Gundog Nation

Send 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 r...

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....

Send 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 precisio...

Send 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...

Send 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 e...

Send 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...

Send 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, w...

Send 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...

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 l...

Send 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. Fro...

Send 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...

Send 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...

Send 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 an...

Send 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 acclaim...

Send 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 signifi...

Send us a text From 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 sudd...

Send us a text Adrian 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,...

Send 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...

Send us a text #44 When disaster strikes in the field, are you prepared to save your dog's life?  Josh Parvin of Cornerstone Gundog Academy and Retriever Training Supply shares the harrowing story that led to creating their best-selling First Aid Kit after his retriever hit a barbed wire fence at full speed during a Kansas hunt. That close call transformed his approach to emergency preparedness an...

Send us a text #42 Have you ever wondered why some dog sports offer substantial cash prizes while others only provide ribbons and titles? In this fascinating conversation with Trevor Wade, Coonhound Program Manager at United Kennel Club (UKC), we uncover the remarkable economics of coonhound competitions that have created a thriving circuit where handlers compete for serious money. Trevor pulls ba...

Send us a text #42 Dave Bavero opens a window into the nuanced world of British Labs, sharing insights from his 25-year journey with these remarkable gundogs. As the founder of Waterstone Labradors in Bernie, Texas, Dave has created more than just a breeding program – he's established a vital cultural bridge between American hunters and the centuries-old traditions of British and Irish retriever w...

Send us a text #41 The journey to build a stronger connection with your hunting dog goes far beyond basic commands and whistle blows. Bob Owens, founder of Lone Duck Outfitters and Kennels, takes us deep into what he calls "the unspoken bond" – that magical connection between handler and retriever that transforms good dogs into exceptional hunting partners. Bob's path from college rugby player to...

Send us a text #40 Ever wondered how professional athletes pursue their outdoor passions between seasons? In this captivating conversation, Kenneth Witt welcomes Chicago Cubs Triple-A catcher Caleb Knight to Gundog Nation, revealing the fascinating intersection of professional baseball and duck hunting. Caleb shares his journey from small-town Oklahoma to professional baseball, while maintaining h...

Send us a text #39 From sporting clays champion to bird dog maven, Anna V's journey exemplifies the transformative power of saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities in the outdoor world. Her story begins with a short-haired pointer in 2014 and quickly accelerates into a whirlwind adventure through competitive hunting tournaments, championship sporting clays, and eventually mastery of both pointing...

Send us a text #38 Master gundog trainer Mick Walsh takes us on a journey through his remarkable 35-year career developing champion spaniels across Ireland and the United Kingdom. From his humble beginnings hunting with terriers as a seven-year-old boy to becoming one of the most accomplished competitive handlers in Europe, Walsh shares the wisdom that has helped him train an astounding 20 champio...