projectupland.com On The Go
Episodes
Common Puppy Congenital Defects: What to Look for When Buying a Hunting Dog Puppy
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this articlee, Dr. Jay Brekke, DVM discusses how to spot common congenital defects in puppies and how they may affect health, hunting performance, ...
Keeping Dogs Safe in Vehicles: Lessons from Crash Tests and Veterinarians
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Gabby Zaldumbide explores how unrestrained dogs becoming projectiles, how kennel doors can fail in car crashes, and how to reduce ris...
Is Burton Spiller the Poet Laureate of Woodcock?
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Andrew Wayment explores Burton Spiller's admiration for the American woodcock captured in his many essays and writings. Burton S...
The European Hare in Ontario: Rise and Fall of the Province’s Jackrabbit Population
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Mike Fitzgerald explores the history of introduced "jackrabbits," or more accurately European hares, in Ontario.Load up on ...
AKC Master Hunter Test: Requirements, Expectations, and Etiquette
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Aleah Marcoe, owner and trainer at Backwater Hunting Dogs, writes about what happens during AKC Master Hunter tests.Protect your hear...
The Last Attwater's Prairie Chickens
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Texas historian R.K. Sawyer writes about how over-hunting and the destruction of Texas’ coastal prairie have driven a 99.98 percent...
A Different Approach: The Versatile Deutscher Wachtelhund
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article from the fall 2022 volume of Hunting Dog Confidential, Thomas Appel writes about buying, training, hunting, and testing Quill, his fir...
The Hunting Spaniels of New Zealand
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Howard Halliday writes about how in New Zealand, hunting spaniels like English Cockers and Springer Spaniels are used for hunting wil...
How to Conduct a Prescribed Burn for Upland Bird Habitat
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Frank Loncarich and Kyle Hedges explain a step-by-step guide to executing a prescribed burn and common upland bird habitat management...
Prescribed Burn Equipment for Upland Bird Habitat Management
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich explain the essential tools and equipment needed for conducting prescribed burns.Check out duckcamp.c...
Prescribed Burning for Upland Birds: Fire Timing, Intervals, and Habitat Benefits
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, biologists Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich discuss the impacts of conducting prescribed burns with upland bird habitat in mind. This ...
Islands in the Sky: The Last Holdouts of Southwestern Dusky Grouse
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, David Frey writes about how catastrophic wildfire and increasingly warm, dry climates may eliminate dusky grouse in the southern Rock...
Why Cheatgrass Control Matters for Gunnison Sage-grouse Conservation
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Cheatgrass Coordinator Petar Simic writes about how the spread of cheatgrass increases wildfire risk and threatens the native plant c...
Shore Hunting Sea Ducks: Tactics for the Great Lakes and Coastal Waters
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Mike Fitzgerald discusses watching the wind, finding feeding areas, and using simple decoy setups to hunt long-tailed ducks, bufflehe...
Chukar Home Ranges, Habitat Types, and Plant Communities: A Biologist’s Perspective
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, biologist Clint Wirick provides an in-depth, technical look at chukar ecology and how birds use the landscapes they inhabit.Check out...
Buying a Pointing Dog: Comparing Puppies, Started Dogs, and Finished Dogs
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Tracker Gift discusses what new bird dog owners should know about the costs, commitments, and tradeoffs of puppies, started dogs, and...
Hunting Geese From a Pit Blind
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, William Murray, who hunted geese from a pit blind for over 30 years, writes about lessons he's learned when it comes to scouting...
Extending Hunting Season: Practical Ways to Stay Afield Longer
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Mike Fitzgerald discusses some ways that he's successfully extended his hunting season by hunting rabbits, hares, and pigeons, a...
A Complete Guide to Marsh Hen Hunting: Habitat, Tactics, and Culture
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Patrick Hunter writes about hunting marsh hens, timing the tides, navigating coastal marshes, and understanding the culture of a Sout...
How to Hunt Pressured Pheasants on Public Land
20 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Kyle Hedges shares strategies for finding and connecting on educated roosters on public lands, including walk-in access areas and CRP...
Early Shotgun Innovations and Patents By English Gunmakers
13 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article that originally appeared in the fall 2025 issue of Project Upland Magazine, L.D. McCaa discusses shotgun patents and inventions from r...
Ring-Necked Pheasant Facts and History: How America’s Favorite Game Bird Became an Upland Icon
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, wildlife biologist Frank Loncarich writes about the history, adaptability, and accessibility of North America’s most charismatic an...
Navigating Hunting-Related Dog Injuries in the Field
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Dr. Dan Breuer, DVM writes about the decision-making associated with deciding to stay in the field or seek immediate veterinary care ...
Common Chukar Hunting Mistakes
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, our Director of Operations (and chukar hunter) Jennifer Wapenski writes about six common chukar hunting mistakes and how to avoid the...
Hunting Wild Bobwhite Quail in Prairie Grasslands
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, wildlife biologist Kyle Hedges shares tips for finding and hunting bobwhite quail in vast prairie landscapes.Protect your hearing at ...
North America’s Huntable Rails and Snipes
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Mike Adams discusses several species of huntable rails and snipes found in North America, including sora, Wilson's snipe, Virgin...
Common Pheasant Hunting Mistakes
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, upland bird biologist Kyle Hedges breaks down some of the most common mistakes that folks make while pheasant hunting (himself includ...
Dusky Grouse Hunting: Behavior, Habitat, and Strategies for Success
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Zach Cason writes about dusky grouse behavior, habitat, and hunting strategies to optimize your chances for a successful dusky hunt.U...
How Much Does it Cost to Have a Hunting Dog?
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Project Upland's Director of Operations and hunting dog owner Jennifer Wapenski estimates the cost of owning a hunting dog based...
The Outlier - Origins, Evolution, and Popularity of the .410 Shotgun
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, A.J. DeRosa delves into the history, advancement, and enduring appeal of the .410 shotgun. Shop Alclair hearing protection.Read more...
The Art of Hunting Sage Grouse Without a Dog
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Buffalo Creek Outfitters owner and avid sage grouse hunter Danielle Schoenwolf dives into the skills, strategy, and ethics required f...
From CRP Fields to Shelterbelts: Managing Gamebirds in Crop-Dominated Landscapes
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, gamebird biologists and private land management consultants Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich discuss best practices for supporting upl...
Responsible Recovery: Blood Tracking Big Game with Versatile Dogs
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Project Upland's Director of Operations Jennifer Wapenski writes about her experience tracking a wounded deer with her versatile...
Managing Pheasant, Quail, and Partridge Habitat in Agricultural Landscapes
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, biologists Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich discuss land management techniques that support upland bird production in croplands and pa...
Managing Grasslands for Sharp-tailed Grouse, Prairie Chickens, and Other Upland Birds
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, biologists Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich discuss grassland management techniques that landowners and managers can utilize to help b...
How Dog Shows Don’t Help Hunting Dog Breeders Obtain “Perfection of Form”
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, dog historian Craig Koshyk explains how dog shows reward beauty and fail to objectively evaluate the functional abilities of gundog...
Upland Game Bird Habitat Requirements and Management Tips
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, upland bird biologists Frank Loncarich and Kyle Hedges discuss nesting, brood-rearing, and escape cover habitat needs upland birds ha...
Why Losing Funding for Songbird Science Would Hurt All Bird Species
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, PhD student and bird researcher Logan Clark explains how the proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Geological Survey, including a 90 perce...
Managing Grasslands for Sharp-tailed Grouse, Prairie Chickens, and Other Upland Birds
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, biologists Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich discuss grassland management techniques landowners and managers can use to help bolster up...
The Differences Between American and European Pointing Dog Tails
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, dog historian Craig Koshyk explains the cultural differences that have arisen over time between European and American pointing dog ta...
Emotional Dysregulation in Dogs and Puppies: Helping Dogs Stuck in “Drive” to Relax and Self-Regulate
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, professional trainer Jason Carter writes about techniques and strategies for shifting excitable, anxious, and emotionally dysregulate...
Advice From A Vet: Knowing When To Say Goodbye To Your Hunting Dog
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Dr. Jay Brekke, DVM offers some kindhearted advice on knowing when to let your hunting dogs cross the Rainbow Bridge and how you can ...
Wild Turkeys in Pennsylvania: A Conservation Success
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Craig Mitchell writes about how through habitat recovery, science-based strategy, and community dedication, Pennsylvania successfully...
Meet Fin, an Invasive Mussel Detection Dog
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Gabby Zaldumbide writes about Fin, Washington’s mussel detection dog. Fin is trained to help stop the spread of invasive zebra and ...
How to Use Social Media to Effectively Advocate for Public Lands and Conservation
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Mandy Carlstrom and AJ DeRosa discuss some key strategies for using social media to advocate more effectively for public lands, scien...
Caring for the Aging Bird Dog: Vet Advice on Hunting, Health, and Joint Support
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Dr. Jay Brekke, DVM, explains some of the best ways to care for and hunt with a senior hunting dog.Read more at projectupland.com.
The Pioneers of Sporting Clays in America
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, R. K. Sawyer writes about how sporting clays took root in America—from early 20th-century target games to the first U.S. National S...
The Death of Nuance - A Letter from the Owners of Project Upland
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this letter from the Summer 2025 issue of Project Upland Magazine, co-owners Jennifer Wapenski and AJ DeRosa call for nuance in an era of outrage-d...
Why Strong Leadership Is the Secret to Successful Dog Training
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Jason Carter of Merrymeeting Kennels discusses the importance of leadership in dog training. Confident, consistent leadership improve...
Shotgunning Legend Jay Herbert’s Life and Legacy
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, R.K. Sawyer talks with Jay Herbert, the man who brought sporting clays from England to America and promoted English-style shooting fo...
The History of Dog Shows and Competitions
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, dog historian Craig Koshyk explores the history of dog shows and competitions. Although informal dog competitions have likely been ar...
Dogs Are The Means: Banding American Woodcock in Michigan
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Gabby Zaldumbide writes about Bill Quinlan's experiences banding woodcock in northern lower Michigan and describes how banding w...
The Rescission of the BLM's Public Lands Rule Hurts Conservation
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, AJ DeRosa writes about the rescission of the Bureau of Land Management's Public Lands Rule this past April and its implications ...
Quail or Chickens: Which Domestic Bird is Right For You?
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Mike Fitzgerald writes about how, depending on your living situation and homesteading goals, chickens or quail may work better for yo...
German Longhaired Pointer (Deutsch Langhaar) Breed Profile
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Project Upland Director of Operations (and Deustch Langhaar owner) Jennifer Wapenski writes about the history, characteristics, and a...
The Evolution of American Woodcock
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Sage Marshall discusses the leading theories surrounding woodcock evolution in North America.Read more at projectupland.com.
How to Keep Busy During the Bird Hunting Off Season
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, biologist Frank Loncarich recommends that, during the off season, bird hunters become students of the birds through learning basic bi...
Foraging for Wild Onions
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Mark Parman writes about the names, histories, and habitat information for naturally-occurring edible alliums.Read more at projectupl...
The New Project Upland Podcast: What Caused the Passenger Pigeon Extinction?
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Gabby and AJ talk to Mark Avery, author of A Message from Martha. As a biologist and conservationist, Mark takes us back in time to r...
Herman Alofs’ Invention Of The Reloading Magazine
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Craig Mitchell writes about one metalworker who, 100 years ago, enabled post-Great Depression hunters to reload efficiently without p...
The Designation of National Monuments and Their Impact on Public Lands
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, A.J. DeRosa discusses the origin and history of the Antiquities Act as well as the powers U.S. presidents have when it comes to desig...
Raising Domestic Quail For Profit
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Mike Fitzgerald shares about how he financially benefits from raising coturnix quail.Read more at projectupland.com.
What’s Limiting Eastern Ruffed Grouse Populations?
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Gary Norman offers insights from his career as a ruffed grouse biologist on the factors impacting eastern ruffed grouse survival.Due ...
Trial by Fire: The Loss and Potential Recovery of Ruffed Grouse Habitat in Virginia
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Ryan Dawson writes about ruffed grouse populations and habitat in Virginia and how fire may just be what southeastern forests need to...
Tips For Keeping Quail Year-Round
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this article, Mike Fitzgerald explains useful practices for raising domestic quail during all four seasons. Check out Mike's recipe for pickle...
Midwestern Bobwhite Quail Conservation: The Time For Action Is Now
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Project Upland On The Go, two quail biologists encourage private landowners to take advantage of state and federal habitat manageme...
Stand Hunting Rabbits and Hares
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When I say stand hunting, I’m not referring to sitting in a deer stand and waiting for rabbits to show up. (Unless you always see rabbits from your ...
A Complete Guide to Late Season Snowshoe Hare Hunting
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Late season snowshoe hare hunting is a bit different than early season snowshoe hunting. Here are a few pointers for adding a hare or two to your gam...
The Complete Weimaraner History, Profile, and Hunting Dog Story
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The official history of the Weimaraner begins on June 22, 1897 when a club for the “pure breeding of the silver-grey Weimaraner pointing dog” was ...
Paws To Peaks Rescue: A Nonprofit Dedicated To Rehoming Bird Dogs
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gina Deem was a nursing student in Bozeman, Montana when she adopted her first hunting dog in 2014. At the time, she wasn’t a hunter, but her then-b...
How English is the English Setter?
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
So how English is the English setter? In some ways, the answer is ‘not very much.’ In terms of numbers, looks and working style the breed is now ...
FDA-Approved QuailGuard Treats Cecal Worms And Eyeworms In Wild Bobwhite Quail
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For bird enthusiasts, hearing about the negative impacts of habitat loss on bobwhite quail isn’t anything new. In fact, this issue have been largel...
How to Keep a Hunting Dog Conditioned in the Winter
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For many of us in the northern snow-covered hills of the United States, hunting season is shortly coming to an end—if not already. Green rolling pas...
Introduction to Hunting American Coot
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I heard the jokes about water swatting American coots long before I became a licensed hunter. But when I finally took up waterfowl hunting, I discover...
How to Prepare for a New Puppy
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve done your research, picked the ideal dog breed, selected a reputable breeder, and now have a much-anticipated date circled on your calendar...
Guide to Hunting Gambel’s and Scaled Quail In Arizona
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My first experience with Arizona quail occurred as a covey of about 30 Gambel’s quail raced across the public two-track road before us, sprinting t...
The Curly-Coated Retriever
04 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you were to ask a bird or rabbit hunter in nineteenth century England which dog he would prefer to accompany him, the answer was often a Curly-Coat...
A Guide to the Unofficial Kansas Grand Slam
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kansas’ reputation as a classic upland hunting state has long been known. Bobwhite quail hunting here is legendary during boom years and remains so...
Origins of the German Shorthaired Pointer
29 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One hundred and fifty years ago, the people of Germany struggled to create a united nation out of a patchwork of tiny kingdoms, city-states, and fiefd...
Hunting Late Season Prairie Chickens
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Kansas Flint Hills prairie rose 100 feet above the low-lying soybean field I was hunting. Each day, two groups of greater prairie-chickens screa...
The Word “Setter” Does Not Mean What We Think It Does
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While people will always disagree about which breed is the “handsomest and perhaps the most generous,” everyone agrees that trying to follow all...
Decoying Diver Ducks On A Budget
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When I started hunting waterfowl, diver ducks seemed like the most expensive birds to target. YouTube videos worsened this impression. Everyone seemed...
Bracco Italiano Dog Breed Information, History, Function, and More
15 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On a sunny day on the fall of 1990, I was aboard a train traveling through the beautiful countryside of northern Italy. As I watched the rich, green v...
Hunting Southeastern American Woodcock
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the southeast, by mid-December, most hunters turn their attention away from whitetail deer and solely focus on waterfowl hunting. Wood ducks and C...
Pudelpointer – Dog Breed Form, Function, History, and More
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Until the mid-1800s, no one set out to create a rough-haired breed from scratch by systematically crossing dogs with different coat types. But the ide...
Guide to Early Season Snowshoe Hare Hunting
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nothing gets my blood flowing more than hunting upland birds in November and accidentally flushing a snowshoe hare. Each fall, early season snowshoe ...
Most Popular Bird Dog Breeds of 2024
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Project Upland’s annual North American Upland Bird Hunting Survey ended earlier this year. What better way to share our data than by starting a br...
Tips for Late Season Pheasant Hunting
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Late-season ringneck hunting isn’t as glorious as opening weekend. Gone are the early season’s young, short-tailed roosters that make up most hu...
Learn the History of the Irish Red Setter
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Irish Setter, like many dog breeds, has a history filled with complex twists and turns that have shaped the dog we love today. I...
A Guide to Hunting Black Ducks
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When hunting in black duck country, a thermos full of coffee is mandatory—not for the caffeine or warmth but to keep your spirits up. On the marshes...
The Difference Between a Deutsch-Drahthaar and a German Wirehaired Pointer
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our modern hunting dog breeds have been around for roughly 150 years and, in that time, people have created countless divisions based on politics, pre...
A Guide to Wild Pheasant Hunting in North America
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Despite being exotic to North America, the ring-necked pheasant has supplanted our native gamebirds as the most popular species to hunt among the u...
How Dogs Develop on Ruffed Grouse
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Depending on how you choose to look at it, my very first day in the Maine grouse woods with Lincoln was either an embarrassment of riches, or just a...
How to Identify American Woodcock Habitat
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Most people associate American woodcock with the Northwoods. However, they are common throughout the entire eastern half of the United States over t...
Brittany: Breed Characteristics, Abilities, and History
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brittanies are the fulfillment of a French dream to build a better bird dog. I am sure that if those old braconniers from La Bretagne could see th...
Golden Retrievers: Hunting Abilities, Characteristics, and Training
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Field goldens typify these traits and more. For instance, field goldens have all the affection of a show golden, but with the sky-watching, duck-lovin...
How Public Land Bobwhite Quail Shift Patterns
26 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever returned to a quail hunting spot later in the season and failed to find the birds that provided such a great hunt just weeks before? Wh...
Complete Guide to Chukar Hunting
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps no upland game bird embodies the ruggedness of western hunting better than the chukar. They inhabit the wild, mountainous terrain that define...
Tips for Hunting Early Season Pheasants
20 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands of hunters venture afield across the Midwest on the opening weekend of pheasant season. Opening weekend is a tradition, and regardless of th...
Understanding the Fall Woodcock Migration
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We sat on the tailgate of my pickup overlooking a cover we had just hunted on a late October day as the sunset. The whistling sound of woodcock wings ...