Ep. 38: What Makes a Great Bird Dog? Life Beyond Ribbons and Limits with Mike Dziki

Ep. 38: What Makes a Great Bird Dog? Life Beyond Ribbons and Limits with Mike Dziki

What does it take to spend a lifetime chasing wild birds behind great dogs? This week on Bird Camp Radio, we sit down with Mike Dziki, a lifelong bird hunter, bird dog breeder, Senior Hunt Test Judge, and Army Ranger veteran whose life has revolved around the uplands for decades. At 64 years old, Mike still spends between 65 and 90 days every season hunting grouse, woodcock, and sharptail across some of the best bird country around. We talk about what he's learned from a lifetime in the field, why wild birds continue to humble even the most experienced hunters, and what keeps him coming back year after year. Mike also shares the story behind his 25 years of breeding German Shorthaired Pointers, adding English Cocker Spaniels and Brittanys to his kennel, and what he looks for when developing bird dogs that can handle real hunting situations. We dive into hunt tests, field trials, cover dog competitions, judging, dog genetics, training philosophies, and why he eventually stepped away from competition to simply enjoy hunting birds. Along the way, we discuss guiding upland hunters, building relationships with clients from across the country, lessons learned during his service as an Army Ranger, and why passing knowledge on to the next generation of bird hunters matters now more than ever. Whether you're passionate about bird dogs, breeding, hunt tests, or simply love hearing stories from someone who has spent a lifetime chasing wild birds, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Available now wherever you listen to podcasts. 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. 37: Walking Cover, Finding Birds: No Shortcuts in the Uplands with Reggie Tokarski

In this episode of Bird Camp Radio, we sit down with Reggie Tokarski, an upland game guide with Sun Catcher Acres Pheasant Outfitter. Reggie spends her days doing what many hunters only see a small part of: walking miles of cover, handling dogs, reading bird behavior, and putting clients on pheasants day after day throughout the season. We dive into what life as a pheasant guide actually looks like behind the scenes, from the early mornings and long walks to the lessons learned from countless days in the field. Reggie shares her perspective on dog work, reading habitat, finding birds in changing conditions, and why success in upland hunting often comes down to experience, observation, and effort. We also discuss earning respect in the hunting industry, the realities of being a female guide in the uplands, and why the birds, dogs, and traditions of pheasant hunting continue to keep people coming back year after year. Whether you're a seasoned upland hunter, an aspiring guide, or someone who simply appreciates hard-working bird dogs and wild flushes, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Pull up a tailgate, grab a cup of coffee, and join us Around the Campfire for Episode 37 of Bird Camp Radio. Suncatcher Acres [http://Sd-hunt.com] Mouse River Outfitters [http://Www.ndhunting.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. 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]