Upland Birds

For many hunters, the Sept. 1 dove opener signals the official beginning of fall. A vision of a wide field ringed with orange caps flashes across the mind’s eye. Retrievers rush for downed doves, and shots echo off the leaves of trees just starting to turn color. For those of us not fortunate enough...

This audio is an excerpt from one of 16 harrowing tales featured in "MeatEater's Campfire Stories: Close Calls." In the audio book, you'll hear from seasoned hunters, anglers, and outdoor professionals who share their tales of perilous adventures in the natural world, from run-ins with black bears...

There’s no better window into a dog’s soul than its tail. Wagging, rigid, quivering, or tucked, each manifestation of this expressive appendage conveys the extensive vocabulary of canine nonverbal communication. Like a hand of cards tipped towards the poker table, there’s no mistaking a dog’s intent...

A well-fitted, reliable shooting iron can greatly enhance your enjoyment in the field. But with the mountain of manufacturers, gauges, and finishes available, how does one go about selecting the ultimate upland shotgun? I’ve met two kinds of bird hunters: those who can’t possibly own enough shotguns...

While I love chasing pheasants in October, I secretly long for the shorter, colder days after Thanksgiving when birds are bunched up. There’s just something about flushing groups of roosters from thick cover while fewer hunters are afield. The reality is that most folks just don’t know how good...

When the gun smoke settles and the bird is in hand, I often find myself staring at the intricate patterns and surreal colors that enrobe our avian prey. It pains me to sit on the bank of the river plucking beauty from skin only to watch the plumage float away into the void. Bringing those feathers...

Bird dog optimism always runs high leading up to the waterfowl or pheasant opener. But, by this time of the year, reality has likely poured water on that fire and hope given way to frustration about your dog’s performance. This is often the case with young and middle-aged dogs, with the seasoned...

Pheasant hunting requires less gear than other outdoor pursuits, and as a result, many hunters make the mistake of believing it doesn’t require as much strategy either. In fact, most hunters think there are only a few rules to pheasant hunting—walk into the wind, follow the dog, don’t shoot hens...

In the upland world, pheasants are regarded as the easiest bird to shoot. Their profile is larger than most upland quarry and their flight plan is measured and predictable. And because they prefer grass over trees, line of sight usually isn’t as much of an issue as with other winged game. But...

Table scraps have defined our species’ close bond with dogs for millennia. I’d comfortably go so far as to suggest that handouts from early humans might have attracted those first curious canines to our encampments. In short order, they learned we’re messy eaters as well as hopeless suckers for the...

NFL quarterback Colt McCoy telling you “sweet catch” after scoring a touchdown is cool. NFL quarterback Colt McCoy telling you “sweet catch” after nabbing a flying quail is cooler. In this week’s viral video, Matt Carter, a pastor from Texas, catches a flushed quail that flies right at him. Although...