#338 | How A Bird Dog Transformed This Big Game Hunter into an Upland Obsessive with Brad Trumbo

Birdshot Podcast

Nick Larson

Leisure, Science, Sports, Nature, Hobbies, Wilderness

4.8 • 971 Ratings

🗓️ 7 November 2025

⏱️ 67 minutes

🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson sits down with Brad Trumbo, business owner at Palouse Upland Media. Brad shares his journey from big-game hunting in the East to his deep love for upland bird hunting in the West. They discuss the unique landscapes of Eastern Washington, the challenges of hunting various upland birds, and Brad’s approach to bird dogs and land management. Brad Trumbo: A biologist, bird hunter, and author, Brad's experience spans from fish passage research to working in public land management. His passion for upland hunting, especially in the Palouse, has inspired him to write about both the birds and landscapes he loves. Expect to Learn: How Brad transitioned from big-game hunting to upland birds Insights into hunting in the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho The challenges of hunting valley quail, pheasant, and Hungarian partridge Brad’s approach to bird dog training and management How to understand and enjoy the landscapes while hunting Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Podcast Introduction and Welcoming Brad Trumbo [00:02:53] - Defining the Palouse Region's Landscape and Ecology [00:04:03] - Brad's Path from Biology and Fisheries to Upland Hunting [00:06:25] - The Transition from Big Game to a Passion for Bird Hunting [00:07:01] - The Story Behind Getting the First Bird Dog [00:08:59] - On Dog Breeds, Aging, and Adapting Hunts for Senior Dogs [00:15:35] - Breakdown of Washington's Upland Bird Seasons [00:21:17] - A Hunting Anecdote: The Giant Whitetail and the Covey of Huns [00:23:06] - The Challenges of Archery and Ethical Hunting Considerations [00:28:30] - How a Dog's Health Issue Catalyzed a Writing Career [00:31:57] - The Journey to Publishing "Wing Shooting the Palouse" [00:34:03] - Blending Natural History and Personal Narrative in Writing [00:39:50] - Habitat and Strategies for Hunting Western Ruffed Grouse [00:44:10] - Hunting for the Love of Landscape Over Bird Tally [00:54:20] - Public Land Access and Hunter Programs in Washington [01:02:10] - The Appeal of Covey Birds and Hunting Valley Quail Follow the Guest Brad Trumbo: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tailfeathers_upland/ Website: https://bradtrumbo.com/ Follow the 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/

Transcript

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0:00.0	I was fortunate enough to be born into a fishing and hunting family, so I got started
0:04.3	when I was in diapers. My wife, she decided that we needed a bird dog. About the time my dogs
0:09.5	hit three years old is when I decided that big game hunting was nice to do, but bird hunting was a
0:14.9	requirement. That's when I really put the big game on the back burner and started chasing birds
0:19.0	a lot more. Your big game hunter, you get the bird dog, clearly get the itch.
0:22.6	When did the writing get mixed in?
0:23.6	I never thought about publishing anything until I started bird hunting.
0:27.6	My middle dog Yuba was the catalyst for it.
0:30.6	She was born with very severe hip dysplasia.
0:33.6	We had some issues with a breeder and trying to talk about the breeders' guarantee,
0:39.3	basically how that breeder treated us and kind of told us that it was our fault that dog ended up that way.
0:45.3	So when I realized just how well the information sharing worked out, and one thing just led to another,
0:50.3	it's like I'm already writing stories about bird hunting.
0:52.3	I tried to not miss an opportunity to ask Western rough grouse hunters about Western rough grouse cover.
1:00.2	So talk to me a little bit about sort of an ideal place where you're looking for rough grouse.
1:05.2	That's a good question.
1:10.1	Music Come here me Good girl, sweetie. That's a big bird.
1:39.3	Wow.
1:42.2	Hey everyone. Nick Larson here, host of the Birdshot podcast, the show that brings you conversations, stories, and traditions from all across the uplands.
1:50.7	The Birdshot podcast is presented by Onyx Hunt and supported by folks just like you via our Patreon community.
1:56.9	If you want to stay up to date and not miss any of our upcoming episodes, be sure to subscribe and follow the show in your podcast player or on YouTube wherever you're listening or watching today.
2:05.1	Tap that button for me.
	...

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