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 NationPro bird dog trainers Ronnie & Susanna Smith on composure, puppy development and getting the most from your dog
The Smith family name is legendary in dog-training circles and among bird hunters for good reason. From Delmar and Ronnie Sr. to the next generation, Rick and…
Upland NationFave Fridays: Pro chukar guide on wild birds, dogs, strategies & tactics
Here's a take on chukar hunting worth re-visiting from January, 2024 ... Wild chukars, Huns, sharptails and sage grouse are Ryan Aune's domain, roaming the…
Upland NationChukar-crazed Eric Forrester talks wingshooting, video, public access and how to hunt 'em
If you haven't watched his YouTube videos from chukar country (and more), you're missing out. This guy takes DIY bird hunting - and video - to a whole 'nother…
Upland NationInsider on feeding, trialing, hunting, and your most common questions, answered
In this Insider edition, Purina's Karl Gunzer joins me from the Pyke Gear booth at Pheasant Fest with a wide range of fascinating and helpful insights. Former…
Upland NationFriday Fave: Bird-dog training legend: Bob West's insights on tests, 3 critical commands, pad care and a feeding regimen
Kneel at the foot of bird-dog wisdom. Here's a reprise episode that will turn you into a better dog handler. Hunter, dog trainer, nutritional guru, magazine…
Upland NationSave bucks on your next bird hunting road trip - here's how
Who couldn't use a few more bucks in his pocket? Saving a dollar here or there could mean another road trip this season, or a longer one, or one farther away…
Upland NationFriday Fave: Shoot better ... than me! A couple-dozen hints, hacks and last-ditch efforts for those who miss the broad side of a barn
I’m television’s worst shotgunner. It’s almost a badge of honor. The most frequent compliment I hear is “You shoot worse than I do!” I gladly own it. That’s…
Upland NationSuccessful NAVHDA trainer on composure, acing the test, raising the bar and "desperate" dogs
From the floor of the 2026 Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, Clyde Vetter joins me for a wide-ranging talk on the value of joining those groups, and all things…
Upland NationInsider: getting from road warrior to road scholar - philosophy and practicality
Time to make plans for the upcoming season. How do you look at a road trip? A necessary evil? Means to an end? How about if there was joy and wonder in the…
Upland NationFriday faves: Pro bird dog trainer on gun intro, retrieving, steadiness and the first two years
This guy's insights are valuable to anyone, whether they own a retriever, flusher or pointing breed. Here's your reminder ... or inspiration if you're…
Upland NationPublic access: a tutorial from general to specific, tips and tactics
Let's start planning your next road trip. In the first part of this series, we'll explore (literally and figuratively) the nuts-and-bolts of finding and making…
Upland NationReprise: Local expert's tips on South Dakota pheasant hunting and public access
Friday Fave: your guide to pheasant central is Casey. Everything you wanted to know about hunting pheasants in South Dakota, explained by a local expert. Casey…
Upland Nation"Disturbance" is a good thing for ruffies and timberdoodles, say RGS/AWS leadership
From the Pyke Gear booth at Pheasant Fest, I interview Karl Malcom and Gabe Stone of the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society. We cover a…
Upland NationReprise: Pro bird dog trainer "re-shapes" our thinking on how dogs think, use of e-collars
Friday Faves: This guy will re-shape your thinking, period Talmage Smedly joins me for an in-depth conversation on why dogs do what they do and how we can…
Upland NationChampion field trialer on spaniels, retrieving, puppy shopping and development, training for performance
From the floor of Pheasant Fest, field trialer Jordan Horak shares his thoughts on puppy development as a breeder of champion flushing dogs. Jordan won the AKC…
Upland NationOrvis' Reid Bryant on bird hunting, podcasting, books and shopping for a hunting destination
From the floor of the 2026 Pheasant Fest, I turn the tables on Orvis' Hunting and Shooting podcast host Reid Bryant, and we talk about a wide range of topics…
Upland NationInsider ... Veterinarian says here's how to avoid coming to me ... from nose tip to tail
I cornered Dr. RuthAnn Lobos of Purina (@petvetruthann) on the floor of the recent Pheasant Fest and asked her how we avoid late-night, long-distance, and…
Upland NationReprise: Public-access bird-finding guru: desert birds from chukar to quail, and where they skulk
Friday Faves: If you're looking for new ground, stop here for a reprise episode from one of the gurus Down to brass tacks we go with writer, editor, publisher…
Upland NationBird-dog judge takes us to school on the importance of conformation
Geometry, physiology, gravity, physics, anatomy ... all have an impact on your dog's performance. And the guy to drive home that point is Jared Deutsch…
Upland NationReprise ... Quail farts ... and is one bird worth $1,000? Quail biologist has hunting tips and hope for bobs
Favorites Friday: A different take on quail conservation by a respected authority ... this is worth listening to again, from February, 2023. Dr. Kelly Reyna is…
Upland NationFive off-season projects that benefit both of you
Okay, just getting it off my chest, and by saying these out loud maybe I'll work on them myself. Here are five areas of concentration that you've brought up…
Upland NationInsider: California quail are in other states too ... habitat, hunt strategies, shooting tips
You don't have to venture to the People's Republic of California to hunt the elusive valley (aka California) quail. They mutter and flutter throughout the…
Upland NationReprise ... Pro pheasant guide tramples a few myths; you'll be a better bird hunter for it
Favorites Friday: In this reprise, a guy who's forgotten more than we'll ever know. Here's your chance to learn from him if you missed this interview from…
Upland NationPro guides on prairie and forest grouse, dogs, and habitat
"Grouseman" Steve Grossman is joined by his son Travis as we get a pro-guide two-fer. These guys know ruffies, sharpies, Huns and prairie chickens from decades…
Upland NationReprise ... Bird dog trainer: say no to whoa and other better ideas
Favorites Friday: This reprise of Clyde's interview is worth another listen ... He's probably trained or handled more NAVHDA Prize 1 Utility dogs than anyone…
Upland NationPro chukar guide on habitat, weird food sources, strategy & tactics in Hell's Canyon
From the depths of America's deepest canyon, pro guide Grant Ritchie takes us on chukar hunting adventures that often end uphill in ruffed grouse habitat. His…
Upland NationInsider: 29 tips to make hunting life easier for you and your dog ... and maybe a hunting buddy
“Experience is the comb Mother Nature gives us … after we’re bald.” But who wants to wait? Here's a compendium of 29 tips on everything from caring for your…
Upland NationAuthor, blogger, road warrior Randy Schultz on what counts, goin' down the road, and public access hunting
You know him as author of three volumes of the book Endless October, or his blog A Bird Hunter's Thoughts. Randy Schultz spends most of his fall on the hunting…
Upland NationRetriever Hall of Famer offers tips and explains his move to pointing breeds
He's trained over 100 field champion retrievers and is a Retriever Hall of Fame inductee ... and now in retirement he's running a wirehair and a pointer. Of…
Upland NationWashington insiders on public land grabs, pending laws & policy impacting bird hunters
Exclusive! We venture inside the Beltway to analyze the Sen. Lee land-sale debacle, look back on the victories, defeats and delays in law-making and public…
Upland NationSeason debrief with three heavyweights and one host
I bring three of my friends onboard to talk about birds, public access hunting, habitat, hunting success and dogs. From all around the country, these guys have…
Upland NationPro guide on western forest grouse tips, tactics, strategies and gear
Tim Linehan of Linehan Outfitting is an Orvis-endorsed guide hunting the Rockies for ruffed, sooty and blue grouse. It's challenging country, different…
Upland NationInsiders: Browning factory boss, marketer, dealer, talk new products coming soon
Exclusive: This roundtable "insider" edition includes the entire chain from design and manufacturing to end-user. Joining me are Tim Frampton, Browning shotgun…
Upland NationPro trainer/trialer on trusting your dog (and vice-versa)
Pro trainer, champion field trialer and hunter Todd Agnew of Craney Hills Kennel joins me to talk spaniels, but we get into a lot of topics relevant to any…
Upland NationBird dog trainer, author, chukar hunter on the bond between hunters and dogs, retrieving and when to end a hunt
George DeCosta entertains and educates us with training tips and techniques and the importance of forging a bond with your dog as the key to unlocking…
Upland NationBird dog industry insider Steve Snell of Gun Dog Supply previews new GPS collar, tips, hunts, travel
Exclusive industry insider edition: Not just a major retailer in the bird dog world, Steve Snell is an avid bird hunter. In our extensive interview, we go from…
Upland NationBird dog legend, trainer George Hickox on new ways to achieve steadiness ... and more
Start the year right - get your training act together! Legendary trainer, champion trialer and bird hunter George Hickox shares his wisdom on all things bird…
Upland NationBird hunting debrief: South Dakota's pheasant season with Casey Weismantel
Planning next season already? Got a few weeks left for this one? Here's the lowdown on hunting in the world's pheasant capital, from fellow hunter and director…
Upland NationInsider on everything tie-out from how-to to why ... and roading's benefits for bird dogs
Finally, someone to help us use tie-out stakes and "chain gangs" the right way. Industry insider and avid bird hunter Brennan Landry of CableGangz Supply makes…
Upland NationBreaking news: new Purina formulations - Dr. RuthAnn Lobos on specs, ingredients, and who should consider them
Exclusive! We get the lowdown on new Purina dog foods the day they hit the shelves. Dr. RuthAnn Lobos (@petvetruthann), senior veterinarian at Purina will…
Upland NationPro bird dog trainer Jim Van Engen on retrieving for pointers and flushers
Why isn't he retrieving well? This time in the season, it seems like everyone is wondering what happened to their dog. From not bringing birds all the way…
Upland NationInsider Scott Trulock on everything choke tubes ... manufacture, care, and what you're doing wrong
Most of us, most of the time, could use some help when it comes to the business end of our shotgun. Recently, a guide friend said most of his clients have no…
Upland NationBird hunting pro photographer on making your social posts go viral with better images
Make your social posts really pop with better photos. Who better than pro photographer Brian Grossenbacher to help? You've seen his images on the cover of…
Upland NationBird dog trainer says YOU need some work, and why
Don't panic, no e-collar for you, just an argument for you getting deeper into the dog training process before, during and after you get your pup back from a…
Upland NationInsider edition: giving thanks, bird hunting version
Why we go ... what we're grateful for, and why. Listeners share their own thoughts, new and classic, and I'll help with a few reasons of my own. If you're…
Upland NationNew NAVHDA Gun Dog test: how, why, and why you should consider it
Got a good hunting dog? Prove it by passing the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association's new Gun Dog Test. This is a practical exam in all things a…
Upland NationTrainer, hunter, author Dr. Cartrell Cooper on motivating your dog
From his experience as a military K9 handler, training and showing dogs of all stripes, to authoring multiple books on the topics, Dr. Cartrell Cooper knows a…
Upland NationInsider: how a bird hunting lodge works - a buyer's guide
On a recent visit to Heartland Lodge in Illinois, I cornered the new-ish owner Tim Duoos, and communications manager Zach Jumps and peppered them with…
Upland NationSeason so far: bird hunting reports from the field
Four of my friends call in with on-the-ground reports from the upper Midwest, Arizona, Utah and Oregon. What they've learned could help you as the season…
Upland NationPro guide insights on bagging late-season pheasants from habitat to habits
A wealth of information ... that's the only way to describe Al Gadoury, Montana pro guide and owner of 6X Outfitters in Lewistown. I've learned from Al in the…
Upland NationBird hunting insider's guide to finding your dog and getting high to shoot better
Not that kind of high! Instead, how altering your altitude might help you take more accurate shots. This time of the season, all your faults and flaws are…
Upland Nation"Chukar culture" from the guy who coined the term
Bob McMichael is a YouTuber, author of a new book, blogger and fanatic hunter. The "thinking man's chukar hunter," Bob brings a unique perspective to the hunt…
Upland NationGrouse & woodcock guide on quality coverts, young dogs and shooting better
Author (Building a Grouse Dog), trainer, breeder, grouse guide and avid hunter, Craig Doherty is uniquely qualified to help us navigate the woods. We'll cover…
Upland NationInsider edition: bird hunter's field guide to rural America
Bear with me. Maybe you'll learn something. Or stop doing something. Or start doing something else. Bottom line is, to get along in flyover country where most…
Upland NationRandy Newberg on how big game makes him a better bird hunter, public-access strategy & tactics, e-scouting hints
From his media content on "Fresh Tracks" and "On Your Own Adventures," Randy Newman is well-known as a influential and motivational big-game hunter. But he's…
Upland NationPro bird hunting guide on prairie birds, Mearn's, and why a composed dog is a steady dog
Trevor Walz of Western Prairie Outfitters joins me for a deep dive into prairie bird habitat and hunting strategies. From the importance of shade, to scouting…
Upland NationInsider: the ultimate guide to public-access hunting ground
Sure, you know the "usual suspects" when it comes to publicly-accessible ground ... walk-in, forest service, BLM. But there are dozens of other patches of real…
Upland NationA rooster's day, from a pro bird hunter/biologist's viewpoint
What's a rooster do all day? If you know, you'll be a better hunter. So I asked Pheasants Forever's resident guru Sabin Adams to take us to school on the…
Upland NationPro dog trainer, author, Charlie Jurney's unique take on training during early season hunts, retrieving, steadiness
He sounds like your favorite coach, teacher or Scoutmaster ... understanding where you (or your dog) are, and where you want them to be. Charlie Jurney is a…
Upland NationInsider re: Sen. Lee ... knowledge (and money) are power - we've got both ... now, use it for good
In light of the incredible reaction to Sen. Lee's recent proposal to sell public lands, I'm adding fuel to the fire with information and motivation to keep you…