Gundog Nation

EP #110 Most bluegrass banjo players sound alike—Ron Block doesn’t. Discover how his bluesy bends, staccatos, and experimentations redefined a genre that’s rooted in tradition but constantly evolving. If you’ve ever wondered how to carve out an original voice in bluegrass or the secret behind Ron’s unmistakable style, this episode reveals his unconventional approach to innovation, improvisation, and staying true to core influences like Earl Scruggs and JD Crowe.

Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:

Purina Pro Plan
https://www.purina.com/pro-plan

Migra Ammunition
https://migraammunitions.com

Waterstone Labradors
https://www.waterstonelabradors.com

PhoLicious Foods
https://www.pholicious.net

Ducks Unlimited
https://www.ducks.org

Cable Gangz
https://cablegangz.com

National Shoot to Retrieve Association
https://www.nstra.org

EP #109 Bowhunting, remote lawyering, and a Grand Slam hunter who isn’t afraid to share the misses. Lauren Brown proves you don’t need a hunting-family background—or a conventional path—to build a life around the outdoors.

Kenneth Witt talks with Lauren, a Dallas-based lawyer working remotely for a New York firm, about balancing a demanding career with a packed schedule of hunts and travel. From turkey hunting in Hawaii and Mexico to adventures in Alaska and Montana, Lauren’s journey into hunting is anything but typical.

She shares how an Africa trip inspired her to switch from rifle to bowhunting, what it takes to build skill and hunt ethically, and how she makes room for training, work, and solo adventures. The conversation also explores a rare white turkey, a near Grand Slam, learning in public after a missed shot, and the realities of hunting with dogs.

For bowhunters, turkey hunters, women getting started in the field, and anyone curious about trying something new, Lauren’s story is a reminder that curiosity, discipline, and a willingness to learn can take you a long way.

Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:

Purina Pro Plan
https://www.purina.com/pro-plan

Migra Ammunition
https://migraammunitions.com

Waterstone Labradors
https://www.waterstonelabradors.com

PhoLicious Foods
https://www.pholicious.net

Ducks Unlimited
https://www.ducks.org

Cable Gangz
https://cablegangz.com

National Shoot to Retrieve Association
https://www.nstra.org

Casey Donahew built a 24-year music career without giving up ownership, control, or the right to sound like himself. In this conversation, Kenneth Witt talks with Casey about what it takes to turn songs into a lasting career in Texas country.

Casey reflects on the early Texas and red dirt scene, building an underground following through word of mouth, burned CDs, and MySpace, and managing the business in-house with his wife. He shares why owning his recordings and publishing mattered, and how relentless touring helped him build a loyal audience across Texas and the Midwest.

They also discuss TikTok, the shrinking number of Texas venues and festivals, and why artists still need to write, perform, and earn a crowd one person at a time. For independent musicians and Texas country fans, this is a candid look at the hard work behind longevity.

EP #107 Tara Brown went from a first hunt in 2015 to launching Foul Lady, a brand and community for women who want to hunt on their own terms. In this conversation, Kenneth Witt catches up with Tara about getting started without a hunting background, finding her place in the waterfowl world, and turning a passion into a business.

They discuss why women’s hunting gear often misses the mark, how women’s hunting groups and social media are opening doors for beginners, and Tara’s plans for hunts in Canada, Maryland, North Carolina, and beyond. Along the way, they talk public land, upland birds, gun dogs, and what keeps them coming back to the hunt.

For hunters, outdoors enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a story about building something from a genuine need, this episode offers plenty of inspiration.

Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:

Purina Pro Plan
https://www.purina.com/pro-plan

Migra Ammunition
https://migraammunitions.com

Waterstone Labradors
https://www.waterstonelabradors.com

PhoLicious Foods
https://www.pholicious.net

Ducks Unlimited
https://www.ducks.org

Cable Gangz
https://cablegangz.com

National Shoot to Retrieve Association
https://www.nstra.org

EP #106 Could retriever sports be more welcoming to everyday handlers without losing the challenge? Kenneth Witt talks with Dave Bavero and Jennifer Henion about bringing a UK- and Europe-inspired working test format to the U.S.—a flexible, approachable alternative to traditional hunt tests and field trials.

They explain what working tests involve, how they reward skills like steadiness, marking, handling, and searching, and why simpler setups could make events easier for amateur handlers to enter and run. Dave shares lessons from judging tests in Europe, while Jennifer brings her perspective from 15 years in retriever sports and positive-reinforcement training.

The conversation explores why some handlers feel shut out by increasingly technical tests, and how a more relaxed, practical format could bring more people into the sport. A good listen for retriever owners, hunters, amateur trainers, and anyone who wants competition to feel more like a partnership with their dog.

Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:

Purina Pro Plan
https://www.purina.com/pro-plan

Migra Ammunition
https://migraammunitions.com

Waterstone Labradors
https://www.waterstonelabradors.com

PhoLicious Foods
https://www.pholicious.net

Ducks Unlimited
https://www.ducks.org

Cable Gangz
https://cablegangz.com

National Shoot to Retrieve Association
https://www.nstra.org

EP #105 Hunting season can turn dangerous fast when heat, snakes, dehydration, or travel preparation catch you off guard. Dr. Joe Wurster breaks down what every bird dog owner should know before heading into the field.

Kenneth Witt and Dr. Wurster discuss conditioning dogs for hot weather, cooling them safely, recognizing heatstroke warning signs, handling snake bites, and building a practical hunting first-aid kit. They also cover essential travel documents, including rabies certificates and microchip records.

If you hunt with dogs, travel for hunts, or want to be better prepared before opening day, this episode is packed with practical advice that could protect your dog — and save your season.

Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:

Purina Pro Plan
https://www.purina.com/pro-plan

Migra Ammunition
https://migraammunitions.com

Waterstone Labradors
https://www.waterstonelabradors.com

PhoLicious Foods
https://www.pholicious.net

Ducks Unlimited
https://www.ducks.org

Cable Gangz
https://cablegangz.com

National Shoot to Retrieve Association
https://www.nstra.org

EP #104 A veteran pheasant hunt in North Dakota is doing more than putting birds in the bag—it’s building friendships, supporting veterans, and bringing an entire community together. Jeremy Ova and Eric Bauer share how Fallen Outdoors and the Badlands Bird Dog Club create an unforgettable hunting weekend featuring donated prizes, meals, lodging, and plenty of camaraderie.

They also discuss how veterans can participate, the community effort behind the hunt, NASTRA, bird dogs, and why upland hunting creates such lasting connections. It’s an inspiring conversation about veterans, hunting, service, and the people who make a difference.

Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:

Purina Pro Plan
https://www.purina.com/pro-plan

Migra Ammunition
https://migraammunitions.com

Waterstone Labradors
https://www.waterstonelabradors.com

PhoLicious Foods
https://www.pholicious.net

Ducks Unlimited
https://www.ducks.org

Cable Gangz
https://cablegangz.com

National Shoot to Retrieve Association
https://www.nstra.org

EP #103 Dakota Best left a career as a financial advisor to launch Blue Wing Kennels in Weimar, Texas. In this episode, he talks with Kenneth Witt about starting a retriever-training business, building a kennel from the ground up, and balancing long days with family life.

Dakota explains the differences between Master National, SRS, and field trials, what makes a great retriever, and how he works with soft or nervous dogs by building trust before applying pressure. He also shares his approach to breeding, training in the Texas heat, and growing Blue Wing Kennels without losing the personal connection with clients and dogs.

If you love retrievers, hunt tests, or the behind-the-scenes reality of turning a passion into a business, this conversation is for you.

Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:

Purina Pro Plan
https://www.purina.com/pro-plan

Migra Ammunition
https://migraammunitions.com

Waterstone Labradors
https://www.waterstonelabradors.com

PhoLicious Foods
https://www.pholicious.net

Ducks Unlimited
https://www.ducks.org

Cable Gangz
https://cablegangz.com

National Shoot to Retrieve Association
https://www.nstra.org

EP #102 The upland bird hunting calendar is only as good as your habitat reading, and Tyler Webster lays out the exact playbook he uses to find sharptails, huns, sage grouse, and more across the prairie. If you want more birds, better dog work, and fewer blown opportunities, this one is packed with the kind of field-tested advice that changes how you hunt.

Kenneth Witt sits down with Webster, host of Western Wing Shooter Podcast and co-host of The Flush, for a wide-ranging conversation about living life around birds, dogs, and the long road that ties it all together. From North Dakota to Montana, then west through Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and back again, Tyler shares how he plans a season around bird behavior, weather, cover, and the changing food sources that make birds move.

Tyler also breaks down his dog string, explaining why he runs a mix of English setters and German shorthaired pointers, what each breed brings to the table, and how old dog Rusty has covered nearly every upland species in North America. He also tells the stories behind each dog, including how several of them came into his life by sheer luck, timing, and a lot of saying yes.

Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:

Purina Pro Plan
https://www.purina.com/pro-plan

Migra Ammunition
https://migraammunitions.com

Waterstone Labradors
https://www.waterstonelabradors.com

PhoLicious Foods
https://www.pholicious.net

Ducks Unlimited
https://www.ducks.org

Cable Gangz
https://cablegangz.com

National Shoot to Retrieve Association
https://www.nstra.org

EP #101 West Texas isn’t just cotton country - it’s one of the most underrated waterfowl and crane hunting hubs in the country. Cody Puller and Hannah share what it really takes to build CNH Outfitters, chase geese and cranes across Texas, South Dakota, and Arkansas, and turn a new hunting business into a legacy.

Cody and Hannah pull back the curtain on the real work behind an outfitting life that runs from South Dakota fall hunts to Texas regular season to Arkansas conservation season and back again. They get honest about lease pressure, scouting pressure, and why relationships matter as much as decoys when you’re trying to make a living in the hunting world.

They also talk through the reality of hunting in big bird country - from tiny water setups and dry cold mornings to giant crane flocks over the house, and the constant challenge of reading birds in a landscape that looks nothing like traditional waterfowl country. If you’ve ever wondered how outfitters find success where there is no marsh, no obvious water, and no easy access, this episode is packed with answers.

Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:

Purina Pro Plan
https://www.purina.com/pro-plan

Migra Ammunition
https://migraammunitions.com

Waterstone Labradors
https://www.waterstonelabradors.com

PhoLicious Foods
https://www.pholicious.net

Ducks Unlimited
https://www.ducks.org

Cable Gangz
https://cablegangz.com

National Shoot to Retrieve Association
https://www.nstra.org