What was going to be an update on Taffy's training, turned into one of the best episodes in the last year. Jordan's methods and explanations of training bird dogs hit a home run with me. and it will with you.
Re-release of episode #6 John (Jack) Mercer Patton. Being raised by one of the Greatest Generation, I can't pass on an opportunity to become all ears when they speak.
Morgan Mason just hired into BHA. His passion for veterans combined with his passion for all things hunting made him the best choice to head up the new wing of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers The Armed Forces Initiative. Listen and learn
Jess Johnson is one of the founding members of Artemis. And like the Goddess of the hunt, she slings arrows with the best of them. In mythology, Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and was said to have perfect aim with the bow and arrow. I'm not saying Jess is the daughter of a Greek God... but her parents might have miss named her....
A listener asked if I have ever had an episode on the subject of, what is a Versatile Dog??? So I had my friend and fellow NAVHDA judge (Jeff Jalbert) join me for a long chat on the subject. We start out with a trip down memory lane and bring it around to what we feel about the word versatile. Sit back this is a long one.
Another oldie from the archives. My interview with Rick Smith from his home in Crozier VA. circa 2015 !!
Anna Artz joins me today to share her experience with the Cesky Fousek. Anna is a veterinarian and a wingshooter as well as a senior judge for what may be the smallest breed club in the country. If what I learned from this interview is true, I might own a dog with facial hair again!!
Well even on TV we get more reruns during the COVID 19 era. One of my listeners asked if I could re-release this classic interview. So I thought, what the heck, yes!! If you have any other old favorites, write me a note and we'll see if they can be dug out of the archives.
Kirby and I catch up on all things double barrel. There is just something special about a good gun that has passed through a few hands over a hundred years. It's like shaking hands with the last owner, even if you never met him.
Steve Rinella jumps on the phone to catch up with me and his home town memories. I shoot a couple of listener's questions at him and a canine quiz at the end. The rest is just two friends rambling on about "life"
Mike Hook from the SC Dept. of Natural Resources joins me to update hunters on the latest news and progress of the Bobwhite Quail Initiative. South Carolina might not be a destination for traveling wingshooters yet... The plan is in place and working. Quail are responding to the habitat improvements. I might just sneak down there next year to chase northern woodcock and southern quail.
Joe is a listener that took me to task. After asking folks to write to me about their story/ journey into the uplands, He was one of the first to share his path and passion, and how the dog got him into on the ground habitat work for Pheasants Forever. Enjoy, we'll all be at it again soon.
It was a tall order but Mark and his Dad started out last Sept and hunted through Feb. Together they successfully took every upland gamebird flying in the North American Continent. It wasn't easy, but the Peterson's have no regrets. Not to mention a freezer full of feathered trophies for the dinner table.
Glen is the most well-read hunter and fisherman that I have ever know. His passion was spurred at an early age, and his life has truly revolved around those early experiences. he has also chased a lot of birds across the country with his Spaniels and now Cocker.
Will Bomier has run sled dogs since he was a teenager. So he got his first (English) Pointer to start hunting birds, he dusted off the old harnesses, Skis, and sled. Finding the drive of a great hunting dog can pull a sled just as well. I promised myself that next winter, I'm going to give it a whirl. Enjoy
Spring is the time of the year that gets us pumped for the upcoming fall. if the Timberdoodles do their thing, then all the other birds will follow suit. Greg Hoch is a passionate hunter with a soft spot for the woodcock. I really enjoyed his book and look forward to watching the dance this year.
Ben Jones and I talk about the sustainability of habitat organizations, their future, and their goals. In these changing times, we all make adjustments. RGS/AWS is no different. As hunter conservationists, we all need to double down on our efforts. The big picture is not what we have done, but what we can do!!!
Last piece of the episode with Jeff and Randy. Two upland hunters that faced impossible odds, and returned to the fields with the help of ?????
I'm joined by Randy Herlin and Jeff Jalbert to talk about their journey through cancer and the uplands. We poke a bit of fun about their obstacles compared to what we are currently going through in the country today. What you will learn from these two hunters, is a lesson about friends, family, and faith. and of course how our dogs play a part in our mental and physical health.
Art Wheaton is a life long wingshooter. He wrote the book "Grouse Country" it is one of my favorite books. Not because of the subject, but because of the content. The secret of bird hunting is not about the dogs or the birds, it's about the friendships we build!!
This episode is about getting more out of our hunting partners, both human and K9. Most of us add something to our daily intake. Why don't we think our dogs wouldn't appreciate the same thing. I remember when a friend told me to start yoga, to improve my flexibility. Hunting, for us and our dogs, is a physical endeavor. let's give them every advantage!!
Vince and I continue our conversation about why we love this long-eared, dopey looking hound dog. And a few other dogs slide under the bus!!
Vince Falasca joins me to talk Bracco's, but we really go down a few rabbit holes. growing up in Italy, Vince fell in love with the German Shorthair. After emigrating to the US he was on a search for a bird dog that reminded him of his youth. We have some similar feelings about hunting, training and what we have done here in the USA with our dogs. This is a conversation, not the gospel! We talk testing, judging, and a few other subjects that we might be biased on. enjoy and listen close....
I spent a great deal of time with Kelly at Pheasant Fest. So after the event, we turned on the microphone for a history lesson of one of the best names in the game-call industry. Kelly grew up in the family business. One of the top competitors in the county, he now runs the family duck camp. kelly brought the calls with, and we woke up a few neighbors.
I asked the many visitors who stopped by the HDP village to share a quick story about their dogs. Enjoy and plan to visit next year!!