Gundog Nation

EP #104 A veteran pheasant hunt in North Dakota is doing more than putting birds in the bag—it’s building friendships, supporting veterans, and bringing an entire community together. Jeremy Ova and Eric Bauer share how Fallen Outdoors and the Badlands Bird Dog Club create an unforgettable hunting weekend featuring donated prizes, meals, lodging, and plenty of camaraderie.They also discuss how veterans can participate, the community effort behind the hunt, NASTRA, bird dogs, and why upland hunting creates such lasting connections. It’s an inspiring conversation about veterans, hunting, service, and the people who make a difference.Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:Purina Pro Planhttps://www.purina.com/pro-planMigra Ammunitionhttps://migraammunitions.comWaterstone Labradorshttps://www.waterstonelabradors.comPhoLicious Foodshttps://www.pholicious.netDucks Unlimitedhttps://www.ducks.orgCable Gangzhttps://cablegangz.comNational Shoot to Retrieve Associationhttps://www.nstra.org

EP #103 Dakota Best left a career as a financial advisor to launch Blue Wing Kennels in Weimar, Texas. In this episode, he talks with Kenneth Witt about starting a retriever-training business, building a kennel from the ground up, and balancing long days with family life.Dakota explains the differences between Master National, SRS, and field trials, what makes a great retriever, and how he works with soft or nervous dogs by building trust before applying pressure. He also shares his approach to breeding, training in the Texas heat, and growing Blue Wing Kennels without losing the personal connection with clients and dogs.If you love retrievers, hunt tests, or the behind-the-scenes reality of turning a passion into a business, this conversation is for you.Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:Purina Pro Planhttps://www.purina.com/pro-planMigra Ammunitionhttps://migraammunitions.comWaterstone Labradorshttps://www.waterstonelabradors.comPhoLicious Foodshttps://www.pholicious.netDucks Unlimitedhttps://www.ducks.orgCable Gangzhttps://cablegangz.comNational Shoot to Retrieve Associationhttps://www.nstra.org

EP #102 The upland bird hunting calendar is only as good as your habitat reading, and Tyler Webster lays out the exact playbook he uses to find sharptails, huns, sage grouse, and more across the prairie. If you want more birds, better dog work, and fewer blown opportunities, this one is packed with the kind of field-tested advice that changes how you hunt. Kenneth Witt sits down with Webster, host of Western Wing Shooter Podcast and co-host of The Flush, for a wide-ranging conversation about living life around birds, dogs, and the long road that ties it all together. From North Dakota to Montana, then west through Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and back again, Tyler shares how he plans a season around bird behavior, weather, cover, and the changing food sources that make birds move.Tyler also breaks down his dog string, explaining why he runs a mix of English setters and German shorthaired pointers, what each breed brings to the table, and how old dog Rusty has covered nearly every upland species in North America. He also tells the stories behind each dog, including how several of them came into his life by sheer luck, timing, and a lot of saying yes.Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:Purina Pro Planhttps://www.purina.com/pro-planMigra Ammunitionhttps://migraammunitions.comWaterstone Labradorshttps://www.waterstonelabradors.comPhoLicious Foodshttps://www.pholicious.netDucks Unlimitedhttps://www.ducks.orgCable Gangzhttps://cablegangz.comNational Shoot to Retrieve Associationhttps://www.nstra.org

EP #101 West Texas isn’t just cotton country - it’s one of the most underrated waterfowl and crane hunting hubs in the country. Cody Puller and Hannah share what it really takes to build CNH Outfitters, chase geese and cranes across Texas, South Dakota, and Arkansas, and turn a new hunting business into a legacy. Cody and Hannah pull back the curtain on the real work behind an outfitting life that runs from South Dakota fall hunts to Texas regular season to Arkansas conservation season and back again. They get honest about lease pressure, scouting pressure, and why relationships matter as much as decoys when you’re trying to make a living in the hunting world.They also talk through the reality of hunting in big bird country - from tiny water setups and dry cold mornings to giant crane flocks over the house, and the constant challenge of reading birds in a landscape that looks nothing like traditional waterfowl country. If you’ve ever wondered how outfitters find success where there is no marsh, no obvious water, and no easy access, this episode is packed with answers.Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:Purina Pro Planhttps://www.purina.com/pro-planMigra Ammunitionhttps://migraammunitions.comWaterstone Labradorshttps://www.waterstonelabradors.comPhoLicious Foodshttps://www.pholicious.netDucks Unlimitedhttps://www.ducks.orgCable Gangzhttps://cablegangz.comNational Shoot to Retrieve Associationhttps://www.nstra.org

A 100th episode milestone turns into a discussion on why Gundog Nation works, who it reaches, and how one podcast became a real reference library for dog people. Kelly Curry surprises host Kenneth Witt with a heartfelt breakdown of what makes the show resonate - from training and hunt tests to health, youth involvement, women in hunting, and the kind of stories that stick with listeners long after the episode ends. Kelly also revisits the episodes, guests, and turning points that shaped the show, including early support from Keith and Josh Parvin, the reach of the Drake Project with Kate and Leah, and standout conversations with voices like Steve Snell, Shannon Nardi, Rody and Kristin Best, Wayne Lane, Clark Kennington, Hannah Hall and Abby Skinner, and more. Along the way, Kenneth shares how the podcast started, why he built it around story branding, and how a two-year journey turned into a community that spans coondogs, retrievers, upland hunting, vet science, music, and beyond.Kelly also digs into the numbers, the sponsorships from Purina Pro Plan, Migra Ammunition, and Ducks Unlimited, and the wild range of places Kenneth has broadcast from - including a bucket-list hunting trip across Montana, South Dakota, Canada, Illinois, and Africa. If you love hunting dogs, dog training, or the people building this community one conversation at a time, this one is packed with insight, encouragement, and a very clear reason to keep listening.Gundog Nation is proudly sponsored by:Purina Pro Planhttps://www.purina.com/pro-planMigra Ammunitionhttps://migraammunitions.comWaterstone Labradorshttps://www.waterstonelabradors.comPhoLicious Foodshttps://www.pholicious.netDucks Unlimitedhttps://www.ducks.orgCable Gangzhttps://cablegangz.comNational Shoot to Retrieve Associationhttps://www.nstra.org