The Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast

In this installment of the podcast, Reid and Orvis Gunroom Manager Greg Carpiniello seek answers to a listener question, namely about available options for new/contemporary entry-level side-by-sides. Greg and Reid dive into specific option from Orvis and elsewhere, discussing guns of current manufacture as well as guns that have come and gone over the past half century. A great resource for the shooter in the market for a first side-by-side gun.

In this podcast, Reid and Del Whitman of D.C. Whitman Custom Gunsmithing go deep on the firing pins, discussing function, failures, and the related fixes. This podcast fleshes out a collaborative article the duo wrote for an upcoming issue of Shooting Sportsman Magazine, and Del lends his technical know-how to explain the inner workings of firing pins. For those double-gun enthusiasts interested in gaining a better understanding of how these beautiful machines work, this podcast walks through the sequence of hammer fall, impact, and detonation, making matters a bit more clear.

In this episode, Reid again sits down with Durrell Smith of The Gundog Notebook to discuss the complex role that race has played, and continues to play, in the bird hunting culture of the American Southeast. Recognizing the sensitivity of the subject and a history that has indeed included racial stratification, Reid and Durrell lean into some tough questions. The duo take an honest look at the roles relegated to African American men in southern quail hunting, the value of that heritage, and how to learn from and celebrate beautiful aspects of a nuanced culture while acknowledging elements that are ripe for change. They also discuss the common ground that a love of hunting and dogs can cultivate.

In the second collaborative effort between Orvis and Purina Pro Plan, Reid chats with Veterinarian RuthAnn Lobos about the myths and misconceptions that surround the pet food industry. RuthAnn is a dog owner, upland hunter, and Lead Veterinarian for Merrick Pet Care. Prior to her role at Merrick she spent 15 years with Purina Pro Plan, working closely with veterinary and scientific thought leaders to promote research into canine and feline nutritional science. Dr. Lobos calls addresses a list of common ideas about pet food, some true and some misguided. She also provides the following resources for additional reading: o            https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Selecting-a-pet-food-for-your-pet-updated-2021_WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit.pdf o            https://acvn.org/ o            https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/petfoodology/ o            https://www.petdiets.com/ o            https://secure.balanceit.com/index.php o            https://www.merrickpetcare.com/blog/getting-to-know-dr-ruthann-lobos/

Reid and Orvis Gunroom Manager Greg Carpiniello engage in a “State of the Union” conversation, reviewing the trends in the firearms and shooting industries over the past year. Central to the conversation is a look at increased demand and decreased supply that arose as a result of the pandemic, followed by some assessment of what the future holds. Reid and Greg also dig into their thoughts on what the future might hold with regard to firearm and ammunition availability.

This episode of the Orvis Hunting and Shooting Podcast is the first in an ongoing series of shows delivered in collaboration with Purina Pro Plan. Pro Plan is an institution in the sporting dog world, and Purina’s network of veterinarians, researchers, behaviorists, trainers, and handlers is without parallel in that space. In this series Reid will welcome a range of these professionals to discuss topics such as nutrition for sporting dogs, myths and misconceptions regarding dog food, emergency veterinary medicine for field application, sports injuries, and more. In this inaugural episode, Reid is joined by Keith Schopp, retired VP of Corporate Public Relations for Purina, and Karl Gunzer, former pro trainer and Purina’s Director of the Sporting Dog Group. The trio pulls back the curtain a bit, discussing the Purina origin story, how Pro Plan evolved to focus on sporting dogs specifically, and the standards to which the brand holds itself accountable. The first in the series, this conversation should provide a backdrop for what is to come. Learn more at www.purina.com

Reid explores a question posed by listener Steve Harris about non-toxic alternatives for vintage guns. Reid is joined by Phil Bourjailly, who sheds some light on the evolution of non-toxic ammunition options for upland and waterfowl, and why certain shot types are ill-advised for use in older guns. Phil is a font of knowledge, and he draws from personal experience with a broad spectrum of ammunition and shot types to arrive at some clear solutions for shooters like Steve who wish to safely shoot their classic guns.

Reid sits down with Karen Syron and Nance Ceccarelli to discuss the unique opportunities and challenges encountered by women in the hunting space. Karen serves as Marketing Manager and Nance serves as a wingshooting guide at Idaho’s Flying B Ranch. Both Nance and Karen describe their pathway into hunting and the role it plays in their lives. They also discuss the way in which great mentorship can help bring more women into the shooting sports, and the wonderful community that can be cultivated by women in the field. Enjoy!

In this episode of the Podcast, Reid is joined by his friend Mike Neiduski, Director of Regional Development – Southeast for the Ruffed Grouse Society / American Woodcock Society. Mike and Reid share much in common: New England childhoods, previous work in education, and a love of grouse and woodcock. They discuss the aims of RGS under recent leadership changes, the necessity of a dynamic forest ecosystem, and the way in which diversity, both from a human and an ecologic standpoint, is vital to our collective future in the uplands. Enjoy!  

In this episode of the podcast, Reid is joined by Ryan O’Shaughnessy of West Texas Quail Outfitters. A regular on the podcast, Ryan brings a strong science background to his guiding and hunting. Ryan and Reid explore some sensitive questions, most notably how hunting pressure can impact limited populations of Mearns quail during challenging weather events, the pros and cons of hunting pressure on public lands, and how social media can impact the decisions we make in the field. It’s a conversation that is sure to elicit some opinions. Enjoy!

With an eye on Turkey season, Reid joins Phil Bourjailly, Shooting Editor for Field & Stream Magazine and Ducks Unlimited. Phil, an Iowa native, shares his thoughts on hunting spring gobblers. He discusses preferred guns and chokes, sight options, decoys, and calls. He even delves into the ammunition options currently on the market, and the advances in shot composition that have drastically enhanced the efficacy of modern turkey loads. Enjoy!

In this final installment of the Hunt, Hike, Hook series, Reid is joined again by Michael Vargas and Chuck Coolidge. With the Arizona quail season officially wrapped, the trio discusses Mike and Chuck’s last few forays down to southern Arizona to chase the trifecta of Mearns, Scaled, and Gambel’s quail. Discussion wanders from the differing characteristics between the species, their descriptive habits and habitats, and the reason that Mearns have become the “it” upland bird species of the day. Enjoy!

In this episode, Reid delves into his personal history buying and selling guns, and the reasons why some guns stick with us, and others don't. He shares an old article on the subject that describes the process of acquisition, and then the process of letting go. He further discusses how tastes in guns can change over time as our shooting ability, and identity, evolves. Enjoy!

Reid is joined by friend and fellow bird hunter Pat Berry to discuss late season grouse habitat. Pat is the former Commissioner of Fish & Wildlife for the state of Vermont. He is an avid grouse and woodcock hunter, and an active trainer and handler of flushing spaniels. Pat is also incredibly well-versed in the seasonal changes that face New England grouse, and therefore face New England Grouse Hunters. He and Reid discuss the best tactics for finding grouse throughout the season as the available food and cover types change.

Reid and podcast regular, Orvis Gunroom Manager Greg Carpiniello, sit down to address a couple of questions posed by listeners. Specifically, the duo address, or perhaps defend, the cost of a decent double gun. With the hope of shedding some light on why and how to get what you pay for, Greg and Reid explore new vs. used, country of origin, and why at times a lower purchase price can result in a headache rather than a bargain. Enjoy!