Bird Camp Radio Podcast

Kellen Matthew Golightly
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Daily

Bird camp radio exists to celebrate the upland hunting tradition, connecting hunters, conservationists, and storytellers through authentic conversations. Our mission is to share campfire stories, practical knowledge, and timeless wisdom that honor the birds, the dogs, and the wild places we cherish. https://bird-camp-radio.printify.me/category/all/1

  1. Ep. 34: The Analytical Upland Hunter: Nike SBs, Maps, and Mountain Birds with Joe Christensen

    5d ago

    Ep. 34: The Analytical Upland Hunter: Nike SBs, Maps, and Mountain Birds with Joe Christensen

    Joe Christensen joins the show to talk about the realities of hunting Western upland birds on public land and the process of consistently finding birds where most hunters never look. Based in Utah, Joe has built a reputation for his analytical approach to chasing chukar, Hungarian partridge, grouse, and late-season mountain birds across Utah and Idaho, combining countless miles on the ground with detailed map study, GPS tracking, and years of personal observations. In this episode, we dive into how Joe breaks down new country, identifies productive habitat, and uses terrain features, elevation, slope aspect, water sources, and seasonal bird behavior to locate overlooked hunting opportunities. We also discuss the value of keeping hunting journals, learning from failure, adapting to changing conditions, and why continual improvement is one of the most important skills an upland hunter can develop. Joe shares insights from hunting some of the toughest bird country in the West, lessons learned from chasing mountain birds, and his philosophy on ethical access, self-reliance, and earning success through hard work rather than shortcuts. We also spend time talking bird dogs, including the development of his German Shorthaired Pointer, Milo, and the role a good dog plays in becoming a better hunter. If you enjoy conversations about public-land bird hunting, chukar strategy, mountain birds, dog work, and the constant pursuit of becoming a better upland hunter, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio. Watch on YouTube. Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp

    47 min
  2. Ep. 33: Behind Pointing Dogs Around the World with Ryan McCollum

    May 22

    Ep. 33: Behind Pointing Dogs Around the World with Ryan McCollum

    Episode 33 of Bird Camp Radio is here, and this week I’m joined by Ryan McCollum, founder of Worldwide Wingshooter and a lifelong upland hunter whose career has taken him across some of the best wild bird country in the world. Ryan grew up chasing wild quail behind English setters and started guiding hunts in Southern Illinois while still in high school. Since then, his path has led him through Mexico, Bolivia, Paraguay, Alaska, Romania, and beyond, building a lifetime of experience around wild birds, pointing dogs, wingshooting lodges, and international sporting operations. In this episode, we dive into what makes truly wild bird hunting special, the importance of good dog work, and the lessons Ryan has learned from decades spent guiding hunters across multiple continents. We talk about English setters, quail hunting culture in Mexico, running large-scale wingshooting operations in South America, learning Spanish to better connect with local outfitters and landowners, and the realities of building a career in the hunting industry. Ryan also shares stories from guiding in places most hunters only dream about, along with his perspective on preserving authentic upland traditions in a modern hunting world. If you enjoy conversations about wild birds, bird dogs, international wingshooting, and the people keeping upland traditions alive, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio. Watch on YouTube. Worldwide Wingshooter Facebook Worldwide Wingshooter Instagram Worldwide Wingshooter TikTok https://worldwidewingshooter.com/ Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp

    36 min
  3. Ep. 32: Turns Out the Guy Who Married My Parents Knows Bird Dogs - Josh Riddle

    May 15

    Ep. 32: Turns Out the Guy Who Married My Parents Knows Bird Dogs - Josh Riddle

    Episode 32 of Bird Camp Radio features Josh Riddle, a lifelong upland hunter whose passion for bird dogs and wild birds was built through generations of family tradition. Raised in a home where hunting was more than recreation, Josh grew up chasing pheasants and grouse alongside family, friends, and English Springer Spaniels that have been part of his family since the 1970s. From carrying a shotgun at eight years old to building a life centered around the uplands, his story reflects the deep connection between family heritage, bird dogs, and the outdoors. In this episode, Josh shares the lessons passed down from his grandfather and father, the traditions that shaped his outlook on hunting and conservation, and why respect for the game and the experience has always mattered more than anything else. The conversation dives into growing up in a hunting family, the special bond created through good dogs, and the memories that continue to keep upland traditions alive today. This episode is rooted in heritage, stewardship, and the kind of upland culture that keeps people coming back to the field year after year. If you appreciate bird dogs, family traditions, and meaningful conversations about the uplands, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Rockey's Kennels Instagram Rockey's Kennels Facebook Rockey's Kennels Website Josh's Facebook Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp

    48 min
  4. Ep. 31: English Setters and the Italian Influence with Eric Hobbs

    May 8

    Ep. 31: English Setters and the Italian Influence with Eric Hobbs

    Eric Hobbs joins the show to share a hunting journey that started in the mountains of central Idaho and eventually led him across the world to the rolling hills of Tuscany, where one hunt behind English Setters completely changed the way he viewed bird dogs and upland hunting. Raised in a family built around hunting traditions, Eric grew up chasing deer, elk, antelope, and spending cold mornings in waterfowl blinds with his father and grandfather. For years, wing shooting over decoys was the pinnacle of hunting in his eyes... until an unexpected trip to Italy introduced him to the world of pointing dogs and upland birds. In this episode, Eric talks about learning to handle his first pointing dog from the ground up, the steep learning curve that came with it, and the influence of his wife’s family, whose roots in breeding and training English Setters stretch back decades. The conversation dives into bird dogs, tradition, mentorship, hunting culture in both the United States and Italy, and the strong community that surrounds the pointing dog world. This one is about more than hunting. It’s about how one experience can completely reshape your passion and lead you down a path you never expected. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio Watch on YouTube. Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp

    39 min
  5. Ep. 30: The Rhythm of the Uplands — Built Through Generations with Reece Chambers

    May 1

    Ep. 30: The Rhythm of the Uplands — Built Through Generations with Reece Chambers

    Episode 30 of Bird Camp Radio brings you a conversation rooted deep in tradition, bird dogs, and the kind of upland hunting that’s built over generations. Reece Chambers joins the show to talk about what it means to truly know your dogs and your birds. Running a string of 10 German Shorthaired Pointers, all from a line he’s carefully maintained over the years, Reece has put in the time to understand genetics, consistency, and the kind of work it takes to build a dependable kennel. From his home base in Georgia to chasing wild quail across Kansas each season, he lives the traveling upland lifestyle that so many hunters respect. We dive into bird dog development, maintaining a strong bloodline, and what separates good dogs from great ones in the field. Reece also shares his appreciation for the classic upland writers and how their influence still shows up today: not just in storytelling, but in the way he hunts behind an easy-handling side-by-side and approaches each day in the field. This episode is about more than just hunting, it’s about tradition, discipline, and staying connected to the roots of the uplands through dogs, birds, and the stories that keep it all alive. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio, and watch on YouTube. Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp

    54 min
  6. Ep. 29: From Passion to Profession in the Uplands with Travis Spring

    Apr 24

    Ep. 29: From Passion to Profession in the Uplands with Travis Spring

    Episode 29 of Bird Camp Radio brings on Travis Spring, a die-hard upland hunter who’s just as passionate about talking birds as he is chasing them. From breaking down the current landscape of upland bird populations to sharing real, boots-on-the-ground hunting stories, Travis brings a perspective that’s rooted in both experience and genuine love for the game. Alongside his wife, Travis built an upland guide service from the ground up, turning it into three successful years of growth through hard work, learning curves, and a commitment to the lifestyle. As part of Jo Kreed Outdoors out of Andrews, Texas, he’s living the upland life in the wide-open country of West Texas with bird dogs at the center of it all. This episode dives into bird numbers, hunting conditions, guiding, and what it really takes to build something in the upland world. If you’re someone who pays attention to the details of a season and values good conversation around bird hunting, this one’s for you. Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp Jo Kreed Outdoors Jo Kreed Outdoors Instagram Jo Kreed Outdoors Facebook

    46 min
  7. Ep. 28: Passing It On – Mentorship, Habitat, and Grouse Hunting with Stephen Lochman

    Apr 17

    Ep. 28: Passing It On – Mentorship, Habitat, and Grouse Hunting with Stephen Lochman

    Stephen Lochman joins the show, coming out of northern Berks County, Pennsylvania, where hunting isn’t just a hobby, it’s a family tradition passed down through generations. From chasing squirrels and doves as a kid to falling in love with the chaos of flushing ruffed grouse, Stephen’s story is one a lot of us can relate to. What started as hunting anything in season has turned into a true passion for upland birds, especially grouse and pheasants. After harvesting his first grouse in 2020, he’s been all-in ever since, putting in miles, time, and effort behind a double barrel to chase one of the toughest birds in the woods. But this episode goes deeper than just hunting stories. Stephen talks about giving back through mentoring new hunters with Learn to Hunt, working alongside the PA Game Commission and Ruffed Grouse Society on habitat projects, and what it really means to carry on the traditions that shaped him. This one’s about more than birds, it’s about legacy, mentorship, and doing your part to keep it all alive. If you care about upland hunting, habitat, and passing it on, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp

    49 min
  8. Ep. 27: Prairie Roads and Pheasant Dreams - The Comeback Story with Joe Lesmeister

    Apr 10

    Ep. 27: Prairie Roads and Pheasant Dreams - The Comeback Story with Joe Lesmeister

    From the wide-open country of North Dakota to the pheasant fields of South Dakota, Joe Lesmeister’s story is one of rediscovery, hard-earned passion, and a life built around the hunt. Joe grew up on a small cattle farm where hunting started simple: BB guns, gophers, and a single-shot 20 gauge. Like a lot of hunters, life pulled him away for a time, and it wasn’t until his early 30s that everything came back into focus. One dog, one hunt, and one trip back to pheasant country was all it took to light the fire again. And this time, it stuck. What followed was a full commitment to upland hunting and the lifestyle that comes with it. Today, Joe runs multiple dogs, spends the majority of his fall chasing birds across state lines, and has built a place where others can experience the same thing through his South Dakota property, now known as Pair-A-Dice Lodge. In this episode, we get into Joe’s journey from farm kid to dedicated upland hunter, what it looks like to truly dive into the lifestyle later in life, and how dogs changed everything along the way. We talk about the importance of hunting partners, building traditions, and creating opportunities not just for yourself, but for others to be part of it too. Joe also shares his vision for the future as retirement gets closer: a life split between North Dakota and South Dakota, running a campground, chasing birds deep into the season, and staying rooted in the lifestyle that brought him back. This one is about second chances, doing things right the second time around, and building a life centered on dogs, birds, and the people you share it with. Traveling with bird dogs? Check out PetCommute, a platform that connects dog owners with trusted pet transporters! Use our referral link below to support Bird Camp Radio, and make sure to mention "Bird Camp" for 10% off your free quote! ⁠⁠⁠http://petcommute.com/birdcamp

    54 min
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About

Bird camp radio exists to celebrate the upland hunting tradition, connecting hunters, conservationists, and storytellers through authentic conversations. Our mission is to share campfire stories, practical knowledge, and timeless wisdom that honor the birds, the dogs, and the wild places we cherish. https://bird-camp-radio.printify.me/category/all/1

Information

  • Creator
    Kellen Matthew Golightly
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kellen Matthew Golightly
  • Show Website
    Bird Camp Radio Podcast

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