Episode 18 - Bird Dogs and the Obsession That Never Ends

Upland hunting isn’t a hobby. It’s a lifelong obsession fueled by dogs, weather, and wild birds.

Tyler Webster of the Western Wingshooter Podcast and co-host of The Flush joins the conversation fresh off the road and straight out of Pheasant Fest, where nearly 29,000 bird hunters gathered to celebrate conservation and bird dogs.

This is a deep dive into the mindset of serious upland hunters. Tyler breaks down what it takes to hunt 140-plus days a season, how weather patterns dictate sharp-tailed grouse and pheasant populations, and why following rainfall matters more than following tradition. Wes Larabee brings a lifetime of dog experience, from running big game hounds to raising pointing dogs and retrievers built for both waterfowl hunting and upland bird seasons.

You’ll hear what really drives bird dog handlers, how pheasant, Hungarian partridge, and sharp-tailed grouse numbers swing with moisture and cold snaps, and why scouting habitat and brood surveys matter more than social media reports. The conversation also touches on labs versus setters, balancing duck hunting with upland pursuits, and how events like Pheasant Fest fuel conservation funding across the country.

If you care about bird dogs, wild bird numbers, and the culture that surrounds them, this one hits home.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations from the front lines of wild places.

Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations.

Check Out The Western Wingshooter Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4G1dEZmKle5Dp2t4QnDckT 

Check out the Prairie Tales Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prairie-tails-podcast/id1765350230 

Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/

Get to know your host, Sam Soholt: https://www.instagram.com/samsoholt/

Check out Leaf’s work: https://sportsmenbwca.org 

Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ 

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