per day to get maximum performance from your dog. He outlines why "punishment" or "correction" are superfluous if you read your dog well and reward the expected behavior, and what types of reward work.
Creating neural pathways that create "right" behaviors, from the very start, ignoring misbehavior, and how B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning research can be applied to dogs ... all are part of a wide-ranging discussion that only scratches the surface.
Milner gives us mini-lessons in recall, retrieve, and steadiness to wing-shot-fall, suggests the one most important command, and offers solutions to the problems his clients' dogs have most often.
Milner was a pioneer in importing British-style Labradors to the U.S., and he'll also outline how those dogs differ from American-style retrievers, and how English field trials work.
Plus, my own tip on a slightly-different way to look at public land access and information, a hard-earned lesson in yard training, gear discounts and a chance to win a Pointer shotgun. All brought to you by these sponsors - check out their deals:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; 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 financing on your Gunner Kennel.

What’s your fave? Callers and Facebook commenters extol the virtues of their favorite hunting dog style. From pointing-and flushing - Labs to staunch shorthairs, you love your dogs and we’ll find out why. We celebrate our relationship with our hunting dogs every podcast, but this podcast is particularly close to the heart for all of us.
Is it the mystery and magic of a quivering point? The rollicking excitement of a hard-charging field-bred cocker? Or both, paired, working as a team?
Ebullience, hunting range, personality … are females more “biddable” that males? Is the energy level different from breed to breed or flusher to pointer? Training tips from a Canadian pro and her take on the “debate.” And how you should “never give a dog a chance to fail.”
Plus: Why you should keep your young dog from jumping up or down … the effects on “growth plates.”
You also get dog training tips, another publicly-accessible place to hunt, gear discounts and a chance to win a Pointer shotgun. And it's all brought to you by these sponsors - check out their deals:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; 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 financing on your Gunner Kennel.

On this bird hunting podcast, wisdom and insights from a breeder/trainer with 30 years’ experience. Jeff Funke of Three Devils Kennel of Nampa, Idaho, is my wirehair supplier, for good reason. His dogs are biddable, birdy, and beautiful. A chukar hunting fanatic, Funke has firm beliefs, interesting training strategies and a world of expertise on the hunting side.
A test judge, clinician, and successful breeder of champion dogs, Jeff answers question on picking a pup, what you should and shouldn’t do with that young dog, he gives us background on a number of dog training/testing groups he’s been deeply involved in, and tells the backstory on why some of the principle founders of NAVHDA formed another group.
Why a new “federation?” And another “alliance?” What are the benefits of each? Jeff offers up his own three “golden rules” that form a great hunting dog … why resilience is the key to puppy development and formal training, and how to breed/pick good versatile hunting dogs. He outlines the difference between training a field-trial dog and a hunting dog … and how wild birds train the dog.
Jeff also offers chukar hunting strategies and tactics, including some that will surprise you that flaunt the conventional wisdom on these “devil birds.”
You also get dog training tips, another publicly-accessible place to hunt, gear discounts and a chance to win a Pointer shotgun. And it's all brought to you by these sponsors - check out their deals:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; 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 financing on your Gunner Kennel. May 1-4, you also get $75 off your new Gunner!

Orvis wingshooting guide of the year for 2018, Mark Nissen of Classic Bird Hunts guides hunters in Wisconsin for ruffed grouse and woodcock, then travels to Arizona for quail and doves when the snow flies. Fifty years in the woods, 40 of them guiding, he knows a bit about the sport, the dogs, and how to help you become a better hunter.
We discuss everything from puppy's most important early lessons to safety in the woods. Strategy and tactics for both bird species from a guide's perspective, beeper-versus-bell, must-take stuff you probably forgot, and shooting tips for those pesky trunks and branches.
Mark also helps us train our dogs for all types of birds, provides insights on working with a pro guide, tipping etiquette and (drum roll, please) ... a great woodcock recipe.
You also get dog training tips, another publicly-accessible place to hunt, gear discounts and a chance to win a Pointer shotgun. And it's all brought to you by these sponsors - check out their deals:
Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; 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; wing a Pointer shotgun at FindBirdHuntingSpots.com; 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's with the code UPLANDNATION; and financing on your Gunner Kennel.

You'll be surprised at the attributes callers cite when they tell me what they love about their dogs. From heart and drive to that special bond between human and animal, I'll bet you can relate.
Intensity? Sure. But many callers say their dog keeps them young, fit, and in stitches sometimes! Facebook messages are just as creative: mischief and comic relief, to loyalty and single-mindedness in the field. Does your dog have an on-off switch too?
Some of your friends might be on this week. Check the list: Marc Reeves, James Fritz, Matt Templeton, Ken Welsh, Jeremy Slate Smith, Mike Siebert, Linda Seick, Jim Brehm, Lance Larson, Ludell Heaton, Mark Kimbrough, Joe Omundson, Ken Welsh, Bobby Westbrook, Michael Deegan, Bob Clayton, Seth Rauch and Steve Maus all weigh in on their dogs and why they love them.
You'll also get exclusive tips on public-access, advice on pups and old dogs, breed info from insiders, a hunting dog care tip (save some money), discounts on gear, and the chance to win a shotgun.
It's all brought to you by Cabela's, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Electronic Shooters Protection, Dogtra, Dr. Tim's performance dog food; 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; wing a Pointer shotgun at FindBirdHuntingSpots.com; 30% off your first order from Dr. Tim's with the code UPLANDNATION; and financing on your Gunner Kennel.