The Michigan NAVHDA guys got together for a card game. As usual, no cards were dealt, but a lot of stories were dealt throughout the evening. Just what a group of dog loving friends do in the offseason. 

MUCC has been fighting for sportsmen since the 1930s. if only all states had such a group in their state capitol, hunters across the country would be more informed, more united, and we would have a voice that supports our passions nationally. Pay attention and get involved.

After walking my backwoods with Ben Schram and Rod Denning, we sat down in the kennel to talk about timber practice and conservation. Ben's Wirehairs and the saying here in grouse country. "Habitat starts at the edge of a chainsaw"

So glad I was able to get Bill on the microphone. At NAVHDAs 50th annual meeting, Bill gives us a snapshot of his 40 years as member and judge. growing up just miles from where we recorded this, it made me long to get in a time machine to see Bill shoot at his first duck from right outside the hotel window. Enjoy

I had Robin on the show a few years ago. He is now in North Carolina and bringing his methods to the eyes of many. This one was done at his new facility, I had a look-see around his place and then sat down for a Q&A about training dogs with an Old World style. I will be having Robin on again in the future.

Lots of driving,lots of laughs and how to pass a NAVHDA test with only a few hours to practice. I traveled to the Tarheels Chapter to run Bravo in a UPT test. afterwards, we cleaned out the bird pens with a fun hunt. Taffy and Rodney got to find some birds, flushing style. The we used some proper dogs to fill the cooler with birds. With a few beers down,we hit the record button.

I squeaked out a little time to talk with my old friend and employee. We also had Bob St. Pierre from Pheasants Forever join us. Steve came to Pheasant Fest to deliver a fantastic keynote speach about what we all care deeply about.

Morgan was hired as a new creative editor for Meateater Inc. At long last, dogs and birds will be one of the many new facets we will be seeing featured, within the nations best hunting network!! We chat about his beginnings and current love of the uplands.

Todd returns to the show, and we talk Spaniels. Springers, Cockers and more.A bit about field trialing, hunting, training and why these little powerhouses can make you smile. and why some make you cry. Just like all things in the dog world. Todd brings real common sense to training dogs.

I invited a few folks up to my room after the NAVHDA judges workshop. We swap stories from our collective memories. Worst dogs, worst days, and the reason why we do what we do. Its all about having fun and making friendships for life. 

This was a quick picnic table interview from last year. I was judging in Minnesota and got to sit down for a few minutes with Kirk Sunquist and Frank Spaeth. They are two of NAVHDAs earliest members and judges. Wish we could have spent more time recording, old stories about old friendships are the foundation of the hunting dog community.

This age group of hunters may just pick up the slack in hunter numbers. A.J.DeRosa started with a simple idea, and its making a difference in the R3 movement. Starting with one short film, Project Upland has grown to be a force in the world of young hunters. The message is beautifully captured in the dozens of films that capture the essence of upland hunting.

We sat down with Pheasant Forever CEO Howard Vincent, Ruffed Grouse Society CEO Ben Jones and Wisconsin's R3 coordinator Emily Lehl. We cover the efforts needed for hunters recruitment (which means the future of wildlife conservation in North America) Hunter dollars make-up 80% of the funding for conservation. When the Boomers age out of hunting, we will need the next wave of hunters to follow in our steps. R-3 can help that become a reality.

A different sort of episode. I sit in on a group of hunters, who take their season to another level. Their season lasts twelve months a year. True friendships are made with dogs, guns, and a love of the wild things we chase. The Pipes & Beers gang gets it! What kept us alive since the beginning of hunting and gathering, still lives on with this group of dog loving, foraging fly fishermen. Sit back, pour a glass,light a smoke and join us.

Long overdue conversation with Damon. he is the reason that Orion coolers are the hands down the best on the market. He is also the new owner and trainer of a Tekel Hound. helping folks near him track wounded game. Listen and learn!!

I chat with NAVHDAs past president Marilyn Vetter. We go deep into some NAVHDA history and how this organization has grown and developed. From an informal gathering of bird hunters, to the 7000 plus membership with almost 80 chapters in North America. A lot has changed in fifty years, but the mission and passion of NAVHDA have not. 

Listen and learn for a veteran dog trainer. Justin trains hunting dogs for the field. If you are on your first or fifth dog, you will learn something for this episode. I always walk away from there with a new nugget of training insight. You can teach and old dog new tricks!!!

Justin trains bird dogs, no testing,no trialing, no ribbons. His approach to getting your dog ready to hunt, comes from a deep hunting background and even a deeper trianing background. He started cleaning kennels before he was old enough to drive a car. Learning from his mentors and applying that to wild bird hunting, gave him a no-nonsense approach to what it takes to have a dog that truly ready to go afield. I learn more every time I visit him, and you will too!!! 

If you haven't learned about BHA yet, here's your chance to learn about a very motivated group of outdoors people. BHA is growing at warp speed all across North America. Helping all of us to keep public lands and waters in public hands. Your hands!!!

Nick is back in the kennel to talk retriever training and hunt testing. Not to mention... he passed his Kenny dog at both of the retriver worlds top venues. And of course a bit about things that have nothing to do with dogs. 

Amanda part of a growing segment of outdoors people, passing on their knowledge and passions to those who haven't had the opportunity. T.E.A.C.H. outdoors is a homespun group of hunters, fishermen, and dog people, that give so much more than just lip service to recruitment. They put their talents and boots on the ground for others to experience the world live in and the world we love.

Admittedly I asked Jordan to come on the show to answer questions about my first Cocker. It turned into a great episode about training, breed bias, and raising children. Of course, we talk about more than that!! Enjoy this one and listen twice, if you really want to learn something.

Ben Jones is the president and CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society. We talk about the decline of my favorite game bird. It's not to late to get to save the resourse that we all hold dear to our heart. Its really about all species. We need to devote our time and wallets to what is the most important to us.

After talking with Brandon,I found a new place to hunt. When the birds bounce back in Montana, I will be knocking on his door. We talk about his dogs, family, guns and a bit about using OnX maps.

After meeting Phil Swain in my early years of judging for NAVHDA,I was impressed. As I grew in my roll, I was still learning form him. He is currently one of the longest standing and most articulate judges that the organization is proud list in their ranks.  We break down the (NA) Natural Ability test. Share a few laughs and hopefully explain the standards that we use when evaluating dogs in the field.