#333 | Lessons and Observations from a Lifetime in the Uplands with Mark Reese

Birdshot Podcast

Nick Larson

Leisure, Science, Sports, Nature, Hobbies, Wilderness

4.8 • 971 Ratings

🗓️ 19 September 2025

⏱️ 78 minutes

🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of the Birdshot Podcast, Nick Larson sits down with long-time bird hunter and habitat advocate Mark Reese. With decades of upland hunting experience under his belt, Mark shares deep insights on the connection between habitat work, grouse populations, and the broader hunting community. The conversation flows from hunting stories to conservation, mentorship, and how the uplands have shaped his life. Mark Reese is a passionate grouse hunter, conservation volunteer, and advocate for habitat improvement. Though not a biologist by profession, Mark has spent years in the woods doing hands-on habitat work and mentoring younger hunters. His experience spans generations of bird dogs, changing landscapes, and a deep love for the culture of grouse hunting. Mark’s voice is that of the everyday uplander who shows up, gets his boots dirty, and leads by example. Expect to Learn: What keeps a lifelong grouse hunter like Mark passionate after decades in the woods. How habitat work directly affects grouse populations and hunting opportunities. Mark’s personal history with upland hunting and what’s changed over the years. The role of volunteers and mentorship in sustaining the upland hunting community. Why bird dogs are central to the upland experience, and the stories they create. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps [00:00:00] - Introduction. [00:04:46] - A Good Ol' Fashioned Dove Hunt [00:08:35] - Meadowlarks to train dogs [00:17:23] - Trapping Season [00:22:33] - Journey of hunting and Fishing [00:36:08] - Training Dogs: Exposure vs. Specific Techniques [00:40:38] - Changes in Grouse Hunting Habitat Observations and Speculations [00:55:26] - Developing Dogs with Wild Birds and Minimal Training [01:12:08] - Escaping Distractions and the Joy of Reading a Book [01:17:17] - Closing Remarks and how to connect with Mark Follow the Guest Mark: Email: mybirddogs@yahoo.com Contact: (606) 723-1275 A Life’s Journey Outdoors: https://a.co/d/iJRtAm9 Kentucky Book Festival: https://kybookfestival.org/featured-author/mark-reese/#Author 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/birdshot Use 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/

Transcript

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0:00.0	What's your basic method for starting a pup? And maybe more importantly, what do you enjoy so much about it?
0:04.7	I read Pointin' Dog Journal. I think sometimes those articles scare people to death. What you're supposed to do to train and this, that, and the other. I think they make it a whole lot more complicated than it really is. I mean, I've seen dogs that I think are overtrained. I've seen dogs that have been shocked too many times, and everybody's got their own method of training. I feel like I don't have to be super hands-on. Very rarely I'm actually even using the electronic simulation. It's mostly just talking to my dogs and staying connected with them, and the GPS is real helpful for that. Reading some of Ben Williams' stuff, he had a statement that I've always kept in my mind, and that is, leave all the dog in the dog.
0:39.5	Do you feel like there's a lot less of the right kind of habitat?
0:42.6	What are the major things you've seen change, if anything?
0:45.0	I will say this.
0:45.7	It's harder around Kentucky now that it used to be.
0:48.3	It's harder to find birds, wild birds.
1:03.0	I'm going to... wild birds Really? Really? Good girl, sweet.
1:17.4	That's a big bird.
1:23.6	Wow.
1:26.6	Hey, everyone. Nick Larson here, host of the Birdshot podcast, the show that brings you
1:31.0	conversations, stories, and traditions from all across the uplands.
1:35.0	The Birdshot podcast is presented by Onyx Hunt and supported by folks just like you via
1:39.6	our Patreon community.
1:41.2	If you want to stay up to date and not miss any of our upcoming episodes, be sure to
1:44.6	subscribe and follow the show in your podcast player or on YouTube wherever you're listening
1:48.5	or watching today.
1:49.5	Tap that button for me.
1:50.6	Thank you for doing so.
1:51.8	And with that said, let's get into today's conversation on the Birdshot podcast.
2:28.0	Thank you. All right. and we are on the Birdshot podcast, and today is my pleasure to be joined by Mark Reese all the way from Kentucky, right?
2:28.9	Yes, sir.
	...

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