My friend Eric Thompson moved to Montana for one thing: bird hunting. We benefit from his experiences since, with advice on finding new places to hunt, and a few strategies and tactics for the field. We learn about the highs and lows of owning - and losing - dogs, and how to help newcomers explore our sport.

We'll debrief Eric's past season in multiple states, with some highlights and a few stories. "Fix It" has an unusual source of new hunting spots, and readers thank their bird-hunting and dog-training mentors.

You get a chance to win a four-pack of Pointer shotguns or HiViz sight and a range bag from Sage & Braker (value over $200 total) in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.