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Project Upland, in our continued effort to serve our community in new and innovative ways while seeking to lower the barriers of entry into upland hunting, is pleased to publish PROJECTUPLAND.COM ON THE GO. In order to make our content easier to access in more diverse ways, we now publish audio versions of our growing library of online written content. It is our hope that, by creating a new pathway to access the materials we produce, we strengthen our community and bring it closer together. PROJECTUPLAND.COM ON THE GO is made possible by the good folks at Electronic Shooters Protection (ESP). "Control the Sound" with ESP's custom fit digital hearing protection. https://www.espamerica.com/ Articles narrated by Justin Spencer - https://www.justinspenceractor.com

Northwoods Collective


    • Jun 16, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 12m AVG DURATION
    • 439 EPISODES

    4.6 from 105 ratings Listeners of projectupland.com On The Go that love the show mention: project upland, articles, audio, information, great, best, thanks, guys, work, love.


    Ivy Insights

    The Project Upland On The Go podcast is a refreshing and unique addition to my podcast lineup. Unlike most podcasts that rely heavily on hosting and interviews, this podcast takes a different approach by simply having someone read articles related to upland hunting. This format allows me to enjoy the content while doing other tasks, such as household chores or even cleaning guns. I used to spend a lot of time commuting, and this podcast was the perfect companion during those long drives. Now, it has become a regular part of my daily routine.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its brevity and clarity. Each "article" is short, sweet, and to the point, making it easy for listeners to digest the information. It serves as an excellent jump-off point for anyone interested in diving deeper into the topics discussed. The narrator speaks clearly and concisely, making it an enjoyable listening experience.

    Another standout feature of Project Upland On The Go is its ability to condense online articles into an audio format. This innovative approach sets it apart from other podcasts in the genre. It provides a wealth of useful information in a quick and easy way, catering specifically to bird hunters' needs. The team behind Project Upland is consistently ahead of the game when it comes to delivering valuable content.

    While it's challenging to find any major drawbacks with this podcast, one minor criticism could be its reliance on article reading rather than fostering conversation or dialogue between hosts or guests. However, this format still proves effective in providing informative content for bird hunters who prefer a more traditional style of consumption.

    In conclusion, I have been thoroughly impressed with everything that Project Upland produces, and their On The Go podcast is no exception. It offers a convenient way for me to catch up on online articles while on-the-go and adds value to my daily routines. I appreciate their dedication and hard work in delivering high-quality content consistently. Whether you're a seasoned bird hunter or new to the sport, this podcast is an excellent resource that you won't want to miss.



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    Latest episodes from projectupland.com On The Go

    The Pioneers of Sporting Clays in America

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 14:10


    In this article, R. K. Sawyer writes about how sporting clays took root in America—from early 20th-century target games to the first U.S. National Sporting Clays Championship in 1985.Paradigm Sporting Dog offers veterinarian-designed field and truck first aid keeps to keep you and your dog prepared for the unknown. Check out paradigmsportingdog.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    The Death of Nuance - A Letter from the Owners of Project Upland

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 6:43


    In this letter from the Summer 2025 issue of Project Upland Magazine, co-owners Jennifer Wapenski and AJ DeRosa call for nuance in an era of outrage-driven media.Paradigm Sporting Dog offers veterinarian-designed field and truck first aid keeps to keep you and your dog prepared for the unknown. Check out paradigmsportingdog.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    Why Strong Leadership Is the Secret to Successful Dog Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 9:32


    In this article, Jason Carter of Merrymeeting Kennels discusses the importance of leadership in dog training. Confident, consistent leadership improves your dog's obedience and builds a stronger bond with your dog.Paradigm Sporting Dog offers veterinarian-designed field and truck first aid keeps to keep you and your dog prepared for the unknown. Check out paradigmsportingdog.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    Shotgunning Legend Jay Herbert's Life and Legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 10:02


    In this article, R.K. Sawyer talks with Jay Herbert, the man who brought sporting clays from England to America and promoted English-style shooting for over 50 years.Paradigm Sporting Dog offers veterinarian-designed field and truck first aid keeps to keep you and your dog prepared for the unknown. Check out paradigmsportingdog.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    The History of Dog Shows and Competitions

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 16:35


    In this article, dog historian Craig Koshyk explores the history of dog shows and competitions. Although informal dog competitions have likely been around for thousands of years, written records of the first dog shows describe finding dogs of the “highest perfection.”Use code PU20 and get 20% off onxhunt.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    Dogs Are The Means: Banding American Woodcock in Michigan

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 15:11


    In this episode, Gabby Zaldumbide writes about Bill Quinlan's experiences banding woodcock in northern lower Michigan and describes how banding woodcock helps scientists and wildlife managers better understand these birds.Use code PU20 and get 20% off onxhunt.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    The Rescission of the BLM's Public Lands Rule Hurts Conservation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 11:29


    In this article, AJ DeRosa writes about the rescission of the Bureau of Land Management's Public Lands Rule this past April and its implications for prioritizing conservation on BLM lands.Use code PU20 and get 20% off onxhunt.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    Quail or Chickens: Which Domestic Bird is Right For You?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 7:53


    In this article, Mike Fitzgerald writes about how, depending on your living situation and homesteading goals, chickens or quail may work better for you.Paradigm Sporting Dog offers veterinarian-designed field and truck first aid keeps to keep you and your dog prepared for the unknown. Check out paradigmsportingdog.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    German Longhaired Pointer (Deutsch Langhaar) Breed Profile

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 13:47


    In this article, Project Upland Director of Operations (and Deustch Langhaar owner) Jennifer Wapenski writes about the history, characteristics, and abilities of the ever-versatile German Longhaired Pointers and Deustch Langhaars.Use code PU20 and get 20% off onxhunt.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    The Evolution of American Woodcock

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 9:30


    In this article, Sage Marshall discusses the leading theories surrounding woodcock evolution in North America.Paradigm Sporting Dog offers veterinarian-designed field and truck first aid keeps to keep you and your dog prepared for the unknown. Check out paradigmsportingdog.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    How to Keep Busy During the Bird Hunting Off Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 10:20


    In this article, biologist Frank Loncarich recommends that, during the off season, bird hunters become students of the birds through learning basic biology, meteorology, and networking with wildlife professionals.Use code PU20 and get 20% off onxhunt.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    Foraging for Wild Onions

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 10:08


    In this article, Mark Parman writes about the names, histories, and habitat information for naturally-occurring edible alliums.Paradigm Sporting Dog offers veterinarian-designed field and truck first aid keeps to keep you and your dog prepared for the unknown. Check out paradigmsportingdog.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    The New Project Upland Podcast: What Caused the Passenger Pigeon Extinction?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 34:23


    In this episode, Gabby and AJ talk to Mark Avery, author of A Message from Martha. As a biologist and conservationist, Mark takes us back in time to reconstruct the biology, habitat, and final era of the Passenger Pigeon. The Passenger Pigeon's extinction is one of the most dramatic extinction stories of the 20th century, resulting in the loss of the most numerous bird on Earth. This episode explores everything from nesting biology and historical accounts to habitat destruction and the last Passenger Pigeon to die in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo—Martha.Listen to past episodes here: Project Upland PodcastIf you want to support independent journalism, check out the Project Upland Podcast Patreon.Read more at projectupland.com.

    Herman Alofs' Invention Of The Reloading Magazine

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 8:00


    In this article, Craig Mitchell writes about one metalworker who, 100 years ago, enabled post-Great Depression hunters to reload efficiently without purchasing a pump-action shotgun.Use code PU20 and get 20% off onxhunt.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    The Designation of National Monuments and Their Impact on Public Lands

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 18:03


    In this article, A.J. DeRosa discusses the origin and history of the Antiquities Act as well as the powers U.S. presidents have when it comes to designating (or removing) national monuments.Use code PU20 and get 20% off onxhunt.com.Read more at projectupland.com.

    Raising Domestic Quail For Profit

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 7:45


    In this article, Mike Fitzgerald shares about how he financially benefits from raising coturnix quail.Use code PU20 and get 20% off onxhunt.com.

    What's Limiting Eastern Ruffed Grouse Populations?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 12:09


    In this article, Gary Norman offers insights from his career as a ruffed grouse biologist on the factors impacting eastern ruffed grouse survival.

    Trial by Fire: The Loss and Potential Recovery of Ruffed Grouse Habitat in Virginia

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 17:06


    In this article, Ryan Dawson writes about ruffed grouse populations and habitat in Virginia and how fire may just be what southeastern forests need to recover Appalachian ruffed grouse. This article originally appeared in the winter 2024 issue of Project Upland Magazine.

    Tips For Keeping Quail Year-Round

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 7:49


    In this article, Mike Fitzgerald explains useful practices for raising domestic quail during all four seasons. Check out Mike's recipe for pickled quail here! Read more at projectupland.com.

    Midwestern Bobwhite Quail Conservation: The Time For Action Is Now

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 16:11


    In this episode of Project Upland On The Go, two quail biologists encourage private landowners to take advantage of state and federal habitat management assistance. This story was originally published in the Fall 2024 issue of Project Upland Magazine. Subscribe to Project Upland Magazine and find more articles like this at projectupland.com.

    Stand Hunting Rabbits and Hares

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 10:18


    When I say stand hunting, I'm not referring to sitting in a deer stand and waiting for rabbits to show up. (Unless you always see rabbits from your deer stand, in which case, do that!) Instead, I'm talking about setting up within gun range of excellent rabbit cover that is impossible to flush rabbits from and waiting for them to emerge. Ambush hunting is another way to put it. Dilapidated farmhouses, piles of irreparable farm equipment, unwalkable brushy cover, and the like are perfect places for ambush hunting rabbits. The key element here is that, once you're set up, hold very, very still.

    A Complete Guide to Late Season Snowshoe Hare Hunting

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 10:41


    Late season snowshoe hare hunting is a bit different than early season snowshoe hunting. Here are a few pointers for adding a hare or two to your game bag during the tail end of winter.  

    Paws To Peaks Rescue: A Nonprofit Dedicated To Rehoming Bird Dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 8:25


    Gina Deem was a nursing student in Bozeman, Montana when she adopted her first hunting dog in 2014. At the time, she wasn't a hunter, but her then-boyfriend was. “He said, ‘If we're going to get a dog, we're going to get a bird dog. And that bird dog's going to be a German Shorthair,'” she recalls. Aware of how many dogs were in shelters, Deem wanted to adopt a bird dog. Deem and her partner didn't have the funds to put down a deposit with a reputable GSP breeder. Plus, she figured they'd be able to find a GSP up for adoption. She was right. Within days, she and her then-boyfriend picked up a Shorthair named Boone from a small shelter near Sand Point, Idaho. He had been surrendered after his former owner's health declined. That fall, Deem took Boone hunting and watched him point his first rooster pheasant. Deem was hooked and soon developed a deep passion for bird dogs and upland hunting. After adopting several more GSPs and observing how many popped up at shelters in her region, she started Paws to Peak Rescue in 2018. Since then, she's rehomed over 130 bird dogs in Montana, Idaho, Utah, and beyond.

    How English is the English Setter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 14:46


    So how English is the English setter? In some ways, the answer is ‘not very much.' In terms of numbers, looks and working style the breed is now more American, more Italian, more international than it is English. However, the English setter is, and always will be, quintessentially English. Refined over time by brilliant, industrious people, the English setter, like the English language, is a practical, elegant, and highly adaptable product of a small island nation that conquered the world.

    FDA-Approved QuailGuard Treats Cecal Worms And Eyeworms In Wild Bobwhite Quail

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 15:14


    For bird enthusiasts, hearing about the negative impacts of habitat loss on bobwhite quail isn't anything new. In fact, this issue have been largely blamed for North America's shrinking bobwhite population. However, parasites may have a larger effect on wild quail than previously thought, especially in Texas and Oklahoma. “Something happened,” said Dr. Ron Kendall, the founder of Texas Tech's Wildlife Toxicology Lab. “We saw innumerable quail in the summer of 2010. Conditions were perfect. But by that fall, the quail were gone.” That year, biologists, wildlife managers, researchers, and hunters rallied together and launched "Operation Idiopathic Decline." The operation brought together multiple universities. Scientists explored the potential causes of the quail population crash. “We looked at pesticides, environmental contaminants, viruses, bacteria, and parasites,” said Dr. Kendall. “Lo and behold, we saw these parasitic worms called helminths in the birds.” 

    Introduction to Hunting American Coot

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 8:21


    I heard the jokes about water swatting American coots long before I became a licensed hunter. But when I finally took up waterfowl hunting, I discovered that the humor surrounding coots was actually a well-placed sentry guarding a well-kept secret: American coot is delicious. 

    Guide to Hunting Gambel's and Scaled Quail In Arizona

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 11:50


    My first experience with Arizona quail occurred as a covey of about 30 Gambel's quail raced across the public two-track road before us, sprinting to a pond to get water. Not believing our luck, I pulled the truck over. My father, James, and buddy, Kyle Hedges, helped me boot up three dogs.  While the process took about 20 minutes, we were confident that the birds would still be somewhere close. Based on our combined years of bobwhite quail hunting experience, we thought perhaps they'd be in the thick brush surrounding the pond or down the draw below. Thirty minutes later, only one bird in the whole covey flushed. That's when we realized that these critters were different. 

    A Guide to the Unofficial Kansas Grand Slam

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 11:16


    Kansas' reputation as a classic upland hunting state has long been known. Bobwhite quail hunting here is legendary during boom years and remains solid during average years. While pheasant hunting in Kansas has decreased over the last few years due to habitat loss, the state is still consistently among the top three to four states for roosters. Additionally, Kansas is the country's top greater prairie chicken state, providing great opportunities to harvest the charismatic grassland dweller.  A chance to harvest these three species on a single trip, maybe even on a single walk, makes Kansas a special place to hunt in the fall. Here are a few tips to help you plan your attempt at the Kansas Grand Slam.

    Hunting Late Season Prairie Chickens

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 8:55


    The Kansas Flint Hills prairie rose 100 feet above the low-lying soybean field I was hunting. Each day, two groups of greater prairie-chickens screamed down from the grasslands and into the field to feed at unbelievable speeds. I had these birds dialed in; I knew exactly which electric pole they flew past every morning. I was set up well before dawn, ready to pass-shoot them.   The first group came in well in advance, but I was unprepared for how fast they were. I missed, wildly behind. I adjusted my swing on the next group, got lucky, and dropped a bird at the tail end of the group. Was it the bird I was shooting at? Probably not. But in any case, I had my first late season chicken.  That chicken hunting experience was more like pass-shooting waterfowl than upland bird hunting, but it was utterly unique and incredibly fun. Every upland hunter should try it. These tips will help you connect on a greater prairie-chicken during the late season.

    Decoying Diver Ducks On A Budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 8:23


    When I started hunting waterfowl, diver ducks seemed like the most expensive birds to target. YouTube videos worsened this impression. Everyone seemed to be hunting from extravagant blinds while utilizing an infinite number of bluebill and redhead decoys. It was baffling! How was a hunter on a limited budget supposed to compete with that?  The truth is, small decoy spreads are very effective if you play your cards right and know your diver ducks. Let's look at how we can decoy diver ducks on a budget.

    Hunting Southeastern American Woodcock

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 9:45


    In the southeast, by mid-December, most hunters turn their attention away from whitetail deer and solely focus on waterfowl hunting. Wood ducks and Canadian geese can be found anywhere there's water. Many folks decoy puddle ducks and divers on the coastal plains, and lakes offer great opportunities for mallards and teal. But there is one migratory bird that most waterfowlers rarely glimpse: the American woodcock.  Woodcock arrive in the South each fall under the cover of darkness. By sunrise, they are tucked away in dense cover. However, if you don't mind putting a few miles on your boots beside a good bird dog, hunting American woodcock in the southeast is a great way to get out of the blind and into the woods.

    Guide to Early Season Snowshoe Hare Hunting

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 8:18


    Nothing gets my blood flowing more than hunting upland birds in November and accidentally flushing a snowshoe hare. Each fall, early season snowshoe hare hunting catches me off guard. Seldom am I ready for those first wild flushes that mark the beginning of hare season. Snowshoes are commonly found in the same places as ruffed grouse and spruce grouse. To top it off, they will test your shooting capabilities to their fullest. You think shooting a ruffed grouse busting through the alders is tough? Try hitting a snowshoe hare that's just as fast but sprints across the ground. Increase the odds of adding a hare to your game bag before the snow comes with these tips.

    Most Popular Bird Dog Breeds of 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 16:08


    Project Upland's annual North American Upland Bird Hunting Survey ended earlier this year. What better way to share our data than by starting a brawl over the most popular bird dog breeds?  The hunting dog world is full of personal biases, and our survey results reflected our community's diverse preferences. When asked, “What type of hunting dogs do you own?,” 53.69% of respondents said pointing, 32.84% said versatile, 19.37% said retriever, 11.11% said spaniel, and 1% said hound. Although pointing dogs have retained the #1 spot seven years in a row, the number of versatile dog owners has increased slightly and the number of spaniel and retriever owners have decreased slightly. We won't let our dog breed snobbery enter the chat, but personally, we're always happy to see pointing and versatile dogs in the number one and two spots, respectively.

    A Guide to Hunting Black Ducks

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 13:30


    When hunting in black duck country, a thermos full of coffee is mandatory—not for the caffeine or warmth but to keep your spirits up. On the marshes where black ducks live, they make up the bulk of every bird you see. The problem is, they want nothing to do with you. Of the over two dozen duck species that migrate along the Atlantic Flyway, the black duck is the only one rumored to be able to count. Too many decoys, and a black duck won't commit. Too few decoys, and they'll keep buzzing. The lucky number? Seven, according to old-timers from Long Island Sound. Even-numbered decoy spreads, they insist, indicate a duck hunter. Now, I can't attest to the black duck's ability to count, but I do know they're tough suckers to hunt. They're brutally wary. They shy away from most natural-looking decoy spreads, almost always avoid a duck call, and fly in such small numbers that one shot is usually all you get. To avoid heartbreak and frustration, hunters must ditch the usual duck hunting playbook and adopt strategies honed over generations of being outwitted.

    How to Identify American Woodcock Habitat

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 10:14


    Most people associate American woodcock with the Northwoods. However, they are common throughout the entire eastern half of the United States over the course of their fall and spring migrations.  During the woodcock migration, these plump, bug-eyed brown birds utilize very similar habitat types across each state, albeit habitat that is comprised of very different species of trees and shrubs across their lengthy flight.

    Brittany: Breed Characteristics, Abilities, and History

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 14:15


    Brittanies are the fulfillment of a French dream to build a better bird dog. I am sure that if those old braconniers from La Bretagne could see the breed today, they would be thrilled to know that Brittanies have conquered the world. I've seen Brittanies in European trials. I've shot roosters and ruffed grouse over Sporty, Bandit, and Buster, three tremendous Brittanies owned by a good friend. I've spoken at length with Brittany owners and breeders and some of the best trainers in the world. The more I learn about the breed, the more I admire it. If you really want to understand why hunters fell in love so quickly with the little dogs from Brittany, watch a couple work a cattail slough in North Dakota and pin rooster after rooster for their proud owner. Or attend a spring field trial north of Paris and watch the cream of the Épagneul Breton crop fly across the ground seeking wild partridges. Or ask any Brittany owner how their dogs are around the house and hear nothing but praise for the breed's loving temperament.

    Golden Retrievers: Hunting Abilities, Characteristics, and Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 14:31


    Field goldens typify these traits and more. For instance, field goldens have all the affection of a show golden, but with the sky-watching, duck-loving, cold-water-plunging nature of a lab. Field goldens don't lumber. They glide like a German Shorthair. Their thick necks and brawny shoulders taper down into sleek frames like that of a cheetah. Unlike a show golden's flat white coat, field goldens have much shorter, insulated, honey-colored fur, ideal for camouflage in winter sedge. Underneath all that hide and muscle lies the high drive and birdy instinct required to brave freezing temperatures. Top it off with a nose that can snuff out a half-dead green-winged teal hidden in an endless swamp of woven cordgrass, and you've engineered the perfect duck dog.

    Complete Guide to Chukar Hunting

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 12:27


    Perhaps no upland game bird embodies the ruggedness of western hunting better than the chukar. They inhabit the wild, mountainous terrain that defines the vast wilderness of the Great Basin, the high desert, and the inland northwest—places where water is scarce and survival depends on adaptation to the harsh environment. Because of the physical challenges associated with reaching chukar habitat, a certain element of machismo and bro-culture has come to define the subculture of chukar hunting. It's basically the CrossFit of the upland world. Chukar hunting isn't an easy stroll through a cut wheat field, but neither is it some sort of death-defying ascent limited to the youngest and fittest among us. A little bit of off-season hill training, a willingness to sweat a bit to reach the top of the next ridge, and plenty of water-carrying capacity are all you need to pursue these wild birds in their wild habitat. The extra effort required to reach them is rewarded with incredible views and a true sense of accomplishment when you do find them, even without a whack-n-stack tailgate photo.

    Tips for Hunting Early Season Pheasants

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 10:05


    Thousands of hunters venture afield across the Midwest on the opening weekend of pheasant season. Opening weekend is a tradition, and regardless of the state agency's pheasant population reports, hunters head out in pursuit of wily roosters. Although, in the case of opening weekend, plenty of roosters have yet to reach the status of “wily.”  The fact that early season roosters have yet to be educated on our hunting techniques doesn't mean opening weekend guarantees limits of the colorful imported game bird. However, it certainly increases the likelihood of success when compared to the late season.

    Tips For Taking Toddlers Hunting

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 10:23


    One of the most important things I have found while navigating the wilderness with a toddler in tow is involving them in the activity. No, this doesn't mean having your toddler go and retrieve birds for you. Instead, it means something as simple as listening to different songbirds while hunting and asking, “Did you hear that?” or identifying different trees, mushrooms, or animals.  I often find myself narrating a large majority of a hunt when my daughter is on my back. How much of this she can actually hear is debatable, given that she's wearing hearing protection. Still, I believe it helps my daughter's understanding of certain situations, like a dog working scent or training their ears to hear the twittering wings of a woodcock and the thunderous flush of a ruffed grouse. 

    Defining a Grouse Gun – A Shotgun of Specialist Function

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 14:40


    What makes an ideal grouse gun, or what Gene Hill would call “a gun of specialist function?” Does action type matter? What about gauge? How does the environment play into it? How has the modernization of gun-making changed grouse guns? How different is a grouse gun from a clays gun? How different is a gun built for ruffed grouse hunting versus shotguns used for other wild game? While I don't have all the answers, I do have theories. Like any evolving tradition, they're built on the backs of those who came before me.

    Are Dog Bells a Hindrance in Ruffed Grouse Hunting?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 15:37


    Birds primarily rely on sight and sound to evade predators. We know that ruffed grouse are far more jumpy in high winds because their hearing is impaired. Living in dense cover has heightened their dependence on sound. In my opinion, their sense of hearing is often greater than sight. When we factor in transgenerational stress inheritance, we gain insight into sound's profound impact on ruffed grouse hunting.  No matter how good the dog's work may be, its bell's jingle alerts grouse. The birds understand the threat, beginning evasive movements well before a dog has a chance to catch scent. Between scenting conditions, bird locations, and weather, a million variables stack up against us in unknown ways. These odds are daunting enough to dissuade us from adding another variable that would put a dog at an inherent disadvantage. However, the efficiency of killing is far from the pinnacle of the true love of grouse hunting, and interpreting the language of a dog bell is often part of that joy.  Bells, talking, and walking through cover all impact grouse well before contacts are made. This is no new theory, and while I have experimented in recent years by leaving the dog bell in the truck, one can go back as far as the late 1800s to read from our forefathers on the topic of grouse and sound. 

    Targeting Worms with GIS Soil Data to find Woodcock Habitat

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 7:00


    If I could smell a bird, walk effortlessly through thick brush, and cover ten times as much ground as the average human, Woodcock hunting would be a breeze. If I had a dog which could do all these things, Woodcock hunting would be even more of a breeze. Unfortunately I can't smell birds, I'm a slow walker, and I don't have a dog. The problem is that I've grown increasingly fond of hunting American woodcock. I am a dog-less hunter with a young family and limited time to hunt, so pounding the ground in search of good woodcock cover just isn't an option. As a lifelong deer hunter and avid trapper, I do more than 50% of my scouting on a computer. It might seem a a bit unorthodox to adapt this aspect of my deer hunting to woodcock hunting. But so far, it's paid off.

    Guide To Choosing Flea And Tick Preventatives For Your Dog

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 10:36


    One of the most constantly changing topics in the field of veterinary medicine is flea and tick prevention for dogs. Hunting dogs are some of the most exposed and susceptible victims to ectoparasites such as ticks, fleas, mites and other insects. Every year, it is important to purchase preventative products for your dog and to ask your veterinarian what new products are available.  In this article, I will discuss the three different types of preventative products and why they are so important to protect your hunting partner. This includes collars, topical treatments, and oral preventatives. I highly encourage every dog owner to have this discussion with their veterinarian because insect prevention is a transient part of this field. Remember, it is rarely the insect itself that's the issue. The parasites that insects transmit through their bites are what cause issues in our dogs.

    Important Plants for Sharp-tailed Grouse

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 15:20


    Generally speaking, grassland grouse are not the most adaptable critters. Both prairie chicken species need large expanses of grassland, while sage grouse must have large expanses of sagebrush to thrive. The one exception to this rule is the sharp-tailed grouse.  While generally considered a grassland species, sharpies range from the shrub-scrub grasslands in Wisconsin through the vast prairies of the northern U.S. Great Plains and Canada, culminating in the shrublands of Alaska. That's a huge geographic range, encompassing a wide variety of habitats, meaning there are lots of plants that are important to sharptails. That said, some plants stand out above all others, and they are found and utilized across most of this bird's vast range. 

    Ethics of Bag Limits and Self-Imposed Limits

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 19:26


    During my childhood in southern New Hampshire, kids competed to shoot a limit of “pa'tridge,” my brother and myself included. I admit, I lost just about every time to my older brother. However, we thought shooting the limit was a good idea. After all, it was the 80s. These birds gave an air of boundless existence. Hunting the droves of ruffed grouse in the Berkshires of Massachusetts when our grandfather was setting up a stand seemed almost too easy. We believed the grouse there and in the woods by my father's house would be there forever.

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