The Flush Podcast hunts down the greatest upland bird hunting stories ever told. Award-winning television host & producer, Travis Frank, goes behind the camera lens of the bird hunting TV show, The Flush, to share stories from inspiring characters, incredible hunting adventures, and lovable bird dogs. This is an open mic experience to talk about life through the eyes of a bird hunter. We’ll discuss wild birds, guns, hunting gear, dogs, conservation, hunting secrets, and the ones that got away.
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 .
Dog Trainer Q&A
1 hr 34 min
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 .
Hank Hunt #6
1 hr 3 min
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 .
Pheasants Forever’s First Biologist
1 hr 11 min
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 .
Understanding Hearing Protection
1 hr 15 min
Marc Musselman from Alclair joins the show to help us understand hearing protection for shooters and hunters. We discuss how shotgun blasts slowly steal your hearing, how frequencies work in hearing protection, how your brain adjusts to hearing protection, how to get the audio settings right, how today’s hearing protection technology works in different hunting scenarios, hearing protection options for different budgets, owning a small business in this fast paced world, adding a new bird dog to the family, and a whole lot more. @alclair 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
A New Season of The Flush
1 hr 28 min
Scott Fransen & Tyler Webster join Travis to celebrate the start of another season of The Flush television show. The trio share behind the scenes moments that make the season great, adventures that rise to the top, characters worth watching, and helpful tips that lead to success. We also discuss the current pheasant hatch, answer listener questions, and look ahead to our next season of The Flush television shows that we’ll film this fall. 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Introducing OnX Hunt Gameday
1 hr 26 min
We’ve partnered with OnX Hunt to launch a brand-new television show called OnX Hunt Gameday. Ben Brettingen from OnX Hunt joins us to reveal this television show, how it came to be, what makes it different from other hunting shows, and how the panel of experts will take you into their minds during each hunt to read terrain, overcome obstacles and achieve success. Ben & Travis break down multiple properties on this podcast to give you a glimpse into their minds during a pheasant hunt that was filmed for an episode of Gameday. This Flush podcast is one you’ll want to listen to and watch for the full hunting property breakdown. 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Upland News, PATH, Farm Bill, Acquisitions & More
1 hr 8 min
John Laux is the Permanent Habitat Protection Manager at Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. John & Travis discuss recent news in the upland world, USFWS to open up 92 million acres of land to public hunting, a new PF land acquisition in MN, a Farm Bill update, PATH program updates and optimism for more acres, a once-in-a-lifetime hunting opportunity creates more habitat in ND, more Build a Wildlife Area properties coming soon, General CRP vs Continuous CRP signup, dream hunts, and a whole lot more. ND Elk tag info - ndpf@pheasantsforever.org | @pheasantsforever @quailforever 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Reaching the Bird Dog Pinnacle
1 hr 12 min
Greg Blair is the Sporting Dog Manager at Purina, and has walked the fields with some of the finest bird dogs in America – including his own National Champion. Greg and Travis discuss what it takes to get the most out of your bird dog during the hunt, at trials, hunt tests, and at home. Greg explains how field trials positively affect dogs that hunt wild birds, sporting dog genetics, finding the right dog breed for you, learning from a mentor, finding the right training method, investing in your dog, and what it takes to reach the pinnacle for a bird dog. @gblair5 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Going ALL IN!
1 hr 17 min
Keng Yang is a young hunter on a mission to protect wild places and mentor new hunters. Keng and Travis share a few hunting stories before diving into Keng’s drive to go ALL IN for conservation and hunting in the stage Travis calls the 6th stage of a hunter. Keng explains his role as a one-on-one hunting mentor and how it has effected his life, his mission as a PF chapter board member, BHA board member, DNR R3 council volunteer, and partner for ‘Outdoors For All.’ Travis & Keng discuss how serving others brings unexplainable joy… @kengyang1 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Plan Ahead For Your Bird Dog
1 hr 36 min
George Lyall joins the show to talk about finding and implementing a trusted dog training program that works for you and your dog. George & Travis also talk about the value of dog training seminars to see results and situations in person, creating good dog training habits in your home, becoming a solid pack leader, providing guidance, The Method course and overcoming obstacles, summer routines that build consistent partnerships, finding trustworthy advice on the internet, mentoring dog handlers, old hunting stories, and so much more… @g.lyall66 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Kennel Talk
1 hr 19 min
Reid Vander Veen from Ruffland Kennels joins the show to talk in-depth about dog kennel and dog transportation. We discuss scary accidents, lap dogs vs shotgun vs kennel riders, ways to pimp your kennels, how hunters have created the ultimate kennels for non-hunters with dogs, kennel accessories, flying with dogs in a kennel, when it’s too hot or too cold to safely ride in a kennel, dogs sleeping in kennels, correct kennel training with puppies, dry rides, kennel color craze, and so much more! @rufflandkennels 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Second Chance Bird Dogs
1 hr 1 min
Michael Mapes from Second Chance Bird Dogs joins the show to explain his mission to rescue bird dogs and give them a second home. Michael shares the astounding number of phone calls he receives from dog owners that no longer want their dog, why they call him, the advice he gives them, and the steps he takes to take them in, train them, and find new homes for every dog. Michael also shares how his organization has an army of support, how he’s turned this into a full-time career, ideas to help everyone come alongside families struggling with their own bird dogs, and ways to support dogs that need a second chance. @secondchancebirddogs 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Hoksey Boys
1 hr 49 min
Nicolas Lirio & Kent Boucher from the Prairie Farm Podcast join the show to talk about a variety of current events in the world of conservation, including the controversial BWCA vote in the senate, rising cancer rates in farm country, Farm Bill notes, politics, Hoksey’s new Prairie forum, producing food, when to plant a prairie, hunting keepsakes, and so much more. @theprairiefarm 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Habitat University
1 hr 10 min
Aaron Kuehl is the National Director of Habitat Programs for Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. On this episode, Aaron reveals the launch of PF & QF’s new online “Habitat University” which offers FREE in-depth online course information about habitat management and how to maximize your efforts in all landscapes. Topics dive into everything about CRP, state specific habitat guides, fire management and tools, building wildlife cover with livestock, eliminating invasive species, safe & effective weed control, tools of the habitat trade, site prep secrets for success, pollinator series, quail by regions, power in partnerships, working lands for wildlife, food plots vs habitat plots, and so much more. @pheasantsforever | @quailforever 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Doug Ernst has taught firearm safety training courses for 53 years. On today’s episode, we take Minnesota’s official firearm safety training test and break down questions and answers. We also discuss regular firearm handling mistakes that hunters make, along with some common laws hunters break without even knowing it. We discuss how the course has evolved over time and how online courses differ from hands-on learning in a classroom. This episode is a gun safety course refresher for some hunters and offers plenty of thoughts to consider for hunters and shooters at each stage of life. 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/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Arlyn DeBruyckere has been bird hunting for more than 50 years. He’s also a teacher, firearm safety instructor, hunting mentor, trap shooting coach, active member of several PF chapters, dedicated husband & father, farmer, and conservationist. Travis and Arlyn share stories from the field and discuss the seasons that hunters go through over the course of a rich & fulfilling life as a bird hunter. It’s a conversation that ranges from first birds in the bag to controlled burns. From chapter banquets to gun-shy dogs, 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/), Hunt Fish SD ( huntfishsd.com/ ), Aberdeen SD ( aberdeensd.com/ ), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Justin Binfet (Wyoming’s Game & Fish Deputy Chief) joins the show to discuss in-depth sage grouse management in Wyoming and recent news about dissolving their 21-year-old sage grouse work groups. Justin and Travis discuss the role of the work groups, why they were dissolved, the new path toward sage grouse management, reasons for optimism in Wyoming’s management plan, where wildlife habitat funding comes from, current sage grouse populations and future trends, lek monitoring, invasive habitat work, why cheatgrass is so harmful on the landscape, current drought conditions, hope for spring nests and a positive outlook for all upland bird species in Wyoming. 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/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Troy Holcomb is a forester for the Minnesota DNR. Troy and Travis have an in-depth discussion on the business & economy of forest management and the effects consumers have on wildlife habitat. Troy explains how our forests have evolved with logging practices and commercial contracts, trends in the logging industry based on consumer goods, when, where & why forests are logged, which trees are in high demand, who does the work and why some bids don’t get accepted, public vs private land management, short term and long term logging practices paint big picture, why forest management differs across the country and it’s devastating effects on ruffed grouse and other wildlife, is the ruffed grouse cycle tied to logging and forest management, and so much more. @mndnr 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/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/) Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/) & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Steve Ries from Top Gun Kennels in Iowa lost his son to cancer back in 2003. At his son’s request, they started a non-profit organization called Aiming For A Cure to help other families in their fight against cancer. Steve explains the mission of Aiming For A Cure today, how they’ve raised $8 million dollars to help others, why others join the fight, the details of their upcoming hunt & banquet, and how it all helps kids and families that need assistance the most. We also talk about Steve’s 35 years at the kennel, breeding and genetics in GSP’s, and finding the right dog for you. @aimingforacure | www.aimingforacure.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/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/) Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/) & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
