Peak performance ... what we all want from our hunting dog. Karl Gunzer will help - he's director of the sporting dog group at Purina Pro Plan Sport, a dog trainer and hunter. He's as in-the-know as anyone I know about all things nutrition for canine athletes, from a theoretical and a practical basis. He's also hanging around with all the folks in white coats on Purina's research and development team, so current on the latest science. We're talking from the floor of the recent Pheasant Fest,...

In the yard and in the field, taking good care of your dog is critical to a successful hunt. After all, you probably go hunting to watch him work. So keeping him healthy is a high priority, and there's nobody better to help us than the "Gun Dog Doc," Joe Spoo, DVM. A hunter, elite athlete and veterinarian, Joe knows more than a bit about canine first aid and related topics. We'll explore the nooks and crannies of our dogs: up their noses, into their armpits, deep into lacerations, and poking...

You're the first to hear it ... a pilot episode that may become a series. I've been doing a short-form feature on satellite radio for over two years and much of the material is probably of use to you and your family, so here it is. It's a work in progress, but here's your chance to make suggestions on what you like, length, topics, and format. Your feedback welcome in the comments, or at [email protected]. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks, Scott

If you don't learn something that makes you a better shooter, well, the Olympic shooting team has an opening. Don Currie is a bird hunter and the chief instructor of the National Sporting Clays Association. His instructional DVD “Focus – Movement – Faith” is the #1 rated sporting clays DVD on Amazon.com. And he's here to help you hit more birds and clay targets. "You kill birds with your eyes, not your gun," Don says. From practice techniques to gun fitting for DIY-ers, buying youth guns to...

A peek into the operations of a leading choke tube maker, and insights into the need for a new non-profit to help bird dogs - and their owners. This week in our periodic "Industry Insider" series, Scott Trulock of Trulock Chokes joins us to delve deep into their manufacturing process, materials, engineering, and he previews the company's newest project - a classic .22 cal. rifle. Scott also talks choke tube selection for various birds, matching choke size to non-toxic ammo, and offers...

The "first couple" of bird dog training joins us from the floor of the 2024 Pheasant Fest: Ronnie Smith and Susanna Love cover all things puppy development, from mindset to introducing birds, getting pup ready for gunfire and introducing steadiness. They have some fascinating insights into how a dog thinks and how we should alter our own thinking as a result when training these "little domestic predators." Then, for older dogs, we talk retrieving, more steadiness work, and why they don't...

Peek inside the workings of Gun Dog magazine ... courtesy of its editor-in-chief, Kali Parmley, then we go afield where she takes us to incredible locations, hunting a wide variety of bird species. Kali offers hunting tips and strategy, insights into owning multiple dogs and older dogs, training too. Kali tells us how a TV show works, shares the rigors of hunting Texas with Ronnie Smith and Susanna Love, explains why she hunts, and shares the joys of our sport. "Road Trip" goes to a small...

Back to Pheasant Fest for an in-depth tutorial on everything from dog training to sharptail hunting from two guys who hunt hard and often: Trevor Walz and Tom Dombroski of LandTrust.com. For fun, to scout new properties, a little guiding, and to work a long string of dogs, these guys are on the ground all season and have a couple lifetimes of experience. We'll cover habitat, tactics, dog care and more. "Handle It" touches on the importance of collecting dead birds ... and listeners chime in...

What is the meaning of death? Gotcha! You thought I'd ask the meaning of life. Okay, we'll address both, within a hunting context, thanks to Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, one of three authors (with Linda K. Miller and Capt. Keith A. Cunningham) of the new book ON HUNTING ... A definitive study of the mind, body and ecology of the hunter in the modern world. A former U.S. Army Airborne Ranger, Dave's combat experience, experience training military and tactical teams, and as a hunter combine in this...

From the national conclave of the Club Epagneul Breton: foundation breed, growing in popularity here in the States, the Epagneul Breton (French Brittany) has earned a reputation as an energetic, vest-pocket-sized bird dog. We'll trace the history on both sides of the Atlantic with Fred Overby, the unofficial historian of the Club Epagneul Breton USA. From um, prosaic and practical beginnings to the present, we'll get the details on everything from genetics to performance. Todd Farris' hunting...

It's training season ... all those new year's resolutions, promises to your buddy or your dog ... you've told me what you want to work on and we'll cover it with some tips and suggestions. Steadiness, recall, retrieving are the main points you've asked about, but we'll also address some other things YOU should do before Opening Day to make next season stellar. "Road Trip" covers some birdy beer towns, and listeners share photos of their tricked-out hunting rigs - you're sure to find something...

From "Quail Alley" in Texas, Orvis 2023 Guide of the Year Jon Hubble enlightens us on quail hunting and habitat, tactics, and dog handling. Jon's Premier Wingshooting is in country that still looks - and hunts - like the old days, with oaks, native grasses and plenty of water. We'll also cover how to handle bad scenting conditions, why it's better not to shoot sometimes, and how he handles a cocker-pointer combination. Jon also gives us the definitive way to use inner-tube dog boots. We also...

Extend your hunting season, forge a year-long bond with your hunting dog ... just two reasons to try a trial, hunt test or "bird dog challenge." I've entered, marshalled, gunned for, cooked for, passed - and failed - a lot of them, and gotta tell you, it's the best way to enjoy your dog during the off season. Oh, and he'll LOVE it. From how to find one, finding a group that fits your needs, to reasons you'll be glad you entered, to how they work, I'll offer my 30-plus years of um, "trial and...

Dr. Kelly Reyna is Director of the Ted and Donna Lyon Center for Gamebird Research and Principal Investigator of the Quail Research Laboratory at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He's a bit of an optimist, and conducting leading-edge research on "untaming" pen-raised birds, how wild birds really react to predators, and habitat ... including how cattle and quail can get along. Kelly is also an avid bird hunter so he looks at the practical as well as the academic challenges hunters face. His...

Wild chukars, Huns, sharptails and sage grouse are Ryan's domain, roaming the uplands of Wyoming as an Orvis-endorsed hunting guide. He and his string of 10 dogs (setters, shorthairs and a springer) take clients into some of the roughest, most challenging terrain in the West, and he's got a few lessons for us. We cover the relative merits of setters versus shorthairs, learn about bird behavior, habitat, and he'll share his strategies and tactics for getting closer to birds. We'll talk...

Why didn't we talk sooner? Durrell Smith is an Orvis-endorsed guide, fine artist, dog man, podcaster and probably a lot of other things we never got around to in this wide-ranging discussion. We'll cover his tips on accessing more public land to hunt, dog behavior and some stellar moments from this season. We also hear a touching story of three generations of quail hunters, how to read habitat and why to seek out the ugly stuff. Hunting strategies and essential gear he takes with him are also...

Shoot better simply by paying attention ... to this champion. Anthony Matarese Jr. joins me to talk shooting techniques, styles, and the things that vex us in the field and on the range. From foot position to lead, practice strategy to gun mount, this guy knows his stuff. In 2014 Anthony became the youngest shooter in history to be inducted into the National Sporting Clays Hall of Fame.  In 2016 Anthony became the first American to win the World Sporting Clays Championship.  In 2020 Anthony...

Coming to you from the Club Epagneul-U.S. national conclave, I cornered trainer/hunter Jake Bartells between runs. Jake is a consummate trainer with five NAVHDA Invitational Champions and a number of CEB-US titles. Jake brings us up to speed on the breed, the club, the testing process, and then takes us to school on training our own dogs. Jake's insights on steadiness are priceless ... and I'll bet you haven't heard it explained quite this clearly. We talk about your off-season training...

I pulled together notes from all the places I've hunted in winter, polled good friends and reliable sources, to provide you with a list of publicly-accessible, wild-bird starting points for warmer hunting spots when you're tired of shoveling snow. There's nine different states, a multitude of new species (to most of us) and dozens of places to start your search for dry ground and shirt-sleeve hunting weather. "Handle It" address the backsliding dog who needs a reminder prior to a hunt, and...

It's mid-season. Would your dog say you've gone off the rails? Would you say he's gone with you? We'll address some of the ways to train during the season, relate some common situations, and offer some suggestions. So will you - telling us about your dogs, your issues - and hopefully, we'll get to some answers. Plus, your dog's Christmas wishes - and your own - whether you're on the naughty or nice list. And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,...

We have the latest news on a widespread, unspecified respiratory disease is affecting dogs nationwide ... pandemic or not? Dr. Jane Sykes, infectious disease specialist at the Univ. of California Davis Veterinary School, address the potential causes, symptoms, preventive measures we can take, and everything else we need to know to keep our dogs safe and healthy. A Labrador owner herself, she is uniquely qualified to help hunting dog owners navigate the maze of rumor, sensational headlines,...

Pro ruffed grouse guide Terry Petro joins us from the Armbruster - a grueling test for Deutsche Drahthaars - and sums up the components of this multi-day evaulation. We jump from there to his thoughts on everything from strategic feeding to a key, oft-overlooked way to start choosing a new dog food, to bringing an more mature dog into the household. Terry offers tactics on grouse hunting and shooting, too. Listeners comment on the things they wish they'd brought on that last trip - and now...

The cost of the pup is the least of your (monetary) problems! Here's the comprehensive list of all the stuff you need to raise a high-performing puppy. From checkcord to bird launcher, and a lot of stuff you may not have thought of. This gear will make both of your lives easier, and turn your dog into a bird-finding machine. Then, how far do you walk on your hunts? Listeners tell us some of their stories. And then, you honor your dogs and we share your stories - old guys, pups, and every...

It's our somewhat-regular "Industry Insiders" edition, where I talk with leaders and up-and-comers about the business of bird hunting, their company, new products and tech. We also get their advice on taking care of our gear, our dogs, and ourselves. Oh, and these guys are also experts on bird hunting so expect some valuable tips. This week, Fred Bohm of Sage & Braker talks new gun care gear, field-care for our shotguns, and desert quail hunting. This guy lives in the hotbed, Southern...