Melvin ended up in Alaska in 1951. He took 160 acres of burned over land and built his piece of paradise. Starting a trucking line, he was the original ice road trucker, he also put in a landing strip on his property before there was an improved road to even get to his home! Stories like Melvin's were common one hundred years ago in the lower 48, But Alaska wasn't even close to being a State when he arrived.
Probably the toughest hunt I have done in years. And certainly one of the most fun. This trip goes down as one of my favorites and this podcast may be the same. When we broke down, I was sure the brown bears were going to spend the night with us!!! And the only trip I have even been on where a friend drop ships wader-boots, literally drops them from his plane to our camp. This one is epic!!
I get to catch up with Lisa Williams. She was the head grouse biologist for Pennsylvania. And with her new position there are even opportunities to look forward to the next season and many more. If your a grouse hunter you better not miss this one!
Todd Kellam is not only an old friend of mine, he also happens to be the vice president of the United Kennel Club. We do a little reminiscing of the old days and our Wirehairs and make a few announcements that may surprise you! and the next day we go grouse hunting....
"There I go again" in the words of Bob Seger I'm turning another page in my passion for bird dogs. This breed, the Wirehaired Vizsla wormed it's way into my heart a few years ago. Then by some series of events, that always seems to dictate my next dog choice, I find myself back in the game with a new pup. And what a pup he is!!!
The North American Pudelpointer Alliance NAPPA is a group of breeders that not only raise their own standards, but also clean under the sofa and behind the fridge. Bob Farris catches us up with the breed, the breeders and some thoughts on what he would like to see in the dog world.
Garmin set's the bar a little higher! This time it's the new compact and versatile Alpha 10 Rehan Nana joins me for a product review of the newest addition to the Garmin line-up. This unit does everything except feed your dogs. Go into the season with some high-tech peace of mind.
Had a great three day judging assignment outside of Boise. I had the pleasure, of again, making new friends and reconnecting with some old friends. Two of them are Anna and Jacquine. It takes the help of volunteers to pull off a test day, and these ladies had a lot to do with it! We share some stories,and some laughs.
Pete Aplikowski jumped into the mix a with a new dog, not too many years ago. he now runs the MN chapter, judges and continues to come up with more goals and programs to benefit new members that help with retention and growth. Does size matter? With 300 plus members, YES!!!
Ed Arnett from TRCP jumps in to give some not so good news about one of my favorite birds. The Sage grouse is losing its habitat at a rate that will have consequences beyond impacting our hunting pleasures. The time to act is now! All hunters need to join hands and wallets to keep what we have worked for.
Brent pike stops by the kennel to catch up on whats new and were were hunting this year. Good old fashioned bullshit session about where we have been and where were going. New dogs,new adventures and why we love them both.
A recap of last years grouse hunt with the bear Hunters. Elijah and crew came to the kennel to bait me into going back after black bear with a pack of hounds. You decide if I'll do it!!
Greg Blair works for Purina. As the area manager he attends most all of the tests and trials for pointing dogs. He personally owns a couple of dogs that excel on the circuit, as well as they excel on wild birds. We bust a few myths and learn a bit about his job with the worlds best dog food company.
I knew, that with all the breeds of dogs that were developed in Germany, their had to be one out there that might bring me back to my roots. The Wachtelhund is that dog. Dave Dyer has owned and bred them for a long time. Find out why!
There is nothing conventional about Garhart Stephenson, his lifestyle, his dog or his past hunting season. Last years pandemic gave Garhart the opportunity to take of the mask and the gloves,when it came to getting away from it all.
Damon Bungard is a man driven to help with conservation by using his Teckels (Wirehaired Dachsunds) at game recovery service dogs. Too many hunters loose wounded game in this country. Damon and his Teckels along with hundreds of other blood trackers, help put more meat on the table.
Maura Hennelly tagged along with her dad for as long as she can remember. Kind of like being imprinted into the outdoors. Now at twenty two she has a dozen years under her belt, and a compulsion to take her dogs on a journey that will certainly lead her to a lifelong grail quest.
We had a great weekend. Re-connecting with old friends and making new ones. Jeff Jalbert of Top Shelf Kennels in Horace ND, sits down with me and recaps our friendship and our passion for getting to evaluate bird dogs. It's the most fun you can have outside of hunting season.
Chris Dorsey is known around the world as a hunter, but his start and his heart is the uplands and the dogs he hunted with. Call Time, is the final book in a trilogy that highlights Chris's years filming wing-shooting for television. From every corner of the globe. We answer the question, "why does Wisconsin have the best taverns?" and how to pick a college based on good grouse hunting. "Call Time" could have been titled Last Call?? enjoy!
Danielle didn't stick to the script when it came to higher education. Her first passion was put on the back-burner when she started to process wild game and decide to harvest it as well. next thing you know she is is hitting the road with her dog to camp and hunt, solo! Yeah just a girl and her dog hunting birds and sleeping in the truck. It's no wonder why Meateater Inc. brought her on board.
A trip down memory lane from a Memorial weekend in 2004 that will forever taste bitter-sweet. If you like comeback stories, then this episode is for you! If you don't like stories that make you cry... then don't listen to the last twenty minutes.
Kyle Hough joins the podcast to walk through his journey from early handler to professional trainer. His credentials speak for themselves. His experience will help you with your journey from new puppy owner to possibly taking your dog to the most comprehensive dog test in North America.
Were lucky here in Michigan to have officers Anna Cullen and Jackie Miskovich watch over Muskegon County wildlife. learn a little about what it takes to become a game warden and alot about what they do everyday.
Once upon a time Michigan hunters took a million birds a year. Things change and those numbers are only statistics of the past. The Michigan Pheasant Hunting Initiative was established to bring hunters back to the fields. Following in the footsteps of 21 other states that give hunters the opportunity to recreate on state land, by releasing birds for us to work our dogs on and bring home a tasty meal that celebrates family traditions of the past, while building family traditions for the future.