Upland Nation

From the depths of America's deepest canyon, pro guide Grant Ritchie takes us on chukar hunting adventures that often end uphill in ruffed grouse habitat. His outfit floats the Snake River in search of devil birds, putting clients in virtually unhunted territory where every bird is earned in boot leather and sweat.

Grant runs Minam Store Outfitters, an Orvis-endorsed guide service in eastern Oregon. He runs Cesky Fousek dogs, and has a generations-long acquaintance with the wildest canyon in the Pacific Northwest. We talk about the importance of conditioning (human and dog), chukar habits and habitat (not always what you think), and some unusual food sources for these elusive birds. We also walk the draws so to speak, encountering valley and mountain quail, ruffed and blue grouse, and even turkey.

We'll talk about shooting strategies and dog training, too. "Fix It" offers a puppy-acquisition primer, and our social media survey invites you to join the discussion if you're going to Pheasant Fest. I'll be doing podcast interviews and might just invite you to be part of the show! I'll be doing interviews with the leaders in our world Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pyke Gear booth, #1121 near the Public Lands stage. (I'll also be on a panel of podcasters on that stage Sat. 3 p.m.)

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

“Experience is the comb Mother Nature gives us … after we’re bald.” But who wants to wait? 

Here's a compendium of 29 tips on everything from caring for your dog to shooting better. They're compiled from conversations with pro guides, hunting partners' advice, friends' suggestions, and my own hard-won experience (I'm not bald, though from all the lessons, I should be). 

Somewhere in here is something you never knew, should have done, could do next season, or might share with someone else.

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.]

You know him as author of three volumes of the book Endless October, or his blog A Bird Hunter's Thoughts. Randy Schultz spends most of his fall on the hunting road, and has forgotten more about birds, habitat, strategy and dogs than we'll ever know.

I'll pick his brain for help on all of the above, plus the value of field trials for hunters, how books are created (and recorded), public access strategy and more. We'll get a full debrief on his season in a number of states, with info on bird numbers, habitat conditions and hunting success.

"Fix It" helps you hit hard crossers, and listeners contribute fond memories of beloved dogs ... and photos too. 

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

He's trained over 100 field champion retrievers and is a Retriever Hall of Fame inductee ... and now in retirement he's running a wirehair and a pointer. Of course we'll talk about why! But we'll also get Mike Lardy's take on all things retrieving, from how to introduce it to how to refine it. 

Mike shares his early exposure to dogs and hunting, highlighting his journey as a professional retriever trainer since 1981. He reflects on the highlights of his career, including training exceptional dogs and the joy of seeing them succeed in the field.

The conversation delves into the intricacies of dog training, particularly focusing on retrieving techniques and the importance of positive reinforcement. Mike emphasizes the need for patience and understanding in training, especially when working with young dogs. He also discusses his recent experiences with pointing dogs, sharing insights on the differences between training retrievers and pointers. The episode concludes with Mike offering valuable advice on maintaining a mentor-mentee relationship with dogs, underscoring the significance of setting them up for success rather than relying solely on coercion.

And why does he hunt now, for fun, with pointing breeds? Well, we'll find out.

"Fix It" helps motivate you to a New Year's resolution, and listeners tell us what time of day they start a hunting and why.

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

Exclusive! We venture inside the Beltway to analyze the Sen. Lee land-sale debacle, look back on the victories, defeats and delays in law-making and public policy with our friends Jeff Crane (Pres./CEO) and Taylor Schmitz (Sr. VP - policy) of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. That organization roams the halls of congress and all the alphabet agencies that restrict, protect and frustrate us, advocating on our behalf with legislative staff, elected officials and bureaucrats who make the rules.

We'll look ahead, too, at some critical policy and legal opportunities including the chance for a new Farm Bill - the catchall legislation that funds CRP, among other programs. We'll also learn how plain old sportsmen and women can get involved at every level to ensure our voices are heard - and heeded.

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.]

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.