I still need to pinch myself, that I was able to spend time with a legend of the dog training world. Delmar was born into a world that most,or all of us can't wrap our minds around. A life of working with animals and the natural world. His simple approach to training has brought him fame, but his approach to life is what made him who he his. A true dogman and a true people person. If i never do another interview, I will have zero regrets. Enjoy

This interview was inspiring, in fact, it helped me rethink my own passions for dogs and birds. Randy lost most of his right leg to cancer about 9 years ago, but he never lost his drive or his passion for bird hunting. he is NOT a handicapped hunter!!!! He is a true sportsman with a will to continue, his motto is "get busy living"  It might be karma, but he finally has a Setter that retrieves to hand!!!!

I hit the record button during our (almost monthly) card game. A bunch of my NAVDA training/hunting buddies, tell a few stories about first dogs, best dogs, and who's the worst wingshot. might be some PG13 language. and not politically correct dog stories.

Matt Davis is a hardcore chuckar and upland hunter. He is also the sales and marketing VP. of MTN OPS. We talk about the company he works for and the company he keeps in the field. His dogs Reload and Avery make the dynamic dual of hunting the high west.

I have been waiting a long time to get Kirby on the podcast. My passion for old double guns has been growing.Kirby Hoyt is my go-to guy for stepping into the next level of shooting heritage firearms. When you hold a scattergun that has history,lore, and a feel of art, it makes the upland experiance even better. 

One of my favorite conversations ever. Randy Newberg is known for his elk hunting in the Rocky Mountains, but what what most people dont know is he has a grouse obsession that overwhelms him. He is known for stopping a elk stalk to arrow his favorite table fare. growing up in northern Minnesota, he gathered more grouse for the cook pot than most of us will ever harvest. When it comes to tactics he might say." If they act like rabbits, treat em like rabbits"

Seth drives over to the kennel with one of his dogs, and we dig deep into his favorite breed. The Braque Francais not a French Shorthair!! We dig into the Clubs of rare breeds, and talk about the reasons we choose a breed that is not well known in the uplands of the USA

Finally did the episode that folks have been asking me for three years.. Dale Merritt has been hunting and breeding pointing labs for 25 years. We talk about the history, and the future of the pointing Lab in America. It was a real eye opener for me. Let  me know if this was something you have wondered about as long as I have.....

Criags latest book is a good read,makes me feel like an underachiever when it come to adventures with my dogs. Along with his quirky habit of never going on a hunting trip without a package of Oreo cookies for him and his dogs, he also has an obsession with a 1960 Land Rover. Also know for wearing breeks and a tie on the season opener. And to top it off, Craig shoots most of his birds with a .410 shotgun.

I have been waiting to get Tom Keller to join me to talk about wild pheasant restocking in Pennsylvania. He is a busy man back in the Keystone state. Starting off studying American Woodcock, then jumping into the pheasant relocation program. In 1971 PA residents harvested 1.2 million ringnecks. Those days are long gone, but there maybe to hope on the horizon. This year  PA held the first wild ringneck hunt in almost a couple decades. And to top things off the state is working on habitat to try bringing the Bobwhite quail back in a few years down the road.  he is also a dogless hunter of grouse and woodcock. Talk about a guy that likes a challenge. We even talk a little about black bears

Justin takes lion hunting to a level that I was not aware of. Besides the snow, the mountains, and always on the watch for a pack of timber wolves. Justin treats his pack much like us bird hunters treat our babies. But lion dogs are gritty, gutsy, and at times fearless. We upland hunters can call it quits when the limit is reached or the sun gets low in the sky,but Justin has to stay with his pack no matter what. That could mean all night. In fact he mybe as gritty as his hounds.

We got alot of great listener questions for Justin. He answers them in a way that only he can do. I have met dozens and dozens of dog trainers, and none of them explain things better,clearer, or with more thought than this guy. You will want to listen twice to this one!!!!

So much fun to get the background of how they started out in the dog world/training world/ breeding world/ making friends in the dog world. relationships that form and stand the test of time. I really enjoyed doing this one.

Very fun and informative conversation, about Labs, ducks, training and breeding good retrievers.  30 years ago Chris had everything lined up for a perfect storm. Great Job, great dog and great location. He  had to quit his job and start a career that was more challenging and certainly more rewarding. Webb Footed Kennels is one of the premier training facilities in the country. 

Vance and I talk about his  introduction to Pudelpointers, and his time with the real club in Germany.

Jared  joins me this week to talk Ringnecks. State by state run down along with some history,hope and the future of upland hunting.

Last installment of our trip to NW North Dakota. There are a few words exchanged!!!!

Short silly recolection of day 2 on the North Dakota Safari

This should at least be educational, if not a three ring circus. Dave and I head to ND to start his young Lab and two of my inexperianced Braccos. stay tuned for updates on their progress, or set backs. its going to be a epic trip!!!  wish us luck

Great episode with Joel Nelson and his hunting team. Falcons and Munsterlanders. I learned alot about a sport that I will somwday pursue.

What a family!! Kristina is a Veterinarian Ben is a DNR officer and they balance 10 dogs and a 2 year old son. I wish I lived closer to them. I mean who wouldn't want them for neighbors. Nova Scotia Duck Tollers and GSPs make for a great combo. And we get some good advice from Kristina on caring for our four legged partners.

Scott is a well know TV personality, best know for hunting big game around the world. truth be told, he has always preferred small game with a scattergun. In fact, while on various locations, filming hunts, he sneaks off with a shotgun to knock down any local upland bird he can find. Now, after 15 years of filming,  he has 3 pudlepointers and cant find enough time in Oregon to keep the dogs retrieving all the feathered game he chases.

AJ DeRosa is a young man with an old soul. He loves a good pipe, a good shotgun and dog, and just may be the young blood connection, of us old-timey grouse hunters to the next generation of passionate outdoors people. A self-made filmmaker, who's eye for recording the moments in the woods, stands out as some of the best upland films out there today.  Just google  Project Upland/ Northwoods Collective, and you will see what I mean.

Its the end of my interview with Blaine. But its the silver lining of our conversation. Blaine explians his training thoughts. From a life of living,hunting,training and loving dogs.

I was invited to come to Belfast Maine and judge dogs for three days. The Carter family put me up and showed me the real side of Maine. Blaine, Patti, Jason and Missy are in my opinion, the "first family" of NAVHDA. Blaine and I cover old stories of his youth, his first hound,first bird dog and some old NAVHDA history.