In this episode of the Upduck Podcast, we sit down with Bill Kehoe—President of Badger State HRC—to dive deep into the world of hunting retriever clubs, gun dog training, and the community behind it all.

Bill shares his journey from getting his first Labrador Retriever to helping build one of Wisconsin’s HRC clubs, along with lessons learned from decades of training, hunting, and competing with retrievers. We break down how HRC (Hunting Retriever Club) organizations work, why joining a training group can dramatically improve your dog, and how these clubs create lifelong friendships, hunting opportunities, and better hunters.

We also cover:

The benefits of group dog training vs. going solo

How HRC hunt tests work (Started, Seasoned, Finished)

Building a retriever to the Hunting Retriever Champion level

The role of mentorship, land access, and shared equipment

Real-world hunting applications of training

The challenges of running an HRC club and organizing events

Plus, Bill shares stories from his military career, hunting experiences across North America, and insights into raising and training successful gun dogs.

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What happens when a luxury watch entrepreneur from New Jersey goes on his first duck hunt in Louisiana and immediately gets hooked? In this episode of the Upduck Podcast, the guys sit down with Christian of Theo & Harris to talk about his rapid-fire introduction to hunting, the culture shock of stepping into the outdoors, and why the experience hit deeper than he ever expected.

They cover adult-onset hunting, first duck hunt nerves, gear overload, hunting dogs, camaraderie in the blind, social media, masculinity, wild game, and the overwhelming world of waterfowl, upland, turkey, and big game hunting. Christian also shares how hunting is reshaping the way he thinks about life, purpose, adventure, and what it means to pursue something real in a modern world.

If you’ve ever wondered what hunting looks like through the eyes of a total newcomer, this one is honest, funny, thoughtful, and packed with perspective.

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This week on the Upduck Podcast, we sit down with dog trainer, behavioral specialist, and hunter Sami Strutz to break down what really goes into building a great hunting dog.

From common puppy mistakes to handler habits that quietly ruin dogs, Sami shares practical, real-world advice on training, behavior, and creating a dog that performs in the field and fits in the home.

We dive into:

The biggest mistakes new dog owners make

How to balance hunting dog vs house dog

Why consistency matters more than talent

Off-season training and keeping dogs sharp

The truth about genetics vs training

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This week on the Upduck Podcast, we sit down with Eric Forrester of Ghost Point Wirehairs to talk German Wirehaired Pointers, breeding and training bird dogs, NSTRA field trials, and the adventure of traveling out West to chase upland birds. From building a kennel to DIY bird hunting in big country, this episode is packed with bird dog insight, hunting stories, and practical advice for upland hunters.

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Wisconsin waterfowl hunters—your window to speak up is open. We break down the Wisconsin DNR public input period for the 2026–2030 duck and goose season framework, how to submit the survey, and why more than “Facebook complaining” matters. We also hit the latest on a potential Wisconsin Sandhill crane hunt, the urgency around Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funding, and why the holiday goose hunt timing frustrates public-land hunters. Plus: Open Season Sportsman’s Expo plugs, turkey-rig talk, and a quick puppy update—because dogs fix everything.

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We’re joined by Alec Bekkers, Chair of the Wisconsin chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), for a wide-ranging conversation on what’s really happening with public land hunting.

Alec shares how he got into hunting as an adult, why public land flipped a switch for him, and what BHA is doing to protect and expand access. We get into conservation vs preservation, why public land feels more crowded (hint: habitat and access), the realities of funding wildlife work, and how R3 can create better hunters and stronger conservation advocates.

(Quick PSA up top: Wisconsin’s public input window for the next 5-year waterfowl season framework is coming soon—watch for details.)

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No Jeff this week (stomach bug took him out), so Matt and Tyler hold down the mic with two guests who live at the intersection of service, dogs, and the outdoors: Brian Rollison (active duty Army armor officer) and Reid Parrish (Iraq & Afghanistan vet, full-time guide) from Hero to the Line.

Hero to the Line is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a simple mission and a massive impact: donate well-bred Labrador retriever puppies to veterans, active duty service members, and Gold Star families—then surround them with a community that helps them train, learn, and stay connected. We talk about why a dog can be the difference between sitting on the couch and getting outside, how training creates routine, and how a “new furry best friend” can help people work through life’s hardest chapters—whether that’s the transition to civilian life, grief, or the weight that follows deployment.

Brian shares his path from hunting doves in Virginia to chasing ducks across the country (and even a NATO rotation in Poland), and how receiving his lab Daisy changed everything. Reid breaks down how the organization grows through breeder relationships, sponsorships, and the magic of “whoopsie litters,” plus what it feels like watching recipients take that first step into the dog world—beds, food, training tips, and all.

We also get into the “holy cow” moment of seeing a finished-level dog run, why hunt tests flip a switch in people, and how Hero to the Line is building a nationwide network of dog owners and veterans (from Alaska to Florida).

Learn more / apply / support: Hero to the Line (hero2theline.org)

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This week on the Upduck Podcast, it’s a two-man show (no Matt) and we’re joined by Chris “The Hunting Traveler” Midgette for a wide-ranging conversation that hits hunting, travel, and gun dogs from every angle. Chris shares how years of living in airports and hotels shaped his handle, how moving from Virginia to Michigan opened up new hunting opportunities, and why sometimes the best reset is getting quiet and letting your mind wander.

Then we get into what you really came for: dogs. Chris breaks down the Boykin Spaniel—where the breed came from, what they’re great at, common misconceptions (they’re not “mini Labs”), and why responsible breeding and health testing matter. We also talk his jump into the ultra-niche world of the Wirehaired Vizsla, bringing a started pup from Canada, and the real transition from an aggressive flushing dog to a pointing dog—plus a reminder every dog owner needs: train the dog in front of you, not the one you see on social media.

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The Upduck crew is back with a full recap of Oklahoma Round Two—our second trip south chasing late-season ducks with RedBeards Waterfowl Outfitters. This year looked a lot different than last: warm temps, stale birds, teal chaos, ringneck action, and the kind of hunts that remind you why nothing in waterfowl is guaranteed.

We break down all three hunts—from a ringer-loaded opener to a blink-and-you-miss-it teal bomb and a final morning that perfectly captured the grind of late season. Along the way, we dive into dog work, shot decisions, guided hunt expectations, jump shooting, and why sometimes the best part of a hunting trip isn’t the bird count.

Add in Buc-ee’s culture shock, Oklahoma catfish, gas station debates, and post-season reflection, and you’ve got an episode that’s equal parts hunt recap and reality check.

If you’re missing the blind, battling duck depression, or planning your next out-of-state trip, you'll enjoy this episode.

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n this episode of the UpDuck Podcast, we sit down with Mike Hagerty, better known online as Outdoors_Dad_Life, for an honest and deeply relatable conversation about raising kids in the outdoors — and what it really means to hunt with family.

Mike shares his journey from growing up deer hunting in North Carolina, to serving 29 years in the U.S. Army, to now raising seven kids who hunt, fish, and live life outside. We dive into the realities of duck hunting with kids in the blind, introducing children to harvesting animals with respect, managing safety and maturity, and redefining success beyond limits and straps.

This episode covers:

Duck hunting with kids and first hunts

Teaching respect for wildlife and ethical harvesting

Balancing sports, school, and hunting seasons

Girls in the outdoors and breaking stereotypes

Why comfort isn’t the goal — memories are

How to make tough hunts meaningful for young hunters

From forgotten shotguns and wet waders to diner breakfasts and lifelong lessons, this conversation is packed with real stories, humor, and perspective every hunting parent can relate to.

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