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The Ugly Dog Podcast — Sports
The Ugly Dog Podcast

The Ugly Dog Podcast celebrates bird dog training, hunting wild places, habitat conservation, and the journeys that bring all three together. Brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co.

Copyright: © 2024 The Ugly Dog Podcast

Latest Episodes:

60. Your Public Lands Are For Sale - Are You Really Going To Let That Happen Without Speaking Up? Jun 19, 2025

Your public lands could be for sale soon if your Senator doesn't help torpedo a specific part of the budget reconciliation bill. Call them and let them know that CANNOT happen.

Call: 202-224-3121

Ask for your Senator's office.

Adapt this script to your voice (remember, be polite):

“Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m from [place]. I am one of your constituents. I hunt, fish, bike, hike and explore the many public land opportunities we have here in the United States. I’m calling to strongly oppose Senator Mike Lee’s proposal to sell off millions of acres of public land as part of the budget reconciliation bill.

These lands are where I train my dogs, hunt upland birds, and enjoy the outdoors with my family. Selling them off to developers or private interests is a permanent loss to hunters and anglers, wildlife, and future generations.

Please vote NO on any bill that includes forced public land sales. This matters deeply to me and thousands of other hunters and outdoorspeople across the country. Thank you.”

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

59. Mike Neiduski - Planning a Long Distance Bird Hunting Trip Jun 12, 2025

This episode is the audio of a presentation Mike did at the 2025 NAVHDA Annual Meeting in Montana. He covers his tips and tricks to plan and execute a long distance road trip including pre-planning, checklist making, and some helpful pro-tips to keep you out of trouble when it inevitably finds you. If you have any follow up questions, feel free to reach out to Mike directly at the email mentioned in the intro, or our social media channels. Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

58. Tanya Caram - Her Journey With Wirehaired Vizlas and Attacking Goals Tenaciously Jun 05, 2025

Tanya Caram joins the show this week to share how she fell in love with Wirehaired Vizlas, her journey to having the first VC WHV, spending extended time in Hungary, and working to develop the breed here in North America. Tanya also shares some unique insights about her journey along the way, including challenging doubters and tirelessly pursuing her goals. Tanya is an excellent trainer and a wealth of information, particularly for WHV's. Enjoy!!

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

57. Matt Sather and Jason Rice - Bird Hunting and Dog Training from a Track Chair May 29, 2025

Matt Sather and Jason Rice join the show this week to share Matt's journey into NAVHDA and hunting with a versatile dog. Jason discusses connecting Matt with the Track2Wing Project and Matt reflects honestly on how much of the world has opened up to him and his dog now that he has a track chair. These two go back and forth with ribbing and heartfelt stories of experiences hunting and training together. Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

56. Ted Wentink - The Beauty and Function of the Spinone, Walking Along in European Hunt Tests, and The Importance of Taking Things Slow May 22, 2025

Ted Wentink joins the show this week to share his never-ending love for Spinoni Italiani. He shares candidly about his journey with dogs throughout the years, making an effort to show his dogs form and function, and his experiences attending hunt tests in Italy and England. He also dives into the importance of learning to train the dog in front of you and taking things slow sometimes instead of charging ahead. Ted is a host of knowledge and story, and this episode highlights both.

Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

55. Ellen Neiduski - Lessons Learned On The Journey to A Well-Trained Companion May 15, 2025

For a little something different this week Mike sits down with his mother, Ellen, on Mother's Day to discuss their family history in pets. Ellen shares her decision and commitment to having a well-trained family dog and a variety of lessons she learned along the way. She also taps into the power of working with a trainer part time to develop confidence in not only the dog, but herself as a trainer and the dividends this effort provides years later.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

54. Christy Langston - Fighting Imposter Syndrome, Solo Hunting Shenanigans, and Lessons from a Failed Breeding May 08, 2025

Christy Langston joins the show this week while Mike visited the Missouri Uplands NAVHDA chapter to judge. She shares candidly about fighting imposter syndrome, gives more great photography tips, and opens up about a recent failed breeding with one of her dogs. She also shares more about her experiences with long-distance solo hunting trips and not losing her passions while raising a family.

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

53. Carey Killion - Marathons to Bird Dogs, Facing Failure Head On, and Building Better a Weimaraner May 01, 2025

Carey Killion joins the show this week to share how marathons brought her to bird dogs, facing failure head on, and how she is committed to bettering the breed of Weimaraners. Carey is refreshingly honest about her pursuits, whether that be making mistakes along the way with her dogs, tips to better show dogs in field trials, and joining the board of the Weimaraner Club of America to add her knowledge and passion to bettering the sporting aspects of a breed that has taken a wayward turn over the years in terms of it's sporting talent.

Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

52. Yia Vang - Hunting and Fishing as a Way of Life, The Power of Food, Conservation, and Community, and Bringing Hmong Food to the Mainstream Apr 24, 2025

Yia Vang joins the show this week to discuss his award winning restaurant and how growing up in the Hmong community presented hunting and fishing as a way of life, not just a hobby. Yia is a James Beard Award Finalist and creator and head chef of Vinai, one of the top 50 best restaurants in the US. Yia discusses his thoughts on Hmong culture in regard to hunting and fishing, how his perspective on conservation has evolved, and gives tips and tricks to better prepare your birds next time you're in the kitchen. Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

51. Bailey Petersen - Falling in Love with Ruffed Grouse, Her Gaggle of Setters, and Pro-Tips for Navigating Grouse Cover Apr 17, 2025

Bailey Petersen joins the show this week to talk all things Northwoods, Ruffed Grouse, and her pack of setters (and one microphone loving Munsterlander). She dives into how she grew her love of ruffed grouse and woodcock, moved from a golden retriever to a small munsterlander, and then to an ever growing pack of setter boys. She dives into her best cover tips for finding ruffed grouse and also shares differences between hot and cold noses, run, tracking, and a whole lot more.

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

50. Q&A with Mike - NAVHDA Invitational Prep, DD vs GWP, and The Day Everything Changed Apr 10, 2025

This week's episode features Mike answering questions submitted on our Facebook and Instagram pages. He covers his mindset heading toward the NAVHDA Invitational, his thoughts on DDs vs. GWPs, answers a whole bunch of silly geese questions, and talks candidly about losing 2 of his dogs to heat stroke.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

49. Nick Dulas - Being the Young Guy in a PF Chapter, Driving All Night To Get a Setter, and Making The Choice To Go Apr 03, 2025

Nick Dulas joins the show this week where he recounts his pre-COVID journey to joining the Rice County PF chapter and why he's stayed involved since. He also shares how he developed a love for setters and the french brittany. He and Mike also talk a little hockey, and dive into Nick's advice for making long-distance hunting trips.

Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

48. Nikki Flander - Loving Dogs So Much She Snuck One Home, Her Love of English Setters, and Diving Into The Industry and Creating Spaces for Women. Mar 27, 2025

Nikki Flander joins the show this week to share her journey to working with the Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club, how she fell in love with English Setters, that one time she wanted a dog so bad she snuck one home in high school, and creating community for women in the hunting and shooting space.

Nikki is dedicated to any pursuit she picks up and this episode highlights her passion for the dogs and getting other women involved.

Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

47. Hannah & Kyle Peterson - A Match Made Over Bird Dogs, Diving Into Cover Dog Trials, and Wanting An Assertive Female Setter. Mar 20, 2025

Hannah & Kyle Peterson are a match made with a shared love of dog training, and then bird dogs in grouse country. In this episode they share their journey into dog training in very separate realms and how they eventually met, married, and now are growing a family, all while chasing English Setters through the grouse woods hunting and in Cover Dog trials. Both have taken an active role in the Minnesota Grouse Dog Association and are leading the charge to get more folks involved in the sport. Hannah and Kyle also share their differing opinions of male and female dog personalities, whether a champion means more when it's achieved multiple times over, and much more.

This is a fun one! Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

46. John Zeman - Letting a Dog Fill Up The Country, The Power of Helping Others Train Their Dogs, and Ensuring Others Have Access to Dog Training Areas Mar 13, 2025

John Zeman got his first German Shorthair in 1978 and has had various types of bird dogs ever since. Through mentors he found field trials and training methods which he now shares with many who show up at his home on Wednesday nights for training. He still runs and judges field trials across the upper midwest and is also the current president of the Minnesota Federation of Field Trial Clubs. He, and a special committee have been instrumental in working with the Minnesota DNR to offer dog training opportunities at the newly acquired Keystone Woods WMA property.

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

45. Greg Blair - An Education in Field Trials and Landing a Dream Job with Purina. Mar 06, 2025

Greg Blair joins the show this week to share his origins in bird dogs, NSTRA, and ultimately field trials. He shares how he landed his dream job at Purina, became a field trial judge, breaks down accessibility in field trialing as well as a look at this year's National Championship and much much more.

If you're looking to learn more about field trials, this episode is for you.

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

44. Ray Esboldt - Finding NAHRA, Kelly Farms, and Keeping Keystone Woods WMA Open to Train Bird Dogs Feb 27, 2025

Ray Esboldt is a member of the Four Points Retriever Club and an avid NAHRA enthusiast. Mike & Ray sat down to discuss his experience going from a meat dog to appreciating the abilities and year round training opportunities or a NAHRA dog. Ray also speaks up about the recent purchase of Kelly Farms in Minnesota, what's different now, and shares more in-depth about the collaboration with the MN DNR to keep a portion of the newly named Keystone Woods WMA open to bird dog training throughout the summer months.

Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

43. Jacob Walter - Transitioning from Labs to Shorthairs, Going All-In on Bird Dogs, and Why Physical Fitness Is An Underrated Component for Bird Hunting Feb 20, 2025

Jacob Walter joins the show this week to share his journey of upland bird hunting from growing up with Labrador Retrievers to raising a young family with German shorthairs. Jacob also discusses what inspired him to become a local volunteer for Pheasants Forever, how he approaches long-distance hunting trips, and some insight into why he believes physical fitness is an underrated component of upland hunting.

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

42. Luc Ramthun - Loving Large Munsterlanders and a National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic Preview! Feb 13, 2025

Luc Ramthun from Pheasants Forever joins the show this week to give a preview of the upcoming Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic being held in Kansas City (see y'all there), and share his journey into bird hunting. Luc shares how he pivoted from big city marketing and teaching to working for The Habitat Organization, and how Pheasant Fest led him to his first bird dog.

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

41. Dr. RuthAnn Lobos - On When and How To Feed Your Hunting Dog, Choosing a Puppy Food, and Coming to Hunting Later in Life Feb 06, 2025

Dr. RuthAnn Lobos is the Senior Veterinarian for Purina. She joins the show this week to share her journey with bird dogs and give some incredible, research backed insight into how we feed our dogs. You'll learn how to prioritize and plan your feeding schedule for hunting and training, whether you can feed 30/20 straight away or should choose a puppy specific food, and how Purina works every day with hunters to better their dogs through nutrition. Additionally, Dr. RuthAnn shares how she fell in love with bird hunting and what she's most excited about for her new puppy, Journey.

Quick heads up, we have a microphone issue on the last 20 or so minutes. We prioritize audio quality here at The Ugly Dog Podcast and apologize the last portion of this episode does not meet our normal standards. But, the content was too good to cut out. Thanks for sticking with us through it. We're confident you'll learn a few things.

This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.
Check out the Ugly Dog Hunting Co. YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7G1T81K9zEBLmB0AoqOcgA

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

40. Sam Tillman - A Lifelong Desire for Bird Dogs, The Importance of Going at Her Own Pace, and Making Sure to have Fun. Jan 30, 2025

Sam Tillman joins the show this week where she shares her lifelong love of bird dogs and that love has only deepened over time. She also takes a dive into qualifying for the NAVHDA Invitational, building a lasting bond with her Pudelpointer, Stormie, and how keeping fun at the top of her training value system has helped her achieve success.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.
Check out the Ugly Dog Hunting Co. YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7G1T81K9zEBLmB0AoqOcgA
**Interested in our Bird Dog Detection course around scent work? Sign up here: Bird Dog Detection Course

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

39. Matt Kucharski - The Importance of Curiosity, Dogs of Opportunity, and The Power of Habitat Jan 16, 2025

Matt Kucharski joins the show this week to discuss his "dogs of opportunity" and now having to raise a puppy, how an ad for a used truck landed him on the board of Pheasants Forever, and the importance of habitat is best demonstrated in before and after experience.
Matt also shares why he believes curious hunters are the best hunters and shares a bit of philosophy on matching one's expectations of their dog to their stage in their hunting life.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

38. Jake Faas - Marrying Into Grouse Hunting, The Importance of Managing Your Dogs, and His Journey From Bite Dogs to Bird Dogs. Jan 09, 2025

Jake Faas of True Loyalty Dog Training joins the show this week to share how he fell in love with dogs doing bite sports and training working dogs and then through marriage came to upland hunting and owning French Brittanies. Jake is an experience bite dog trainer and decoy, but never hunted until his father-in-law told him he wasn't a member of the family until he killed a grouse. After that the rest was history.
This episode contains a ton of gems for the avid bird dogger and trainer.
Enjoy!
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

Bonus Episode: Scent Work and Birds Dogs with the Road to Detection Podcast Jan 07, 2025

This special bonus episode is a pod-share between Road to Detection, The Ugly Dog Podcast, and The Accidental Bird Dog.
This episode dives into Scent Work and how it can be beneficial for you and your bird dogs. This includes laying a solid foundation with your dogs and giving you and your dog a fun and mentally stimulating activity to pursue when hunting season is over and the weather is still uncooperative.
We also discuss an upcoming online course we're launching in the coming month where participants can join us for a 6 week guide on scent work with your bird dog.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

37. Luke Koch - Marrying A Passion for Video, Dogs, and Waterfowl Hunting, Getting Serious About Shotgun Loads, and Why Labs Aren't for Mike Dec 19, 2024

Luke Koch runs Black Dog Marketing Company and joins the show this week to share how he fell in love with waterfowl hunting, his passion for video work, and his journey with his black lab, Jeb. Luke also dives into how he approaches waterfowl hunting around the metro area, why he'll remain a one dog household for now, and makes excellent points about the importance of good shotgun shells.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

36. Corey Hendrickson & Colton Strauss - A Conversation While Goose Hunting, Why Meat Dog Is A Derogatory Term, And Pillars For Making a Good Bird Dog Dec 19, 2024

Corey Hendrickson and Colton Strauss join Mike on this week's podcast from layout blinds as they wait for geese on a recent hunt. They cover a bit of their backgrounds, different colors of labrador retrievers, tips for goose hunting, and why the term Meat Dog doesn't do a dog justice.
We had a lot of fun recording this while waiting for geese to fly. Enjoy!
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

35. Tony Henry - Emergency Response for Hunting Dogs From a K9 Tactical Medic, The Importance of Planning, and Growing Your Network To Be A Better Bird Hunter. Dec 12, 2024

Tony Henry joins the show this week to share his knowledge gained serving as a tactical medic as applied to working canines. Tony has a wealth of experience and training, and shares his pro tips and gear so you can be best prepared for an emergency when you go afield.
Tony also shares his history bird hunting, resources folks should have on speed dial, and why networking and travel is the best thing a bird hunter can do.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

34. Roy Ames - A Journey of Decades in Bird Dogs, Picking Puppies Based On Parents and Attentiveness, and The Beauty of Watching a Dog Run Dec 05, 2024

Roy Ames joins the podcast this week to share his decades long journey in bird dogs, including a host of events, clubs, and breeds. He dives into how he picks puppies, what he's learned training and testing in both the JGHV and NAVHDA systems, and how someone can set themselves up for success when joining a NAVHDA chapter.
Roy also shares why he loves English Pointers, the beauty of watching a dog run, and why a checkcord is his favorite piece of gear.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

33. Joe Perez - Building a Business with His Boys, Transitioning From Waterfowling to the Uplands, Navigating Season Ending Injuries, and Why You Should Have A Slip Lead In Your Vest Nov 28, 2024

Joe Perez is the owner and operator of RPM Training Products with his two sons, Owen and Austin. In this episode Joe shares about how he got into hunting as a young person and grew into a waterfowl guide, but now focuses much of his time on the uplands.
Joe, and RPM, are the newest manufacturer of collars and leashes for Ugly Dog and Joe describes his origin story with RPM, too. Joe and Mike also discuss the power of involving young people in business, how Joe has navigated season ending injuries with his Labradors, and his curiosity for adding a versatile dog to his string.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

32. Braxton Watts - A Young Man's View of Quail Camp, Gaining Confidence in the Field, and Giving Up All His Sick Days to Keep Hunting. Nov 21, 2024

Braxton Watts joins the show this week to share his perspective on quail camp and learning to bird hunt. Braxton recently joined Mike and friends for his second visit to Kansas chasing quail. In this episode he shares the lessons he's learned thus far, what he wants to work on to get better, and how he manages to get that much time out of the class room.
Braxton also shares the specifics of a time honored camp tradition, Cabin Cornhole, and gives a pro/con breakdown of grouse camp vs. quail camp.
He is well position to have a life of bird hunting ahead. Be sure to listen to the end for a special update on how Braxton finished his week!
Enjoy!

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

31. Fred McAdams & Ben Eilert - Kansas Bird Hunting From 3 Perspectives, Keys to Chasing Prairie Chickens, A Farmer Asks About Conservation, and The Beauty of a Good Meat Dog Nov 14, 2024

Fred McAdams and Ben Eilert join the show this week to discuss their perspectives on Kansas bird hunting. Fred moved to Kansas a number of years ago, in large part because of the bird hunting, and Ben is a lifelong resident and local farmer. Ben shares about growing up pheasant hunting, how things have changed, and his perspective on helping things get back to what they used to be. Fred shares his keys to chasing prairie chickens and making hunting partners out of internet friends.
This is a robust and real conversation covering three different perspectives on bird hunting, all converging on the need to improve conditions to keep and better things for the birds on the landscape.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

30. Marc Musselman - Taking Hearing Protection From The Concert Stage to The Uplands, Lucking Into a Good Dog, and Learning To Trust a Long-Range Dog. Nov 07, 2024

Marc Musselman joins the show this week to share how he got his start upland hunting and how a passion for making professional grade audio equipment for musicians led him into the hunter hearing protection market. Marc runs Alclair Outdoors, in addition to Alclair Audio (the music side), where his mission is to make hearing protection part of everyone's regular hunting kit, no different than boots or a shotgun. Marc and Mike discuss hearing loss and why it's better prevented than dealt with. Additionally, Marc dives into his journey with bird dogs, starting with labs and discussing his latest transition to a bigger running setter. Enjoy!
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

29. Autumn & Casey Koback - Going from One Dog to Six, Not Being Joiners to Leaders, and The Importance of Brutal Honesty Among Training Partners. Oct 31, 2024

Autumn and Casey Koback join the show this week to detail how they went from a mandate for zero dogs to a house full. The husband and wife team dive into their journey of not joining things to leading a local chapter and how opportunities to help others fuel their passion. They also share how they've fallen in love traveling with friends to chase birds with their dogs. Additionally, they break the news about their newest edition coming soon!
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

28. Ryan Sparks - Chasing Quail Out the Back Door, A Lifetime of Pointers, Celebrating 20 Years of Quail Forever, and Wild Game Cooking Oct 24, 2024

Ryan Sparks is the Editor of the Quail Forever Journal and a life-long quail hunter. In this episode he shares about his upbringing bird hunting the family farm in Nebraska, why pheasant hunting deserves more credit than Mike gives it, and why he is and always will be a Pointer guy.
Ryan also shares his tips for writing from an editor's perspective and takes a dive into why cooking your wild game closes the circle on the point of hunting in the first place.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

27. Bob St. Pierre - Five Generations of German Shorthairs, The Magic of Opening Day, and Letting a Puppy Develop at Their Own Pace. Oct 17, 2024

Bob St. Pierre joins the show this week to share about his journey with 5 German Shorthairs, including just recently adding a pup this summer. Bob is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever and the host of the On The Wing Podcast. He and Mike take a dive into why opening day is so important and meaningful, why Bob finds the Boundary Waters so special, and how he's learning to let his new pup develop at her own pace.
He also shares his experience in the grouse woods thus far and gives some insight into where else he's headed this season, including the upcoming Rooster Road Trip!
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

26. Mindy Brown - Breeding Better Weimaraners, Her Journey With NAVHDA, And Navigating Risks Afield After Tragedy. Oct 10, 2024

Mindy Brown joins the show to share how she grew up with bird dogs following her dad afield to getting her first Weim through an ad in the paper. She discusses her commitment to breeding better Weimaraners with her co-breeder Camille of Timberdoodle Weims and how they make decisions to help the breed move forward. Mindy also shares honestly about the risks we take on when we go afield and how she navigates those risks having lost a dog in a tragic accident.
Mindy is also preparing for the 2025 NAVHDA Invitational and her and Mike discuss her strategy for training in the year ahead.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

25. Q&A - Mike & Mack's Utility Run Recap, The Origins of Mr. July, The Meaning of Life, and The Best Memories of A Dog Now Passed. Oct 02, 2024

This week's episode features Mike answering questions submitted on our Facebook and Instagram pages. He covers his run with Mack in the NAVHDA Utility Test, things to come with Ugly Dog, goals and dreams ahead, gear folks must have in their hunting vest, and more. He also tells the origin story of Mr. July, how he feels about prepping for next year's NAVHDA Invitational, what he thinks the meaning of life is, and lots more in-between.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

24. Mike Krantz - Getting a Slovakian Rough-Haired Pointer, Finding the Fun In Everything, The Importance of Including Family in Hunting, and Always Being Willing to Learn. Sep 26, 2024

Mike Krantz lives and hunts in southern Minnesota. He is an avid member of the Southern Minnesota NAVHDA chapter, and spearheads a weekly training group in the summer.
One thing is for certain, if Mike's around jokes will be told and this episode is no different. Mike shares about transitioning from Weimaraners to a Slovakian rough haired pointer, getting his wife involved in hunting, learning to ask himself 'is this for the dog, or for me?' when training, and so much more. Mike is an absolute hoot to hang and BS with, and this episode brings that to life. Be prepared to laugh.
Enjoy!

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

23. Tamara Champagne - From Working Dogs to Sporting Dogs, NAVHDA Invitational Volunteering, Becoming a Bird Hunter, and Out of the Box Training Techniques. Sep 19, 2024

Tamara Champagne is a working dog trainer who has fallen in love with sporting dogs. She recently began the journey with a German Shorthair and now is qualified for next year's NAVHDA Invitational. Tamara and Mike sat down at this year's Invite to share how she got into bird dogs, crossover between working dogs and sporting dogs, maintaining attitude and confidence in dogs, and so much more. Tamara is a wealth of knowledge and will certainly be a repeat guest.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

BONUS Episode: An Update on Jake & Brooke Bartells Invitational Run. Sep 18, 2024

Check out this special bonus episode as a follow up from Episode 22 with Jake & Brooke about their road to the NAVHDA Invitational!
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

22. Nick Adair - Gun Dogging It Yourself. Sep 12, 2024

Nick Adair is the host of the Gun Dog It Yourself podcast where he discusses all aspects of gun dog training with his guests.
Nick recently came through Minnesota on the way to Montana and we recorded an episode swap. This is the first installment, Mike's chance to interview Nick, and the second, Nick interviewing Mike, will come out in a few weeks.
This episode includes Nick's backstory, how he got into upland hunting and bird dogs, and why he focused in so much on training. Additionally Nick shares the most important things he's learned talking to some of the nations best trainers.
This just might be the episode that spurs some new training opportunities with your dog. Enjoy!
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

21. Brooke & Jake Bartells - A Father-Daughter Duo Bound for the NAVHDA Invitational, Cookies for Conservation, and The Power of Tribe. Sep 05, 2024

Brooke & Jake Bartells are bound for the NAVHDA Invitational with their Epagneul Bretons and this is their story. While Jake has been many times, this is Brooke's first trip handling her first bird dog, Rushie. One she's trained and hunted over from day one, including early wake ups, long-distances traveled, and learning from a long list of mentors. Brooke and Jake also share a few hunting stories and an honest assessment from a late August training session on where they're at in preparation. Lastly, Brooke shares about her commitment to conservation and where you might get your hands on some of her famous cookies come spring.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

20. Rhys Haugen - Taking The Term 'Gear Nut' to a Whole New Level, Starting High Plains Gear, and Getting a German Dog in Germany Aug 29, 2024

Rhys Haugen is the founder of High Plains Gear, a upland hunting vest company committed to American made materials and manufacturing for all their products.
Rhys shares his motivation and journey in starting an upland hunting vest company, how he got started in bird dogs, and his experiences hunting and finding a dog while stationed overseas. Additionally, they discuss how Rhys coupled his experiences bird hunting, philosophies about gear from the Marine Corps, and a relentless pursuit for better to make his products.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

19. Amanda Ponti - How A Bird Dog Changed Her Life, The Power of Giving Back, and Why You Should Consider Going Lead Free. Aug 22, 2024

Amanda Ponti dove head first into bird dogs and now there is no looking back. She currently works for Sporting Lead Free and serves on the board of HerUpland.
Amanda and Mike discuss her entry into bird dogs, why she chooses to give back so much, why you should consider switching ammo to lead-free options, and how bird hunting inspired a transformational physical fitness journey.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

18. Jerry Havel - Ruffed Grouse Projections, Developing A Grouse Dog, and A Love For Fine Shotguns Aug 15, 2024

Jerry Havel runs Pineridge Grouse Camp and is a co-founder of Upland Gun Company. Jerry and Mike take a dive into how the ruffed grouse numbers are looking in Minnesota, how he develops a grouse dog, and why folks should consider a side by side from Upland Gun Company.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

17. Tyler Webster - Where We Literally Discuss Birds, Booze, and Buds. Aug 08, 2024

Tyler Webster is the host of the Birds, Booze, and Buds Podcast and we sat down to discuss those exact things. Join Mike and Tyler for a post dinner & drinks conversation that covers the legitimacy of the 28 gauge, getting outside the comfort zone when hunting, choosing the right amount of drive in a dog based on lifestyle on hunting opportunities, and much much more.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

16. Erin Kalpin - Growing Up With Pudelpointers, Raising Her Own Family With Birddogs, Writing, and More. Aug 01, 2024

Erin Kalpin from Rockcreek Kennels joins the show this week. Erin's father, Scott, started Rockcreek almost 30 years ago and Erin has been along for the ride since. She shares how her dad kept her interested all these years, what it was like transitioning from a career outside dogs back into training full time, and how she's raising her own girls to love the dogs and the outdoors. Additionally, Erin and Mike take a dive into writing, sharing about their processes, inspiration, etc. Erin also gives a preview of what she expects from this year's NAVHDA Invitational and advice based on lessons learned from her previous attempt at a VC.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

15. Misty Klug - Breeding German Wirehairs, Focusing on Temperament, and Trusting Your Training When Testing Jul 25, 2024

Misty Klug is the owner and operator of Muddy Paws Kennel. She has bred German wirehairs for over a decade focusing on temperament and wild bird hunting. We also discuss her training philosophy around pressure and development. Additionally, she shares the importance of trusting your training and how to reduce nerves on test day.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

14. Rich Wong - On His Love of Vizslas, Post Hunt Photography, and Learning Sharptail & Hun Patterns Jul 18, 2024

Rich Wong is a photographer, vizsla lover, and wild bird hunting fanatic. Rich and I talk his best tips for tailgate photos, how he came into vizslas, and the differences between his 2 dogs thus far. We also talk about puppy development, the downsides to overhandling, and the importance of a bird dogs first season. Lastly, we cover Rich's tips to find sharpies and huns, some great memories of his first dog, Hunter, and much more. Enjoy!
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

13. Tony Jones - On Writing His New Book - The God of Wild Places, Why He'll Need 2 Dogs to Replace His Lab, and Navigating Failure in Life & Hunting. Jul 11, 2024

Tony Jones has a new book out - The God of Wild Places, and you should order a copy (The God of Wild Places).
Tony is a former pastor, author, conservationist, speaker, and hunter. In this conversation we talk about writing, changing careers, failure, and pheasant hunting in South Dakota. Tony also brags on his lab, Crosby, and shares why he'd need 2 different breeds of dogs to replace him.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

12. William Bailey - A Conversation Between Brothers Including Empty Dog Collars, Intentionality, Faith, Becoming a Gentleman, and The Wildrose Way. Jul 04, 2024

William Bailey is a Texan, a hunter, and a proud owner of a Labrador from Wild Rose Kennel.
This conversation is a perfect example of how conversations between friends happen when hunting together. This conversation ranges from losing dogs, choosing joy, William's experience with adopting the Wild Rose Way, leaning into faith and friendship, and much much more.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

11. Rob Seilheimer - Pollinators, A Brittany Pup, And The Power of Bird Camp. Jun 27, 2024

Rob Seilheimer works in fundraising with the Monarch Joint Venture, a non-profit coalition rooted in getting more pollinators and more quality bird habitat on the landscape. Rob and Mike discuss Rob's new brittany pup, Tag, and how adding a bird dog to the mix changes things, finding friends to share hunting camp with and making attendance a priority, and the importance of non-profits in increasing and improving habitat.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

10. Nick Larson - On Learning The Differences in His Bird Dogs, Leaning Into Curiosity, Podcasting, and Working with The Upland Gun Company. Jun 20, 2024

Nick Larson is the host of the longstanding Birdshot Podcast and also works with Upland Gun Company. In this episode we cover an incredible range of topics including his advice for hosting a podcast, learning the differences between his two setters, the importance of mentorship in dog training and hunting, and much much more.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

9. Emy Marier - On Reactivating Her Father Into Bird Hunting, NAHRA, and The Adventure of Exploring Public Land. Jun 13, 2024

Emy Marier is an outdoorswoman who brings her both her nature for analytics and her sense of adventure to everything she does. We discussed her experience in NAHRA, including finding her tribe, the importance of treating a dog fairly in training, and the experience of adding a second dog with a lot more drive. We also discuss her love of 'Prairie Romping' as she calls it, and the tradition of ruffed grouse hunting the opener with her friends who all affectionately call it Grousemas.
Lastly, we dive into how she reactivated her dad into bird hunting, including inspiring him to get another dog after a 20+ year hiatus, exposing him to joys of public land hunting, and how she's handling the awareness that all that time afield together won't last forever.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

8. Angie Coenen - Following Her Dad Afield, The Keys to Training and Testing With Her Spouse, and a Decade of Breeding German Shorthairs. Jun 06, 2024

Angie Coenen runs Hurricane Kennel with her husband, Paul in Southwestern Wisconsin. We discuss how she got her start following her dad through the pheasant fields of Iowa, how she fell into NAVHDA (now serving in a multitude of roles), her journey breeding top notch German Shorthairs, including the hardship that comes with breeding over a decade, and more.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

7. Travis Frank - Focusing on the Process of Building a Bird Dog, Storytelling Through Television, and the Importance of Mentorship in Training May 30, 2024

Travis Frank is the host of The Flush TV Show and Podcast. We discuss his journey bringing home a fire breathing bird dog, Daisy, and learning to work together. He also shares the experience of having Daisy stolen out of his front yard, how he tells stories through television, and the importance of having a mentor in dog training.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

6. Logan Weiss - Developing Mindset for Dog Training, Having Patience for a Dog to Develop, and the Toughest of Decisions. May 23, 2024

Logan Weiss is an adult on-set bird hunter whose first dog, Sage, helped him fall in love with dog training and chasing wild birds in wild places. Logan walks us through applying his high level athlete mindset to training and hunting and shares why the Garmin Sport Pro is his favorite e-collar for beginning bird dog trainers. Logan also discusses the wild differences between his first and second dog. We also discuss the hardest decision anyone who loves a bird dog is called to make.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

5. Nina Hoekstra - On The Power of Solo Travel, Faith in the Outdoors, and Taking the Leap Into Outdoor Media May 16, 2024

We sit down with Nina Hoekstra to discuss her transition from the deer stand to the uplands, strengthening her faith in the outdoors, the power of solo hunting trips (and some pointers along the way), and how she took the leap from her nursing career to build a business in outdoor media.
You can follow along her journey on her IG handle - @in.ninas.nature and check out her business ventures at InNinasNature.com.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

4. Christy Langston - On Authenticity, Nature vs. Nurture & Better Bird Dog Photography May 09, 2024

Christy Langton operates Spring River Kennel from her farm in Southwestern Missouri.
Expect to learn the importance of mentorship in training and breeding bird dogs, being comfortable and authentic with your goals, owning a dog's strengths and weaknesses, and how to level up the photos of your dog afield.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

3. Jake Hanson - The Spirit of Generosity May 02, 2024

Mike sits down with Jake Hanson, the Development Director for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever to discuss conservation, philanthropy, long distance bird hunting road trips and the highs and lows along the way. They also discuss Jake's origin story into bird dogs and bird hunting, making the decision to use a professional trainer, and how adding a second dog doesn't always mean it'll be the exact same as the first one. If you're not a member, you should absolutely consider joining Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever before this episode is over.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

2. Des Stormont - Paying Bird Dog Tuition May 02, 2024

In our first interview style episode, Mike sits down with friend, fellow NAVHDA Judge, trainer, and mom-extraordinaire, Des Stormont, to learn about her journey. This episode covers learning from mistakes (Bird Dog Tuition as she calls it), working through the weight of expectation when training for a test, and adding a toddler into training, testing, and hunting her dogs.
This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com.

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

Episode 1 - Introducing the Ugly Dog Podcast! May 02, 2024

Episode one is finally here! Our host, Mike Neiduski, sits down to share who he is, how he came to run Ugly Dog Hunting Co., his origin story with bird dogs, and what listeners can expect in future episodes. He also addresses a handful of customer questions including essentials for a started dog, the nuance of breed hunting styles, what drive's Mike off-season training (it's not testing), and a quick run through on e-collars.
Brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Serious gear for serious bird hunters and dog trainers... and our sometimes silly dogs. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.com

Music used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

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