In this episode of the Upland Underdog Podcast, Erik and I sit down with my brother-in-law, Jeremy, to talk about his own adventures in hunting. From our recent dove hunt together to him patiently teaching me how to shoot a compound bow for the very first time, this conversation is equal parts stories, laughs, and learning. Whether you’re an experienced outdoorsman or just starting your own hunting journey, this episode is a reminder that growth comes one practice session at a time.

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Hazel’s training journey takes a big turn — we’re no longer going to be driving to Kansas because I found a local trainer. In this episode, I share how that decision came about, what Hazel’s been working on with bird launchers, and how her first couple of sessions have gone.

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Opening day of Dove Season 2025 was a milestone—my first upland hunt. After a quick story about a flat tire on the way to camp (with Erik coming to save the day), I dive into the hunt itself. Erik and I each dropped 10 birds, and his son bagged his very first—making it a day of wins and lasting memories.

We wrapped it all up with dove poppers, bacon-wrapped breast, and plenty of stories from the day's hunt. In this episode, I share the highs, lessons learned, and what it felt like to finally step into the upland tradition I’ve been chasing.

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Erik and Justin go over the gear you need to get into the shooting and hunting world. From skeet vests and shell pouches to the shotguns they carry and the layers that keep them warm in the field. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your kit, you’ll get two guys' opinions on what works. Links & Resources Sponsor: Midwest Stair Company — Missouri-made custom stairs. midweststaircompany.com Website: uplandunderdog.com Video Podcast: Watch on YouTube Instagram: @uplandunderdog

Hazel recently wrapped up her first trip to bird dog training — here’s why I picked her trainer, what she learned, and what I need to work on with her now that she’s home. We cover the training setup, the first live birds, and her reaction to gunfire (spoiler: it didn’t go perfectly).

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Justin and Erik tackle one of the biggest questions in upland hunting — do you really need a bird dog to get started? They share how Justin ended up with Hazel, his Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, and talk through the pros, cons, and realities of hunting with (and without) a dog.

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Justin and Erik kick off Upland Underdog by talking about Justin’s first steps into the hunting world — from first rifles and shotguns to the first hunt they went on together. Yes…this is the very first episode. Links & Resources Sponsor: Midwest Stair Company — Missouri-made custom stairs. midweststaircompany.com Website: uplandunderdog.com Video Podcast: Watch on YouTube Instagram: @uplandunderdog