Ep. 36: A Guide's Life in the Pheasant Capital of America with Lucas Koolstra

Ep. 36: A Guide's Life in the Pheasant Capital of America with Lucas Koolstra

This week on Bird Camp Radio, we sit down with South Dakota hunting guide Lucas Koolstra to talk about his journey into the world of upland hunting and guiding. Unlike many bird hunters who grew up in the tradition, Lucas didn't start hunting until he was 18 years old. Since then, he's built a career around helping others experience the excitement of wild birds, spending his falls guiding pheasant hunters across South Dakota and his springs guiding turkey hunters. Throughout the conversation, Lucas shares stories from the guide life, discusses what makes South Dakota one of the premier pheasant destinations in North America, and explains his passion for chasing different species of grouse across their range. As a former seasonal park ranger, he also offers insight into wildlife, habitat, and the conservation challenges facing upland birds today. We also dive into one of Lucas's more controversial viewpoints as a self-proclaimed "apologist for road hunting." Lucas breaks down the misconceptions surrounding the practice, explains where ethics fit into the conversation, and shares his perspective on why certain hunting methods are often misunderstood within the hunting community. Whether you're a dedicated pheasant hunter, a grouse fanatic, a turkey hunter, or simply someone who enjoys hearing honest conversations about hunting culture, this episode delivers plenty of insight, stories, and thought-provoking discussion. Need bird dog travel? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp [http://petcommute.com/birdcamp]

Ep. 35: Passing the Tradition: Hunting, Family, and Giving Back with Samuel Alvarez

This week, I’m joined by Samuel Alvarez, a lifelong upland bird hunter, dog man, and passionate advocate for the hunting community. Raised around hunting dogs and bird hunting traditions, Samuel shares how his love for the outdoors was shaped by family, hard-working bird dogs, and countless days spent chasing upland birds alongside his father, son, and close friends. In this episode, we dive into the importance of passing hunting traditions to the next generation, the role hunting dogs have played throughout Samuel’s life, and why family remains at the center of everything he does in the outdoors. We also discuss California upland hunting, bird dog breeding, field trials, mentorship, and the pursuit of completing California’s upland bird slam, highlighted by his son’s quest to harvest the final species on his list: the elusive chukar. Samuel also shares the story behind his nonprofit hunting and fishing organization, which provides gear, hunting dogs, and puppies to youth, veterans, and first responders. Through faith, service, and a commitment to helping others experience the outdoors, Samuel is making a lasting impact on the hunting community and ensuring the next generation has opportunities to create their own memories afield. If you enjoy conversations about bird dogs, family hunting traditions, conservation, mentorship, and giving back to the hunting community, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio. Watch on YouTube. Bird Camp Radio Store [https://bird-camp-radio.printify.me/] Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp [http://petcommute.com/birdcamp]

Ep. 34: The Analytical Upland Hunter: Nike SBs, Maps, and Mountain Birds with Joe Christensen

Joe Christensen joins the show to talk about the realities of hunting Western upland birds on public land and the process of consistently finding birds where most hunters never look. Based in Utah, Joe has built a reputation for his analytical approach to chasing chukar, Hungarian partridge, grouse, and late-season mountain birds across Utah and Idaho, combining countless miles on the ground with detailed map study, GPS tracking, and years of personal observations. In this episode, we dive into how Joe breaks down new country, identifies productive habitat, and uses terrain features, elevation, slope aspect, water sources, and seasonal bird behavior to locate overlooked hunting opportunities. We also discuss the value of keeping hunting journals, learning from failure, adapting to changing conditions, and why continual improvement is one of the most important skills an upland hunter can develop. Joe shares insights from hunting some of the toughest bird country in the West, lessons learned from chasing mountain birds, and his philosophy on ethical access, self-reliance, and earning success through hard work rather than shortcuts. We also spend time talking bird dogs, including the development of his German Shorthaired Pointer, Milo, and the role a good dog plays in becoming a better hunter. If you enjoy conversations about public-land bird hunting, chukar strategy, mountain birds, dog work, and the constant pursuit of becoming a better upland hunter, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio. Watch on YouTube. Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp [http://petcommute.com/birdcamp]

Ep. 33: Behind Pointing Dogs Around the World with Ryan McCollum

Episode 33 of Bird Camp Radio is here, and this week I’m joined by Ryan McCollum, founder of Worldwide Wingshooter and a lifelong upland hunter whose career has taken him across some of the best wild bird country in the world. Ryan grew up chasing wild quail behind English setters and started guiding hunts in Southern Illinois while still in high school. Since then, his path has led him through Mexico, Bolivia, Paraguay, Alaska, Romania, and beyond, building a lifetime of experience around wild birds, pointing dogs, wingshooting lodges, and international sporting operations. In this episode, we dive into what makes truly wild bird hunting special, the importance of good dog work, and the lessons Ryan has learned from decades spent guiding hunters across multiple continents. We talk about English setters, quail hunting culture in Mexico, running large-scale wingshooting operations in South America, learning Spanish to better connect with local outfitters and landowners, and the realities of building a career in the hunting industry. Ryan also shares stories from guiding in places most hunters only dream about, along with his perspective on preserving authentic upland traditions in a modern hunting world. If you enjoy conversations about wild birds, bird dogs, international wingshooting, and the people keeping upland traditions alive, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio. Watch on YouTube. Worldwide Wingshooter Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555282671592] Worldwide Wingshooter Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/worldwidewingshooter1/] Worldwide Wingshooter TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@worldwidewingshooter?_r=1&_d=secCgYIASAHKAESPgo8MMWSNrVK5du6w%2BOfU6IG%2FvNIYEIDs0S6qDWuwu1bNRRmNxWQuGPzBlbrDdPziuJMJByGQszQFW7u%2FmrFGgA%3D&_svg=3&checksum=5effa107bd4247c232b471a166f0dd2b61c6ff3c9640e1f3cfc2a1e21d795f80&item_author_type=1&reflow_sign_scene=7&rgssign=8.1.VjTiOsoxJHxKRt8lnS9HGw&sec_uid=MS4wLjABAAAAAcDoVbYSKvB7wT9sFFktMLErshjQBWcx6yzXT7IJcsqYh2HQrxIdwzKL6G493cW7&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAAcDoVbYSKvB7wT9sFFktMLErshjQBWcx6yzXT7IJcsqYh2HQrxIdwzKL6G493cW7&share_app_id=1233&share_author_id=7318780439854335018&share_link_id=596AD31F-37F8-46DE-8E66-74DA97008624&share_region=US&share_scene=1&sharer_language=en&social_share_type=4&source=h5_m×tamp=1779313086&tt_from=copy&u_code=ebm601f5jfble6&ug_btm=b8727%2Cb0&user_id=7318780439854335018&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy] https://worldwidewingshooter.com/ [https://worldwidewingshooter.com/] Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp [http://petcommute.com/birdcamp]

Ep. 32: Turns Out the Guy Who Married My Parents Knows Bird Dogs - Josh Riddle

Episode 32 of Bird Camp Radio features Josh Riddle, a lifelong upland hunter whose passion for bird dogs and wild birds was built through generations of family tradition. Raised in a home where hunting was more than recreation, Josh grew up chasing pheasants and grouse alongside family, friends, and English Springer Spaniels that have been part of his family since the 1970s. From carrying a shotgun at eight years old to building a life centered around the uplands, his story reflects the deep connection between family heritage, bird dogs, and the outdoors. In this episode, Josh shares the lessons passed down from his grandfather and father, the traditions that shaped his outlook on hunting and conservation, and why respect for the game and the experience has always mattered more than anything else. The conversation dives into growing up in a hunting family, the special bond created through good dogs, and the memories that continue to keep upland traditions alive today. This episode is rooted in heritage, stewardship, and the kind of upland culture that keeps people coming back to the field year after year. If you appreciate bird dogs, family traditions, and meaningful conversations about the uplands, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Rockey's Kennels Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rockeys.kennels/] Rockey's Kennels Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RockeysKennels] Rockey's Kennels Website [https://essft.com/places/rockeys-kennel/] Josh's Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/joshua.riddle.31] Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp [http://petcommute.com/birdcamp]