Dr. Kelly Reyna is Director of the Ted and Donna Lyon Center for Gamebird Research and Principal Investigator of the Quail Research Laboratory at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He's a bit of an optimist, and conducting leading-edge research on "untaming" pen-raised birds, how wild birds really react to predators, and habitat ... including how cattle and quail can get along.

Kelly is also an avid bird hunter so he looks at the practical as well as the academic challenges hunters face. His research dispels some notions that we've accepted as fact and helps us find more birds. From where to stand when you shoot, to what a dog actually smells when he scents a covey, to the best habitat for quail hunting, he's got suggestions. We'll explore bird behavior and where birds go when they flush, "weird quail" and how to hit more birds on the wing.

"Handle It" covers training your dog for doctoring, and listeners share their shooting problems ... and some solutions.

And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Wild chukars, Huns, sharptails and sage grouse are Ryan's domain, roaming the uplands of Wyoming as an Orvis-endorsed hunting guide. He and his string of 10 dogs (setters, shorthairs and a springer) take clients into some of the roughest, most challenging terrain in the West, and he's got a few lessons for us. We cover the relative merits of setters versus shorthairs, learn about bird behavior, habitat, and he'll share his strategies and tactics for getting closer to birds. We'll talk conditioning dogs, training and pad care too.

"Handle It" offers a new in-field energy supplement for dogs, and listeners share their own training goals for 2024.

And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ESPAmerica, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Why didn't we talk sooner? Durrell Smith is an Orvis-endorsed guide, fine artist, dog man, podcaster and probably a lot of other things we never got around to in this wide-ranging discussion. We'll cover his tips on accessing more public land to hunt, dog behavior and some stellar moments from this season. We also hear a touching story of three generations of quail hunters, how to read habitat and why to seek out the ugly stuff. Hunting strategies and essential gear he takes with him are also on the docket.

We'll share our thoughts on what constitutes a long shot in the field and why ... and I've got one last warm-weather late-season destination for you.

And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Shoot better simply by paying attention ... to this champion. Anthony Matarese Jr. joins me to talk shooting techniques, styles, and the things that vex us in the field and on the range. From foot position to lead, practice strategy to gun mount, this guy knows his stuff. In 2014 Anthony became the youngest shooter in history to be inducted into the National Sporting Clays Hall of Fame.  In 2016 Anthony became the first American to win the World Sporting Clays Championship.  In 2020 Anthony became the first person win all 4 major titles during his shooting career: The US Open, National Championship, World Sporting Clays Championship, and the World FITASC Championship.  

We'll also look at your winter hunting photos, and your dog's holiday presents. Okay, you can play with the box!

And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Coming to you from the Club Epagneul-U.S. national conclave, I cornered trainer/hunter Jake Bartells between runs. Jake is a consummate trainer with five NAVHDA Invitational Champions and a number of CEB-US titles. Jake brings us up to speed on the breed, the club, the testing process, and then takes us to school on training our own dogs.

Jake's insights on steadiness are priceless ... and I'll bet you haven't heard it explained quite this clearly.

We talk about your off-season training goals, and share some new year's resolutions. Whether you keep them or not is up to you - and your dog.

And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

I pulled together notes from all the places I've hunted in winter, polled good friends and reliable sources, to provide you with a list of publicly-accessible, wild-bird starting points for warmer hunting spots when you're tired of shoveling snow. There's nine different states, a multitude of new species (to most of us) and dozens of places to start your search for dry ground and shirt-sleeve hunting weather.

"Handle It" address the backsliding dog who needs a reminder prior to a hunt, and listeners chime in on what has pleasantly surprised them so far this season, from habitat to hunting buddies.

And it's all brought to you by Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

It's mid-season. Would your dog say you've gone off the rails? Would you say he's gone with you?

We'll address some of the ways to train during the season, relate some common situations, and offer some suggestions. So will you - telling us about your dogs, your issues - and hopefully, we'll get to some answers. Plus, your dog's Christmas wishes - and your own - whether you're on the naughty or nice list.

And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

We have the latest news on a widespread, unspecified respiratory disease is affecting dogs nationwide ... pandemic or not? Dr. Jane Sykes, infectious disease specialist at the Univ. of California Davis Veterinary School, address the potential causes, symptoms, preventive measures we can take, and everything else we need to know to keep our dogs safe and healthy. A Labrador owner herself, she is uniquely qualified to help hunting dog owners navigate the maze of rumor, sensational headlines, and real risks of what's being called Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex. You have questions, Dr. Sykes has answers.

Then, shooting better is a high priority for you ... and we'll get some honest appraisals from listeners of how theirs is going this season followed by loads of good advice on improving it from a dozen more listeners!

And it's all brought to you by:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Pro ruffed grouse guide Terry Petro joins us from the Armbruster - a grueling test for Deutsche Drahthaars - and sums up the components of this multi-day evaulation. We jump from there to his thoughts on everything from strategic feeding to a key, oft-overlooked way to start choosing a new dog food, to bringing an more mature dog into the household. Terry offers tactics on grouse hunting and shooting, too.

Listeners comment on the things they wish they'd brought on that last trip - and now you'll know what to remember! And "Road Trip" covers some suggestions on Southeastern U.S. quail destinations for late-season hunts.

And it's all brought to you by:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

The cost of the pup is the least of your (monetary) problems! Here's the comprehensive list of all the stuff you need to raise a high-performing puppy. From checkcord to bird launcher, and a lot of stuff you may not have thought of. This gear will make both of your lives easier, and turn your dog into a bird-finding machine.

Then, how far do you walk on your hunts? Listeners tell us some of their stories. And then, you honor your dogs and we share your stories - old guys, pups, and every other dog that's touched your heart.

"Road Trip" clues you into a program in Nebraska that is worth a side-trip.

And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, LandTrust.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.