The Retriever Han’ler Podcast

Aiden Kostival is a retriever trainer, duck guide, and future club founder. He breaks down what it really takes to build a life around birds, dogs, and long days in the field.

Aiden shares how he went from growing up duck hunting in southern Ohio to training gun dogs, running hunt tests across multiple states, and guiding in Arkansas for the entire waterfowl season.

We get into the topics that actually matters for serious dog people: how he decided to cap his kennel at 16 dogs so every dog gets real attention, why he focuses on gun dog training over obedience and boarding, and what it takes to expand from a six-hole trailer and a climate-controlled garage into a bigger operation.

He also opens up about what he learned from working under another pro, why he’ll take advice from almost anyone, and how his personal dog Scout became a finish-level milestone he’s proud of.

You'll hear Aiden talk through the difference between HRC and AKC tests, what he thinks about Master Hunter versus HRCH titles, and why he’s fired up to help start a new HRC club near Athens, Ohio with Matt Michael.

He also shares what it’s like to run tests in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, plus how a strong training partnership and great clients helped his kennel grow faster than he expected.

Then the conversation shifts to Arkansas, where Aiden tells the wild story of how a Facebook post, a late-night resume, and a phone call sent him into the duck guide world almost overnight. He breaks down what guide life really looks like - early mornings, constant scouting, gun safety, client management, and never really getting to clock out - and why he loves it enough to make it his winter job for the foreseeable future.

Small-shot thinking, lower recoil, and exacting shell consistency are changing the way serious waterfowlers pattern their guns.

Ryan Nordstrom of Big River Ammunition pulls back the curtain on what actually makes a shotgun shell perform—and why the old “faster and bigger is better” mindset may be costing you birds.

Built from the banks of the Mississippi and shaped by years of tinkering, testing, and real-world hunting, Ryan shares how he went from handloading for himself and friends to building a small ammunition company that obsessively controls crimps, pellet counts, wad depth, and pressure.

If you care about clean kills, better follow-up shots, and knowing exactly what your ammo is doing on paper, this conversation is packed with practical insight.

Yinz Will Learn:

• Why shell consistency matters more than most hunters realize
• How shot size, FPS, and recoil actually affect pattern density
• Why Ryan prefers smaller shot sizes like 4s, 5s, and even 6s for certain birds
• What makes pattern testing and proof testing essential before anything reaches customers
• How Big River’s pattern packs help hunters avoid wasting money on boxes that don’t perform in their gun

On this episode of the Retriever Han'ler Podcast, we sit down with Chris Parry of Wild River Kennels for an honest conversation about building a dog training business from the ground up.

Chris shares how his passion for dogs, hunting, and hard work led him from a demanding career in submarine manufacturing into professional retriever training, and how he and his wife built Wild River into a family-run operation with a reputation for grit, honesty, and results.

We also get into what it really takes to train high-powered hunting dogs, the differences between AKC and HRC hunt tests, why maturity matters so much in young dogs, and how relationships and trust are at the center of everything he does.

If you love dog training, hunt tests, or just a good story about turning passion into a career, this one is worth a listen.

In this episode, Zac Patrick shares his journey from growing up in Ohio with a passion for duck hunting and dogs to becoming a renowned retriever trainer and judge. He discusses his dogs' accomplishments, the intricacies of hunt tests, and his insights into training and judging at the highest levels.

In this episode of the Retriever Handler Podcast, Jordan and Bethany sit down with Kent Madden, owner of Two Flyways Outfitters and Gundogs, for a fun and insightful conversation about waterfowl hunting, dog training, and building a business around a lifelong passion.

Kent shares how he got started in dog training, how his dogs helped shape his guiding business, and what it takes to run a successful outfitting and gundog operation in Arkansas.

Whether you’re into duck hunting, retriever training, or just love hearing from people who live the waterfowl lifestyle, this one has something for you!

Jim Templeton sits down with us to talk about his extremely successful hunt test career with Ice!

Most wildlife photographers chase moments for years before capturing one that truly stops them in their tracks — like Zack McQueen’s breathtaking shot of an elk bugling with its breath visible in the frigid Wyoming air.

Join us as Zack recounts the adrenaline rush of that perfect shot, the months of patience, and the intricate timing that makes wildlife photography both a sport and an art form.

In this episode, you'll discover how years of hunting experience give Zack a unique edge in understanding animal behavior — from deciphering turkey struts to predicting bear movements.

He shares his secret to capturing elusive moments, like the haunting loon calls and the aggressive charging moose, and tales of close encounters that blur the line between thrill and danger.

We break down the meticulous planning behind Zach’s award-winning photos: the critical importance of light, humidity, and patience, plus the role of preparation and a keen eye for animal cues.

This isn’t just about snapping pictures; it’s about living stories that ignite passion. Perfect for hunters, nature lovers, or anyone craving the raw beauty of the outdoors, Zack's insights inspire a deeper appreciation for the animals we share this planet with and the role photography plays in conservation.

To Zack McQueen, wildlife photography isn’t just a hobby — it’s a way to connect with nature’s most majestic moments and tell stories that resonate long after the shot is captured. Get ready to feel goosebumps and ignite your own adventures.

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The Retriever Han'ler Shop - www.retrieverhanler.com

Join us as we sit down to talk to Dr. Matthew Ryan (Duck Dog Vet) about all things dogs! We talk about how to avoid overheating/hypothermia, how to prolong a dog's career/ feeding times, supplements, and MUCH more!

Thank you to our Partners!

HUNT REPELLENT - https://www.huntrepellent.com/JORDAN88798 for 10% off!

ALPHA DOG NUTRITION - https://alphadognutrition.com/#RH15 for 15% off!

RETRIEVER HAN'LER

www.retrieverhanler.com

Join us as we talk to Blake Allen, owner of Bourbon Trail Retrievers in Kentucky. Blake talks to us about his Grand Hunting Retriever Champion - Rose, a scary injury at the Grand, and all about British Labradors!

Barton joins us to discuss how he got started, hunting with his country music buddies, and much more!