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Episodes
Tips For Taking Toddlers Hunting
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most important things I have found while navigating the wilderness with a toddler in tow is involving them in the activity. No, this doesn’...
Defining a Grouse Gun – A Shotgun of Specialist Function
05 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What makes an ideal grouse gun, or what Gene Hill would call “a gun of specialist function?” Does action type matter? What about gauge? How does t...
Are Dog Bells a Hindrance in Ruffed Grouse Hunting?
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Birds primarily rely on sight and sound to evade predators. We know that ruffed grouse are far more jumpy in high winds because their hearing is imp...
Targeting Worms with GIS Soil Data to find Woodcock Habitat
29 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If I could smell a bird, walk effortlessly through thick brush, and cover ten times as much ground as the average human, Woodcock hunting would be a...
Guide To Choosing Flea And Tick Preventatives For Your Dog
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most constantly changing topics in the field of veterinary medicine is flea and tick prevention for dogs. Hunting dogs are some of the mo...
Important Plants for Sharp-tailed Grouse
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Generally speaking, grassland grouse are not the most adaptable critters. Both prairie chicken species need large expanses of grassland, while sage g...
Ethics of Bag Limits and Self-Imposed Limits
22 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
During my childhood in southern New Hampshire, kids competed to shoot a limit of “pa’tridge,” my brother and myself included. I admit, I lost j...
A Field Guide To Sage-Grouse Habitat
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sage-grouse need large, connected, and mostly treeless swaths of sagebrush to survive. Without this, sage-grouse cease to exist. It’s that simple....
A Guide to Hunting Sage Grouse
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Each September, an inexplicable reverence stirs within me as I patiently await the chance to roam Wyoming’s boundless public lands in pursuit of the...
A Guide to Greater Prairie-Chicken Hunting in Kansas
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recently, the states of Nebraska and South Dakota have been getting most of the attention from hunters seeking to pursue greater prairie-chickens...
The Ruffed Grouse’s Mysterious “Crazy Flight”
07 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It was late September, the Minnesotan air was cool, and Ruffed Grouse were on my mind. We had just thrown our hunting gear in the back of the pick...
Spruce Grouse Hunting In Alaska
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Spruce grouse are not often–if ever–regarded as the King of the Uplands. They suffer a perception forced upon them by those of us accustomed to p...
Guide to Hunting Clapper Rails
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clapper rails don’t sing. They cackle. It’s a guttural call emanating from somewhere deep within each tiny bird that reverberates with enough forc...
Six Famous Hunting Dogs in History
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
To bird dog aficionados, names like Elhew Snakefoot, Count Noble, Shadowoaks Bo, and Manitoba Rap are well known. But to the average person, the names...
Understanding the Dove Migration: Local Versus Migrant Doves
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
September 1 is one of the most popular hunting dates in the United States. In many states, it’s the opening day of dove season, which is the start o...
How to Make the Tough Decision to Not Breed Your Dog
11 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is it a fuzzy face infatuation that pulls at your heartstrings? Or is it that your dog is a bird-finding machine? For most, it’s probably a combinat...
Dog Conditioning – Physically Preparing Your Dog for the Rigor of Hunting Season
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A dog conditioned for big runs in the open prairie with relatively flat terrain may not fare as well in the mountains chasing chukar or the thick br...
Teaching Your Dog To Heel
03 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Getting a willful, prey-driven hunting dog to heel can be difficult at first. It is one of the most common reasons a handler loses their prize one in ...
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura): A Feathery Missile
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Doves are the highest-harvested game bird in the United States, with over 10 million bagged annually. The high harvest rate isn’t surprising, cons...
The Importance of Eye Contact During Dog Training
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When acting selfishly while playing youth sports, the common phrase “there’s no I in team” was repeatedly thrown around. My coaches insisted I t...
Training and Troubleshooting the Recall Command with Dogs
21 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The recall is an extremely important ritual we have with our dogs. When called, the dog quickly and directly finds its position either in front or to ...
Introducing Kids to Upland Bird Hunting
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Like most parents, I hope my children will share my interests so we can enjoy them together. As a passionate upland hunter, I dream of days spent in t...
A Guide to Choosing the Right Load For a Classic Shotgun
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vintage shotguns can be particular with the kinds of shotgun shells you put through them. In a world filled with high-velocity, heavy payload shel...
Edward Laverack: the Father of the English Setter
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Suddenly into the middle of the coterie of breeders a bombshell was flung, so startling as to cause a violent upheaval of all the old theories, and...
New CDC Dog Import Rules Will Affect Border Crossings and Air Travel
30 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In May of 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new rules governing dog imports into the United States. The rules ...
Are Pinyon Jays the Next Sage Grouse?
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I can’t help but stare through the conference room’s glass curtain wall, in awe of some of the world’s most productive wetlands on Earth. This m...
English Springer Spaniel: Breed Characteristics, Abilities, and History
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My first-ever interaction with an English Springer Spaniel was when my wife, Emily, brought one home. When considering which dog breed our first hun...
How to Correctly Command Your Dog
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Where were you last night?” These words strike fear in nearly all adolescent children. Is the parent simply curious? Was it an ambivalent convers...
Introduction to Force Fetch for Pointing Dogs
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not quite U.S. domestic politics or dog food, but raise the topic of “force fetch” or its euphemism, “trained retrieve,” and you’ll ...
What Is An English “Best Gun?”
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Having dealt with so-called “fine” firearms for decades, the question “What exactly is a ‘best gun?’” comes up a lot. Explaining what a be...
Solving Separation Anxiety Issues with Dogs
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As each year passes, some of us find enough time to raise and finish our dream upland dog. It is an amazing opportunity to have your dog at the ready,...
The Extinct California Wild Turkey: Meleagris Californica
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Depending on where in the world you’re hunting turkeys, you may be fortunate to see other remarkable wildlife while you sit and hammer on your box o...
Weaving Whoa Training Into Our Daily Routines
01 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If I were to ask you to honestly explain to me your expectations of whoa, what would your answer look like? Would you be okay with the three or four ...
Understanding the Stages of Steady Training a Dog
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dogs that have been trained to hold point until the handler arrives will do so partly due to it being cooperative. However, this is mostly due to the ...
Where to Start in Training with a Bird Dog Puppy
26 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You did your homework, picked the right hunting dog breed, and found the breeder who provided you with the genetic package you dreamt of. On the driv...
Llewellin Setter: Characteristics, Training, and Hunting Ability
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Setters are incredible dogs that offer a wide diversity of type, hunting tendencies, and coat colors. Although some may be harder or softer than other...
Place Training in Your Home
19 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sit and stay is a tall order. I don’t know about you, but this is no easy task for me or my bird dogs. Many of us are now quarantined in our homes. ...
Ruffed Grouse Drumming – The Mysterious Noise of Northern Forests
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The reverberation of a ruffed grouse drumming during early mornings in spring forests is one of the most magical sounds. When you hear it, it starkl...
Whoa Training on Your Home Staircase
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our bird dog training routine has been completely uprooted, though my dogs are thoroughly enjoying all the extra training. Unfortunately for many peop...
Understanding and Flagging in a Bird Dog
05 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So what if my dog has a wiggle butt and flags a bit on point? It’s kinda cute and still gets meat to the frying pan. If that’s the case and your d...
Why Hunt With a Vintage Shotgun?
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Being part of the hunting and shooting industry, I get to try the latest and greatest new guns every year. But when I’m not toting a gun for work, I...
Learning to Read a Dog’s Body Language for Training
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I’m sure you noticed that you can’t make a move your bird dog doesn’t notice. It’s kind of creepy at times finding your dog at the door starin...
Hand-Carving Turkey Pot Call Strikers
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some say the sweetest springtime sounds come from wild turkeys. As many turkey hunters have experienced, real turkeys aren’t always the ones produci...
Training to the Character of Your Dog
20 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bird dog training at its core is behavior modification reliant upon catching your dog in the thought process and being able to read their emotions....
Developing a Hunting Dog's Bird Searching and Quartering Skills
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever hunted over a dog with a sixth sense for finding birds? Perhaps the dog had a higher-than-average drive to push out to find game. Or may...
How to Make Homemade Maple Syrup
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Ojibwe, the indigenous people of the Great Lakes region, tell a story of how they were starving and aninaatig (sugar maple) fed the tribe with syr...
Understanding Timing in Dog Training
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The instant it takes to drop your car keys from your fingertips to the floor is all the time you have to relay a message to your dog that they are a g...
Chukar Partridge – A Rugged, Nonnative Upland Bird
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A black slash slices over red-lined eyes, streaks down the breast, and connects at the keel as it cuts across the body of a flashy chukar partridge. G...
Spring Woodcock: The Quiet Period and Pointing Dog Training
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The afternoon sun sat low through the thick cover. It glistened off the saturated ground, small patches of snow still pushing back against the oncomin...
Red Grouse Counting in the North Highlands of Scotland
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
July is an exciting month for us, as it signals the approach of our shooting season, which starts on 12 August—known as The Glorious Twelfth—with ...
How to Use Dog Treats in Training
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A short while ago, I spoke with a behaviorist friend of mine, Matt McKenny, who also owns versatile hunting dogs. I specifically asked him his though...
Sharp-tailed Grouse of Wisconsin – Firebirds of the Northwest Sands
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
During my time at Deerfield Elementary School in southern Wisconsin, my fourth-grade teacher taught us about Wisconsin’s geological history. I reca...
How to Reset Your Dog in Training
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“That’s it. I’m sending my dog away to be trained!” So training didn’t go your way today and you are left with an alarmed dog and a bitter t...
Basics of Training Dogs With A Long Lead
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dog training methodologies are vast. The long lead’s outward appearance may seem to be a relic of training days gone by. And truth be told, for som...
The Five Mental States of Dogs in Training
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When your dog is in a calm state, they are ready to learn and will do so even if you’re not intending to teach them anything. I was at a sportsman...
Winchester Model 12 Shotgun
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Suppose one found themselves reading a newspaper in 1912. The headlines may have read, “New Mexico, Arizona Admitted as 48th and 49th States,” “...
The Labrador Duck: A Tale of Modern Extinction
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Labrador Duck was a beautiful black and white type of sea duck considered the first species of North American birds to go extinct during modern ti...
English Setter: Characteristics, Abilities, and History
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The English Setter was America’s first bird dog. And rightly so; they’re known for being incredible hunting partners regardless of the terrain or ...
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in History and Today
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nowadays, when we think of duck hunting, we imagine scenes of wing-shooting mallards in a marsh or stubble field. However, before the invention of f...
Introducing a Dog to an E-Collar
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I grew up during what appears today to be the stone age of upland hunting. It’s hard to believe we could simply throw on a bell and go out hunting. ...
NAVHDA Utility Test – A Complete Overview
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to evaluating hunting dogs—whether for breeding purposes or bragging rights—the methods and philosophies are as varied as hunters t...
History of the Sinkbox
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The sinkbox was effective for waterfowl hunting because it was flush with the water’s surface and nearly invisible ducks and geese, particularly t...
How to Prepare a Dog for the VJP Test
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a new owner of a versatile hunting dog, you’ve probably been asked about running in a natural ability or puppy hunt test. Some breeders may requ...
How Rainfall Influences Quail Populations
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I have a penchant for watching the weather. My childhood home had a large glass sliding door. It looked west across an open prairie for nearly a mile,...
Browning Superposed: A Shotgun Overview
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Superposed was the last gun designed by John Browning, according to Ned Schwing’s opus, which is aptly titled The Browning Superposed: John M. ...
Water Spaniels – Origins, Development and Modernization
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Water spaniels are but a vestige of what they once were. Originally developed in the British Isles for waterfowl retrieving, today only three breeds r...
What is it like to Hunt Rabbits with Beagles?
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The two little hounds are whining loudly and scratching at the metal kennel doors. We had just pulled off the road down an overgrown two-track on a m...
Irish Setter: Form, Function, and History of a Timeless Breed
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The long-awaited Pointing Dogs Volume Two: The English and Irish Breeds by Craig Koshyk has finally hit shelves. Inside, readers can explore in-de...
Is Crow Hunting Worth My Time?
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Why on earth would anyone want to hunt crows?” I often get asked that question when people learn that I am an avid crow hunter during the whiteta...
The Russian Setter
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sprinkled here and there throughout the sporting literature of the 19th century are references to Russian Setters. Despite the references and the fact...
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) – Twisted Stomach in Hunting Dogs
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As dog owners, we have all heard of bloat, twisted stomach, or, as your veterinarian would say, GDV. GDV stands for gastric dilatation-volvulus. This ...
Hunting Dogs Used to Target Florida’s Invasive Pythons
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Florida Everglades represents a unique ecosystem not presently found anywhere else in the world. The subtropical wetland is the largest ecosystem ...
Demystifying the Gunfitting Process
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The process of fitting a gun to a person and its underlying principles have, at times, been made to seem mysterious and even alchemic. As a custom sto...
Youth Field Trial Alliance (YFTA)
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kids and dogs. It’s a timeless combination. Humans have had an inexplicable connection to “man’s best friend” dating back as far as 20,000 ye...
Remington 870 Pump Shotgun — The All-Around American Classic
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This gun has versatility and reliability for the price. That above all is why I would recommend it to any new hunter out there. This is not a specialt...
A Guide to Wild Bobwhite Quail Hunting
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Each hunting season, I can be found trudging across public land in Missouri and Kansas in pursuit of my favorite game bird: bobwhite quail. Any...
The Conservation Reserve Program in 2023
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Farm Bill includes the most significant investment in conservation we make as a nation. Whether we hunt on private or public land, bird hunters re...
How and Why You Should Sous Vide Wild Game
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chances are, if you’re reading this during the holiday gift-buying season, someone special has a sous vide on his or her wish list. Let me answer ...
How to Hunt Pheasant by Yourself
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When hunting solo on a large expanse of CRP, time-tested logic will tell you to “hunt the edge.” Pheasants are birds of edge habitat. Roosters are...
A-Frame Style Duck Blinds
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Duck blinds are both simple and complicated. They represent a combination of utility and magic, providing function in the field while also facilitatin...
How to Identify the Difference in Prairie Grouse on the Hunt
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are several locations where hunters can experience a multi-species outing in one day. Sometimes, hunters encounter multiple species in a single ...
Etiquette in Public Land Chukar Hunting
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I’m not sure if it was the trendiness of chukar hunting on social media or the fact that 2020 had everyone stuck at home and thinking of new thing...
How to Jump Shoot Ducks in the Winter
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When winter sets in, the mornings become considerably colder, and the air feels like a whip against any uncovered skin. No one understands this better...
Using Sound to Improve Your Quail Hunting
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gentle “Chi-ca-go-go” in the distance caught my attention as I made my way down the rocky wash. A quick glance upward had me convinced that th...
Determining the Age of a Quail from Wing Feathers
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hunters throughout the uplands walk many miles each season in pursuit of various quail species. From the bobwhites in the Southeast, Gambel’s ...
The Quail Slam of the United States
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are six quail species that comprise the quail slam in the United States. They belong to the Odontophoridae family and are sometimes referred...
Five Years of Printing on the Edge
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Inside a multi-million dollar mansion, I took a seat around a large wooden table in such pristine condition that I was afraid to touch it. A glass of...
How to Avoid Serving Shot in Your Upland Bird Meals
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Truth be told, there is no foolproof method for ensuring that you never serve shot in the birds that you cook. However, there are several techniques t...
Understanding USFWS Hunting Regulations on National Wildlife Refuges
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the federal agency responsible for managing the National Wildlife Refuge System. To manage the hundreds ...
Tips on Hunting Pheasant with a Dog
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Each fall, pheasants draw attention from hunters across the country. Their parrot-like colors strike awe in any bird hunter. Thousands of these beauti...
First-Timer’s Guide to Buying Shotgun Shells
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I stood stock still, staring at the wall of ammunition behind the counter. Glancing over the multi-colored labels of flying pheasants, committed ducks...
Hunting Tidal Creeks for Ducks
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, hunting tidal creek marshes becomes more about fighting the terrain than it does shooting ducks. My earliest memory of losing a fight to th...
The Myth of the Perfect Dog
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The art of choosing a bird dog is the subject of countless words—printed and spoken—including good-natured banter among friends. We bird dog owner...
How to E-Scout for Ducks
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A good duck hunter speaks hail calls fluently, levels a shotgun in pouring rain, stays warm in pelting sleet, and stands firm in hurricane-force win...
Complete Guide to Sharp-tailed Grouse Hunting
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sharp-tailed grouse, often known as sharpies, sharptails, or sharp-tails, are iconic birds of North America’s prairie landscape. Their spring mating...
What’s Better for Squirrel Hunting? – A Rifle and a Shotgun
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Just like with other forms of hunting, there are enthusiasts that prefer different methods of take for their game of choice. Squirrel hunters tend t...
Tactics to Increase Public Land Pheasant Hunting Success
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pheasants bring out every emotion for most upland enthusiasts, including awe, joy, and frustration. Add in the difficulty of hunting these regal birds...
The Complete Guide to Wood Duck Hunting
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
My earliest memory of hunting features a cool fall breeze skating across a remote forest lake. The wind swirled in the canopy, and yellow oak leaves ...
Porcupine Quills and Dog Encounters: A First Aid and Avoidance Guide
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
My Wirehaired Pointing Griffon worked the cover 50 yards ahead of me, his bell sounding gently in the warm, opening day of the ruffed grouse season...
What is a Hunting Dog?
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Humans and dogs have been hunting together in some capacity for thousands of years. What presumably began as tentative cooperation between the two spe...