On The Wing Podcast

As Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever celebrate Grasslands Week and Pollinator Week, this conversation explores the critical relationship between healthy habitat, thriving pollinator populations, and strong upland bird numbers. From pheasant chicks and bobwhite quail to Gambel's quail and prairie grouse, the insects supported by flowering plants provide the protein young birds need to survive and grow.Habitat Education Programs Manager Marissa Jensen joins former PF & QF’s Southwest Regional Representative Lauren Stamm to discuss why pollinator habitat and brood habitat are exactly one and the same. The conversation also heads into the desert, where Lauren shares her passion for hunting, foraging, and creating wild game meals inspired by the landscapes she hunts.Listeners will learn how prickly pear fruit supports desert wildlife, why Gambel's quail depend on these unique ecosystems, and how to turn wild-foraged prickly pear into a simple syrup that pairs perfectly with grilled quail. Along the way, the discussion explores conservation, public lands, raising the next generation of hunters, and the lessons children learn through time spent outdoors.Whether you're passionate about upland bird hunting, bird dogs, pollinators, habitat conservation, wild game cooking, or simply becoming a more connected outdoors enthusiast, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the landscapes that sustain both wildlife and hunters.Follow the show for weekly conversations about hunting, conservation, bird dogs, and upland birds.Show notesHelp Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make a positive impact for the birds, the bees, and people by becoming a PF member at www.PheasantsForever.org/join and/or a QF member at www.QuailForever.org/join.On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

Each February, Charleston, South Carolina becomes the center of Southern sporting culture, and this conversation explains why the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) has earned that reputation. From quail hunting traditions to world-class sporting art and bird dogs on every corner, SEWE is where upland culture, quail habitat conservation, and delicious food collide. This year, SEWE takes place from February 13-15, 2026.Listeners will hear about the attractions within Quail Forever’s “Quail Classic” at SEWE’s Brittlebank Park, why downtown galleries matter just as much as gear booths, and how hunters, bird dog lovers, conservationists, and families all find their place across multiple venues taking over the entire city of Charleston.There’s a practical side as well. The conversation digs into QF’s quail habitat efforts and how organizations like Quail Forever connect landowners with biologists for real, on the ground results. You’ll learn why SEWE matters for the future of quail hunting in the Southeast, and how QF’s raffles, volunteers, and local chapters turn culture into conservation.Savory dishes round out the picture. Lowcountry boils, fresh oysters, shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and whole hog barbecues are as much a part of the weekend as bird dogs and shotguns. And if you’ve ever wondered why Boykin Spaniels seem to outnumber people in Charleston during SEWE, there’s an answer for that too.This is an insider’s look at a weekend that blends hunting heritage, modern conservation, and Southern hospitality into something bigger than an event.Show notesRead QF Editor Ryan’s Sparks “The South’s Upland Showcase” about Quail Forever’s Quail Classic attractions at SEWE.Get your raffle tickets for a Polaris Ranger 570 with proceeds supporting Quail Forever’s wildlife habitat mission.Get your tickets for Quail Forever’s SEWE VIP Social hosted by SC Quail Forever at Groovers Listening Bar in Charleston on Saturday, February 15, 2026.Learn more about SEWE at www.SEWE.com.Special THANK YOU to Quail Forever’s SEWE partners atonX HuntBird BuggyAlabama Black Belt AdventuresPurina Pro PlanDiscover Thomasville GeorgiaSouthwind PlantationJohn Kohler AssociatesKolpin OutdoorsPolarisIrish SetterTurtleBoxOrvisUse the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership to plan your next bird hunting adventure.On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

Kansas has a reputation in upland circles, and for good reason. Wide-open spaces, rolling grasslands, and the promise of bobwhite coveys and cackling roosters tucked into classic bird country. On this year’s Rooster Road Trip, that promise got tested repeatedly.Mika Rezac, PF & QF’s regional representative from Kansas, joins the crew with her pack of outstanding Labs and English setter. In fact, she brings her secret weapon along, Spade the “LabraDwarf.” Through hearty laughter, Rezac talks about the state’s bird populations, upcoming conservation legislation, and how she helps PF & QF chapter volunteers maximize their relevancy. From woody encroachment and grassland loss, our final day’s hunt turns into a boots-on-the-ground lesson in why wild bird populations are in need of the upland community’s help.This episode digs into what Kansas’ upland country really looks like in 2025, how management decisions ripple across landscapes, and why hunters have a responsibility to understand habitat—not just hunt it. This year’s Rooster Road Trip didn’t go as planned, but it delivered exactly what it was supposed to: perspective.Show notesCheck out all of our Rooster Road Trip content at www.RoosterRoadTrip.org.Participate in our first-ever Rooster Road Trip Raffle for your chance to take home the gear utilized by this year’s hunters.Follow @spade_the_labradwarf on Instagram.Use the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership to plan your next bird hunting adventure.On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

Some days test your legs, dogs, patience, and purpose, but they also teach the deepest lessons.Rooster Road Trip rolls through Kansas with a hard-earned reminder: not every day in bird country goes as planned. In this episode, the crew dives into the realities of public land pheasant and quail hunting, long miles, tough habitat conditions, and the discipline required to keep scouting when the habitat isn’t there and the birds aren’t cooperating.From navigating Kansas WIHA parcels to reading drought-stressed grasslands, listeners will hear practical lessons on evaluating upland habitat, knowing when to walk away, and why time behind the windshield can matter more than time behind the shotgun. The conversation blends boots-on-the-ground hunting strategy with honest reflections on habitat variability and the difference good grass makes for bobwhite quail and ringneck pheasants.The episode also explores the emotional side of bird hunting: honoring great bird dogs, appreciating fleeting moments on point, and understanding how conservation work—like fighting cedar encroachment and restoring grasslands—directly impacts the hunts we care about. You’ll come away with sharper public land scouting instincts, a deeper respect for habitat management, and renewed motivation to keep chasing wild birds even on the grind-it-out days.This is an insider look at upland hunting as it really happens, equal parts frustration, persistence, conservation, and reward.Show notesCheck out all of our Rooster Road Trip content at www.RoosterRoadTrip.org.Check out our first-ever Rooster Road Trip Raffle for your chance to take home the gear utilized by this year’s hunters. Learn more about the “Green Glacier” and it’s negative impact on habitat and bird hunting by listening to On the Wing episode #310. Use the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership to plan your next bird hunting adventure. On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.