The Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast

Reid reflects on the loss of a dog, responsibility for the animals who trust us, and the inevitability of their decline. All of this reflected in a story about a long-ago day woodcock shooting with a friend in southern Vermont. Read the entire piece "Thanksgiving" at reidbryant.com; it was initially published in Gundog Magazine.

Reid welcomes back Orvis Gunroom Manager Greg Carpiniello to discuss new guns in the Orvis arsenal, some standout consignment guns, and what has been happening at Orvis Sandanona. Unbelievably, it's been about a year since Greg was on the Podcast, and a whole lot has happened in that time!

Reid is joined by Anthony Licata, editor of Cowboys & Indians magazine (www.cowboysindians.com), for a look inside the world of outdoor print media from someone who has been to the big leagues. For much of his career, Licata worked for Bonnier Corp. from its Park Avenue offices, eventually becoming Editor in Chief of Field & Stream and Editorial Director of Bonnier's Lifestyle Group, which included titles such as Outdoor Life. In this conversation, he reflects on the glory days, when bar carts and generous expense accounts were part of the job, and shares stories about balancing hunting travel, a love of more humble outdoor pursuits, and life in the middle of Manhattan. It is a conversation about magazines, media, and the strange and wonderful experience of building an outdoor life from the middle of the city.

Tom Rosenbauer, longtime Orvis employee, writer, and host of the Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast, joins Reid for a wide-ranging conversation about his nearly 50 years with the company. They talk about the early days at Orvis, the great outdoor writers who shaped the culture around Manchester, Vermont, and how a lifelong fly fisherman found his way, occasionally, behind a shotgun. Along the way Tom shares stories, history, and a perspective on the outdoors that few people still carry.

Marilyn Vetter, President and CEO of PF/QF, joins Reid for an inspiring conversation about her work and life. Marilyn describes a rural childhood in North Dakota, a journey into upland hunting through her husband's Sharp Shooter's Kennel, and her winding path to leadership of a prominent Conservation org. Along the way she digs into thoughts on leadership, organizational culture, and why we should be hopeful about the future of the uplands. Marilyn is a force, and an inspiration. Learn more at www.pheasantsforever.org and see Marilyn in action at The Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic in Minneapolis Feb 20-22!

With an upcoming show in Connecticut (that Reid is excited to attend) and a headliner at this year's Pheasant Fest Concert for Conservation, the time is right to revisit this 2017 conversation with Evan Felker. Evan has seen continued success and acclaim since this first aired and remains the creative force behind the anthem of the uplands, "The Bird Hunters". In this conversation he talks about bird hunting, his love for pointing dogs, and the rich hunting culture of Oklahoma. If you missed this the first time, enjoy it now; and here's an open invitation to Evan to join the podcast again for an update on life, kids, dogs, music, and whether the new A5 is as good as the original!

Reid's good friend Matt Morlock appears on the podcast to discuss all things South Dakota. Matt describes his childhood growing up as the son of a game warden and his career in conservation and stewardship. He also explains why and how South Dakota became the worldwide epicenter for pheasant hunting. Wonderful insights from a guy on the ground, and a great guy at that.

This re-post of a podcast from 2022 serves as a tribute to Glen Blackwood, whose recent passing is a tremendous loss for the upland community. Glen was a bird hunter, a fly anger, and a conservationist, but foremost a storyteller. It was a privilege to capture his voice here, and to share it.

Reid welcomes dog trainer John McIltrot for Seranoa Kennels (www.seranoakennels.com) from Roundup, MT, alongside John's training partner Taylor Todd. John is a fascinating character: bird dog trainer, falconer, mentor, animal behaviorist, and prairie philosopher. He and Taylor explore concepts of animal behavior, mentorship, how to move slowly through a training process with humility and keen observation.

In a slight departure from the norm, Reid gathers with a group of pals to debrief a pheasant hunt on a farm in Hitchcock, South Dakota. The group, spearheaded by Lyndsey Braun and Doug Duren of Sharing the Land, explores topics of land stewardship, dog work, hits and misses, and challenges faced by new hunters. It's a meandering journey with lots of voices, but some great perspectives offered. Warning: some colorful language is used. Special thanks to Can-Am, BOSS Shotshells, Savage Arms, Gunner Kennels, Matt Morlock, and Dylan Hazen.

In a slight departure from the norm, Reid gathers with a group of pals to debrief a pheasant hunt on a farm in Hitchcock, South Dakota. The group, spearheaded by Lyndsey Braun and Doug Duren of Sharing the Land, explores topics of land stewardship, dog work, hits and misses, and challenges faced by new hunters. It's a meandering journey with lots of voices, but some great perspectives offered. Warning: some colorful language is used. Special thanks to Can-Am, BOSS Shotshells, Savage Arms, Gunner Kennels, Matt Morlock, and Dylan Hazen.

Del Whitman is back to help explain shotshell pressures and how to create optimal patterns. Del puts the mystery of shot ballistics into layman's terms, describing how patterns perform and how extreme pressures destroy pattern density and pose risks to fine guns. In response to a listener query, he also digs into the magical properties of TSS and Tungsten alloys, which seem to break all the rules.

After too long a break, the podcast returns solo installment featuring a piece of written work originally published in Skydance Magazine. An essay about Reid's early days as a woodcock hunter is shared in response to some reflection about shooting woodcock, the particular frailty of the species, and the changes faced by a bird hunter as he gets a bit older. As always, rate and review the podcast, and explore more written work at www.reidbryant.com

One for the ages... Reid is joined by Stewart McIntyre, Estate Manager at Loyton Sporting (https://loyton.com/) and winner of the coveted 2023 Purdey Gold Award for Game and Habitat Conservation. Stewart pulls back the curtain and articulates the complexity of British Game Shooting, not only as an industry but as a force for stewardship and conservation. If ever you’ve looked at driven shooting and scratched your head, listen to this podcast. Stewart does a remarkable job explaining just why driven shooting is such a remarkable driver of sustainable land use, and also why it can be misunderstood.

Claire Hall and Jeff Niblette join Reid from far, far away to discuss bird shooting in New Zealand. Both are affiliated with Orvis Endorsed Wingshooting and Fly-fishing Lodge Poronui which offers walked up and driven pheasant hunting on property. Claire, a longtime Poronui staffer, speaks about the place, the region, and the hunting program, while Jeff, Owner of New Zealand Gamebirds, speaks to the shooting experience and the unique shooting culture in New Zealand.

This episode contains mild adult language that may be offensive to some. Dave Brown, owner/operator of Dave Brown Outfitters, joins the podcast to describe the life of a professional wild bird guide. For several decades, Dave has been outfitting fly anglers and bird hunters from the Mexican border into Canada, and his perspective on the guide’s life is informed by years and miles. Dave always brings a unique and considered perspective to issues of conservation, private land access, a nomadic pursuit of the seasons, and a whole lot more.

On this episode of the podcast, Reid provides a quick update, talks about what the season has in store, and reads a short reflection called “Things That Get Away”, first published in Ginkgo Magazine. Recorded on Sept 2, the he bird season has opened in several places across North America. It always sneaks up on us!

Lars Anderson, Sales Customer Service Manager at Crispi US, joins the podcast to discuss all things boot-related. Lars is an avid outdoorsman and hunter who was instrumental in developing Crispi’s upland-specific boot, the Upland Pro. He and Reid discuss Crispi’s rise in the hunting space, the technical aspects of a mountain-style boot, boot care, and break-in, and all that makes Crispi special.

Del Whitman returns to the Podcast to discuss the ways in which gunsmiths finish shotgun butts. He describes different choices and techniques, and further discusses his unique process of selecting, sizing, and fitting a recoil pad

Ben Jones, President and CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society and the American Woodcock Society, joins Reid in a discussion about the great work being done on the ground at RGS, and the work that still needs attention. The duo digs into the work of listening to and coalescing the wants and needs of different groups to the ultimate good of grouse, woodcock, and ecosystems. A great conversation with one of the great voices in conservation. Learn more at https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/