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)

Plott Hounds and their history. I talk with Clay Newcomb the owner and publisher of Bear Hunting Magazine, the only printed magazine to dedicated to bear hunting. We touch on several subject from comparisons of bird dog vs. bear dog training. His young Plott/family dog. how bear dogs evolved into coon dogs, and a most interesting short version of how the Plott Hound first arrived in North America back in the 1700s. The Plott family name even has a creek and a mountain range named for them in NC  the family produced the best big game dogs years ahead of their time. They are only one of four breeds to ever be developed in the States. and the state dog of North Carolina

We almost lost Sage grouse hunting!!!  I talk with Ed Arnett from TRCP. He is a Western bird hunter, and Senior Scientist for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Ed gives us the low down on what it means to all of us, when a animal is listed on the endangered species list. We cover lots of other topics including habitat, DU, PH,QU, and how we hunters all need to get more involved,even if its with a few more dollars. Also about flushing dogs range control,and Ed training his labs to search for wind turbine killed bats!!  Audio has more than a few problems, but hell its free!!! Though you could help us out with a rating and comment on Itunes..

Today I get my old friend Rusty Wolf on the phone to walk down memory lane. From our first guns,to first dogs,and a few other firsts that can only happen when you've known one person almost your entire life. We talk about growing up in Chicago, BB guns, road trips, and a special vehicle that we called "The Bec Moblie" Drinking beer before 4pm and how not to turn off a diesel truck when you stop for gas. The two of us are so intuned with each other we can almost finish each other sentences.  I've heard a few people say that there wife is their best friend. And heard more than once that "I want to be my kids best friend"  I have the best wife in the world, I have 3 outstanding daughters,  But my best friend???? that can only be one person  Rusty Wolf.

Ted Nugent and his dogs!!!  It took a long time to get this dog loving, small game hunting rock star,to come on the podcast.  This is the other side of Ted that alot of people don't know. He grew up with Labs and mutts, had Irish Setters and Brittanies. He may seem to be only a bow hunter, but he has spent more time afield with his dogs,then he has in a tree. We talk about his first dog and and the two he currently lives with. Ted talks about his first shotgun, bumper crop years of grouse and woodcock, and a shared destination passion we both have. his dogs Happy and Gonzo would prefer that he never deer hunts, it take his time away from them...

I had a great talk with RGS regional biologist Meadow Kouffeld-Hansen about grouse hunting,habitat, Dratharrs, Wirehairs, logging, clear cuts, hunting with a toddler, husbands that should stay home and let their wife's hunt.  From a northern California hunting background, all the way to the best grouse areas in the nation. Meadow is the real deal and the future of our passion. We also talk about how ruffed grouse hunters could get more involved with RGS, and many other topics.

This is one of my favorite conversations ever. Todd Agnew owns Craney Hill Kennels. his breed of choice it English Springer Spaniels. We talk about everything from range to desire. Wild birds vs training, breeding, hunting, and what dogs are best suited for the average sportsman. The Springers strongest suit and their weakest.  I have a new found desire to hunt a Springer in South Dakota, just to get even with those sneaky pheasants.if you dont learn something from this episode, your not paying attention.  And please... give us a rating and or comment on Itunes.  I cant bear having a podcast about fluffy dogs or seeing eye dogs having a better rating than the dogs we love.

First ever podcast, recorded right after a NAVHDA test. We talk about Spinone history, and talk with Karen Beyer, Ann Bagnell.  GSPs with Jason Carter and Vizsla's with Deb Field. We talk about how three women all got their first sporting dog, and how it transformed them into hunters. and how Jason was born into his life with German Shorthairs. We cover alot of subjects from favorite shotguns to show vs. field and how the AKC has effected some breeds yet not others. Mushing with bird dogs. and just how much one has to spend on gear after they buy a pup....

Quickie Podcast... I talk about some of the points that Steve Rinella brought up in my last podcast. Truth be told, anything done with your dog is a plus!!! If you listened last night and didnt hear the song??? Well thats my poor editing and production skills. I reloaded the correct file and the song will be at the end, around 14 minutes. If you would, give the podcast a rating and review on Itunes...please and thank you.

This is a short follow up to the last podcast I did with Steve Rinella. and a sneak peak/listen to the song I wrote (sort of) about hunting with our dogs

And to be clear. I would rather have a bad day with my dogs than a good day doing anything else. I have in my will, that I want to be buried with whatever dog is is oldest in my kennel at the time of my demise. I know that sounds weird,but lets just say, there is a rainbow bridge for people and dogs??? I'm not showing up without one!!!!

Steve Rinella and his film crew came to the Shenandoah Valley to film the Virginia dove opener. We had a blast, it was probably the easiest and most comfortable episode they ever filmed. We talk about guns, gun fit, bird hunters that love their dogs more than hunting, preserve hunting vs. wild, and topics all over the board. and finally I turn the tables on Steve and ask him a question that he has neve been asked before. You will be surprised by his answer. Along with us is Janis Putelis, and my friend Bill McPhail to chime in on several subjects.

A great conversation with Mat Cervantes. He owns a Small Munsterlaner that he got while stationed in Germany. We talk about the differences in how we hunt here, and how it is done in Europe. We cover testing, training, breeding. and how serious hunting is taken by our counterparts across the pond. You will come away with a different perspective. What I took away from this episode was, we might need to pay more attention to what we take for granted,and what we should strive for. And not to be a broken record, please go to Itunes subscribe, rate the show,and leave a review. the fluffy dogs are gaining on us!!! Thanks so much  Ron

I have a great conversation with Steve Snell from Gun Dog Supply,  We cover tons of equipment and great hunting stories. From boots to vest, GPS, training collars, first aid, a little how to.. and a great story on saving one dog and almost losing another in the Texas brush country. You will learn something for sure on this one. Steve and family operate GDS as their parents have since 1972. They test everything they sell. and by that I mean Steve hunts over 100 day a year with wide ranges of dogs. According to Steve.. "these are considered work days"  I call bull on that... enjoy. And please if you listen on I tunes, leave us a rating and review. I hate it when the fluffy dog podcasts, get higher ratings than HUNTING dogs.

I hope many of you respond to this request. I have a friend who recorded a song that I will use for the Podcast intro and exit. Then I thought I should get pictures of the listeners dogs to accompany this song on a YouTube video!! it should be a hoot to see as many of your dogs as possible on this video. So send me photos to dancingdukekennel@gmail.com with some verbiage that tells when and where this picture was taken and a note to say you give me permisson to use the image.   Will have a regular episode out this week. 

I visit with Rick at his Virginia home. Just being in his office gave me goosebumps. We talk about lots of Smith family history, including horses, BiPlanes, favorite shotguns,puppies, wonder leads, and much more.  The Smith family has been messing with bird dogs for almost 100 years.. Not sure if there is any other family that can say that!!!

I chat with Camille Rice. She was born into a Weimaraner family back in the day, when she,her brother and Dad drove a few minutes outside the city limits of Detroit to drop ringneck pheasants over the family's Weims. We discuss that, and many other details of a dog breed that had a good start in this country, followed by a bad reputation in the sporting dog world. With her and some other great breeders and the"Hunting Weimaraner Alliance" They are going to put the Weim back in its rightful place. We also date ourselves by the phrase "older than color film" and touch on Cam's battle not only to be accepted as an early women State Trooper, but an even bigger challenge to find a dog trainer that would even talk to a lady, let alone a Women and her Weim. 

I'm back at Black Creek Training Center  with Justin Mcgrail. We cover myths about what to do, and what not to do with your bird dog.  Many old sayings become local fact or sometimes the gospel accorrding to Saint Dog Trainer. Most of these do come with a grain or two of truth. We cover  Whoa posts, picking pups, field trial, neutering, steady training, old dogs teaching young dogs, never train your pointer to sit!!!  along with a few random stories of the field. and that myth of all myths "My dog never lost a cripple"

Just me blabbering about my trip to Alaska, plus some random thoughts on guided hunts that I've been on.  along with a preview of upcoming episodes in August.

My friend Joe Zawadowski and I talk about his introduction to hunting. With Joe it started when he got his first falcon back in Illinios. And then many years later, after moving to the Carolina's he got his first Spinone to help with finding a rare turtle!! then discovered the 4 month long snipe and rail hunting season. We talk about everything from Dogs to waterfowl and snipe. How to cook them. and even how you collect semen from a male hawk, to do artificial insemination!!! this will give you a smile for sure.

A visit with Mike Stewart from Wildrose Kennels. We cover alot of info on Americas favorite dog. The Labrador Retriever.  From bloodtracking to Bobwhites and sheds to Sharptails. Mike's methods of selective breeding and training are proven to produce a hunting dog that can do it all. Even medical therapy tasks.

I talk with one of the countrys leading experts in tracking wounded big game. John Jeanneney fro NY state was the first person to receive a special permit to track wounded deer back in 1976. until then it was prohibited in almost the entire US.

This was simply what all happened in a 20 hour span, during the whelping process of Arties recent and last litter. A little boring if your not into what it take to bring a litter of hunting dogs into the world. cover birth, naming puppies, how the kennel got its name, True Grit, and ballet classes.

Today I talk with Marty Monger and Steve Johnson. They chase bears with their Walker Dogs all over the UP and lower Michigan. Marty is also a K-9 officer in Marquette Mi. We talk about bear hunting, Wolves, Police Dogs. and a few chase stories with their pack of Walker hounds.

Justin McGrail from Black Creek Training Center, joins me to talk about his approach to training,and hunting, both his dogs and his clients. I have brought several of my personal dogs to him, for various stages of training.  Black Creek is first class facility with top shelf training grounds. We talk about starting a pup, wild birds vs pen raised, hunting in Montana and Kansas, shitty shoots and memorable retieves. and much more

Ed Bailey is a life long hunting dog owner, Ph.D. majoring in animal behavior. Ed was one of the founding members of NAVHDA. He shares a few stories of the past, answers a few listener questions, and gives a real feel for what we need to do with our four legged partners. We cover soft dogs, field trial lines, cooperation, obsessive compulsion,and how Cableas built right on top of his favorite dog training area.