Upland Nation

Jan 28 2025 100 ep. 59 mins 50

Upland Nation Podcast artwork

Interesting, informative guests on all things upland bird dogs and bird hunting, hosted by the creator of TV series Wingshooting USA. Hunting stories and glorious dog work, the most knowledgeable and entertaining pro guides, hardcore hunters and consummate trainers in the sport.

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Pro trainer on who's in charge & when, creating the right relationship with your dog

Jan 28 2025 69 mins

According to Garden & Gun magazine, he's one of the top five dog trainers in the South. His track record as a field trialer and hunter, proves it. Todd Agnew of Craney Hill Kennels takes us to spaniel school in this episode. Pointer fans take note: his views on dogs cross the divide, so get ready to learn as well. From teaching range for flushing dogs, to what motivates a hunti

Blue sky, dry ground ... a pretty good chukar and valley quail hunt

Jan 21 2025 54 mins

If you haven't had your close-to-perfect hunt yet this year, re-live mine and maybe learn something. Or get inspired to do one more trip. Either way, there are tips and observations, suggestions and hints from an uphill walk in Great Basin country. "Fix It" has a cold-weather shooting tip, and listeners share their artful dead bird photos. You get another chance to enter to win the

Pro bird dog trainer on gun intro, retrieving, steadiness and the first two years

Jan 14 2025 67 mins

If you have a young dog or are getting one, listen carefully! Jim Van Engen's Right Start Kennel has cranked out almost 200 field trial champions thanks to his unique specialty: the first two years of a dog's life. He'll outline his overall philosophy, as well as practical tips on everything from managing a dog's range to introducing gunfire. We'll cover retrieving and steadiness,

Public access bird hunting: some starting points for your next trip west or southeast

Jan 07 2025 60 mins

Finding more places to hunt just got a bit easier. I'll give you some starting points for your pheasant foray out west, or bobwhite hunting in the southeast. You'll also get insights on finding places and negotiating the walk-in bureaucratic maze. There are tips on information sources, scouting hints, and even some hunting stories. I've been to most of the places I'll talk about; r

George Hickox: legendary bird dog trainer, trialer, hunter on what dogs really want and why

Dec 31 2024 77 mins

Break out a pen and paper and get ready to take copious notes. You will learn something. Trainer/handlers of the winningest field trial dog in history, George has been helping dogs excel in the field for decades. Author, video teacher, writer, hunter, his approach to dogs' learning abilities is built on a foundation of insights and perspective. We'll go from big-picture stuff like

Chukar hunt! C'mon along on a recent foray into the wild-bird country of the Great Basin.

Dec 24 2024 64 mins

Need a chukar fix? How about a few valley quail too? I'll debrief a recent hunt of mine ... sort of a bookend thing, with stunning dog work at both ends. We pull a few thousand feet of elevation, miss a few birds and connect on others. I'll talk terrain, habitat, strategy and tactics plus some pure dumb luck too. A fascinating find or two, as well. "Fix It" has a few theories on wh

BONUS: Bird hunting and beer ... a primer to drinking, buying, storing and pouring - and celebrating the hunt

Dec 20 2024 50 mins

Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, mazeltov ... what better way to celebrate than enjoying fresh, locally-brewed beer? And after an epic hunt, even more so! Here's your guide to craft brews in hopes you'll venture beyond Corporate Beer to the good stuff, made near your hunting spot by local folks. It's literally a taste of your hunt, a chance to imbibe local culture a

Bird dog of the year: owner & handler share their secrets, training and hunting tips

Dec 17 2024 64 mins

Crosswind's Envy a Trip to the Train Station, call name "Rip," is the Dog of the Year for the National Shoot to Retrieve Association and while he didn't have much to say, his owner and handler offer plenty of help to fellow hunters in this episode. I'll get the inside scoop from Sara Thorne, Rip's owner, and handler Brandon Ralston. Getting to a lofty pinnacle in the field trial wo

Bird dog training - on a hunting trip? Why not? Here's how.

Dec 10 2024 54 mins

If you're like me, the um, standard of excellence you expect from your dog (and he from you) has devolved since opening day. That got me thinking: why can't we train our dogs during a hunt, or a hunting season? Well, you can. You may not do as much, or as frequently, but there are a ton of things you can do to help your dog stay on his "A" game during a hunt. I'll offer some sugges

Pro bird dog trainer "re-shapes" our thinking on how dogs think, use of e-collars

Dec 03 2024 69 mins

Talmage Smedly joins me for an in-depth conversation on why dogs do what they do and how we can guide them. He calls on his horse training experience as well as a different perspective on how e-collars and commands in general can be used. If you're looking for a new way of working with your dog, he's got it. We'll cover his views on how to use an e-collar, what instincts shape a yo