Episode 091: Lessons Learned w/Amanda Ponti

I created this podcast three years ago to find and connect with other women interested in upland hunting and all things bird dogs. I was, and continue to be, eager to learn and be inspired. In the process, I've been listening and understanding what women want. My goals and mission are now focused on that; making opportunities available for like-minded women to connect and get started and involved more easily. In this closing episode, I share my gratitude for everyone who has inspired and supported me on this journey. Continue the journey with me and so many others over at HerUpland! HerUpland.com   HerUpland Podcast #18| HerUpland's New Beginnings HerUpland Podcast #19| 2023 Pheasant Fest/Quail Classic

Andy and Amanda Doak live and love all things bird dogs, hunting, conservation, and NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association). For those that have experienced the friendships made through your involvement in NAVHDA, you can relate to this conversation about the personal gain that comes not only from those relationships with other people but also with your dogs. Andy and Amanda's gratitude inspires them to give back to the organization at the local and national levels. Andy shares more about why he is currently running for the vice president position of the NAVHDA International board. Voting ends on Nov 16, get your votes in!  The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt  6:00 Andy’s start into hunting 11:20 Amanda’s start into hunting and bird dogs 14:45 Pudelpointers 17:25 Getting active at a local level 22:00 Amanda’s journey in NAVHDA testing 28:07 English Setters 30:00 Hunting and training with your spouse 36:00 Judging for NAVHDA 41:15 Women in NAVHDA 49:30 Creating habitat 53:15 Running for NAVHDA International VP 55:00 NAVHDA youth program 56:30 Reaching goals and looking forward to the future 1:11:50 Apprentice Support Program 1:13:45 Putting into an organization that you get so much out of 1:20:00 Hunting season plans 1:21:35 Favorite piece of gear 1:23:25 Favorite gamebird recipe – woodcock Connect with Andy Connect with Amanda Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website

In this episode guests Sam 'the slayer' Snyder, Katie Willis, Stephanie Walton Filicipzak, and Chloe Nostrant join me to discuss our hunt with 4 senior bird dogs in the sea of sage this past September. This episode, and this hunt, is a tribute to my dearly beloved, late Bisto, whom we lost this past spring. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website ------------------------------------------------- 7:45 Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind 16:45 Intros 24:40 onX Hunt 31:00 BOSS Shotshells 33:50 Syren Shotguns 39:40 Dakota283 41:25 Planning the hunt(s) 44:00 Bisto’s Hunt 55:50 Sam ‘the slayer’ Snyder (er’ Tillman) 1:01:50 Chloe’s Sharptail Recipe  1:04:55 Shep’s Story 1:10:00 Reaching out there 1:13:00 Landowner appreciation 1:15:55 One Montana, Master Hunter Program 1:21:10 Pick up your damn hulls! 1:24:50 The best moment 1:44:10 Comfortable, beautiful silence 1:49:30 Pushing through the pain 1:54:20 In the moment 2:01:30 Truck toast 2:07:15 Closing comments

Rachel Willard and her husband, Andrew, rely on wild game meat to fill their freezer and feast on year-round. This year they acquired two bearded baby bird dogs and their active lifestyle has led them to become active volunteers for their local NAVHDA Chapter and avid upland hunters. Rachel shares her story of getting into big game and upland hunting, the love of beards, and the learning and adventures that come with bird dogs. Rachel and Andrew have become very dear friends of my husband and me this past year, and we absolutely love and cherish every moment we spend with them. Both stepped up to the plate as mentors this past weekend at HerUpland Grouse Camp and did an amazing job. Enjoy this episode and hear from an amazing, beautiful person inside and out that Rachel Willard is The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt 6:45 Intro to hunting 11:20 Big Game 17:50 Getting started in upland 20:55 Squirrels and rabbits 24:15 Bird Dogs 26:00 Pudelpointers 27:30 Choosing a breeder 35:00 NAVHDA 40:55 First NAVHDA NA Test 54:05 Releasing dog for the track 59:30 HerUpland Pointing Dog Camp 1:04:30 Pigeons 1:07:15 Hunting plans 1:10:15 Invasive quail 1:12:15 Future dog training plans 1:14:00 The latest bearded addition 1:18:15 Shared dog training duties 1:21:50 Providing structure for active bird dogs 1:28:55 Breed differences 1:30:00 Women’s Gear 1:36:40 Favorite Game Bird Recipe 1:40:00 onX Hunt --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website -------------------------------------------------

In this episode my good friend, and frequent guest of the podcast, Katie Willis, joins me as we discuss a crazy summer, all things building HerUpland, future plans, and just some dang good conversation. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt   10:00 All the puppies 16:00 Training and testing first NAVHDA UT dog 27:00 NAVHDA Invitational 44:20 HerUpland Dog Training Camp recap 1:04:50 Building HerUpland 1:32:00 HerUpland Hunting Camp 2:01:00 All the bad dogs --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website -------------------------------------------------

Dr Amanda Inman joins me to discuss one of my favorite bird dog breeds, and the 200th breed to gain AKC recognition, the Bracco Italiano! Amanda is a long time Bracco enthusiast, President of the Bracco Italiano Club of America and a Veterinarian that has made the major health concerns of the breed her personal passion project with research being recognized around the world.  The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt This episode is brought to you by: Breeder's Edge Use Promo Code: BirdDog10 for 10% off  8:30 Meet Dr Amanda Inman 15:10 Bracco Italiano breed history 19:30 Trot, Gallop, Braga 27:30 Bracco vs Spinone 34:10 The long road to AKC breed recognition 57:30 Characteristics of the Bracco Italiano 1:09:30 NAVHDA and AKC field stats for the breed 1:33:00 Who should and shouldn’t own a Bracco 1:39:10 Health concerns of the breed 1:58:35 The Drool! 2:00:00 Join The Bracco Italiano Club of America Facebook Instagram Bracco Italiano Club of America -------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website -------------------------------------------------

Register for 12 week 'Upland Ready Program  Dr Kristina Mott and Bill Koepke join me to share our collaborating efforts that created a 12 week program for both people and their dogs, designed specifically to prepare for your hunting adventures this season.  A portion of the proceeds from this program will be donated to Access Ability Wisconsin The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt This episode is brought to you by: Cato Outdoors Use Promo Code: BIRDDOGBABE for 5% off  13:20 Meet our trainers 22:15 About the program 26:30 Human Conditioning 33:20 Dog Conditioning 39:20 Equipment 45:05 Consult with physician and veterinarian 47:40 Injury prevention 52:20 Diet 1:03:00 Price Connect with Dr. Kristina Mott Four Winds Duck Dogs Facebook Instagram Connect with Coach Bill Koepke Facebook Instagram Team Early AF   --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website -------------------------------------------------

In this episode I am joined by 4 awesome ladies throughout the country. For different reasons, each of them traveled to Omaha, NE for Pheasant Fest/Quail Classic March 11-13, an annual convention that is often described as the Super Bowl of Upland Hunting. Whether you’re a hunter, landowner, bird dog lover, wild game cooking enthusiast, or wildlife habitat conservationist, there is something for everyone at this event. But what isn’t advertised for this incredible weekend, are the lifelong friendships and connections made when you’re surrounded by likeminded people that share your passion. We sit down and talk about all of those things, in addition to, the people that inspired us throughout the weekend and all those in the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Organizations that worked so hard to host this incredible event, and all things they’re doing for the birds, wildlife, and habitat. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website -------------------------------------------------

Amanda Ponti shares her story of how her German Shorthaired Pointer and German Wirehaired Pointer, along with some welcoming men started her on a journey into upland hunting. She shares some hard lessons learned on that journey, what she’s doing now to help other women get started, and how conservation efforts have become an integral part of the journey for her.    The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt This episode is brought to you by: The Bird Dog e-Academy 4:30 Becoming an upland hunter 5:40 First bird dog 16:30 Second bird dog 17:30 GSP vs GWP 23:00 NAVHDA training goals 23:45 Hunting plans and experiences 28:50 Learning about habitat and ideal locations 33:30 Memorable sage grouse hunt 42:50 Panko Quail Nuggets 43:30 Pigeons and training birds 46:30 Pheasant Fest 58:50 Women’s events 1:03:30 Getting more involved in conservation 1:07:00 Pink 1:13:00 Lightning Round! 1:19:30 Advice 1:27:00 No shot is worth the risk Follow Amanda Ponti on Instagram @mspontilovespointers --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website -------------------------------------------------

Everett Headley is an outdoor writer and educator who grew up hunting and fishing in Montana. He is the host of Venery and Veritas Podcast which focuses on the peripherals of hunting; elevating your hunt, wild game, cooking, ethics, conservation, philosophy, controversy and education. In this episode we discuss his choice of bird dogs, falconry, and ways to elevate your hunt and tastefully share the story. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt This episode is brought to you by: Briley 5:00 Conversations around hunting ethics 9:45 Growing up hunting 18:00 Providing wild game for family, friends and neighbors 19:00 2021 Hunting season 25:40 Labs to Chessies 39:00 Falconry 56:00 Wild caught vs captive bred falcons 1:01:50 Venery and Veritas Podcast 1:09:40 Talking points on ethics in hunting 1:13:15 Hunting for food or sport 1:20:15 Are we getting better or worse 1:23:00 Staying informed 1:32:40 Share of the story 1:33:30 Covey concerns 1:35:00 Resources to help elevate your hunting 1:37:30 Lightning round Books: Meditations on Hunting Grinnell Gear: Darn Tough Socks Snack: Cliff Bars Fig Newtons Instagram @everettheadley Everettheadley.com --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney:  Instagram Facebook YouTube Website -------------------------------------------------