Episodes
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
I've fielded so many questions over the years, I decided it was time to offer up a primer on hunting these fascinating, mystifying game birds. I've asked the dumb questions to smart hunters, learned a few things the hard way, and spent more than a few nights puzzling over their habits and habitat. If you've ever wondered where to find them, how to prepare, get your dog trained up, successful strategies and tactics from shot size to e-collar tricks, here's your starting point.
Then, start walking. Uphill.
Listeners tell us where they're going on opening day, and "Road Trip" offers some alternative information sources to get you on public-access land.
And it's all brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Saturday Sep 16, 2023
Saturday Sep 16, 2023
You show me yours, I'll show you mine! Our annual peek into hard-core hunting vests: configuration, contents, and advice from you and my three decades learning the hard way. If you don't have it, you'll want it.
"Handle It" covers a better way to deliver hand signals, you tell us how many wild birds you shot last season, and there's a shot at $60K toward a new truck if you hunt Huron, SD.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
My friend Al Gadoury opens his book on all things ringneck ... plus a few observations on sharptails and Huns, too. You may have seen him on a few episodes of Wingshooting USA TV, Al is a pro guide in Montana who knows of what he speaks. He'll clue us in to why sharptails won't be where they usually are and why, plus some tips on developing a young dog on the prairies.
Al will take us to school on hunting pheasants, starting with habitat, to stealth, to strategy and tactics for hard-hunted public birds. We'll learn why blocking isn't just for South Dakota mob-scene hunts, and gain insight into the fascinating world of spaniel trial gunning - not for the faint of heart!
"Road Trip" offers some starting points for sharptailed grouse, and we look at what birds you hunt most.
And it's all brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Three decades of public-land hunting distilled down to one podcast ... yeah, I learned the hard way so you don't have to. I'll cover everything from finding it, planning and research, to hunting walk-in and public property for Phasianus colchicus, the ringnecked pheasant. From travel tips to tactics for overcrowded parking areas, habitat hints and coping with bad weather, I've dug deep into my notes and compiled a few dozen suggestions you might want to consider if you're traveling this season. You'll get some states, regions and towns to start in ... then, it's up to you.
"Handle It" extols the virtues of food treats - not just for pups ... and we look at last season's scorecard: how many wild birds did YOU shoot?
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
One of my favorite states, and on most hunters' bucket list if not this season's destination ... South Dakota is the focus this week, as I recount some stories, give you some starting points, go species-by-species through the state. I'll also outline habitat types, strategies for each bird, and some helpful tips and tactics.
There's also one of my coolest hunts in Nebraska, and listeners share their pre-season shopping list. Maybe there's something on it you should get, too.
And it's all brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Pro trainer, chukar hunter, and author ... George DeCosta Jr. is also a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon fanatic. We'll talk puppy development, go to school on steadying a dog (hint: long before he encounters birds), and get a few chukar hunting tips too. George suggests some essential training gear and what he carries in his hunting vest that we should too.
George's new book Tips and Tales covers just about everything you need to train a versatile dog, some hunting stories and a ton of wisdom. We'll go page by page through some of the stuff you are probably working on right now.
Listeners tell us where their dog sleeps on a hunting trip, and the Handle It segment offers a DIY project that will steady your dog when a checkcord is impractical.
And it's all brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
We're getting ready for Opening Day with a big, steaming pile of useful information. First, listeners' advice on reinforcing the "whoa" command, then we shoot a new target game that simulates wild birds and is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Dave Fiedler and Dan Pesznecker are at Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, where we talk about Helice (that's a Helice target in the photo).
Kevin McGlaughlin takes us on his recent epic hunt to Montana, where he shot seven species of upland birds ... who knew there were chukars in Montana? In our "Road Trip" segment I'll share some starting points for first-time grouse hunters in the Northeast, then it's up to you.
Please visit our sponsors:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Problem dogs and better shooting ... can you relate? This week we go back inside the industry, actually two industries: Renee Hernandez and Trevor Young of HIVIZ Sights talk about the company's founding (to help shotgunners), its recent move to Wyoming, and what's new in technology. We get some shooting help and a hint of new products coming down the pike.
Then Mike Mapes shares his vision for a place where gun dogs can go to prepare for their forever home. Second Chance Bird Dogs trains them for hunting homes and new owners, a labor of love for Mike and now a thriving operation. Learn from him how to cope with sticking points in your own dog's behavior, from heeling to steadiness, and more generally what traits we can seize on to become better trainers and dog owners.
And listeners contribute their beliefs - and more than a few laughs - at the "right" way to shoot ... pull-through, instinctive, sustained lead or poke and hope.
And it's all brought to you by:
Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.