Episode 54: A Break In The Action with Ryan Doughty

Episode 54: A Break In The Action with Ryan Doughty

Ryan Doughty is the voice behind A Break in the Action, a podcast dedicated to the world of shotguns and the sporting life. What started in 2019 as a creative outlet alongside a career in commercial banking has grown into a respected platform exploring everything from fine guns to bird hunting, clays, and the people who shape the culture around them. With over 25 years spent chasing birds behind dogs and studying the craft, Ryan brings a thoughtful, curious approach to the conversation—making the nuances of shotgunning accessible whether you’re just starting out or have been at it a lifetime. Recently joining the team at Shooting Sportsman, he continues to highlight not just the gear, but the deeper experiences that define the sporting life. Topics Covered: * Ryan's discovery and love of fine shotguns * Hunting in the US and Europe * Ryan's own wingshooting podcast * His favorite gamebird and why * Ryan's job at Shooting Sportsman Magazine Connect with Ryan: https://www.instagram.com/abreakintheaction/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/abreakintheaction/?hl=en] https://shootingsportsman.com/ [https://shootingsportsman.com/] Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central [https://gundogcentral.com/] Ballad of the Bird Dog [https://www.balladofthebirddog.com/]

Episode 53: Tattoos, Ruffed Grouse, and Bird Dogs with Jake Maricle

Jake Maricle grew up in the small town of Arcade, New York, and has spent the last 15 years honing his craft as a tattoo artist. About four years ago, he opened Old Gold Tattoo in nearby Yorkshire, building a name rooted in hard work and creativity. Outside the shop, Jake’s passion runs just as deep in the uplands—running three bird dogs, Rif, Kreek, and Brook, and chasing grouse across New York’s North Country, where he recently established “The Grouse House.” He now serves as president of the Appalachian Plateau Ruffed Grouse Society chapter and volunteers with Delta Waterfowl, all while continuing to give back to the hunting community that helped shape his journey. Topics Covered: * Jake's journey into the uplands * Discovering his gift for art * What he loves about tattoo art * New York ruffed grouse hunting * Jake's unique, prehistoric dream hunt Connect with Jake https://share.google/XvFvn4TBMkOMqniO3 [https://share.google/XvFvn4TBMkOMqniO3] https://jake-maricle.square.site/ [https://jake-maricle.square.site/] Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central [https://gundogcentral.com/] Ballad of the Bird Dog [https://www.balladofthebirddog.com/]

Episode 52: Clays N' Wings with Stephen Biello

Stephen Biello grew up in the heart of South Philadelphia, just steps from the historic Italian Market, where his love for animals—and eventually hunting—first took root. Despite not coming from a hunting family, he carved his own path into the uplands through sheer grit, mentorship from neighborhood hunters, and a deep passion for bird dogs. From chasing the last of Pennsylvania’s wild pheasants to developing standout dogs like his Drahthaar Angel and Irish Setter Sage, Stephen’s journey is built on experience, loss, and loyalty. Today, he’s a sporting clays instructor, a dedicated dog man, and working his way back to the field after a life-altering illness—all with a young Wirehaired Vizsla leading the next chapter. https://claysnwings.com/ [https://claysnwings.com/]

Episode 51: Upland Student to Advocate with Colleen Foehrenbacher

From the hardwoods and creek bottoms of Northeast Ohio to the prairies and big woods of Minnesota, Colleen Foehrenbacher found her way into hunting in a way that’s becoming more and more important to the future of our community—she came to it as an adult. Raised in a family that valued nature, wildlife, and especially birds, she spent her early years exploring outside but never pulled a trigger or knew hunters growing up. That changed during her time in outdoor education, when a hunter safety course cracked the door—and one pheasant hunt blew it wide open. Now over a decade into her hunting journey, Colleen is all in—chasing everything from grouse and pheasants to elk and waterfowl, all alongside her three bird dogs. But what really sets her apart is her commitment to bringing others along. As a Minnesota DNR firearm safety instructor, a mentor for new hunters, and a leader in programs like Becoming an Outdoors Woman and Pheasants Forever’s Women on the Wing, she’s helping shape the next generation of hunters—especially women—one first hunt at a time. * * * * * https://eaglebluffmn.org/

Episode 50: Bird Hunter Supply with Joe Palmer

Not everyone who becomes a bird hunter grows up in a hunting family. For Joe Palmer, it started with a Scoutmaster who took the time to introduce a 13-year-old kid to Hunter’s Ed and his very first bird hunt behind dogs. That experience stuck. Even though he didn’t hunt much again until he turned 18 and bought his first shotgun, the spark was there for Joe.  Today he’s the co-owner of Bird Hunter Supply, a business that’s been around for over a decade. After ten years of simply selling products, he and his wife realized something was missing: purpose. That realization led to a major shift in the company’s mission. Now a portion of every purchase is donated to a conservation organization chosen by the customer—at no additional cost—helping ensure the future of bird hunting and wild places. He and his wife are raising four kids in Idaho, where upland hunting opportunities are abundant. Three of their kids already love chasing birds alongside their parents, and the family has made a tradition of it. In fact, the first bird each of his kids—and even his wife—ever harvested was a sage grouse. Between sage grouse, sharptails, ruffed and dusky grouse, Huns, pheasants, and plenty of ducks and geese, bird hunting has become more than a pastime—it’s a family way of life. Topics Covered: * Joe's introduction to the uplands * Reimagining his business to conserve upland habitat * The joys of hunting with his family * Introducing hunting to kids in a thoughtful way * Why sage grouse are special to Joe Check out Bird Hunter Supply [https://birdhuntersupply.com/] Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central [https://gundogcentral.com/] Ballad of the Bird Dog [https://www.balladofthebirddog.com/]