This episode explains National Shoot to Retrieve Association (NSTRA) field trials. I interviewed Matthew Bass, a NSTRA judge and owner of Stacked Up Kennels, who has been involved in the NSTRA world since he was young child. We discuss how NSTRA trials are set up, how they are scored, and what your dog needs to do to earn a placement.

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt, Boss Shotshells, and Toyota. We are part of the HerUpland family of podcasts.

You can find me on the following platforms:

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In this episode, I interview Doug Ljungren, the Executive Vice President of Sports and Events at AKC. Doug and I talk about a brand-new event called the Master Hunter Excellent Test (MHX). This standards-based test is open to dogs who already have their Master Hunter titles. The rules and judging categories are a little different than the MH test and more emphasis is placed on the hunting ability of the dog. 

This test is open for entry until October 26, 2023 at 8PM EST. If you'd like to enter, here is the link to the premium as well as the direct link to the entry form. 

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt, Boss Shotshells, and Toyota. We are part of the HerUpland family of podcasts.

You can find me on the following platforms:

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Finding live upland birds as well as ducks can be a challenge, especially if bird growers in your area don't raise them year round. I discuss some alternatives to find birds for training, as well as some options if you aren't able to store birds long-term where you live. 

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt, Boss Shotshells, and Toyota. We are part of the HerUpland family of podcasts.

You can find me on the following platforms:

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Are you struggling to find a place to train your bird dog for hunting? It can be hard to find a suitable place. Before I got involved in NAVHDA in 2017, I spent a solid year trying to find a place to train Zara for hunting. This involved copious internet searches, Facebook messages, some emails, a few phone calls, and some site visits. It took me two more years to find a place I could access more frequently than once a month. This episode discusses various options to check out when looking for a place to train.

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt, Boss Shotshells, and Toyota. We are part of the HerUpland family of podcasts.

You can find me on the following platforms:

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This episode is not about one specific organization. Instead, I discuss the differences between the beginner/puppy level events and the intermediate/advanced levels. I go into the main components that you need to work on in order to be successful at the upper levels.

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt, Boss Shotshells, and Toyota! We are part of the HerUpland family of podcasts.

You can find me on the following platforms:

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This is part two of my conversation with Grayson Guyer about United Kennel Club (UKC) field trials. In this episode, we get into the details about the Gun and Open classes: how they are judged, what titles you can earn, and the differences between the two.

To get in contact with Grayson, visit his website or check him out on Instagram. He also hosts his own podcast, the Companion Gun Dog podcast.

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and Boss Shotshells. Our newest sponsor is Toyota! We are part of the HerUpland family of podcasts.

You can find me on the following platforms:

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This episode features my first guest: Grayson Guyer, an experienced bird dog trainer who runs Lost Highway Kennels. Grayson and I discuss United Kennel Club (UKC) field trials and he provides some history about the beginning of the program. We also get into the Natural Ability (TAN) and Water Retrieve (WRT) tests.

To get in contact with Grayson, visit his website or check him out on Instagram. He also hosts his own podcast, the Companion Gun Dog podcast.

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and Boss Shotshells. Our newest sponsor is Toyota! We are part of the HerUpland family of podcasts.

You can find me on the following platforms:

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This episode details ways to help you prepare for the NAVHDA Invitational and set you and your dog up for success. I discuss tips for the field and water sections as well as mentally preparing for this big event!

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and Boss Shotshells. We are part of the HerUpland family of podcasts.

You can find me on the following platforms:

Instagram | Facebook | Website 

This episode goes into detail about the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association's (NAVHDA) Invitational test, which is NAVHDA's highest level of hunt test. It's held once a year at various locations around the country. In this episode, I discuss the various parts of the test.

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and Boss Shotshells. We are part of the HerUpland family of podcasts.

You can find me on the following platforms:

Instagram | Facebook | Website 

This episode goes into detail about the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association's (NAVHDA) Utility test, which is a comprehensive test to evaluate finished versatile dogs. I cover the different parts of the test, how the scoring system works, and some tips to help you and your dog have the best experience possible. I also talk about the Utility Preparatory test, which is a scaled down version of the Utility test, and how it differs.

The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and Boss Shotshells. We are part of the HerUpland family of podcasts.

You can find me on the following platforms:

Instagram | Facebook | Website