Upland Nation

Brian Hare, Ph.D., does have suggestions on that question, including an age when a pup actually can exhibit the traits of a great bird dog, and we'll get his answer on this and dozens more. He's a core member of Duke's Center of Cognitive Neuroscience, professor and with over 100 scientific papers and dozens of pups run through his home and hundreds through his research he's uniquely qualified to help us raise better bird dog puppies. Author of three books with his wife Vanessa Wood, his latest is Puppy Kindergarten.

We'll explore everything from the best age to bring a puppy home, to when a dog's congnitive functions are fully formed, to whether or not we can teach an old dog new tricks. Brian will address my questions about common puppy-raising mistakes bird hunters make, and guide us from crate training (revelations here!) to "socialization" and how much is enough. Does it matter when a pup in a litter "picks" us? What about introduction to water, gunfire, other people and dogs? We'll cover it all.

Our social segment features advice from followers on hunting boot care. 

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Audio exclusive: Avid chukar hunter Coby Rowe is just back from his state's opening weekend with an on-the-ground report on habitat conditions, bird numbers and some insights into how chukars are behaving in the face of feed challenges and population dynamics.

We get a blow-by-blow account of some beautiful finds by his Epagneul Breton, and vivid descriptions of the land and its challenges. You'll take away some insights on hunting these elusive birds as well.

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Marilyn Vetter joins me to cover all things strategic at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. From where the money comes from and where it goes, to why the Farm Bill matters, to the reason well-managed privately-owned ground benefits all bird hunters ... the "what's in it for me?" question we all ask.

We'll talk about the big wins for PF/QF, what's ahead in the way of challenges, and look at the future of conservation in the U.S. We explore major initiatives of the organization, why a bird hunters' group should love bees and butterflies, and even get a puppy training tip. 

"Fix It" has a different way to look at training the retrieve where you start at the end, and on social media we get your advice on finding game bird habitat.

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Audio exclusive: Friend of the show and founder of Sage & Braker, Fred Bohm is the consummate hunter: exotics, big game, and his first love, upland birds. Fred is just back from the Rockies, where he hunted dusky grouse.

It's a rough-and-tumble high-altitude family affair with a number of highlights: a first bird for his 11-year-old son, a young setter paired with a seasoned dog, big birds, and stunning scenery. But I'll let Fred give you the details while they're fresh in his memory.

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Friend of the show Lynn Glock checks in with a blow-by-blow description of his first few days of the season, including yesterday's pheasant hunt. Weather and some surprises as well as remarkable dog work are the top line for Lynn.

Working a young dog with a mature one (both Griffs) offered Lynn some surprises, and a variety of habitats including an interesting observation about cattails are also part of our discussion.

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Audio exclusive: Here's our opening weekend, including guesses on bird population dynamics, where we found them and didn't, other hunters' thoughts on the same. The dog work was stellar, with some real standouts. The shooting, well, um, you'll hear. 

It was our annual opening camp with old and new friends, and the camaraderie that comes from spending quality time with folks who love dogs and wild places.

It's a dry year, full of challenges, but all in all, a solid beginning. And no broken bones!

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Spencer Greene has more degrees and professional bonafides than any other three people I've met. What matters to bird hunters and their dogs is his expertise in toxicology, with a specialty in venomous snakes including the ones we'll meet in the field.

Former fire fighter, MD, professor at Univ. of Houston, and emergency room physician, this guy has seen it all, and treated it. We'll dig deep into poisonous snakes (pardon the pun), their dangers to dogs and humans, what to do and not do when bitten. Spencer will steer us straight on what to do if our dogs are bit, what not to do and what we should expect at the veterinarian's office or emergency room.

You'll be better prepared should  you encounter a limping dog, swollen muzzle or a bite on your own ankle. You will undoubtedly change the contents of your dog first aid kit as a result of Spencer's recommendations.

"Fix It" suggests looking at big habitat like a fly angler, and social media discusses my recent surveys of YOU and what you're planning, doing, and hoping for.

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Fresh off a two-week, two-state early season odyssey, Randy focuses on an unsung wild-bird state: Wyoming. We'll talk about Montana, too, but the things he has to say about the Cowboy State are both helpful and cautionary. 

We'll re-live some of his best hunts in the high-elevation grasslands and deep woods, recounting a trip where he shot at sage grouse, sharptails, Huns, chukars and dusky grouse. (He hit many of them). 

We'll cover the habitat challenges everyone will see this season, and how to adapt. Why you might change your strategy based on current conditions, and where he found birds ... and didn't. He'll also offer some advice for hunters coming out west for the first time ... staying safe, among other things. 

For information on Randy's books, blog, and other adventures, go here.

Thanks Randy!

Subscribe today to make sure you get these new audio exclusive hunt debriefs!

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, ClayCopter, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Curtis Fry has handled his own and other dogs to NAVHDA Invitational and AKC hunt test titles, is an avid hunter, seminar leader, and hunt test judge who translates esoteric, theoretical concepts into actionable training tasks. 

We'll cover everything from breeding for performance, to creating a love for water, to better ways to train retrieving (particularly in water). Do they work? Curtis runs English Setters who will swim with the best of Labs. Some hunting stories come up, of course, some early-season observations about grouse numbers in a couple states, and the differences between NAVHDA and AKC hunt tests. 

Like a good coach, Curtis shares his and his dog's pre-test mental preparation, how to keep your dog engaged during high-level training, and why teaching steadiness goes hand-in-hand with teaching retrieving. He explains the right way to use e-collar stimulation, and his take on the two biggest mistakes we make when training our hunting dog.

Subscribe today to make sure you get every episode, plus the new audio exclusive hunt debriefs! And remember, most podcasts are now available in video on Outdoor Action TV and Field & Stream TV on your smart TV, and on Spotify.

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, ClayCopter, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Audio exclusive: avid hunter, friend and author, pro trainer George DeCosta joins me to debrief his recent Montana trip ... overcoming low bird numbers to share a couple wonderful stories about a dog's growth and owner's light-bulb moment. We get some advice on bird behavior and habitat, too, plus some lessons in how going along helps you get along in bird country. There's a lesson in being mobile and nimble, too.

Thanks George!

Subscribe today to make sure you get these new audio exclusive hunt debriefs!

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, ClayCopter, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.