Episode #61 Valley Fever + Pop Quiz For Bird Dog Owner: Nate Istrate

Episode #66 How To Trap Pigeons For Reliable Dog Training Birds

We get practical about pigeons, from surprising facts about what they can do to why they make tough, reliable dog training birds. We lay out a real-world trapping system that works in Arizona, plus the mistakes that quietly ruin your results or harm birds in the heat.  • pigeons as hardy training birds for upland hunters  • ten interesting pigeon facts including homing and intelligence  • pre-baiting with corn or chicken scratch for one to two weeks  • placing traps where pigeons already roost and feed  • using bob door traps and leaving doors open early  • providing shade and fresh water to prevent suffering  • checking traps on a safe schedule to avoid stress and deaths  • transporting birds home quickly and setting up a basic coop  • ten common mistakes including impatience and skipping pre-baiting  To help further our work, please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquailtoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates.  Connect with us: Email us at r [AzQuailToday@gmail.com]yan@azquailtoday.com —we'd love to hear from you!  Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday

Episode #65 Backcountry Fit For Quail Season?

We trade the usual gear talk for the gear that decides whether you can actually reach the birds: your heart, your legs, and your daily habits. We break down why quail hunting demands nonstop mobility and share simple ways to train, eat, sleep, and hydrate so you can keep chasing coveys for decades.  • why physical health matters more than a shotgun or a dog for backcountry access  • heart disease stats and why hunters should pay attention in their 40s and beyond  • how belly fat and extra weight make desert miles harder and raise risk  • steps, brisk walking, and why quail hunters need durable cardio  • off-season training ideas like hikes, runs, cycling, and leg and core workouts  • cleaning up diet with the 80-20 rule and cutting sugary drinks  • sleep as recovery that improves energy and lowers stress on the heart  • Arizona trail ideas for conditioning and building stamina  • hydration basics for desert heat and keeping hunts from ending early  • a stewardship mindset for staying strong for family and the outdoors  To help further our work, please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquailtoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates. Connect with us: Email us at r [AzQuailToday@gmail.com]yan@azquailtoday.com —we'd love to hear from you!  Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday

Episode # 64 Pray For The Horse And Quit Yelling At Your Bird Dog

We chase the old-school idea of pairing a horse and a bird dog for Arizona quail hunting, then get honest about how much that partnership depends on our calm, not our intensity. We share what Zuni the mustang mare teaches us about trust, how pointers pick up our emotional cues, and why steadiness is the real training advantage.  • building trust with a horse through slow, consistent handling  • noticing how tone, posture, timing, and stress shape animal behavior  • praying for the horse as a way to slow down and show up better  • English pointer history and why the breed fits Western quail country  • practical leadership principles that apply to horses and bird dogs  • why horseback quail hunting is both beautiful and hard work  • introducing dogs and horses safely through controlled exposure  • keeping sessions short, sustainable, and repeatable  Help further our work. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquilltoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates. So then remember to get outside. Connect with us: Email us at r [AzQuailToday@gmail.com]yan@azquailtoday.com —we'd love to hear from you!  Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday

Episode#63 Your Boots Will Carry You Nearly 70,000 Miles

We slow down and take boots seriously, from the surprising number of miles your feet cover in a lifetime to the deep history packed into everyday footwear. We trace how function shaped iconic designs, then land on real-world boot picks that hold up for quail hunting, work, and life.  • why hunting boots are not “just gear” when you’ll walk 67,000 to 70,000 miles in a lifetime  • how everyday walking miles plus hunting miles add up faster than most hunters expect  • the 5,500-year-old Armenian leather boot and what its wear marks prove  • how Mongolian stirrup heels help explain modern cowboy boot design  • the Duke of Wellington’s redesign and how rubber wellies helped prevent trench foot  • what we like and don’t like about Justin, Danner, Ariat, Kenetrek, and Cody James boots  • our personal comfort picks for serious quail hunting versus daily wear  Help further our work. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquilltoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates. Till then, remember to get outside.  Connect with us: Email us at r [AzQuailToday@gmail.com]yan@azquailtoday.com —we'd love to hear from you!  Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday

Episode #62 How To Paddleboard With Your Dog Safely In Arizona Waters

We take our bird dogs paddleboarding and turn wipeouts, splashes, and river chaos into smart off-season training for Arizona hunters. We share what actually works to build fitness, confidence in water, and steadier obedience while keeping dogs safe in the heat.  • why paddleboarding is legit exercise for high-energy bird dogs  • how regular water time can build swimming confidence over time  • training “lay down” and “stay” on the board to create calm  • starting in calm water and keeping early sessions short and positive  • using an e-collar as reinforcement when it matters  • essential gear like a dog life jacket with a handle, dry bags, river shoes, and sunscreen  • lunch and tie-down tips for keeping food and gear usable on the water  • Arizona spots like Salt River, Canyon Lake, Bartlett, Pleasant, Saguaro, and Roosevelt  • planning shuttles and keys for river floats like Coon Bluff to Granite Reef  • lessons learned on parking, Tonto Passes, and crowded weekends  • safety reminders on holiday enforcement, sober driving, and heat risks for dogs  To help further our work, please consider making a tax-deductible gift. Visit us online at azquailtoday.com and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information and updates. Till then, remember to get outside.  Connect with us: Email us at r [AzQuailToday@gmail.com]yan@azquailtoday.com —we'd love to hear from you!  Follow us on Instagram at @azquailtoday