You're listening to The Upland Social, a podcast dedicated to the bird hunting community. We’ll gear up and hit the field with some of the most engaging and compelling voices on the bird hunting scene. Each week, we will hear from seasoned hunters, dog trainers, storytellers, wild game specialists, to everyday uplanders. Their insights, experience, and stories will inspire and equip you to explore the wild places we all love. The landscape is truly limitless. So load up, drop the tailgate, and let’s go. This is The Upland Social.
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
Today's guest is Geoffrey Greiner, a retired punk rocker turned passionate bird hunter who made his way from Massachusetts to Arizona by way of Colorado. Although he didn't grow up in a hunting family, Geoffrey found his path into the uplands through his fascination with bird dogs, eventually becoming devoted to the Braque du Bourbonnais breed and chasing Gambel's, scaled, and Mearns quail across the Arizona desert. He's the founder of Covey Kits, a company dedicated to providing practical, field-tested canine first aid kits built by hunters for hunters. When he's not working as a swimming pool repair technician or guiding bird hunts with Stagecoach Pointers, Geoffrey serves as Habitat Chair for his local Quail Forever chapter, helping conserve the landscapes and wildlife that have become such an important part of his life. Today, we're talking bird dogs, desert quail, canine first aid, conservation, and the winding path that led him into the hunting world. Topics Covered: Geoffrey's transition from punk rock to desert quail His inspiration behind launching Covey Kits Why he likes simplicity in first aid kits Conservation work in Arizona His unique bird dog breed of choice https://coveykits.com/ Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
This week's guests are Brooks Maurer and Skyler Wenninger, two Minnesota educators, coaches, bird hunters, dog owners, and entrepreneurs who have turned a shared passion into a growing outdoor brand. Brooks grew up hunting behind retrievers across central Minnesota and now balances life as a PE teacher, coach, husband, father, and bird hunter in Luverne. Skyler, a former college baseball player and fellow educator, came into hunting from a different path but has become equally passionate about the upland lifestyle. As brothers-in-law married to sisters, the two teamed up to launch Cackle Clothing Company in 2024, blending their love of hunting, dogs, storytelling, and creative design into a unique brand. From raising pheasants and chukars for dog training to filming hunts and building a business together, they're creating a community centered around birds, dogs, and the outdoors. Topics Covered: Hunting pheasants with Golden Retrievers The inspiration behind Cackle Clothing Company The company's first Pheasant Fest experience Getting youth excited about the outdoors Raising gamebirds for summer training Shop Cackle Clothing Company Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
Today’s guest is Scott Linden, one of the most recognizable voices in the world of wingshooting and bird dogs. Scott is the creator and host of Wingshooting USA, an award-winning outdoor television series, longtime outdoor writer, seminar speaker, and author of What the Dogs Taught Me. From teaching fly fishing and directing school bands to producing some of the outdoor industry’s most respected media, Scott has spent a lifetime helping people connect with the outdoors, bird dogs, and the sporting life. Topics Covered: Scott's later journey into the uplands How outdoor media has changed in many ways The wins and challenges of highly accessible outdoor media Scott's affinity for German Wirehaired Pointers The connection of music and bird hunting Listen to Scott's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P9RqbZDokwazreisUL6Xg Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
Matt Fruge is a cattle feedlot consulting veterinarian who’s built a life around both livestock and the landscapes they depend on. Raised in southwest Louisiana and now rooted in the West after nearly a decade in Nebraska, Matt balances a busy family life with a deep obsession for upland hunting. Whether it’s chasing prairie grouse on horseback across big country or traveling state to state in pursuit of bobwhites, blue quail, and dusky grouse, he’s all in on the experience. When he’s not working cattle or raising two young kids alongside his veterinarian wife, you’ll likely find him somewhere wide open, bird dog in front, chasing that next flush. Topics Covered: Matt's Louisiana roots The moment he realized he was a bird hunter Following a dog while riding a horse for bird hunting Prairie chickens and their history How cattle are the modern-day bison Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
Chris Ingram is a Vermont-based storyteller and sportsman dedicated to capturing the authentic connections between people, place, and the outdoors. A communicator by trade—working across government, nonprofits, and media—Chris brings a thoughtful, boots-on-the-ground perspective to conservation and community. He’s deeply involved in organizations like the Ruffed Grouse Society and Delta Waterfowl, volunteers as a hunter education instructor, and spends his free time chasing game across New England, picking bluegrass mandolin, and training his young treeing feist. At his core, Chris is all about building bridges—through stories, mentorship, and time in the field. Topics Covered: Chris' journey into the uplands Hunting obscure birds like Wilson's Snipe Vermont's vast outdoor resources Storytelling with different mediums The American Field Journal Subscribe to the AFJ https://journal.americanfield.com/subscribe/ Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
Ryan Doughty is the voice behind A Break in the Action, a podcast dedicated to the world of shotguns and the sporting life. What started in 2019 as a creative outlet alongside a career in commercial banking has grown into a respected platform exploring everything from fine guns to bird hunting, clays, and the people who shape the culture around them. With over 25 years spent chasing birds behind dogs and studying the craft, Ryan brings a thoughtful, curious approach to the conversation—making the nuances of shotgunning accessible whether you’re just starting out or have been at it a lifetime. Recently joining the team at Shooting Sportsman, he continues to highlight not just the gear, but the deeper experiences that define the sporting life. Topics Covered: Ryan's discovery and love of fine shotguns Hunting in the US and Europe Ryan's own wingshooting podcast His favorite gamebird and why Ryan's job at Shooting Sportsman Magazine Connect with Ryan: https://www.instagram.com/abreakintheaction/?hl=en https://shootingsportsman.com/ Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
Jake Maricle grew up in the small town of Arcade, New York, and has spent the last 15 years honing his craft as a tattoo artist. About four years ago, he opened Old Gold Tattoo in nearby Yorkshire, building a name rooted in hard work and creativity. Outside the shop, Jake’s passion runs just as deep in the uplands—running three bird dogs, Rif, Kreek, and Brook, and chasing grouse across New York’s North Country, where he recently established “The Grouse House.” He now serves as president of the Appalachian Plateau Ruffed Grouse Society chapter and volunteers with Delta Waterfowl, all while continuing to give back to the hunting community that helped shape his journey. Topics Covered: Jake's journey into the uplands Discovering his gift for art What he loves about tattoo art New York ruffed grouse hunting Jake's unique, prehistoric dream hunt Connect with Jake https://share.google/XvFvn4TBMkOMqniO3 https://jake-maricle.square.site/ Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
Stephen Biello grew up in the heart of South Philadelphia, just steps from the historic Italian Market, where his love for animals—and eventually hunting—first took root. Despite not coming from a hunting family, he carved his own path into the uplands through sheer grit, mentorship from neighborhood hunters, and a deep passion for bird dogs. From chasing the last of Pennsylvania’s wild pheasants to developing standout dogs like his Drahthaar Angel and Irish Setter Sage, Stephen’s journey is built on experience, loss, and loyalty. Today, he’s a sporting clays instructor, a dedicated dog man, and working his way back to the field after a life-altering illness—all with a young Wirehaired Vizsla leading the next chapter. https://claysnwings.com/
From the hardwoods and creek bottoms of Northeast Ohio to the prairies and big woods of Minnesota, Colleen Foehrenbacher found her way into hunting in a way that’s becoming more and more important to the future of our community—she came to it as an adult. Raised in a family that valued nature, wildlife, and especially birds, she spent her early years exploring outside but never pulled a trigger or knew hunters growing up. That changed during her time in outdoor education, when a hunter safety course cracked the door—and one pheasant hunt blew it wide open. Now over a decade into her hunting journey, Colleen is all in—chasing everything from grouse and pheasants to elk and waterfowl, all alongside her three bird dogs. But what really sets her apart is her commitment to bringing others along. As a Minnesota DNR firearm safety instructor, a mentor for new hunters, and a leader in programs like Becoming an Outdoors Woman and Pheasants Forever’s Women on the Wing, she’s helping shape the next generation of hunters—especially women—one first hunt at a time.
Not everyone who becomes a bird hunter grows up in a hunting family. For Joe Palmer, it started with a Scoutmaster who took the time to introduce a 13-year-old kid to Hunter’s Ed and his very first bird hunt behind dogs. That experience stuck. Even though he didn’t hunt much again until he turned 18 and bought his first shotgun, the spark was there for Joe. Today he’s the co-owner of Bird Hunter Supply, a business that’s been around for over a decade. After ten years of simply selling products, he and his wife realized something was missing: purpose. That realization led to a major shift in the company’s mission. Now a portion of every purchase is donated to a conservation organization chosen by the customer—at no additional cost—helping ensure the future of bird hunting and wild places. He and his wife are raising four kids in Idaho, where upland hunting opportunities are abundant. Three of their kids already love chasing birds alongside their parents, and the family has made a tradition of it. In fact, the first bird each of his kids—and even his wife—ever harvested was a sage grouse. Between sage grouse, sharptails, ruffed and dusky grouse, Huns, pheasants, and plenty of ducks and geese, bird hunting has become more than a pastime—it’s a family way of life. Topics Covered: Joe's introduction to the uplands Reimagining his business to conserve upland habitat The joys of hunting with his family Introducing hunting to kids in a thoughtful way Why sage grouse are special to Joe Check out Bird Hunter Supply Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
Reid Bryant is a writer, editor, and storyteller who believes deeply in the lasting power of the written word. Living along the Mettawee River in Dorset, Vermont, Reid has built a life around the outdoors, bird dogs, and the traditions of upland hunting. A former farmer and teacher, Reid now works with Orvis on their hunting and shooting programs and serves as Editor at Large for Shooting Sportsman. His work has appeared in publications like Gray’s Sporting Journal, Covey Rise, Gundog, and The Fly Fish Journal. He’s also the author of several books including The Orvis Guide to Upland Hunting. His website, reidbryant.com is where you can connect with Reid and his reputable work. Reid also hosts the Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast, where he spends his time exploring stories, skills, and the people who make the sporting life so rich. Topics Covered: Reid's enchantment with bird hunting Becoming and outdoor storyteller His career at Orvis Handling bird dogs with legendary figures The legacy Reid hopes to leave Connect with Reid: Reid's Website Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
John Wallace has spent nearly two decades building a life around conservation, wild game, and family. Married for almost 20 years and a proud dad to three kids — two teenage boys and a 12-year-old daughter — John balances time in the field with time in the stands at ball games. With a degree in Fish and Wildlife, he built a 17-year conservation career working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Pheasants Forever, and Delta Waterfowl, dedicating his professional life to habitat, wildlife, and the future of hunting. In 2023, John took a leap and turned his passion into his full-time focus, launching Wild Game Cook, where he hosts private cooking and wild game processing events and creates digital content for brand partners. In 2025, he expanded his impact even further by starting Kestrel Prescribed Fire Solutions, bringing his conservation background full circle through hands-on land stewardship. When he’s not cooking, hunting, or fishing, you’ll likely find him restoring cast iron, digging through garage sales for vintage cooking tools, or working his chocolate Lab, Ronda, in the field. Topics Covered: John's employment time with Pheasants Forever Quail hunting in Missouri and Ohio How upland hunting lends itself to a conservation mindset Launching Wild Game Cook His prescribed fire business Connect with John: Wild Game Cook Kestrel Prescribed Fire Solutions Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
Keith Crowley is an award-winning outdoor journalist and photographer with more than four decades in the field, and a bird hunter since he first followed his father through the grouse woods of Minnesota in pursuit of “King Ruff.” While ruffed grouse remain close to his heart, Keith has become a passionate generalist, with a deep affinity for the birds of America’s grasslands and prairies. His work has appeared in Shooting Sportsman, Covey Rise, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Journals, Gun Dog, Covers, Sports Afield, and Field & Stream, as well as mainstream outlets like The Times of London and The Wall Street Journal. He is the award-winning author of a biography on Wisconsin writer Gordon MacQuarrie and the book Pheasant Dogs, both recognized with national honors. A life member of the Wisconsin Sharp-tailed Grouse Society, Keith has spent more than 30 years assisting with sharptail lek surveys. He splits his time between northern Wisconsin and the Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona, following his English setters, Ruby and Pepper, in pursuit of grouse, woodcock, and desert quail — always with a camera or notebook close at hand. Topics Covered: Keith's first bird as a kid, a sharp-tailed grouse Broadening his horizons beyond ruffed grouse Keeping outdoor writing "real" His help with sharp-tailed grouse in Wisconsin His love for his English Setters Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
Blayten Winters grew up in northwest Iowa, where trapping with his dad and chasing pheasants sparked a lifelong passion for the outdoors. From running beaver sets for the county to hunting over farm-raised retrievers, bird hunting always had a strong pull. After a few years away from the field due to heavy work travel, he found his way back to pheasants, coyote calling, and fishing around the Des Moines area — and began sharing the journey through a YouTube channel originally created to keep his dad in the loop. Today, Blayten runs a two-year-old Pudelpointer named Piper from Paladin Gun Dogs. With a NAVHDA Natural Ability test and a Started HRC title already under her belt, they’re continuing to train, test, and travel in pursuit of birds — embracing both the process and the adventure along the way. Topics Covered: Dogs that hunt for themselves CRP and it's affect on landscapes in Iowa Hunting with his Pudelpointer, Piper Blayten's Youtube Channel Immersing in a place you travel to for a hunting trip Connect with Blayten: The Outdoor Calling Youtube Channel The Outdoor Calling Instagram Page Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
Today’s guest is Jared Anderson, the founder of Ballad of the Bird Dog in Brenham, Texas. Jared’s journey started with a bird dog named Skeet—not just a hunting partner, but a best friend who walked beside him through college, traveled the world with him, and ultimately taught him lessons of loyalty, patience, and simplicity. Skeet showed Jared what bird dogs have shown their masters for generations: that instinct, hard work, and devotion can create moments that last forever. Those lessons became the heartbeat of Ballad of the Bird Dog, a brand built on tradition and heritage, yet designed with a modern, thoughtful approach. From well-made, dependable goods to a community you can trust, Jared and his team are carrying forward a story of loyalty, simplicity, and connection—values that resonate far beyond the fields and into everyday life. Jared's first bird dog Skeet Hunting desert quail with Skeet Jared's inspiration for his company through his relationship with his companion Enjoying the simplicity of life with a bird dog Not comparing yourself to other dog handlers Connect with Ballad of the Bird Dog : Ballad of the Bird Dog Instagram Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Ballad of the Bird Dog
The North American Grouse Partnership is on a mission to ensure a future where all 12 grouse species not only survive—but thrive—across the continent. Through science-driven conservation, smart policy, and strong partnerships, they’re working to protect and restore the habitats these birds depend on. With a special focus on prairie grouse, they’re tackling one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world: our grasslands. Backed by a powerhouse team of scientists and conservation leaders, their work is grounded in real data and real results—turning strategy into meaningful impact on the ground. Today, we visit with Ted Koch, Executive Director and Taylor Linder, The Lesser Prairie-Chicken Landowner Alliance Coordinator to discuss the organization, grasslands, and the critical status of the Lesser Prairie Chicken. Topics Covered: The critical status of grasslands in America Why grasslands are vital for wildlife and humans The need for ranching to be more economically viable The delisting of Lesser Prairie Chickens from the ESA What you can do to help save ranching and therefore, Lesser Prairie Chickens Join The North American Grouse Partnership: https://www.grousepartners.org/ Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Hunt Redi
CJ Moore is a Georgia outdoorsman whose hunting roots run deep in family tradition and a lifelong love for working dogs. A lifelong resident of west-central Georgia, CJ is married to his high school sweetheart, Kasey, and together they’re raising two boys, Lukas and Layne. These days, much of his time outdoors is shaped by fatherhood, sharing the same woods and fields with his sons that first shaped him as a young hunter. CJ was introduced to hunting at an early age by his dad, who loved chasing deer and running rabbit dogs. His first experiences behind hounds came listening to beagles work a track, and that sound never left him. As a teenager, CJ’s focus shifted to turkey and deer hunting, but he always kept rabbit dogs until life changed with the birth of his oldest son. A few years ago, he discovered woodcock hunting — and it lit a fire that hasn’t gone out since. Today, CJ brings a deep appreciation for tradition, dogs, and passing the hunting heritage down to the next generation. Woodcock hunting in the south Raising children in the uplands Watching a bird dog "flip the switch" His son's first woodcock harvest Advice for prospective bird dog owners Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Hunt Redi
