Upland Nation

30 years, public land, wild birds, lodges and walk-in hunting in 26 states ... I've learned a bit about traveling for a hunt, and share much of it here. From organizing gear, to dog care and feeding, to finding public access, let me save you from frustration, make things more productive and fun.
From getting along in hunting country, what to take and why, where to "air" your dogs, and how being a nice guy in a country store might pay off ... it's all in this podcast. There are easily 50 tips that will come in handy for you or your dog ... or your hunting friend.
Plus, the gear I carry in my vest for my dog; and how to drive considerately in the country.
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.

Gun Dog magazine columnist, pro dog trainer, avid hunter, and now novelist, Dave Carty has a lot to say. Getting your dog across the training finish line, to favorite dog breeds and bird species, must-have gear, why big runners aren't the be-all and end-all, he's got considered opinions based on decades of experience.
Dave's new novel, Leaves on Frozen Ground, is making waves in the world of fiction, and while it's not about bird hunting, it does feature a few dogs here and there. It's available here.
Dave has an announcement to make as well, that will be of interest to everyone who's read his magazine column ... or will read his novel! Plus, some late-season warmer publicly-accessible destinations to hunt when your own state's season is closed, 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 financing on your Gunner Kennel.

Every time I talk about chukars ... in magazines, on TV, or social media, people are intrigued. So, it's about time to drill down deep on alectoris chukar: habitat, strategies & tactics, where to hunt, dogs, culture, history. If you've ever thought about pursuing the devil bird, here's your introduction.
Cautions, hard-won advice, suggestions on shooting and dog care, what to bring and how to find them are also covered, based on my experience in five different states hunting the wildest birds in the wildest places over 30 years.
You'll also get some starting points for your own chukar odyssey, and help with getting your dog to recall better.
It's all brought to you by these sponsors:
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.

Everything you wanted to know about hunting cocker spaniels ... and much more. From insights into the devolution of old-school hunt clubs, to his experience with Richard Wolters, Hall of Famer Jerry Ray Cacchio has opinions and observations. Gun Dog magazine columnist, consultant, trainer, judge, hunter, Cacchio gives us advice on picking a dog, conformation, subtle differences between Springers and cockers, aspects of flusher training and how it's different for spaniels versus retrievers and pointers.
Critical gear, essential commands, the biggest mistakes we make, how to plant birds for flushers, and why most of us mis-use an e-collar on the little dogs are all part-and-parcel of Jerry's unique perspective.
Plus, a wild-bird-hunting challenge, all brought to you by these sponsors:
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.

Pete Fischer of Dogtra is our guest, with an innovative solution to a common problem ... we get a first look. Plus, the right and wrong way to use e-collars, from battery charging to timing, fitting to the right power setting. Also, a few ways to use those "other" capabilities on the transmitter and receiver.
Pete talks dog training's common problems for young and experienced dogs - and humans, essential commands, our biggest training mistakes, and why testing programs are of value to anyone with a dog.
Our public-access feature explores a North Dakota sharptail hunting spot.
All brought to you by these sponsors:
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.

The backstory on "Man's Best Kennels," is just the beginning. From duck hunting, to dog training, to the care and feeding, literally, of our canine companions, Addison Edmonds will share his hard-won experience. A self-described "weekend warrior" in the marsh and field, his experiences with Gunner the Lab are helpful to any dog owner.
And what guy wouldn't want to name his company after his dog? We'll dig into the new products and innovative thinking behind the world's toughest dog crates.
Plus, "This Land is Your Land" puts you in an Idaho chukar spot.
All brought to you by these sponsors:
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.

You know him as the editor emeritus of Gun Dog magazine, but Rick Van Etten has an alter ego: novelist. And his new novel's protagonist has one too: murder-for-hire, when he's not bird hunting. This new book has something for everyone: dog lovers, hunters, mystery fans. Get the full story here, plus advice on helping your older gun dog, from an expert.
 
The "Handle It" segment asks if mandated face masks confuse your dog ... our public access feature targets Idaho sharptailed grouse. And there's a chance to win a Pointer shotgun.
 
All brought to you by these sponsors:
 
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.

Former pro football player, strength and conditioning coach, hunter, Lab owner, Mark Paulsen now devotes his considerable energy to WildernessAthlete.com. His supplements and other products were originally conceived to help hunters perform better under the stresses they encountered in the field.
Now, he's helping our four-footed friends achieve peak performance, too. From hydration to nutrition, exercise to performance psychology, Mark has advice of all types for those of us who put one foot in front of the other in pursuit of game birds - and bird dogs.
We cover the two critical exercises for bird hunters, timing of supplements and what to look for in nutritional products, how they work, how you and your dog can better recover for a second-day hunt.
Plus, "This Land is Your Land" helps you narrow down your chukar-hunting search, and in the "Handle It" segment, how where you train is as important as what you train, and of course, a chance to win a Pointer shotgun.
All brought to you by these sponsors:
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.