The Bird Dog Babe

Courtney Bastian

Join Courtney Bastian as she explores all things Bird Dogs; hunting, training, competing, testing, breeding, nutrition, and health. This podcast also focuses on conservation efforts for birds and public land, ethical and responsible hunting, gear options, and getting more women and children involved in the outdoors. Courtney's intense curiosity drives her to take a vulnerable, honest approach with her guests to provide educational and inspirational content in each episode. read less
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Episodes

Episode 098: Service, Leadership, and Proven Performance w/Andy & Amanda Doak
01-11-2022
Episode 098: Service, Leadership, and Proven Performance w/Andy & Amanda Doak
Andy and Amanda Doak live and love all things bird dogs, hunting, conservation, and NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association). For those that have experienced the friendships made through your involvement in NAVHDA, you can relate to this conversation about the personal gain that comes not only from those relationships with other people but also with your dogs. Andy and Amanda's gratitude inspires them to give back to the organization at the local and national levels. Andy shares more about why he is currently running for the vice president position of the NAVHDA International board. Voting ends on Nov 16, get your votes in!  The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt  6:00 Andy’s start into hunting 11:20 Amanda’s start into hunting and bird dogs 14:45 Pudelpointers 17:25 Getting active at a local level 22:00 Amanda’s journey in NAVHDA testing 28:07 English Setters 30:00 Hunting and training with your spouse 36:00 Judging for NAVHDA 41:15 Women in NAVHDA 49:30 Creating habitat 53:15 Running for NAVHDA International VP 55:00 NAVHDA youth program 56:30 Reaching goals and looking forward to the future 1:11:50 Apprentice Support Program 1:13:45 Putting into an organization that you get so much out of 1:20:00 Hunting season plans 1:21:35 Favorite piece of gear 1:23:25 Favorite gamebird recipe – woodcock Connect with Andy Connect with Amanda Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website
Episode 096: Ready To Slay All Day!
06-10-2022
Episode 096: Ready To Slay All Day!
Rachel Willard and her husband, Andrew, rely on wild game meat to fill their freezer and feast on year-round. This year they acquired two bearded baby bird dogs and their active lifestyle has led them to become active volunteers for their local NAVHDA Chapter and avid upland hunters. Rachel shares her story of getting into big game and upland hunting, the love of beards, and the learning and adventures that come with bird dogs. Rachel and Andrew have become very dear friends of my husband and me this past year, and we absolutely love and cherish every moment we spend with them. Both stepped up to the plate as mentors this past weekend at HerUpland Grouse Camp and did an amazing job. Enjoy this episode and hear from an amazing, beautiful person inside and out that Rachel Willard is The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt 6:45 Intro to hunting 11:20 Big Game 17:50 Getting started in upland 20:55 Squirrels and rabbits 24:15 Bird Dogs 26:00 Pudelpointers 27:30 Choosing a breeder 35:00 NAVHDA 40:55 First NAVHDA NA Test 54:05 Releasing dog for the track 59:30 HerUpland Pointing Dog Camp 1:04:30 Pigeons 1:07:15 Hunting plans 1:10:15 Invasive quail 1:12:15 Future dog training plans 1:14:00 The latest bearded addition 1:18:15 Shared dog training duties 1:21:50 Providing structure for active bird dogs 1:28:55 Breed differences 1:30:00 Women’s Gear 1:36:40 Favorite Game Bird Recipe 1:40:00 onX Hunt --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website -------------------------------------------------
Episode 090: Elevate Your Hunt w/Everett Headley
02-03-2022
Episode 090: Elevate Your Hunt w/Everett Headley
Everett Headley is an outdoor writer and educator who grew up hunting and fishing in Montana. He is the host of Venery and Veritas Podcast which focuses on the peripherals of hunting; elevating your hunt, wild game, cooking, ethics, conservation, philosophy, controversy and education. In this episode we discuss his choice of bird dogs, falconry, and ways to elevate your hunt and tastefully share the story. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt This episode is brought to you by: Briley 5:00 Conversations around hunting ethics 9:45 Growing up hunting 18:00 Providing wild game for family, friends and neighbors 19:00 2021 Hunting season 25:40 Labs to Chessies 39:00 Falconry 56:00 Wild caught vs captive bred falcons 1:01:50 Venery and Veritas Podcast 1:09:40 Talking points on ethics in hunting 1:13:15 Hunting for food or sport 1:20:15 Are we getting better or worse 1:23:00 Staying informed 1:32:40 Share of the story 1:33:30 Covey concerns 1:35:00 Resources to help elevate your hunting 1:37:30 Lightning round Books: Meditations on Hunting Grinnell Gear: Darn Tough Socks Snack: Cliff Bars Fig Newtons Instagram @everettheadley Everettheadley.com --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with the host, Courtney:  Instagram Facebook YouTube Website -------------------------------------------------
Episode 089: Tips For Rearing Your Own Gamebirds
16-02-2022
Episode 089: Tips For Rearing Your Own Gamebirds
It’s that time of year when many of us are planning out the amount of gamebirds for this dog training and testing season. Unless you raise and keep your own birds, chances are you’re at the mercy of the bird availability of your club or organization. If you have the time and space, rearing chicks on your own is a helpful option. April, a manager at MacFarlane Pheasants, walks us through the advantages of buying eggs vs chicks vs mature birds, as well as basic rearing and husbandy tips.   The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt This episode is brought to you by: Puffin Drinkwear Use Promo Code: birddogbabexPDW for 10% off  4:15 Meet April of MacFarlane Pheasants 6:50 Ideal time to order chicks 7:40 Age start flying 8:40 Buying eggs vs chicks 10:25 Cost of feed considerations 11:45 Ideal setup for chicks 12:20 Heat lamps 12:50 Water supply 13:30 Electrolytes MacFarlane Vitamin Pack 16:00 Shipping mortality rate 16:45 Recommended chick feed 18:25 Importance of enough space 19:30 Ideal temp 20:25 Medications 21:05 Moving to flight pen 21:40 Ideal enclosure 22:10 Peepers and bits 22:40 Mixing species 23:30 Corn 24:40 Flight pens Flight Pen Manual 25:35 Good vs bad flyers 27:30 Chukar 28:50 Predator control 30:30 Breeding pheasants 33:00 Soil considerations 33:50 Nutrition 35:15 Pheasant Management Seminar 37:25 Videos 38:10 Current availability 39:15 Favorite pheasant recipes 40:25 Pheasant Fest 42:25 Pricing   --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with Courtney Follow Bird Dog Babe: Instagram Facebook YouTube -------------------------------------------------
Episode 88: Paying Attention To Your Body Pre and Post Hunt w/Michelle Dunn
27-01-2022
Episode 88: Paying Attention To Your Body Pre and Post Hunt w/Michelle Dunn
Michelle Dunn is a massage therapist and owner of True North Massage in Seeley Lake and Missooula, MT. She is also an adult onset hunter and recent graduate of the Montana Master Hunter Program. She joins me today to discuss the benefits of being outdoors and how massage therapy will increase the quality of your hunt and your performance.   The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt This episode is brought to you by: My Happy Feet Use Promo Code: BIRDDOGBABE for 12% off   4:30 Meet Michelle 6:30 Importance of self care 8:00 Career change as a masseuse 9:30 Becoming a hunter 10:50 Taking kids hunting 12:45 Montana Master Hunter 16:50 Taking care of yourself through hunting season 20:20 Cupping method 22:15 Stones 23:00 Rock Tape 24:00 When to start massage therapy before season 26:00 Signs you could benefit from massage 26:50 Pre-hunt recommendations 28:00 Post-hunt recommendations 31:30 Mental health and social benefits of hunting 33:10 Sleep recommendations 35:40 Diet considerations 39:20 Routine care recommendations Connect with Michelle True North Massage Facebook   --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with Courtney Follow Bird Dog Babe: Instagram Facebook YouTube -------------------------------------------------
Episode 087: Making A Plan Of Action For The New Year w/Kat Pippitt
04-01-2022
Episode 087: Making A Plan Of Action For The New Year w/Kat Pippitt
Kat Pippitt leads a busy, yet organized schedule while she and her husband Ethan, continue to growth their business, raise toddlers and focus on personal health. As we kick off the new year, we consider what we have planned for our resolutions. Research shows that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail within the first month. Kat explains how making goals, rather than resolutions, with an action plan that is specific, measurable and time-bound are more attainable. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt 4:30 Meet Kat 6:45 Resolutions vs Goals 9:00 Writing down goals 11:30 Make it special and fun 15:05 Making weekly goals and task list 16:30 Reward your progress 17:35 Tonal 24:20 Breaking down categories 25:30 Kat’s typical day 28:15 Cellphone, a necessary distraction 30:30 Reading more Kat’s currently reading: Let Dogs Be Dogs The Art of Raising a Puppy 35:30 Keep learning 36:00 Reading and meditation 36:40 Cold showers 39:00 Raising puppies 43:15 YAWA 46:00 Outlander Outlandar Series Bundle 48:15 Podcasts 51:30 A few of Kat’s top goals for the year Connect with Kat Standing Stone Kennels --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with Courtney Follow Bird Dog Babe: Instagram Facebook YouTube -------------------------------------------------
Episode 086: Social Media Sway on Dog Decisions w/Kelly Schur
28-12-2021
Episode 086: Social Media Sway on Dog Decisions w/Kelly Schur
Social media has become the most common place to buy and sell a puppy, choose a stud dog, breeder, and trainer. Are the marketing skills of breeders and owners taking precedence over pedigree, achievements, temperament, and health screenings? Kelly Schur, a second-generation breeder of merit and bird dog enthusiast, provides insight on this topic and shares tips and recommendations to help make decisions beyond what’s on the ‘gram. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt 8:50 Meet Kelly Schur 13:30 Getting started in shooting and hunting 19:15 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 30:00 Manipulating photos 32:15 Filters 34:20 Breeders becoming marketers 38:15 See dogs in person 40:05 If there isn’t a picture, did it really happen 41:50 Do titles make a difference 47:30 Do your research 50:55 Popular sire syndrome as a result of media 55:00 Availability and appearance allure 56:15 Fad and odd color markings 1:02:00 Creative advertising 1:02:45 Negative outcomes 1:06:20 Tips for researching credible sources 1:10:30 Importance of health tests 1:14:00 Genetic testing vs health testing 1:16:00 Breed Club Resources 1:17:15 Advantages of social media 1:21:55 Realistic expectations 1:25:15 Appreciation for a functional bird dog 1:29:30 Tips for your first dog show 1:33:30 Favorite game bird recipe 1:34:50 Favorite hunting gear 1:36:00 Shotgun 1:38:30 Connect with Kelly foxpointgundogs@gmail.com Facebook Instagram Ringleader Roo Show Leads --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with Courtney Follow Bird Dog Babe: Instagram Facebook YouTube -------------------------------------------------
Episode 084: Defying The Odds - On Winning The National Field Championship w/ Jaelee Schwartz
08-12-2021
Episode 084: Defying The Odds - On Winning The National Field Championship w/ Jaelee Schwartz
Jaelee Schwartz is the owner of Green Gable Gundogs and winner of the 2021 US Open Cocker National Championship. She has been training and competing with Spaniels since she was 8 years old alongside her father, Jeff Schwartz, a professional trainer at Rock River Kennels.  Jaelee placed in her first licensed AKC Springer trial at 10 years old, and now a professional trainer herself, is the youngest person to win the Open National Cocker Championship. Despite all of Jaelee’s accomplishments, she claims failng was a big part of her journey. She believes anything is possible with hard work and dedication. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt 12:45 Horicon Marsh 13:15 2021 US National Cocker Championship 14:45 Ike, the Champ 16:30 Trialing and Testing 17:30 Springers to Cockers 20:00 Growing up raising puppies, training and traveling 23:00 Starting a training business 24:00 Growing up in the business 27:25 Accomplishments as a kiddo 31:00 Training professionally 34:15 Relationship with each dog 34:55 Placeboard training 37:00 Teaching steadiness with cheeseballs 40:15 Overcoming obstacles 46:00 Early characteristics of the National Field Champion 47:45 What it takes to get to the National 48:10 Requirements at the National 53:00 Ike’s National Run 56:50 The Moment 1:02:10 Ike’s future 53:00 Importance of pedigree 1:05:20 Hunt tests 1:08:10 Evaluating puppies 1:12:00 Finding a breeder 1:13:15 Cocker Health Clearances 1:17:00 Fieldcockers.com 1:17:40 Favorite piece of gear Green Gable Gundogs Instagram Facebook --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with Courtney Follow Bird Dog Babe: Instagram Facebook YouTube -------------------------------------------------
Episode 083: Gear and Gift Guide To Help Enhance Your Hunt
30-11-2021
Episode 083: Gear and Gift Guide To Help Enhance Your Hunt
It’s that time of year when we are all thinking about Christmas ideas and what would be nice to add to our gear list to enhance next year’s hunting season. Since 40% of the listeners of this podcast are men, I wanted to get some input from the guys. So I sit down with my husband William Bastian and our friend Jeff Quigley to discuss the hunting gear that we’ve put through the test for ourselves, our dogs, and truck setups that work for each of us. While it only takes a gun, comfy clothes, shoes, and preferably a dog to get out and hunt, we mention items that help make the hunting experience a bit more efficient. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells OnX Hunt 3:30 Meet Jeff Quigley 8:30 Pant options Men’s Orvis Hunting Pant Men’s First Lite Sawbuck Pant Men’s Prana Stretch Zion Pant Women’s First Lite Obsidian Pant Women’s First Lite Alturas Pant Fjallraven Keb Trousers Prois Nite Lite Chaps Nite Lite Briar Bibs Dovetail Workwear Pants Dovetail Bibs Kuhl Pant Gaiters   19:00 Hunting Tops Patagonia Orange Puffer Jacket Men’s DriRelease Shirt Women’s DriRelease Shirt Prois Puffy Vest   24:00 Hunting Vests Wingworks Final Rise Chief Upland Hunt Redi Leather Garmin Holster   35:30 Socks Darn Tough Smart Wool   40:00 Boots Kenetrek Dubarry   49:30 Gloves Prois Glove Liner First Lite Aerowool Touch Liner Glove First Lite Talus Fingerless Merino Glove First Lite Shale Touch Hybrid Glove Geier Kangaroo Gloves   53:10 Glasses   53:30 Hearing Protection   55:00 Backup Gear Helly Hansen Rain Gear   57:00 Chokes Briley Chokes Briley Speed Wrench   59:30 Shotguns Orvis Fabarm Elos D2 Syren Elos D2 CZ Bobwhite   1:04:30 Bird Strap   1:06:00 Boss ammo bag   1:07:15 Go-to Snacks   1:08:25 Truck Setup Decked iKamper Mr Heater Little Buddy Leitner Active Cargo System - Forged RSI Smartcap Truck Topper Dakota283 Kennel – Use Promo Code Bird Dog Babe for 10% off Mud River Crate Cover Primo Pads Headlamp Magnet Gun Caddy   1:23:10 Knives Havalon Victorinox Meglio Knives Upland Knives   1:28:45 Extras Puffin Drinkwear Go Pro   1:31:00 Dog Items Dog Comb Horse Comb Hemostat Ultra Paws Dog Boots Lewis Boots Rex Specs Garmin Alpha 200i Garmin Pro 550 Plus OnX Hunt Stakeout Line Purina Fortiflora Superman Cape Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Storage Travel Momarsh Versa Vest Collapsible Dog Blind   1:54:00 Gamechangers William – Darn Tough Jeff – Teva Moccasins Courtney – Garmin Fenix Watch and iKamper *This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you. --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with Courtney Follow Bird Dog Babe: Instagram Facebook YouTube -------------------------------------------------