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

Birdshot Podcast

Nick Larson

Sports, Wilderness, Hobbies, Nature, Science, Leisure

4.6 • 936 Ratings

🗓️ 7 November 2025

⏱️ 71 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | 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/ 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.
0:22.6	Whether it's a gentle, rolling piece of terrain or a truly elevated and mountainous landscape,
0:26.6	you can use the exaggeration slider to fine-tune your view and highlight the topographical features you're looking for.
0:33.6	From benches to bowls to draws and drainage, 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 know where you stand with onex 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 with quality
1:09.0	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
1:27.7	Gun Company shotgun will shoot just as well as it looks and feels. Head over to Uplandguncom
1:32.0	and try out our web and 3D gun builders to begin crafting your ideal Upland shotgun today.
1:37.9	I was fortunate enough to be born into a fishing and hunting family, so I got started when I was in
1:43.3	diapers. My wife, she decided
1:45.2	that we needed a bird dog. About the time my dogs hit three years old is when I decided that
1:50.5	big game hunting was nice to do, but bird hunting was a requirement. That's when I really put the
1:55.0	big game on the back burner and started chasing birds a lot more. Your big game hunter, you get the
1:59.2	bird dog, clearly get the itch. When did the writing get mixed in?
2:02.6	I never thought about publishing anything until I started bird hunting.
2:06.6	My middle dog Yuba was the catalyst for it.
2:08.6	She was born with very severe hip dysplasia.
	...

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