Advertise on podcast: The Upland Social

Today we’re joined by Jay Sjogren, a dyed in the wool hunter who grew up chasing everything from pheasants and grouse to ducks and deer in south-central Minnesota before moving to Alaska in 1998. After 25 years as a Kenai police officer, he’s preparing for retirement and a new hunting adventure. He’s pursued an incredible list of Alaska’s game, including Dall sheep, musk ox, Emperor geese, and all three species of ptarmigan. Now, he’s setting his sights on an upland slam in 2027—with his Pudelpointer Penny and a very unique Sjögren shotgun along for the ride. Topics Covered: Jay's rich heritage, hunting with both parentsHunting grouse and woodcock in collegeThe move from Minnesota to AlaskaPtarmigan hunting the Final FrontierA goal to complete the upland slam with a special shotgun Proud Sponsors: Hunt Redi OnTract Fowl Ballad of the Bird Dog Gundog Central

Today we’re joined by Justin Anderson, a native Floridian whose outdoor roots started with deer hunting, hog hunting, and freshwater fishing before he eventually found his way into saltwater sight fishing and fly fishing. In recent years, Justin has dove headfirst into the upland world, with bobwhite quail becoming a major passion. He hunts primarily behind English Pointers, Cockers and Boykins, along with a few Labs. Justin is also the owner of Historic Coast Outfitters, a guide service specializing in saltwater fishing, upland hunting, and Osceola turkey hunts, while also hosting destination trips to places like Louisiana and Montana. When he’s not in the field or on the water, Justin is helping put on Marsh Fest, an annual celebration featuring dozens of vendors, skiff companies, live music, food, and everything centered around hunting and fishing. Proud Sponsors: Hunt Redi OnTract Fowl Ballad of the Bird Dog Gundog Central

Today we're joined by Nathan Shaw, a lifelong bird hunter, fly fisherman, guide, and bird dog trainer whose love for the outdoors started at an early age. Growing up around his dad's Springer Spaniels, and the Neshannock Creek Fly Shop, dogs, birds, and fishing were simply part of his life. As an adult, that passion grew into adventures across the country and Canada, from Alaska and Montana to Pennsylvania, Wyoming, and beyond. Today he runs a fly fishing guide company, trains bird dogs, and hunts behind three of his own, Charlie, Murphy, and Donnie. A lover of wild birds, places, and the dogs that take us there. He's also passionate about helping people, helping people and keeping dog trainings simple, practical, and fun. Topics: The significance of reputable breeders and geneticsAdapting training to each dog's personalityEarly influences of bird dogs and fishingThe importance of natural ability in bird dogs Proud Sponsors: Hunt Redi Ballad of the Bird Dog Gundog Central https://www.instagram.com/ontractfowl/?hl=en

Today we are joined by my friend across the border in Kentucky, Tyler Duvall. Tyler is an avid bird dog handler and bobwhite quail hunter. After losing a dog too soon in life several years ago, Tyler made the decision to do things differently with the following dog, doubling down on training and hunting with it.  And although he loves hunting quail around home, he, like many of us, likes to explore outside the realms of what is familiar. In 2025, he found himself successfully hunting public land pheasants in South Dakota. He now has more trips and consequent species planned for this upcoming season. Topics Covered: One covey of quail lighting the fire for upland huntingWhat Tyler learned from his first bird dogThe fun and challenge of hunting quail in KentuckyLearning patience as a dog handlerGetting humbled in South Dakota Proud Sponsors: Hunt Redi Ballad of the Bird Dog Gundog Central

Today we’re joined by Pete Burnham, a lifelong bird hunter who grew up hunting birds as a kid before careers and other hobbies pulled him away from the sport for a couple of decades. Toward the end of COVID, a few dove hunts turned into quail hunts, and the bird-hunting bug came roaring back. These days, Pete spends his weekends scouting, shooting clays, chasing quail, and training dogs. Based in the Bay Area, he hunts throughout California, from the Sacramento Valley to the Owens Valley and the Trinity Alps, and is passionate about showcasing the incredible diversity of California’s upland hunting opportunities. Topics: 🌾 COVID reigniting bird hunting memories for Pete 🌾 Hunting with a Cocker Spaniel 🌾 Fly fishing the Bay Area in San Francisco 🌾 The ample amount of public land in California 🌾 The variety of upland game and landscape types in the state Check out California Upland's Website https://www.instagram.com/california_upland/ Proud Sponsors: Hunt Redi Ballad of the Bird Dog Gundog Central

We are live from the Sandhills of Nebraska! I sit down in person with Matt Fruge, an accomplished upland hunter who lives in the heart of prairie grouse country. Topics Covered: The challenges of hot weather in early prairie grouse seasonHow hunting off horseback is efficient in big countryThe ancient feeling you get in the SandhillsFinding sharptails and bobwhites in the same walkThe different behaviors in sharptails and prairie chickens as the season progresses Proud Sponsors: Hunt Redi Ballad of the Bird Dog Gundog Central

Today’s guest is Matt Millbauer, an upland hunter, writer, artist, and podcaster based in the Columbia Basin of Washington. Host of the Go Flush Yourself Podcast and Co-Host of the Breaking Cover Podcast, Matt stays plenty busy discussing dogs, gear, birds, literary work and more behind a microphone. His article titled, “Bridge and The Basin Hun” just hit mailboxes in Pheasants Forever’s Super Bird Hunting Issue.  On top of this, he’s the artist behind Bird Dog Portraits, custom digital dog portraits created by Matt’s own hands. He also launched his own local Pheasants Forever chapter and serves currently as its secretary.  When he’s not podcasting, writing, or creating art, he’s chasing Springer Spaniels around in search of pheasants, quail, Hungarian partridge, and any upland bird the Northwest can offer up. Topics Covered: ​Growing up an upland hunter​Why pheasants are awesome​Matt's podcasts he hosts​Hunting with Springer Spaniels​The joy of exploring new bird covers Find Matt on Socials https://www.instagram.com/go_flushyourself/ https://www.instagram.com/breakingcoverpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/bird_dog_portraits/ Check out The Upland Literary Review https://goflushyourself.org Proud Sponsors: Hunt Redi Ballad of the Bird Dog Gundog Central

Today’s guest is James Godfrey, a dog trainer, kennel manager, and hunting guide from the piney woods of the Southeast. Graduating from Auburn University with a degree in Wildlife Enterprise Management, bird dogs, habitat, and the upland lifestyle are tightly woven into the fabric of James’ life. When he’s not managing the kennel and guiding at Auburn Oaks Farm, he’s hitting the uplands with his rescue Shorthair and up and coming Boykin/Lab mix in search of the elusive, wild covey of quail in the Southeast.  Topics Covered: James' love for training dogsGuiding at Auburn Oaks FarmHabitat management on the farmThe varying dog breeds of the kennel he runsRedeeming a near-death GSP into a hunter Connect with Godfrey Gundogs on Instagram Check out Auburn Oaks Farm Proud Sponsors: Hunt Redi Ballad of the Bird Dog Gundog Central

Ryan Mott is a lifelong upland hunter whose roots trace back to the family farms of southeast Iowa and west-central Illinois, where he first followed American Brittanys through pheasant and quail country. A retired Master Sergeant with the Illinois State Police, Ryan has dedicated his life to service both on and off the field. Today he hunts with his German Shorthaired Pointer, Reece, and his young Weimaraner, Charlee, while volunteering as a wingshooting instructor and coaching championship-winning youth clay target teams. Whether it's bird dogs, conservation, or passing hunting traditions on to the next generation, Ryan is passionate about everything that makes the uplands special. Topics Covered: ​Ryan's early days of hunting both Iowa and Illinois​Quality Illinois pheasant hunting due to habitat​Coaching youth clay target teams​Memories in the field with his dogs​Letting the birds win sometimes Connect with Ryan on Instagram Proud Sponsors: Hunt Redi Ballad of the Bird Dog Gundog Central

Today's guest is Scott Kaminski, a lifelong Michigan bird hunter whose life changed dramatically after being diagnosed with stage four cancer and given just a year to live. After beating the odds and becoming nearly cancer-free, Scott used that journey as the motivation to pursue a longtime dream of becoming an upland bird hunting guide. Now entering his fourth season, he's helping hunters and their dogs create unforgettable experiences while proving it's never too late to chase the dreams that matter most. On top of that, Scott has pursued birds across many states and landscapes. Valuing a more traditional approach to the uplands, you’ll likely find him sporting a 16 gauge, choosing wool over synthetic fabrics, and reaching for a compass in the woods before a GPS unit. Topics Covered: ​Scott's personal journey from cancer diagnosis to guiding​The importance of woodsmanship​His appreciation for the traditional ways of upland hunting​What a day in the field looks like with Scott​Ways to prepare upland birds for the table Connect with Scott Proud Sponsors: Hunt Redi Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog

Today's guest is Will Newell, a lifelong North Carolinian whose passion for bird hunting started at just 13 years old and turned into a serious pursuit by the time he was 20. A 2009 Clemson graduate, he's built his life around chasing migratory birds, from ducks and geese to doves and other winged game. When he's not in the field, he serves as a Director of Development at Project Upland, bringing the same dedication to his professional life that he does to the outdoors. Today, we talk all about dove hunting; from strategy, to decoys, the social aspect, dog work, and everything in between. Topics Covered: ​Setting up for best shot opportunities​To decoy or not decoy doves​How to use other people's set up as an advantage​Dove recipes​The under-appreciated beauty of doves

Today’s guest is Rob Curtis, an upland bird hunter hailing from the Prairie State of Illinois and is no stranger to the open road and adventure. Inspired by hunting literature, Rob sets out to create his own stories. From the prairies of the West to the quail woods of the Southeast, Rob has traversed 17 states in search of the next flush and has successfully harvested 16 of the 25 species in the North American Upland Bird Slam. Today we talk upland road trips, books, why more hunters need to travel, why in his opinion bird hunting is the best type of hunting, his recent camping outfit project, and much more, all alongside his Drahthaar, Jake. Topics Covered: ​How Rob immerses himself in his hunts​Why hunters should hit the road to chase birds​Conservation ethics to support healthy bird populations​Rob's nomadic and mobile camping style​His loose pursuit of the North American Upland Slam Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog

Today’s guest is Patrick Schulze, a bird dog owner from the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois. Patrick’s path into the uplands wasn’t a straight line, but more like a meandering stream. But when his college buddy showed him what a bird dog could do, everything changed. When he’s not working as an electrician, he’s busy with his Vizsla, Maverick. Whether traveling to the far reaches of the country during bird season, training with Maverick through a program known as Canicross, or simply working on Chicago pigeons in the nearby park, Patrick is learning how to keep a bird dog engaged while living the city life. Topics Covered: ​The magic of seeing a dog point for the first time​How Patrick landed on a Vizsla​How Canicross with his dog improved mental health​The importance of involving non hunters in the outdoors​Tips for living with a bird dog in the city Discover Canicross Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog

Today's guest is Kellen Golightly from Honeyville, Utah. Kellen is an avid upland hunter, the host of Bird Camp Radio, and the author of Where the Grouse Once Drummed. Whether he's behind the microphone, writing about the uplands, or chasing birds with good dogs, he's passionate about preserving the traditions, stories, and conservation efforts that keep our sport alive. We're talking storytelling, bird hunting culture, conservation, and what inspires his work both on the page and behind the mic. Topics Covered: ​Family pheasant opener traditions​The challenge of being a dogless hunter​Tips for hunting/finding downed birds with no dog​Kellen's reason for starting a podcast ​Writing upland fiction Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog

Today's guest is Trey Murphy, a lifelong Pennsylvania hunter whose upland journey started with one unexpected trade. Back in his mid-20s, his best friend Garrett sold a dirt bike, found a good deal on a Brittany, and unknowingly changed the direction of Trey's hunting life. Not long after, Trey got his first Brittany, Finley, and began traveling the country chasing birds and building a bird dog family that now includes five dogs alongside his girlfriend, Bethany. From the grouse woods of northcentral Pennsylvania to pheasant country in the Dakotas and quail country in Kansas, Trey has become a passionate upland hunter, conservation volunteer, and guide. Today we're talking bird dogs, grouse, road trips, conservation, and the friendships that make the upland community so special. Topics Covered: ​Fluctuations of grouse populations in PA​A dirt bike creating an upland opportunity​Trey finding romance in the grouse woods​Why Brittanys are awesome​The value of DIY public land hunting Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog