You’re listening to The Upland Social, a podcast dedicated to the bird hunting community. I’m your host, Ryan Lynton, an artist, writer, and lover of all things dogs and birds. We’ll gear up and hit the field with some of the most engaging and compelling voices on the bird hunting scene. Each week, we will hear from seasoned hunters, dog trainers, storytellers, wild game specialists, to everyday uplanders just like you and me. Their insights, experience, and stories will inspire and equip you to explore, conserve, and celebrate the wild places we all love. The landscape is truly limitless. So load up, drop the tailgate, and let’s go. 

This is The Upland Social.

Edgar Castillo is a retired law enforcement officer for 27 years, where he worked for a large Kansas city metropolitan agency. He also served in the U S Marines for a decade. Edgar was born in Guatemala and upon arriving in the U S he discovered his affinity for wing shooting. His passion lies in the uplands, wherever the dirt roads take him to hunting open fields, walking tree lines and busting through plum thickets in a never ending search for wild birds in wild places.

Topics covered include:

• The hunting scene in Kansas
• Edgar's origins as a hunter
• Hunting culture in Guatemala compared to the U.S.
• Hunting ptarmigan in Colorado and Alaska
• Relationships with other people's dogs
• Edgar's outdoor writing career

Robb Moore is a ninth generation Virginian, angler, bird hunter, and an active registered Maine guide with the Maine Upland Guide Service. He lives in Brunswick, Maine with his wife, Heather Krajewski, and their American Brittanys Lincoln and Rooster. Moore has written for a variety of publications, including The Virginia Sportsman, the print and online versions of Project Upland, and its sister print publication, The Hunting Dog Confidential, and The Ruffed Grouse Society. You can find Lincoln, Rooster, and Moore on Instagram @amanandhisbirddog.

Topics covered:

• ​Becoming a hunter later in life
• ​Dogs choosing us, not us choosing them
• ​Walking 200 miles before harvesting a grouse
• ​The rigors of becoming a Maine guide
• ​The awe and reverence we should feel for wildlife
• ​How hunting keeps us young

https://maineupland.com/

https://www.instagram.com/amanandhisbirddog/?hl=en

Today I am joined by Justin Berkley. A native Michigander, Justin now lives a nomadic bird hunting lifestyle, spending the months of August through February on the move, chasing whatever birds he and his string of bird dogs can find. You can follow along with his adventures on Instagram at Northern Forest Gun Dogs. 

Topics covered include:

• ​The genetic traits Justin is looking for in a dog
• ​The enchantment and struggle of an upland nomad
• ​Healthy competition with our dogs
• ​The magic of quail coveys
• ​Potential negative impacts of pen raised gamebirds
• ​Pheasants in downtown Detroit, Michigan

Rob Hubble runs the "Northwest Wingshooters" Youtube channel. He's 37 years old, hails from Washington State, but currently lives in Idaho. Rob has been married for 14 years to his awesome wife, Katie, and together, they have an 11 year old daughter, Sidney. He works as an airline pilot, but when he's not flying planes, he enjoys taking long walks with his dogs, especially when birds and shotguns are involved. Some of his other favorite hobbies include fishing, snowboarding, and mountain biking.

Topics covered:

• The variety of gamebirds in the Pacific Northwest
• The loving affection of Brittanies
• Pheasant hunting in the Northwest compared to Midwest

• Ruffed grouse behavior in different regions
• Type 2 fun bird hunting

Dave Mayers is a Pennsylvania native, where he cut his teeth bird hunting behind his friend's close working black labradors. He hunted ruffed grouse and wild pheasants in the PA hills before moving to Missouri in 1986. Dave also spent a couple of years in central Wisconsin. 

Since 1996, he has walked behind his own german short-haired pointers and has been fortunate enough to travel with them to several Midwestern and Western states, chasing pheasants, woodcock, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, and a few sharp tails. Dave retired as fisheries biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation in 2014 and has had more time to devote to his dogs and see what awaits them over the next rise.

Topics covered include:

• ​Living with bird dogs in the house
• ​Hunting the woodcock migration in the Ozarks
• ​Fish habitat overlapping with upland bird habitat
• ​Making "micro hunts" out of large group hunts
• ​The mysteries of the American Woodcock

https://www.instagram.com/seize_the_moment_outdoors/?hl=en

Andrew M. Wayment (Andy) graduated from law school in May of 2001. He is currently a partner at Tolson and Wayment PLLC in Idaho Falls, Idaho, focusing on estate planning, probate, business, and real estate. His favorite area of practice is in conservation, working with numerous land trusts in the great state of Idaho to create conservation easements. Andy is also a freelance writer and has written numerous articles for various magazines and published three books:

Heaven on Earth: Stories of Fly Fishing, Fun and Faith, Idaho

Ruffed Grouse Hunting: The Heartbeat of the Woods

Idaho Upland Days: Reflections on Bird Dogs, Banner Days, and Other Roadside Revelations.

His fourth book, Idaho Grouse Fever, has just been accepted for publication with the History Press and is expected to be released in 2026. Andy has a wife, Kristen, and his six children, four daughters and two sons, ranging in age from 28 to 13. He also has two bird dogs, Rainy, a French Brittany, and Aki, a golden retriever. Andy is the assistant coach for the Skyline High School trap shooting team that took second in state last year.

And Andy loves the outdoors. When he's not working or hanging with his family, he's either chasing grouse or some kind of fish on the fly or writing about his misadventures. You can find some of his work online at www.uplandways.com.

Topics covered include:

• ​Hunting with a pointer and a flusher
• ​Encounters with moose and hornets
• ​Writing about hunting spots and taking readers to those places
• ​Mexican grouse recipes
• ​The peace that Andy feels in the uplands

https://www.instagram.com/andywayment/?hl=en

https://uplandways.com/

Brian Maze has spent over a decade guiding clients through memorable outdoor adventures, beginning with turkey hunting, and later diving into fly fishing. But his true passion emerged with the arrival of Miss Rebel, a German Shorthaired Pointer whose first point ignited his love for bird dogs and upland hunting.

With the addition of a second dog, Miss Luna, his obsession with Ruffed Grouse hunting took root, shaping the vision behind Amaazen Outdoors. At its core, Amaazen Outdoors is about the simple joy of running bird dogs and sharing the woods with others who cherish the same experience.

Brian is also a dedicated advocate for public land conservation, working with organizations like the Ruffed Grouse Society, American Woodcock Society, and Pheasants Forever to protect the wild places that fuel his passion.

For Brian, it’s all about the dogs, the birds, and the land—and creating space for others to experience that same deep connection.

Topics covered include:

• ​Leaving the corporate world to have a more dog-centric life
• ​The hidden language we can have with our dogs
• ​Brian's transformation from a "partridge hunter" to a "grouse hunter"
• ​Wisconsin ruffed grouse drumming survey results
• ​The fulfillment Brian has in making memorable moments for people

https://amaazen.com/

https://www.instagram.com/amaazen_outdoors/#

Chris Midgette is an avid bird hunter, lifelong waterfowler, Boykin spaniel owner, a self-proclaimed bourbon snob, gas station pork rind connoisseur, and the worst duck caller east of the Mississippi.

He's also an outdoor writer, whose stories are equal parts heart and humor have appeared in the Upland Almanac, Wing and Clay Magazine and more.

Topics covered include:

• The versatility of Boykin Spaniels

• Chris's protection of the integrity of the breed
• Waterfowl hunting among hundreds of toilets
• Authentic outdoor writing
• Taking our dogs hunting as much as we can

https://www.thehuntingtraveller.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thehuntingtraveller/?hl=en

Drew Conner is from a small town in South Carolina named Edgemoor. God comes first in his life with his family close behind. Hunting and work constantly battle for that third position with fishing inching its way there, especially in the spring and fall. He has a wonderful wife who deals with his constant hunting and fishing trips. He has a two year old daughter and a 13 year old son that he drags along with him every chance he gets. He has an English setter and a black lab and they hunt all over the Southeast on a regular basis. While he spends most of his time chasing bobs and woodcock, Appalachian ruffed grouse are by far his favorite.

Topics covered include:

Hunting with flushers and pointers

Bobwhite quail management

Healthy fires on the landscape

The unhealthy stigma of fire

Appalachian grouse advocacy

https://www.instagram.com/alconner84/?hl=en

Jim Burris is a passionate outdoorsman who recently relocated from North Carolina to Wisconsin.  He’s hunted with bird dogs for over 25 years going back to his time grouse hunting the Appalachian hills of West Virginia with his Ryman English Setter.  Currently, he has a pudelpointer named Manu that he travels the country with hunting any upland bird they can find.  He is a lover and collector of rare upland hunting literature and fine shotguns.

Jim is the founder and chairman for the Bird Dog Society, a non-profit dedicated to providing education, outreach, and events to bird dog owners to support an enriched and healthy lifestyle with their dogs.  Professionally Jim is the director of a large aquaculture research center studying the physiological processes of fish.  If there is anything that can top Jim’s passion for upland hunting it would be his passion for fishing, but it’s a close competition for his time.

Topics Covered:

• Jim's recent move from North Carolina to Wisconsin​
• ​The hunting style of a pudelpointer
• ​The thrill and challenge of hunting snipe and rail
• ​Simple methods for cooking dark meat birds
• ​Jim's heart and mission behind The Bird Dog Society

Check out The Bird Dog Society:

https://birddogsociety.org/

Follow Jim and The Bird Dog Society on socials:

https://www.instagram.com/birddogs.and.flyrods/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/birddogsociety/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

https://gundogcentral.com/

https://www.huntredi.com/

Today on the Upland Social, Josh Tatman joins us for some great conversation. A Wyoming resident, Josh is an avid bird hunter, dedicated outdoor writer, and a strong advocate for conservation. With a deep passion for the landscapes and wildlife of the West, he brings a wealth of experience and perspective to the field, both in the uplands and on the page. 

Topics covered include:

• ​Josh’s upbringing in upland hunting
• ​The intersection of Josh’s love for archaeology and hunting
• ​Effective methods for sage grouse hunting
• ​The magic of sage grouse leks in the spring
• ​The importance of engagement locally and afar in conservation
• ​The joys of hunting with our family members

https://www.instagram.com/josh_tatman/?hl=en

Mike Neiduski is the owner and operator of Ugly Dog Hunting Company, an online bird dog supply shop, providing serious gear for serious bird hunters and dog trainers. He is a NAVHDA senior judge, published writer, and spends most of his fall traveling across bird country with his wirehair, Nash and shorthair, Mack.

Topics covered include:

• ​Mike's recent venture with Ugly Dog
• ​Creating a safe environment for dogs/people alike
• ​Public land advocacy
• ​Making hunting gear affordable for all budgets
• ​Mike's unwritten rules in the uplands

Connect with Mike's company:

https://uglydoghunting.com/

https://www.instagram.com/uglydoghuntingco/?hl=en

Connect with Mike on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mneiduski/?hl=en

In December 2008, 21-year-old Kyle Kamp weighed 270 pounds and experienced chest pains while opening Christmas presents. That moment sparked a major life change. Over the next year, he lost more than 140 pounds and became deeply invested in understanding nutrition and exercise.

Frustrated by conflicting information online, Kyle pursued a degree in Dietetics, completed his residency, and became a Registered Dietitian in Idaho. There, he discovered how proper nutrition fuels outdoor performance, especially in the mountains he grew to love.

Kyle founded V2P to cut through nutrition fads and misinformation. His goal is to deliver science-based guidance that helps people reach their physical and performance goals—especially in demanding outdoor pursuits.

Topics covered include:

• ​Kyle's transformative weight loss that led to a passion for outdoor pursuits
• ​Well-rounded nutritional science
• ​How extreme, overly exhausting training isn't as helpful as we think
• ​Proper fuel during demanding hunts
• ​Training that prepares us for the rigors of hunting

Connect with Kyle:

https://www.v2pnutrition.com/

https://www.instagram.com/v2pnutrition/?hl=en

Heath Seiner is a self-proclaimed average dude in constant need to escape to wide open spaces. Driven by the hunt, he is ever nudged to explore new landscapes and continuously tinkers with gear to further enable those pursuits. And now with the founding of Hunt Redi upland vests, he equips others to explore those landscapes as well.

Topics covered:

• ​The fun of variances within dog breeds
• ​His great-grandma's influence in a love for the outdoors
• ​The moment Heath became a "bird hunter"
• ​The origin story and heart behind Hunt Redi upland vests
• ​Heath's "Pave the Way" program to get youth involved in hunting

https://www.huntredi.com/

https://www.instagram.com/hunt.redi/?hl=en

Jake Bartells and his family reside in Eastern Pennsylvania with his now five French Brittanys. His story is anything but typical in the sense of his now wife, but then high school sweetheart introduced him to bird dogs. The introduction blossomed into a passion for training, testing, and hunting his dogs all over the country. He's a senior judge for the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, a past board member of the Club de l'Epagneul breton of the US, and an avid conservationist. He considers himself quite blessed to share these passions with his family and friends, and is always excited to take on the next adventure.

Topics covered include:

• ​Getting into bird hunting in a unique way
• ​The training method Jake has come to love
• ​The fun in hunting overlooked, fringe places
• ​Jake's fondness of the French Brittany
• ​How the uplands are his home

https://www.instagram.com/jakebartells/

Scott Kinnane grew up in Vinton, Iowa, before moving to a small farmhouse in Minnetonka, Minnesota, surrounded by hardwoods and abandoned sand pits. After raising three children in Eden Prairie, he and his wife settled in Bemidji on a 100-acre farm with a mile of Mississippi River shoreline, where they are restoring native prairie and managing their forest.

Raised by a single mother with one younger sister, Scott credits the ten dogs he’s had over the years with shaping him into a better person. Now a proud grandfather of four, he finds his greatest joy in upland hunting, guided by his dogs, and in the freedom of dirt roads, prairie winds, and deep woods.

Inspired by Gene Hill’s A Listening Walk, Scott hunts slowly, savoring every moment. He is passionate about mentoring—believing it’s more than a single youth hunt, but an ongoing commitment to guide, teach, and share the outdoors with those who need it, whether they ask or not.

Topics covered:

• ​The deep friendship Scott found in his dog as a child
• ​It's possible to have more than one bird dog of a lifetime
• ​Wildlife habitat restoration Scott is doing on his property
• ​How to mentor people trying to get into hunting well
• ​What the whole upland community can learn from women hunters

Connect with Scott:

https://www.instagram.com/scott.kinnane.8/

Proud Sponsors:

https://www.huntredi.com/

https://gundogcentral.com/

Today on The Upland Social, we are going to take a different approach. Because the upland community is so awesome, we recently hit 1,000 followers on Instagram. To celebrate, we hosted an "Online Upland Party" where participants could discuss their plans for the upcoming fall. Join us for the party!

Topics Covered:

• ​The subtle beauty of Iowa
• ​The varied upland game of Kansas
• ​Recently coming to the upland lifestyle
• ​Hunting numerous states in the Plains and Midwest
• ​A love for the American Woodcock
• ​The endless opportunity in Vermont
• ​Taking your child cross country to hunt

PROUD SPONSORS:

https://gundogcentral.com/

https://www.huntredi.com/

Courtney Bastian’s journey into upland hunting began in 2008 when her German Wirehaired Pointer, Briar, placed a pheasant in her hands—a moment that shifted her life toward bird dogs, shotguns, and wild places. At the height of the 2020 pandemic, Courtney launched The Bird Dog Babe Podcast, building community during the challenges of the pandemic and beyond. This endeavor was then the grounds for the genesis of HerUpland, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for women and youth through hunting camps, wingshooting clinics, and mentorship. 

Based in Montana with her husband, William, and their children, Burke and Blayre, Courtney balances family life with a kennel of bird dogs and a small menagerie of farm animals. With a background in biology and animal science and an MBA in progress, she blends passion and professionalism to advance conservation, community, and confidence in the uplands.

Topics covered:

• ​Courtney's journey into the uplands
• ​Her love of varied dog breeds
• ​Launching The Bird Dog Babe Podcast that eventually led to the HerUpland movement.
• ​The barriers women and youth face in getting into hunting.
• ​Starting small and building confidence as a hunter

Connect with Courtney:

https://www.instagram.com/birddogbabe/?hl=en

Connect with HerUpland

https://herupland.org/

https://www.instagram.com/herupland/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

https://gundogcentral.com/

https://www.huntredi.com/

Brian Krebs grew up in Minnesota, where his passion for the outdoors began with pheasant and deer hunting. After college, his pursuits expanded westward, where he fell in love with exploring new country and took up shed hunting. But his roots still lie in the pheasant fields.

For more than 25 years, Brian has been dedicated to pheasant habitat conservation. Deeply involved with local Pheasants Forever chapters, he has worked to improve habitat and give back to the upland hunting community that shaped him. In addition to his conservation efforts, Brian has a lifelong passion for training dogs—whether developing a bird dog in the field or working with his shed dog, Griz on shed hunts.

Today, Brian’s life reflects the same values he started with: a love for wild places, the thrill of the hunt, and a belief in leaving the land better for future generations.

Topics covered:

• Brian's vivid memories of his first pheasant

• Hunting Western birds vs Midwestern roosters

• How hunting can be type 2 kind of fun

• Brian's ideal pheasant hunt vs. Ryan's

• How to introduce our spouse/significant other to hunting

  
  

  Connect with Brian:

  https://www.instagram.com/getdrawnwest/

  Proud Sponsors:

  https://gundogcentral.com/

  https://www.huntredi.com/

Richard Westley Wong was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and is a dual Canadian-American citizen. He is a food photographer based in Minnesota, where he lives with his wife and two sons. In his free time, he enjoys spending time at the family cabin in Northern Wisconsin, fishing, training bird dogs, running hunt tests, and hunting with his three-year-old Vizsla, Trigger.

Topics Covered:

• ​Hunting with Vizslas
• ​Storytelling through photography
• ​How to take better photos in the field
• ​Wild game cooking
• ​Wolf mindfulness in the Northwoods

Connect with Rich:

https://www.instagram.com/wisc_me_nord/

Proud Sponsors:

https://www.huntredi.com/

https://gundogcentral.com/

Today’s guest is Garrett Baker, a lifelong outdoorsman and passionate upland hunter. Garrett grew up in Northcentral Pennsylvania and picked up a shotgun at just 12 years old—heading now into his 26th hunting season. He hunts over American Brittanys, with his two current companions, Lexi and Gracie, carrying on the legacy of his first bird dog, Lou, who shared the field with him for 12 memorable years.

Outside of the uplands, Garrett works as a Maintenance Supervisor at American Refining Group, but his true passion is introducing others to the upland hunting lifestyle. Nearly a decade ago, he and his father opened The Bird Dog Inn in Erwin, South Dakota, where they welcome DIY hunters from across the country and are building new opportunities for first-time hunters and women in the field. Garrett also serves on his local Ruffed Grouse Society chapter in St. Marys, PA, and is actively training his youngest Brittany through NAVHDA and VHDF.

Topics Covered:

• Garrett's entry into the uplands through a bird dog named Lou
• Pennsylvania's ruffed grouse status
• The genesis story of The Bird Dog Inn
• Garrett's plans to host a women's hunt
• Local RGS Chapter involvement near his home

Book The Bird Dog Inn

http://birddoginn.com/

Connect with Garrett

https://www.instagram.com/g_baker_64/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Today’s guest is Nick Martin, the creator of The Iowa Bird Chaser YouTube channel. Nick set out on a unique mission—to harvest a pheasant in all 99 counties across Iowa. Along the way, he’s sharing the journey, the challenges, and the beauty of upland hunting in the Hawkeye State. Through his channel, Nick is not only chasing birds, but also capturing the stories, landscapes, and community that make Iowa such a special place to hunt.

Topics Covered:

• ​Nick becoming a student of pheasant habitat
• ​The spark behind his endeavor, "The Iowa Bird Chaser"
• ​Changing things up when you can't find pheasants
• ​The 2025 Iowa August Roadside Survey
• ​What's next for Nick after he harvests a pheasant in Iowa's 99 counties

Connect with Nick:

https://www.instagram.com/iowa_birdchaser/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

My guests today are Nick Sherrod and Jake Terry, the owners of Gundog Grind Coffee. But their business is more than just another coffee company—it’s a lifestyle rooted in birds, family, friends, and of course, the dogs that make every hunt memorable. Inspired by mornings in the flooded timber and long days on the prairie, they craft gourmet roasts designed to fuel hunters and outdoorsmen with rich flavor and purpose. From light to dark blends, every bag is made with carefully sourced beans and infused with the spirit of time spent in the field. But Gundog Grind’s mission goes deeper than coffee—they’re committed to giving back by supporting conservation organizations that protect the habitats and hunting traditions we all value. At its core, Gundog Grind is about bringing people together, whether around a hunting campfire or a kitchen table, to share stories, celebrate dogs, and enjoy a great cup of coffee.

Topics Covered:

• Nick and Jake's journey into Gundog Grind
• What Gundog is doing for conservation
• The generous support of the upland community
• Nick and Jake's travel plans for their outdoor media company
• How customer service is at the core of Gundog Grind

Connect with Jake

https://www.instagram.com/jaketerry_photo/

Connect with Nick

https://www.instagram.com/nick.sherrod/?hl=en

Connect with Gundog Grind

https://gundoggrind.com/

https://www.instagram.com/gundoggrind/

Proud Sponsors

https://gundogcentral.com/

https://www.huntredi.com/

Today’s guests are two of the driving forces behind the growing upland conservation movement in Canada — Mark Symes and Andrew Lowles, both active leaders with RGS Canada.

Mark comes from a diverse entrepreneurial and forestry background and runs his Pudelpointer, Gus in the grouse woods. Andrew is a biologist with experience across forestry, wildlife, and fisheries management, currently overseeing freshwater fisheries resources for his province. When he’s not at his day job, he’s training an English Setter pup and two labs who have earned their keep as unconventional — but deadly — grouse and woodcock dogs.

Both are licensed guides, avid anglers, passionate waterfowlers, and private land stewards managing their own woodlots for wildlife while still working full-time careers. Andrew also serves as Eastern Canada Director and Treasurer for the Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada.

Today, we’re diving into the vision and Strategic Aspirations of RGS Canada — from launching new chapters across the country to tackling uniquely Canadian challenges in access, habitat, and forest management.

Topics Covered:

• Mark and Andrew’s guide services they offer
• The abundant upland opportunity that exists in Atlantic Canada
• Challenges RGS Canada is facing
• A unique approach to RGS membership
• Why conservation matters, no matter where you are in the world

Connect with RGS Canada:

https://www.rgs.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/rgs.canada/

Connect with Mark and Andrew:

https://www.instagram.com/markmsymes/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/lowles.andrew/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Today’s guest is Kevin Bauer, the mind behind Furvor, a company born out of a simple moment on the trail. After a hot summer hike left their two dogs, Henry and Ollie, completely worn out, Kevin discovered that adding bone broth to their water and kibble boosted recovery, energy, and mobility. That experience sparked the idea for Furvor—a brand dedicated to bringing the incredible health benefits of bone broth to our pets. After more than a year of research, blending, and testing with one of the nation’s top bone broth manufacturers, they created a first-of-its-kind topper that delivers more nutrition, more flavor, and more value for our dogs.

Topics Covered:

• ​Kevin's spark of inspiration with Furvor
• ​The well-studied health benefits of bone broth
• ​The overlap of human and canine athlete nutritional needs
• ​A university study of the Furvor product
• ​When to feed Furvor to your hunting dogs

Connect with Furvor:

https://furvorpet.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq_x0xU4aCJmCOBnWXuUdPU0jJ599BQGv7mflaYnhQ0jHHD4EJO

https://www.instagram.com/furvorpets/

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Live from the Ohio pheasant fields, Cameron Berrien and I recap our hunt for some Buckeye Birds. Believe it or not, Ohio does support a huntable amount of wild pheasants. By no means does the state rival the better known western destinations, but the birds are there if you're willing to look for them. Join us as we dive in to our hunt, strategies for Ohio roosters, and more!

Topics Covered:

• ​The status of pheasants in Ohio
• ​Strategies to hunt low bird density areas
• ​The quail comeback in Ohio
• ​Cameron's recent hunting adventures

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Today we're joined by a team that's been restoring native prairies for nearly 40 years. Based in the heart of Iowa, Nicolas Lirio and Kent Boucher of Hoksey Native Seeds continue to carry on the legacy left by the company's founder, Carroll Hoksbergen. Their mission is to produce high quality native grasses and wildflower seeds that help farmers and landowners across the Midwest from Illinois to South Dakota bring the prairie back to life.

Topics Covered:

• The origin story of Hoksey Native Seeds.
• Pheasant hunting the Hoksey property
• Why Nicolas values "messy" prairies
• Kent's journey to becoming a Hoksey employee
• The Prairie Farm Podcast
• How Hoksey is restoring landscapes across the Midwest

Connect with Hoksey Native Seeds:

https://hokseynativeseeds.com/

Connect with The Prairie Farm Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0BcIjPg6wE0A8JU3lAmwsC?si=6c6d6eccd7b74c58

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Cameron Berrien is a 24-year-old outdoorsman from Goshen, Ohio, where he shares life with his wife, Hannah, and their three dogs—a corgi, a chocolate lab, and a rare Burgos Pointer . With a camera in one hand and a shotgun in the other, Cameron spends most of his days chasing birds, training dogs, and capturing the moments that make it all worthwhile.

Passionate about bird hunting, canine photography, and the development of true working dogs, Cameron has developed a deep love for the nearly unknown Burgos Pointer—a storied European pointing breed. He and Hannah hope to one day help preserve and promote the breed through responsible breeding and education.

This year marks Cameron’s first full season pursuing wild upland birds, with trips to Washington, Idaho lined up, and Michigan in the works—making long-awaited dreams a reality.

Topics Covered:

• How a lab and a goose got Cameron hooked on the uplands

• Cameron’s love for photographing bird dogs

• His unique bird dog breed, the Burgos Pointer

• How Cameron aims to preserve and protect the Burgos in America

• Cameron’s exciting upland plans for the fall/winter

Connect with Cameron:

https://www.instagram.com/cameron.berrien/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Garrett Black is an avid upland hunter with a deep passion for pursuing bobwhite quail across the storied landscapes of Florida and Georgia. These fields and pine savannas are some of the most historic and legendary grounds in America for quail hunting, and Garrett has made them his home turf. With a sharp eye for tradition and a love for the dogs, habitat, and heritage that make this pursuit so unique, Garrett brings firsthand experience and perspective from one of the country’s most iconic upland regions.

Topics Covered:

• Quail hunting in the Deep South

• Garrett’s Youtube Channel, “Countin’ Coveys”

• The absolute critical need for fire on the southern landscape in order for quail to thrive

• Garrett’s bird hunting adventures across the country

• Camping tips for those adventures

Connect with Garrett:

Garrett's Instagram

Counting Coveys Instagram

Counting Coveys Youtube Page

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Justin Madron grew up in the mountains of West Virginia, where the outdoors were part of everyday life. He started hunting deer and bear at a young age, and his earliest introduction to hunting dogs came through hounds. Though grouse were around, they were more of an incidental opportunity than a pursuit. That all changed later in life when he discovered upland hunting and fell in love with it, especially the combination of physical effort, dog work, and the social community it creates.

Justin now spends much of his fall chasing Appalachian grouse and Virginia woodcock with his Llewellin setter, Filly. He also guides in Michigan for a few weeks each season and makes a point to introduce new people to the uplands whenever he can. His professional work centers on solving tough environmental and planning challenges through geospatial data. He runs a consulting company called Farther Afield, which donates a portion of profits to upland conservation. When he’s not hunting or training dogs, he’s home between Virginia and West Virginia with his wife Tiffany and their twin boys.

Topics Covered:

• Justin's journey to bird dogs through a friend
• Hunting with different types of setters
• The "boutique" style of Appalachian grouse hunting
• Justin's conservation mindset with his company, Farther Afield
• What Justin finds fulfilling about guiding for other hunters

Connect with Justin:

https://www.instagram.com/j.madron/

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Today’s guest is Devin Rice, a Michigan native whose love for the outdoors started early—baiting worm hooks and catching bluegills off his grandpa’s dock at just four years old. Like a lot of folks, the pandemic flipped a switch for Devin, and once he got his first German Shorthaired Pointer, Walker, everything changed. He did the unthinkable—hung up the bow—and became fully obsessed with chasing the king of the woods: ruffed grouse.

Now running two high-octane GSPs through the uplands, Devin is a full-blown grouse and woodcock addict, even if he’ll be the first to admit he might be one of the worst wing shots you’ll ever meet—so bad it’s almost impressive he says. When he’s not in the woods, Devin is a full-time husband, father, and firefighter/paramedic, somehow squeezing in bird hunting whenever he can. He’s also a self-proclaimed cigar connoisseur and mustache maestro.

Topics Covered:

• ​How the pandemic shifted him into bird hunting
• ​Deer hunting taking a back seat to the uplands
• ​Being a student of habitat
• ​Shooting slumps, and how to crawl out of them
• ​How the uplands clear Devin's head as a firefighter

Connect with Devin:

https://www.instagram.com/ruffed_rice_upland/

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Today’s guest is West Newby. West is an avid upland hunter and bird dog enthusiast who’s been chasing birds since he was 17 years old. He got his start walking the woods for ruffed grouse with friends—no dogs, just miles and grit—which eventually sparked a deep passion for bird dogs and training. Before ever owning his own dog, West immersed himself in the training world, helping others work their bird dogs and learning a wide range of techniques while shaping his own approach. That journey ultimately led him to a Small Munsterlander, and from there it was full steam ahead into upland hunting and bird dog training. Since then, West has traveled across much of the United States chasing birds alongside his dog, Captain Edward Teague. We’re excited to dig into his experiences, training philosophy, and what he’s learned from a lifetime in the uplands.

Topics Covered:

• ​Hunting dogless to getting a first bird dog
• ​Discovering his dominant shooting eye
• ​West's reason for choosing a Small Munsterlander
• ​How West chose his dog's unique name
• ​Advice for new dog handlers

Connect with West:

https://www.instagram.com/west_newby/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Keng Yang is a passionate public-land hunter dedicated to chasing pheasants and waterfowl across the prairie with his trusted nine-year-old German Wirehaired Pointer, Kaiya. Starting his hunting journey later in life, Keng quickly found himself fully immersed in the pursuit — driven by a love for wild places, strong bird dogs, and the camaraderie found in the field. Today, he’s constantly exploring new open spaces and connecting with the growing community of hunters who share his values.

Equally committed to giving back, Keng has led multiple hunter-education and mentorship programs in recent years, helping newcomers gain skills, confidence, and a deep appreciation for conservation. Whether he’s introducing first-time hunters to the tradition or following Kaiya into the next birdy field, Keng embodies the passion and purpose that define modern public-lands hunting.

Topics Covered:

• ​Keng's first bird dog leading the way into the uplands
• ​Why public lands are so near and dear to him
• ​Hmong culture and Keng's hunting heritage
• ​Keng's hunting mentorship program
• ​What Keng loves about rooster pheasants

Connect with Keng:

https://www.instagram.com/kengyang1/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

The North American Grouse Partnership is on a mission to ensure a future where all 12 grouse species not only survive—but thrive—across the continent. Through science-driven conservation, smart policy, and strong partnerships, they’re working to protect and restore the habitats these birds depend on. With a special focus on prairie grouse, they’re tackling one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world: our grasslands. Backed by a powerhouse team of scientists and conservation leaders, their work is grounded in real data and real results—turning strategy into meaningful impact on the ground.

Today, we visit with Ted Koch, Executive Director and Taylor Linder, The Lesser Prairie-Chicken Landowner Alliance Coordinator to discuss the organization, grasslands, and the critical status of the Lesser Prairie Chicken.

Topics Covered:

• ​The critical status of grasslands in America
• ​Why grasslands are vital for wildlife and humans
• ​The need for ranching to be more economically viable
• ​The delisting of Lesser Prairie Chickens from the ESA
• ​What you can do to help save ranching and therefore, Lesser Prairie Chickens

Join The North American Grouse Partnership:

https://www.grousepartners.org/

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

CJ Moore is a Georgia outdoorsman whose hunting roots run deep in family tradition and a lifelong love for working dogs. A lifelong resident of west-central Georgia, CJ is married to his high school sweetheart, Kasey, and together they’re raising two boys, Lukas and Layne. These days, much of his time outdoors is shaped by fatherhood, sharing the same woods and fields with his sons that first shaped him as a young hunter.

CJ was introduced to hunting at an early age by his dad, who loved chasing deer and running rabbit dogs. His first experiences behind hounds came listening to beagles work a track, and that sound never left him. As a teenager, CJ’s focus shifted to turkey and deer hunting, but he always kept rabbit dogs until life changed with the birth of his oldest son. A few years ago, he discovered woodcock hunting — and it lit a fire that hasn’t gone out since. Today, CJ brings a deep appreciation for tradition, dogs, and passing the hunting heritage down to the next generation.

• ​Woodcock hunting in the south
• ​Raising children in the uplands
• ​Watching a bird dog "flip the switch"
• ​His son's first woodcock harvest
• ​Advice for prospective bird dog owners

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Seth Owens is a wildlife and conservation photographer based in central North Dakota, where the prairies and grasslands have shaped both his life and his work. His photography focuses on the wildlife and wide-open landscapes of the Northern Plains, with a particular passion for North American grouse. To date, Seth has photographed 9 of the 12 grouse species found in North America, with plans to complete the set in the near future.

At just 25 years old, Seth represents a younger voice in the photography and birding communities, bringing fresh perspective while remaining deeply rooted in tradition. Born and raised in North Dakota, he has hunted for as long as he can remember, developing an early connection to the land and the wildlife that inhabits it.

Seth holds degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and English from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, a combination that informs both his scientific understanding and his storytelling approach behind the camera. To him, photography is not a replacement for experience, but a tool to educate, inspire, and motivate others to get outside and explore the natural world for themselves.

On top of that, Seth is the education and outreach coordinator for Pheasants Forever for North Dakota.

He lives in Bismarck, North Dakota with his wife and their two dogs—Tanka, a red lab/golden retriever mix and his first bird dog, and Ellie, a golden retriever who prefers the comforts of the couch.

Topics Covered:

• ​Seth's upbringing in wildlife and love of birds
• ​How prairie grouse have hooked him
• ​The magic of a grouse lek in the spring
• ​What he's doing to bridge the gap between the prairie and people
• ​Seth's goal to capture all 12 North American grouse species on camera

Connect with Seth:

https://www.instagram.com/stuff.seth.sees/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Serving as the Forest Conservation Director for the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont Region, Sara Cerv brings a deep-rooted commitment to sustainable forestry and wildlife habitat management through the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society. Inspired by the strong conservation ethic upheld by RGS & AWS, she joined the organization to advance science-based forest stewardship across some of the East’s most ecologically diverse landscapes.

A graduate of Virginia Tech with a background in forestry, she has worked as a forestry consultant and is actively involved with the Appalachian Society of American Foresters. Her career has centered on balancing working forests with healthy wildlife habitat, ensuring that both landowners and wild birds benefit from thoughtful, active management.

Topics Covered:

• ​The importance of disturbance in wildlife habitat
• ​Seasonal migration patterns of American Woodcock
• ​The charismatic sky dance of the woodcock in the spring
• ​Habitat concerns for woodcock
• ​The Eastern Woodcock Migration Research Cooperative

Connect with and join Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society:

https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/

https://www.instagram.com/ruffedgrousesociety/

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Tony Mullinax is a South Carolina outdoorsman, artist, and man of deep faith whose life has been shaped by family, loss, and a lifelong connection to the land. Raised in Cherokee County, where he still lives with his wife, Tony is the proud father of three grown children and grandfather to two. Many of his best days are spent hunting and fishing with his sons, continuing traditions first passed down by his uncles and grandfather after he lost his father in a tragic hunting accident at a young age.

The outdoors became both a place of remembrance and refuge for Tony, while art offered an early outlet for processing grief and anger — a journey that ultimately led him to lasting healing through faith in Christ. He grew up in the heyday of Southern quail hunting, remembers when woodcock were dismissed as “trash birds,” and carries a deep appreciation for the changing landscape of upland hunting. After years without a dog, art unexpectedly helped open the door for working dogs to return to his life. Today, he hunts behind Grim, a black Lab, and Creek, an English Setter, blending tradition, storytelling, and a heartfelt perspective on the role of dogs, faith, and family in the outdoors.

Topics Covered:

• ​Tony's upbringing in the outdoors
• ​Tragically losing his father at just two years old
• ​How artwork opened the door for him to get a bird dog
• ​His unique artwork type
• ​Hunting woodcock and quail in his area

Connect with Tony:

https://www.instagram.com/tonymullinaxart/

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Evan Moak is a Washington-based upland hunter who came to bird hunting later in life and isn’t shy about the steep learning curve that came with it. Living in Puyallup (PEW ALL UP) with his wife Amber, their daughter Martha, and two dogs, Evan’s journey into the uplands truly began with Pete, his American Brittany and first bird dog. What started with preserve birds quickly grew into an obsession with chasing wild ruffed grouse in the thick cover of the Pacific Northwest. Each season has been a mix of hard lessons, struggle, and the kind of small wins that keep a hunter coming back, all shaped by the experience of figuring it out in real time rather than growing up in the tradition.

Evan’s approach to bird hunting blends effort, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the dogs and landscapes that make the pursuit meaningful. He spends the off-season sharpening his wingshooting through shotgun sports, invests in good instruction, and is steadily building a 2021 Ford Bronco into a capable rig for multi-day hunting trips. Photography is becoming part of the journey, too, with a long-term goal of one day ending a hunt by picking up a camera instead of loading another shell. For Evan, bird hunting is less about limits and more about the process — the cover walked, the dog work witnessed, and the lifelong education that only wild birds can provide.

Topics Covered:

• ​Evan's selection of the Brittany breed
• ​Barriers to bird hunting with his dog
• ​The extreme challenge of hunting ruffed grouse in the Pacific Northwest
• ​His recent first ruffed grouse harvest
• ​The secret bird of Texas
• ​Encouragement for new bird dog owners

Connect with Evan:

https://www.instagram.com/upland_evan/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Ryan Sparks is a storyteller of the sporting life, using both writing and photography to capture his passions for fishing, hunting, wild food, rivers, mountains, and bird dogs. He’s the editor of Quail Forever Journal and a senior contributor to NEBRASKAland, and he previously founded and led Strung Sporting Journal.

Ryan’s work has appeared in many of the most respected outdoor publications in the world, including Gray’s Sporting Journal, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, The Flyfish Journal, Sporting Classics, and Shooting Sportsman, and Meateater. As a photographer, he’s worked commercially with kennels, gunmakers, outfitters, and sporting brands across North and South America.

Whether he’s behind a camera, a shotgun, or a fly rod, Ryan is dedicated to telling authentic stories about wild places, wildlife, and the people who care about them.

Topics Covered:

• ​Ryan's Rooster Roadtrip in Kansas
• ​How he became an outdoor storyteller
• ​What kind of story stands out to him as the QF Journal Editor
• ​The integration of media types to tell a hunting story
• ​The art of asking permission to hunt private land

Connect with Ryan:

https://www.flywatermedley.com/

https://www.instagram.com/1.ryan.sparks.1/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Aaron Hepler has been drawn to the outdoors since he began hunting at 12 years old, a passion that also sparked his love for writing. A Pennsylvania native, he spends his free time bowhunting, chasing upland birds, fishing, camping, and hiking with his family. His relationship with God is paramount and believes that the created world is something to be cherished. He also holds that time spent outdoors builds not only better hunters and anglers, but better people.

By day, Aaron works as an intensive care nurse, a demanding career that makes his time outside even more meaningful. Though he grew up around dogs, he didn’t hunt behind one until getting his first Labrador at 22. She became his trusted hunting partner for 14 seasons. After sadly losing her, Aaron and his wife welcomed two new pups into their home, including a French Brittany that introduced him to the world of pointing dogs. He’s developed a deep appreciation for the training process and the instinct-driven style of hunting behind a pointing breed.

For Aaron, the outdoors is where memories are made, lessons are learned, and stories begin.

Topics Covered:

• ​Moving from a flushing to a pointing breed
• ​Recent extreme weather impacts on wildlife
• ​Challenges in relationships with our dogs
• ​The pheasant stocking program in PA
• ​Aaron's future upland plans

Connect with Aaron:

https://www.instagram.com/incamp_podcast/

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Collin Kelly is the founder and owner of Elkhorn Coffee, a specialty-grade coffee roaster based in Elkhorn, Nebraska. He studied exercise science at the University of Nebraska Omaha before pursuing an MBA at Colorado State University, where the idea for Elkhorn Coffee was born.

Inspired by its hometown and the historic Elkhorn Ranch, where Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation ethic took shape in the Badlands of North Dakota, Elkhorn Coffee is rooted in stewardship of the land and wildlife. The brand believes coffee is the start of every day spent hunting, fishing, and living outdoors—a moment to slow down and reconnect.

Elkhorn Coffee partners with wildlife conservation organizations across North America, donating $1 from every bag sold, while remaining deeply involved in fundraising and conservation leadership efforts nationwide.

Proudly, Elkhorn Coffee is fueling mornings, conversations, conservation, and the future of the outdoors.

Topics Covered:

• ​Collin's inspiration behind Elkhorn
• ​The role of coffee in outdoor culture
• ​How Elkhorn matches each roast to each animal on the bag
• ​The process of partnering with conservation organizations
• ​Exciting roll outs for Elkhorn at Pheasant Fest 2026

Connect with Elkhorn Coffee:

https://www.elkhorncoffee.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21133774223&gbraid=0AAAAApk6oi-w_3m_UvrEJwleX7PFzeau7&gclid=CjwKCAiAs4HMBhBJEiwACrfNZTJ_w4pwX5xZLn7BePKPpQRyZ_3KlUUpj50x7Sztenr-A7dDooN7sRoCaO8QAvD_BwE

https://www.instagram.com/elkhorncoffee/?hl=en

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich are lifelong upland hunters and professional wildlife biologists whose careers have focused on quail, grasslands, and habitat conservation across the Midwest. Kyle was raised in southeast Kansas hunting quail with his family and later attended Kansas State University. He began his career managing more than 60,000 acres of public land at Fort Riley, Kansas, before moving to Missouri in 2000 to continue his work with the Missouri Department of Conservation, where he is nearing retirement.

Frank was born and raised in southwest Missouri in a family of bird hunters. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Arkansas, where he studied greater prairie chickens, and has spent more than 20 years working with bobwhite quail in Kansas and Missouri. He currently serves as MDC’s State Grassland Coordinator, helping guide grassland conservation efforts statewide.

From 2014 to 2018, Kyle and Frank co-led the largest quail research project ever conducted in Missouri, radio-collaring over 1,500 quail and monitoring more than 500 nests. In addition to their agency work, they consult nationally with Land & Legacy, developing wildlife management plans for deer, turkeys, and upland birds, while continuing to hunt together across the country.

Topics Covered:

• ​Kyle and Frank's upbringing in quail hunting
• ​How the two meet and became lifelong co-workers and friends
• ​A massive, 4 year quail research project they headed up
• ​The surprising behavior of studied quail in this period
• ​Kyle and Frank's North American Quail Slam

Connect with Kyle and Frank:

https://www.instagram.com/uplandflush/?__d=1

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Patrick Hunter was born and raised in the Carolinas, growing up between the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and his grandparents’ farm in the South Carolina Lowcountry. These two landscapes sparked his lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. A fourth-generation hunter, Patrick carries a deep-rooted legacy in the traditions of quail and duck hunting, though his favorite pursuit is spring turkeys. Over the years, he has also hunted deer, woodcock, marsh hens, and the occasional wild hog—most often alongside his constant companion, Huck Finn, a 7-year-old black Labrador Retriever.

Outside of hunting, Patrick is an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer who enjoys both freshwater and saltwater angling. He is also a freelance writer and photographer, using storytelling and imagery to share his appreciation for wild places. By trade, Patrick is an environmental engineer, working to conserve the water resources, wildlife, and landscapes of the Carolinas. He lives in South Carolina with his wife, Katie, and their daughter, Jane.

Topics Covered:

• ​Different approaches to quail hunting the South
• ​Patrick's idea of a perfect cast and blast
• ​A unique upland opportunity in the Lowcountry
• ​Patrick's journey into outdoor writing
• ​The heart-warming story of his black lab

Connect with Patrick:

https://www.instagram.com/hwy22outdoors/?hl=en

Read some of Patrick's work:

https://projectupland.com/culture/southern-bird-hunting-etiquette/

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Hunt Redi

Blayten Winters grew up in northwest Iowa, where trapping with his dad and chasing pheasants sparked a lifelong passion for the outdoors. From running beaver sets for the county to hunting over farm-raised retrievers, bird hunting always had a strong pull. After a few years away from the field due to heavy work travel, he found his way back to pheasants, coyote calling, and fishing around the Des Moines area — and began sharing the journey through a YouTube channel originally created to keep his dad in the loop.

Today, Blayten runs a two-year-old Pudelpointer named Piper from Paladin Gun Dogs. With a NAVHDA Natural Ability test and a Started HRC title already under her belt, they’re continuing to train, test, and travel in pursuit of birds — embracing both the process and the adventure along the way.

Topics Covered:

• ​Dogs that hunt for themselves
• ​CRP and it's affect on landscapes in Iowa
• ​Hunting with his Pudelpointer, Piper
• ​Blayten's Youtube Channel
• ​Immersing in a place you travel to for a hunting trip

Connect with Blayten:

The Outdoor Calling Youtube Channel

The Outdoor Calling Instagram Page

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Ballad of the Bird Dog

Today’s guest is Jared Anderson, the founder of Ballad of the Bird Dog in Brenham, Texas. Jared’s journey started with a bird dog named Skeet—not just a hunting partner, but a best friend who walked beside him through college, traveled the world with him, and ultimately taught him lessons of loyalty, patience, and simplicity. Skeet showed Jared what bird dogs have shown their masters for generations: that instinct, hard work, and devotion can create moments that last forever.

Those lessons became the heartbeat of Ballad of the Bird Dog, a brand built on tradition and heritage, yet designed with a modern, thoughtful approach. From well-made, dependable goods to a community you can trust, Jared and his team are carrying forward a story of loyalty, simplicity, and connection—values that resonate far beyond the fields and into everyday life.

• Jared's first bird dog Skeet
• Hunting desert quail with Skeet
• Jared's inspiration for his company through his relationship with his companion
• Enjoying the simplicity of life with a bird dog
• Not comparing yourself to other dog handlers

Connect with Ballad of the Bird Dog :

Ballad of the Bird Dog

Instagram

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Ballad of the Bird Dog

Keith Crowley is an award-winning outdoor journalist and photographer with more than four decades in the field, and a bird hunter since he first followed his father through the grouse woods of Minnesota in pursuit of “King Ruff.” While ruffed grouse remain close to his heart, Keith has become a passionate generalist, with a deep affinity for the birds of America’s grasslands and prairies.

His work has appeared in Shooting Sportsman, Covey Rise, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Journals, Gun Dog, Covers, Sports Afield, and Field & Stream, as well as mainstream outlets like The Times of London and The Wall Street Journal. He is the award-winning author of a biography on Wisconsin writer Gordon MacQuarrie and the book Pheasant Dogs, both recognized with national honors. A life member of the Wisconsin Sharp-tailed Grouse Society, Keith has spent more than 30 years assisting with sharptail lek surveys. He splits his time between northern Wisconsin and the Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona, following his English setters, Ruby and Pepper, in pursuit of grouse, woodcock, and desert quail — always with a camera or notebook close at hand.

Topics Covered:

• ​Keith's first bird as a kid, a sharp-tailed grouse
• ​Broadening his horizons beyond ruffed grouse
• ​Keeping outdoor writing "real"
• ​His help with sharp-tailed grouse in Wisconsin
• ​His love for his English Setters

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Ballad of the Bird Dog

Not everyone who becomes a bird hunter grows up in a hunting family. For Joe Palmer, it started with a Scoutmaster who took the time to introduce a 13-year-old kid to Hunter’s Ed and his very first bird hunt behind dogs. That experience stuck. Even though he didn’t hunt much again until he turned 18 and bought his first shotgun, the spark was there for Joe. 

Today he’s the co-owner of Bird Hunter Supply, a business that’s been around for over a decade. After ten years of simply selling products, he and his wife realized something was missing: purpose. That realization led to a major shift in the company’s mission. Now a portion of every purchase is donated to a conservation organization chosen by the customer—at no additional cost—helping ensure the future of bird hunting and wild places.

He and his wife are raising four kids in Idaho, where upland hunting opportunities are abundant. Three of their kids already love chasing birds alongside their parents, and the family has made a tradition of it. In fact, the first bird each of his kids—and even his wife—ever harvested was a sage grouse. Between sage grouse, sharptails, ruffed and dusky grouse, Huns, pheasants, and plenty of ducks and geese, bird hunting has become more than a pastime—it’s a family way of life.

Topics Covered:

• ​Joe's introduction to the uplands
• ​Reimagining his business to conserve upland habitat
• ​The joys of hunting with his family
• ​Introducing hunting to kids in a thoughtful way
• ​Why sage grouse are special to Joe

Check out Bird Hunter Supply

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Ballad of the Bird Dog

Reid Bryant is a writer, editor, and storyteller who believes deeply in the lasting power of the written word. Living along the Mettawee River in Dorset, Vermont, Reid has built a life around the outdoors, bird dogs, and the traditions of upland hunting.

A former farmer and teacher, Reid now works with Orvis on their hunting and shooting programs and serves as Editor at Large for Shooting Sportsman. His work has appeared in publications like Gray’s Sporting Journal, Covey Rise, Gundog, and The Fly Fish Journal. He’s also the author of several books including The Orvis Guide to Upland Hunting. His website, reidbryant.com is where you can connect with Reid and his reputable work. Reid also hosts the Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast, where he spends his time exploring stories, skills, and the people who make the sporting life so rich.

Topics Covered:

• ​Reid's enchantment with bird hunting
• ​Becoming and outdoor storyteller
• ​His career at Orvis
• ​Handling bird dogs with legendary figures
• ​The legacy Reid hopes to leave

Connect with Reid:

Reid's Website

Proud Sponsors:

Gundog Central

Ballad of the Bird Dog