AZ Quail Today Podcast

We connect 50 years of Arizona rainfall to real quail numbers, from the wet early 1990s to today’s tighter window for “boom” seasons. We also dig into what wing barrel data says about juveniles, why hunter crowding feels worse, and how we’d think about fair rules without pretending regulations can replace rain. • early 1990s winter rains and why they felt like peak years for Gambel’s quail • mid-t...

We trade stories with Kirby Bristow about dogs, coveys, and a scaled quail retrieve that never touches the ground, then zoom out to the weather patterns that decide whether Arizona quail hunting feels easy or brutal. We also tackle the harvest debate head-on and explain why rainfall timing and habitat conditions drive next year’s bird numbers more than hunter pressure does. • a New Mexico scaled q...

We get practical about pigeons, from surprising facts about what they can do to why they make tough, reliable dog training birds. We lay out a real-world trapping system that works in Arizona, plus the mistakes that quietly ruin your results or harm birds in the heat.  • pigeons as hardy training birds for upland hunters  • ten interesting pigeon facts including homing and intelligence  • pre-bait...

We trade the usual gear talk for the gear that decides whether you can actually reach the birds: your heart, your legs, and your daily habits. We break down why quail hunting demands nonstop mobility and share simple ways to train, eat, sleep, and hydrate so you can keep chasing coveys for decades.  • why physical health matters more than a shotgun or a dog for backcountry access  • heart disease...

We chase the old-school idea of pairing a horse and a bird dog for Arizona quail hunting, then get honest about how much that partnership depends on our calm, not our intensity. We share what Zuni the mustang mare teaches us about trust, how pointers pick up our emotional cues, and why steadiness is the real training advantage.  • building trust with a horse through slow, consistent handling  • no...

We slow down and take boots seriously, from the surprising number of miles your feet cover in a lifetime to the deep history packed into everyday footwear. We trace how function shaped iconic designs, then land on real-world boot picks that hold up for quail hunting, work, and life.  • why hunting boots are not “just gear” when you’ll walk 67,000 to 70,000 miles in a lifetime  • how everyday walki...

We take our bird dogs paddleboarding and turn wipeouts, splashes, and river chaos into smart off-season training for Arizona hunters. We share what actually works to build fitness, confidence in water, and steadier obedience while keeping dogs safe in the heat.  • why paddleboarding is legit exercise for high-energy bird dogs  • how regular water time can build swimming confidence over time  • tra...

We sit down with Nate Istrate to talk through a real valley fever scare in a hunting dog and what finally brought the symptoms under control. We share what to watch for in your bird dog, what the common tests can miss, and how to think about treatment without panic spending. • Sam’s head tremors and the path to a valley fever diagnosis  • How dogs get valley fever from desert dust and why it is no...

We lay out a simple off-season plan for keeping our bird dogs conditioned through the Arizona heat while staying safe and consistent. We also share an update on Arizona quail season dates and why summer effort is where fall success really starts.  • quick update on Arizona quail season dates for Gambel’s, scaled and Mearns  • river and lake swimming for low-impact conditioning and confidence  • us...

We sit down with Sam and Annie to talk about how a young couple blends love, faith, and hunting into a future family life built on adventure. We swap stories from quail hunts and deer blinds, dig into clean meat and nutrition, and end with simple encouragement for anyone curious about getting started.  • Annie’s background, how she gets into elk and deer hunting without growing up around it  • Fir...

We talk with Guy Molicone Sr. about why the handler is often the biggest variable in bird dog training and how small changes in language and timing create huge gains. We also get honest about e-collars, rule sets at home, and what great dogs can teach us about expectations and appreciation.  • trimming commands down to a simple vocabulary and using tone consistently  • transitioning a trained dog...

We sit down with Pro bird dog trainer Guy Sr. of Mollicone Kennels to unpack what makes a reliable quail dog in Arizona and why handler habits matter as much as the dog’s talent. We talk predator psychology, offseason training that fits real life, and how clear rules and consistency turn drive into teamwork. • Guy’s background with bird dogs and how Mollicone Kennels began  • Shifting from “bird d...

We catch up with Nate Istrate and get real about what changes when you send a bird dog to a serious trainer. We trade stories from the field and lay out a simple rule that makes every new hunter and dog handler better: only give commands you can enforce. • Nate’s English pointer Sam and what a refresher tune-up looks like • Dropping off a dog at boot camp with Guy Molicone Sr. in Sierra Vista • Bu...

We stay in the field with Guy Molicone Jr. and get honest about what bird dogs need most at each stage, from prey drive to steadiness and safe gun work. We trade stories and practical drills that help a dog love birds, learn control, and keep everyone safe when shots and nerves get real.  • Building prey drive before advanced control tools  • Working with emotionally sensitive pointing breeds  • U...

We sit down with Guy Molicone Jr after a dog training clinic and break down what actually happened with a mix of dogs, skill levels, and real-world distractions. We dig into why foundation work matters, how to communicate clearly, and how to keep a high-drive bird dog hunting with us instead of for itself.  • the clinic format and why we split it into parts  • where to find Molicone Kennels and ho...

We sit down with pro dog trainer Guy Molicone Jr. to talk about what actually builds a reliable bird dog for Arizona quail hunting. We get honest about why rushing gun intro and bird exposure creates long-term problems and how a better relationship with your dog fixes more than any single drill.  • Guy’s story from early desert hunts to professional training  • Why learning theory and behavior mod...

We argue that hiking is the strongest lever a quail hunter can pull in the off season, then invite Leslie to share why desert miles build health, confidence and joy. We cover training basics, smart sun, scouting on foot and bucket-list routes in the Grand Canyon and beyond. • why three to five trail miles make hunts fun, not brutal • the math of seasonal mileage and realistic field demands • heart...

We walk through a practical guide to Desert Creek Sportsman near Phoenix, from safe upland fields to rotating duck ponds, and why it’s ideal for dog work, mentoring, and building reliable hunts. We share personal plans, training insights, and concrete ways to shape a mixed-bag weekend. • location west of Phoenix near Gila River • cactus-free fields for safe dog work • chukar and pheasant hunts wit...

We lay out ten practical off-season moves to build safer, steadier, hunt-ready dogs while scouting smarter across Arizona. From e-bikes and live-bird reps to rattlesnake avoidance and mentorship work, we share the plan, the partners, and why it matters. • e-bike conditioning and habitat scouting on public lands. Check out Electric Bikes of Flagstaff, talk to Luke, tell them, Ryan sent you! They ar...

We trace how a record-wet fall and a wetter-leaning winter pushed Gambel’s quail into early pairing, reshaped covey behavior, and set the stage for stronger brood success. Field stories, rainfall data, and practical takeaways connect rain patterns to what we hear and see on the ground. • defining the cool season as October to March • historic fall 2025 rainfall totals and key storm dates • field n...

We draw a bright line between good hunters and bad ones, then test our own choices against it. Laws, fair chase, safety, respect for land, and field etiquette become the true measure, not just how well we shoot. • defining character over shooting skill • laws and seasons as stewardship • fair chase versus shortcuts and road hunting • safety systems, muzzle control, and clear commands • respect for...

We trace a season defined by a record-wet fall and a record-warm January, and how that mix changed quail behavior, calling, and our tactics in the field. From flow-state shooting to pairing biology and clutch sizes, we share wins, setbacks, and a practical plan for the offseason. • wet fall boosting seed and cover across desert habitats • warm January compressing movement windows and scenting cond...

We walk through a late-season Arizona quail hunt that starts rough in open creosote and ends with a hard-earned double, with honest lessons on heat, dogs, gear, and calling. Warm, dry winter patterns, small coveys, and rattlesnake risk reshaped how we moved, rested, and recovered birds. • choosing terrain that holds birds and supports dogs • mistakes that cost birds, including an empty chamber • m...

In this episode, Ryan unpacks one of his recent hunts and shares a number of surprising things he’s seeing out in the field. He talks through moments that went right, moments that went wrong, and the lessons learned along the way. Don’t miss this episode—and be sure to stick around for a special announcement at the end. For more information, visit www.aztodayquail.com , and if you like what you he...

In Part 2, we finish the list with five more mistakes that cost birds after the covey rises: rushing the shot, failing to come in low‑ready, forgetting to reload, moving too fast through birdy cover, and letting dogs bump birds out of range.  This episode digs into timing, posture, and gun handling, then shifts to dog range, working the wind, and reading subtle cues like a wagging tail.  You will...