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PODCAST · leisure

The Bird Dog Babe

by Courtney Bastian

Join Courtney Bastian as she explores all things Bird Dogs; hunting, training, competing, testing, breeding, nutrition, and health.This podcast also focuses on conservation efforts for birds and public land, ethical and responsible hunting, gear options, and getting more women and children involved in the outdoors.Courtney's intense curiosity drives her to take a vulnerable, honest approach with her guests to provide educational and inspirational content in each episode.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 15, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Episode 099: When One Chapter Ends, Another Begins

    I created this podcast three years ago to find and connect with other women interested in upland hunting and all things bird dogs. I was, and continue to be, eager to learn and be inspired. In the process, I've been listening and understanding what women want. My goals and mission are now focused...

  2. Episode 098: Service, Leadership, and Proven Performance w/Andy & Amanda Doak

    Andy and Amanda Doak live and love all things bird dogs, hunting, conservation, and NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association). For those that have experienced the friendships made through your involvement in NAVHDA, you can relate to this conversation about the personal gain that...

  3. Episode 097: Seniors In The Sage

    In this episode guests Sam 'the slayer' Snyder, Katie Willis, Stephanie Walton Filicipzak, and Chloe Nostrant join me to discuss our hunt with 4 senior bird dogs in the sea of sage this past September. This episode, and this hunt, is a tribute to my dearly beloved, late Bisto, whom we lost this...

  4. Episode 096: Ready To Slay All Day!

    Rachel Willard and her husband, Andrew, rely on wild game meat to fill their freezer and feast on year-round. This year they acquired two bearded baby bird dogs and their active lifestyle has led them to become active volunteers for their local NAVHDA Chapter and avid upland hunters. Rachel…

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  5. Episode 095: Where Ya Been?!

    In this episode my good friend, and frequent guest of the podcast, Katie Willis, joins me as we discuss a crazy summer, all things building HerUpland, future plans, and just some dang good conversation. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt 10:00 All...

  6. Episode 094: AKC's 200th Breed, The Bracco Italiano w/Dr Amanda Inman

    Dr Amanda Inman joins me to discuss one of my favorite bird dog breeds, and the 200th breed to gain AKC recognition, the Bracco Italiano! Amanda is a long time Bracco enthusiast, President of the Bracco Italiano Club of America and a Veterinarian that has made the major health concerns of the…

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  7. Episode 093: Are You 'Upland Ready?'

    Register for 12 week 'Upland Ready Program Dr Kristina Mott and Bill Koepke join me to share our collaborating efforts that created a 12 week program for both people and their dogs, designed specifically to prepare for your hunting adventures this season. A portion of the proceeds from this…

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  8. Episode 092: Pheasant Fest 2022 - Fun, Friends, and Festivities

    In this episode I am joined by 4 awesome ladies throughout the country. For different reasons, each of them traveled to Omaha, NE for Pheasant Fest/Quail Classic March 11-13, an annual convention that is often described as the Super Bowl of Upland Hunting. Whether you're a hunter, landowner, bird...

  9. Episode 091: Lessons Learned w/Amanda Ponti

    Amanda Ponti shares her story of how her German Shorthaired Pointer and German Wirehaired Pointer, along with some welcoming men started her on a journey into upland hunting. She shares some hard lessons learned on that journey, what she's doing now to help other women get started, and how...

  10. Episode 090: Elevate Your Hunt w/Everett Headley

    Everett Headley is an outdoor writer and educator who grew up hunting and fishing in Montana. He is the host of Venery and Veritas Podcast which focuses on the peripherals of hunting; elevating your hunt, wild game, cooking, ethics, conservation, philosophy, controversy and education. In this...

  11. Episode 089: Tips For Rearing Your Own Gamebirds

    It's that time of year when many of us are planning out the amount of gamebirds for this dog training and testing season. Unless you raise and keep your own birds, chances are you're at the mercy of the bird availability of your club or organization. If you have the time and space, rearing chicks...

  12. Episode 88: Paying Attention To Your Body Pre and Post Hunt w/Michelle Dunn

    Michelle Dunn is a massage therapist and owner of True North Massage in Seeley Lake and Missooula, MT. She is also an adult onset hunter and recent graduate of the Montana Master Hunter Program. She joins me today to discuss the benefits of being outdoors and how massage therapy will increase the...

  13. Episode 087: Making A Plan Of Action For The New Year w/Kat Pippitt

    Kat Pippitt leads a busy, yet organized schedule while she and her husband Ethan, continue to growth their business, raise toddlers and focus on personal health. As we kick off the new year, we consider what we have planned for our resolutions. Research shows that 80% of New Year's resolutions…

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  14. Episode 086: Social Media Sway on Dog Decisions w/Kelly Schur

    Social media has become the most common place to buy and sell a puppy, choose a stud dog, breeder, and trainer. Are the marketing skills of breeders and owners taking precedence over pedigree, achievements, temperament, and health screenings? Kelly Schur, a second-generation breeder of merit and...

  15. Episode 085: Late Season in the Uplands

    William and I discuss late season hunting. The weather has changed and the birds have been getting pressured and educated for months. We discuss travel considerations, gear, chokes and shot size, ideal dogs, as well as the cover, diet and behavior different upland species. To share their…

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  16. Episode 084: Defying The Odds - On Winning The National Field Championship w/ Jaelee Schwartz

    Jaelee Schwartz is the owner of Green Gable Gundogs and winner of the 2021 US Open Cocker National Championship. She has been training and competing with Spaniels since she was 8 years old alongside her father, Jeff Schwartz, a professional trainer at Rock River Kennels. Jaelee placed in her…

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  17. Episode 083: Gear and Gift Guide To Help Enhance Your Hunt

    It's that time of year when we are all thinking about Christmas ideas and what would be nice to add to our gear list to enhance next year's hunting season. Since 40% of the listeners of this podcast are men, I wanted to get some input from the guys. So I sit down with my husband William Bastian…

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  18. Episode 082: The Promise To Bird Dog w/Katie Willis

    Katie Willis grew up big game hunting in Montana, then found herself in the wetlands and uplands with the addition of her first bird dog 13 years ago, a German Wirehaired Pointer, affectionately referred to as Bird Dog. BD was there by her side through undergrad and PA school, and during those…

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  19. Episode 081: Grouse Camp? 'Oh Hell No!' w/Lauren Dirkschneider

    Lauren Dirkschneider is an avid marathon runner that sought out a dog breed to be her running partner. She quickly learned her dog needed more than a run, it needed a job. She found herself on an unexpected path into the uplands. This is one of the most raw and detailed discussions I've ever…

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  20. Episode 080: Training With A Purpose w/ Tamara Champagne

    Tamara Champagne has trained dogs for over 20 years for obedience, protection work, tracking, scent detection, IGP, conformation and service dogs.. and six months ago she got her first bird dog, a German Shorthaired Pointer. Her commitment to allowing her dogs to do what they were bred to do, has...

  21. Episode 079: Sporting Lead-Free w/ Hannah Leonard

    Hannah Leonard is the outreach coordinator for Sporting Lead-Free, a collaborative initiative to nationally reduce lead consumed inadvertently by wildlife and people. Hannah is an avid fly fisher and hunter. Her personal encounter with a leaded golden eagle ignited her desire to educate others in...

  22. Episode 078: The Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla w/ Zsofia Miczek

    Zsofia Miczek is the breeder of the World known Zoldmali Wirehaired Vizslas. She is an FCI judge and arguably the most accomplished female dog trainer in Hungary. We discuss her journey in the breed for the past 22 years, training, hunting and testing her dogs in several different countries…

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  23. Episode 077: Creating Ethical, Educated and Effective Hunters w/Sarah Tilt

    Sarah Tilt is the Executive Director of One Montana, an organization that works to create a sustainable and resilient Montana by connecting rural and urban communities.The MT Master Hunter Program provides advanced hunter education that increases skills, competence, ethical behavior and knowledge...

  24. Episode 076: Pass or Fail, You Have The Best Dog w/Bridget Nielsen

    Bridget Nielsen is a professional trainer for all versatile pointing breeds, and is a breeder, owner, trainer and handler of some of the top Vizslas in the country. She expects the Vizsla to have natural pointing instinct, a natural desire to retrieve, and a love of water. Bridget tested three…

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  25. Episode 075: Hunt, Point, Retrieve... Field Trialing and Hunting on the Grouse Moors w/Una Russell

    Una Russell joins us from Scotland to discuss the differences between hunting, training and testing in Scotland vs what we do here in the US. Una recently achieved the esteemed title of a Field Champion on her young German Wirehaired Pointer, Tetley. She describes the characteristics she prefers…

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  26. Episode 074: The Mental Games of Shooting and Hunting w/ Dawn Grant

    Dawn Grant is a mental trainer and hypnotherapist that focuses on the mental games specifically with shooting and hunting. Dawn discusses the importance of being more mindful, calming your mind, body and turning off all of the outside noises to be present when you hunt. The mind games that happen...

  27. Episode 073: Know What's Fueling Your Bird Dog w/Dr Lauren Stump

    Dr Lauren Stump is a veterinarian with Purina and has a passion for canine nutrition. In this episode we discuss the importance of understanding what to look for in a pet food brand, labels, and ingredients. We tackle frequently asked nutrition questions, and appetite concerns. The Bird Dog Babe...

  28. Episode 072: Unleash Your Dog's Potential w/ Alex Brittingham

    Alex Brittingham of 'One Shot Retrievers' has trained and tested many Retrievers through Senior and Master Hunter AKC hunt tests. But when it comes down to choose which dog she wants next to her in the blind and on her bed, she prefers the power, determination and pure grit that's jam packed into...

  29. Episode 071: Creating Opportunities in the Outdoors w/Amy Ray

    Amy Ray is the owner of Sisterhood Outdooors. Amy has been creating opportunities to introduce women to shooting sporting and share outdoor and hunting experiences with them since 2010. Amy shares her story, her why, what she does to help women overcome struggles, and of course I needed to get…

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  30. Episode 070: Contracts, Guarantees and Disputes w/Jen Amundsen

    Jen Amundsen is an attorney and principal at Amundsen Law Firm in Monona, WI. Jen brings her many years of legal experience to all matters affecting you, your companion animals and any related businesses. The Dog Savvy Lawyer discusses common contract disputes, protecting yourself as a breeder…

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  31. Episode 069: The Five Stages of a Bird Dog Owner w/Nancy Anisfield

    Nancy Anisfield is a bird hunter for over 20 years with German Shorthaired Pointers that has hunted in over a dozen stats plus Canadana and Argentina. She's a full-time outdoorwriter specializing in wingshooting and hunting dogs. Nancy explains the 5 stages of being a bird dog owner, as it…

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  32. Episode 068: Speaking "Dog", Not Human w/ Sharon Potter

    Sharon Potter of Red Branch Kennels was mentored by Rick Smith to be a Team Huntsmith Instructor. She trains pointers, retrievers and spaniels, though Chesapeake bay retrievers are her personal breed of choice. She's known to be a trainer that takes on the problem dogs that most others usually...

  33. Episode 067: Choosing A Bird Dog Breeder

    It's exciting when you've finally decided on the ideal bird dog breed for your lifestyle and family. But be patient, waiting months or even years for the right breeder can save you heartache down the road. Take the time to educate yourself about the importance of health testing, socialization,...

  34. Episode 066: Choosing Your Next Bird Dog Breed

    Retrievers, Spaniels and Pointers.. so many breeds to choose from! William and Courtney Bastian breakdown all of the different aspects to consider when trying to decide on your next bird dog breed. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells 10:00 Pointer or a…

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  35. Episode 065: Training All Working Dogs Individually w/Jeff Lemmenes

    Jeff Lemmenes, aka Lumpy of Lumpy's Kennel is one of the best trainers and humans you'll meet. Jeff has trained nearly any type of working dog you can imagine.. pointing breeds, flushers, retrievers, hounds, terriers, you name it. If there's game to be harvested with some dog work, Jeff has most...

  36. Episode 064: Encouraging Women to Train, Test, and Hunt w/Stacy Horst

    Stacy Horst is a great example of the Reactivation component of R3. She grew up hunting everything in Nebraska, then after moving, college, etc she got back into it. And boy did she dive deep into bird dogs! Stacy has trained and tested in three different testing systems, NAVHDA, VDD-GNA, and…

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  37. Episode 063: Get Out of the House and Into the Outdoors w/Jessica White

    Jessica White is founder of Wander Woman Kansas, she has a mission to get women out of the house and into the great outdoors. Whether you're a novice or have expert experience, Jessica provides events, activities, and gatherings that will teach you new techniques and practices in outdoor skills....

  38. Episode 062: Bonding With Your Bird Dog w/Aleah Marcoe

    Aleah Marcoe of Backwater Hunting Dogs in Southeast Nebraska trains and personally hunts and guides with pointing breeds, flushing breeds, and even a Chiweenie. She believes each dog is different and trains as such. Aleah focuses on bonding with each individual dog to get the best out of them.…

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  39. Episode 061: The NAVHDA Invitational Test w/Angie Coenen & Tracy Harmeyer

    Angie Coenen is back and she's joined with Tracy Harmeyer to walk us through all the aspects of the Invitational. The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting and improving the versatile hunting dog. The Invitational is NAVHDA's premier…

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  40. Episode 060: What The Heck Is A Lek? w/ Ken Plourde

    Ken Plourde is an Upland Game Bird Habitat Specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Ken shares his story of getting started in upland hunting, his favorite upland bird species and the bird dogs he pursues them with. Ken dives deep into leks, how understanding them will help hunters, their...

  41. Episode 059: Shed Hunting - Pursuit in the Off Season w/Tierney Rae Schneider

    Tierney and her British Lab Maggie recently won the 2021 North American Shed Hunting Dog Association World Championship. Tierney shares some training tips, and characteristics that ideal shed dogs possess. And it's that time of year, shed hunters are out in abundance right now. This is a fun way…

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  42. Episode 058: Irish Setter - The Aristocratic Bird Dog w/ Kelli Aitken

    Kelli Aitken of Quantonas Irish Setters is the youngest, and one of the few women who is actively breeding and competing in AKC and American Field horseback field trials with field style Irish Setters. Kelli shares her story of how she got started in Irish Setters and where she is now. She also...

  43. Episode 057: The NAVHDA Utility & Utility Prep Tests w/Angie Coenen & Dan Wittman

    Today we are talking all things NAVHDA Utility and Utility Prep Testing withAngie Coenen and Dan Wittman. The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting and improving the versatile hunting dog. The UT and UPT tests are divided into three...

  44. Episode 056: The Urban Uplander w/Melinda Benbow

    Melinda Benbow, the owner and operator of Urban Uplander Pet Care in Indianapolis, joins us to discuss training bird dogs in the city, and how the force free training approach has worked for her. Melinda also shares her experience as a novice running her English Setter, Suge, in her first AKC…

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  45. Episode 055: Providing A Way Forward w/ Kate Ahnstrom

    Kate Ahnstrom is providing a way forward for men, women and youth that have an interest in shooting sports and bird hunting, as a shooting instructor and owner of Virginia Shooting Sports. Kate shares her story about getting into shooting sports and hunting along with advice on finding the ideal...

  46. Episode 054: The NAVHDA Natural Ability Test w/Angie Coenen & Lisa Pehur

    In this episode we are talking all things NAVHDA Natural Ability Test with Angie Coenen and Lisa Pehur. The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting and improving the versatile hunting dog. The natural ability test is for dogs up to 16…

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  47. Episode 053: Talk Turkey To Me! w/ Linda Hinz

    Linda Hinz is a turkey hunting enthusiast that has been pursing gobblers for over 20 years. She is heavily involved with the National Wild Turkey Federation's Women In The Outdoors Program in Wisconsin, where she's hosted an annual 3-day education event for the past 20 years. We discuss the…

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  48. Bonus #6 - Bird Dog eAcademy: Teaching You How To Train Your Bird Dog w/ William Bastian

    Bird Dog eAcademy - New Online Training Courses teaching you how to train your bird dog. In this episode we discuss the first course available, 'The Reliable Retrieve'. An 8 week course with a positive approach, of little to no pressure. A new module is dropped every week, and full support is...

  49. Episode 052: Our Forests. Our Future. w/Ashley Peters

    Ashley Peters is the Director of Communications and Marketing for the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society. She's a conservationist, newer hunter and carries some deep envy for anyone that owns a bird dog. We discuss the current state of Ruffed Grouse, American Woodcock and forest...

  50. Episode 051: Find, Flush, Retrieve w/ Jordan Horak

    Jordan Horak is known as the 'dog whisperer' of Cocker Spaniels and he's the maker of the Cato Board, a training place board for all breeds of dogs. Jordan discusses the training differences between Pointers and Spaniels, males vs females, and why that extra x chromosome is superior, eh I mean...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Join Courtney Bastian as she explores all things Bird Dogs; hunting, training, competing, testing, breeding, nutrition, and health.This podcast also focuses on conservation efforts for birds and public land, ethical and responsible hunting, gear options, and getting more women and children involved in the outdoors.Courtney's intense curiosity drives her to take a vulnerable, honest approach with her guests to provide educational and inspirational content in each episode.

HOSTED BY

Courtney Bastian

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Bird Dog Babe have?

The Bird Dog Babe currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Bird Dog Babe about?

Join Courtney Bastian as she explores all things Bird Dogs; hunting, training, competing, testing, breeding, nutrition, and health.This podcast also focuses on conservation efforts for birds and public land, ethical and responsible hunting, gear options, and getting more women and children involved...

How often does The Bird Dog Babe release new episodes?

The Bird Dog Babe has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Bird Dog Babe?

You can listen to The Bird Dog Babe on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Bird Dog Babe?

The Bird Dog Babe is created and hosted by Courtney Bastian.
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