#349 | Red Dot Sights for Turkey Guns with Greg Maher

#353 | Why 95% of Quail Broods Need Disturbed Ground

Quail habitat is the whole story. Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich spent five years following bobwhite quail across the Midwest, and the data pointed at one thing over and over: disturbed ground grows birds. On this episode, host Nick Larson brings back Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich, two biologists who helped run one of the largest quail habitat studies in the region. From 2014 to 2018 they monitored 500 nests, radio-collared chicks, and even collared raccoons to see how predators move through cover. What came out of it is a genuinely hopeful finding: you can grow quail if you're deliberate about it. The number that anchors the conversation: 95% of their brood locations were in habitat that had been burned, grazed, or otherwise disturbed within the previous 12 months. Grassland managed with fire and cattle beat the old broken-up dairy-farm model on nest success, on survival, and on eggs per nest. The thick, idle CRP field that looks so birdy in January? The chicks can't get through it. Before the quail talk, Nick and the guys swap turkey-season stories and take on the old myth that turkeys are eating quail and grouse into decline. The short version: the timing doesn't add up, and it never did. It's a habitat problem wearing a predator's costume. Chapters: 0:00 - 95% of Broods: The Stat That Reframes Everything 2:19 - Turkey Season Recap and a Mid-Morning Tom 15:14 - Are Turkeys to Blame for Quail and Grouse? 21:57 - Inside the 5-Year Quail Study 25:40 - Usable Space and the Numbers on Nest Success 28:23 - Why Broods Live in Recently Disturbed Cover 31:18 - Prescribed Fire and Grazing at Landscape Scale 34:37 - Why Change Is Hard on Working Farms 36:35 - The Idle CRP Problem 38:40 - How Often to Disturb: Every 1, 2, or 3 Years 41:17 - One Farm for Quail, Turkeys, and Deer 42:10 - Cost Share and the Real Price of a Burn 45:26 - Building a Fire Culture and Burn Associations 46:52 - Native Grass Restoration Goes Mainstream 48:11 - Pollinator Plantings as Quail Habitat 50:08 - What Good Quail Cover Actually Looks Like 53:02 - Shrubby Escape Cover and the 10-20% Rule 54:16 - Eastern Red Cedar and When Woody Cover Helps 59:36 - Predators, Raccoons, and Why Grasslands Win Resources & Links: Land and Legacy: https://landandlegacy.tv/ Kyle Hedges: https://landandlegacy.tv/about/ Frank Loncarich: https://landandlegacy.tv/about/ How to conduct a prescribed burn for upland bird habitat (Project Upland): https://projectupland.com/hunting-conservation/how-to-conduct-a-prescribed-burn-for-upland-bird-habitat/ Support the show: The Birdshot Podcast is Presented By onX Hunt. Use code BSP20 to save 20% on your onX Hunt subscription. Use code BSP10 to save 10% at Meadow Creek Mounts. Use code BS10 to save 10% at Trulock Chokes. Follow the show: Instagram: @birdshot.podcast Website: https://birdshotpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#352 | Raising the Next One: A Lifetime of Bird Dogs with Steve Snell of Gun Dog Supply

Bird dogs come and go over a hunting life, and every new puppy is a chance to do it better than the last. Fresh off bringing home a new setter pup, Nick Larson sits down with Steve Snell of Gun Dog Supply to talk through what 50-plus dogs have taught Steve about raising the next one, from the first weeks at home to a lifetime in the field. It had been since 2018 — episode #12 — that Steve was last on the show, and a lot of ground gets covered here. The conversation opens on bird dog safety: heat and when to call a hunt, the real risk math on rattlesnakes versus ticks, and the hazard most owners underrate (porcupines, not snakes). From there it works its way through nearly every stage of a dog's life — breed selection, the first few weeks with a puppy, crate training, sound exposure, table work, and the gear that actually matters — before closing on Garmin's new TT25 beeper and why Steve runs mini flex bands on every dog he owns. A throughline keeps surfacing: the hunter's job is to make good decisions on the dog's behalf, because the dog won't make them for itself. Expect to Learn: - Why Steve sees protecting the dog as the hunter's responsibility — the dog won't protect itself. - How heat, sun, wind, and terrain change the call on whether to run a dog at all. - Why porcupines may be a bigger day-to-day problem than the rattlesnakes everyone fears. - How Steve thinks about matching a breed to where and how you actually hunt. - What Steve focuses on in a puppy's first few weeks, and why he keeps sessions to five or ten minutes. - Why he raises every dog inside the house, and how exposure to noise, crates, kids, and vehicles builds a bulletproof dog. - The only two pieces of gear Steve insists on for a new puppy — and why a drag line does so much work. - What's new with Garmin's TT25 beeper, and why Steve recommends a mini flex band for every bird dog. Frequently Asked: When should you stop hunting a bird dog in the heat? Steve uses roughly 65 degrees as his cutoff in Texas and says he'll never run a dog over 70 when it's sunny with no wind. The number isn't fixed — humidity, cloud cover, and wind all change it. His larger point: bird dogs won't quit on their own, so it's on the hunter to make the call, even when that means not hunting at all. What's the most underrated danger for a bird dog in the field? Porcupines, in Steve's experience. Snakes get treated as the boogeyman, but porcupine encounters are far more frequent, and they smell appealing to a pointing dog. The real trouble is the dog that doesn't learn its lesson — the one that goes back for revenge. He'd take a skunk encounter over a porcupine any day. How do you choose the right bird dog breed? Steve's rule is to match the breed to where and how you actually hunt the majority of the time — not to the breed you find most appealing. He also starts his search geographically, buying pointers out of lines hunted in tough country like Texas, Oklahoma, and the Southwest, because a dog bred where you hunt is built for it. What should you do with a bird dog puppy in the first few weeks? Steve keeps it simple and short. Sessions run five to ten minutes, broken up across the day, so the puppy never gets burned out or sour. He focuses on self-control and exposure over drills, and he always leaves them wanting more — and he prefers raising the dog inside the house from day one. Notable Quotes: "To me it's the hunter's responsibility to protect the dog 'cause the dog's not gonna protect himself." — Steve Snell "Developing a puppy — that's my favorite part of the game." — Steve Snell Resources Mentioned: - Steve Snell's "7 Puppy Tips" puppy-raising article (Gun Dog Supply): https://www.gundogsupply.com/2026-04-23-7-puppy-tips.html - Garmin TT25 Mini (the beeper/collar Steve discussed): https://www.gundogsupply.com/garmin-tt25-mini.html Follow Steve: Gun Dog Supply — https://www.gundogsupply.com Follow Nick: Instagram @birdshot.podcast — https://BirdshotPodcast.com Listen: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7 - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkIF3w6P9rkuciwX-jEMG3g Support the Show: - onX Hunt — use code BSP20 to save 20% on your onX Hunt subscription. - Trulock Chokes — use code BS10 to save 10%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#351 | Keith Marcott on Woodcock Covers, Border Crossings, and a Lifetime of Bird Hunting

In this episode of Birdshot Podcast, Nick sits down with Keith Marcott to talk about woodcock hunting, bird travel, and a lifetime spent chasing upland birds across North America and overseas. Keith shares stories from hunting woodcock in New Brunswick, Quebec, and Scotland, along with memories from Wyoming, the western bird country, and the years before GPS and OnX made it easier to find cover. Keith Marcott is a retired engineer and lifelong upland hunter now based in Wyoming. After growing up bird hunting in the Northeast, he eventually built a life around western birds — Huns, chukar, sharptails, prairie grouse, and mountain hunts with Llewellin setters. Some of his most meaningful bird hunting memories, though, came from repeated trips into New Brunswick and Quebec, and later to Scotland, where woodcock hunting shaped the way he thinks about dogs, habitat, and travel. In this conversation, Keith and Nick talk about: - Woodcock hunting in New Brunswick, Quebec, and Scotland - What separates woodcock hunting from grouse hunting - How hunters found productive cover before GPS and OnX - Bird hunting travel, border crossings, and old-school camp logistics - Western bird hunting, dogs, landscapes, and the pull of woodcock country Episode breakdown: - [00:05:02] Keith Marcott’s background and a lifetime of bird hunting - [00:07:01] Moving west: Wyoming, huns, chukar, and prairie birds - [00:09:42] Keith’s bird hunting road trip across multiple states - [00:11:07] Camping, snake country, and hunting dogs in the West - [00:13:00] Snake avoidance training and a rattlesnake encounter in the field - [00:19:20] Western hunters, ticks, and the difference between regions - [00:27:07] The first New Brunswick woodcock trip - [00:29:27] Hunting with guide Danny Bird and chasing woodcock full-time - [00:36:47] Repeated trips into Canada and DIY hunting in Quebec - [00:42:05] Alaska, British Columbia, and border-crossing logistics with dogs and guns - [00:48:01] Finding woodcock cover before modern mapping technology - [00:49:27] Why woodcock still matter to a western bird hunter Links: - Birdshot Podcast: https://birdshotpodcast.com [https://birdshotpodcast.com/] - Instagram: https://instagram.com/hwy22outdoors/ [https://instagram.com/hwy22outdoors/] - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7 [https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7] - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609] - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@birdshot.podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@birdshot.podcast] Support: - Use promo code BSP20 to save 20% on your onX Hunt subscription: https://onxmaps.com/hunt/app [https://onxmaps.com/hunt/app] - Use promo code BSP10 to save 10% at Meadow Creek Mounts: https://meadowcreekmounts.com/ [https://meadowcreekmounts.com/] Birdshot is presented by onX Hunt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#350 | From Rucking to Mobility: Practical Fitness for the Upland Hunter

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson sits down with Todd Bumgardner, founder of Pack Mule Training Co., for a deep dive into physical preparation for the uplands. They discuss the shift from extreme "murder yourself" workouts to a philosophy of long-term consistency, focusing on how small, frictionless habits can pay massive dividends come September. Todd brings nearly 20 years of experience training hunters and elite military units to help upland hunters move better, stay resilient, and extend their longevity in the field. I’ve been following these principles for three years now, and the biggest change for me wasn't some fancy new gear—it was realizing that consistency is the most important variable. I used to tolerate sore shoulders and heavy legs during those first few grouse hunts, but by keeping a simple routine and rucking year-round, those opening-day miles now feel like a breeze. Todd and I dig into the "why" behind Zone 2 cardio, the efficiency of the 20% body weight ruck, and how to outsmart your own willpower by making your training environment frictionless. Expect to Learn: * Why consistency over a long period is the ultimate driver for progress in the field. * The "environmental design" trick of putting your gear in your way to reduce startup friction. * How to use the 3-mile rucking assessment to establish your baseline aerobic fitness. * Why Zone 2 training acts as your "recovery system" for handling back-to-back hunting days. * The technical benefits of the Zercher squat for hunters looking to protect their spine while building strength. * A simple one-minute mobility routine you can do every morning while your coffee is brewing. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:02:06] – Nick’s Turkey Season Prep and Meadow Creek Mounts Update [00:05:06] – Meet Todd Bumgardner: Founder of Pack Mule Training Co. [00:08:37] – Why Consistency is the Most Important Variable in Your Training [00:13:02] – Reducing Friction: The "Floss One Tooth" Approach to Habits [00:35:13] – Step-by-Step: The 3-Mile Rucking Assessment [00:45:10] – The Science of Zone 2 Cardio and Aerobic Efficiency [01:03:00] – Incline Training: NordicTrack at 40% vs. Stair Climbers [01:08:43] – The One-Minute Coffee-Brew Mobility Routine [01:14:00] – Nick’s Minimalist Strength Routine: Pull-ups, Zerchers, and Incline Bench [01:31:26] – Todd’s Bird Dog Search Follow The Guest, Todd Bumgardner: * Website: humanpredatorpackmule.com [https://humanpredatorpackmule.com/] * Instagram: @packmuletrainingco [https://www.instagram.com/packmuletrainingco] Follow the Host, Nick: * Instagram: @birdshot.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/birdshot.podcast/] * Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com [http://www.birdshotpodcast.com/] Listening Links: * Spotify: Birdshot Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7] * Apple Podcasts: Birdshot Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609] * YouTube: Birdshot Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@birdshot.podcast] SUPPORT: * Use Promo Code | BSP20 to save 20% on your onX Hunt Subscription [https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app] * Use Promo Code | BSP10 to save 10% at Meadow Creek Mounts [https://meadowcreekmounts.com/] * Use Promo Code | BS10 to save 10% at Trulock Chokes [https://trulockchokes.com/] The Birdshot Podcast is Presented By: onX Hunt [https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app] Todd’s free PDF download: The Upland Hunter Off-Season Basic Training Program. [https://www.birdshotpodcast.com/offseason-training-guide] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#349 | Red Dot Sights for Turkey Guns with Greg Maher

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson sits down with Greg Maher of Meadow Creek Mounts for a conversation about the practical shift from traditional beads to optics in the turkey woods. They dig into the engineering behind rib-mounted sights, the "equalizer" effect of a red dot on gun fit, and why seeing more of the bird is a significant advantage when the shot counts. Greg Maher is an engineer and a lifer in the turkey woods with over 20 years of experience. After identifying a need for better optic placement on shotguns that weren't originally drilled and tapped, he launched Meadow Creek Mounts in 2020. Based in South Carolina, Greg is a dedicated public land hunter who has pursued turkeys in over 20 states, bringing a perspective focused on gear reliability and the "why" behind every piece of equipment in his vest. Expect to Learn: * Why a red dot acts as an "equalizer" for head position and consistency in the field. * The technical differences between open and enclosed reflex sights and how they handle the elements. * Why mounting an optic on the rib provides a superior field of view compared to receiver mounts. * A practical "one-shot" method for zeroing your optic to save on expensive TSS ammunition. * How to use a bore laser and a reference sheet to ensure your zero hasn't shifted during travel. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: * [00:02:46] – Greg Maher and Meadow Creek Mounts in a Nutshell  * [00:07:02] – From Beads to Red Dots: The "Aha" Moment in the Woods  * [00:15:39] – The Engineering of Rib Mounts vs. Receiver Mounts  * [00:21:47] – Understanding Reflex Sights, Astigmatism, and Reticle Options  * [00:31:32] – Battery Life, "Shake Awake," and Avoiding "Amazon Specials"  * [00:40:55] – Step-by-Step: Zeroing and Patterning for Precision  * [00:50:07] – Greg’s Personal Setup: The Mossberg SA-20 and Hand-Loaded TSS  * [00:56:41] – Red Dots for Wingshooting?  * [01:00:27] – Perspective on "Slams" and Returning to the Spring Woods  * [01:04:36] – Where to Find Greg and Closing Thoughts  Follow The Guest, Greg Maher: * Website: https://meadowcreekmounts.com/ [https://meadowcreekmounts.com/]  * Email: Greg@MeadowCreekMounts.com  Follow the Host, Nick: * Instagram: @birdshot.podcast * Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com [http://www.birdshotpodcast.com/] Listening Links: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7 * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609 * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkIF3w6P9rkuciwX-jEMG3g SUPPORT * Use Promo Code | BSP20 to save 20% on https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app [https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app] * Use Promo Code | BSP10 to save 10% on https://meadowcreekmounts.com/ [https://meadowcreekmounts.com/]  * Use Promo Code | BS10 to save 10% on https://trulockchokes.com/ [https://trulockchokes.com/] The Birdshot Podcast is Presented By: https://www.onxmaps.com/ [https://www.onxmaps.com/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]