You'll need a moment after all the wisdom coming from this Pheasant Fest interview. First, Ronnie and Susanna Smith on puppy development, behavioral tips and tricks to maximize performance for your bird dog. Then, Tom Dokken explains control, solves your training problems and discusses praise in all its dimensions.

"Fix It" helps keep your dog's boredom at bay, and listeners tell us what they're changing among their gear.

It's your last chance to win a four-pack of Pointer shotguns or HiViz sight in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Because I need all the help I can get, I've studied shotgun shooting with some of the best. Their wisdom is best consumed in a lesson with them, but until then I've distilled it into a series of check lists - a flow chart - with basic steps you can take to connect on more shots. Somewhere in these dozens of suggestions may be one that puts another bird in the bag for you this coming season.

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Pointer Shotguns' FurFeathersFriends sweepstakes - win a four-pack of shotguns.

[Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.)

From Reno, Nevada to Kansas City, we venture into the minds of two industry leaders: Brent Pike, founder of Pyke Gear, and Andy McCormick, president of Legacy Sports and Pointer Shotguns. We'll learn why and how Pyke Gear is designed and what's coming in the future. McCormick will give us a tour of the new FT12 semi-auto shotgun and relate some hunting stories as well as gun care tips.

Listeners offer hunting tips and tactics and "Fix It" suggests limiting your shots for more success.

You get a chance to win a four-pack of Pointer shotguns or HiViz sight in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Yep, a two-fer! A bird-hunting power couple if you ever saw one, president Marilyn provides insights and news from Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, conservation advice and some hunting tips. Clyde, probably the winningest NAVHDA trainer, offers advice on everything from picking a pup to steadiness training and everything in between. He shares hunting tactics too.

"Fix It" has some surrogates for live birds when training steadiness; listeners offer their single-sentence advice for new (and seasoned) dog trainers.

You get a chance to win a four-pack of Pointer shotguns and a HivViz sight in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, MidwayUSA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

Come along on a journey, with input from many listeners and readers, on the lessons we've learned. Sometimes later than sooner, but all apply this coming season.

We'll also touch on a few practical aspects you'll want to consider, lessons learned the hard way so you don't have to.

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems (10% off use promo code CG10) and Sage & Braker.

"High intensity" is how author and passionate chukar hunter describes his chosen sport. He should know, he's been doing it long enough to acquire a unique perspective and plenty of wisdom which he shares with us all. He's the author of A Chukar Hunter's Companion, the definitive book on the topic, and roams the high desert all season in search of, well, listen for yourself if you're in need of motivation or inspiration.

We'll explore his past season, the reasons for strong bird populations, and his "Laws of Chukar Physics," rules to live - and hunt - by. We'll talk best habitat, strategy for handling dogs and birds, and where snow fits into the equation. Pat offers how-to tips and tactics on dog care and training, what birds do on the flush, and more.

"Fix It" covers an old-school data source for wild bird hunters in search of more access; and listeners have a spirited debate on the merits and downsides of "force training" a dog to retrieve ... with some fascinating viewpoints that could change your mind.

You get a chance to win a HiViz sight or four-pack of Pointer shotguns in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, MidwayUSA, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

My friend Eric Thompson moved to Montana for one thing: bird hunting. We benefit from his experiences since, with advice on finding new places to hunt, and a few strategies and tactics for the field. We learn about the highs and lows of owning - and losing - dogs, and how to help newcomers explore our sport.

We'll debrief Eric's past season in multiple states, with some highlights and a few stories. "Fix It" has an unusual source of new hunting spots, and readers thank their bird-hunting and dog-training mentors.

You get a chance to win a four-pack of Pointer shotguns or HiViz sight and a range bag from Sage & Braker (value over $200 total) in our furfeathersfriends.com sweepstakes, but only if you listen and know the Word of the Week.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

"It ain't over 'til it's over" ... so said baseball player-philosopher Yogi Berra. It's true in bird hunting, too. Once your dog stands a bird, there are a lot of things you can do right - or wrong - to conclude the transaction successfully with a bird on the ground. It's what you want, but just as important, it's what your dog wants, isn't it?

I'll cover five places in the hunt (okay, one is before the hunt) when doing something differently - better - ups your odds. From hardware, to human software, handling to shooting, these lessons I learned the hard way may help you.

Insider editions are brought to you by CableGangz tie-out systems and Purina Pro Plan Sport dog food.

[Take 10% off your next order at CableGangz.com with the promo code CG10.)