The Upland Social

Ryan Lynton
  • 5.0 (16)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

You're listening to The Upland Social, a podcast dedicated to the bird hunting community. We’ll gear up and hit the field with some of the most engaging and compelling voices on the bird hunting scene. Each week, we will hear from seasoned hunters, dog trainers, storytellers, wild game specialists, to everyday uplanders. Their insights, experience, and stories will inspire and equip you to explore the wild places we all love. The landscape is truly limitless. So load up, drop the tailgate, and let’s go. This is The Upland Social.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 39: Quail Hunting, Storytelling, and Permission Season with Ryan Sparks

    Ryan Sparks is a storyteller of the sporting life, using both writing and photography to capture his passions for fishing, hunting, wild food, rivers, mountains, and bird dogs. He’s the editor of Quail Forever Journal and a senior contributor to NEBRASKAland, and he previously founded and led Strung Sporting Journal. Ryan’s work has appeared in many of the most respected outdoor publications in the world, including Gray’s Sporting Journal, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, The Flyfish Journal, Sporting Classics, and Shooting Sportsman, and Meateater. As a photographer, he’s worked commercially with kennels, gunmakers, outfitters, and sporting brands across North and South America. Whether he’s behind a camera, a shotgun, or a fly rod, Ryan is dedicated to telling authentic stories about wild places, wildlife, and the people who care about them. Topics Covered: ​Ryan's Rooster Roadtrip in Kansas​How he became an outdoor storyteller​What kind of story stands out to him as the QF Journal Editor​The integration of media types to tell a hunting story​The art of asking permission to hunt private landConnect with Ryan: https://www.flywatermedley.com/ https://www.instagram.com/1.ryan.sparks.1/?hl=en Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Hunt Redi

    1h 9m

  2. FEB 11

    Episode 38: A Pennsylvania Bird Hunter's Life with Aaron Hepler

    Aaron Hepler has been drawn to the outdoors since he began hunting at 12 years old, a passion that also sparked his love for writing. A Pennsylvania native, he spends his free time bowhunting, chasing upland birds, fishing, camping, and hiking with his family. His relationship with God is paramount and believes that the created world is something to be cherished. He also holds that time spent outdoors builds not only better hunters and anglers, but better people. By day, Aaron works as an intensive care nurse, a demanding career that makes his time outside even more meaningful. Though he grew up around dogs, he didn’t hunt behind one until getting his first Labrador at 22. She became his trusted hunting partner for 14 seasons. After sadly losing her, Aaron and his wife welcomed two new pups into their home, including a French Brittany that introduced him to the world of pointing dogs. He’s developed a deep appreciation for the training process and the instinct-driven style of hunting behind a pointing breed. For Aaron, the outdoors is where memories are made, lessons are learned, and stories begin. Topics Covered: ​Moving from a flushing to a pointing breed​Recent extreme weather impacts on wildlife​Challenges in relationships with our dogs​The pheasant stocking program in PA​Aaron's future upland plansConnect with Aaron: https://www.instagram.com/incamp_podcast/ Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Hunt Redi

    1h 29m

  3. FEB 4

    Episode 37: Elkhorn Coffee with Collin Kelly

    Collin Kelly is the founder and owner of Elkhorn Coffee, a specialty-grade coffee roaster based in Elkhorn, Nebraska. He studied exercise science at the University of Nebraska Omaha before pursuing an MBA at Colorado State University, where the idea for Elkhorn Coffee was born. Inspired by its hometown and the historic Elkhorn Ranch, where Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation ethic took shape in the Badlands of North Dakota, Elkhorn Coffee is rooted in stewardship of the land and wildlife. The brand believes coffee is the start of every day spent hunting, fishing, and living outdoors—a moment to slow down and reconnect. Elkhorn Coffee partners with wildlife conservation organizations across North America, donating $1 from every bag sold, while remaining deeply involved in fundraising and conservation leadership efforts nationwide. Proudly, Elkhorn Coffee is fueling mornings, conversations, conservation, and the future of the outdoors. Topics Covered: ​Collin's inspiration behind Elkhorn​The role of coffee in outdoor culture​How Elkhorn matches each roast to each animal on the bag​The process of partnering with conservation organizations​Exciting roll outs for Elkhorn at Pheasant Fest 2026Connect with Elkhorn Coffee: https://www.elkhorncoffee.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21133774223&gbraid=0AAAAApk6oi-w_3m_UvrEJwleX7PFzeau7&gclid=CjwKCAiAs4HMBhBJEiwACrfNZTJ_w4pwX5xZLn7BePKPpQRyZ_3KlUUpj50x7Sztenr-A7dDooN7sRoCaO8QAvD_BwE https://www.instagram.com/elkhorncoffee/?hl=en Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Hunt Redi

    1h 9m

  4. JAN 28

    Episode 36: Bobwhite Quail Research with Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich

    Kyle Hedges and Frank Loncarich are lifelong upland hunters and professional wildlife biologists whose careers have focused on quail, grasslands, and habitat conservation across the Midwest. Kyle was raised in southeast Kansas hunting quail with his family and later attended Kansas State University. He began his career managing more than 60,000 acres of public land at Fort Riley, Kansas, before moving to Missouri in 2000 to continue his work with the Missouri Department of Conservation, where he is nearing retirement. Frank was born and raised in southwest Missouri in a family of bird hunters. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Arkansas, where he studied greater prairie chickens, and has spent more than 20 years working with bobwhite quail in Kansas and Missouri. He currently serves as MDC’s State Grassland Coordinator, helping guide grassland conservation efforts statewide. From 2014 to 2018, Kyle and Frank co-led the largest quail research project ever conducted in Missouri, radio-collaring over 1,500 quail and monitoring more than 500 nests. In addition to their agency work, they consult nationally with Land & Legacy, developing wildlife management plans for deer, turkeys, and upland birds, while continuing to hunt together across the country. Topics Covered: ​Kyle and Frank's upbringing in quail hunting​How the two meet and became lifelong co-workers and friends​A massive, 4 year quail research project they headed up​The surprising behavior of studied quail in this period​Kyle and Frank's North American Quail SlamConnect with Kyle and Frank: https://www.instagram.com/uplandflush/?__d=1 Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Hunt Redi

    1h 23m

  5. JAN 21

    Episode 35: Bird Hunting the Lowcountry with Patrick Hunter

    Patrick Hunter was born and raised in the Carolinas, growing up between the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and his grandparents’ farm in the South Carolina Lowcountry. These two landscapes sparked his lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. A fourth-generation hunter, Patrick carries a deep-rooted legacy in the traditions of quail and duck hunting, though his favorite pursuit is spring turkeys. Over the years, he has also hunted deer, woodcock, marsh hens, and the occasional wild hog—most often alongside his constant companion, Huck Finn, a 7-year-old black Labrador Retriever. Outside of hunting, Patrick is an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer who enjoys both freshwater and saltwater angling. He is also a freelance writer and photographer, using storytelling and imagery to share his appreciation for wild places. By trade, Patrick is an environmental engineer, working to conserve the water resources, wildlife, and landscapes of the Carolinas. He lives in South Carolina with his wife, Katie, and their daughter, Jane. Topics Covered: ​Different approaches to quail hunting the South​Patrick's idea of a perfect cast and blast​A unique upland opportunity in the Lowcountry​Patrick's journey into outdoor writing​The heart-warming story of his black labConnect with Patrick: https://www.instagram.com/hwy22outdoors/?hl=en Read some of Patrick's work: https://projectupland.com/culture/southern-bird-hunting-etiquette/ Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Hunt Redi

    1h 16m

  6. JAN 14

    Episode 34: Stuff Seth Sees with Seth Owens

    Seth Owens is a wildlife and conservation photographer based in central North Dakota, where the prairies and grasslands have shaped both his life and his work. His photography focuses on the wildlife and wide-open landscapes of the Northern Plains, with a particular passion for North American grouse. To date, Seth has photographed 9 of the 12 grouse species found in North America, with plans to complete the set in the near future. At just 25 years old, Seth represents a younger voice in the photography and birding communities, bringing fresh perspective while remaining deeply rooted in tradition. Born and raised in North Dakota, he has hunted for as long as he can remember, developing an early connection to the land and the wildlife that inhabits it. Seth holds degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and English from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, a combination that informs both his scientific understanding and his storytelling approach behind the camera. To him, photography is not a replacement for experience, but a tool to educate, inspire, and motivate others to get outside and explore the natural world for themselves. On top of that, Seth is the education and outreach coordinator for Pheasants Forever for North Dakota. He lives in Bismarck, North Dakota with his wife and their two dogs—Tanka, a red lab/golden retriever mix and his first bird dog, and Ellie, a golden retriever who prefers the comforts of the couch. Topics Covered: ​Seth's upbringing in wildlife and love of birds​How prairie grouse have hooked him​The magic of a grouse lek in the spring​What he's doing to bridge the gap between the prairie and people​Seth's goal to capture all 12 North American grouse species on cameraConnect with Seth: https://www.instagram.com/stuff.seth.sees/?hl=en Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Hunt Redi

    1h 18m

  7. JAN 7

    Episode 33: Ruffed Grouse, Shooting Slumps, and Advice For New Dog Owners with Devin Rice

    Today’s guest is Devin Rice, a Michigan native whose love for the outdoors started early—baiting worm hooks and catching bluegills off his grandpa’s dock at just four years old. Like a lot of folks, the pandemic flipped a switch for Devin, and once he got his first German Shorthaired Pointer, Walker, everything changed. He did the unthinkable—hung up the bow—and became fully obsessed with chasing the king of the woods: ruffed grouse. Now running two high-octane GSPs through the uplands, Devin is a full-blown grouse and woodcock addict, even if he’ll be the first to admit he might be one of the worst wing shots you’ll ever meet—so bad it’s almost impressive he says. When he’s not in the woods, Devin is a full-time husband, father, and firefighter/paramedic, somehow squeezing in bird hunting whenever he can. He’s also a self-proclaimed cigar connoisseur and mustache maestro. Topics Covered: ​How the pandemic shifted him into bird hunting​Deer hunting taking a back seat to the uplands​Being a student of habitat​Shooting slumps, and how to crawl out of them​How the uplands clear Devin's head as a firefighter Connect with Devin: https://www.instagram.com/ruffed_rice_upland/ Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Hunt Redi

    1h 11m

  8. 12/31/2025

    Episode 32: From Dogless To A First Bird Dog with West Newby

    Today’s guest is West Newby. West is an avid upland hunter and bird dog enthusiast who’s been chasing birds since he was 17 years old. He got his start walking the woods for ruffed grouse with friends—no dogs, just miles and grit—which eventually sparked a deep passion for bird dogs and training. Before ever owning his own dog, West immersed himself in the training world, helping others work their bird dogs and learning a wide range of techniques while shaping his own approach. That journey ultimately led him to a Small Munsterlander, and from there it was full steam ahead into upland hunting and bird dog training. Since then, West has traveled across much of the United States chasing birds alongside his dog, Captain Edward Teague. We’re excited to dig into his experiences, training philosophy, and what he’s learned from a lifetime in the uplands. Topics Covered: ​Hunting dogless to getting a first bird dog​Discovering his dominant shooting eye ​West's reason for choosing a Small Munsterlander​How West chose his dog's unique name​Advice for new dog handlers Connect with West: https://www.instagram.com/west_newby/?hl=en Proud Sponsors: Gundog Central Hunt Redi

    1h 18m
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Trailer

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

You're listening to The Upland Social, a podcast dedicated to the bird hunting community. We’ll gear up and hit the field with some of the most engaging and compelling voices on the bird hunting scene. Each week, we will hear from seasoned hunters, dog trainers, storytellers, wild game specialists, to everyday uplanders. Their insights, experience, and stories will inspire and equip you to explore the wild places we all love. The landscape is truly limitless. So load up, drop the tailgate, and let’s go. This is The Upland Social.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Lynton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ryan Lynton
  • Show Website
    The Upland Social

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