Re-visit Tom and absorb his wisdom ...

The joy of a first hunt with a young dog - that moment when the light bulb flickers on for the first time. Drones, the origins of his legendary Dead Fowl Trainer, training the human after training the dog ... we'll cover it all in this extensive interview with notable hunting dog trainer Tom Dokken. From getting the most from flushing breeds in the uplands to the most important commands, how to ensure your dog's peak performance in the field and must-have training tools, Tom has decades of experience and he's willing to share.

Then, listeners share critical gear they carry in the field - bet you'll add something to your vest after hearing their suggestions. And "Road Trip" recalls a recent lesson I learned - again - that you'll want to consider.

Please visit our sponsors:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns,, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, Midway USA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, FurFeathersFriends Joy Dog Food and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Enjoy this very popular (read: helpful) show even if you heard it a few years ago ...

Pro trainer, chukar hunter, and author ... George DeCosta Jr. is also a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon fanatic. We'll talk puppy development, go to school on steadying a dog (hint: long before he encounters birds), and get a few chukar hunting tips too. George suggests some essential training gear and what he carries in his hunting vest that we should too.

George's new book Tips and Tales covers just about everything you need to train a versatile dog, some hunting stories and a ton of wisdom. We'll go page by page through some of the stuff you are probably working on right now.

Listeners tell us where their dog sleeps on a hunting trip, and the Handle It segment offers a DIY project that will steady your dog when a checkcord is impractical.

And it's all brought to you by:

Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Feeling nostalgic, I wax poetic on some of the things that made last season's opener so memorable. From friends to dog work, new country and a broken bone or two, here are some recollections that might spur a few of your own.

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems. [Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.] with additional support from USA Clay Target League, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Orvis-endorsed outfitter Rick Watson joins me for a wide-ranging discussion on all things grouse and woodcock. We'll nail down good coverts and bird behavior, shooting techniques, and dog handling ideas.

We dig deeper into the mystique of ruffies, why setters are his chosen breed, and why "steadiness" is relative. There's a short trip to Georgia and Scotland, and one indispensable item he never leaves home without.

Our social segment shares some training gear you might want to try, and "Fix It" has a shotgun tip.

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

"Nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded." Yogi Berra said it, and sometimes, we live it when searching for great hunting ground. But what if you adjusted your expectations, settled for second-best to access uncrowded territory that might, just might, have some decent hunting?

That's today's soapbox session, as I encourage you to seek out the runners-up states, regions, and places that don't end up on magazine covers. I'll share some of my own stories, offer some strategy and tactics you might employ, and provide incentives that might get you far from the madding crowd.

Our social session covers favorite post-hunt libations, and "Fix It" suggests some help wearing your strap vest that allows you to carry more water and shoot better.

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, ClayCopter, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

I've received so many questions about this topic, thought a quick primer would be in order. I'm no veterinarian, but there are basic procedures and habits I've picked up over the years (and many vet visits) that will keep your dog in the hunt and forestall further injury to his second-most-important sense. (First being his nose!)

From practice to reality, some common issues and how to recognize them, I'll hit the major issues you'll likely encounter and how to handle them. I'll introduce a few tools that might be helpful.

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems. [Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.] with additional support from USA Clay Target League, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Your questions have been flowing in ... and here are my answers. In our somewhat-annual foray into your inquiries, I'll try to offer advice and suggestions that'll help you be a better hunter, sportsman, dog handler and shooter.

We'll cover everything from bird-shy pups to physical fitness, where to go and why those places become special. There are questions on finding new hunting partners and where to stay on a hunt. So if you DM'd, texted, called or emailed a question get ready - it might be right here.

"Fix It" helps you find cold-weather birds, our social media segment is your advice on taking better photos.

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, ClayCopter, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Here's an avenue for every kid who wants to make a school sports team - clay target shooting. That's the goal of the USA Clay Target League, and California state coordinator Anna Canon will show us how it works, from recruitment to competition and the life-long results in a sport where every kid competes.

The largest organization of its kind, USA Clay Target has over 55,000 youth participants and another 11,000 adults, competing locally, regionally and nationally. Open to any student from grade 6 through college, the group relies on volunteer coaches and has the support of school officials nationwide.

We'll cover how to form a team for FREE, the unique challenges of coaching young shooters, how the competition works, and the downstream benefits of kids who learn to shoot.

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems. [Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.] with additional support from USA Clay Target League, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.