Birdshot Podcast19 Des 2025

#343 | Shotguns, Shotshells, and Smarter Pheasant Hunting with Phil Bourjaily

In this episode of the Birdshot Podcast, Nick Larson is joined by Phil Bourjaily, Shotgun Editor at Field & Stream and passionate bird hunter. Phil shares insights from his pheasant hunts, discusses the current state of upland bird populations, and offers tips on hunting pheasants with pointing dogs. He also talks about how habitat loss affects bird numbers, the role of public and private land hunting, and how hunting conditions vary season to season. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just getting into upland bird hunting, this conversation offers a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Phil Bourjaily is a Shotgun Editor at Field & Stream, where he covers topics ranging from bird hunting to gun reviews and outdoor traditions. He’s a seasoned upland bird hunter with a wealth of experience hunting pheasants, grouse, and other upland species. His love for bird dogs and his deep understanding of hunting habitats make him a valuable resource for bird hunting enthusiasts.

Expect to Learn

How habitat loss impacts pheasant and quail populations
The importance of public and private land in upland hunting
Tips for hunting pheasants with pointing dogs, especially during late-season hunts
The best weather conditions for pheasant hunting and how snow can affect bird behaviour
The best shotgun set-up for pheasant hunting, including the right gauge and choke combinations
Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

[00:00:00] - Introduction
[00:04:40] - Armadillos
[00:10:29] - Public vs. Private Land Access
[00:16:56] - Short Hairs vs. Other Dogs
[00:24:58] - Zeke's Hunting Behavior - Moving, Tracking, and Following
[00:29:00] - Discussion on Choosing the Right Gauge for Pheasant Hunting
[00:48:05] - Weight and Balance in Pheasant Guns
[00:58:09] - Bismuth Pricing
[01:11:18] - Find More of Phil’s Published Work

Follow the Guest Phil:

Field and Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/phil-bourjaily
Top 10 best shotguns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/outdoor-gear/guns/shotguns/best-pheasant-hunting-shotguns

Follow the Host Nick:

Instagram: @birdshot.podcast
Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com

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.

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(356)

#355 | What 39 Years of Guiding Has Taught Jason Curtis About Bird Dogs

New Brunswick guide Jason Curtis shares what 39 years around grouse, woodcock, and wild birds have taught him about developing young bird dogs. Nick welcomes Jason back to the podcast eight years afte...

24 Jul 1h 11min

#354 | TFL Shotgun Fest 2026: Learn From Hall of Fame Pros

TFL Shotgun Fest 2026 is coming to central Minnesota this July, and this year two shotgun Hall of Famers are teaching the clinics. Steve Gould joins Nick to walk through the whole weekend. On this epi...

10 Jul 1h

#353 | Why 95% of Quail Broods Need Disturbed Ground

Quail habitat is the whole story. Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich spent five years following bobwhite quail across the Midwest, and the data pointed at one thing over and over: disturbed ground grows ...

26 Jun 1h 10min

#352 | Raising the Next One: A Lifetime of Bird Dogs with Steve Snell of Gun Dog Supply

Bird dogs come and go over a hunting life, and every new puppy is a chance to do it better than the last. Fresh off bringing home a new setter pup, Nick Larson sits down with Steve Snell of Gun Dog Su...

12 Jun 1h 23min

#351 | Keith Marcott on Woodcock Covers, Border Crossings, and a Lifetime of Bird Hunting

In this episode of Birdshot Podcast, Nick sits down with Keith Marcott to talk about woodcock hunting, bird travel, and a lifetime spent chasing upland birds across North America and overseas. Keith s...

29 Mai 1h 39min

#350 | From Rucking to Mobility: Practical Fitness for the Upland Hunter

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson sits down with Todd Bumgardner, founder of Pack Mule Training Co., for a deep dive into physical preparation for the uplands. They discuss the...

8 Mai 1h 35min

#349 | Red Dot Sights for Turkey Guns with Greg Maher

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson sits down with Greg Maher of Meadow Creek Mounts for a conversation about the practical shift from traditional beads to optics in the turkey w...

17 Apr 1h 6min

#349 | Southern Bird Hunting: Woodcock, Rails, and the Traditions That Shape It with Patrick Hunter

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson sits down with Patrick Hunter for a laid-back and insightful conversation about upland bird hunting in the Southeast. They dig into everything...

27 Mar 1h 13min