As Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever celebrate Grasslands Week and Pollinator Week, this conversation explores the critical relationship between healthy habitat, thriving pollinator populations, and strong upland bird numbers. From pheasant chicks and bobwhite quail to Gambel's quail and prairie grouse, the insects supported by flowering plants provide the protein young birds need to survive and grow.

Habitat Education Programs Manager Marissa Jensen joins former PF & QF’s Southwest Regional Representative Lauren Stamm to discuss why pollinator habitat and brood habitat are exactly one and the same. The conversation also heads into the desert, where Lauren shares her passion for hunting, foraging, and creating wild game meals inspired by the landscapes she hunts.

Listeners will learn how prickly pear fruit supports desert wildlife, why Gambel's quail depend on these unique ecosystems, and how to turn wild-foraged prickly pear into a simple syrup that pairs perfectly with grilled quail. Along the way, the discussion explores conservation, public lands, raising the next generation of hunters, and the lessons children learn through time spent outdoors.

Whether you're passionate about upland bird hunting, bird dogs, pollinators, habitat conservation, wild game cooking, or simply becoming a more connected outdoors enthusiast, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the landscapes that sustain both wildlife and hunters.

Follow the show for weekly conversations about hunting, conservation, bird dogs, and upland birds.

Show notes

• Help Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make a positive impact for the birds, the bees, and people by becoming a PF member at www.PheasantsForever.org/join and/or a QF member at www.QuailForever.org/join.

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It’s “Hatch Week” at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, so it’s cause for celebration. In fact, peak hatch is happening now and understanding it can make you a better upland hunter.

What actually happens during pheasant hatch, quail nesting season, and prairie grouse breeding? This conversation breaks down the biology behind the birds many upland hunters pursue each fall, and explains why nesting cover, brood habitat, and conservation work are so critical to future hunting opportunities.

Listeners will learn how pheasant hens select nests, why renesting is common after a failed clutch, and what hens do after losing a brood of chicks. The discussion contrasts pheasants with bobwhite quail, which can produce multiple broods in a season, and explores the unique pair-bonding behavior of western quail species such as Gambel's, scaled, California, and mountain quail. The episode also dives into prairie grouse biology, including lekking behavior in greater prairie chickens, lesser prairie chickens, sharp-tailed grouse, and sage grouse. You'll hear why these traditional breeding grounds can persist for generations and why protecting them is a major conservation priority.

Whether you're a pheasant hunter in the Midwest, a bobwhite quail enthusiast in the South, or planning a western quail or prairie grouse trip, this is a practical look at how habitat quality translates into bird numbers on the landscape.

Follow the show for weekly conversations about hunting, conservation, bird dogs, and upland birds.

Show notes

• Celebrate peak hatch by joining Pheasants Forever during “Hatch Week.” Thanks to a $10,000 Hatch Week matching gift, your membership can go even farther right now through June 20th, helping put habitat on the ground when it matters most. Join, renew, or upgrade your PF membership at https://www.pheasantsforever.org/hatch.
• Make a commitment to quail habitat by joining, renewing or upgrading with Quail Forever through our special spring QF membership offers at https://quailforever.org/spring.

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The connection between a bird dog and a hunter may be one of conservation’s most powerful forces.

For many upland hunters, the journey begins with their first bird dog. For others, that dog is what keeps them connected to hunting, habitat conservation, and life outdoors.

John Zeman has spent decades training bird dogs, competing in field trials, mentoring new handlers, and helping hunters develop better dogs. After retiring from the construction industry, he now spends even more time with the dogs, people, and public lands that have shaped his life.

John joins the conversation to explain why bird dogs often serve as a gateway to upland hunting, conservation groups, and a lifelong connection to the outdoors. He discusses the need for accessible training grounds, the rising demand for places to work young dogs, and how volunteer-led efforts are protecting these opportunities for future hunters. The episode also touches on Zeman’s work training Bob’s young German shorthaired pointer, Winter.

Follow the show for weekly conversations about hunting, conservation, bird dogs, and upland birds.

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

Monsoon rains, desert grasslands, and wild coveys collide in Arizona’s ambitious quail restoration effort.

Arizona’s quail country is bigger, rougher, and more alive than most hunters realize. In this conversation, the crew behind Quail Forever’s Arizona Quail Initiative breaks down how large-scale habitat restoration is shaping the future of Gambel’s quail, scaled quail, and Mearns’ quail.

From remote desert grasslands to oak-covered “sky islands,” this episode digs into the real work happening behind the scenes to improve upland bird habitat on both public lands and working ranches. The discussion covers woody encroachment and removal, water catchment projects, grazing management, and how conservation partnerships are putting millions of dollars directly onto the landscape for quail habitat restoration.

You’ll hear how Arizona’s monsoon cycles influence quail populations, why Mearns’ quail depend so heavily on summer rains, and how habitat projects can quickly improve bird numbers when conditions align. For hunters dreaming about desert quail hunting, big running bird dogs, and wild country few people ever experience, this conversation paints a vivid picture of why Arizona remains one of the most unique quail hunting landscapes in North America.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting, conservation, bird dog, and upland bird conversations.

Show notes

• Learn more about QF’s Arizona Quail Initiative and QF’s RCPP project with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Arizona Association of Conservation Districts, Arizona Game & Fish Department, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
• Check out Bob St.Pierre and Wade Zarlingo’s hunt for quail in Arizona’s backcountry utilizing llamas to haul in camping gear at www.QuailForever.org/llama.

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

Washington, D.C. can feel a long way from pheasant country, quail habitat, and working farms, but the decisions made there shape the future of upland hunting across America. In this conversation, the crew from Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever breaks down what happened during a recent D.C. fly-in alongside members of The Habitat Organization’s new Upland Caucus.

Public relations specialist Mikayla Peper shares what it was like meeting with members and staffers from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to advocate for improved conservation measures in the next federal farm bill. The discussion dives into why CRP remains one of the most important conservation tools for wildlife habitat, water quality, soil health, and rural America.

The crew also explores how grassroots advocacy actually works, what happens behind closed doors in congressional offices, and why hunters, farmers, and ranchers need to stay engaged in the legislative process.

Show notes

• Help PF & QF advocate for CRP improvements in the U.S. Senate’s version of the farm bill at www.pheasantsforever.org/action.
• To learn more about PF & QF’s conservation advocacy efforts and Legislative Action Fund (LAF), please email our government affairs team at [email protected].

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Better habitat means better hunting. That’s not a surprising statement. What may surprise folks is how much sweat equity it takes to turn average habitat into elite upland habitat. In this episode, learn how an everyday landowner is building wildlife-rich ground with a little help from friends and family.

Private landowner Tim Kraskey breaks down the real-world habitat management strategies that directly impact upland bird numbers, deer hunting success, and waterfowl hunting opportunities. Kraskey is also a long-time Pheasants Forever chapter volunteer who extolls the virtues of being a volunteer committed to improving public land habitat for the greatest benefit to wildlife and all hunters.

From prescribed burns and tree removal to native grass restoration and food plot development, you’ll hear how intentional land stewardship creates better wildlife habitat—and ultimately, better hunts. The conversation goes beyond dirt work. You’ll learn how to approach access to private land hunting the right way, how to build meaningful relationships with private landowners, as well as how landowners can leverage conservation programs like CRP to maximize wildlife benefits. There’s also a strong emphasis on community: how volunteer habitat projects, local partnerships, and organizations like Pheasants Forever play a critical role in expanding hunting opportunities.

Whether you’re a new landowner, a bird hunter looking for access, or someone interested in conservation, this episode offers actionable strategies you can apply this season. It’s a grounded, experience-driven look at how habitat work, hunting success, and legacy all tie together in the modern outdoors.

Show notes

• Check out Outdoor News’ 2025 Outdoor Leaders Award recognizing Kraskey and the Brown County (MN) Chapter of Pheasants Forever.
• Thanks to John Deere, Irish Setter, and Orvis for sponsoring PF & QF’s Hands-On Habitat efforts across the country this spring. Listeners can get involved with PF & QF’s Hands-On Habitat efforts by identifying volunteer opportunities in the areas where you live and/or hunt by visiting https://pheasantsforever.org/handsonhabitat.

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

Balancing bird dog training with young kids, busy schedules, and everyday life is a challenge most upland hunters eventually face. The reality is your dog doesn’t stop needing structure just because your time gets tighter. The good news is you don’t need hours in the field to maintain a high-performing hunting dog.

Veteran bird dog owner and SportDOG Brand’s Clay Thompson breaks down how to keep an experienced bird dog sharp through short, consistent training sessions built into your daily routine. The focus stays where it matters most—obedience. Commands like place, heel, sit, and steadiness form the foundation that carries over into real-world hunting situations, from waterfowl hunting setups to upland bird hunts chasing pheasants and bobwhite quail.

You’ll hear practical strategies for reinforcing control inside the house, using quick drills that fit between work, family, and everything else competing for your time. There’s also a hard look at introducing dogs to young kids, managing behavior safely, and involving the whole family in training to build consistency.

The takeaway is simple. If you can’t control your dog at five feet, you won’t control it fifty yards in the field. Strong obedience builds better hunting dogs, safer homes, and more productive days outdoors when the season opens.

Thanks to SportDOG Brand for sponsoring this episode of On the Wing Podcast. Check out all of SportDOG’s products at www.SportDog.com.

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

Deep in the Texas High Plains, a committed group of conservationists is proving what’s possible when habitat work meets community grit. On a sprawling 9,000-acre property at Palo Duro, volunteers, biologists, and land managers are tackling real-world challenges like invasive species, wildfire mitigation, and declining upland bird habitat through hands-on conservation projects.

This conversation dives into the strategy behind a multi-day habitat event that blends prescribed fire, chainsaw work, native grass restoration, and one coordinated volunteer effort. The result is healthier grasslands, improved habitat for bobwhite quail, scaled quail, pheasants, and mule deer, and a blueprint for habitat restoration that can scale up or down anywhere in the country.

Beyond the land itself, the real impact shows up in the people. From college students launching wildlife careers to local volunteers rediscovering a passion for conservation, this effort highlights how hands-on habitat work fuels the future of upland hunting, bird dog culture, and outdoor stewardship.

Show notes

• Get involved with PF & QF’s Hands-On Habitat efforts by identifying volunteer opportunities in the areas where you live and/or hunt by visiting https://pheasantsforever.org/handsonhabitat.
• Thanks to John Deere, Irish Setter, and Orvis for sponsoring PF & QF’s Hands-On Habitat efforts across the country this spring.

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

Great hunting spots aren’t just found; they’re named through hard-earned moments in the field. This collection of listener-submitted stories dives into the heart of upland bird hunting culture, where bird dogs, wild flushes, and unforgettable days turn ordinary places into permanent fixtures on the map. This “snackable” episode also announces the winner of the Frost River Woodsman Pack from the contest announced during episode #358.

From a young dog’s fearless leap on a Kansas quail hunt to a Minnesota pheasant hunting hotspot that produced first birds for the next generation, these stories capture the emotion and unpredictability that keep hunters coming back each season. Listeners will hear how covey rises, missed expectations, and once-in-a-lifetime shooting sequences shape not just success in the field, but the love language hunters use to remember it.

If you’ve ever named a spot after a hunt gone right or wrong, you’ll recognize exactly how these places earn their titles and why they never leave you.

Show notes

• Thanks to our friends at Frost River for supplying the grand prize Woodsman Pack.

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

This conversation breaks down Habitat University, a skills-based platform designed to close the gap between theory and real-world application. Whether you’re planting a pollinator plot, improving nesting cover, establishing a food plot, or managing CRP acres, the focus is on actionable knowledge that leads to better results on the landscape.

You’ll hear how modern conservation faces a growing challenge: fewer people entering the field with hands-on land management experience. That gap impacts everything from pheasant and quail habitat to hunting success and overall wildlife populations. Habitat University addresses that by delivering short, practical courses on topics like seed drill calibration, prescribed burning, invasive species control, and habitat planning. For aspiring wildlife professionals, it offers a clear path to understanding conservation programs, working with landowners, and building job-ready skills.

Better habitat leads to more birds, stronger hunting opportunities, and healthier ecosystems. This is about putting knowledge into action where it matters most, on the ground.

Show notes

• Check out the second installment of The Upland Newsroom.
• Learn more about Habitat University courses.

On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.