The Flush Podcast - Stories from the field

Firearm Safety Training

Doug Ernst has taught firearm safety training courses for 53 years. On today’s episode, we take Minnesota’s official firearm safety training test and break down questions and answers. We also discuss regular firearm handling mistakes that hunters make, along with some common laws hunters break without even knowing it. We discuss how the course has evolved over time and how online courses differ from hands-on learning in a classroom. This episode is a gun safety course refresher for some hunters and offers plenty of thoughts to consider for hunters and shooters at each stage of life.
 
Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com)

The Rich Life of a Bird Hunter

Arlyn DeBruyckere has been bird hunting for more than 50 years.  He’s also a teacher, firearm safety instructor, hunting mentor, trap shooting coach, active member of several PF chapters, dedicated husband & father, farmer, and conservationist.  Travis and Arlyn share stories from the field and discuss the seasons that hunters go through over the course of a rich & fulfilling life as a bird hunter.  It’s a conversation that ranges from first birds in the bag to controlled burns.  From chapter banquets to gun-shy dogs, and so much more. 
 
Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), Hunt Fish SD (huntfishsd.com/), Aberdeen SD (aberdeensd.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com)

Wyoming Sage Grouse Conservation Management

Justin Binfet (Wyoming’s Game & Fish Deputy Chief) joins the show to discuss in-depth sage grouse management in Wyoming and recent news about dissolving their 21-year-old sage grouse work groups. Justin and Travis discuss the role of the work groups, why they were dissolved, the new path toward sage grouse management, reasons for optimism in Wyoming’s management plan, where wildlife habitat funding comes from, current sage grouse populations and future trends, lek monitoring, invasive habitat work, why cheatgrass is so harmful on the landscape, current drought conditions, hope for spring nests and a positive outlook for all upland bird species in Wyoming. 
 
Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/), Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/), & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com)

The Business Side of Forest Habitat Management

Troy Holcomb is a forester for the Minnesota DNR.  Troy and Travis have an in-depth discussion on the business & economy of forest management and the effects consumers have on wildlife habitat. Troy explains how our forests have evolved with logging practices and commercial contracts, trends in the logging industry based on consumer goods, when, where & why forests are logged, which trees are in high demand, who does the work and why some bids don’t get accepted, public vs private land management, short term and long term logging practices paint big picture, why forest management differs across the country and it’s devastating effects on ruffed grouse and other wildlife, is the ruffed grouse cycle tied to logging and forest management, and so much more. @mndnr
 
Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/) Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/) & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com)

Aiming For A Cure

Steve Ries from Top Gun Kennels in Iowa lost his son to cancer back in 2003.  At his son’s request, they started a non-profit organization called Aiming For A Cure to help other families in their fight against cancer. Steve explains the mission of Aiming For A Cure today, how they’ve raised $8 million dollars to help others, why others join the fight, the details of their upcoming hunt & banquet, and how it all helps kids and families that need assistance the most.  We also talk about Steve’s 35 years at the kennel, breeding and genetics in GSP’s, and finding the right dog for you.  @aimingforacure | www.aimingforacure.com
 
Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/) Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/) & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com)

Zeitler Memorial Hunt

George Lyall & Mark Zeitler join the show to discuss the Karl Zeitler Memorial Hunt & the many ways that bird dogs bring people together to help others. Mark explains why he started this event in his father’s honor, what the memorial hunt entails, the Law Dog Challenge, raising funds to help K9 officers, and the value of volunteering to serve alongside others. We also discuss The Method dog training seminars coming up and a whole lot more. @karlzeitlermemorialhunt @themethoddogtraining
 
Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/) Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/) & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com)

Pheasant Fest Q&A

This episode is an open-mic experience on the show floor at the 2026 Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Listeners of this podcast bring their questions to Travis Frank, Scott Fransen & Tyler Webster.  It’s a totally unscripted bird hunting Q & A with guests from all over North America. 
 
Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/) Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/) & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com)

Upland Feud LIVE @ Mill City Upland Social Club

Upland Feud LIVE at Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Minneapolis, Minnesota! We celebrate the largest gathering of upland bird hunters in the world by throwing an after party event with our friends at OnX Hunt, called the Mill City Upland Social Club. In front of a packed audience at Hell’s Kitchen, teams from The Flush & OnX Hunt compete with audience guests to raise money for the birds and to be crowned 2026 upland champions!
 
Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/) Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/) & Hoksey Native Seeds (https://hokseynativeseeds.com)

6 Years & 300 Episodes

We celebrate six years and 300 episodes of The Flush podcast by digging back through powerful stories that have shaped this show.  We celebrate good times, reflect on hard times, look for perspective, and stand in awe at some of the feats we’ve accomplished with our incredible friends and loyal listeners.  It’s a milestone episode that we’re grateful to share with you all as we look ahead to 300 more episodes of The Flush Podcast!
 
Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/) & Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (horseandhunt.com/)

Pheasant Fest Preview

Ben Brettingen joins Travis Frank to preview Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic.  We share the details of our Friday night Mill City Upland Social Club with OnX Hunt, which includes a LIVE recording of the Flush podcast featuring a game of Upland Feud. We discuss a new OnX upland game at their booth, Concert for Conservation, Karaoke for Conservation, seminar schedules, new gear, and so much more… find show details @pheasantsforever.org
 
Presented by: Walton’s (waltons.com/), OnX Maps (onxmaps.com/), GAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator (https://alnk.to/74wKReb), Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (blackgoldpet.com/), Marshwear Clothing (marshwearclothing.com/), RuffLand Kennels (rufflandkennels.com/)