Upland Underdog

In this episode, Erik and I bring on our neighbor Eric—an avid duck hunter—to school us on all things waterfowl. Since we haven’t hunted ducks yet, we fire off the rookie questions: How do you even run a call without sounding like a dying kazoo? What makes a good cadence? What should beginners focus on before they ever step into the field? Eric breaks down the basics of calling, gives us a reality check on what duck hunting actually looks like, and shares tips for newbies like us who are still trying to get our quacks together. If you're just starting your duck hunting journey—or still in the “practicing calls in the car” phase—this episode is for you.Links & ResourcesSponsor: Midwest Stair Company — Missouri-made custom stairs. midweststaircompany.comWebsite: uplandunderdog.comVideo Podcast: Watch on YouTubeInstagram: @uplandunderdog

In this episode of the Upland Underdog Podcast, Erik and I sit down with my brother-in-law, Jeremy, to talk about his own adventures in hunting. From our recent dove hunt together to him patiently teaching me how to shoot a compound bow for the very first time, this conversation is equal parts stories, laughs, and learning. Whether you’re an experienced outdoorsman or just starting your own hunting journey, this episode is a reminder that growth comes one practice session at a time. Links & ResourcesSponsor: Midwest Stair Company — Missouri-made custom stairs. midweststaircompany.comWebsite: uplandunderdog.comVideo Podcast: Watch on YouTubeInstagram: @uplandunderdog

Opening day of Dove Season 2025 was a milestone—my first upland hunt. After a quick story about a flat tire on the way to camp (with Erik coming to save the day), I dive into the hunt itself. Erik and I each dropped 10 birds, and his son bagged his very first—making it a day of wins and lasting memories. We wrapped it all up with dove poppers, bacon-wrapped breast, and plenty of stories from the day's hunt. In this episode, I share the highs, lessons learned, and what it felt like to finally step into the upland tradition I’ve been chasing. Links & ResourcesSponsor: Midwest Stair Company — Missouri-made custom stairs. midweststaircompany.comWebsite: uplandunderdog.comVideo Podcast: Watch on YouTubeInstagram: @uplandunderdog

Hazel recently wrapped up her first trip to bird dog training — here’s why I picked her trainer, what she learned, and what I need to work on with her now that she’s home. We cover the training setup, the first live birds, and her reaction to gunfire (spoiler: it didn’t go perfectly). Links & ResourcesSponsor: Midwest Stair Company — Missouri-made custom stairs. midweststaircompany.comWebsite: uplandunderdog.comVideo Podcast: Watch on YouTubeInstagram: @uplandunderdog

Justin and Erik kick off Upland Underdog by talking about Justin’s first steps into the hunting world — from first rifles and shotguns to the first hunt they went on together. Yes…this is the very first episode.Links & ResourcesSponsor: Midwest Stair Company — Missouri-made custom stairs. midweststaircompany.comWebsite: uplandunderdog.comVideo Podcast: Watch on YouTubeInstagram: @uplandunderdog