The Ugly Dog Podcast

Latest Episodes:

70. Nate Akey - How Following a Dog Led to Hunting Places Far and Wide and Working for onX Hunt Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Nate Akey from onX Hunt joins the show this week to discuss his path into bird hunting and dog training, his NAVHDA Invitational run, hunting season so far, and so much more.

Nate is an avid photographer who has leveraged his skill set with his degree to build a career in the hunting industry. We dive into all sorts of topics and this is the perfect episode to listen to on the long drive to camp!

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.

69. Mitch Skatter - Creating the Upland Path, Starting on YouTube, and The Importance of Coaching and Mentoring. Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Mitch Skatter joins the show this week to share more about his journey starting Upland Path, a new YouTube Channel aimed at sharing helpful tips and tricks for upland bird hunters. He also dives into how he got into bird hunting, what he's learning from his first dog, and why mentorship and giving back is so important to him.

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.

68. Marc Musselman & Jonny Serrano - Alclair Outdoors and Why Hearing Protection Should Be a Normal Part of Your Kit Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Marc Musselman and Jonny Serrano join the show this week to talk about Alclair Outdoors and the importance of high quality hearing protection. If you do any kind of dog training or bird hunting hearing loss is an under-discussed issue. Medical research is starting to highlight the impact hearing loss has on community and brain health as one ages and it's not looking good. Marc has a goal to make going afield with hearing protection no different than going with a good pair of boots and a trusted shotgun and this episode dives into why Alclair Outdoors is the company to trust with your hearing protection needs.

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.

67. Roy Ames - A Dive Into The NAVHDA Gun Dog Test and a Montana Recap Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

Roy Ames joins the show again this week to share a bit about our recent trip to Montana, the sometimes frustrating learning curve of puppies, and take a look into the first year of NAVHDA's Gun Dog Test.

Announced this January at the NAVHDA Annual Meeting, the Gun Dog Test is a revision of the Utility Prep Test with the goal of increasing member participation while still providing a benchmark test for a serviceable companion gun dog. Roy breaks down this new opportunity for NAVHDA members to get involved at a more advanced level and both he and Mike share their insight from judging this test in it's first year.

If you're looking to take your next step from the Natural Ability test, give this a listen and consider running the Gun Dog Test this coming training and testing season. If you do, reach out and let Mike know about your experience!

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.

66. Waylon Lunn - Hunting the Upstate, The Art of Jump-Shooting Ducks, and Raising a Family Outdoors Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Waylon Lunn joins the show this week to share his journey in bird dogs from New York City to the Upstate and now traveling across the country with his family for birds. He describes his journey searching for and developing a "purpose built bird dog". He also shares some of his keys to success for jump shooting ducks, he dives into the Northeast's famed 'pocket covers', and shares how he and his wife prioritize time outdoors hunting and fishing with their children each year.

Waylon will for sure be a future guest, so much more to unpack here. 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.

65. Marilyn Vetter - Priorities for The Habitat Organization, Planning for Hunting Season Ahead, and Keeping Up The Fight For The Birds. Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Marilyn Vetter is the CEO and President of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. She joins the show this week to share some wins for the year as well as a handful of the many challenges ahead. Additionally, she lays out a bit about how she's planning for the hunting season ahead, having a new puppy in the house, and reminds listeners we all have a responsibility to speak up for the resource. 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.

64. Charles Coulter - Learning to Not Care So Much, Falling in Love With Bird Dogs, and Becoming a Professional Bird Hunting Guide. Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Charles Coulter is a bird hunting guide, bird dog trainer, and a NAVHDA Senior Judge. He sits down with Mike to share his journey into bird hunting, what it's like having his passion become his profession, and how he's learned the importance of fun over caring so much. He also shares training insights, bourbon recommendations, and how he sets up his gear for guiding. This one covers many bases. 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.

63. Desiree Stormont - Reflections on NAVHDA Invitational Training, Mindset, and the NAVHDA Lady Gang. Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Desiree Stormont joins the show for round 2 after her initial appearance on The Ugly Dog Podcast over a year ago. We recap some of our current NAVHDA Invitational training, mindset, mental hurdles and problem solving in addition to a host of other things. Des gives a first hand account of what it's like to judge Mike in the field, and shares honestly about navigating "the dip" in training for a test like the Invitational.

She also shares about the NAVHDA Lady Gang and her involvement with the group. Be sure to check them out on Facebook!

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.

62. Emily Julin - From Having a Fear of Dogs to Becoming a NAHRA and NAVHDA Judge. Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Emily Julin joins the show this week to share her journey from fearing dogs as a child to having a whole pack of them now. She is now both a NAVHDA and NAHRA judge and dives a bit into the testing differences in this conversation. Additionally, Emily shares the importance of finding a good club with shared values and helpful members in reaching her bird dogs potential. This episode covers a lot of bases and you're sure to enjoy it!

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.

61. Ben Brettingen - The Importance of Public Lands in Bird Hunting, Transitioning from Drahthaars to Cover Dogs and Building a Career in the Hunting Industry. Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Ben Brettingen from onX Maps joins the show this week to cover the current movement in the Senate to sell public lands (speaking of, have you called your Senator yet?), and share his journey from filming hunts in college to a career in marketing in the hunting industry. He also shares how he got started in bird dogs, fell head first into drahthaars and has since transitioned into pointers and setters in cover dog trials. There are tons of gems in this episode, including onX tips and learning to escout, versatile dogs vs. cover dogs, and pheasants vs. ruffed grouse.

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.

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