The Hunting Dog Podcast

So glad I was able to get Bill on the microphone. At NAVHDAs 50th annual meeting, Bill gives us a snapshot of his 40 years as member and judge. growing up just miles from where we recorded this, it made me long to get in a time machine to see Bill shoot at his first duck from right outside the hotel window. Enjoy

I had Robin on the show a few years ago. He is now in North Carolina and bringing his methods to the eyes of many. This one was done at his new facility, I had a look-see around his place and then sat down for a Q&A about training dogs with an Old World style. I will be having Robin on again in the future.

Lots of driving, lots of laughs and how to pass a NAVHDA test with only a few hours to practice. I traveled to the Tarheels Chapter to run Bravo in a UPT test. afterward, we cleaned out the bird pens with a fun hunt. Taffy and Rodney got to find some birds, flushing style. Then we used some proper dogs to fill the cooler with birds. With a few beers down, we hit the record button.

I squeaked out a little time to talk with my old friend and employee. We also had Bob St. Pierre from Pheasants Forever join us. Steve came to Pheasant Fest to deliver a fantastic keynote speech about what we all care deeply about.

Morgan was hired as a new creative editor for Meateater Inc. At long last, dogs and birds will be one of the many new facets we will be seeing featured, within the nations best hunting network!! We chat about his beginnings and current love of the uplands.

Todd returns to the show, and we talk Spaniels. Springers, Cockers and more.A bit about field trialing, hunting, training and why these little powerhouses can make you smile. and why some make you cry. Just like all things in the dog world. Todd brings real common sense to training dogs.

I invited a few folks up to my room after the NAVHDA judges workshop. We swap stories from our collective memories. Worst dogs, worst days, and the reason why we do what we do. Its all about having fun and making friendships for life.

This was a quick picnic table interview from last year. I was judging in Minnesota and got to sit down for a few minutes with Kirk Sunquist and Frank Spaeth. They are two of NAVHDAs earliest members and judges. Wish we could have spent more time recording, old stories about old friendships are the foundation of the hunting dog community.

This age group of hunters may just pick up the slack in hunter numbers. A.J.DeRosa started with a simple idea, and it's making a difference in the R3 movement. Starting with one short film, Project Upland has grown to be a force in the world of young hunters. The message is beautifully captured in the dozens of films that capture the essence of upland hunting.

We sat down with Pheasant Forever CEO Howard Vincent, Ruffed Grouse Society CEO Ben Jones, and Wisconsin's R3 coordinator Emily Lehl. We cover the efforts needed for hunters recruitment (which means the future of wildlife conservation in North America) Hunter dollars make-up 80% of the funding for conservation. When the Boomers age out of hunting, we will need the next wave of hunters to follow in our steps. R-3 can help that become a reality.

A different sort of episode. I sit in on a group of hunters, who take their season to another level. Their season lasts twelve months a year. True friendships are made with dogs, guns, and a love of the wild things we chase. The Pipes & Beers gang gets it! What kept us alive since the beginning of hunting and gathering, still lives on with this group of dog loving, foraging fly fishermen. Sit back, pour a glass, light a smoke and join us.

Long overdue conversation with Damon. he is the reason that Orion coolers are the hands down the best on the market. He is also the new owner and trainer of a Tekel Hound. helping folks near him track wounded game. Listen and learn!!

I chat with NAVHDAs past president Marilyn Vetter. We go deep into some NAVHDA history and how this organization has grown and developed. From an informal gathering of bird hunters to the 7000 plus membership with almost 80 chapters in North America. A lot has changed in fifty years, but the mission and passion of NAVHDA have not.

Listen and learn for a veteran dog trainer. Justin trains hunting dogs for the field. If you are on your first or fifth dog, you will learn something for this episode. I always walk away from there with a new nugget of training insight. You can teach an old dog new tricks!!!

Justin trains bird dogs, no testing,no trialing, no ribbons. His approach to getting your dog ready to hunt, comes from a deep hunting background and even a deeper training background. He started cleaning kennels before he was old enough to drive a car. Learning from his mentors and applying that to wild bird hunting, gave him a no-nonsense approach to what it takes to have a dog that truly ready to go afield. I learn more every time I visit him, and you will too!!!