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Birdshot Podcast

#334 | How to Find Sharp-tailed Grouse Using the Right Grass Height and Wind with Tom Carpenter

Birdshot Podcast

Nick Larson

Sports, Wilderness, Hobbies, Nature, Science, Leisure

4.6 • 936 Ratings

🗓️ 3 October 2025

⏱️ 82 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, Nick Larson welcomes Tom Carpenter, aka Carp, back to the show for a discussion on prairie grouse hunting and sharp-tail grouse hunting. Fresh off a couple of hunting trips, Tom shares his expertise and experiences in the Great Plains, hunting sharp-tails, prairie chickens, as well as the unique challenges of these beautiful birds. Carp also reflects on the joy of hunting with dogs and the importance of understanding grassland habitat for both the hunter and the bird. Tom Carpenter, affectionately known as Carp, is a seasoned bird hunter, author, and long-time advocate for prairie grouse. With decades of experience, Tom is passionate about hunting sharp-tails, prairie chickens, and other upland game birds across the Great Plains. He’s spent countless days hunting with his bird dogs and has become a prominent voice in the upland hunting community, especially when it comes to prairie grouse. Expect to Learn Tom's experiences hunting prairie chickens in Minnesota and sharp-tails across the Midwest The best hunting strategies and terrain for finding prairie grouse Insights into managing a bird dog for prairie grouse hunting Tips on dog training during sharptail hunts and what makes prairie grouse hunting unique The importance of native grasses and proper grazing for the sharp-tailed habitatEpisode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction [00:06:18] - Success of hunting prairie chickens [00:10:01] - How prairie chickens differ from other upland birds  [00:14:09] - Difference between ankle-high grass, calf-high grass, and knee-high grass [00:22:15] - Have you ever put a snowberry in your mouth? [00:30:56] - How to train a bird dog [00:39:51] - Popcorn flushing  [00:42:49] - Breakdown of hills and wind direction [00:53:09] - Hunting in thick cover vs thinner hills [01:05:49] - Favorite sharp-tail recipe [01:16:42] -The pheasants forever journal [01:17:40] - Wrapping up the episode Follow the Guest Tom:  Tom as an Editor of Pheasants Forever: https://pheasantsforever.org/Newsroom/2018-April/Changing-of-the-Guard-Pheasants-Forever-Promotes-T.aspx  Company’s Website: https://www.pheasantsforever.org  Company’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pheasantsforever  Company’s Email: [email protected]  Pheasant Hunting (book): https://amzn.to/46JZptD  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

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

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

You subscribe to music, TV, your gym, maybe even your weekly flowers,

1:42.8

so why not your car?

1:44.2

A pivotal car subscription

1:45.6

comes with serious horsepower.

1:47.7

One simple monthly payment puts you

1:49.7

behind the wheel of a range rover or defender

1:51.7

with everything from insurance to servicing

1:54.0

taken care of. No long-term

1:55.7

commitments, no complications.

...

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