293. Trialing and/or Hunting?

I stopped off while on my way up to the Northwoods for a few weeks with Jordan Horak of Cato Outdoors . We hung out and ran some dogs through a few drills then sat down to record this conversation in which we talk about some hurdles or challenges for a lot of folks wanting to train their own bird dogs. Watch Here! The impact of wild bird populations on how we train. You don't need land and birds everyday to train a bird dog. Develop a language with the dog Find the highest common denominator Keeping sessions short and incremental. For both kids and dogs! Avoid being a greedy trainer Develop the dogs like a kid but don't TREAT them like a kid The dog worlds getting better about timelines and drive management Theres no ribbons given out for training Starting with a win Eventually you may have to push them through Sometimes they have to do it. Other times, do we really care? Pull away just one nuggets from these podcasts Small adjustments and building the toolbox You have to be able to adjust and not stick to just one way It should be FUN! ENJOY the process - Presented By: Standing Stone Supply | Check out their step by step Online Courses and Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15% onX Hunt Maps | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20% Sweet Briar Pet Transport | Call (317) 513-4481 for your free quote today! Upland Gun Company | Check out their online gun builder and construct your dream gun today! Marsh Wear Clothing | Use Code 'GDIY15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save even more) Trulock Choke Tubes | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10% - Other Partners: BPro Kennels Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20] Bird Dog Society - GDIY Links: Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Terry Ann Fernando joins me to talk about why she favors trialing over testing and hunting. Having spent years in each activity with her Vizsla, Zara, Terry Ann offers valuable insights into what she enjoys about each one and what sets them apart. Watch Here Highlights: A positive experience at a JR Hunt Test results in the Accidental Bird Dog What appeals to Terry Ann more about trialing and testing? Do we lose any "hunt"by focusing on competing? The dogs know the difference between hunting and competing The learning curves for new hunters Are tests and trials the only real way to bring in new hunters in the South? Walking entry for horseback trials Trials or tests preference? Trials are just as welcoming as tests The way to appeal to younger and newer people is to actually act like want them to show up! Can you compete at a high level while focusing on hunting? Does it hurt to have a generalist dog as opposed to a specialist? Different context for each type of event Playing non bird dog events just for fun! Remember what its like to be the new person The motivation to write the book, The Accidental Bird Dog - Presented By: Standing Stone Supply | Check out their step by step Online Courses and Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15% onX Hunt Maps | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20% Sweet Briar Pet Transport | Call (317) 513-4481 for your free quote today! Upland Gun Company | Check out their online gun builder and construct your dream gun today! Marsh Wear Clothing | Use Code 'GDIY15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save even more) Trulock Choke Tubes | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10% - Other Partners: BPro Kennels Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20] Bird Dog Society - GDIY Links: Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I spent a week bouncing around Montana hunting and camping on public land with Randall Lykens (Liberty Canine, LLC) and his brother Cory Lykens. We talk about everything in this one to include hunt stories, gear talk, and lessons learned. You don't want to miss this one! WATCH HERE! --> This episode has a number of clips and pictures sprinkled throughout. Please click the link to check it out and hit SUBSCRIBE while there! Highlights: Why did we come to Montana? Taking client dogs on hunt trips Linking the training field with the wild bird field for inexperienced dogs Paying attention to context clues Some dogs find birds. Some dogs happen upon them. Some trips are simply just unlucky! From the rattlesnakes to the habitat Our mobile camping rig setups Water, Power, & Fuel Truck bed Air Conditioning for the dogs Everyones favorite and least favorite moments of the trip Cory's Sage Grouse experience Quinn's retrieve refusal and how did I handle it? Lucy wins for the best impersonation of LEROY JENKINS!!! Porcupines, porcupines, and MORE porcupines! First impressions from hunting with our Upland Gun Company shotguns! - Presented By: Standing Stone Supply | Check out their step by step Online Courses and Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15% onX Hunt Maps | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20% Sweet Briar Pet Transport | Call (317) 513-4481 for your free quote today! Upland Gun Company | Check out their online gun builder and construct your dream gun today! Marsh Wear Clothing | Use Code 'GDIY15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save even more) Trulock Choke Tubes | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10% Furvor Bone Broth | Use Code 'GDIY2&1' to buy 2 bottles and get the 3rd free (Valid for 1 time usage) usde 'GDIY10' to save 10% on future orders - Other Partners: BPro Kennels Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20] Bird Dog Society - GDIY Links: Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You never know who's paths may cross on these trips and when previous GDIY guest from episode 230, Tyson Bowden, messaged saying he was in the area we were able to link up. His buddy Lars Jacobson of Crispi Boots was his riding partner and we all got out in the middle of nowhere for a quick hunt and conversation. First impressions of Montana Overanalyzing and second guessing yourself What cover were the Sharptail Grouse in? Goals and expectations coming into the trip Keeping camp both mobile and efficient A quick break for hunting! Hunting large grasslands as opposed to agriculture The right boot for the upland hunter Boot height Boot Flex Boot material and waterproofing Insulated vs non insulated The importance of socks Introducing the NEW Crispi Gaiters! Shotguns only work if there are shotgun shells.... Drinking the 28 gauge Kool Aid from Upland Gun Company The dog power joining us in camp - Presented By: Standing Stone Supply | Check out their step by step Online Courses and Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15% onX Hunt Maps | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20% Sweet Briar Pet Transport | Call (317) 513-4481 for your free quote today! Upland Gun Company | Check out their online gun builder and construct your dream gun today! Marsh Wear Clothing | Use Code 'GDIY15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save even more) Trulock Choke Tubes | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10% Furvor Bone Broth | Use Code 'GDIY2&1' to buy 2 bottles and get the 3rd free (Valid for 1 time usage) usde 'GDIY10' to save 10% on future orders - Other Partners: BPro Kennels Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20] Bird Dog Society - GDIY Links: Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Riding a horse to chase bird dogs across the prairies of North Dakota will be one of the experiences that sticks with me for quite a while. Kenton Bryant, Dave Stover, and Will Dunn join me to discuss everything about the tradition of horseback field trials. Watch Here! History of horseback hunting in the United States Horseback field trials in the United States Impact of diminishing bird numbers American Field Trial is a lifestyle Trial dogs versus “hunting dogs” Superior independence on the edge of chaos Importance of mentorship  Range and capability of dogs Breeds and qualities in a field trial dog Horses and the nostalgia Ricky Bobby of the uplands Developing versus training Point ‘em or knock ‘em Pigeons on a pole… and horses? Can high caliber trial dogs be house dogs too? - Presented By: Standing Stone Supply | Check out their step by step Online Courses and Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15% onX Hunt Maps | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20% Sweet Briar Pet Transport | Call (317) 513-4481 for your free quote today! Upland Gun Company | Check out their online gun builder and construct your dream gun today! Marsh Wear Clothing | Use Code 'GDIY15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save even more) Trulock Choke Tubes | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10% Furvor Bone Broth | Use Code 'GDIY2&1' to buy 2 bottles and get the 3rd free (Valid for 1 time usage) usde 'GDIY10' to save 10% on future orders - Other Partners: BPro Kennels Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20] Bird Dog Society - GDIY Links: Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting the conversation I had with Del Whitman of D.C. Whitman Custom Gunsmithing discussing the basics of selecting the proper ammunition to effectively and ethically hunt your targeted game. This episode was originally released on Local grouse hunting update Pointer & flusher combo on grouse Getting into ballistics Appropriate ammo for vintage shotguns Low pressure loads Analyzing the ammo for the actual gun you're using The components of a shotgun shell High brass vs low brass? Assessing the types of shot Patterning the shot Lead vs non-toxic shot Shot size and the pellet count reference chart Different shot per barrel? Picking the correct shell off the shelf -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is all about the ever neglected flushing dog! John Huddleston of Over the Mountain Kennels is a tried and true Boykin Spaniel man and joins me to talk flushing dog training and much much more. Watch Here! The 2025 St. Huberts Trial on February 8th and 9th is ready for Sign Ups! What makes a quality flushing dog? The proper range for a flusher Steadiness is more for safety than practicality? Style in the flush?! Breed standards on how each flushes Getting the dog hunting within range Young puppy walks with the whistle Steering the dog in the field Are we building drive in a young flusher puppy? The benefits of the place board Why is "sit" actually called "hup" in the flusher world The traditional dressing up for trials The level of retrieving required in the flushing field Flushing and pointing dog combos How did Boykins become THE South Carolina dog? - Presented By: Standing Stone Supply | Check out their step by step Online Courses and Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15% onX Hunt Maps | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20% Sweet Briar Pet Transport | Call (317) 513-4481 for your free quote today! Upland Gun Company | Check out their online gun builder and construct your dream gun today! Marsh Wear Clothing | Use Code 'GDIY15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save even more) Trulock Choke Tubes | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10% Furvor Bone Broth | Use Code 'GDIY2&1' to buy 2 bottles and get the 3rd free (Valid for 1 time usage) usde 'GDIY10' to save 10% on future orders - Other Partners: BPro Kennels Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20] Bird Dog Society - GDIY Links: Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Neiduski of Ugly Dog Hunting joins me for a discussion that spans a number of relevant dog topics which most of them simply come back to the question of "Why are we testing?" WATCH HERE! Impressions of the upland community through so many unique lenses Becoming a judge to become a better handler? Learning by seeing so many different dogs and handlers IF using a command then actually use it! Test jitters and nervousness Why are we testing? Where does ego fall into testing and preparation? "I'll fix that later" Are people losing the "purpose" of how we test? Some dogs find birds. Some dogs happen upon birds. Field search vs duck search criteria to earn a prize 1 in Utility Judging AND training by committee Tracking is the biggest wild card in NAVHDA The judges only get a limited window to view each dog Dream booking the duck search event Don't be afraid of new ideas! The Ugly Dog Podcast Ep. 22. Nick Adair- Gun Dogging It Yourself - Presented By: Standing Stone Supply | Check out their step by step Online Courses and Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15% onX Hunt Maps | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20% Sweet Briar Pet Transport | Call (317) 513-4481 for your free quote today! Upland Gun Company | Check out their online gun builder and construct your dream gun today! Marsh Wear Clothing | Use Code 'GDIY15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save even more) Trulock Choke Tubes | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10% Furvor Bone Broth | Use Code 'GDIY2&1' to buy 2 bottles and get the 3rd free (Valid for 1 time usage) usde 'GDIY10' to save 10% on future orders - Other Partners: BPro Kennels Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20] Bird Dog Society - GDIY Links: Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the concerns for dog handlers in certain regions would be the presence of wolves. How concerned should you actually be though? Randy Johnson, large carnivore specialists for the Wisconsin DNR, joins me to discuss the species and how it impacts us as dog handlers. Cougars, Bears, & Wolves....oh, my! The historical timeline of wolves in Wisconsin The Gray Wolf pack structure and size Very territorial Depredation on local farms The ESA impact on responding to depredation Opportunistic feeders Their response to us entering their home range Human interaction The wolf conflict interactive map 95% of conflicts are on hounds and not bird dogs Rendezvous sites Our options in handling a conflict between wolves and our dogs Prevention is #1 The "tracking bell" vs "dinner bell" debate The "decoy" wolf leading to an ambush Disease crossover concerns -- The Birdshot Podcast Wolf Encounters episode -- Presented By: Standing Stone Supply | Check out their step by step Online Courses and Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15% onX Hunt Maps | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20% Sweet Briar Pet Transport | Call (317) 513-4481 for your free quote today! Upland Gun Company | Check out their online gun builder and construct your dream gun today! Marsh Wear Clothing | Use Code 'GDIY15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save even more) Trulock Choke Tubes | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10% Furvor Bone Broth | Use Code 'GDIY2&1' to buy 2 bottles and get the 3rd free (Valid for 1 time usage) usde 'GDIY10' to save 10% on future orders - Other Partners: BPro Kennels Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20] Bird Dog Society - GDIY Links: Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not all professional gun dog trainers have the land and resources that are typically associated with training gun dogs. Josh Wiggins of Houston Dog Works joins me for a wide ranging conversation on his training perspectives that affords him the capability to train sporting dogs while living and operating in a major city such as Houston, TX. This is also what motivated him to start his new company Gundog Garage! Watch Here! Behavior modifications are the same as regular training Dog training pricing and gun dogs vs pet dogs Dog training is dog training BUT not all dog trainers are dog trainers Genetics absolutely matter! But they aren't everything! Genetics can overshadow training but training can also overshadow genetics Are you actually a 'team' if the dog is simply working to get it's own reward? Clarity of the release Management can and does fail Accountability is not always in line with fairness Dogs mistaking your kindness for weakness. (Letting them sleep in bed???) Dont skip steps. The dog SHOULDN'T know better. Is the juice worth the squeeze? Training gun dogs in urban environments with Gundog Garage People don't know what they don't know The tool doesn't change. Only its application Care as much about the dogs attitude as you do about the actual behavior - Presented By: Standing Stone Supply | Check out their step by step Online Courses and Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15% onX Hunt Maps | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20% Sweet Briar Pet Transport | Call (317) 513-4481 for your free quote today! Upland Gun Company | Check out their online gun builder and construct your dream gun today! Marsh Wear Clothing | Use Code 'GD15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save even more) Trulock Choke Tubes | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10% Furvor Bone Broth | Use Code 'GDIY2&1' to buy 2 bottles and get the 3rd free (Valid for 1 time usage) usde 'GDIY10' to save 10% on future orders - Other Partners: BPro Kennels Eukanuba [What I Feed My Dogs: Premium Performance 30/20] Bird Dog Society - GDIY Links: Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices