#327 | Bird Dogs, Shotgun Fit & Better Shooting: Field-Proven Advice from Del Whitman

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson is joined by Del Whitman, an expert in gun fittings, upland hunting, and training bird dogs. Del shares his experiences working with hunters on gun fittings, his journey with various breeds of bird dogs, and his insights into how training and foundational work are crucial for both dogs and shotguns. They discuss gun maintenance, dog training techniques, and how Del’s approach to both works seamlessly with his professional work and in his hunting adventures. Del Whitman is a master gunsmith, renowned gun fitter, and dedicated upland hunter with decades of hands-on experience. Through his custom-fitting process and deep knowledge of stock design and function, Del has helped hundreds of wingshooters improve their accuracy and comfort in the field. Whether it’s restoring vintage doubles, refining stock dimensions, or offering practical shooting instruction, Del brings a craftsman’s eye and a hunter’s intuition to every aspect of his work. 📍August Gun Fittings at Pine Ridge Grouse Camp Del Whitman will be offering shotgun fittings at Pine Ridge Grouse Camp in Minnesota from August 25th–27th. This is a great opportunity to get your gun dialed in before the season. To check availability or reserve your spot, contact Del directly: 📧 [email protected] 📞 231-632-0845 Expect to Learn The importance of gun fitting for hunters and how it can impact shooting accuracy. Insights on how to properly care for and maintain a shotgun to ensure longevity and reliability. How training techniques like the Hunt Smith Method improve bird dog performance and steadiness. The benefits of using pigeons and launchers for dog training and how they enhance the learning process. The essential role of a good foundation in dog training and how to avoid making common mistakes. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps [00:00:00] - Introduction [00:02:38] - Gun Fitting and the Importance of Proper Stock Fit [00:05:28] - Gun Fitting at Pineridge Grouse Camp [00:17:44] - Dog Training: Lessons and Methods from the Field [00:26:33] - Del keeping Pigeons for years [00:32:30] - Hunt Smith Seminar [00:42:41] - Difference between Oil and Wax [00:51:17] - Leather butt and Recoil Pad [01:05:47] - The Three D’s: Density, Distribution, and Diameter [01:14:08] - Favorite Upland Gun [01:17:13] - Conclusion  Follow the Guest Del: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upland_gunsmith/?hl=en  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitmangunsmithing  Email:  [email protected]  Howard’s Feed-N-Wax: https://www.amazon.com/howards-feed-wax/s?k=howard%E2%80%99s+feed+and+wax  Follow Host Nick: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xnicklarsonx/ Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdshot.podcast/?hl=en 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/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.