Wild bobwhite quail, public lands, and bird dogs collide in Kansas as our 16th installment of Rooster Road Trip takes flight.

You’ll hear how the Rooster Road Trip ethos focused on hunting public land for five days with whatever conditions Mother Nature delivers has stayed consistent over the years, even as habitat challenges evolve. The group breaks down current habitat and public land conditions in Kansas, with a focus on the importance of shrubs, bare ground, and prescribed fire for bobwhite quail. There’s practical insight here for anyone planning a DIY upland hunt, especially bird hunters looking to extend their season when northern states are locked in winter snow.

The episode also highlights the human side of the organization and of bird hunters: resilience, grief, joy, and the grounding power of walking America’s grasslands behind good bird dogs with friends. From exploding coveys and “popcorn flushes” to dog work in dense cover, listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of late-season bird hunting strategies and why public land still matters. This is an insider conversation: honest, reflective, and rooted in the realities of modern upland hunting.

Show notes

1. Check out all of our Rooster Road Trip content at www.RoosterRoadTrip.org.
2. Check out our first-ever Rooster Road Trip Raffle for your chance to take home the gear utilized by this year’s hunters.
3. Use the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership to plan your next bird hunting adventure.

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