I use to dream of retiring in the west, After this episode I'm giving my self a transfer and relocating to North Dakota. Truly a wingshooters dream. Tyler and I chat about his (free) newspaper dog and all of the opportunities that ND offers. 3 species of upland in his own backyard, ducks and geese, spring snow goose, and sandhill cranes. His job, which gives him a huge advantage in locating game rich areas, and a few other subjects from shot guns to decoys,and beer to bourbon.

Alaskan upland hunting. Don and Scott tells us what it takes hunt birds in the great state of Alaska. Think its easy? Think again. With only 4900 miles of paved roads in a state that's 1/5th the size of the lower 48. Not to mention keeping bear spray handy as well as a sidearm. But there are a few diehard,dog loving,bird hunters. One of the first things they need to do with their young dogs, is train them to sit still on a snowmobile!!!

Floyd Green brings 30 plus years of mountain lion hunting experience to the table. This is not a sport for the weak of body, mind, or soul, in fact one might think of lion hunting as going back in time to when man first bonded with the dog and they hunted game capable of killing man or dog. But together, man and hound can best em, (almost all the time) Floyd will go as far as to jam a large branch in the lions face to get it to bite down on that, instead of one of his dogs heads. Now that a dog loving man, in my opinion.

Larry McKurtis his friend Jesse and a Setter named Ava, hunt Chuckar in the mountains of Nevada. Which apparently are a warm up hunt, for their pursuit of Himalayan Snowcock!! This bird lives in only two mountain ranges and hang out on the highest peaks. If you can even get to 11,000 ft you might only hear their alarm call and get a glimpse of them rocketing down hill in the direction you just came up!!! Larry is also Nevada chairmen of  Back Country Hunters and Anglers and we talk about the importance of that and other sportsman's groups who are fighting the good fight for all of us.

I talked with Paul Mcgagh. and learned so much about English Cockers and Spainels that I can hardly wait to get one. Paul has a deep background in both Cockers and Spainels, so much that I'm ready to put a deposit on one. We learn about the history, and ability of this very old breed. You might think I'm kidding, but this is one of my favorite interviews ever. its a little long, but I couldn't bear the thought of ending this conversation. Paul lives a life that revolves around trialing,hunting, training, and mostly loving hunting dogs. We talk about picking puppies and picking a dog for breeding. and what we look for most in a hunting dog.

Konrad Schmit former pro baseball player turned chuckar hunting addict. Konrad spends the bulk of his fall hiking throughout Nevada. After hunting behind his friends two GWPs, Konrad started to search for his own dog. These days Konrad and Earl his German Wirehair, put the smack down on chuckar. All over the abundant public lands of Nevada.

Scott Leysath "The Sporting Chef"  joins us today to talk cooking and hunting. Scott has had English Setters and Gordon Setters since he was a teenager. Taking off to college in AZ he didn't start out cooking.  We hear all about his early years and his TV shows and his current dogs, Larry and Cooper. Get a pad of paper out and take notes. We will all be a little better in the kitchen after this episode. 

Justin Mcgrail always make for a great episode. We focus on some listener questions, and cover some basic spring puppy training. We cover deer and porcupine avoidance training. early gun fire, flusher/pointer training together and  anything else we can kick around. Justin shares a little of his hunting/guiding season. and we even make a few comparisons of wives and dogs.....  enjoy

Shawn Wayment is a wingshooter/dog lover/ 16ga. enthusiast and, oh yeah he's also a Veterinarian (when he comes in out of the field). I learn a bunch form this episode about the hunting opportunities in the Rocky Mountain State.  We swap a few stories about our common passions.  Shawn hunts over 3 great dogs, and go figure one of them is an English Cocker!!! From a line in one of my favorite movies"I gotta get me one of these"

And please dont forget to comment and rate on Itunes. or if you don't use Apple products to listen to the show?? send me some cigars. We'll call it good.

Marty jumped in to bird dogs in spite of living in an apartment and getting a dog from a Craigs List add.  The odd were against him, but Marty did everything needed to enjoy his Brittany that turn out to be a Springer!! He hunts Illinois public land for pheasants and dove. Proof that a good dog is a good dog. My hats off to Marty and all is efforts to do what we all love. Just proves what desire and a good dog can do for anyone.

Ryan Eder is the co-founder of the Upland Gundog Assoc.  Its a new venue out there for those folks that are new to sporting dogs,and for those with experience. The best thing about UGA is its for both Pointers and Flushers!!!  talk about filling the gap in the dog testing world. Ryan and his friend Mike Moncada decided to throw everything they had at starting the UGA.  We also talk a little Illinios, duck duck goose. A little about shotguns, wives that tolerate our habits. Having 5 labs in the house, and we go down a few other rabbit holes.  Enjoy and please dont forget to subscribe and comment on Itunes.

Great talk with Shane Bevel. An Oklahoma Quail hunter who puts his time into all things hunting quail. Shane helps with Quail Forever, leads the Tulsa Bird Dog Association,and hunts, tests, and trains his Llewellin Setters. We cover our love of old shotguns,dogs,public land in Texas, our preferred drink of choice,Quail Forever, and a little about a farm bill that may not be in hunters best interest.

Hank Shaw spends some time with us, to teach us a few things about what to do, and what not to due, when we cook are upland birds, rabbits, and waterfowl. This podcast could be called to pluck,or not to pluck. Apparently I have been wasted alot of tasty skin over the years.  I admit, I hate plucking birds, but that's gonna change starting now!!!

Pay attention and take notes on this very informative episode. Hanks books, Duck Duck Goose, and Buck Buck Moose, are the only books you need to enjoy your wild game to Haute Cuisine... Trust me

A great chat with David Schmidt. Dave and some friends decided to make there own TV show, featuring hounds!!! never before done,and may never be again. Dave Shares some of the adventures and rabbit holes that they encountered. Now he helps run the National Hound and Tree Dog Association. Dog hunters everywhere need to support each other. Sometimes because we join DU or RGS we think we are protecting our hunting right along with protecting habitat.   Wrong!!!!! There are folks sneaking around our flanks that would stop us from using our dogs for every interest.  Lets pay attention and lock arms.

Today I talk to you about the first year of doing this podcast. From all the listener support, and the amount of free cigars I keep getting in the mail. That alone is payment enough for spending time with you and the many guests that I have learned from.

My thoughts on preparing for a hunt, and what I need to adjust for this upcoming year. My unruly pack of Braccos,and their total lack of training, to a few highlights from 2015. if you have any complaints from last year?? audio? timely release's?, lack of your favorite breed?? Just listen and enjoy. I hope everyone had a good season, and your dogs made you proud.  Thanks Ron

Fritz Heller approaches grouse hunting with an eye for detail. Along with his brother they have over 200 spots to hunt the king of the woods. And he does it with Labs!!! yeah a dog most known for ducks and pheasants. Listen as Fritz shares a few secrets about how he has averaged almost 5 flushes an hour over a several year span. We also talk about his non typical choice of shotguns, and how his dad passed up on the occasional grouse while pheasant hunting. in his words.."son we are pheasant hunters" Fritz has strayed away from those days.  And if you like Utube videos? check out the Grouse Commander series. Fritz and friends have that down as good as there bird hunting.

Perry and Blaine head south to visit Frank Verret, in the deep south. To chase the wintering Woodcock.  80% of central flyway woodcock head to Louisiana. The boys found out that 80% of the usual hunting ground is under water. But good rubber boots,good food, and good friends can win the days.  Poor phone lines made for poor audio. I suggest listening with headphones on if you want to understand Frank's Cajun speak and Blaine's Yankee accent.

John Rex Gates, is one of the most accomplished Trainer/Handlers of Field Trial dogs in North America."Born into it",as John says. At an age where most of us might have been experiencing our first summer of school vacation. John Rex was traveling with his Dad from Georgia to the Canadian prairies, with dozens and dozens of dogs getting their feet wet on wild birds. He is a true legend among dog people, his love of dogs comes through loud and clear.

 Rambling Versatiles, with Perry Masotti and his German Shorthairs. Perry and his outstanding GSPs take some long drives several times a year, to find wild bird hunting in as many places as he can. He also documents his trip with lots of quality pictures and has had some stories published about his adventures. We both have the greatest respect for the Ruff Grouse, but find every species of feathered game a challenge and a privilege to put in the game bag. We touch on how our training of dogs comes into play when we chase the birds. and how we find new friends every year thru our dog adventures.

I talk with Randy Lack, a life long bird hunter who hails from and hunts New Mexico. We learn about his new TV show, Gun Dog TV and his history of hunting for so long that he cant remember exactly when it was he shot his first bird.  Randy has vast experience with the four quail species from his home state. We talk about favorite guns, birds, bird dogs,and the newest love of his life. English Cocker Spaniels.  According to Randy we will all have one in the next ten years.  Truth be told, after this podcast, Im going to look for one as a gift to my wife (then ask her if I can take it hunting)  enjoy, with a beer and a smoke and let me know how you can beat that on a cold night. and PLEASE  rate and comment on Itunes.. ( In the words of my dear departed father"shit or get off the pot") and a Big thanks to those who have taken the time to help with sending great reviews.  Ron

Open your ears and your minds. The standard Poodles is a true hunting dog. yes I said it. Rich Louter from Louter Creek Kennels, spends some time talking about his breed of choice for the water and the field. The Standard Poodle was originally breed in Germany and eventually made it to the shores of America. Not many folks are old enough to remember seeing one in the field. (including me!!) but Rich makes the run to South Dakota annually to shoot Ditch Chickens and quail. and does it with his AKC Master Hunter Poodles!!  Sit back, grab a beer, light a smoke and enjoy

Tom Franklin, from the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative. We have a great talk about the decline and resurrection of this iconic upland game bird. The Bobwhite quail was once the most pursued upland bird in America.  In recent years it has lost its foothold, but with help, we can bring it back. If you don't learn something from this, you should unsubscribe to the podcast. We also cover Tom's Boykin Spaniels and our common love of dogs. also how to take dogs into a motel and still have a cigar without paying the fine.  And please for the love of God, go to Itunes or Stitcher and subscribe to the show, and leave a review.

I get to talk with Bruce Horrell, he is a REAL life long waterfowler. along with his 60 years of shooting, he has spent 42 of them with Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Making television shows for almost two decades. We talk about everything from the good old days of lead shot, to his first bolt action shotgun. Decoys, boats, steel shot, and his record 30 year stretch of never missing a day of duck season. He has hosted TV shows for Wolf Creek Productions, and coming this Jan he co host a new show on the Outdoor Channel.  Gun Dog TV, its sure to be a hit with all of us. So grab a Miller Lite, sit back and enjoy

Justin and I recap some of his month of guiding in Montana.  Then answer some listener questions about training that did not showing up when we hunt wild birds. We also cover snake avoidance and applying that to porcupines,deer and how to do that in the field. Boots for dogs with pad problems, and one of the biggest problems we as bird hunters can face...GUNSHY issues. and a comparison to great dogs and Holly Holm, the new women's bantam weight UFC champion. enjoy and please rate and comment on itunes

Addison Edmonds believed in the old saying "necessity is the mother of invention" Gunner Kennels are the dream and product of this man. He set out to create a portable kennel that he felt was worthy of his beloved chocolate Lab. He also picked his college based on great hunting opportunities. We talk about his dog, my dogs, dove and duck hunting. and he even admits that his wife own a killer Goldendoddle.... FYI if your looking for the absolute best made and safest kennel on the market, write to gunnerkennels.com tell them you heard about them on the podcast and receive a 10 to 15% discount based on which kennel you order. If you use "Ron's math" that could save you enough for 3-6 cases of beer( depending on what brand you like)