Legends of the Wild, Episode 18 – Bird Dogs and the Obsession That Never Ends

Podcast: Legends of the Wild, A Field & Stream Production
Host: Sam Soholt
Guests: Tyler Webster (Western Wing Shooter Podcast, The Flush TV) & Wes Larrabee (Prairie Tales Podcast)
Date: February 25, 2026

Overview

In this engaging and insightful episode, Sam Soholt sits down with passionate upland hunters and bird dog enthusiasts Tyler Webster and Wes Larrabee, just after the famed “Pheasant Fest.” They explore their lifelong obsession with bird dogs and upland hunting, the cultural and conservation importance of events like Pheasant Fest, hunting ethics, the unpredictability of bird populations, and the unique connection between dogs and their people in the field. Rich with personal anecdotes, practical advice, and some truly memorable moments, this episode is a celebration of the upland lifestyle and the enduring obsession that comes with it.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meet the Guests & Their Backgrounds

[01:15 – 05:53]

• Tyler Webster introduces himself as host of the Western Wing Shooter Podcast and co-host of The Flush TV show. He hunts nearly 140 days a year across the country with his bird dogs, based in North Dakota.
  • “From the time I…was 8 years old, what I wanted to do, and I told her I wanted to be a professional upland hunter at eight.” (Tyler, 03:42)
• Wes Larrabee shares his journey from coyote hunting with his dog-loving family, big game hounds, to falling in love with bird hunting and his transition toward retrievers as he moved to North Dakota.
• Both have built lifestyles centered around dogs, public lands, and the pursuit of birds across diverse landscapes.

2. Why These Guys Became Bird Dog Obsessives

[07:05 – 13:51]

• Tyler tells the vivid story of his first upland hunt as a boy, witnessing a Brittany pointing and retrieving a pheasant.
  • “Working with bird dogs and to achieve a common goal…is the coolest thing on the planet. Like, watching those dogs go out there searching, literally, they will run themselves to death if you let them looking for a bird…It does not get purer than that for me.” (Tyler, 10:58)
• Wes reflects on growing up among working dogs—greyhounds and hounds, then setters and labs—as an integral part of the family and hunting life.
• Discussion on how hunting with dogs creates an irreplaceable bond and a different kind of outdoor experience, especially as families grow.
• Talk about the benefits of bird hunting for introducing kids (and new adults) to hunting—social, lively, and “bluegill fishing with a bobber” for the whole family.

3. Bird Dogs, Labs, & Future Plans

[15:00 – 17:36]

• The group talks about the merits of various bird dogs: pointers, setters, and the growing love for Labs as all-rounders for upland and waterfowl.
  • “The best thing about a lab is they do both.” (Wes, 17:08)
• Sam is tempted to make 2027 “the year of the dog” and revive the bird dog tradition in his own family.

4. Inside Pheasant Fest: Upland’s Mardi Gras

[17:35 – 23:22]

• Deep dive into what makes Pheasant Fest so special—described as “upland Mardi Gras,” attended by nearly 29,000 people.
  • “It’s upland Mardi Gras is what it is…never not something to do.” (Tyler, 18:45, 20:26)
• Events include conservation talks, dog parades, women’s events, seminars, national banquets, and the “Concert for Conservation.”
• Importance of the event as a gathering place for conservation, dog culture, and the broader upland hunting network.
• Numerous organizations in attendance, including Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and major conservation voices.

5. The Offseason, Conservation, and Monitoring Bird Populations

[24:24 – 36:07]

• Despite the “offseason,” Tyler describes the endless preparation, monitoring, and dog conditioning that goes on—running dogs on wild birds, staying in tune with micro-habitat weather patterns, and reading bird population reports.
• Lamentation on how weather and habitat drive bird numbers—bad storms or cold snaps can cut populations by more than half.
  • “If one chick lives, they’re done. There’s no more renest.” (Tyler, 27:25)
• Discussion on game agency roadside and lek surveys, and the potential for emerging technologies like thermal drones to improve population tracking.

6. Ethics, Trigger Control & Managing for the Future

[38:49 – 46:05]

• The guests discuss the responsibility hunters have—not just in filling limits, but in keeping coveys and populations healthy, especially in down years.
  • “...Populations drive hunter numbers. Hunter numbers do not drive populations.” (Wes quoting Wade Zerlingo, 38:49)
• Advocating catch-and-release mentalities, passing up small coveys, and “trigger control” to ensure quality hunting remains for future years.
  • “Shouldn’t we all be that way?” (Wes, 40:55)

7. The Joys Beyond the Harvest & Focusing on the Experience

[47:24 – 54:54]

• Reframing expectations: The value is in the journey, friendships, and field experience, not just the kills.
  • “At the end of the day, we do not hunt upland birds because that’s all we’re eating. One of the most calorie negative activities in the outdoor space.” (Tyler, 44:11)
• Comparing failing to “catch-and-release hunting.”
• Cherishing small, magical experiences: Sam tells of watching a migration of leopard frogs during a deer hunt; Tyler recalls sliding into a flock of turkeys only to meet a bobcat instead.

8. Memorable Wild Encounters

[56:03 – 64:10]

• Lion and bobcat stories from the Southwest: harrowing, humorous, and awe-inspiring close calls that underline why time in the wild is so addictive.
  • “My body is sensing danger and I can’t figure out why.” (Sam on locking eyes with a mountain lion, 58:15)
• The lesson: the best moments in the outdoors are often the unscripted ones.

9. Advice for Newcomers & Final Thoughts

[64:50 – 68:33]

• Tyler: “Just do it. 100%…it’s going to take you to some unbelievably cool places, and you’re going to get those moments with your dog, with your kids, with your friends that you’ll talk about for years…It’s really not about limits.”
• Wes: “It’s okay to fail…Stop being afraid…No matter what it is…go do it. You ain’t getting any older.”
• Both stress the affordability and accessibility of upland hunting versus big game. The learning curve isn't steep, and the rewards are rich.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tyler on his boyhood bird dog awakening:
  “That dog just turned to stone. I was like, well, that’s about the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. …That was the shot in the arm that was like, okay, this is what I want to do.” (10:04)

• On the toll of passion:
  “You come sliding into the end of season…I mean you’re just wrecked—physically, mentally, emotionally, you’re just shot.” (07:15)

• On conservation gatherings:
  “It’s upland Mardi Gras is what it is.” (18:45)

• On modern “catch-and-release” ethics:
  “It’s basically catch and release hunting. Your dog has done everything correct up to that point. …The only thing you’re missing is the bang.” (44:53)

• On the unpredictability and awe of wildlife:
  “My body is sensing danger, and I can’t figure out why.” (58:15)

• On getting started in upland hunting:
  “Stop being afraid…No matter what it is…go do it. You ain’t getting any older.” (66:31)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:15] – Podcast intro, guest intros, background and road trip tales
• [07:59] – The physical and mental toll of a long hunting season
• [09:17] – The moment the upland obsession began (Tyler’s first bird dog story)
• [13:51] – Dog breeds, family, and passing on tradition
• [17:35] – Pheasant Fest: what it is and why it matters
• [24:24] – Offseason routines, bird population monitoring, and planning
• [38:49] – Conservation, population ethics, and trigger control
• [44:53] – Catch-and-release hunting and savoring memories over limits
• [56:03] – Harrowing encounters with big cats in the wild
• [64:50] – Advice for newcomers and final reflections

Tone & Style

• The conversation is candid, story-driven, and authentic—both educational and humorous, filled with the easy camaraderie of road trip buddies, and palpable love for the outdoors and the animals (and dogs!) that define their lives.

For More:

• Listen to Tyler on The Western Wing Shooter Podcast and The Flush TV
• Listen to Wes on Prairie Tales Podcast
• Follow them on Instagram: @westernwingshooter and @prairietalespodcast

This summary provides a comprehensive recap of Legends of the Wild, Episode 18, capturing the practical insights, gripping stories, and enduring wisdom that make upland hunting—and bird dogs—such an enduring passion.