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

Birdshot Podcast

Nick Larson

Sports, Wilderness, Hobbies, Nature, Science, Leisure

4.6 • 936 Ratings

🗓️ 19 September 2025

⏱️ 83 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | 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: [email protected] 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/ 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.
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0:47.3	Download the hunt app today and know where you stand with OnX Hunt.
0:52.9	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.
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	...

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