Bird Dogs and Big Game

Tyce Erickson sits down with Lucas O'Farrell of Lucas O'Farrell Hunting Service (L.O. Hunting Service), an Argentina waterfowl and big game outfitter who has been guiding and hosting hunters for nearly 20 years. Lucas shares how he built his outfitting business from scratch, then breaks down free-range red stag in Patagonia, high-volume duck hunting in the Buenos Aires region, Córdoba dove shoots, what trips really cost, and how to plan a combo hunt.

Hosted hunt update: In Ep.65, Tyce mentioned his hosted Argentina hunt next July. This episode is with the outfitter for that hunt, Lucas O'Farrell. We're taking deposits now: 2 spots left for the waterfowl hunt and up to 4 spots left for red stag. To learn more or put down a deposit, email [email protected] or DM us on Instagram.

In this episode:

• From spotlighting rabbits on his family's Patagonia ranch to fly-fishing guide to running his own outfitting service
• Red stag in Patagonia: the roar, archery vs. rifle, spot-and-stalk, trophy rules and what a stag hunt costs
• Bringing a gun into Argentina: permits, paperwork and traveling with firearms
• Can you do a DIY hunt in Argentina? Public land, national parks and authorized guides
• Duck hunting near Buenos Aires: species, decoys and calling, limits, and why dogs work differently down there
• Dove hunting in Córdoba and combining ducks, dove, big game and fishing in one trip
• Booking, deposits, paying in cash and when to plan your trip (duck season runs June through August)
• Tyce's hosted Argentina hunt next July (ducks and red stag): email [email protected] if you're interested

Mentioned in this episode: Lucas O'Farrell Hunting Service

Website: birddogsandbiggame.com

The Gunshy Fix
Introduce your dog to gunfire the right way, or help work through an existing gunshy issue with The Gunshy Fix.
👉 The Gunshy Fix

Kuranda Dog Beds
Kuranda Dog Beds

ALL American Canine
ALL American Canine (Promo Code: UTAHBIRDDOG)

Gunner
Gunner

NuVet Supplements
NuVet Supplements (Order Code: 56496)

Paradigm Sporting Dog
Paradigm Sporting Dog First Aid Kits

HOSS Straps
HOSS Straps (Promo Code: UTBD15)

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Have a bird dog or big game question, or a topic you'd like us to cover on a future episode?

Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram.

Training & Breeding

Utah Bird Dog Training www.utahbirddogtraining.com

Field Bred Golden Retrievers www.fieldbredgoldenretrievers.com

Utah Pointing Labs www.utahpointinglabs.com

Instagram: @birddogsandbiggame @utahbirddogtraining @fieldbredgoldenretrievers

Thanks for listening to Bird Dogs & Big Game — and good hunting!

Your dog has to be okay with gunfire to be a hunting dog. In this solo episode, Tyce Erickson of Utah Bird Dog Training walks through exactly how he introduces a dog to the gun, and why getting it wrong can turn a promising bird dog into a pet. He covers building drive with birds first, the shot-bird-retrieve sequence from a distance, reading your dog's personality, and how to use desensitization when a dog is already gun shy.

In this episode:
• Why every bird dog needs two things: a desire for birds and comfort with gunfire
• The most common way owners accidentally make a dog gun shy (and why you shouldn't "test" your puppy)
• Building drive first: dead birds, clipped-wing pigeons, wing-locking and keeping sessions short
• Introducing the shot from a distance and working closer, watching for any change in demeanor
• Confident vs. nervous dogs, and why it's fine if the introduction takes a month
• Fixing a gun-cautious or gun-shy dog with a desensitization soundtrack
• Weight gainer for hard keepers, extra weight for cold-weather waterfowl dogs, Kuranda cots, and HOSS e-collar straps
• A possible hosted hunt to Argentina next July (ducks and free-range red stag); email [email protected] if you're interested
• And as always: train for how you hunt

Mentioned in this episode: HOSS Straps (https://www.hossstraps.com)

Website: birddogsandbiggame.com (https://www.birddogsandbiggame.com)

The Gunshy Fix
Introduce your dog to gunfire the right way, or help work through an existing gunshy issue with The Gunshy Fix.
👉 The Gunshy Fix (https://www.gunshyfix.com)

Kuranda Dog Beds
Kuranda Dog Beds (https://kuranda.com/?partner=26722&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=KurandaPartnerProgram&utm_source=partners.kuranda.com)

ALL American Canine
ALL American Canine (https://allamericancanine.com/utahbirddog) (Promo Code: UTAHBIRDDOG)

Gunner
Gunner (https://gunner.pxf.io/c/7724546/2007558/24794)

NuVet Supplements
NuVet Supplements (https://www.nuvet.com/56496) (Order Code: 56496)

Paradigm Sporting Dog
Paradigm Sporting Dog First Aid Kits (https://www.paradigmsportingdog.com/collections/paradigm-first-aid-kits?dt_id=3443993)

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Have a bird dog or big game question, or a topic you'd like us to cover on a future episode?

Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram.

Training & Breeding

Utah Bird Dog Training www.utahbirddogtraining.com

Field Bred Golden Retrievers www.fieldbredgoldenretrievers.com

Utah Pointing Labs www.utahpointinglabs.com

Instagram: @birddogsandbiggame @utahbirddogtraining @fieldbredgoldenretrievers

Thanks for listening to Bird Dogs & Big Game — and good hunting!

Big news from the field: The Bird Dog Podcast is becoming Bird Dogs & Big Game, and I'm joining the Outdoor Radio Network on iHeartRadio as a host. In this short solo episode, I share how the new weekly radio show will work, why we're adding big game to the conversation, and a little more about my own background chasing elk, deer and more with a bow. Don't worry, bird dogs are still the heart of the show.

In this episode:

• My new weekly radio show on the Outdoor Radio Network, a 24/7 outdoor station on iHeartRadio, and how radio episodes will be reposted here on the podcast
• The new name: Bird Dogs & Big Game Podcast here, and Bird Dogs & Big Game Radio on the air
• My big game background: archery, backcountry hunting with pack llamas, and hunts in New Zealand, Alaska and across the West
• What to expect going forward: roughly a 60/40 split of bird dog and big game topics
• Got a topic idea? Send us a DM on social media
• A quick rundown of the partners we use and trust
• And as always: train for how you hunt

Website: thebirddogpodcast.com

The Gunshy Fix
Introduce your dog to gunfire the right way—or help work through an existing gunshy issue with The Gunshy Fix.
👉 The Gunshy Fix

Kuranda Dog Beds
Kuranda Dog Beds

ALL American Canine
ALL American Canine (Promo Code: UTAHBIRDDOG)

Gunner
Gunner

NuVet Supplements
NuVet Supplements (Order Code: 56496)

Paradigm Sporting Dog
Paradigm Sporting Dog First Aid Kits

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Have a bird dog training question or a topic you'd like us to cover on a future episode?

Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram.

Training & Breeding

Utah Bird Dog Training www.utahbirddogtraining.com

Field Bred Golden Retrievers www.fieldbredgoldenretrievers.com

Utah Pointing Labs www.utahpointinglabs.com

Instagram: @thebirddogpodcast @utahbirddogtraining @fieldbredgoldenretrievers

Thanks for listening to The Bird Dog Podcast — and good hunting!

Should your young dog's first hunt be opening morning? In this solo episode of The Bird Dog Podcast, I break down why I tell my clients not to take a green retriever out on the opener, and what to do instead. I walk through two real client stories: a well-trained dog that shut down and hid in its blind on a dark, crowded opening morning, and an 11-month-old that started breaking from anxiety on a six-gun Canada hunt. We talk about why the jump from training to a real hunt breaks down (darkness, boat rides, cold water, crowds and nonstop gunfire), how to pattern your dog on your own boat and blind, why an afternoon hunt with one or two people sets your dog up to win, and how to use movement and teasing with a bird instead of the e-collar when your dog won't pick up a duck, a goose or a cripple. Plus: how to warm your dog up if you do hunt a morning (headlamp bumpers and “voice shots”), why I never correct a dog for breaking, how to explain your dog's first hunt to your buddies, and how the same rules apply to upland dogs.

Website: thebirddogpodcast.com

The Gunshy Fix
Introduce your dog to gunfire the right way—or help work through an existing gunshy issue with The Gunshy Fix.
👉 The Gunshy Fix

Kuranda Dog Beds

ALL American Canine (Promo Code: UTAHBIRDDOG)

Gunner

NuVet Supplements (Order Code: 56496)

Paradigm Sporting Dog First Aid Kits

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Have a bird dog training question or a topic you'd like us to cover on a future episode?

Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram.

Training & Breeding

Utah Bird Dog Training www.utahbirddogtraining.com

Field Bred Golden Retrievers www.fieldbredgoldenretrievers.com

Utah Pointing Labs www.utahpointinglabs.com

Instagram: @thebirddogpodcast @utahbirddogtraining @fieldbredgoldenretrievers

Thanks for listening to The Bird Dog Podcast — and good hunting!

In this episode of The Bird Dog Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Orin Robinson, a senior research associate at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, along with Mitch Barry, the Macaulay Library's video project coordinator, who also works on outdoor-community outreach for the Merlin Bird ID app. We talk about how eBird and the Merlin Bird ID app work (including Merlin's Photo ID and Sound ID), how your bird sightings from the duck blind, tree stand, or turkey woods feed real waterfowl research, and how eBird Status & Trends maps bird migration week by week. We also get into pintail declines and northward shifts, redesigning the waterfowl breeding population survey, why teal migrate on day length while mallards follow the freeze line, game-farm mallard genetics and the Duck DNA project, the spread of Eurasian collared doves, radar tracking of migration with BirdCast — plus Orin's small Münsterländer and Mitch's English-bred black lab Riley, and a wild New Zealand shelduck hunt.

Orin Robinson – Cornell Lab of Ornithology

eBird | eBird Status & Trends | Merlin Bird ID | BirdCast

Instagram: @cornellbirds @merlin.bird.id

Website: thebirddogpodcast.com

The Gunshy Fix
Introduce your dog to gunfire the right way—or help work through an existing gunshy issue with The Gunshy Fix.
👉 The Gunshy Fix

Kuranda Dog Beds

ALL American Canine

Gunner

NuVet Supplements (Order Code: 56496)

Paradigm Sporting Dog First Aid Kits

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Have a bird dog training question or a topic you'd like us to cover on a future episode?

Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram.

Training & Breeding

Utah Bird Dog Training www.utahbirddogtraining.com

Field Bred Golden Retrievers www.fieldbredgoldenretrievers.com

Utah Pointing Labs www.utahpointinglabs.com

Instagram: @thebirddogpodcast @utahbirddogtraining @fieldbredgoldenretrievers

Thanks for listening to The Bird Dog Podcast — and good hunting!

In this episode of The Bird Dog Podcast, I sit down with Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, a veterinarian with nearly 21 years at Purina, for a practical Q&A on sporting-dog health. We cover cold/swimmer’s tail, dewclaws, spay/neuter timing and myths, pyometra, weight management after fixing, feeding pregnant and nursing dogs, allergies, grain-free diets and DCM, and supplements like FortiFlora and Joint Care — plus why Purina Pro Plan 30/20 is built the way it is for canine athletes.

purina.com/petexpertise

Instagram / TikTok: @petvetruthann

Website: thebirddogpodcast.com

The Gunshy Fix
Introduce your dog to gunfire the right way—or help work through an existing gunshy issue with The Gunshy Fix.
👉 The Gunshy Fix

Kuranda Dog Beds
Kuranda Dog Beds

ALL American Canine
ALL American Canine

Gunner
Gunner

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Have a bird dog training question or a topic you'd like us to cover on a future episode?

Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram.

Training & Breeding

Utah Bird Dog Training www.utahbirddogtraining.com

Field Bred Golden Retrievers www.fieldbredgoldenretrievers.com

Utah Pointing Labs www.utahpointinglabs.com

Instagram: @thebirddogpodcast @utahbirddogtraining @fieldbredgoldenretrievers

Thanks for listening to The Bird Dog Podcast — and good hunting!

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Claire Maples with — “Paradigm Sporting Dog.”

We talk about her background with dogs, when she wanted to become a vet and  first aid for dogs.

She has a couple really nice first aid kits that she has put together that really should be in every bird dog owner's truck. Great conversation, get a kit and maybe one day it could save your dog's life. 

Thanks for listening, and good hunting everyone!

Check Out Paradigm Sporting Dog

Website: www.paradigmsportingdog.com
Instagram: @paradigmsportingdog

The Bird Dog Podcast

www.thebirddogpodcast.com

Products & Resources We Recommend

The Gunshy Fix
Introduce your dog to gunfire the right way—or help work through an existing gunshy issue with The Gunshy Fix.
👉 Shop The Gunshy Fix

Kuranda Dog Beds
Durable, easy to clean, and one of our favorite elevated dog beds for kennels and working dogs.
👉 Shop Kuranda Dog Beds

NuVet
Check out the NuVet products we use and recommend for our dogs.
👉 Shop NuVet

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Have a bird dog training question, hunting topic, or guest you’d like to hear on a future episode?

Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram.

Training & Breeding

Utah Bird Dog Training
www.utahbirddogtraining.com

Field Bred Golden Retrievers
www.fieldbredgoldenretrievers.com

Utah Pointing Labs
www.utahpointinglabs.com

Follow Along on Instagram

@thebirddogpodcast
 @utahbirddogtraining
 @fieldbredgoldenretrievers

Thanks for listening to The Bird Dog Podcast — and good hunting!

In this episode, I sit down with Scooter Cooper and Dylan Stamper from NOK — “Never Out Killed.”

We talk about their dogs, how NOK got started, the business behind the brand, and some of the awesome hunts they’ve been fortunate enough to experience along the way.

Scooter and Dylan are good dudes who love hunting, dogs, and the outdoors, and I think you’re going to enjoy this conversation.

Thanks for listening, and good hunting everyone!

Check Out NOK

Website: nokgear.com
Instagram: @nokgearusa

The Bird Dog Podcast

www.thebirddogpodcast.com

Products & Resources We Recommend

The Gunshy Fix
Introduce your dog to gunfire the right way—or help work through an existing gunshy issue with The Gunshy Fix.
👉 Shop The Gunshy Fix

Kuranda Dog Beds
Durable, easy to clean, and one of our favorite elevated dog beds for kennels and working dogs.
👉 Shop Kuranda Dog Beds

NuVet
Check out the NuVet products we use and recommend for our dogs.
👉 Shop NuVet

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Have a bird dog training question, hunting topic, or guest you’d like to hear on a future episode?

Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram.

Training & Breeding

Utah Bird Dog Training
www.utahbirddogtraining.com

Field Bred Golden Retrievers
www.fieldbredgoldenretrievers.com

Utah Pointing Labs
www.utahpointinglabs.com

Follow Along on Instagram

@thebirddogpodcast
 @utahbirddogtraining
 @fieldbredgoldenretrievers

Thanks for listening to The Bird Dog Podcast — and good hunting!

Episode 58: Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock & Conservation with Ben Jones

In Episode 58 of The Bird Dog Podcast, I sit down with Ben Jones, CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society, to talk about two of North America’s most iconic upland game birds.

We discuss ruffed grouse and American woodcock, the habitat they rely on, the challenges facing these species, and the conservation work needed to keep healthy populations on the landscape for future generations.

If you hunt ruffed grouse or woodcock—or hope to someday—this is an episode worth hearing. Understanding the birds we pursue, the habitat they need, and the conservation efforts behind them makes us better hunters, bird dog handlers, and stewards of the resource.

https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/

Instagram:
@ruffedgrousesociety

Website: https://www.thebirddogpodcast.com

Products & Resources We Recommend

The Gunshy Fix
Introduce your dog to gunfire the right way—or help work through an existing gunshy issue with The Gunshy Fix.
👉 Shop Gunshy Fix

Kuranda Dog Beds
Durable, easy to clean, and one of our favorite elevated dog beds for kennels and working dogs.
👉 Shop Kuranda Dog Beds

NuVet
Check out the NuVet products we use and recommend for our dogs.
👉 Shop NuVet

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Have a bird dog training question or a topic you'd like us to cover on a future episode?

Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram.

Training & Breeding

Utah Bird Dog Training
www.utahbirddogtraining.com

Field Bred Golden Retrievers
www.fieldbredgoldenretrievers.com

Utah Pointing Labs
www.utahpointinglabs.com

Follow Along

Instagram:
@thebirddogpodcast
@utahbirddogtraining
@fieldbredgoldenretrievers

Thanks for listening to The Bird Dog Podcast — and good hunting!

Glade Harris | Owner of Backwater Performance (BPS)

In this episode of The Bird Dog Podcast, Tyce sits down with Glade Harris, owner of Backwater Performance (BPS), to talk all things duck hunting—boats, dogs, and getting your setup dialed in for the season.

Glade shares practical tips for preparing and maintaining your duck boat, keeping it reliable throughout hunting season, and making sure your boat, gear, and dog are ready when it’s time to hit the water.

https://backwaterperformance.com

https://www.instagram.com/backwaterperformance

Website: https://www.thebirddogpodcast.com

Products & Resources We Recommend

The Gunshy Fix
Introduce your dog to gunfire the right way—or help work through an existing gunshy issue with The Gunshy Fix.
👉 Shop Gunshy Fix

Kuranda Dog Beds
Durable, easy to clean, and one of our favorite elevated dog beds for kennels and working dogs.
👉 Shop Kuranda Dog Beds

NuVet
Check out the NuVet products we use and recommend for our dogs.
👉 Shop NuVet

Have a Question for the Podcast?

Have a bird dog training question or a topic you'd like us to cover on a future episode?

Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram.

Training & Breeding

Utah Bird Dog Training
www.utahbirddogtraining.com

Field Bred Golden Retrievers
www.fieldbredgoldenretrievers.com

Utah Pointing Labs
www.utahpointinglabs.com

Follow Along

Instagram:
@thebirddogpodcast
@utahbirddogtraining
@fieldbredgoldenretrievers

Thanks for listening to The Bird Dog Podcast — and good hunting!