Advertise on podcast: The Flush Podcast - Stories from the field

Ryan Sparks from Quail Forever joins the show to break down America’s 2026 Quail hunting forecast and help you find them on the landscape. Travis & Ryan discuss where quail populations are on the rise this year, where quail numbers have taken a hit, how weather has affected quail reproduction in positive and negative ways, what the right habitat looks like, sleeper quail hunting regions, which quail species to target in the west, surprise hot spots, quail populations trending north, impacts of rain and drought, and so much more... @quailforever Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), Hunt Huron SD (hunthuronsd.com), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jared Wiklund from Pheasants Forever joins the show to break down America’s 2026 pheasant hunting forecast. Travis & Jared discuss where pheasant populations are strong this year heading into opening day and places where pheasant populations have been affected by spring rain, cold, and drought. Overall, the outlook remains good to great if you’re a pheasant hunter, and this season has a lot to be excited about. @pheasantsforever Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), Hunt Huron SD (hunthuronsd.com), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the second leg of a remote Alaska adventure, Travis Frank, Ben Brettingen & George Lyall discuss the challenges and rewards that come from their bird hunt deep into the interior of Alaska. The trio explain the highs and lows of hunting for six different species of ptarmigan and grouse on wild and unfamiliar turf, reading habitat and mountain terrain, how Alaska’s weather impacts every hunt, keeping dogs safe and fresh on a long hunt, dodging dangers, hunting alongside migrating caribou, falling short of a plan, breaking down mountains and tundra habitat to find ptarmigan, epic moments, enjoying the journey, and so much more. @benbrettingen | @g.lyall66 Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), Hunt Huron SD (hunthuronsd.com), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Travis Frank & Ben Brettingen join Eric Locker from All Alaska Outdoors to experience Alaska’s Ultimate Adventure hunting and fishing deep in remote bush country. Eric shares experiences as a guide flying into Alaska’s rugged wilderness and how the ultimate adventure combines upland hunting for ptarmigan with incredible fall fishing opportunities. The three share stories from their float plane adventure into land they’ve never seen before, breaking down mountains and tundra habitat to find ptarmigan, coming face to face with a grizzly bear, danger in the mountains, flying to Alaska with bird dogs, and so much more. @allalaskaoutdoors | @alaskabirdhunter | @benbrettingen Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eric Sytsma is the Habitat Protection Officer at Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. Eric and Travis discuss the “Build a Wildlife Area” week campaign and how it’s purchased and permanently protected nearly 250,000 acres of wildlife habitat since its inception in 2005. Eric reveals a few new properties that will open this week, what supporters have built this year, properties under construction, how the program works and who funds it, where your dollars go, how you can support this habitat mission, and so much more. @quailforever | @pheasantsforever Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. James Martin discusses the impact of hunting on upland birds species and the effects of crippling loss. Dr. Martin is a college professor, scientist, biologist and bird hunter who studies bobwhite quail and other upland game birds. James & Travis talk about the quail crippling loss study that James and his team recently produced, mortality rates in upland birds from hunters and overall population effects, predator management vs habitat upgrades, when habitat changes actually impact quail, how we all can make a difference on the landscape, and so much more. @martingamelab | @talltimbersrearch Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Friends in the forest give pre-season ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting reports from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Bailey Petersen, Mike Amman and Jake Perry discuss what they are seeing right now in their forests - including positive reports of brood sizes and grouse numbers. We also discuss the spring hatch, how a lack of moisture may affect where hunters find birds, where to find woodcock when the forest is dry, forest habitat, listener stories, and so much more. @grouseweims | @baileyo1 | @superior_upland Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nick McGuire is a Weekend Warrior in search of America’s Upland Slam. He’s also a habitat conservation manager who works with NRCS and landowners to protect and enhance wild places. Nick & Travis discuss the role of hunters today in a political landscape, training a bird dog in the city, traveling to hunt upland birds on public land, NRCS easements, the attack on America’s public lands, the big picture, and so much more. Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Josh Lizer is the Chief Scientific Officer at MG Biologics, the manufacturer of Rattler Antivenom. Josh and Travis discuss the evidence-based science and methods to treat rattlesnake bites in bird dogs. We discuss rattlesnake avoidance training, what to do when a snake bites, how antivenom helps your dog, does Benadryl help or hurt your dog, rattlesnake vaccinations, costs of antivenom, finding a veterinarian that can help, National Snakebite Support group, dispelling snakebite myths, and stories from snake country. mgbiologics.com | www.nationalsnakebitesupport.org | www.veterinarysnakebite911.com  Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. RuthAnn Lobos & Dr. Chris Frye from Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine join the show to discuss sporting dog nutrition and sports medicine. Dr. Frye shares his work towards the future of sporting dog care in the medical world, ultrasound technology that helps properly identify injuries in joints & ligaments, rehabilitation strategies, genetic effects on sporting dogs, studying internal temperatures while performing, and helping more veterinarians understand working dogs. Dr. Lobos discusses how decades of nutrition science fuels performance in our working dogs, when and where to feed dogs during hunting season, burning calories, proper nutrition practices, and Purina’s ability to feed 100 million animals a day. @petvetruthann / @purinaproplan Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Friends in the field give mid-summer brood reports from MN, ND, SD, IA, WY, MT & KS. We discuss areas where drought has had an impact on chicks and regions where pheasants, quail, partridge and grouse numbers appear to be rising. These field reports offer optimism as we head into this season and provide a glimpse into what hunters may see this fall. We also discuss the petition to save the prairie pothole wetlands, and the show wraps up with an argument between Travis & Tyler over hen pheasants re-nesting. Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Avery Aalfs' annual BWCA fishing trip changed when a wildfire broke out near their camp, forcing an unexpected evacuation. Avery explains how quickly the situation turned and the fire forced them to take a new route out of the wilderness. Avery relives the journey out of the BWCA and the challenges that made their trek out difficult; including extreme heat, high winds, no map, no water filter, too much gear, and smoke. Travis and Avery discuss the lessons learned, how Avery’s ultra-marathon training factored into their journey, the power of teamwork, staying mentally strong, and being grateful. Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

George Lyall & Sonny Piekarz join the show to answer the most commonly asked dog training questions they receive. George & Sonny have a combined 70+ years of dog training experience working with dogs and handlers around the country. Travis asks the questions and they provide in-depth answers to help you learn more about your own bird dogs and how to help them reach their best in the field. Questions range from bird and gunfire introduction, fetch issues, steadiness, building prey drive, hunting with multiple dogs, dogs that want to dominate, introducing E-collars, when to start training and hunting with a puppy, seminars, and so much more. @themethoddogtraining + @haycreekkennels Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scott Fransen joins the show to announce Hank Hunt #6. Now is the time to sign up to be a part of this annual hunt celebrating your favorite bird dogs and the people that you share them with. Scott shares all the details for this “couples hunt” at Browns Lodge & Hunting Ranch in Gettysburg, SD in pursuit of wild pheasants while raising money for PF & QF’s habitat mission. To sign up call – 605-765-9150 | www.brownshuntingranch.com Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Wooley was Pheasants Forever’s third full-time employee and first wildlife biologist. Jim shares the story of his career in conservation and the role he played decades ago in the growing the Habitat Organization from the ground up. Jim explains why he took a risk and accepted the job, how fast PF grew, why the mission worked then and still does today, and why every one of us leads to success. Jim and Travis also discuss how land acquisition works, why PF doesn’t outbid farmers to buy land, the changing landscape over the past 60 years, surrounding yourself with good people, habitat loss fatigue, celebrating wins, and so much more. @pheasantsforever  Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com/), Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com/), Alclair Audio (alclair.com/), & Lucky Duck Premium Kennels (luckyduck.com/) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.