Best Ugly Dog Hunting Co Podcasts (2025)

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72. Grouse Camp Q&A - The Guys At Camp Answer Listener Questions 1:23:54

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7h ago1:23:54

1:23:54

If you're looking to learn more about grouse and woodcock hunting from a bunch of seasoned vets who also relish giving each other a hard time, this episode is for you. Mike sat down with he crew of friends and fellow die-hard ruffed grouse and woodcock hunters to take on listener questions. Questions range from cover type, how they structure feedin…

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71. Bode Springer - College Level Questions on Upland Hunting and Ruffed Grouse 1:16:24

14d ago1:16:24

1:16:24

Bode Springer joins the show this week to grill Mike for an upcoming college homework assignment. He is a student at UMD and studying environmental sustainability. Bode recently got his first bird dog, a springer, an apt choice given his last name and shares about his bird hunting journey thus far in addition to his thought-provoking questions. Thi…

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70. Nate Akey - How Following a Dog Led to Hunting Places Far and Wide and Working for onX Hunt 1:58:18

25d ago1:58:18

1:58:18

Nate Akey from onX Hunt joins the show this week to discuss his path into bird hunting and dog training, his NAVHDA Invitational run, hunting season so far, and so much more. Nate is an avid photographer who has leveraged his skill set with his degree to build a career in the hunting industry. We dive into all sorts of topics and this is the perfec…

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69. Mitch Skatter - Creating the Upland Path, Starting on YouTube, and The Importance of Coaching and Mentoring. 1:31:12

28d ago1:31:12

1:31:12

Mitch Skatter joins the show this week to share more about his journey starting Upland Path, a new YouTube Channel aimed at sharing helpful tips and tricks for upland bird hunters. He also dives into how he got into bird hunting, what he's learning from his first dog, and why mentorship and giving back is so important to him. Enjoy! This episode is…

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68. Marc Musselman & Jonny Serrano - Alclair Outdoors and Why Hearing Protection Should Be a Normal Part of Your Kit 1:15:11

2M ago1:15:11

1:15:11

Marc Musselman and Jonny Serrano join the show this week to talk about Alclair Outdoors and the importance of high quality hearing protection. If you do any kind of dog training or bird hunting hearing loss is an under-discussed issue. Medical research is starting to highlight the impact hearing loss has on community and brain health as one ages an…

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67. Roy Ames - A Dive Into The NAVHDA Gun Dog Test and a Montana Recap 1:20:55

2M ago1:20:55

1:20:55

Roy Ames joins the show again this week to share a bit about our recent trip to Montana, the sometimes frustrating learning curve of puppies, and take a look into the first year of NAVHDA's Gun Dog Test. Announced this January at the NAVHDA Annual Meeting, the Gun Dog Test is a revision of the Utility Prep Test with the goal of increasing member pa…

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66. Waylon Lunn - Hunting the Upstate, The Art of Jump-Shooting Ducks, and Raising a Family Outdoors 1:26:32

2M ago1:26:32

1:26:32

Waylon Lunn joins the show this week to share his journey in bird dogs from New York City to the Upstate and now traveling across the country with his family for birds. He describes his journey searching for and developing a "purpose built bird dog". He also shares some of his keys to success for jump shooting ducks, he dives into the Northeast's f…

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65. Marilyn Vetter - Priorities for The Habitat Organization, Planning for Hunting Season Ahead, and Keeping Up The Fight For The Birds. 1:14:38

3M ago1:14:38

1:14:38

Marilyn Vetter is the CEO and President of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. She joins the show this week to share some wins for the year as well as a handful of the many challenges ahead. Additionally, she lays out a bit about how she's planning for the hunting season ahead, having a new puppy in the house, and reminds listeners we all have a r…

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64. Charles Coulter - Learning to Not Care So Much, Falling in Love With Bird Dogs, and Becoming a Professional Bird Hunting Guide. 1:58:24

3M ago1:58:24

1:58:24

Charles Coulter is a bird hunting guide, bird dog trainer, and a NAVHDA Senior Judge. He sits down with Mike to share his journey into bird hunting, what it's like having his passion become his profession, and how he's learned the importance of fun over caring so much. He also shares training insights, bourbon recommendations, and how he sets up hi…

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63. Desiree Stormont - Reflections on NAVHDA Invitational Training, Mindset, and the NAVHDA Lady Gang. 1:10:12

4M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Desiree Stormont joins the show for round 2 after her initial appearance on The Ugly Dog Podcast over a year ago. We recap some of our current NAVHDA Invitational training, mindset, mental hurdles and problem solving in addition to a host of other things. Des gives a first hand account of what it's like to judge Mike in the field, and shares honest…

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62. Emily Julin - From Having a Fear of Dogs to Becoming a NAHRA and NAVHDA Judge. 1:34:03

4M ago1:34:03

1:34:03

Emily Julin joins the show this week to share her journey from fearing dogs as a child to having a whole pack of them now. She is now both a NAVHDA and NAHRA judge and dives a bit into the testing differences in this conversation. Additionally, Emily shares the importance of finding a good club with shared values and helpful members in reaching her…

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61. Ben Brettingen - The Importance of Public Lands in Bird Hunting, Transitioning from Drahthaars to Cover Dogs and Building a Career in the Hunting Industry. 1:26:03

5M ago1:26:03

1:26:03

Ben Brettingen from onX Maps joins the show this week to cover the current movement in the Senate to sell public lands (speaking of, have you called your Senator yet?), and share his journey from filming hunts in college to a career in marketing in the hunting industry. He also shares how he got started in bird dogs, fell head first into drahthaars…

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60. Your Public Lands Are For Sale - Are You Really Going To Let That Happen Without Speaking Up? 34:41

5M ago34:41

34:41

Your public lands could be for sale soon if your Senator doesn't help torpedo a specific part of the budget reconciliation bill. Call them and let them know that CANNOT happen. Call: 202-224-3121 Ask for your Senator's office. Adapt this script to your voice (remember, be polite): “Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m from [place]. I am one of your …

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59. Mike Neiduski - Planning a Long Distance Bird Hunting Trip 1:00:02

5M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

This episode is the audio of a presentation Mike did at the 2025 NAVHDA Annual Meeting in Montana. He covers his tips and tricks to plan and execute a long distance road trip including pre-planning, checklist making, and some helpful pro-tips to keep you out of trouble when it inevitably finds you. If you have any follow up questions, feel free to …

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58. Tanya Caram - Her Journey With Wirehaired Vizlas and Attacking Goals Tenaciously 1:15:14

6M ago1:15:14

1:15:14

Tanya Caram joins the show this week to share how she fell in love with Wirehaired Vizlas, her journey to having the first VC WHV, spending extended time in Hungary, and working to develop the breed here in North America. Tanya also shares some unique insights about her journey along the way, including challenging doubters and tirelessly pursuing h…

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57. Matt Sather and Jason Rice - Bird Hunting and Dog Training from a Track Chair 1:13:49

6M ago1:13:49

1:13:49

Matt Sather and Jason Rice join the show this week to share Matt's journey into NAVHDA and hunting with a versatile dog. Jason discusses connecting Matt with the Track2Wing Project and Matt reflects honestly on how much of the world has opened up to him and his dog now that he has a track chair. These two go back and forth with ribbing and heartfel…

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56. Ted Wentink - The Beauty and Function of the Spinone, Walking Along in European Hunt Tests, and The Importance of Taking Things Slow 1:24:38

6M ago1:24:38

1:24:38

Ted Wentink joins the show this week to share his never-ending love for Spinoni Italiani. He shares candidly about his journey with dogs throughout the years, making an effort to show his dogs form and function, and his experiences attending hunt tests in Italy and England. He also dives into the importance of learning to train the dog in front of …

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55. Ellen Neiduski - Lessons Learned On The Journey to A Well-Trained Companion 1:21:49

6M ago1:21:49

1:21:49

For a little something different this week Mike sits down with his mother, Ellen, on Mother's Day to discuss their family history in pets. Ellen shares her decision and commitment to having a well-trained family dog and a variety of lessons she learned along the way. She also taps into the power of working with a trainer part time to develop confid…

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54. Christy Langston - Fighting Imposter Syndrome, Solo Hunting Shenanigans, and Lessons from a Failed Breeding 1:44:31

6M ago1:44:31

1:44:31

Christy Langston joins the show this week while Mike visited the Missouri Uplands NAVHDA chapter to judge. She shares candidly about fighting imposter syndrome, gives more great photography tips, and opens up about a recent failed breeding with one of her dogs. She also shares more about her experiences with long-distance solo hunting trips and not…

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53. Carey Killion - Marathons to Bird Dogs, Facing Failure Head On, and Building Better a Weimaraner 1:09:39

7M ago1:09:39

1:09:39

Carey Killion joins the show this week to share how marathons brought her to bird dogs, facing failure head on, and how she is committed to bettering the breed of Weimaraners. Carey is refreshingly honest about her pursuits, whether that be making mistakes along the way with her dogs, tips to better show dogs in field trials, and joining the board …

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52. Yia Vang - Hunting and Fishing as a Way of Life, The Power of Food, Conservation, and Community, and Bringing Hmong Food to the Mainstream 1:24:41

7M ago1:24:41

1:24:41

Yia Vang joins the show this week to discuss his award winning restaurant and how growing up in the Hmong community presented hunting and fishing as a way of life, not just a hobby. Yia is a James Beard Award Finalist and creator and head chef of Vinai, one of the top 50 best restaurants in the US. Yia discusses his thoughts on Hmong culture in reg…

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51. Bailey Petersen - Falling in Love with Ruffed Grouse, Her Gaggle of Setters, and Pro-Tips for Navigating Grouse Cover 1:09:13

7M ago1:09:13

1:09:13

Bailey Petersen joins the show this week to talk all things Northwoods, Ruffed Grouse, and her pack of setters (and one microphone loving Munsterlander). She dives into how she grew her love of ruffed grouse and woodcock, moved from a golden retriever to a small munsterlander, and then to an ever growing pack of setter boys. She dives into her best…

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50. Q&A with Mike - NAVHDA Invitational Prep, DD vs GWP, and The Day Everything Changed 1:43:59

7M ago1:43:59

1:43:59

This week's episode features Mike answering questions submitted on our Facebook and Instagram pages. He covers his mindset heading toward the NAVHDA Invitational, his thoughts on DDs vs. GWPs, answers a whole bunch of silly geese questions, and talks candidly about losing 2 of his dogs to heat stroke. This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunt…

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49. Nick Dulas - Being the Young Guy in a PF Chapter, Driving All Night To Get a Setter, and Making The Choice To Go 1:13:28

8M ago1:13:28

1:13:28

Nick Dulas joins the show this week where he recounts his pre-COVID journey to joining the Rice County PF chapter and why he's stayed involved since. He also shares how he developed a love for setters and the french brittany. He and Mike also talk a little hockey, and dive into Nick's advice for making long-distance hunting trips. Enjoy! This episo…

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48. Nikki Flander - Loving Dogs So Much She Snuck One Home, Her Love of English Setters, and Diving Into The Industry and Creating Spaces for Women. 1:08:39

8M ago1:08:39

1:08:39

Nikki Flander joins the show this week to share her journey to working with the Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club, how she fell in love with English Setters, that one time she wanted a dog so bad she snuck one home in high school, and creating community for women in the hunting and shooting space. Nikki is dedicated to any pursuit she picks up and this e…

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47. Hannah & Kyle Peterson - A Match Made Over Bird Dogs, Diving Into Cover Dog Trials, and Wanting An Assertive Female Setter. 1:28:28

8M ago1:28:28

1:28:28

Hannah & Kyle Peterson are a match made with a shared love of dog training, and then bird dogs in grouse country. In this episode they share their journey into dog training in very separate realms and how they eventually met, married, and now are growing a family, all while chasing English Setters through the grouse woods hunting and in Cover Dog t…

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46. John Zeman - Letting a Dog Fill Up The Country, The Power of Helping Others Train Their Dogs, and Ensuring Others Have Access to Dog Training Areas 1:19:04

8M ago1:19:04

1:19:04

John Zeman got his first German Shorthair in 1978 and has had various types of bird dogs ever since. Through mentors he found field trials and training methods which he now shares with many who show up at his home on Wednesday nights for training. He still runs and judges field trials across the upper midwest and is also the current president of th…

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45. Greg Blair - An Education in Field Trials and Landing a Dream Job with Purina. 1:29:17

9M ago1:29:17

1:29:17

Greg Blair joins the show this week to share his origins in bird dogs, NSTRA, and ultimately field trials. He shares how he landed his dream job at Purina, became a field trial judge, breaks down accessibility in field trialing as well as a look at this year's National Championship and much much more. If you're looking to learn more about field tri…

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44. Ray Esboldt - Finding NAHRA, Kelly Farms, and Keeping Keystone Woods WMA Open to Train Bird Dogs 1:19:33

9M ago1:19:33

1:19:33

Ray Esboldt is a member of the Four Points Retriever Club and an avid NAHRA enthusiast. Mike & Ray sat down to discuss his experience going from a meat dog to appreciating the abilities and year round training opportunities or a NAHRA dog. Ray also speaks up about the recent purchase of Kelly Farms in Minnesota, what's different now, and shares mor…

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43. Jacob Walter - Transitioning from Labs to Shorthairs, Going All-In on Bird Dogs, and Why Physical Fitness Is An Underrated Component for Bird Hunting 1:17:40

9M ago1:17:40

1:17:40

Jacob Walter joins the show this week to share his journey of upland bird hunting from growing up with Labrador Retrievers to raising a young family with German shorthairs. Jacob also discusses what inspired him to become a local volunteer for Pheasants Forever, how he approaches long-distance hunting trips, and some insight into why he believes ph…

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42. Luc Ramthun - Loving Large Munsterlanders and a National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic Preview! 1:14:49

9M ago1:14:49

1:14:49

Luc Ramthun from Pheasants Forever joins the show this week to give a preview of the upcoming Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic being held in Kansas City (see y'all there), and share his journey into bird hunting. Luc shares how he pivoted from big city marketing and teaching to working for The Habitat Organization, and how Pheasant Fest led him to h…

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41. Dr. RuthAnn Lobos - On When and How To Feed Your Hunting Dog, Choosing a Puppy Food, and Coming to Hunting Later in Life 1:04:17

10M ago1:04:17

1:04:17

Dr. RuthAnn Lobos is the Senior Veterinarian for Purina. She joins the show this week to share her journey with bird dogs and give some incredible, research backed insight into how we feed our dogs. You'll learn how to prioritize and plan your feeding schedule for hunting and training, whether you can feed 30/20 straight away or should choose a pup…

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40. Sam Tillman - A Lifelong Desire for Bird Dogs, The Importance of Going at Her Own Pace, and Making Sure to have Fun. 1:10:05

10M ago1:10:05

1:10:05

Sam Tillman joins the show this week where she shares her lifelong love of bird dogs and that love has only deepened over time. She also takes a dive into qualifying for the NAVHDA Invitational, building a lasting bond with her Pudelpointer, Stormie, and how keeping fun at the top of her training value system has helped her achieve success. This ep…

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39. Matt Kucharski - The Importance of Curiosity, Dogs of Opportunity, and The Power of Habitat 1:13:24

10M ago1:13:24

1:13:24

Matt Kucharski joins the show this week to discuss his "dogs of opportunity" and now having to raise a puppy, how an ad for a used truck landed him on the board of Pheasants Forever, and the importance of habitat is best demonstrated in before and after experience. Matt also shares why he believes curious hunters are the best hunters and shares a b…

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38. Jake Faas - Marrying Into Grouse Hunting, The Importance of Managing Your Dogs, and His Journey From Bite Dogs to Bird Dogs. 1:26:35

10M ago1:26:35

1:26:35

Jake Faas of True Loyalty Dog Training joins the show this week to share how he fell in love with dogs doing bite sports and training working dogs and then through marriage came to upland hunting and owning French Brittanies. Jake is an experience bite dog trainer and decoy, but never hunted until his father-in-law told him he wasn't a member of th…

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Bonus Episode: Scent Work and Birds Dogs with the Road to Detection Podcast 1:08:36

10M ago1:08:36

1:08:36

This special bonus episode is a pod-share between Road to Detection, The Ugly Dog Podcast, and The Accidental Bird Dog. This episode dives into Scent Work and how it can be beneficial for you and your bird dogs. This includes laying a solid foundation with your dogs and giving you and your dog a fun and mentally stimulating activity to pursue when …

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37. Luke Koch - Marrying A Passion for Video, Dogs, and Waterfowl Hunting, Getting Serious About Shotgun Loads, and Why Labs Aren't for Mike 1:48:33

11M ago1:48:33

1:48:33

Luke Koch runs Black Dog Marketing Company and joins the show this week to share how he fell in love with waterfowl hunting, his passion for video work, and his journey with his black lab, Jeb. Luke also dives into how he approaches waterfowl hunting around the metro area, why he'll remain a one dog household for now, and makes excellent points abo…

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36. Corey Hendrickson & Colton Strauss - A Conversation While Goose Hunting, Why Meat Dog Is A Derogatory Term, And Pillars For Making a Good Bird Dog 1:13:25

11M ago1:13:25

1:13:25

Corey Hendrickson and Colton Strauss join Mike on this week's podcast from layout blinds as they wait for geese on a recent hunt. They cover a bit of their backgrounds, different colors of labrador retrievers, tips for goose hunting, and why the term Meat Dog doesn't do a dog justice. We had a lot of fun recording this while waiting for geese to fl…

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35. Tony Henry - Emergency Response for Hunting Dogs From a K9 Tactical Medic, The Importance of Planning, and Growing Your Network To Be A Better Bird Hunter. 1:04:38

11M ago1:04:38

1:04:38

Tony Henry joins the show this week to share his knowledge gained serving as a tactical medic as applied to working canines. Tony has a wealth of experience and training, and shares his pro tips and gear so you can be best prepared for an emergency when you go afield. Tony also shares his history bird hunting, resources folks should have on speed d…

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34. Roy Ames - A Journey of Decades in Bird Dogs, Picking Puppies Based On Parents and Attentiveness, and The Beauty of Watching a Dog Run 2:02:25

12M ago2:02:25

2:02:25

Roy Ames joins the podcast this week to share his decades long journey in bird dogs, including a host of events, clubs, and breeds. He dives into how he picks puppies, what he's learned training and testing in both the JGHV and NAVHDA systems, and how someone can set themselves up for success when joining a NAVHDA chapter. Roy also shares why he lo…

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33. Joe Perez - Building a Business with His Boys, Transitioning From Waterfowling to the Uplands, Navigating Season Ending Injuries, and Why You Should Have A Slip Lead In Your Vest 1:26:07

12M ago1:26:07

1:26:07

Joe Perez is the owner and operator of RPM Training Products with his two sons, Owen and Austin. In this episode Joe shares about how he got into hunting as a young person and grew into a waterfowl guide, but now focuses much of his time on the uplands. Joe, and RPM, are the newest manufacturer of collars and leashes for Ugly Dog and Joe describes …

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32. Braxton Watts - A Young Man's View of Quail Camp, Gaining Confidence in the Field, and Giving Up All His Sick Days to Keep Hunting. 1:13:22

12M ago1:13:22

1:13:22

Braxton Watts joins the show this week to share his perspective on quail camp and learning to bird hunt. Braxton recently joined Mike and friends for his second visit to Kansas chasing quail. In this episode he shares the lessons he's learned thus far, what he wants to work on to get better, and how he manages to get that much time out of the class…

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31. Fred McAdams & Ben Eilert - Kansas Bird Hunting From 3 Perspectives, Keys to Chasing Prairie Chickens, A Farmer Asks About Conservation, and The Beauty of a Good Meat Dog 1:46:05

1y ago1:46:05

1:46:05

Fred McAdams and Ben Eilert join the show this week to discuss their perspectives on Kansas bird hunting. Fred moved to Kansas a number of years ago, in large part because of the bird hunting, and Ben is a lifelong resident and local farmer. Ben shares about growing up pheasant hunting, how things have changed, and his perspective on helping things…

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30. Marc Musselman - Taking Hearing Protection From The Concert Stage to The Uplands, Lucking Into a Good Dog, and Learning To Trust a Long-Range Dog. 1:45:24

1y ago1:45:24

1:45:24

Marc Musselman joins the show this week to share how he got his start upland hunting and how a passion for making professional grade audio equipment for musicians led him into the hunter hearing protection market. Marc runs Alclair Outdoors, in addition to Alclair Audio (the music side), where his mission is to make hearing protection part of every…

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29. Autumn & Casey Koback - Going from One Dog to Six, Not Being Joiners to Leaders, and The Importance of Brutal Honesty Among Training Partners. 1:16:38

1y ago1:16:38

1:16:38

Autumn and Casey Koback join the show this week to detail how they went from a mandate for zero dogs to a house full. The husband and wife team dive into their journey of not joining things to leading a local chapter and how opportunities to help others fuel their passion. They also share how they've fallen in love traveling with friends to chase b…

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28. Ryan Sparks - Chasing Quail Out the Back Door, A Lifetime of Pointers, Celebrating 20 Years of Quail Forever, and Wild Game Cooking 1:43:01

1y ago1:43:01

1:43:01

Ryan Sparks is the Editor of the Quail Forever Journal and a life-long quail hunter. In this episode he shares about his upbringing bird hunting the family farm in Nebraska, why pheasant hunting deserves more credit than Mike gives it, and why he is and always will be a Pointer guy. Ryan also shares his tips for writing from an editor's perspective…

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27. Bob St. Pierre - Five Generations of German Shorthairs, The Magic of Opening Day, and Letting a Puppy Develop at Their Own Pace. 1:26:01

1y ago1:26:01

1:26:01

Bob St. Pierre joins the show this week to share about his journey with 5 German Shorthairs, including just recently adding a pup this summer. Bob is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever and the host of the On The Wing Podcast. He and Mike take a dive into why opening day is so important and meaningf…

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26. Mindy Brown - Breeding Better Weimaraners, Her Journey With NAVHDA, And Navigating Risks Afield After Tragedy. 1:10:56

1y ago1:10:56

1:10:56

Mindy Brown joins the show to share how she grew up with bird dogs following her dad afield to getting her first Weim through an ad in the paper. She discusses her commitment to breeding better Weimaraners with her co-breeder Camille of Timberdoodle Weims and how they make decisions to help the breed move forward. Mindy also shares honestly about t…

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25. Q&A - Mike & Mack's Utility Run Recap, The Origins of Mr. July, The Meaning of Life, and The Best Memories of A Dog Now Passed. 1:45:06

1y ago1:45:06

1:45:06

This week's episode features Mike answering questions submitted on our Facebook and Instagram pages. He covers his run with Mack in the NAVHDA Utility Test, things to come with Ugly Dog, goals and dreams ahead, gear folks must have in their hunting vest, and more. He also tells the origin story of Mr. July, how he feels about prepping for next year…

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24. Mike Krantz - Getting a Slovakian Rough-Haired Pointer, Finding the Fun In Everything, The Importance of Including Family in Hunting, and Always Being Willing to Learn. 1:14:20

1y ago1:14:20

1:14:20

Mike Krantz lives and hunts in southern Minnesota. He is an avid member of the Southern Minnesota NAVHDA chapter, and spearheads a weekly training group in the summer. One thing is for certain, if Mike's around jokes will be told and this episode is no different. Mike shares about transitioning from Weimaraners to a Slovakian rough haired pointer, …