The talented team of Tom and Tina Dokken is well-known for dog training expertise and the iconic Dead Fowl Trainer, but Tina has an additional calling: bringing more women into bird hunting. She offers advice on everything from how women learn differently than men, and what we can do as spouses or partners to motivate and educate newcomers. We'll get tips and tactics on everything from dog training to shooting, some resources for new hunters, along with insights on what NOT to do when helping a newcomer. "Fix It" suggests using stealth to become better shooters, and listeners offer one-sentence's-worth of advice to new dog trainers. You get a chance to win a four-pack of Pointer shotguns, or a HiViz sight and Sage & Braker range bag, valued at over $200 total in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Pointer Shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

Ruth Weiss is a senior judge in the NAVHDA testing system as well as an active handler with 74 dogs tested including two versatile champions. She's seen it all and will share her insights on everything from steadiness to retrieving (advice for all levels), introducing a pup to water, and how and when to use praise. She's also an avid bird hunter and offers insights on handling a dog in the field as well as a peek into the world of Mearns quail. Her upbeat attitude is contagious and springs from a love of dogs and how they think. "Fix It" suggests one time when praise is the wrong thing to provide, and listeners chip in with the bird species they hunted most last season. You get a chance to win a free day of private land hunting from LandTrust.com , value $150 in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , RuffLand Kennels, @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

Here's the third episode of the new, bi-weekly bonus programs doing a deep dive into single topics, inspirational stories, hunting adventures and special people. Delving deep, we philosophize about the value of hunting by yourself. Okay, with your dog, of course, but nobody else. Free, unencumbered, and a chance to explore your inner self. I'll weigh the advantages vs. the drawbacks and hope you agree it's a worthy path to follow sometimes. I'll also touch on a few practical aspects you'll want to consider if you go it alone. Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Purina Pro Plan Sport dog food.…

Are pricey bespoke guns worth their stratospheric prices? My friend and Field & Stream's shotgun editor Phil Bourjaily has an answer and he should know. He's been writing on the subject for decades and now we get the lowdown. Phil also shares what he looks for (and so should we) when buying any shotgun, the joys and limitations of heavy and light guns, grouse hunting with a Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel, and the real reason shotguns were originally engraved. We'll also cover Phil's hunting season, reminisce about some dogs, and get sound advice on hunting strategy. "Fix It" covers a way to dial down your dog's energy level to make training more productive, and listeners offer suggestions for our reading list in honor of World Book Day. You get a chance to win a four-pack of Pointer shotguns or HiViz sight and a range bag from Sage & Braker (value over $200 total) in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , RuffLand Kennels, @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

Bob West is one of the legends in bird dog training, a writer, hunter, and all-around font of wisdom when it comes to hunting dogs. He joins me for reminiscences about what's changed in dog training,and how different today's trainers are from the old timers. Bob suggests what we should be doing differently in our own training, his choice for hardest birds to hunt, how dogs think, answers some specific questions about steadiness training and we venture down a rabbit hole on the topic of - what? - Chinese field trials (which, it turns out, were really Japanese bird-dog buyers in the 1980's). Bob also offers advice on bringing a new dog into the string: match your current dog's sex, or go opposite? "Fix It" offers a poor man's bird launcher, and listeners tell us what they're training right now. You get a chance to win a free day of private land hunting from LandTrust.com , value $150 in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , RuffLand Kennels, @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

Here's the second episode of the new, bi-weekly bonus programs doing a deep dive into single topics, inspirational stories, hunting adventures and special people. This one is a list of ways to save money so you can wring out an extra day, buy more shells, or drink better beer on a road trip. I've compiled a bunch of suggestions, ideas and advice from my own years as a road warrior that might help you this season. From booking travel and lodging to less-common ways to find savings on everything from fuel to access, I hope you'll find something of value (pun intended) on this podcast. Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Purina Pro Plan Sport dog food.…

He's a fanatic bird hunter, conservationist, dog trainer and strong advocate for recruiting newbies to our ranks. Oh, he's also on the board of Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever. Douglas Spale has a unique backstory, too, and all his passions and life experiences combine to make him a fantastic interview. We'll cover everything from his own hunting origin story to dog training tips, hunting strategies to conservation. Then, we'll talk how to help motivate and engage potential hunters. As a board member, Douglas also offers insights into the policies and operations of the largest upland conservation groups, PF/QF. "Fix It" asks the question: are you responsible for your dog's broken points? And listeners share the highlights of their most recent hunting season - a segment full of motivation and inspiration. You get a chance to enter to win a four-pack of Pointer shotguns or free day of private land hunting from LandTrust.com , value $150 in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , RuffLand Kennels, @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

Bird Dog Hall of Famer Rick Smith of the legendary family that includes father Delmar and cousin Ronnie, joins me from the floor of Pheasant Fest. In a wide-ranging discussion, we cover rodeo(!), essential training gear, and do a very deep dive into dog psychology and training methods. We talk about steadiness, retrieving, picking a pup, a dog's mindset and how to change it. Listeners offer their critique of my survival kit, including other things to add; and "Fix It" talks about, well, talking to your dog. You get a chance to enter to win a free day of private land hunting from LandTrust.com , value $150 in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , RuffLand Kennels, @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

Here's the inaugural episode of bi-weekly bonus programs doing a deep dive into single topics, inspirational stories, hunting adventures and special people. I took stock of last season, made a "to-do" list, and will share my priorities ... maybe some will become yours too. From steadiness to shooting skills, we'll touch on the stuff you can do now to ensure a more successful season this fall. Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Purina Pro Plan Sport dog food.…

From the floor of Pheasant Fest: hunting for bobwhites will be a lot easier with the advice you'll get here from Frank Loncarich and Kyle Hedges of Land & Legacy . They've got boots-on-the-ground know-how based on decades of science and practical experience. We'll learn more about behavior, reproduction, and fundamentals from hunting strategy to tactics. "Fix It" reminds everyone of simple ways to keep a dog engaged on a road trip, and listeners offer their answers to the question "do you say anything once your dog hits a point?" You get a chance to enter to win a free day of private land hunting from LandTrust.com , value $150 in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , Pointer shotguns , @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

From the floor of National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic: Put down your coffee cup - you won't need any more caffeine once you feed off Kali Parmley's energy. She's editor of Gun Dog magazine, a hard core upland hunter, hosts the Wild Upland TV series, and hunts hard all season. You'll find her in the stratosphere chasing ptarmigan, and among the lava rock where chukars dwell. We'll talk about how she decides what gets into a magazine and why ... starting a new pup ... hunting two dogs as a brace and separately ... adventures of a TV host ... and re-live her hunting season together. Tips and strategies for wild birds are also part of our discussion. "Fix It" puts you into new public-access land in a neglected location and I'll announce the latest winner in our Fur Feathers Friends-Pointer Shotguns giveaway. You get a chance to enter to win a free day of private land hunting from LandTrust.com , value $150 in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , Pointer shotguns , @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

Re-live your own season while listening to the stories of my friends George Gomez and Rashawn Gordon. George had an incredible Montana hunt and we'll get the highlights from him: dog work, bird numbers and other challenges. (And I share a once-in-aplifetime shot!) Rashawn trains dogs and guides in the Southwest, where he chases primarily Gambel's quail. We'll get advice on steadying dogs to running birds, the importance of recall, and training away from sight points. Listeners share their thoughts on hunting a brace (or more!) of dogs simultaneously, and "Fix It" covers some reasons to take your training into the house. You get a chance to win a pair of Chad Hodge signature choke tubes from Trulock Chokes (value $199) in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, too, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , Pointer shotguns , @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

We peek behind the curtains with insights from Scott Trulock of Trulock Choke s on everything from the state of the industry to why steel quality counts, and an explanation of what TSS really is. Then Chris Ingram talks about launching a new magazine for sport dogs of all stripes (and their owners) from the United Kennel Club and American Field. From content strategy to nitty-gritty, Chris shares his plans. Listeners tell us what they're doing in the off-season, and "Fix It" tunes up your hunting vest. You get a chance to win a pair of Trulock choke tubes (value $199) in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , Pointer shotguns , @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

Chukars to Mearn's quail, we've got you covered as the season debriefs roll on. I'm joined by two avid bird hunting friends on this edition: Lance Larson of Arizona, and Omar Alyahya of Oregon. Weather, dog work, challenges from puppies to cactus all are part of the discussion. Omar also shares his hunting upbringing in Kuwait. We'll learn about chukar and desert quail habitat, how chukars defied conventional wisdom later in the season, pick up a couple hunting strategies, and find out how bird populations fared. Omar has first-hand experience and recommends a very important piece of gear. "Fix It" is my take on feeding your dog during the off season, and listeners relate their dogs' injury situation after a long season - words to the wise! You get a chance to enter to win a pair of Trulock Choke tubes (value $199) in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , Pointer shotguns , @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…

Now's the time to practice this - when nobody's under any pressure. I'll share the lessons I've learned the hard way about keeping your dog's eyes clean and functioning well. From teaching him to let you poke around, to getting out the crud under his eyelids, to when NOT to use eye drops. I'll outline the few tools you need, some of the methods, and caution you on when it's time to leave the job to a veterinarian. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com , Pointer shotguns , @midwayusa, # midwayusa , MidwayUSA , Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes , HiViz shooting systems, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.…