EP. 357: Chasing Mountain and Valley Quail Across the West
From On The Wing Podcast by On The Wing Podcast by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
April 1, 2026 · 1h 16m · Episode 357
About this episode
The episode explores the challenges and strategies of hunting mountain and valley quail across diverse terrains in the West.
One hunter’s relentless quest to chase upland birds across America’s wildest terrain. This conversation dives deep into the reality behind the “upland slam” — not just the birds, but the dogs, the habitat, and the wild game meal at the end of a hunt. Listeners will pick up practical insights on upland bird hunting strategy, from breaking down unfamiliar terrain to identifying productive habitat like timber cuts, chaparral, and sagebrush steppe. There’s a heavy emphasis on how to adapt when things aren’t working, including when to abandon a spot and trust your instincts. The mountain quail hunt brings steep, punishing country into focus, where dog conditioning, physical endurance, and habitat research determine success. Then the conversation shifts to California valley quail hunting with fast action, big coveys, and classic wingshooting. The conversation also takes the listener through chukar and desert quail country as well. Along the way, you’ll hear hard-earned lessons on quail behavior, covey dynamics, shotgun setup, and bird dog performance across wildly different environments. More than anything, it’s a reminder that the pursuit isn’t just about reaching a limit — it’s about…
People in this episode
Host: Hunter Kamm
Topics covered
- upland bird hunting
- quail hunting
- hunting strategy
- dog performance
- habitat research
- covey dynamics
Keywords
- mountain quail
- valley quail
- upland slam
- hunting techniques
- bird dogs
- shotgun setup
- chukar
- desert quail
Sponsors
Purina Pro Plan
More episodes of On The Wing Podcast
- EP. 368: The Role of Bird Dogs in the Future of Hunting and Conservation · June 10, 2026 · 43 min
- EP. 367: Arizona Quail Initiative is Shaping Future of Habitat, Access, Hunting · June 3, 2026 · 1h 0m
- EP. 366: Working on a New Farm Bill and CRP Improvements in D.C. · May 27, 2026 · 39 min
- EP. 365: Trading Habitat Help for Hunting Access · May 20, 2026 · 1h 11m
- EP. 364: Keeping Your Bird Dog Sharp with a Busy Family Life · May 13, 2026 · 55 min
- EP. 363: Hands-On Habitat: Restoring Texas High Plains for Upland Wildlife · May 6, 2026 · 1h 3m
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