Shows
Gundog NationSisterhood of the Hunt - Creating a Safe Space for Female Hunters#071 Want proof that access changes everything? Laurel and Jaycey, the duo behind Sisterhood of the Hunt, join Ken to share how a women-led community is rewriting the on-ramp into the outdoors. We talk about clear safety standards, trusted outfitters, and the confidence that comes from traveling with a vetted group—whether you’re chasing your first doves or flying to a remote island for sea ducks. It’s practical and personal: deposits that protect the group, realistic expectations about weather and birds, and smart coaching like “pick one bird and stay with it” when a tornado of cranes swirls your way.
2026-01-211h 08Gundog NationHeartland Lodge - Whitetail, Waterfowl, And World-Class Hospitality#070 We head to Heartland Lodge in Pike County, Illinois, where waterfowl and whitetails share a map, guides wear many hats, and the camp runs on safety, skill, and serious hospitality. From coffee at 4 a.m. to breakfast in a floating blind, we break down how the Mississippi dictates tactics—changing water levels, ice, and barge traffic—and why a smart setup matters. Duck call maker insights, mixed-bag mornings, and a young lab’s first boat retrieve capture the thrill of river hunting that never repeats the same way twice.Then it’s into the deer woods where bluffs...
2026-01-1454 minGundog NationLeah Spivey - Youth, Women, and the Heart of SRS#69 In this episode of the Gundog Nation podcast, host Ken Witt interviews Leah Spivey and her young friend Jack, discussing their experiences in dog training, hunting, and the importance of community in the sport. Leah shares her journey with her dog Kane, her achievements in the SRS, and her aspirations for the future. The conversation highlights the significance of youth involvement and the role of women in dog sports, as well as the challenges and joys of training and competing. Leah emphasizes the importance of pre-run routines and the mental aspects of handling dogs in competitions, while Jack shares...
2026-01-081h 08Gundog NationLandon Poplin - What Makes A Dog Great: Breed Myths, Hard Lessons, And The Road To The GrandSend us a text#68 A German Wirehair at the HRC Grand? That’s where this story turns heads. Trainer Landon Poplin walks us through how Harker, a versatile dog bred to point, track, and retrieve, made history by earning a Grand title in a retriever-first arena. We dig into steady-at-the-line expectations, the brutal pass rates, and the mindset it takes to keep going after breaks, pops, and blown plans—because that road wasn’t straight, and the lessons are the gold.We get specific on handling and training. Landon unpacks how to fix “popping” without frying a c...
2025-12-311h 23Gundog NationTim Parks - Building A Gun Dog Community While Championing The Creekers’ RiseSend us a text#67 A small mountain town asks a big question—why not us? That spark turns into a blueprint for culture, community, and a band that’s suddenly everywhere. We sit down with Tim Parks, Manchester’s tourism director and manager of The Creekers, to unpack how a tight-knit team moved from free hometown shows to major festival lineups without trading in their roots. Think practical strategy—agents, labels, radius clauses, and routing—blended with the soul of Appalachia—accents, garden rows, deer season, and four-part harmonies that hit like home.Tim takes us behind th...
2025-12-241h 35
Retro Movie RoundtableDune (1984)RMR 0138: Special Guest Ben Frye, joins your hosts Dustin Melbardis and Bryan Frye for the Retro Movie Roundtable as they revisit Dune (1984) [PG-13]
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Epic, Adventure, Action
Starring: Kyle MacLachlan ,
Francesca Annis, Brad Dourif, José Ferrer, Linda Hunt, Freddie Jones, Richard Jordan, Virginia Madsen, Silvana Mangano, Kenneth McMillan, Jack Nance, Siân Phillips, Jürgen Prochnow, Paul L. Smith, Sting, Dean Stockwell, Max von Sydow, Patrick Stewart, Sean Young, Alicia Witt
Director: David Lynch
Recoded on 2021-11-24
2025-12-221h 31Gundog NationChad Norpel and Scott Townsend - Inside NSTRA: Trials, Training, And Community That Builds Better Bird DogsSend us a text#66 A great bird dog doesn’t happen by accident. We sit down with NSTRA president Scott Townsend and competitor Chad to unpack how a walking field trial can shape complete dogs—steady on birds, snappy on the retrieve, sharp in the wind, and polite around bracemates. If you’ve ever wondered what judges actually score, how backing decides tight finishes, or why a clean to-hand retrieve matters, this conversation maps the entire system from first entry to national events.We dig into training you can use right away. Force fetch turns a relu...
2025-12-171h 22Gundog NationJimmy Muller - From Machine Shop To Mastery: How Muller Chokes Redefined Shotgun PatternsSend us a text#65 What if your choke isn’t what’s holding you back—but how you understand it is? We sit down with Jimmy Muller of Muller Chokes, a master toolmaker and elite shooter who went from aerospace and defense machining to reinventing shotgun performance. Jimmy pulls back the curtain on why two “modified” chokes can pattern wildly differently, how taper, parallel, surface finish, and concentricity shape results, and why barrel harmonics make shotguns far more individual than most shooters realize.From there, we dig into the physics you can feel in the blind. Jim...
2025-12-101h 30Gundog NationBrett Browning - How A Pointer And A Map Opened A World Of Ptarmigan, Grouse, And QuailSend us a text#64 The map looks different when your dog disappears into the tundra and points white birds against white sky. Kenneth sits down with Brett Browning to trace a wild loop through Alaska, Idaho, South Dakota, Montana, and Arizona—breaking down the birds, the terrain, and the dog work that ties it all together. From 40-covey days on ptarmigan above Nome to blue grouse that vanish into Douglas firs, we dig into how scent really moves, why a pointer might be locked up with the wind at his back, and when to shorten range from 200-y...
2025-12-031h 24Gundog NationBrady Davis and Matt McCormick - Building A Waterfowl Legacy: Knives, Dogs, And Western RanchesSend us a text#63 A great hunt starts long before the first flight. We sit down with Matt McCormick and Brady Davis of Flying V to unpack how a forged bird knife, smart dog choices, and year-round ranch management turn big plans into clean birds and reliable shoots. From Bozeman to fast water on the Yellowstone, this one moves from craft to habitat to dogs with zero fluff and plenty of grit.First up: the Bird Blade. After hundreds of real-world birds—from teal and huns to late-season honkers and cranes—the guys dialed a shal...
2025-11-261h 40Gundog NationDan Ihrke - How Early Training And Smart Pressure Create Steady, High-Drive RetrieversSend us a text#62 A well-trained dog that hunts with composure doesn’t happen by accident. Kenneth sits down with trainer and preserve manager Dan Ihrke to map out a clear path from puppyhood to polished gun dog, connecting genetics, early foundations, and fair pressure to performance that holds up in real blinds. Dan explains why the HRC Grand is his north star—it fuses technical concepts with real hunting chaos—then shows how smart puppy work creates the mindset to pass difficult tests and love the work afterward.We dig into the nuts and bolts...
2025-11-191h 36Gundog NationJustin Smith - Can Prize Money Reshape Retriever Breeding And Competition?Send us a text#61 What if your retriever’s best work earned more than a ribbon? We sit down with pro trainer Justin Smith to introduce Hunting Retriever Trials, a master-level, scored competition with real cash payouts, clear placements, and divisions for Open, Amateur, and Youth. Think land triples with flyers, water-heavy second series, and a final water series that demands control and courage. Judges score marks, blinds, and manners on a half-point scale so performance is transparent and the best dogs rise.Justin explains why this model matters now: rising costs, crowded titles, and li...
2025-11-121h 08Gundog NationTracy W Stubbs - What It Takes To Build A Hall Of Fame Gun DogSend us a text#60 A national hunt test that looks and feels like real duck hunting, judged by a standard that doesn’t blink—this is the HRC International Grand through the eyes of its chairman, Tracy Stubbs. We dig into why the Grand keeps growing, how a 1,000-dog event actually gets built, and what separates a solid weekend Finished dog from a Grand Champion that performs with style and precision.Tracy breaks down the Grand’s five-series design—two land, two water, and an upland—and the scoring system that makes every decision matter. We talk pa...
2025-11-061h 05Gundog NationJonathan Holland - What Makes A Great Boykin: Bloodlines, Balance, And The Will To RetrieveSend us a text#59 Want a Boykin that actually loves to retrieve and holds up under pressure? We sit down with Alabama trainer-breeder Jonathan Holland of Tomahawk Kennels to unpack what separates a flashy social clip from a reliable, confident gun dog. Jonathan cuts through the hype with hard-won insight on bloodlines, water work, and day-to-day reps that turn potential into performance.We start with the Boykin boom: how social media raised awareness, why prices range wildly, and what “elite” really means in a pedigree. Jonathan spotlights the Brandywine program and explains how true performance bree...
2025-11-041h 13Gundog NationAnna Blanton - When Authentic Music Beats The Machine: The Creekers’ Raw AscentSend us a text#58 A fiddle on fire, a crowd roaring back, and a band sprinting from small-town stages to New Year’s Eve at the Ryman—this conversation with Anna Blanton of the Creekers pulls back the curtain on a rise that feels as electric as it looks. We start with roots: classical violin and Irish tunes, the discipline that builds precise hands, and the guts to throw out the page and play by ear. Anna explains how years backing singer-songwriters taught minimalism, then how the Creekers unlocked her as a full-fledged entertainer—part arranger, part sparkp...
2025-10-301h 08Gundog NationDr. RuthAnn Lobos - From Marathoner To Vet: Gut Health, Joints, And Safer Training For Bird DogsSend us a text#57 Watch a well‑trained dog do what it was born to do—and keep doing it longer. Kenneth sits down with Dr. Ruth Ann Lobos, a senior veterinarian at Purina and lifelong athlete, to break down the simple changes that protect performance: proven probiotics for gut stability, joint support that starts young, and safer handling habits that save elbows and extend careers.We get clear on exercise‑induced colitis and why travel, training, and hard hunting can jolt a dog’s GI tract just when you need reliable fuel. Dr. Lobos explains...
2025-10-281h 30Gundog NationRoe Reynolds - From Arkansas To Alaska: Building A Life With Hunting DogsSend us a text#56 A life built around dogs doesn’t happen by accident—it’s earned in pre‑dawn loadouts, long tracks through brush, and quiet choices at the tree. We sit down with guide Roe Reynolds, who turned a youth of coonhounds into seasons guiding black bears in Idaho and brown bears and moose in Alaska, all while building spec homes back in Arkansas. Roe explains how he rigs from the box, why spring baits and fall fruit orchards require different strategies, and what makes a balanced bear pack: cold nose to start, speed to push, he...
2025-10-231h 14Gundog NationKristin Best - From Foundation to Field: Training, Whelping, and Building Better RetrieversSend us a text#55 Want a calmer, sharper, more reliable gun dog without guesswork or gimmicks? We sit down with Kristen Best of Best Retrievers to unpack a training approach that starts with relationship, not reflex. She maps the Five Love Languages onto dogs—praise, petting, treats, retrieves, and quality time—and shows how meeting a dog where they are unlocks focus, trust, and speed. If you’ve ever struggled with steadiness at the line, a “doer” who won’t think, or a pup who needs confidence, this conversation delivers practical steps you can use today.We go de...
2025-10-161h 24Gundog NationClayton Stark - What Keeps a Hunting Tradition Alive?Send us a text#54 A good hound’s voice in cool October air can carry a lifetime of lessons. We sat down with filmmaker and houndsman Clayton Stark to unpack how he turned backyard pups and pleasure hunts into a thriving outdoor life—without trading joy for scorecards. Clayton grew up in northwest Ohio where mature oak woods meet endless corn and soybeans, and coons grow big on easy calories and low pressure. He shares why he hunts for love of the chase, not arguments in the dark, and how coaching football taught him the same virtues that...
2025-10-141h 02Gundog NationJeff Stanfield - The Big Honker: Building a Gun Dog CommunitySend us a text#53 A well-trained dog can turn hard work into wonder—and few people know that better than Jeff Stanfield of The Big Honker. We sit down at his North Texas lodge to unpack the real engine behind successful seasons: patient scouting at first light, guides who still love the grind, a kitchen that feels like a town square, and clear rules that keep hunts safe and fair for everyone. From puddle ducks and dove weekends to pheasants, quail, and deer, Jeff lays out how weather, habitat, and access shape what flies and what’s poss...
2025-10-091h 26Gundog NationChuck Williams - Building a Student Gun Dog Team, One Retrieve at a TimeSend us a text#52 A small Georgia school just rebooted what “sports” can mean for teenagers—and it starts with a whistle, a lead, and a steady dog at heel. We sit down with Principal Michael Langston and Coach Chuck Williams of Gordon Lee High School to unpack how a simple idea—bringing retrievers into an ag classroom—grew into a structured gun dog team where students learn handling, safety, and the kind of composure that carries through life. Along the way, you’ll hear from the students themselves: why a football player shows up at 7:15 a.m. to practi...
2025-10-0756 min
MF Bois OutdoorsMF Bois Outdoors Podcast: Ep 9; Kenneth Witt w/ Gun Dog NationSend us a textOn this episode, Blaine and Morgan are speaking to Kenneth Witt of Gundog Nation. We discuss all things regarding Gundogs. Including retrievers, pointers, and treeing dogs. We also discuss hunt tests and how they can be more challenging than an actual hunt.Checkout The Gundog nation podcast on all platforms. Check out their instagram @gundog_nation. Kenneth posts lots of helpful tips and tricks for all things gundogs.Thanks for listening!As always, check out our sponsors: MÜLLER chokes, Use code MFBOIS10 @ checkout for 10% off.
2025-10-071h 32Gundog NationKyle Sanders and Dustin Jones - From Garage Lathe to National Shelves: The 737 Duck Calls StorySend us a text#51 A great duck call feels inevitable when you hear it ring true—and that’s exactly where our conversation with 737 Duck Calls begins. We bring on co-founders Dustin Jones and Kyle Sanders to trace their path from a garage lathe to national shelves, and why a simple promise—every call hand tuned, every time—built a devoted following. Dustin breaks down call anatomy in plain English (barrel, insert, reed, cork) and explains how tiny choices in tone board sanding and reed length shape the voice. We compare cast acrylic’s bright edge to hardwood’s...
2025-10-021h 01Gundog NationBaylor Smith and Brittany Reese - Training, Heritage, and Youth in the FieldSend us a text#50 The best dog work isn’t loud; it’s calm, clear, and earned one short session at a time. That’s the energy we bring as we sit down with Brittany and Baylor from Oklahoma—two hunters who prove you don’t need a pedigree in the outdoors to fall hard for working dogs, public land, and long miles under an open sky. Brittany didn’t grow up hunting; she jumped in to shake up her life and discovered a sense of peace and purpose that stuck. Baylor learned by doing—training friends’ dogs, reading bo...
2025-09-301h 20Gundog NationKenneth Laird - How a Beagle Owner Became a Gundog ArtistSend us a text#49 The seemingly predestined connection between Kenneth Laird and gundog artistry unfolds in this captivating conversation that weaves together shared Southern roots, childhood hunting experiences, and artistic evolution. Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee with a natural gift for art and a passion for rabbit hunting with beagles, Laird's journey from commercial illustrator to acclaimed gundog artist reveals the intersection of talent and authentic passion.Despite formal art education and a successful 30-year career in commercial design, Laird found himself creatively unfulfilled until a transformative challenge from a fellow artist: "If you could...
2025-09-251h 24Gundog NationRonnie Cowan - Engaging Youth in Gundogs and HuntingSend us a text#48 In this conversation, Kenneth Witt and Ronnie Cowan discuss the importance of outdoor recreation advocacy, particularly focusing on youth programs in Tennessee that aim to engage young people in hunting and conservation. Cowan shares insights on the innovative approaches taken to introduce youth to gun dogs and hunting, the funding and support for these programs, and the significance of teaching hunting skills as part of wildlife management. They also touch on the challenges of dog training, the role of gun dogs in outdoor education, and the upcoming Outdoor Enthusiasts Expo, which a...
2025-09-231h 18Gundog NationTanner Horton - The Creekers: From Creek to Country StardomSend us a textFrom creek beds to the country music spotlight, Tanner Horton shares the remarkable rise of The Creekers in this intimate conversation about authentic music, rural roots, and overnight viral success.The gravel in Tanner Horton's voice matches the authenticity of his story—a tale of musical passion born in the hollers of Eastern Kentucky, nurtured through family traditions, and suddenly thrust into the spotlight through a viral TikTok video. As lead guitarist and vocalist for The Creekers, Tanner offers listeners a rare glimpse into the band's organic formation around 2020, when they pl...
2025-09-181h 16Gundog NationAdrian Jackson - Breaking Points: How Training Methods Connect Troubled Youth and Bird DogsSend us a textAdrian Jackson shares his extraordinary dual career as a championship bird dog trainer and youth mentor at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch in Texas. His insights reveal the surprising parallels between training high-performance field trial dogs and helping at-risk youth overcome trauma and build successful lives.• Vice President of Home Life at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch for nearly 29 years, overseeing care for 116 children with capacity for 430• Cal Farley's is privately funded with an independent school district on campus, taking children ages 5-16 from across the United States• Won multiple national field...
2025-09-161h 14Gundog NationSummer Reynolds - Dog and Hunt Supply: From Foxhounds to RetailSend us a text#45 Summer Reynolds has hunting in her blood. From childhood nights spent howling alongside her father to call in coyotes, to building a nationally-renowned hunting dog supply store in tiny Quitman, Arkansas (population 765), Summer's life revolves around dogs that chase, tree, and track.During our conversation, Summer takes us through her remarkable hunting journey, starting with foxhound traditions that are gradually disappearing. "Friday night we'd get, Dad would come home from work and of course I would be ready to go hunting," she recalls, describing nights spent on the hood of a...
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