projectupland.com On The Go

We had walked about three hundred yards from the trucks when I heard, “Lexi’s on point!” My breath formed a small cloud as I exhaled. The temperature that morning was a brisk twenty-eight degrees. I could not believe that I was in  Arizona  hunting desert quail. Funny thing is that it didn’t look like we were in the desert,  per se . The elevation was much higher than I’d expected and the scenery...

Running and gunning means actively moving around a property and calling at intervals to find a wandering turkey. Hunters rely on natural cover and last-minute set ups, rather than calculated  ground blinds . You simply walk some distance—maybe 20 yards, maybe 100 yards—and call. If a response comes, the hunter then quickly plans where to set up a safe shot at the turkey. Like the story above, it c...

Besides having a shotgun go down due to damage, malfunction, debris, or other reasons that render the shotgun unsafe to use, there are other reasons why toting along a backup shotgun on your next upland bird hunt might be worthwhile. Read more at projectupland.com .

My hunting journey began right there in that rain-soaked moment a little over two years ago. As a woman and a first-generation hunter, my journey thus far has included a handful of barriers I’ve had to overcome, not the least of which was battling cancer in my first hunting season. It was my determination, confidence, creativity, and a yearning to learn about this waterfowl and upland hunting pass...

The upland community has seen a surge in vest innovations in recent years. The primary innovation seems to be the ability for the end user to configure and customize the vest's layout through a variety of pouches and accessories. That concept certainly has its merits, but for those looking for that capability, the Orvis Pro LT hunting vest isn’t for you. However, those looking for a vest that...

Full disclosure, this is not intended to be the end-all/be-all road trip list for every hunter. My hope in sharing my list and the rationale behind it is to help others avoid that sinking feeling in the pit of their stomach when they realize they have forgotten a key piece of gear that will make a difference to their experience in the field. Read more at projectupland.com .

While there are no formal rules to regulate our behavior in and out of the field, it’s worth considering how our actions and mindset may be perceived while we’re out enjoying the uplands. Positive interactions and responsible conduct will improve our persona and position as hunters both individually and as a community. Read more at projectupland.com .

If you’ve ever fired a side-by-side or over-under, there’s a 99.9% chance your hands have touched one of Westley Richards’s patents. Westley Richards & Co. opened for business in 1812, and in the 19th century, they invented the top-lever, the rib extension, the dolls head, and, as noted, the boxlock shotgun. Called the “Anson & Deeley Hammerless Gun” when it was introduced, the gun was a r...

We have all been there before. Duck season is at the halfway point. Opening day excitement has worn off. That sweet spot we call “mid-season” is upon us and, with it, comes... stale ducks! If this were a movie, we would now hear menacing music. So, what are stale ducks? Honestly, I hadn’t heard the term until I was in my thirties. I now know the telltale symptoms of stale ducks in the first few mi...

In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt created the first National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Pelican Island, off the coast of Florida. Seventy-three years later, the J.N. 'Ding' Darling NWR was established in Lee County, named after the father of the federal duck stamp. Now, there's a battle among Florida waterfowl hunters and developers, with the Florida Wildlife Conservation (FWC) Comm...

Discover the origin story of the rugged, versatile Spinone and how it has developed into the modern, versatile hunting dog growing in popularity with hunters around the world. Read more at projectupland.com .

Many things in Alaska have a uniqueness all their own, and ptarmigan hunting in the winter and spring is no exception. The ever-present challenge with hunting in Alaska is not only finding your quarry, but also getting to it. A ptarmigan hunt in the fall often presents the challenge of finding birds in a vast and endless landscape. When the mountains are covered in snow, however, the challenge is...

Your pursuit of ducks this season doesn’t have to break the bank. While duck hunting does require a few unique investments such as a good pair of waders, non-toxic shot, and migratory bird stamps, investing in an expensive, prefabricated duck blind isn’t required. With a little creativity, some sweat equity, and a few simple materials, concealing yourself from the wary eyes of working ducks is def...

Explore the West/Gibbons method of training pointing dogs through the eyes of a novice bird dog handler who attended a training seminar with Mo Lindley. Read more at projectupland.com .

For the uninitiated, a healthy dose of preparation—both mental and physical—will go a long way toward making the most of your efforts. Going to Hells Canyon once does not make anyone an expert. If anything, it just exposes how little you actually know about how to hunt this canyon. It is from that humble perspective that I offer a few tips to anyone considering a first-time hunt here. Read more at...

It's a shame, really. The future of hunting hangs in the balance, and some folks would cut off their nose to spite their face. It's as if they simply can't comprehend that the more people exposed to and actively engaged in hunting, the more conservation dollars flow, the more people who care about maintaining healthy ecosystems and the more clout the hunting community has when it co...

The purpose of imitating the quail assembly call is to make the birds think that you are just another quail strolling down the block looking for your covey. This call is intended to have quail reveal their location by responding with their own call, or even to make them come running in to you! Calling quail is extremely useful—plus it’s a pretty cool art to master. It is also a great skill to have...

There are many reasons why you may be looking to hunt upland birds without a dog. Maybe you can’t afford a hunting dog, let alone the time and training that is involved in a good and reliable bird dog. Maybe you live in a cramped, studio apartment in Los Angeles. Maybe your significant other is allergic to dogs. Maybe you just don’t like dogs and you’re some kind of weird cat-person. Maybe it just...

No matter how you slice it, the Labrador Retriever is British. Putting the word “English” or “British” in front of its name is like putting “American” in front of Chesapeake Bay Retriever or “Canadian” in front of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Somehow, the terms “English Lab” and “British Lab” have crept into our vocabulary, nevertheless. So, what exactly is a “British” or “English” Lab and...

Its name may sound like a fun catch phrase or dance move, but the plain chachalaca ( Ortalis vetula ) is actually a tree-dwelling desert game bird. It is the only member of its family to inhabit the United States and, in fact, it barely occurs in the U.S. at all. With a little research and some luck, it is possible to find this unique game bird in Texas. Learn about the bird itself, its preferred...

Let’s start with the obvious question: is plucking worth the time? The answer likely depends on what kind of hunter you are. So, let’s evaluate: do seek out and invest in the best gear? Do you believe a well-trained or “finished” hunting dog improves the experience afield? If you answered “yes” to either, then it’s clear to me: plucking is worth your time, because settling for less doesn’t suit yo...

It comes as no surprise that the popularity of American woodcock hunting has risen with the decline of other upland game species in its flyway. In many areas, the bobwhite quail has become a distant whistle and the ruffed grouse merely a ghost. Woodcock are a migratory bird with flyways that stretch from Canada to Louisiana, east Texas, and even Florida. As a result of their geographic diversity,...

One thing hunters have in common is that we love our gear. And why not? It follows us into the field right along with our dogs and our passion for the outdoors. Maybe it’s a special knife handed down for generations that you use to process game the way your uncle taught you; perhaps it’s a simple lanyard and whistle that you have used to call every bird dog you have ever owned. For many of us, it...

Let’s face it, the hunting season is too short to miss a day due to unfavorable weather. If you wait for the perfect day to come, you may shorten your season to just a handful of lucky days when the crisp autumn air rustles through the golden leaves which have been drained of chlorophyll and are ready to join their counterparts on the forest floor. Read more at projectupland.com .

Will the future of upland hunting look different? I always ponder that question and I know, no matter what, things will change. There is no doubt the decline of key species will play an unalterable role in this evolution of future generations' hunting habits. But what hints can we see right now of what's to come? Read more at projectupland.com .