I bring three of my friends onboard to talk about birds, public access hunting, habitat, hunting success and dogs. From all around the country, these guys have put in the miles and burned the gunpowder this year, and have insights to share. Eric Thompson from Montana, Jim Millensifer from Kansas, and David Kuritzky from New York offer their take on the 2025 bird season from prairie chickens to ruffed grouse. I'll kick in on the western end.

We cover habitat and how to adjust your hunting to unexpected changes, handling dogs in unfamiliar cover, bird behavior as the season progresses, even some dog training tips. Each participant shares a personal observation that might make our own hunting more successful, and how hunting helps establish personal connections via food. Each offers an essential piece of gear they never leave the truck without.

"Fix It" has a gear recommendation that could save your dog's life, and listeners share stories of a dog that changed their life.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Tim Linehan of Linehan Outfitting is an Orvis-endorsed guide hunting the Rockies for ruffed, sooty and blue grouse. It's challenging country, different habitat, offering a new set of rules he's here to explain. Whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool ruffed grouse hunter or new to the game, from the east, midwest or west, there's something in his approach of value to you and your dog.

We cover what is good habitat and finding it, how to approach a covert, why a bell and beeper might be the ultimate combination. Tim shares his shooting advice ("shoot the shadow") and how to approach a bird and dog on point, we'll also learn more about what western grouse are eating. 

"Fix It" has another way to remove cockleburrs, and listeners share their bad hunting buddy horror stories.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Exclusive: This roundtable "insider" edition includes the entire chain from design and manufacturing to end-user. Joining me are Tim Frampton, Browning shotgun category manager, Ben Sovince, sales manager, and dealer/instructor/hunter Dave Fiedler of Mid-Valley Clays & Shooting School. We cover Browning's new product development process, how customer feedback impacts their decision-making, how target guns differ from hunting guns, what guns are selling best and buying trends. We also talk in detail about the 20-gauge version of the A5, the Browning shotgun line as a whole, how to pick the right shotgun for you, and what's coming down the pipeline in the way of new products.

Fiedler offers an end-user and dealer perspective, and Sovince gives insights into how and why dealers stock the guns they carry. 

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Heartland Lodge, where you'll get special freebies and gifts for every booking (learn more here).

[Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.]

Pro trainer, champion field trialer and hunter Todd Agnew of Craney Hills Kennel joins me to talk spaniels, but we get into a lot of topics relevant to any hunting dog owner. We get his take on midwestern hunting, he offers tips for traveling with a lot of dogs, and how important it is to establish a level of trust with your dog. This conversation is rich with practical advice and personal anecdotes, making it a valuable resource for dog owners. 

"Fix It" offers late-season food sources for game birds you should explore; listeners share their best scenic photos from a bird hunt.

The podcast is now available in video form here.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

George DeCosta entertains and educates us with training tips and techniques and the importance of forging a bond with your dog as the key to unlocking greatness in you both. We'll trade hunting stories, talk about the magic of Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, delve deep into what motivates your dog, how to "read" your dog to know when he's confused or disobedient, and why timing is everything when giving commands and corrections. 

George will advise us on helping a dog that won't retrieve during a hunting situation, tell a few more hunting stories, and offer sage advice on when a hunt should be over.

"Fix It" lists a few locations that may provide one more snow-free hunt, and I've polled your dogs and they're brutally honest on how you're doing this season.

Get George's books here.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Exclusive industry insider edition: Not just a major retailer in the bird dog world, Steve Snell is an avid bird hunter. In our extensive interview, we go from the company's history through the transition to online retailing, then hit on some of the most-asked questions Steve gets from customers about gear and how to use it. He talks about trends in product development, why a riveted collar ID tag is crucial, get a debrief on his hunting season in several states, and some advice on hunting public land strategically. 

Steve walks us through a new GPS collar coming soon from Dogtra, shares tips on traveling with dogs, and offers tips on hunting the elusive blue quail, including the importance of cutting your pointing dog some slack.

Steve gives us advice on hunting through a tough season of too much, or too little rain/drought/hail and smaller bird populations.

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Heartland Lodge, where you'll get special freebies and gifts for every booking (learn more here).

[Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.]

Start the year right - get your training act together! Legendary trainer, champion trialer and bird hunter George Hickox shares his wisdom on all things bird dogs. He'll re-define what motivates your hunting dog and how to take him to the next level. He'll change your thinking on a number of topics, and walk us through a better way to get a dog to be steady on pointed birds. We'll cover the benefits and how-to's of roading a dog, too.

We'll go to bird dog summer camp, talk sharptail and Hun behavior, and learn, learn, learn.

"Fix It" might help your dog's pads late in the season, and listeners share their thoughts on the benefits of hunting solo ... or with someone.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

PS: This episode is also available in video form here.

Planning next season already? Got a few weeks left for this one? Here's the lowdown on hunting in the world's pheasant capital, from fellow hunter and director of the Aberdeen Convention & Visitor's Bureau, Casey Weismantel. He's an ugly dog owner and avid ringneck hunter, and nobody has more fingers on the pulse of hunting our favorite bird. 

We cover the season's highs and lows, some weather and habitat anomalies, and geat a few insider tips on maximizing the value of your ten-day license. Casey has advice on pheasant habits and habitat, hunting strategies for early and late season. We discuss "pheasantnomics" and the importance of local knowledge (and how to get it), and what constitutes ethical and legal "road hunting" in South Dakota. Casey has ammo recommendations, walks us through public-access and walk-in strategies, and shares his evolution from novice to seasoned hunter.

"Fix It" dispels some late-season hunting myths, and listeners share their mentorship stories.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Finally, someone to help us use tie-out stakes and "chain gangs" the right way. Industry insider and avid bird hunter Brennan Landry of CableGangz Supply makes the best gear in the category (and including roading gear, training table rigs and more) and he's here to walk us through using it right. From materials and engineering to manufacturing and the right way to hammer stakes into and out of the ground. 

Brennan is a big believer in roading bird dogs so he'll explain why, and how, to get the most out of the miles.

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Heartland Lodge, where you'll get special freebies and gifts for every booking (learn more here).

[Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.]

Exclusive! We get the lowdown on new Purina dog foods the day they hit the shelves. Dr. RuthAnn Lobos (@petvetruthann), senior veterinarian at Purina will outline the rationale behind their new "Advantedge Plus" senior and digestive formulations, and why many of us should consider one or the other. We'll parse ingredients, specs, and the new product development process from a researcher's notion to stocking retail shelves.

We'll cover why and how dogs "choose" favorite foods, when our dog actually becomes a "senior" citizen, indications of a dog's aging, and find out what ingredients go into the new formulations and why. Dr. RuthAnn talks about why we shouldn't feed prior to a hunt, how Purina "taste tests" new foods, and defines a healthy physique for a sporting dog.

"Fix It" keeps your dog warm after a cold wet hunt, and listeners tell us what they're giving their dog for Christmas or Hannukah.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.