Find out where the best quail hunting opportunities are this season—and why bird numbers are rebounding across key states.

Quail hunters across the country are gearing up for what could be one of the most promising upland seasons in years. In this episode of On the Wing podcast, we break down the 2025 state-by-state quail hunting forecast, covering major quail states like Arkansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, and Arizona. From weather impacts and habitat restoration to population trends and hunting pressure, this is your go-to field guide for planning a successful season.

You’ll hear how Iowa’s habitat improvements have sparked a remarkable rebound in quail numbers, why Arkansas is becoming a sleeper state for upland hunters, and what’s driving the positive trends across Texas grasslands. The conversation covers species-specific hunting strategies, explaining how to adjust your approach for bobwhites versus scaled or Gambel’s quail—and how dogs quickly adapt to each terrain.

Beyond population stats, this conversation reinforces a timeless truth of the uplands: slow down, trust your dog, and savor the hunt. Whether you’re chasing coveys in the prairies or brush country, you’ll come away with practical takeaways on scouting, shooting, and habitat conservation that every quail hunter should know.

Show notes

• Check out Quail Forever’s 2025 Hunting Forecast for a look at your favorite quail hunting states. 
• If you missed Quail Forever’s 2022 film, “Mearns’ Quail Country,” featuring llamas, watch it at www.QuailForever.org/llama
• Use the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership this hunting season. 

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In this episode of On the Wing podcast, host Bob St. Pierre sits down with Pheasants Forever Journal editor Tom “Carp” Carpenter to unpack his new article, “Mix It Up.” Together they break down five fresh pheasant hunting tactics to keep your hunts productive all season long. From ditching rigid game plans and trusting your bird dog’s instincts to exploring overlooked thin-cover areas and trying brand-new public lands, “Carp” shares decades of hard-earned lessons that will help you see pheasant country—and your own hunting habits—with new eyes.

You’ll hear vivid stories from the prairies, where prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse still dance on the last wild grasslands, and get insider tips for adapting to changing cover conditions across the Dakotas and Midwest. Whether you’re a seasoned upland hunter or just getting started in bird hunting, this conversation will remind you why the best hunts happen when you step off the beaten path and follow your curiosity.

Show notes

• Follow along to learn how to mix it up this season—and why a little chaos in the field might be the key to your next limit.
• The foundation of this podcast comes from Carp’s “Mix It Up” article in the new Fall edition of the Pheasants Forever Journal. If you missed becoming a PF member in time for this issue to hit your mailbox, please email Carp at [email protected] and he’ll get you hooked up with a copy. 
• Use the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership this hunting season. 

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Discover the hidden world of chukar hunting with insider research, expert field reports, and hard-earned lessons.

In this episode of On the Wing Podcast, we dive deep into the rugged and rewarding pursuit of chukar hunting. Host Bob St. Pierre is joined by biologist Catherine Isaac, conservation leader Levi Day, and upland hunter Andrew Vavra to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of chasing these hardy game birds across the Intermountain West.

Listeners will learn how habitat quality, diet, and weather conditions directly influence chukar populations, and why understanding cheatgrass, native forbs, and seasonal food sources matter for both hunters and conservationists. The conversation blends science and experience—covering everything from the Idaho’s chukar opener and Wyoming field reports to insights on grouse hunting, antelope country, and bird dog training in tough terrain.

Whether you’re a seasoned upland hunter or “chukar curious” for your first western hunt, this episode offers actionable hunting tips, habitat strategies, and conservation knowledge that will make your time in the field more rewarding. From managing snake season to scouting slopes for coveys, you’ll gain the tools to hunt smarter and appreciate the landscape on a deeper level.

Show notes

• If you’re interested in a conservation career like Catherine Isaac, check out PF & QF’s upcoming Virtual Career & College Fair. Registration opens on October 1 st and the event takes place on December 4 th . Contact PF & QF’s Levi Day with questions at [email protected].
• If you’re a chukar hunter in Idaho who would like to contribute birds to Catherine Isaac’s research, please contact her at [email protected]
• Use the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership this hunting season.

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In conjunction with Build a Wildlife Area Week, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are excited to announce the creation of a new public wildlife area in Iowa honoring Jim Wooley, the first biologist the organization hired during the mid-1980s. On this episode of On the Wing Podcast, host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Jim Wooley and two of his long-time biologist colleagues Matt O’Connor and Matt Holland.

The conversation covers:

·     The Early Days of Pheasants Forever: Wooley relives working as Iowa’s upland bird biologist and being courted by Pheasants Forever to join the fledgling organization to become its first biologist in the mid-80s.

·     Habitat Not Stocking: Wooley explains how the organization’s focus on improving wildlife habitat, rather than releasing stocked birds, caught him pleasantly surprised and ultimately convinced him that Pheasants Forever would be successful for the long-term.

·     Quail Forever: Wooley also reminisces about the creation of Quail Forever in 2005 and talks about the hard work of chapter volunteers across the quail range to get the organization off the ground.

·     Build a Wildlife Area: Holland explains the creation of the 422-acre Jim Wooley Family Tract located in Iowa’s Madison and Clarke counties. He also describes that the property shares a public boundary with the 1,021-acre Heritage Hills Wildlife Management Area and is already home to pheasants and bobwhite quail. Learn more about PF & QF’s Build a Wildlife Area week and this terrific property at PheasantsForever.org/Wooley.

Use the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership this hunting season.

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As autumn arrives in the northern states, bird hunters look forward to ruffed grouse season. On this episode of On the Wing Podcast, Jeremy Collard from the Ruffed Grouse Society joins host Bob St.Pierre to discuss the 2025 outlook for ruffed grouse hunting. St.Pierre also shares his “Yooper” roots and highlights the release of PF & QF’s second Opening Day film about celebrating the opener with the people you love.

The conversation covers:

• Ruffed grouse hunting forecast: The guys chat about the upcoming prospects for this year’s hunting season with a focus on the Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
• Ruffed grouse hunting tips: The duo also discuss tips for hunting ruffed grouse during the early season when the forest is a jungle of green vegetation, tactics during the mid-season after the leaves fall, as well as strategies for finding birds when there is snow on the ground at the end of the hunting calendar. 
• Opening Day Film: In celebration of this year’s release of PF &QF’s Opening Day film, Tetra Hearing is offering $100 off any CustomShield devices using the code PFOpeningDay100 at www.TetraHearing.com. 

Use the code PFQF at www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership this hunting season. 

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South Dakota’s reputation as the nation’s pheasant hunting capital makes it a bucket-list destination for upland hunters. In this episode of On the Wing Podcast, host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Matt Gottlob, Pheasants Forever’s South Dakota State Coordinator, and South Dakota Game Fish & Parks biologists Alex Solem and Jake Wolfe to preview the 2025 South Dakota bird hunting season.

The conversation covers:

·     Pheasant hunting in South Dakota: 2024’s record harvest of 1.3 million roosters and what it means for 2025.

·     Prairie grouse hunting forecast: weather, habitat, and how 99,000 birds were taken in 2024—the best since 2000.

·     Sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie chickens: population trends and prime regions for upland hunters.

·     Bird dogs in the field: Wolfe’s incredible story of rescuing a yellow Lab that became his first hunting partner.

·     Public hunting access: updates on the Public Access To Habitat (PATH) program, now providing over 121,000 acres across the region.

Whether you’re planning an early season trip, chasing roosters in the heart of fall, or stretching the season late into winter, this episode delivers the latest information, upland hunting strategies, and expert insights you need for a successful hunt. Fuel your passion for upland bird hunting in South Dakota and prepare for your best season yet.

Use the code PFQF at www.onxhunt.com for 20% off your onX Hunt membership this hunting season.

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

Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by University of Georgia’s Dr. James Martin and Tall Timbers’ biologists Amanda Cramer and Justin Rectenwald for a conversation recapping the group’s three-year study focused on assessing crippling loss from bobwhite quail hunters. The results show hunters often wound more birds than they realize, many of which are never recovered.

Episode Highlights:

• Rectenwald details how the team tracked hunters and monitored radio-collared quail to measure success and loss.

• Cramer reveals the startling percentage of birds crippled and never recovered by shots taken on the covey rise. 

• This episode also marks the return of Grain Belt’s “Premium Moments” in the Field story submissions. 

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Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by PF & QF’s Vice President of Marketing Andrew Vavra for a conversation with MeatEater’s Tony Peterson focused on his love of chasing birds with his Labrador retrievers. Peterson leads MeatEater’s dog content as the host of Houndations Podcast and DOG EDU. Peterson is also the father of two twin teenage daughters who he is raising in the outdoors, and the group talk about parenting kids to love hunting and fishing.  

Episode Highlights:

·     Known for his love of bowhunting public land whitetail deer, Peterson admits that chasing pheasants behind his black Labrador retriever may be his absolute favorite activity.

·     Peterson also recounts the genesis of MeatEater’s dog content like his video, “Chasing Late Season Roosters,” and the DOG EDU educational series.

·     The guys close the conversation with a rundown of bird hunts on Peterson’s calendar, as well as a few Easter eggs teasing upcoming MeatEater bird dog content.

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