After a week of chasing new birds in new country with buddies Jay Brekke and Jim Burris, we sat down to recap what it was like hunting White Tail Ptarmigan and Dusky Grouse at high elevations in the Rocky Mountains!

Why Ptarmigan and Dusky in CO?

Ptarmigan hunting basics

The 1st Ptarmigan contact

High altitude acclimation and preparation

Supplemental oxygen

The death march

The Dusky grouse adventure

The berry buffet

Learning new birds and hunts with boots on the ground!

Physically taxing on the dogs

Preparing for contingencies and safety first!

Finishing the deal for Jim

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Presented By:

Standing Stone Supply | Use Code: GDIY to save 15%

onX Hunt Maps | Use Code: GDIY20 to save 20%
DT Systems | Use Code: DTSocialMedia15 for 15%
Final Rise
Upland Gun Company
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Other Partners:
BPro Kennels
United Field Trialers Association Upcoming Events
Eukanuba 
Bird Dog Society
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GDIY Links:
Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

220.  Ptarmigan and Dusky Grouse

DIY gundog trainers and enthusiasts discussing all topics pertaining to hunting and living with dogs.

Kids & Family

Sports

Wilderness

Pets & Animals

GDIY Profiles are bonus episodes that feature your average DIY dog trainer and hunter. All dog owners have a story of what got them involved and the main lessons learned along the way. Hearing numerous people’s stories along with their mistakes, helps promote the idea that WE ALL STARTED AT THE SAME PLACE!
NAME: Ron Hunt
BREED: Brittany
LOCATION: Brookings, SD
TARGETS: Pheasant
FAVORITE EPISODES: Ep. 194 Rick Smith | Ep. 195. Try to Pay it Forward | Ep. 199 Cover Dog Trials | Ep. 226 A Guide's Perspective
MISTAKE: Not using something to help track the dog in the field
MEMORABLE STORY: The desire to capture a special retrieve on video costs them the bird!
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Presented By:

Standing Stone Supply | Check out their Online Courses and Use Code GDIY to save 15%

onX Hunt Maps | Use Code: GDIY20 to save 20%
Upland Gun Company | Midwest Double Gun Classic
-
Other Partners:
BPro Kennels
Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20]
Bird Dog Society
-
GDIY Links:
Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GDIY Profile | Ron Hunt

You should always jump at the opportunity when you get the chance to talk to someone in the upland space who has been chasing these birds for as long as Walt Lesser has! After all, he literally wrote the book on the Real Ryman Setter.
It was a privilege to sit down with Walt in his home and hear his stores and what it was exactly that spoke to him about the Ryman Setters.
Watch The Full Interview Here

Starting out bird hunting with beagles?!?

Getting the first setters from George Bird Evans & George Ryman

Tryin to fix a blinking Setter back in the day

Not much interest in trials and testing. It was all about the birds and habitat.

Continuing the Ryman lines

Bringing Turkeys back to Dodrige County, WV

The Appalachian Ryman breedes

How Rymans range and hunt

Hunting the legendary Canaan Valley

Thinking of Grouse or WC when planning future dogs?

The WV grouse habitat though out the decades

The process of developing dogs back then

The first beeper collars

Maintaining the Ryman type Setters today


Presented By:

Standing Stone Supply | Check out their Online Courses and Use Code GDIY to save 15%

onX Hunt Maps | Use Code: GDIY20 to save 20%
Upland Gun Company | Midwest Double Gun Classic
-
Other Partners:
BPro Kennels
Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20]
Bird Dog Society
-
GDIY Links:
Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

266.  The Real Ryman Setter w/ Walt Lesser

Robb and Jim make their return to the podcast to recap and share their thoughts on our recent experience at Old Hemlock and the "Trouble with Bird Dogs" event put on by the Bird Dog Society.


The purpose of the Troubles with Bird Dogs event

The downward trend of bird numbers over decades

Learning from history

The experience of the historical property

Jim connecting the dots to his personal connection with G.B.E.

A bowl of wishbones?

Dont let your boxes of shotgun shells go unused

Theres a spirit to Old Hemlock

G.B.E. and Kay, the original upland content creators?

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Presented By:

Standing Stone Supply | Check out their Online Courses and Use Code GDIY to save 15%

onX Hunt Maps | Use Code: GDIY20 to save 20%
Upland Gun Company | Midwest Double Gun Classic
-
Other Partners:
BPro Kennels
Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20]
Bird Dog Society
-
GDIY Links:
Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

265.  BDS & OH Recap

You've at least heard George Bird Evans referenced at some point even if you've just barely dipped a toe in the upland hunting space. His words continue to inspire and motivate upland hunters even decades removed from his passing. Come and take a step back in time to catch a glimpse of what it was like for George, and his wife Kaye, living at the old 1815 cabin nestled amongst the inspiring forests in the small Northeastern corner of West Virginia. This property is best known as 'Old Hemlock.'
Watch the Full Episode Here!

How did LeJay find himself at Old Hemlock?

The privacy of Old Hemlock

George and Kay's life timeline

Artist, Musician, Author, Hunter.....Perfectionist

When George decides to focus primarily on hunting literature and lifestyle

George's writing style

Developing a Setter line

Kaye's role in everything

George's outlook on dog training and development

Their day to day routine

Property development and conservation

George's hunting preferences and finding focus in the uplands

The status of Old Hemlock and the foundation's philanthropy

The art and treasures around the cabin

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Presented By:

Standing Stone Supply | Check out their Online Courses and Use Code GDIY to save 15%

onX Hunt Maps | Use Code: GDIY20 to save 20%
Upland Gun Company | Midwest Double Gun Classic
-
Other Partners:
BPro Kennels
Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20]
Bird Dog Society
-
GDIY Links:
Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

264.  Old Hemlock

A listener recently reached out asking for an episode talking about general advice when it comes to planning a hunting trip. It would be fun to revisit and provide an updated version of this subject but for now I thought it was worth revisiting episode 108 with Josh Flowers originally released on 9/21/21.

Why test and train in the off season

The best of each breed are on level playing ground

Using your relationship with your breeder

Some people on have week long seasons if they have to travel

The only wrong option is letting your dog sit at home

Picking your target species

Travel time and dog development

Lodging options

The delicate balance of doing group trips

Be of value to the group. Labor or $$$

Balancing dog power

The importance of your down learning to travel calmly

Security and safety considerations

Biggest mistakes for newbies

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Presented By:

Standing Stone Supply | Check out their Online Courses and Use Code GDIY to save 15%

onX Hunt Maps | Use Code: GDIY20 to save 20%
Upland Gun Company | Midwest Double Gun Classic
-
Other Partners:
BPro Kennels
Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20]
Bird Dog Society
-
GDIY Links:
Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

220. Ptarmigan and Dusky Grouse

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