It's the off-season, and time to re-live some of the hunts from last fall. In this Field Debrief, I'll relate a chukar hunt we did on eclipse weekend last October in Northern Nevada. Fascinating finds, beautiful country, and a few lessons, too.

Then, everyone offers suggestions on saving money on gear, trips, and dogs. And, what NOT to economize on.

"Road Trip" has your mountain quail destination, and listeners share their bucket-list bird species.

And it's all brought to you by: Pointer Shotguns, Sage & Braker Mercantile, LandTrust.com, HiVizSights.com, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

This week, we talk to industry insider Dan Compton, product director for The Kinetic Group's Remington, Hevi-Shot and Federal shotgun ammunition lines. He's a hunter so of course we'll talk about that, but we'll also find out what's new at each company, what's in development, and how shotshells work. We look at recent innovations in design, find out why copper plating helps your shooting accuracy, and learn how to take care of our ammo.

We'll also learn how shotshell components affect ballistic performance, why some retired shotshell "recipes" are being pulled out of mothballs, and finally figure out who owns what in the dynamic ammunition industry.

"Handle It" this week answers David Klopp's question about chasing wing-clipped birds, and listeners sound off on the lessons they wish they'd learned sooner.

And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, LandTrust.com, HiVizSights.com, Pointer Shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

This week's "Industry Insider" is Andy McCormick, president of sales & marketing for Legacy Sports International, whose Pointer shotgun brand is our first topic. We talk all things shotgun business: design and manufacturing, quality control, trends in the industry, and advice on what to look for when shopping for a new shotgun. We cover the relative advantages of small gauge guns, and why so many hunters are looking at side-by-sides.

Then, we venture into valley quail country, a place Andy knows well. From a base in Reno, Nevada, he roams the sagebrush flats, folds and cracks in the landscape for those elusive little devils. We get advice on strategy and tactics, equipment, and why dogs love the little buggers so much. Plus, advice on finding public access and why chukars are the perfect addition to a quail hunt.

This week on "Road Trip," I outline a favored New Mexico destination, and listeners chip in with essential items to put in your hunting vest.

And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, LandTrust.com, HiVizSights.com, Pointer shotguns, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, ESPAmerica, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.