Episode 19 - Frog Gigging Secrets and Shotgun Practice Before Hunting Season

Summer nights hold unforgettable hunts and shotgun lessons every wingshooter should experience at least once. Field & Stream’s Will Brantley and Phil Bourjaily share two timeless outdoor traditions that deserve a place on every hunter’s summer calendar. From slipping quietly along pond banks in search of trophy bullfrogs to sharpening wing-shooting skills before dove season, this conversation is packed with practical advice and memorable stories. Brantley breaks down the art of frog gigging, including how to locate productive ponds, choose the right gear, stalk wary bullfrogs, and decide when a frog is worth taking. Along the way, he shares why fried frog legs rank among his favorite wild game meals and reflects on passing the tradition to the next generation of hunters. Then shotgun expert Phil Bourjaily explains how trap, skeet, and sporting clays each prepare hunters for the field. Learn which target game best simulates upland bird hunting, waterfowl hunting, and dove hunting, plus common shooting mistakes, choosing your first target shotgun, and why summer range sessions pay dividends when opening day arrives. The show wraps with one of Field & Stream's funniest campfire stories as Brantley reads the unforgettable tale of frog gigging in his Aunt Tanya's infamous "shit pond," proving that some hunting memories only get better with time. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices