In this engaging campfire conversation, Larry Weishuhn sits down with Rick Lambert at Baker Bottoms to talk quail hunting traditions, shotgun preferences, habitat conservation, and a lifetime passion for the outdoors.

Rick shares highlights from his recent experience at the historic Grand National Quail Hunt in Enid, Oklahoma, discussing the camaraderie, competition, and conservation focus that make the event special. The conversation expands into broader reflections on declining quail populations, the importance of habitat management, and the evolution of firearms and ammunition.

Blending storytelling, technical insight, and classic outdoor nostalgia, this episode celebrates the heritage of upland hunting and the people working to preserve it.

Rick recounts being invited to the long-running hunt dating back to the 1940s.

Event combines:

Two days of hunting

Four days of fellowship and fundraising

Strong emphasis on habitat preservation and conservation.

Rick’s team won both the trap shoot and quail competition.

Takeaway: The hunt is as much about relationships and conservation as it is about shooting.

Larry and Rick discuss the troubling decline of quail populations, especially in Texas.

Key factors discussed:

Habitat destruction (especially fence line clearing)

Disease pressures (including eye worm issues)

Changes in land management practices

Rick emphasizes:

“You cannot destroy the habitat of anything.”

Both hosts reflect nostalgically on hearing bobwhite whistles in their youth versus today’s scarcity.

Rick describes himself as a traditional double-barrel enthusiast.

His preferences:

Strong love for side-by-side and over-under shotguns

Favors sub-gauges, especially the 28 gauge

Appreciates wood and steel over synthetic materials

Believes .410 is often too challenging for beginners

Notable insight:

“If you call yourself a shot, you can kill anything with a sub-gauge that you can with a 12 gauge.”

Rick shares how his views evolved over time:

Early resistance to polymer pistols like Glock

Eventually adopted them after seeing their practical advantages

Still emotionally prefers traditional firearms

This segment provides a thoughtful look at balancing tradition with modern performance.

The conversation shifts into lever-action rifles and classic hunting arms.

Discussed favorites:

Savage 99 (especially in .300 Savage)

Marlin rifles (post-Ruger acquisition quality improvements)

Browning BLR

Ruger No. 1

Rick shares a lifelong dream tied to the Savage 99 and traditional deer camps in the Northeast.

Both men stress responsible hunting:

Know your personal limits first

Know your firearm’s limits second

Avoid wounding game

Practice at distance to improve close-range precision

Larry explains that long-range practice is about building confidence for ethical shots inside 100 yards.

Rick reflects on future hunting goals:

Considering bird hunting trips to Scotland or Sweden

Has hunted Africa, New Zealand, Canada, and Mexico

Plans to focus more on wing shooting as he ages

Memorable line:

“At 75 I’m going to start shooting feathers because I love shotgunning.”

This episode delivers classic campfire storytelling mixed with practical hunting wisdom. It will especially resonate with:

Upland bird hunters

Shotgun traditionalists

Conservation-minded outdoorsmen

Fans of classic firearms

The conversation reinforces that great hunting is about heritage, habitat, and the people you share camp with.

“Most firearms have more character than we do as shooters.”

Learn More:

DSC Foundation: dscf.org

Dallas Safari Club: biggame.org

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