On The Wing Podcast

Latest Episodes:

EP. 213: Does Size Matter When it Comes to Pheasant Nesting? May 03, 2023

Show notes

If given a choice, would land managers be better off adding pheasant nesting habitat in a few larger chunks or dispersed as a bunch of little tracts across the landscape to mitigate the impact of predators on pheasant populations? Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Dr. Scott Taylor, the National Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan Coordinator, to talk about scientific research assessing small and large tracts of nesting habitat for pheasant reproduction. Episode Highlights: • Dr. Taylor discusses the importance of looking at pheasant habitat from “a neighborhood” point of view. • The guys also break down the importance of nesting cover, brood-rearing habitat, winter cover, and food plots as landowners approach maximizing their land for pheasant populations. Read Dr. Scott Taylor’s new essay, “Play Small Ball or Swing for the Fences?” on pheasant nesting cover and how tract size plays into reproduction success. https://pheasantsforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Pheasants-Forever/Play-Small-Ball-or-Swing-for-the-Fences.aspx

EP. 212: Previewing New “Mouthful of Feathers” Book Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Tom Reed, Greg McReynolds, and Reid Bryant, the three principles behind the new Mouthful of Feathers book. Each participant previews their contributions to the upcoming book of short stories focused on bird hunting and bird dogs with a heavy dose of literary prose absent of how-to essays. Episode Highlights: • Byrant, host of the Orvis Hunting and Shooting podcast, recounts assembling a group of outdoors writers at a northern Minnesota grouse hunting lodge in 2017 that included Reed, McReynolds, and St.Pierre all meeting for the first time. • McReynolds, who works at Trout Unlimited with Reed, talks about the intersection between Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, and Trout Unlimited as the habitat created through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) benefiting upland game birds and cold-water fish species. The new Mouthful of Feathers book will be available in a print edition this summer and includes stories from Quail Forever Editor Chad Love and PF & QF’s Conservation Leadership Program Manager Marissa Jensen.

EP. 211: Prescribed Fire for Bobwhite Quail Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

Bobwhite quail have long been known as a “fire bird,” because of their positive population response to habitat improved through fire management. In this episode, host Bob St.Pierre is joined by three PF & QF employees for a conversation covering the science and art of using prescribed fire as a wildlife habitat management tool for bobwhite quail. The trio includes Missouri State Coordinator Andrew White, Missouri Prescribed Fire Coordinating Wildlife Biologist Wes Buchheit, and Missouri Habitat Specialist Crew Leader Dylan Jacobs. Episode Highlights: • White describes the importance of early successional habitat for bobwhite quail and explains how fire is utilized to maintain the integrity of grasslands as an ecosystem. • In a fascinating sequence, Jacobs equates prescribed fire to an artform, his drip torch to a paint brush, and a natural landscape to a canvas. • Buchheit explains how QF’s efforts to embrace fire through government policy, partnerships, and public education are turning the tide for the state’s quail populations. • Each participant also puts in words of support for their favorite bird dog breed during this month’s Bird Dogs for Habitat campaign. They also debate whether or not the Simpson’s dog, “Santa’s Little Helper,” is a vizsla.

EP. 210: Public Land Creators – 220,000 Acres and Counting Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by John Laux, PF & QF’s habitat protection program manager, and Eric Sytsma, PF & QF’s habitat protection development officer, for a conversation about creating public lands through the organization’s Build a Wildlife Area program. Since its first land acquisition in 1986, PF & QF have created more than 220,000 acres of permanently protected and publicly accessible upland wildlife habitat. The Build a Wildlife Area program is one of the organization’s signature tools helping grow that acre total even larger. Episode Highlights: • Laux explains the variety of ways PF & QF work with federal and state agencies to permanently protect critical habitat and create public access. Agencies interested in discussing a land acquisition with PF & QF should connect with Laux at jlaux@pheasantsforever.org. • Sytsma adds to the discussion with his knowledge around the role chapters, donors, and corporate partners play in helping fund permanent protection. Donors interested in learning more about land gifts should connect with Sytsma at esytsma@pheasantsforever.org. • All told, the organization averages a 14-to-1 match for leveraging donor contribution toward a land acquisition. In fact, acquisitions in the state of Minnesota even reach a match averaging 40-to-1. BIRD DOGS FOR HABITAT and BUILD A WILDLIFE AREA Bird Dogs for Habitat is an online popularity contest with a purpose. From April 1st through 30th we’re challenging people to cast a vote and make a donation on behalf of their favorite bird dog breed. Every dollar donated equals one vote and every donation will help create more permanently protected and publicly accessible places for our bird dogs to roam via our Build a Wildlife Area program. Head to www.birddogsforhabitat.org to vote! And thanks to our partners at Orvis, Purina Pro Plan, SportDOG BRAND, Ruff Land Kennels, and North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.

EP. 209: Properly Starting a Puppy on the Path to Becoming a Bird Dog Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Mike Wieben, head dog trainer at Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennel, for a conversation with PF & QF’s Logan Hinners, the proud new owner of a young Labrador retriever puppy named “Trek.” Over the course of the episode, Wieben coaches Logan on properly introducing Trek to birds, gunfire, water, and electronic dog training tools. Episode Highlights: • Logan describes his hopes for Trek to become a “5-tool” bird dog who will accompany him in the uplands, in the duck blind, and in search of shed antlers. • Wieben explains the importance of separating obedience training from bird & gun introduction to build a puppy’s prey-drive and foster a pup’s connection to fun associated with birds. • Wieben also discusses the various SportDOG BRAND® e-collars available for training and hunting. BIRD DOGS FOR HABITAT Bird Dogs for Habitat is an online popularity contest with a purpose. From April 1st through 30th we’re challenging people to cast a vote and make a donation on behalf of their favorite bird dog breed. Every dollar donated equals one vote and every donation will help create more permanently protected and publicly accessible places for our bird dogs to roam via our Build a Wildlife Area program. And on top of this, every week our generous sponsors are supplying fantastic prizes that are eligible to anyone who voted. This week, SportDOG has provided a SportTrainer 1275 as a prize for one lucky donor. Head to www.birddogsforhabitat.org to vote! And thanks to our partners at Orvis, Purina Pro Plan, SportDOG BRAND, Ruff Land Kennels, and North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.

EP. 208: Introducing PF & QF’s New President & CEO Marilyn Vetter Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Marilyn Vetter for her inaugural podcast interview as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer. The conversation starts off fast and fun with Vetter explaining how she was tapped for jury duty her first week on the job at PF & QF, then moves into a wide range of topics from bird dogs to volunteerism to her SWOT analysis of the organization and her vision for The Habitat Organization’s future. Episode Highlights: • Vetter talks about developing a passion for the uplands while growing up on the family cattle farm in North Dakota, then becoming a bird hunter with her high school sweetheart and now husband, Clyde. • She also explains the role bird dogs have played in her personal life and volunteer ethos. • This must-listen episode lends important insight into our new leader’s perspective on how our habitat mission won’t change. The vision of how we accomplish those habitat goals, however, must constantly evolve to be successful. Learn more about Marilyn Vetter in the press release announcing her as the organization’s 3rd CEO in our 40-year history. https://pheasantsforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Pheasants-Forever/Pheasants-Forever-and-Quail-Forever-National-Board-of-Directors-Select-Marilyn-Vetter-as-New-Preside.aspx

EP. 207: Celebrating Howard Vincent & Call of the Uplands Campaign Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Chief Development Officer David Bue to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Call of the Uplands campaign coinciding with the retirement of longtime PF & QF President & CEO Howard Vincent. Episode Highlights: • Vincent revisits the important moments of his four decades with Pheasants Forever; including the story of Quail Forever’s creation and the personal promise behind the Sage Grouse Initiative. • Bue and Vincent talk about the campaign’s 11 million acres of habitat improvements and the 2 million acres of access created, as well as how Call of the Uplands has changed the trajectory of the organization’s future. • Vincent also explains the impetus for the new fighting roosters tattoo on his right arm and unveils plans for a covey of flushing quail on his left arm as an illustration of his lifelong commitment to upland habitat. Learn more about the Call of the Uplands accomplishments by visiting our campaign summary. https://pheasantsforever.org/celebrate

EP. 206: CRP Enrollment Available for Landowners through April 7th Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by four Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever biologists who are also experts in the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). PF & QF’s Rachel Bush, Brittney Viers, Andy Houser, and Nate Fore talk about why bird hunters should care about CRP and discuss the unique opportunity for CRP enrollment open to landowners through April 7th. Episode Highlights: • Bush, a biologist from North Dakota, explains the importance of CRP for upland birds, hunters, water quality, and soil health. • While CRP has always been synonymous with pheasant habitat, Viers, a biologist from Tennessee, explains the value CRP brings to the mid-south and southeastern U.S. for landowners interested in creating bobwhite quail habitat. • Houser, a biologist from Nebraska, explains how the private lands enrolled into CRP are the foundation to walk-in access programs across the country. Interested in learning more about CRP and conservation options for your property, contact a Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever biologist near you by visiting www.PheasantsForever.org/CRP or www.QuailForever.org/CRP

EP. 205: Pheasants, Coyotes, and Predator/Prey Dynamics Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

On January 20th, we posted a blog titled, “Like Pheasants? Thank a Coyote,” on the Pheasants Forever Facebook page. That article generated a whopping 430 shares and 369 comments ranging from unhinged vitriol to unapologetic praise. The response on Instagram was similarly passionate. In this episode, host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Dr. Tim Lyons and Dr. Nicole Davros, both biologists with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Aaron Kuehl, PF & QF’s habitat programs national director who also received his master’s degree in animal ecology from Iowa State University where he studied predator movement and activity. The group discuss the science behind the blog’s premise and answer the more popular questions on the social feeds generated by the post. Episode Highlights: • In what may be a surprising reaction, Kuehl thanks the social media commentors for their passion about pheasants and for their pushback on the science. • The biologists discuss the role coyotes play as predators of adult pheasants and pheasant nests. They also explain the complex relationship between coyotes, fox, and pheasants. • Lyons explains “compensatory reproduction,” and how coyotes will actually produce more litters when their populations are suppressed.

EP. 204: Hunting & Habitat with MeatEater’s Ryan Callaghan & Doug Duren Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by MeatEater’s Ryan “Cal” Callaghan, Sharing the Land’s Doug Duren, and PF & QF biologist Matt Morlock on the final day at National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic. The group recaps their upland bird hunting seasons, recent wildlife habitat trends, and takeaways from this year’s record-breaking event. Episode Highlights: • Callaghan relives a serendipitous pronghorn and pheasant hunt in Montana last season. • Duren talks about his excitement around a new project on his forested property to improve the land as ruffed grouse habitat. • Callaghan explains his affinity for the young PF & QF biologist team working with landowners to improve the landscape for wildlife.

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