AZ Quail Today Podcast
Welcome to AZ Quail Today, your go-to podcast for everything quail hunting in Arizona. From expert insights on local habitats to interviews with passionate hunters, join us as we dive into the world of quail hunting in Arizona.
Episodes
82 episodes
Episode #80 Bridging Ranching And Quail Habitat with Nick Shobinger
We are back to talk with Nick Schobinger about the real work behind Arizona quail habitat projects, from internships and field surveys to his current role connecting ranchers, agencies, and conservation groups. We also get honest about what hun...
Episode #79 From North Dakota To Arizona Quail Country With Nick Shobinger
We catch up with Nick Shobinger and trace his path from North Dakota roots to Arizona quail country, bird dogs, and a career that keeps him close to the land. Along the way we get practical about scaled quail versus Gambel’s versus Mearns habit...
Episode #78 How Monsoon Timing Shapes Arizona Mearns Quail
Mearns quail are not desert birds, and the timing of Arizona’s July and August monsoons can make or break the next several seasons. We connect recent monsoon swings to 1,200 years of tree-ring drought data, then bring it home with water reality...
Episode # 77 Special Guest Nate Istrate: Quail Camp, Youth Needs, Dove Hunts and a Crazy Rain Story
We catch up on Quail Camp, the dog work behind it, and what it looks like to mentor a shy eighth grader into real confidence outdoors. We also map out a plan to send JJ on a South Dakota pheasant hunt, then pivot into practical gear talk and Yu...
Special American Moment Episode: Faith, Family, Freedom
We pause Arizona Quail Today for a candid message about faith, family, freedom, and why hunters should care about the direction of the country. We remember Charlie Kirk, reflect on the 25-year anniversary of 9/11, and ask what it looks like to ...
Episode #76 Why Yuma Still Defines Arizona Dove Hunting | Rashawn Gordon Part 2 of 2
We talk with Rashawn Gordon about what makes Yuma special for Arizona dove hunting, why the birds don’t behave the way they did 10 years ago, and how scouting smarter can save your opener. We also dig into flight lines, monsoons, and hunting pr...
Episode #75 Quail Dogs And Family Roots | Rashawn Gordon Part 1 of 2
We talk with Rashawn Gordon about the early hunts that shaped him, from a .410 shotgun at age three to the patience his dad demanded and modeled. Along the way, we get into bird dogs, breeding culture, and the moments in the field that stay viv...
Episode #74 A 13-Year-Old Learns To Shoot His First Quail
We record from a rain-soaked Quail Camp and talk with Todd and JJ about how Fathers in the Field turns consistent time together into real growth. JJ shares what it feels like to train, practice, and finally take his first quail while keeping sa...
Episode #73 A Barbed Wire Injury Started A Smarter Working Dog First Aid Kit: Special Guest Geoffrey from Covey Kits | Part 2 of 2
We sit down with Geoffrey from Covey Kits to trace the real story behind a working dog first aid kit built for hunters and the chaos that happens when your dog gets hurt far from help. We talk gear, education, heat safety in Arizona, and the fi...
Episode #72 From Punk Rock To Quail Dogs In Arizona: Meet Geoffrey from Covey Kits | Part 1 of 2
We sit down with Geoffrey from Covey Kits to trace how an East Coast outdoor kid becomes an Arizona quail hunter who is all-in on bird dogs, ethics, and being ready for the unexpected. The conversation moves from punk rock memories to real-worl...
Episode #71 Camping, Quail Camp Planning, And Growing New Hunters
We record from the camper with a set of honest updates on life, hunting prep, and what we’re building through Arizona Quail Today. We share why getting outside matters, how Quail Camp supports fatherless boys through mentor fathers,...
Episode #70 Rattlesnake Bite Plan For Hunters and Their Bird Dogs w/ Special Guest Cody Will
We lay out a clear plan for rattlesnake encounters during Arizona quail hunts, from the species you may see in each region to the fastest, safest response after a bite. Cody from Rattlesnake Ready breaks down what helps, what makes things worse...
Episode #69 Rattlesnakes In Quail Country w/ Special Guest Cody Will
We map Arizona quail habitat to the rattlesnakes hunters are most likely to encounter, then separate defensive behavior and real venom science from local lore. We also talk about why viral “snake grabbing” content is risky, which high-elevation...
Episode #68 Fifty Years of Rainfall and Rock 'n' Roll w/ Special Guest Kirby Bristow Part 2 of 2
We connect 50 years of Arizona rainfall to real quail numbers, from the wet early 1990s to today’s tighter window for “boom” seasons. We also dig into what wing barrel data says about juveniles, why hunter crowding feels worse, and how we’d thi...
Episode #67 Fifty Years of Rainfall and Rock 'n' Roll w/ Special Guest Kirby Bristow Part 1 of 2
We trade stories with Kirby Bristow about dogs, coveys, and a scaled quail retrieve that never touches the ground, then zoom out to the weather patterns that decide whether Arizona quail hunting feels easy or brutal. We also tackle the harvest ...
Episode #66 How To Trap Pigeons For Reliable Dog Training Birds
We get practical about pigeons, from surprising facts about what they can do to why they make tough, reliable dog training birds. We lay out a real-world trapping system that works in Arizona, plus the mistakes that quietly ruin your results or...
Episode #65 Backcountry Fit For Quail Season?
We trade the usual gear talk for the gear that decides whether you can actually reach the birds: your heart, your legs, and your daily habits. We break down why quail hunting demands nonstop mobility and share simple ways to train, eat, sleep, ...
Episode # 64 Pray For The Horse And Quit Yelling At Your Bird Dog
We chase the old-school idea of pairing a horse and a bird dog for Arizona quail hunting, then get honest about how much that partnership depends on our calm, not our intensity. We share what Zuni the mustang mare teaches us about trust, how po...
Episode#63 Your Boots Will Carry You Nearly 70,000 Miles
We slow down and take boots seriously, from the surprising number of miles your feet cover in a lifetime to the deep history packed into everyday footwear. We trace how function shaped iconic designs, then land on real-world boot picks that hol...
Episode #62 How To Paddleboard With Your Dog Safely In Arizona Waters
We take our bird dogs paddleboarding and turn wipeouts, splashes, and river chaos into smart off-season training for Arizona hunters. We share what actually works to build fitness, confidence in water, and steadier obedience while keeping dogs ...
Episode #61 Valley Fever + Pop Quiz For Bird Dog Owner: Nate Istrate
We sit down with Nate Istrate to talk through a real valley fever scare in a hunting dog and what finally brought the symptoms under control. We share what to watch for in your bird dog, what the common tests can miss, and how to think about tr...
Episode #60 Summer Travels and Bird Dog Game Plan
We lay out a simple off-season plan for keeping our bird dogs conditioned through the Arizona heat while staying safe and consistent. We also share an update on Arizona quail season dates and why summer effort is where fall success really start...
Episode #59 How A Young Couple Builds A Life Of Hunting, Adventures And Clean Meat
We sit down with Sam and Annie to talk about how a young couple blends love, faith, and hunting into a future family life built on adventure. We swap stories from quail hunts and deer blinds, dig into clean meat and nutrition, and end with simp...
Episode #58 Handle The Handler for Better Bird Dogs: Conversation with Guy Sr. at Mollicone Kennels
We talk with Guy Molicone Sr. about why the handler is often the biggest variable in bird dog training and how small changes in language and timing create huge gains. We also get honest about e-collars, rule sets at home, and what great dogs ca...
Episode #57 Train The Bird Dog Mind: A Conversation w/ Guy Mollicone Sr.
We sit down with Pro bird dog trainer Guy Sr. of Mollicone Kennels to unpack what makes a reliable quail dog in Arizona and why handler habits matter as much as the dog’s talent. We talk predator psychology, offseason training that fits real li...
