Shows / Upland Nation
Upland Nation
Interesting, informative guests, listener questions, tips, hacks, suggestions and ideas ... on all things upland bird hunting, hosted by the creator of TV series Wingshooting USA
Episodes
Upland NationHunt debrief: UP ruffies with a side of West Virginia and setter pup
Audio exclusive: RC Phillips recounts a grouse hunt in Michigan's Upper Peninsula ... tangles and clearcuts, swamps, and the occasional woodcock. We share the…
Upland NationSeven habits of successful trainers & guides
Audio exclusive! from decades of observations, hunting alongside them, training with them, being trained by them, I've compiled seven "best practices" of…
Upland NationHunt debrief: Huns, Spins, and getting pup to swim
Audio exclusive: Robert Murphy joins me from southeast Idaho, recalling a recent hunt for Hungarian partridge. While his vest remained light, his observations…
Upland NationBird hunter/editor: What happened to American wingshooters?
Outdoor Life hunting & conservation editor Andrew McKean is a renaissance man - living the outdoor and conservation life, walking the talk and willing to take…
Upland NationBird hunt debrief: Wisconsin ruffies, ND ringnecks and a chilling close encounter
Audio exclusive: Mike Lardy is just back from a deep-woods Wisconsin grouse hunt and a North Dakota mixed-bag trip. We talk about a wirehair just out of rehab…
Upland NationHunt debrief: yesterday's South Dakota pheasant hunt
Audio exclusive: Alex Solem joins me from South Dakota and takes us through yesterday's pheasant hunt and well, let's just say it was one for the books. But…
Upland NationCan we pick a great bird dog pup at 8 weeks? Researcher says NO, but ...
Brian Hare, Ph.D., does have suggestions on that question, including an age when a pup actually can exhibit the traits of a great bird dog, and we'll get his…
Upland NationBird hunter's debrief: N. Nevada chukar opener
Audio exclusive: Avid chukar hunter Coby Rowe is just back from his state's opening weekend with an on-the-ground report on habitat conditions, bird numbers…
Upland NationPF/QF CEO and avid bird hunter, on big-picture stuff
Marilyn Vetter joins me to cover all things strategic at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. From where the money comes from and where it goes, to why the…
Upland NationBird hunt debrief: dusky grouse in Colorado
Audio exclusive: Friend of the show and founder of Sage & Braker, Fred Bohm is the consummate hunter: exotics, big game, and his first love, upland birds. Fred…
Upland NationHunt debrief: N. Dakota, Montana sharpies, Huns, pheasants and Sage Grouse
Friend of the show Lynn Glock checks in with a blow-by-blow description of his first few days of the season, including yesterday's pheasant hunt. Weather and…
Upland NationHunt debrief: chukar and valley quail in a gale
Audio exclusive: Here's our opening weekend, including guesses on bird population dynamics, where we found them and didn't, other hunters' thoughts on the…
Upland NationSnakebite! Country's foremost authority dispels myths, has best practices for bird hunters/dogs
Spencer Greene has more degrees and professional bonafides than any other three people I've met. What matters to bird hunters and their dogs is his expertise…
Upland NationBird hunt debrief: 5 species, two states ... author Randy Schultz, road warrior
Fresh off a two-week, two-state early season odyssey, Randy focuses on an unsung wild-bird state: Wyoming. We'll talk about Montana, too, but the things he has…
Upland NationMaking a champion dog that hunts: NAVHDA trainer/hunter shows us how
Curtis Fry has handled his own and other dogs to NAVHDA Invitational and AKC hunt test titles, is an avid hunter, seminar leader, and hunt test judge who…
Upland NationDebrief: Montana sharpie & hun hunt, a dog and owner's revelation
Audio exclusive: avid hunter, friend and author, pro trainer George DeCosta joins me to debrief his recent Montana trip ... overcoming low bird numbers to…
Upland NationReprise: the ultimate upland checklist - don't leave home without this stuff
If you've ever left the dog behind, forgotten your license or bought a new sleeping bag enroute to your bird camp, this Insider episode is dedicated to you…
Upland NationHunt debrief: Montana success story ... after 17 miles
Audio exclusive: My friend Eric Thompson sums up his recent prairie grouse adventures, from how to overcome thin bird numbers to epic dog work, the development…
Upland NationBird hunter debrief: early season Montana Huns and sharptails
My friend and pro guide Al Gadoury walks us through a recent prairie grouse hunt. The predictions were dire, but in true 6X Outfitters fashion, Al came through…
Upland NationInsider on bird hunting gear design & manufacturing, sneak peek new products
In this Insider edition, Brent Pike joins me to preview some of his Pyke Gear company's newest and soon-to-be-available products and provide insights into the…
Upland NationInsights: Bird hunter's Guide to Heading West
Heading our way? There's a lot to pack ... and to unpack ... about hunting here in the West. From planning and strategy to safety and um, er, getting along…
Upland NationShare your bird hunting spot? We say the quiet stuff out loud.
A panel of active hunters from across the country share their opinions and perspectives on this hot topic. We enjoy an enlightening and informative, civilized…
Upland NationKansas' game bird guru on habitat, strategy, where to hunt
This week in our continuing series on pheasant-rich states, we focus on Kansas. Who better to clue us in than the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife & Parks' upland game…
Upland NationNebraska game bird manager on pheasants, sharptails, chickens and quail
Bryan O'Connor manages the state's upland bird programs and has an intimate knowledge of their habitat and habits. He'll share his observations on bird numbers…
Upland NationNorth Dakota's game bird gurus share their wisdom
We continue our journey through pheasant country (with a few detours along the way), as I debrief North Dakota's wild bird experts from their Dept. of Game &…
Upland NationInsider: recruiting the right new hunters and how, where the money goes - and comes from
There are many organizations working on hunters' behalf behind the scenes, and one of them is led by Chuck Sykes. He's executive director of the Council to…
Upland NationInsights: field first aid for your dog ... when to hunt, when to head for the veterinarian
Audio exclusive: Nicks, cuts, scratches, snakebite and worse ... what do you do? How do you recognize medical problems in the field? How do you decide when to…
Upland NationWildfire! Hunter-biologists on finding wild birds, conservation, its effects
There's little doubt your hunting season will be affected by the hundreds of wildfires that have devastated vast swaths of bird country. So how do we make the…
Upland NationInsights: beyond the "usual suspects" for more public access hunting
Bathroom stops, flat tires, curiosity ... I've stumbled onto postage-stamp sized parcels and massive tracts of public and publicly-accessible land open to…
Upland NationFriday fave: Pro bird dog trainer on new book, steadiness, how dogs think, puppy development ... and chukar hunting tips
Enjoy this very popular (read: helpful) show even if you heard it a few years ago ... Pro trainer, chukar hunter, and author ... George DeCosta Jr. is also a…
Upland NationInstructor Don Currie on better wingshooting
Avid hunter, world traveler and former chief instructor for the National Sporting Clays Association, Don Currie shares his decades of experience helping people…
Upland NationInsider: rig your rig (and vest) right for hunting season
Audio exclusive! Here's the list of things I carry - and where - to ensure a safe and productive hunting trip. We go from front bumper to roof rack and touch…
Upland NationSouth Dakota's ringneck guru on all things pheasant hunting
Kicking off our series on bird-rich states and their resident experts, Alex Solem joins me from South Dakota. Senior upland biologist for the state's game…
Upland NationInsight: Bird hunters' "Hopener"
A short essay on how opening day is more than 24 hours long. Starting the last day of the season, we assemble dreams, practical stuff, memories and hopes to…
Upland NationCovey Rise editor on helping us become better bird hunters ... talkin' shop, birds, dogs
What goes into making a great upland bird hunting magazine? Matt Soberg is ideally suited to answer that question, having edited the Ruffed Grouse Society's…
Upland NationInsider: bird hunting's gateway drug ... USA Clay Target League
Here's an avenue for every kid who wants to make a school sports team - clay target shooting. That's the goal of the USA Clay Target League, and California…
Upland NationQuestions & answers ... some might actually be correct!
Your questions have been flowing in ... and here are my answers. In our somewhat-annual foray into your inquiries, I'll try to offer advice and suggestions…
Upland NationInsider: basic bird dog eye care for the field and forever
I've received so many questions about this topic, thought a quick primer would be in order. I'm no veterinarian, but there are basic procedures and habits I've…
Upland NationSo-so spots: bird hunting's second best places may be your new favorites
"Nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded." Yogi Berra said it, and sometimes, we live it when searching for great hunting ground. But what if you adjusted…
Upland NationFriday Fave: Bird dog trainer Tom Dokken on drones, that bumper’s origin story, flushing dogs in the uplands plus tips for every human carrying a shotgun
Re-visit Tom and absorb his wisdom ... The joy of a first hunt with a young dog - that moment when the light bulb flickers on for the first time. Drones, the…
Upland NationPro grouse guide: the bird's mystique, shooting better, habitat insights
Orvis-endorsed outfitter Rick Watson joins me for a wide-ranging discussion on all things grouse and woodcock. We'll nail down good coverts and bird behavior…
Upland NationInsider: chukar season opener - misadventures and serendipity
Feeling nostalgic, I wax poetic on some of the things that made last season's opener so memorable. From friends to dog work, new country and a broken bone or…
Upland NationSharptailed grouse: bird hunter's tutorial
I've compiled my notes, advice from friends and a ton of pro guides' advice into a how-to, where-to, why-to tutorial on the sharptailed grouse. I'll cover the…
Upland NationFriday Fave: Your worst bird-hunting nightmares ... some suggestions
Be prepared, the Boy Scouts say. Here's your chance - with a reprise of a very popular subject: I hope it never happens to you - that eerie silence when you…
Upland NationPro shooters-instructors on better wingshooting
Phil Puckorius and Dominic Grossi are avid hunters and the chief and assistant chief instructors for the National Sporting Clays Association ... who better to…
Upland NationInsider: wingshooting's Cinderella - Huron, South Dakota
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride ... Huron plays second fiddle to many of the marquee pheasant hunting towns in South Dakota. But that's one reason it…
Upland NationFeet make the bird dog - keep him hunting with preventative tips and in-field advice
He runs twice as far as you walk ... and he does it barefoot. Taking care of your bird dog's feet ensures a great day in the field and a long, problem-free…
Upland NationFriday Fave: Bird hunter’s 15 must-have skills for the field
Get ready now - listen again to this hard-won advice: Knot-tying to breaking up a dog fight ... these are essential capabilities you will be glad you have at…
Upland NationOrvis bird hunting Guide of the Year talks desert and deep woods birds and how to be a good client
From the deep woods to the dusty desert, Mark Nissen knows game birds. Orvis-endorsed guide of the year, he and his Classic Bird Hunts outfitting team chases…
Upland NationInsider: five worthy bird-hunting states for your next road trip
If you're still planning your big trips for the season, I've got some suggestions. Here's a list and brief reasons why you might want to consider these five…
Upland NationBonus! Pro bird hunting guide's strategies, tactics for grouse & woodcock, Gordon Setters and being a good client
You want more, you got it in this reprise of a highly-rated interview: Grouse, woodcock, training during the hunt, and a short history of Gordon Setters …
Upland NationPro bird hunting guide on grouse, woodcock: hunting strategies and tips, habitat and habits
Orvis-endorsed guide Michael Browning of Grouse Haven Wing-Shooting takes us into the Maine woods for a tutorial on all things ruffies and timberdoodles. From…
Upland NationFriday Fave: Pro's talk hunt strategy & tactics, habitat and dog care
A helpful perspective, to say the least ... worth another listen: Back to Pheasant Fest for an in-depth tutorial on everything from dog training to sharptail…
Upland NationPro bird hunting guide on wild birds, essential habitat, strategies & tactics and why we go
Orvis-endorsed bird hunting guide Ryan Aune of Wyoming Wings & Waters knows wild birds, and he really knows Wyoming wingshooting. He guides clients on a mixed…
Upland NationInsider: Gun Dog Supply's Steve Snell on seven tips for puppy owners
It's puppy season and who couldn't use some encouragement for those late nights ... or advice on maximizing your new dog's mental and physical development?…
Upland NationWalk-in bird hunting advice from the folks who run those programs
If you're in search of new bird hunting ground, I've got a panel for you from the departments that acquire and manage the walk-in programs in three bird-rich…
Upland NationFriday Fave: Bird hunting road trip! Nevada and California wild birds
Enjoy this trip into the field - maybe you need a hunting fix about now. Buckle up for a first-hand report on a recent wingshooting road trip in search of…
Upland NationBird hunting debrief: pheasants from A to Z ... a very deep and rambling dive
Thanks to those avid wingshooting fanatics who requested this one at Pheasant Fest. I've done some homework (maybe too much), dug deep to give you a picture of…
Upland NationInsider: consumer's guide to bird hunting preserves and lodges
In my survey, you tell me most of you have, or will, pay to hunt. So why not get your money's worth, whether it's a day trip to a local farm, or that…
Upland NationFriday Fave: Chukar hunter’s handbook: bird hunting experts’ advice plus my 34 years of questionable success
Here's your chance to get caught up on chukar hunting basics, reprised from September, 2023: I've fielded so many questions over the years, I decided it was…