Recent recipient of the NAVHDA Jim & Bobby Applegate Award for Outstanding Volunteer Contributions, Phil Swain joins us to provide insights, tips, and a bit of "dog-ology." He's a trainer, clinician, test judge, bird hunter and all-around good guy willing to help just about anyone with a bird dog.

Among other things, we talk developing a steady dog, motivating dogs, introduction to birds, how much praise is enough, how to pass a hunting test, why two whistles are better than one. Phil's decades of practical experience has benefited generations of hunters and will pay off for you too.

"Handle It" covers my opinion on what is the single most important training tool; listeners chime in on what a hunting partner should never do.

And it's all brought to you by: Pointer Shotguns, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, 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.

You will learn something, I guarantee it. Pete Fisher of Dogtra knows e-collars, and as a pro trainer he also knows the dogs we put them on. We'll re-visit Pheasant Fest for an insightful, wide-ranging interview covering the right way to use e-collars, some clever additional ways to employ them, and a ton of dog training tips and advice.

We take a look at the state of the art in electronics and technology, get Pete's take on new equipment that debuted at the show, then talk retrieving, introduction to birds, and keys to knowing when to stop your training session.

"Road Trip" covers a post-hunt dog feeding routine to ensure maximum performance the next day; and listeners weigh in on what makes a great hunting buddy.

And it's all brought to you by: Pointer Shotguns, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, 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.

Peak performance ... what we all want from our hunting dog. Karl Gunzer will help - he's director of the sporting dog group at Purina Pro Plan Sport, a dog trainer and hunter. He's as in-the-know as anyone I know about all things nutrition for canine athletes, from a theoretical and a practical basis. He's also hanging around with all the folks in white coats on Purina's research and development team, so current on the latest science.

We're talking from the floor of the recent Pheasant Fest, where we also cover hunting dog foot care, strategic feeding, hydration, and dog training. Karl really piqued my interest when he suggested we let the dog "make the decision," rather than force it on him.

I also asked you what the most important command is, in the field and your answers are surprising in their consistency, and "Handle It" this week offers my one-and-only tip on keeping a flushing dog within gun range.

And it's all brought to you by: 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.

In the yard and in the field, taking good care of your dog is critical to a successful hunt. After all, you probably go hunting to watch him work. So keeping him healthy is a high priority, and there's nobody better to help us than the "Gun Dog Doc," Joe Spoo, DVM. A hunter, elite athlete and veterinarian, Joe knows more than a bit about canine first aid and related topics.

We'll explore the nooks and crannies of our dogs: up their noses, into their armpits, deep into lacerations, and poking into their eyes (not literally). Joe will dispel some myths about surgical staplers and rattlesnake vaccine, help us get our dogs back in the hunt with in-field first aid, and fuel him correctly for a full season of peak performance. We'll cover essential tools and supplies for your dog-care kit, too.

"Handle It" answers a question from Ben Watters on dogs fighting over a retrieve; and listeners offer shotgunning tips.

And it's all brought to you by: Pointer Shotguns, Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, 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.

You're the first to hear it ... a pilot episode that may become a series. I've been doing a short-form feature on satellite radio for over two years and much of the material is probably of use to you and your family, so here it is. It's a work in progress, but here's your chance to make suggestions on what you like, length, topics, and format.

Your feedback welcome in the comments, or at scottlindenoutdoors@gmail.com.

I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks,

Scott

If you don't learn something that makes you a better shooter, well, the Olympic shooting team has an opening. Don Currie is a bird hunter and the chief instructor of the National Sporting Clays Association. His instructional DVD “Focus – Movement – Faith” is the #1 rated sporting clays DVD on Amazon.com. And he's here to help you hit more birds and clay targets.

"You kill birds with your eyes, not your gun," Don says. From practice techniques to gun fitting for DIY-ers, buying youth guns to foot position and gun mount, Don has tips for any level of shotgunner. But first, we travel to South Africa, where he's hunting big game and a number of waterfowl and upland birds.

"Road Trip" offers some practical tips on vehicles and safe stopping places for your dog, and listeners offer their best gun-care advice.

And it's all brought to you by: 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.

A peek into the operations of a leading choke tube maker, and insights into the need for a new non-profit to help bird dogs - and their owners. This week in our periodic "Industry Insider" series, Scott Trulock of Trulock Chokes joins us to delve deep into their manufacturing process, materials, engineering, and he previews the company's newest project - a classic .22 cal. rifle. Scott also talks choke tube selection for various birds, matching choke size to non-toxic ammo, and offers shooting tips.

Then Jim Burris, founder of the Bird Dog Society explains why there's a need for his relatively new organization. Filling unfilled niches, and helping dogs and their owners lead richer, more fulfilling lives together is the overall goal. But there's much more to this growing group, including a clever, more-inclusive and fun field trial format plus help with a number of topics not addressed by other groups.

"Road Trip" answers a listener question on finding places to hunt where motorized traffic is minimized; and we find out how many of you hunted out of state last season.

And it's all brought to you by: Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, 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.

The "first couple" of bird dog training joins us from the floor of the 2024 Pheasant Fest: Ronnie Smith and Susanna Love cover all things puppy development, from mindset to introducing birds, getting pup ready for gunfire and introducing steadiness. They have some fascinating insights into how a dog thinks and how we should alter our own thinking as a result when training these "little domestic predators."

Then, for older dogs, we talk retrieving, more steadiness work, and why they don't teach "sit." We'll get the reasoning behind whoa posts and flank collars, from these incredible trainers, hunting guides, and all-around wonderful people.

The "Handle It" segment answers a question from Tim Wright on why his young dog was startled by birds - and what to do about it; and we total up the number of dog breeds we've hunted with over the years ... your count and mine!

And it's all brought to you by: 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.