The Upland Social

Tony Mullinax is a South Carolina outdoorsman, artist, and man of deep faith whose life has been shaped by family, loss, and a lifelong connection to the land. Raised in Cherokee County, where he still lives with his wife, Tony is the proud father of three grown children and grandfather to two. Many of his best days are spent hunting and fishing with his sons, continuing traditions first passed down by his uncles and grandfather after he lost his father in a tragic hunting accident at a young age.The outdoors became both a place of remembrance and refuge for Tony, while art offered an early outlet for processing grief and anger — a journey that ultimately led him to lasting healing through faith in Christ. He grew up in the heyday of Southern quail hunting, remembers when woodcock were dismissed as “trash birds,” and carries a deep appreciation for the changing landscape of upland hunting. After years without a dog, art unexpectedly helped open the door for working dogs to return to his life. Today, he hunts behind Grim, a black Lab, and Creek, an English Setter, blending tradition, storytelling, and a heartfelt perspective on the role of dogs, faith, and family in the outdoors.Topics Covered:​Tony's upbringing in the outdoors​Tragically losing his father at just two years old​How artwork opened the door for him to get a bird dog​His unique artwork type​Hunting woodcock and quail in his areaConnect with Tony:https://www.instagram.com/tonymullinaxart/Proud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Evan Moak is a Washington-based upland hunter who came to bird hunting later in life and isn’t shy about the steep learning curve that came with it. Living in Puyallup (PEW ALL UP) with his wife Amber, their daughter Martha, and two dogs, Evan’s journey into the uplands truly began with Pete, his American Brittany and first bird dog. What started with preserve birds quickly grew into an obsession with chasing wild ruffed grouse in the thick cover of the Pacific Northwest. Each season has been a mix of hard lessons, struggle, and the kind of small wins that keep a hunter coming back, all shaped by the experience of figuring it out in real time rather than growing up in the tradition.Evan’s approach to bird hunting blends effort, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the dogs and landscapes that make the pursuit meaningful. He spends the off-season sharpening his wingshooting through shotgun sports, invests in good instruction, and is steadily building a 2021 Ford Bronco into a capable rig for multi-day hunting trips. Photography is becoming part of the journey, too, with a long-term goal of one day ending a hunt by picking up a camera instead of loading another shell. For Evan, bird hunting is less about limits and more about the process — the cover walked, the dog work witnessed, and the lifelong education that only wild birds can provide.Topics Covered:​Evan's selection of the Brittany breed​Barriers to bird hunting with his dog​The extreme challenge of hunting ruffed grouse in the Pacific Northwest​His recent first ruffed grouse harvest​The secret bird of Texas ​Encouragement for new bird dog ownersConnect with Evan:https://www.instagram.com/upland_evan/?hl=enProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Ryan Sparks is a storyteller of the sporting life, using both writing and photography to capture his passions for fishing, hunting, wild food, rivers, mountains, and bird dogs. He’s the editor of Quail Forever Journal and a senior contributor to NEBRASKAland, and he previously founded and led Strung Sporting Journal.Ryan’s work has appeared in many of the most respected outdoor publications in the world, including Gray’s Sporting Journal, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, The Flyfish Journal, Sporting Classics, and Shooting Sportsman, and Meateater. As a photographer, he’s worked commercially with kennels, gunmakers, outfitters, and sporting brands across North and South America.Whether he’s behind a camera, a shotgun, or a fly rod, Ryan is dedicated to telling authentic stories about wild places, wildlife, and the people who care about them.Topics Covered:​Ryan's Rooster Roadtrip in Kansas​How he became an outdoor storyteller​What kind of story stands out to him as the QF Journal Editor​The integration of media types to tell a hunting story​The art of asking permission to hunt private landConnect with Ryan:https://www.flywatermedley.com/https://www.instagram.com/1.ryan.sparks.1/?hl=enProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Aaron Hepler has been drawn to the outdoors since he began hunting at 12 years old, a passion that also sparked his love for writing. A Pennsylvania native, he spends his free time bowhunting, chasing upland birds, fishing, camping, and hiking with his family. His relationship with God is paramount and believes that the created world is something to be cherished. He also holds that time spent outdoors builds not only better hunters and anglers, but better people.By day, Aaron works as an intensive care nurse, a demanding career that makes his time outside even more meaningful. Though he grew up around dogs, he didn’t hunt behind one until getting his first Labrador at 22. She became his trusted hunting partner for 14 seasons. After sadly losing her, Aaron and his wife welcomed two new pups into their home, including a French Brittany that introduced him to the world of pointing dogs. He’s developed a deep appreciation for the training process and the instinct-driven style of hunting behind a pointing breed.For Aaron, the outdoors is where memories are made, lessons are learned, and stories begin.Topics Covered:​Moving from a flushing to a pointing breed​Recent extreme weather impacts on wildlife​Challenges in relationships with our dogs​The pheasant stocking program in PA​Aaron's future upland plansConnect with Aaron:https://www.instagram.com/incamp_podcast/Proud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Collin Kelly is the founder and owner of Elkhorn Coffee, a specialty-grade coffee roaster based in Elkhorn, Nebraska. He studied exercise science at the University of Nebraska Omaha before pursuing an MBA at Colorado State University, where the idea for Elkhorn Coffee was born.Inspired by its hometown and the historic Elkhorn Ranch, where Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation ethic took shape in the Badlands of North Dakota, Elkhorn Coffee is rooted in stewardship of the land and wildlife. The brand believes coffee is the start of every day spent hunting, fishing, and living outdoors—a moment to slow down and reconnect.Elkhorn Coffee partners with wildlife conservation organizations across North America, donating $1 from every bag sold, while remaining deeply involved in fundraising and conservation leadership efforts nationwide.Proudly, Elkhorn Coffee is fueling mornings, conversations, conservation, and the future of the outdoors.Topics Covered:​Collin's inspiration behind Elkhorn​The role of coffee in outdoor culture​How Elkhorn matches each roast to each animal on the bag​The process of partnering with conservation organizations​Exciting roll outs for Elkhorn at Pheasant Fest 2026Connect with Elkhorn Coffee:https://www.elkhorncoffee.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21133774223&gbraid=0AAAAApk6oi-w_3m_UvrEJwleX7PFzeau7&gclid=CjwKCAiAs4HMBhBJEiwACrfNZTJ_w4pwX5xZLn7BePKPpQRyZ_3KlUUpj50x7Sztenr-A7dDooN7sRoCaO8QAvD_BwEhttps://www.instagram.com/elkhorncoffee/?hl=enProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich are lifelong upland hunters and professional wildlife biologists whose careers have focused on quail, grasslands, and habitat conservation across the Midwest. Kyle was raised in southeast Kansas hunting quail with his family and later attended Kansas State University. He began his career managing more than 60,000 acres of public land at Fort Riley, Kansas, before moving to Missouri in 2000 to continue his work with the Missouri Department of Conservation, where he is nearing retirement.Frank was born and raised in southwest Missouri in a family of bird hunters. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Arkansas, where he studied greater prairie chickens, and has spent more than 20 years working with bobwhite quail in Kansas and Missouri. He currently serves as MDC’s State Grassland Coordinator, helping guide grassland conservation efforts statewide.From 2014 to 2018, Kyle and Frank co-led the largest quail research project ever conducted in Missouri, radio-collaring over 1,500 quail and monitoring more than 500 nests. In addition to their agency work, they consult nationally with Land & Legacy, developing wildlife management plans for deer, turkeys, and upland birds, while continuing to hunt together across the country.Topics Covered:​Kyle and Frank's upbringing in quail hunting​How the two meet and became lifelong co-workers and friends​A massive, 4 year quail research project they headed up​The surprising behavior of studied quail in this period​Kyle and Frank's North American Quail SlamConnect with Kyle and Frank:https://www.instagram.com/uplandflush/?__d=1Proud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Patrick Hunter was born and raised in the Carolinas, growing up between the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and his grandparents’ farm in the South Carolina Lowcountry. These two landscapes sparked his lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. A fourth-generation hunter, Patrick carries a deep-rooted legacy in the traditions of quail and duck hunting, though his favorite pursuit is spring turkeys. Over the years, he has also hunted deer, woodcock, marsh hens, and the occasional wild hog—most often alongside his constant companion, Huck Finn, a 7-year-old black Labrador Retriever.Outside of hunting, Patrick is an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer who enjoys both freshwater and saltwater angling. He is also a freelance writer and photographer, using storytelling and imagery to share his appreciation for wild places. By trade, Patrick is an environmental engineer, working to conserve the water resources, wildlife, and landscapes of the Carolinas. He lives in South Carolina with his wife, Katie, and their daughter, Jane.Topics Covered:​Different approaches to quail hunting the South​Patrick's idea of a perfect cast and blast​A unique upland opportunity in the Lowcountry​Patrick's journey into outdoor writing​The heart-warming story of his black labConnect with Patrick:https://www.instagram.com/hwy22outdoors/?hl=enRead some of Patrick's work:https://projectupland.com/culture/southern-bird-hunting-etiquette/Proud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Seth Owens is a wildlife and conservation photographer based in central North Dakota, where the prairies and grasslands have shaped both his life and his work. His photography focuses on the wildlife and wide-open landscapes of the Northern Plains, with a particular passion for North American grouse. To date, Seth has photographed 9 of the 12 grouse species found in North America, with plans to complete the set in the near future.At just 25 years old, Seth represents a younger voice in the photography and birding communities, bringing fresh perspective while remaining deeply rooted in tradition. Born and raised in North Dakota, he has hunted for as long as he can remember, developing an early connection to the land and the wildlife that inhabits it.Seth holds degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and English from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, a combination that informs both his scientific understanding and his storytelling approach behind the camera. To him, photography is not a replacement for experience, but a tool to educate, inspire, and motivate others to get outside and explore the natural world for themselves.On top of that, Seth is the education and outreach coordinator for Pheasants Forever for North Dakota.He lives in Bismarck, North Dakota with his wife and their two dogs—Tanka, a red lab/golden retriever mix and his first bird dog, and Ellie, a golden retriever who prefers the comforts of the couch.Topics Covered:​Seth's upbringing in wildlife and love of birds​How prairie grouse have hooked him​The magic of a grouse lek in the spring​What he's doing to bridge the gap between the prairie and people​Seth's goal to capture all 12 North American grouse species on cameraConnect with Seth:https://www.instagram.com/stuff.seth.sees/?hl=enProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Today’s guest is Devin Rice, a Michigan native whose love for the outdoors started early—baiting worm hooks and catching bluegills off his grandpa’s dock at just four years old. Like a lot of folks, the pandemic flipped a switch for Devin, and once he got his first German Shorthaired Pointer, Walker, everything changed. He did the unthinkable—hung up the bow—and became fully obsessed with chasing the king of the woods: ruffed grouse.Now running two high-octane GSPs through the uplands, Devin is a full-blown grouse and woodcock addict, even if he’ll be the first to admit he might be one of the worst wing shots you’ll ever meet—so bad it’s almost impressive he says. When he’s not in the woods, Devin is a full-time husband, father, and firefighter/paramedic, somehow squeezing in bird hunting whenever he can. He’s also a self-proclaimed cigar connoisseur and mustache maestro.Topics Covered:​How the pandemic shifted him into bird hunting​Deer hunting taking a back seat to the uplands​Being a student of habitat​Shooting slumps, and how to crawl out of them​How the uplands clear Devin's head as a firefighterConnect with Devin:https://www.instagram.com/ruffed_rice_upland/Proud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Today’s guest is West Newby. West is an avid upland hunter and bird dog enthusiast who’s been chasing birds since he was 17 years old. He got his start walking the woods for ruffed grouse with friends—no dogs, just miles and grit—which eventually sparked a deep passion for bird dogs and training. Before ever owning his own dog, West immersed himself in the training world, helping others work their bird dogs and learning a wide range of techniques while shaping his own approach. That journey ultimately led him to a Small Munsterlander, and from there it was full steam ahead into upland hunting and bird dog training. Since then, West has traveled across much of the United States chasing birds alongside his dog, Captain Edward Teague. We’re excited to dig into his experiences, training philosophy, and what he’s learned from a lifetime in the uplands.Topics Covered:​Hunting dogless to getting a first bird dog​Discovering his dominant shooting eye ​West's reason for choosing a Small Munsterlander​How West chose his dog's unique name​Advice for new dog handlersConnect with West:https://www.instagram.com/west_newby/?hl=enProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Keng Yang is a passionate public-land hunter dedicated to chasing pheasants and waterfowl across the prairie with his trusted nine-year-old German Wirehaired Pointer, Kaiya. Starting his hunting journey later in life, Keng quickly found himself fully immersed in the pursuit — driven by a love for wild places, strong bird dogs, and the camaraderie found in the field. Today, he’s constantly exploring new open spaces and connecting with the growing community of hunters who share his values.Equally committed to giving back, Keng has led multiple hunter-education and mentorship programs in recent years, helping newcomers gain skills, confidence, and a deep appreciation for conservation. Whether he’s introducing first-time hunters to the tradition or following Kaiya into the next birdy field, Keng embodies the passion and purpose that define modern public-lands hunting.Topics Covered:​Keng's first bird dog leading the way into the uplands​Why public lands are so near and dear to him​Hmong culture and Keng's hunting heritage​Keng's hunting mentorship program​What Keng loves about rooster pheasantsConnect with Keng:https://www.instagram.com/kengyang1/?hl=enProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Justin Madron grew up in the mountains of West Virginia, where the outdoors were part of everyday life. He started hunting deer and bear at a young age, and his earliest introduction to hunting dogs came through hounds. Though grouse were around, they were more of an incidental opportunity than a pursuit. That all changed later in life when he discovered upland hunting and fell in love with it, especially the combination of physical effort, dog work, and the social community it creates.Justin now spends much of his fall chasing Appalachian grouse and Virginia woodcock with his Llewellin setter, Filly. He also guides in Michigan for a few weeks each season and makes a point to introduce new people to the uplands whenever he can. His professional work centers on solving tough environmental and planning challenges through geospatial data. He runs a consulting company called Farther Afield, which donates a portion of profits to upland conservation. When he’s not hunting or training dogs, he’s home between Virginia and West Virginia with his wife Tiffany and their twin boys.Topics Covered:Justin's journey to bird dogs through a friendHunting with different types of settersThe "boutique" style of Appalachian grouse huntingJustin's conservation mindset with his company, Farther AfieldWhat Justin finds fulfilling about guiding for other huntersConnect with Justin:https://www.instagram.com/j.madron/Proud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Today’s guest is Kevin Bauer, the mind behind Furvor, a company born out of a simple moment on the trail. After a hot summer hike left their two dogs, Henry and Ollie, completely worn out, Kevin discovered that adding bone broth to their water and kibble boosted recovery, energy, and mobility. That experience sparked the idea for Furvor—a brand dedicated to bringing the incredible health benefits of bone broth to our pets. After more than a year of research, blending, and testing with one of the nation’s top bone broth manufacturers, they created a first-of-its-kind topper that delivers more nutrition, more flavor, and more value for our dogs.Topics Covered:​Kevin's spark of inspiration with Furvor​The well-studied health benefits of bone broth​The overlap of human and canine athlete nutritional needs​A university study of the Furvor product ​When to feed Furvor to your hunting dogsConnect with Furvor:https://furvorpet.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq_x0xU4aCJmCOBnWXuUdPU0jJ599BQGv7mflaYnhQ0jHHD4EJOhttps://www.instagram.com/furvorpets/Proud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Live from the Ohio pheasant fields, Cameron Berrien and I recap our hunt for some Buckeye Birds. Believe it or not, Ohio does support a huntable amount of wild pheasants. By no means does the state rival the better known western destinations, but the birds are there if you're willing to look for them. Join us as we dive in to our hunt, strategies for Ohio roosters, and more!Topics Covered:​The status of pheasants in Ohio​Strategies to hunt low bird density areas​The quail comeback in Ohio​Cameron's recent hunting adventuresProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Today we're joined by a team that's been restoring native prairies for nearly 40 years. Based in the heart of Iowa, Nicolas Lirio and Kent Boucher of Hoksey Native Seeds continue to carry on the legacy left by the company's founder, Carroll Hoksbergen. Their mission is to produce high quality native grasses and wildflower seeds that help farmers and landowners across the Midwest from Illinois to South Dakota bring the prairie back to life.Topics Covered:The origin story of Hoksey Native Seeds.Pheasant hunting the Hoksey propertyWhy Nicolas values "messy" prairies Kent's journey to becoming a Hoksey employeeThe Prairie Farm PodcastHow Hoksey is restoring landscapes across the MidwestConnect with Hoksey Native Seeds:https://hokseynativeseeds.com/Connect with The Prairie Farm Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/0BcIjPg6wE0A8JU3lAmwsC?si=6c6d6eccd7b74c58Proud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Cameron Berrien is a 24-year-old outdoorsman from Goshen, Ohio, where he shares life with his wife, Hannah, and their three dogs—a corgi, a chocolate lab, and a rare Burgos Pointer . With a camera in one hand and a shotgun in the other, Cameron spends most of his days chasing birds, training dogs, and capturing the moments that make it all worthwhile.Passionate about bird hunting, canine photography, and the development of true working dogs, Cameron has developed a deep love for the nearly unknown Burgos Pointer—a storied European pointing breed. He and Hannah hope to one day help preserve and promote the breed through responsible breeding and education.This year marks Cameron’s first full season pursuing wild upland birds, with trips to Washington, Idaho lined up, and Michigan in the works—making long-awaited dreams a reality.Topics Covered:How a lab and a goose got Cameron hooked on the uplandsCameron’s love for photographing bird dogsHis unique bird dog breed, the Burgos PointerHow Cameron aims to preserve and protect the Burgos in AmericaCameron’s exciting upland plans for the fall/winterConnect with Cameron:https://www.instagram.com/cameron.berrien/?hl=enProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Garrett Black is an avid upland hunter with a deep passion for pursuing bobwhite quail across the storied landscapes of Florida and Georgia. These fields and pine savannas are some of the most historic and legendary grounds in America for quail hunting, and Garrett has made them his home turf. With a sharp eye for tradition and a love for the dogs, habitat, and heritage that make this pursuit so unique, Garrett brings firsthand experience and perspective from one of the country’s most iconic upland regions.Topics Covered:Quail hunting in the Deep SouthGarrett’s Youtube Channel, “Countin’ Coveys”The absolute critical need for fire on the southern landscape in order for quail to thriveGarrett’s bird hunting adventures across the countryCamping tips for those adventuresConnect with Garrett:Garrett's InstagramCounting Coveys InstagramCounting Coveys Youtube PageProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Today’s guests are two of the driving forces behind the growing upland conservation movement in Canada — Mark Symes and Andrew Lowles, both active leaders with RGS Canada.Mark comes from a diverse entrepreneurial and forestry background and runs his Pudelpointer, Gus in the grouse woods. Andrew is a biologist with experience across forestry, wildlife, and fisheries management, currently overseeing freshwater fisheries resources for his province. When he’s not at his day job, he’s training an English Setter pup and two labs who have earned their keep as unconventional — but deadly — grouse and woodcock dogs.Both are licensed guides, avid anglers, passionate waterfowlers, and private land stewards managing their own woodlots for wildlife while still working full-time careers. Andrew also serves as Eastern Canada Director and Treasurer for the Professional Outdoor Media Association of Canada.Today, we’re diving into the vision and Strategic Aspirations of RGS Canada — from launching new chapters across the country to tackling uniquely Canadian challenges in access, habitat, and forest management.Topics Covered:Mark and Andrew’s guide services they offerThe abundant upland opportunity that exists in Atlantic CanadaChallenges RGS Canada is facingA unique approach to RGS membershipWhy conservation matters, no matter where you are in the worldConnect with RGS Canada:https://www.rgs.ca/https://www.instagram.com/rgs.canada/Connect with Mark and Andrew:https://www.instagram.com/markmsymes/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/lowles.andrew/?hl=enProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Today’s guest is Garrett Baker, a lifelong outdoorsman and passionate upland hunter. Garrett grew up in Northcentral Pennsylvania and picked up a shotgun at just 12 years old—heading now into his 26th hunting season. He hunts over American Brittanys, with his two current companions, Lexi and Gracie, carrying on the legacy of his first bird dog, Lou, who shared the field with him for 12 memorable years.Outside of the uplands, Garrett works as a Maintenance Supervisor at American Refining Group, but his true passion is introducing others to the upland hunting lifestyle. Nearly a decade ago, he and his father opened The Bird Dog Inn in Erwin, South Dakota, where they welcome DIY hunters from across the country and are building new opportunities for first-time hunters and women in the field. Garrett also serves on his local Ruffed Grouse Society chapter in St. Marys, PA, and is actively training his youngest Brittany through NAVHDA and VHDF.Topics Covered:Garrett's entry into the uplands through a bird dog named LouPennsylvania's ruffed grouse statusThe genesis story of The Bird Dog InnGarrett's plans to host a women's huntLocal RGS Chapter involvement near his homeBook The Bird Dog Innhttp://birddoginn.com/Connect with Garretthttps://www.instagram.com/g_baker_64/?hl=enProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi

Today’s guest is Nick Martin, the creator of The Iowa Bird Chaser YouTube channel. Nick set out on a unique mission—to harvest a pheasant in all 99 counties across Iowa. Along the way, he’s sharing the journey, the challenges, and the beauty of upland hunting in the Hawkeye State. Through his channel, Nick is not only chasing birds, but also capturing the stories, landscapes, and community that make Iowa such a special place to hunt.Topics Covered:​Nick becoming a student of pheasant habitat​The spark behind his endeavor, "The Iowa Bird Chaser"​Changing things up when you can't find pheasants ​The 2025 Iowa August Roadside Survey​What's next for Nick after he harvests a pheasant in Iowa's 99 countiesConnect with Nick:https://www.instagram.com/iowa_birdchaser/?hl=enProud Sponsors:Gundog CentralHunt Redi