This episode reprises a panel conversation at this year’s National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic moderated by PF & QF’s Andrew Vavra and included veteran bird hunters Katie Willis, Tyler Webster, and Bob St.Pierre.

Planning your next upland bird hunting adventure goes far beyond packing your gear—it’s about setting clear expectations, maintaining a flexible mindset, and preparing for all the variables that come with the journey. Before you hit the road, ask yourself why you’re making the trip and remember that a successful outing isn’t just measured by the number of birds on the tailgate but by the overall experience. Consider who you’re traveling with—group and dog dynamics can significantly shape your trip, as can the choice between going solo or with friends.

The group has a fun and vibrant conversation structured within four categories; 1) Don’t leave home without it, 2) Know before you go, 3) Traveling to & from your destination, and 4) Considerations during your hunt.

At the end of the day, thoughtful preparation leads to a more enjoyable and responsible hunt, with respect for the land, local hunters, and the birds pursued. This podcast will walk you through all these key considerations, offering tips and insights to ensure your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.

Show notes - The following outline was created by Katie Willis and used by Andrew Vavra to moderate both the panel conversation at Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2026 and this episode of On the Wing Podcast.

Don’t Leave Home Without It

1. Reasonable expectations, good attitude, flexibility, Real Coca-Cola, fruit snacks
2. Why do you want to go on this trip? If your goal is a tailgate full of birds, get real, it takes time to dial in spots and your success cannot be defined by birds otherwise you won’t have a lot of “good” trips…
3. Group dynamics/dog dynamics
4. Solo vs. group outting
5. Vehicle Needs
6. Tires
7. Chains vs snow rated tires, spare tire
8. Tools & know how
9. Traction devices
10. Air compressor (patch kit)
11. Bottle Jack
12. Towrope
13. Shovel
14. Emergency kit
15. GPS, inReach, emergency contact info
16. Beyond the Basics
17. Gun cleaning kit (spare shotgun?)
18. More ammo than you think you’ll need
19. Gaiters/extra boots/chaps/foul weather gear
20. Boot dryer
21. Vacuum sealer w/marker

Know Before You Go

1. Know when you want to go, not where you want to go
2. Manage your expectations and live within your reality to avoid disappointment
3. Dog power, travel time, scouting time etc. all limits your actual hunting time – want to shoot for five hunting days if possible…
4. It takes real time to figure an area out…
5. Do Your Research:
6. Best place to get information about road side counts, population densities, and state regs.
7. Where can licenses be purchased, online/OTC?
8. Can licenses be purchased the day of the hunt, or is there a waiting period?
9. How can the license be carried? i.e. paper copy, on phone, through state app
10. What non-resident options are offered? i.e. 3-day, 7-day, season
11. Any voluntary programs/donations that support habitat available when purchasing a license.
12. Do I need proof of hunter safety to purchase a license?
13. What endorsements need to be purchased for upland hunting? i.e. small game license, pheasant tag, walk-in endorsement
14. Are there parking permits or other associated tags/permits needed?
15. What upland birds are available and what are the seasons?
16. Do limits change during the season?
17. Are the seasons the same for both residents and non-residents?
18. What types of publicly accessible land are available? – How are these lands noted on OnX?
19. Do ammo regulations vary between land types? i.e. tox/non-tox
20. Are the regulations the same for all of the areas? i.e. all WMA managed the same?
21. Are there sign-in requirements for any areas? What are they?
22. What is the purpose of the sign-ins?
23. Are there any studies or reporting for hunters to complete?
24. Can you cross onto private to retrieve game? i.e. leave gun at the fence/send a dog
25. How does private have to be posted? i.e. corner signage or electronic
26. What roads can you drive/gates you can open to access public land?
27. Can you keep sheds/dead heads?
28. Any rules regarding shooting distances? i.e. how far from homes, outbuildings, and livestock
29. Requirements for cleaning birds? i.e. What needs to be left/identifiable and how many can you possess?

Traveling To (and From) Your Destination

1. Weather and route selection
2. Road conditions, state DOT resources,
3. Timing your travel: avoiding traffic when it’s hot, hitting passes/bad weather
4. How often (and where/where not) to stop for your dogs
5. Know your MPG and don’t get caught on a long stretch w/out services

Considerations During Your Hunt

1. Specifically for your dogs
2. Environmental hazards: snakes, ticks, fungal infections, heat stroke, traps, skunks, porcupines
3. Vaccinations, antibiotics, first aid kit, local vet resources
4. GI issues (rice, pumpkin, probiotics, rehydration tools)
5. Avoid high-use dog areas during travel
6. Terrain hazards: cliffs, fences, cactus, sand burrs, hot springs
7. Dog food and feeding, hydration (during travel, pre-post)
8. Pacing/dog rotation and crating/rest
9. Collars, up-to-date IDs/microchips
10. Stress/home comforts, blankets/sheets for hotels/Air BnB, dog beds
11. Know your pack dynamics, tailgate/bird defensiveness
12. First-in, last-out (same with firearms)
13. Bird/covey management and social media
14. Covey concerns, young birds, stress, weather
15. Social media
16. Inadvertent hot spotting via photos
17. Tailgate photos
18. Respect for local hunters/land owners
19. Support local habitat, hunting organizations (chapters/banquets)
20. Trash management
21. Pick up shells, don’t leave carcasses at parking spots
22. Leave no trace

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