Courtney Bastian’s journey into upland hunting began in 2008 when her German Wirehaired Pointer, Briar, placed a pheasant in her hands—a moment that shifted her life toward bird dogs, shotguns, and wild places. At the height of the 2020 pandemic, Courtney launched The Bird Dog Babe Podcast, building community during the challenges of the pandemic and beyond. This endeavor was then the grounds for the genesis of HerUpland, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for women and youth through hunting camps, wingshooting clinics, and mentorship. 

Based in Montana with her husband, William, and their children, Burke and Blayre, Courtney balances family life with a kennel of bird dogs and a small menagerie of farm animals. With a background in biology and animal science and an MBA in progress, she blends passion and professionalism to advance conservation, community, and confidence in the uplands.

Topics covered:

• ​Courtney's journey into the uplands
• ​Her love of varied dog breeds
• ​Launching The Bird Dog Babe Podcast that eventually led to the HerUpland movement.
• ​The barriers women and youth face in getting into hunting.
• ​Starting small and building confidence as a hunter

Connect with Courtney:

https://www.instagram.com/birddogbabe/?hl=en

Connect with HerUpland

https://herupland.org/

https://www.instagram.com/herupland/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

https://gundogcentral.com/

https://www.huntredi.com/