WFS 373 – Upland Bird Hunting with Nick Larson – Grouse, Birdshot Podcast

Show Notes: wetflyswing.com/373

Presented By: FishHound Expeditions, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Range Meal Bars, Angler’s Coffee

Sponsors: wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Nick Larson, Host of the Birdshot Podcast, gives us a bird hunting 101 today. We break down the types of birds you can target, where to find them, and their differences in behavior. He tells us what is the best shotgun to get started with, some useful tips to maintain your composure while shooting, and which gun to get next as you become a more experienced hunter. 

We discover how to hunt birds with or without dogs and how OnX maps change the game for upland bird hunting. Nick also shares the story of how he started his podcast which was not far from when we started our podcast too.

Upland Bird Hunting Show Notes with Nick Larson

04:30 – Nick Larson’s got a podcast – Birdshot Podcast

05:20 – Nick used to hunt upland birds without a dog – he tells us how dogs change the game

06:40 – Nick mentioned our episode with Terry Kluke at WFS 356 where we covered fly fishing and hunting in Ontario. Nick fished a lot in Ontario.

08:45 – They’ve got sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse, pheasants, wood cock, prairie chickens, and spruced grouse

10:30 – Nick tells us how to get started with hunting – google a bird species and the state you’re in, for ex: ruffed grouse Minnesota. Make sure you secure a hunting license from DNR and pay attention to the state rules and limits. Ruffed Grouse Management Area is a good resource to learn more about ruffed grouse hunting in Minnesota.

16:15 – Ruffed grouse season starts mid-September in Minnesota

18:20 – The best month to hunt grouse is the last 2 weeks of October and the first 2 weeks of November

20:15 – Nick has a friend with a grouse camp in Minnesota – Pineridge Grouse Camp

20:50 – Their firearms dear season usually starts the first Saturday of November

22:45 – Nick’s got a hunt coming up in North Dakota and will primarily hunt sharp-tailed grouse

23:30 – Another bonus bird that they get a chance to hunt is the Hungarian Partridge – a non-native species

35:45 – Tip for sharp-tailed grouse: If your dog is on point, you’re walking in and a bird flushes, keep walking until you see the group of birds. Don’t shoot right away.

39:40 – Wingshooting is a term that is used as a broader term to include Waterfowl hunting or Dove hunting. Upland hunting generally refers to the upland game birds which are grouse, quail, pheasants, or Hungarian partridge, etc.

42:25 – Nick works for Upland Gun Company and they sell a very specific kind of gun. He doesn’t recommend their gun if you’re just getting started with hunting.

44:15 – He recommends a Remington 870 Express for beginners

45:50 – Nick likes a double gun, also known as an over/under, side by side, or a break-action gun. He tells us why.

48:10 – A 12-gauge gun is more common for all upland bird hunters but the more avid upland bird hunter uses a 20-gauge

51:20 – Their guns are made to order and the price starts at $2000

55:24 – Tip: Relax and maintain composure when you see a bird. You got more time than you think.

1:01:10 – Practice shooting at sporting clays

1:06:50 – Nick launched his podcast in September 2017. It used to be called, Project Upland and was only recently changed to Birdshot Podcast.

1:19:10 – OnX Hunt sponsors their podcast. They change the game big time for hunting.

Show Notes: wetflyswing.com/373