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#55 Want a calmer, sharper, more reliable gun dog without guesswork or gimmicks? We sit down with Kristen Best of Best Retrievers to unpack a training approach that starts with relationship, not reflex. She maps the Five Love Languages onto dogs—praise, petting, treats, retrieves, and quality time—and shows how meeting a dog where they are unlocks focus, trust, and speed. If you’ve ever struggled with steadiness at the line, a “doer” who won’t think, or a pup who needs confidence, this conversation delivers practical steps you can use today.

We go deep on “formal fetch,” a humane, 50+ step protocol that builds true hold and fetch on the table before moving to the ground. Kristen explains why birds come last to protect positive associations, how minimal, precise pressure adds clarity only after understanding, and why timing a single “good” can beat any clicker you forgot in your pocket. You’ll hear how patience actually makes training faster by preventing the costly setbacks that happen when you rush. Real examples—from high-drive retrievers like Floyd to motion-loving upland dogs—illustrate how to tailor setups so the dog can think, perform, and enjoy the work.

Beyond the field, Kristen opens the doors to their whelping service and the BR Best Chance program, where the team pairs behavior-first breeding decisions with rescue training that transforms shelter dogs into great companions. We cover what to ask breeders (health clearances, titles, temperament), how to match puppies to real lifestyles, and why weekly client videos and transparent progress reports make owners better partners in the process. If you care about foundation, fairness, and results that last through hunt tests, SRS challenges, and wild-bird seasons, you’ll find a blueprint here that’s as kind as it is effective.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow, rate, and share the show with a friend who trains or hunts with dogs. Subscribe to our email list at gundognation.com and join the community—then tell us: what’s your dog’s love language?

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#54 A good hound’s voice in cool October air can carry a lifetime of lessons. We sat down with filmmaker and houndsman Clayton Stark to unpack how he turned backyard pups and pleasure hunts into a thriving outdoor life—without trading joy for scorecards. Clayton grew up in northwest Ohio where mature oak woods meet endless corn and soybeans, and coons grow big on easy calories and low pressure. He shares why he hunts for love of the chase, not arguments in the dark, and how coaching football taught him the same virtues that make great dogs: empathy, care, and patience.

We dive into practical ground truth for gun dog owners. Clayton’s start-to-finish approach puts pups in the home first for socialization and crate training, then graduates them to safe yard freedom and short woods walks to learn logs, water, and navigation before pressure. He times work to conditions—resting young dogs in drought, hunting more when crops come off and the air cools. We compare breeds—walkers, blueticks, black and tans, redbones, and curs—and prioritize loud, houndy voices, steady minds, and zero meanness. On the deer side, we trade tree-stand strategy, longbow humility, and the modern accuracy of muzzleloaders like the Thompson Center Acura V2. Gear talk stays honest: today’s bows—from Bear to Hoyt, Mathews, Elite, and Bowtech—are all killers when tuned to the hunter.

Wildlife trends raise bigger questions. Fox numbers are climbing across Ohio and as far as Texas, while pheasants fade with habitat changes and succession. We explore trapping, access, and the role of community in stewardship. Then the stories kick up: a bead-sight 12-gauge buck from childhood, filming hunts so his dad could still “go along,” and a knife-only hog hunt that redefines adrenaline. Clayton also teases a 50-part video series on raising and starting pups—nutrition, structure, exposure, and the moment a young dog “gets it.”

If you care about working dogs, tradition, and practical training that fits real life, you’ll feel right at home here. Subscribe, share with a hunting buddy, and leave a review to help more dog folks find the show. Then tell us: what are you doing this season to pass the torch?

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#53 A well-trained dog can turn hard work into wonder—and few people know that better than Jeff Stanfield of The Big Honker. We sit down at his North Texas lodge to unpack the real engine behind successful seasons: patient scouting at first light, guides who still love the grind, a kitchen that feels like a town square, and clear rules that keep hunts safe and fair for everyone. From puddle ducks and dove weekends to pheasants, quail, and deer, Jeff lays out how weather, habitat, and access shape what flies and what’s possible.

We go deep on dogs—legendary retrievers that fetched tens of thousands of birds, the truth about cranes and why most dogs should sit those hunts out, and how first-aid kits and seasoned vets can save a bad day. You’ll hear the stories that stick: a mile-and-a-half blind retrieve with a wing over the eyes, a skunk-loving lab named Hacksaw, and the tough calls outfitters make when one unruly dog can derail a blind full of paying hunters. It’s equal parts practical and personal, with a lot of laughter in between.

We also talk shop about the shows that matter (Ducks Unlimited, NWTF, Delta Waterfowl, SquadFest), why some expos lost their way, and how a podcast built in a waterfowl lodge grew by talking to everyone from Emmy-winning sound pros to coyote men and priests. Most importantly, Jeff shares a standing invitation: the Gold Star Hunt, a free weekend for kids who lost a military or first-responder parent—complete with helicopter hog hunting, dove shoots, a new Mossberg, and more support than they expect.

If you care about gun dog training, waterfowl hunts, youth access, and keeping hunting culture alive with humor and honesty, this conversation is for you. Listen, share it with a friend who loves dogs and good stories, and leave a review so more hunters can find the show.

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#52 A small Georgia school just rebooted what “sports” can mean for teenagers—and it starts with a whistle, a lead, and a steady dog at heel. We sit down with Principal Michael Langston and Coach Chuck Williams of Gordon Lee High School to unpack how a simple idea—bringing retrievers into an ag classroom—grew into a structured gun dog team where students learn handling, safety, and the kind of composure that carries through life. Along the way, you’ll hear from the students themselves: why a football player shows up at 7:15 a.m. to practice heel and place, how a calm handler can steady a high-drive lab, and what it feels like to pass those first hunt tests.

We walk through the building blocks: safety-first protocols, parent participation, and a smart pivot from distant trials to a home-ground series that pulls in grandparents, friends, and local supporters. Coach Williams shares the partnerships that made competition possible, from pro trainers who lent dogs to clubs that welcomed junior handlers. The goal isn’t just ribbons; it’s widening the gate for non-hunters, teaching conservation through hands-on work, and revealing career paths in dog training, guiding, and animal care that most teens never see.

If you care about youth programs, working dogs, or the future of hunting and conservation, this story is a blueprint. Clear expectations, consistent reps, and community buy-in turn curiosity into commitment—and commitment into a tradition students can carry beyond graduation. Hear how Gordon Lee is inspiring other schools to follow, why reduced entry fees and junior divisions could supercharge growth, and what it takes to start a team with just a couple of steady dogs and a willing sponsor. Follow, share with a friend who loves dogs, and leave a review to help more schools find this playbook.

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#51 A great duck call feels inevitable when you hear it ring true—and that’s exactly where our conversation with 737 Duck Calls begins. We bring on co-founders Dustin Jones and Kyle Sanders to trace their path from a garage lathe to national shelves, and why a simple promise—every call hand tuned, every time—built a devoted following. Dustin breaks down call anatomy in plain English (barrel, insert, reed, cork) and explains how tiny choices in tone board sanding and reed length shape the voice. We compare cast acrylic’s bright edge to hardwood’s softer finesse, and talk through finishes, humidity, and why a penetrating oil beats flashy clear coats in the blind. If you’ve ever wondered what “tuned by ear” really means, you’ll hear it straight from the person doing the work.

Dogs take center stage too. Kyle’s Master Hunter, Nash, shows what “hard-charging with an off switch” really looks like, and we get honest about training routes—American field-bred heat vs British balance, and when it pays to lean on pros like Castile Creek Kennels. We also pull back the curtain on migration realities: why north-central Oklahoma holds mallards in dry fields, how pressure shifted from states to the south, and how a six-in-one whistle fills species gaps when a hen call isn’t the answer. Expect practical insights on scouting, calling restraint, and building reliable systems.

We wrap with the business side—737’s steady growth, retail expansion into Bass Pro, Cabela’s, and Scheels, and a Seminole, Oklahoma headquarters that doubles as a community hub with a bar, cigars, and walls of Tom Martineau’s waterfowl photography. Two policies define their promise: a lifetime guarantee with free retunes and a 28-day in-home trial so you can practice without an audience. Ready to level up your lanyard and your dog work? Hit play, subscribe for weekly training and gear talks, and share your must-have call setup with us. Your feedback shapes future episodes and the next 737 release.

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#50 The best dog work isn’t loud; it’s calm, clear, and earned one short session at a time. That’s the energy we bring as we sit down with Brittany and Baylor from Oklahoma—two hunters who prove you don’t need a pedigree in the outdoors to fall hard for working dogs, public land, and long miles under an open sky. Brittany didn’t grow up hunting; she jumped in to shake up her life and discovered a sense of peace and purpose that stuck. Baylor learned by doing—training friends’ dogs, reading body language, and refining a five‑minutes‑a‑day philosophy that gets a dog ready to learn before the training starts.

We get practical. Brittany’s 11‑month‑old lab arrived with excitement baked in, so we talk through correcting jumpy greetings without harshness, using a calm voice, and withholding attention to reshape habits. That small shift unlocks bigger wins: steadier sits, clean release words, and the first water retrieves without breaking. Baylor walks through introducing gunfire the right way—slow exposure, careful observation, and pacing the steps to the dog’s confidence. We compare breeds where it matters: labs built for waterfowl; Boykins that shine upland but have limits in wind and distance; GSPs with world‑class drive that need management to find calm. We even wade into the versatility vs specialist debate and share a rare story of a drahthaar passing the HRC Grand.

Tools and safety get honest airtime. E‑collars are communication, not a crutch—tone, vibrate, and low‑level stim used by handlers who’ve felt the collar themselves. Garmin 550 Plus vs simpler Delta units, what matters in the field, and why instant access beats menu diving. We trade field stories—a rattlesnake at the ladder in the dark, 40‑mile upland grinds, axis deer shot opportunities that last four seconds—and the lessons they teach about preparation, hydration, scope setup, and staying composed when it counts. Underneath it all is a thread you can follow: find a mentor, ride along, learn the rules, and bring youth with you. The culture survives when newcomers feel welcome and dogs are trained with patience and clarity.

If you care about gun dog training, public land tactics, and building a stronger hunting community, you’ll feel at home here. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s just getting started, and leave a review with the one tip you’re taking to your next training session—we’ll read our favorites on a future show.

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#49 The seemingly predestined connection between Kenneth Laird and gundog artistry unfolds in this captivating conversation that weaves together shared Southern roots, childhood hunting experiences, and artistic evolution. Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee with a natural gift for art and a passion for rabbit hunting with beagles, Laird's journey from commercial illustrator to acclaimed gundog artist reveals the intersection of talent and authentic passion.

Despite formal art education and a successful 30-year career in commercial design, Laird found himself creatively unfulfilled until a transformative challenge from a fellow artist: "If you could paint anything you wanted, what would it be?" The answer led him back to his first love—hunting dogs. When he merged his nephew's black Lab with an abstract background in 2021, something magical happened that would redefine his artistic path.

Laird's innovative technique combines hand-painted abstract backgrounds with digitally integrated photographic elements, creating distinctive portraits that capture not just the likeness but the spirit of working gundogs. Through collaborations with renowned dog photographers and connections with passionate dog owners, his artwork has found its way into homes across America and commanded impressive prices at conservation banquets.

The emotional impact of Laird's work—especially when creating memorial portraits of beloved hunting companions—speaks to the deep connection between hunters and their dogs. Now an official artist for Delta Waterfowl with pieces selling for thousands at auctions, Laird remains grounded in his love for watching dogs work, considering each commission not just an artistic opportunity but a chance to honor the remarkable partnership between hunters and their canine companions.

Reach out to Kenneth through Instagram @kennethlairdstudios or email at [email protected] to commission your own custom gundog portrait that captures the essence of your hunting partner in his signature style.

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#48 In this conversation, Kenneth Witt and Ronnie Cowan discuss the importance of outdoor recreation advocacy, particularly focusing on youth programs in Tennessee that aim to engage young people in hunting and conservation. Cowan shares insights on the innovative approaches taken to introduce youth to gun dogs and hunting, the funding and support for these programs, and the significance of teaching hunting skills as part of wildlife management. 

They also touch on the challenges of dog training, the role of gun dogs in outdoor education, and the upcoming Outdoor Enthusiasts Expo, which aims to promote outdoor activities and education. The conversation emphasizes the need for advocacy in hunting rights and the importance of preserving the heritage of hunting and outdoor recreation.

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From creek beds to the country music spotlight, Tanner Horton shares the remarkable rise of The Creekers in this intimate conversation about authentic music, rural roots, and overnight viral success.

The gravel in Tanner Horton's voice matches the authenticity of his story—a tale of musical passion born in the hollers of Eastern Kentucky, nurtured through family traditions, and suddenly thrust into the spotlight through a viral TikTok video. As lead guitarist and vocalist for The Creekers, Tanner offers listeners a rare glimpse into the band's organic formation around 2020, when they played their first gig at a small Tennessee bar for just $150.

What makes this episode particularly special is hearing the backstory of songs like "Hidin' Kentucky" and "River Rat" directly from their creator, including the poignant moment when Tanner performs an acoustic version of "River Rat" exclusively for the podcast. His musical journey winds through formative years at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, where legends like Bobby Osborne helped shape his distinctive sound—a sound that caught fire when The Creekers' "Tennessee Song" exploded across social media platforms.

Beyond music, Tanner reveals the balancing act of maintaining his horseshoeing work while fielding calls from major record labels and booking increasingly prestigious venues. His aspirations remain refreshingly grounded: a piece of land for hunting and raising cattle, and a good saddle mule—dreams that reflect the authentic rural values permeating The Creekers' sound. As the band prepares to record their next album in Nashville, this conversation captures a pivotal moment in their ascent, documenting how genuine storytelling and musical craftsmanship can still cut through the noise in today's digital landscape.

Ready to discover your next favorite band before they become household names? Listen now and be among the first to experience The Creekers' authentic country sound that's rapidly winning hearts across America.

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Adrian Jackson shares his extraordinary dual career as a championship bird dog trainer and youth mentor at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch in Texas. His insights reveal the surprising parallels between training high-performance field trial dogs and helping at-risk youth overcome trauma and build successful lives.

• Vice President of Home Life at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch for nearly 29 years, overseeing care for 116 children with capacity for 430
• Cal Farley's is privately funded with an independent school district on campus, taking children ages 5-16 from across the United States
• Won multiple national field trial championships with dogs including Poker Straight Flash, Nemaha Butterfly, and Poker Straight Jet Star
• Judges national championships across many breeds including Brittanys, German Shorthairs, English Setters and Pointers
• Discovered parallels between dog training and youth care through understanding the "survival brain" response in both
• Both disciplines require sequential training, predictable routines, and patience for development
• Co-authored chapters in three New York Times bestselling books in the Impact Influence series
• Currently writing "A Purpose Driven Youth Care Worker" about maintaining focus while working with challenging youth
• Runs Poker Straight Kennel providing training services with regular video updates for clients through social media
• Emphasizes the importance of patience in developing both dogs and young people, warning against culling promising talent too early

Please visit calfarley.org to learn more about the Boys Ranch program or contact Adrian through Poker Straight Kennel on Facebook.

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