#332 | Hunting and Researching Upland Birds on Working Western Landscapes with Dave Dahlgren

Birdshot Podcast

Nick Larson

Sports, Wilderness, Hobbies, Nature, Science, Leisure

4.6 • 936 Ratings

🗓️ 12 September 2025

⏱️ 111 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson discusses the world of grouse research, wildlife conservation, and the use of pointing dogs in citizen science. We explore how upland bird hunters and scientists can work together to collect data, and how David has been at the forefront of using dogs and technology to study sage grouse and other upland birds David Dahlgren is an Associate Professor and Rangeland Wildlife Extension Specialist at the University of Utah. His research focuses on upland game bird species, particularly sage grouse and dusky grouse, as well as wildlife management on rangelands. With over 20 years of experience in the field, David combines his passion for upland bird hunting with cutting-edge research, including the use of pointing dogs in citizen science projects. He’s also the creator of the Western Range Ranch Management Academy, which teaches ranchers how to balance wildlife conservation with livestock management. Expect to Learn How pointing dogs contribute to wildlife research and citizen science projects. The importance of sagebrush cover for the persistence of sage grouse populations. Insights into livestock grazing and its surprising benefits for wildlife conservation. The value of dog work in tracking and understanding grouse behavior. The integration of technology in Wildlife Studies. David’s personal favorite bird species to hunt and his experiences with Mearns quail, chukars, and more. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps [00:00:00] - Introduction [00:04:54] - Different Kinds of Dogs [00:17:40] - David’s Background and how it relates to Upland Birds [00:34:40] - What is meant by Sagebrush Steppe [00:49:30] - The Biggest Threats for Sagebrush [00:58:29] - Understanding sage grouse habitat [01:04:43] - Benefits of using Dogs in Science [01:28:08] - Learning from 20 Years of Studying Grazing [01:43:20] - David’s Favorite Shotgun [01:45:51] - Conclusion Follow the Guest David: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkdbio/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dahlgren-0b9004b7/ Rangeland Wildlife Ecology and Conservation open access link https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-34037-6 Western Ranch Management Academy website https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-34037-6 Faculty webpage https://qanr.usu.edu/directory/dahlgren-david Follow Host Nick: Instagram: @birdshot.podcast Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@birdshot.podcast SUPPORT | http://www.patreon.com/birdshotUse Promo Code | BSP20 to save 20% on https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app Use Promo Code | BS10 to save 10% on https://trulockchokes.com/ The Birdshot Podcast is Presented By: https://www.onxmaps.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	One of my favorite things about hunting sharp-tailed grouse is hunting the topography. And one of the best ways I have found to do that more effectively and efficiently is with Onyx Hunt's 3D map view. The next time you're scouting from your living room, the roadside, or when you're in the field hunting it, fire up the Onyx Hunt app and turn on the 3D map view to get an up close and in detail look at the topography of any piece of property.
0:22.8	Whether it's a gentle, rolling piece of terrain or a truly elevated and mountainous landscape,
0:27.4	you can use the exaggeration slider to fine-tune your view and highlight the topographical features you're looking for.
0:33.5	From benches to bowls to draws and drainagees, get a clear picture and develop a strategy for you and your bird dog to work the terrain and hunt the topography with on X hunt
0:42.4	Use the promo code BSP20 to save 20% on your next subscription
0:47.0	Download the hunt app today and know where you stand with on X hunt
0:52.8	When it comes to shotguns, it seems every upland bird hunter has a slightly different vision
0:57.4	of what their ideal wing shooting shotgun is, which is exactly the kind of thinking we welcome
1:01.9	and encourage at Upland Gun Company.
1:04.1	Every Upland-G company gun is handcrafted and finished by RFM in Italy.
1:08.7	With quality components and expert craftsmanship, your Upland-Gun Company shotgun is built to your standard, both functionally and aesthetically. From choosing the barrel length, grip style, trigger setup, engraving options, and even selecting the piece of wood used on your shotgun, you truly are limited only by your imagination. And with included custom stock dimensions, you can be sure your Upland Gun Company shotgun will shoot just as well as it looks and feels.
1:30.7	Head over to Uplandguncom and try out our web and 3D gun builders
1:34.6	to begin crafting your ideal Upland shotgun today.
1:38.2	I've learned as much from the bird dogs as I have from doing telemetry.
1:41.8	You know how to read a dog.
1:43.1	They offer so much in terms of just my understanding of behavior and other things going on with the grouse. Every species has its own feeling when you're hunting it. Like when I'm hunting bobs, it's so relaxing and just calm and easygoing. You know, when you're hunting chuck, you're like in a battlefield. If you could draw a comparison for me here, what is the sweet spot for sage grouse? The key to sage grouse is sagebrush cover. We call it the one-quarter, one-half, two-thirds rule. From zero to 25 percent, you've lost your sage grouse. That lack is no longer persisting. What are right now today the biggest threat to maintaining that sagebrush? If you're in the Great Basin, the biggest issue is fire.
2:19.5	And it's really fires relationship with cheek grass.
2:22.4	You've been doing this for 20 years.
2:24.0	What are some key takeaways insights?
2:26.6	What have we learned from 20 years of this study?
2:28.3	If I sum up a lot here. Really? Really? Really? Good girl, sweetie. That's a big bird.
3:03.6	Wow.
	...

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