Hunt & Field Magazine

09/21/2023

So excited for Manda, one of our Hunt & Field Contributors for her AMAZING feature in Garden & Gun Magazine😍

09/13/2023

We will be highlighting Prairie Training in our upcoming issue. Send us your best Prairie Training Photos for the opportunity to have them featured in the next Hunt & Field!!!

09/12/2023

Life with Bird Dogs, and really any animal, is a life that requires True Grit. Grit is defined as courage and resolve, strength of character; the characteristics of grit are courage, conscientiousness, endurance and resilience.

Read more about the Grit one must have during hardships we face with our beloved partners:

Grit is defined as courage and resolve, strength of character; the characteristics of grit are courage, conscientiousness, endurance, resili

09/11/2023

On this day we want to take a moment to remember all the souls who were lost on 9/11, 22 years ago. We Remember the terror, the grief, the disbelief and all who ran towards the danger to search for those in the rubble and the flames. Thank you to all who came together: the first responders and the search and rescue teams that were made up of men, women and canines. We will never forget!

09/09/2023

The two ladies and new owners of Robert Milner's Duckhill Kennels in Somerville, Tennessee, Mauri Jourdan and Heather Vazquez, filled some big shoes in January 2023, when they acquired the business from legendary dog trainer and handler, Robert Milner.

Having trained and worked under Milner for several years, the transition into co-owning DuckHill was a natural one for these ladies. More than qualified to step up to the challenge, these women of the Gun Dog World are continuing Milner’s tradition and vision of achieving British Labrador excellence through their breeding and training programs.

Read more about these Females in the Field and their Positive Training Program for Gun and Duck dogs:

Females in the Field: Two Ladies Leading the Positive Way at DuckHill Kennels in Somerville, Tennessee.

09/07/2023

Strong drive, athletic, willing to please, loyal, easily trained…these are just a few traits every dogman and woman hopes to see in his or her bird dog. Yes, most of these attributes begin with a breeding program, bloodlines, and good genetics, but how do playful, energetic bird dog puppies transform into magnificent partners? The foundation the puppy receives is key.

Read more about foundations every Bird Dog Puppy needs below:

Strong drive, athletic, willing to please, loyal, easily trained; these are just a few traits every dogman hopes to see in their puppy

09/06/2023

We would like to Remember Captain Gary Lockee who passed away on August 27th, at 101 years of age.

He was a lifelong bird dog man and a major supporter of the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tenn. Here is a beautiful story he wrote for us in 2022 when he turned 100 years old. He tells his story about his love affair with his bird dogs from a very young age and the sport. He called it a "Quail Addiction".

Read More here:

Captain Gary Locke has quail hunted for 90 years and campaigned champion field trial dogs for some 50 years.

08/15/2023

In the heart of the quaint Vinings neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia, a powerful and thought-provoking fine art experience awaits art enthusiasts, sporting folk, and conservationists alike. “American Soil | American Soul” is a collaborative art show presented by Durrell and Ashley Smith, two artists deeply connected to the soil of America and committed to healing the soul of the nation through their work in the great outdoors.

Read more here:
https://www.huntandfieldmag.com/post/american-soil-american-soul

The Sporting Life Notebook

“American Soil | American Soul” is a collaborative art show presented by Durrell and Ashley Smith, two artists deeply connected to the soil

08/09/2023

The journey down the path that is bird dogs, horses, and field trials is well-traveled from those that came before us and was well-worn by those that came before them. From mentor to mentee, our sport is passed down much like a treasured heirloom. We carefully hand off traditions, trade secrets, and “ the way things are done” so that everything we hold dear is able to be gifted to the next generation that shows up with an affinity for the poetry in motion that is birddogs and horseback field trialing. Read Kenton Bryant's Under the Wing article here:

From mentor to mentee, our sport of Field Trials is passed down much like a treasured heirloom.

08/08/2023

In some stories, there are rumors in the South of men who find their peace and solace in the early, waking hours of the day, greeted with the chops, barks, and howls of pointers and setters and the quieter stomp of a Tennessee Walking Horse’s hoof pounding the stable stall dirt. They reply to each by name, with a kind heart and a giving hand and a spirit filled with an ever-deepening kind of gratitude. In this feature learn more about what it means to be a Dogman:

Dogmen are masters not only of the kennel but horsemanship as well. Their craft has always been the story of their lives.

08/07/2023

It was a hot day in Thomasville, Georgia; too hot for it to be just the beginning of March and not ideal in the least for Benny, who easily gets warm and had been riding in the wagon all morning. I was filled with so much apprehension, I could feel my heart pounding. My hands were shaking, and dang it if I did not have the sudden need to use the restroom. The woods would have to do. I hate feeling like I am unprepared. I am a person who hates to fail, so to make myself feel better I like to over prepare. The truth is, I was ready. Benny and I had put the work in, we had hunted all season and gone to the club training days; he looked good. On several of those training days he had more finds than his bracemate, and I knew that he could do it. There really was not anything more to do than to jump on the back of “Horse” and do what we had been training for.

Read More here about the Georgia Florida Shooting Dog Handlers Club annual Field Trial:

Neal Carter proudly announced to everyone that the first woman in the club and in the history of the Field Trial, was about to run a dog.

08/02/2023

It is hot and humid most days, and in reality most really don’t feel like fighting the heat. But we must have determination, discipline, sacrifice and commitment. If we don’t have these qualities our dogs will certainly not be all we want them to be. What we want out of our dogs in the field is what we should work on during the summer.

Read more on Summer Training Tips by Josh Brown of P&B Farms and Kennel.

I believe what we want out of our dogs in the field is what we should work on during the summer.

07/31/2023

Upland, Wingshooting, and Field Trialing, these are the bird dog sports that are often passed through family generations and run through hunters’ blood. The world of bird dogs and their sports can seem so unfamiliar and unattainable for a new enthusiast. But here we explore the regions, the birds, and the dogs that lead the hunt during peak seasons throughout the US.

Upland, Wingshooting, and Field Trialing, these are the bird dog sports that are often passed through family generations and run through hunters’ blood. The world of bird dogs and their sports can seem so unfamiliar and unattainable for a new enthusiast. But here we explore the regions, the birds,...

07/28/2023

What's our "Why?" We are animal lovers at the end of the day. Whether you wake up and feed one dog, or a kennel full of hunting dogs, or you pick out your horse stalls while the herd is eating their morning breakfast, I believe it is the right assumption that you are driven every day by the love of animals. And one thing we animal lovers have ingrained in us, regardless of being a dogman or horseman, is how to listen to our intuition and instincts. Our animals teach us how to listen to our gut. Perhaps they train us how to do that so we can better train them.

Read more about Hunt & Field's mission:

I feel you, as a reader, probably understand that gut instinct feeling. We are animal lovers at the end of the day.

07/27/2023

Upland bird hunting is arguably one of the most thrilling types of hunting. Virtually invisible game birds hiding in their cover until they are abruptly flushed by a well-trained bird dog gives the anticipating hunter a jolt of adrenaline, regardless if he or she is a novice or expert wingshooter. Unfortunately, accurate shooting is not like riding a bike- practice is needed to maintain and improve precision. Hunters must keep their shooting skills honed in during the off season if they expect to have successful upland hunts this fall and winter.

Upland bird hunting is arguably one of the most thrilling types of hunting. Virtually invisible game birds hiding in their cover until they are abruptly flushed by a well-trained bird dog gives the anticipating hunter a jolt of adrenaline, regardless if he or she is a novice or expert wingshooter. U...

07/26/2023

Hunt & Field’s next issue is at the printer now!!! Subscribers will receive the magazine around the first full week of August.

On the Cover is ‘s beautiful German Shorthair Pointer, “Benny.”
📷 by Brian Michaelis

In this issue we discuss Summer Training for your shooting game, your dogs and puppies. We have amazing features on dogman life and culture, mentorship, and females in the field!

07/06/2023

It’s summer and excessive heat and humidity are suffocating this time of year. Tell us how you’re keeping up your shooting game during the summer months.

06/12/2023

Hunt & Field Magazine is looking for a positive and energetic Advertising Account Executive to join our team. Someone who is experienced in digital and print ad sales, is results-oriented and can develop and maintain long-term relationships with existing and new clients.

We’re seeking the kind of person who is self-motivated, willing to work hard, problem-solve and take a consultative approach to winning business. You must be a self-starter, high energy, be able to develop successful business relationships and professionally represent a publication that is top in its field.

This is a Remote job, but requires designated meetings with Publisher each week.

Responsibilities

- Initiate sales and marketing calls to prospective and current clients.
- Maintain and build relationships with existing clients.
- Prepare proposals and respond to RFPs
- Strategize with clients and provide strategic marketing solutions
- Hit target prospecting and revenue quotas
- Work internally, across departments, to create compelling media solutions for advertisers.
- Create custom sales presentations and proposals

Qualifications

- BA/BS or equivalent.
- Minimum of 2-3 years of sponsorship, digital and print advertising sales experience.
- Must be a good communicator and skilled at developing relationships through sales outreach.
- Generate advertising revenues to meet specific budgetary goals.
Self-motivated with great time management skills.
- Have a positive attitude and professional demeanor and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Prospecting and cold calling skills necessary to develop new advertisers.
- Maintain and grow current accounts.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, exciting environment while managing multiple priorities.
- Excellent written and presentation skills.
- CRM experience.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective business relationships.

To Apply

email cover letter and resume to [email protected]

06/10/2023

“When I was just a child, I had a special place I called “The Garden of Eden” in my grandparents’, Annie Jean Smith and Elbert Wells (E.W.) Smith, backyard in Oakland City, Atlanta. There was a forest back there, and I spent a lot of time getting to know the outdoors, just roaming through the trees, building tepees, and stuff like that. My grandad gave me outdoor tools, like shovels and knives, I would use to build things. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, I was connecting with nature on a more spiritual level. I realize now that’s where the wonder came from.”

Read more about Durrell Smith, owner and founder of The Sporting Life Notebook:

Durrell Smith, Owner & Founder of The Sporting Life Notebook, & his Passion for Bird Dogs and Horses.

05/31/2023

Walking into Daniels Kennels feels more “small batch bird dog” than it does a kennel. It’s quiet and stock is minimal. The dogs that are there are the dogs that are supposed to be there. It feels deliberate and intentional and generations of dogs tend to look the same. It’s an assured, studied, and unapologetic operation.

Read more in link from writer, Durrell Smith, with The Sporting Life Notebook on his journey to Jamie Daniel’s where they worked his pup, Hotboy, and other Miller’s Blindsider pups!

Walking into Daniel’s Kennels feels more “small batch bird dog” than it does a kennel. It’s quiet and stock is minimal.

05/29/2023

We are thrilled to partner with The Sporting Life Notebook. Here, our Publisher and Editor, Lauren Abbott, talks with Durrell Smith about the partnership, Field Trials, Horses, Art and our Southern Sporting lives.

Listen here to learn more about things Hunt & Field and The Sporting Life Notebook are working on together to bring you in future issues: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sporting-life-notebook-podcast/id1293560617?i=1000614818830

Available now on Podcast!

EP164 | “Split Find” with of and

LISTEN NOW

Subscribe and Download on your favorite podcast player!

05/21/2023

Great bird dog adventure stories coming!

Writing a piece entitled (tentatively) “All Age” for

It’s a fun narrative about a morning with my dear friend and All Age handler, Jamie Daniels, picking up Hotboy, and shared insights on “legacy” during the morning workout.

Stay tuned | Subscribe today to Hunt & Field Magazine!

05/17/2023

Tell us your favorite hunting dog! Beagles are the classic rabbit dogs but also silly and fun family members!

05/16/2023

Up next for Durrell’s Picks | Sporting Clays at and running young dogs.

Check us out on YouTube for full episodes

Subscribe to the Back At It Newsletter for monthly updates on the latest from TSLN.

Use promo code TSLN15 for 15% off the latest in Beretta gear and apparel,

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05/12/2023

Hunt & Field is excited to announce our partnership with The Sporting Life Notebook Podcast and Durrell and Ashley Smith. Durrell and Ashley are co-founders of TSLN and the Minority Outdoor Alliance . They are actively breaking barriers in the sport of Field Trials and Bird Dog Hunting.

The Sporting Life Notebook is actively bringing new generations and participants to the outdoors. In turn, this new blood is not only enjoying activities they never knew were possible, but they are also bringing in new ideas and fresh perspectives; ensuring that our sporting traditions, wildlife, and habitat will be here tomorrow. And in the end,
the idea of never allowing deeply rooted stereotypes. Their Mission is: “to continuously share with nontraditional markets the rich opportunities found in our sporting traditions.”

Durrell and Ashley’s mission and passion aligned perfectly with Hunt & Field and we are thrilled to team up and tell stories of all things Southern Upland Bird Hunting culture and traditions and we will be taking very deep dives into Southern Field Trials and the culture and traditions of the sport.

Durrell is a Dogman, Field Trialer, Outdoorsman and Artist. He has partnered with Garden & Gun as a panelist and speaker at Garden & Gun’s Conversations and Conservation event. He was awarded Orvis’ Breaking Barriers Award in 2021, and has been published in Outdoor Life Magazine, Gun Dog Magazine, Project Upland Magazine and Orvis Hunting and Shooting Blog, just to name a few!

Hunt & Field’s next issue publishes this summer! We are looking forward to a wonderful issue focusing on the Deep South Bird Dog culture. Follow our journey in telling your stories! Through this partnership we hope to bring more awareness and enthusiasm to new and seasoned generations of dogmen, horsemen, outdoorsmen and women!

Make sure you subscribe to Hunt & Field at www.huntandfieldmag.com/subscribe and listen and download The Sporting Life Notebook’s podcast which can found here: https://bit.ly/41wA69V

This latest issue is all about Kalila Clark, an avid horsewoman dedicated to improving equine's performance with PEMF therapy.

03/17/2023

The ideal Field Trial horse is known to be obedient, graceful and one that has enough endurance to cover hundreds of acres in a single brace. When pacing behind the dogs at work, a rider must have an intuitive, dependable horse in order to produce a successful and pleasurable brace and ride. A closer look at what makes an ideal Field Trial horse reveals exactly what characteristics riders and trainers are looking for in their mounts.
Read More here:

It is the morning of a Field Trial and as dawn breaks horses are being saddled. The wind whips through the sage colored, winter grass and the pine tree limbs softly creak with every gust. The horses stand quietly as if they know to conserve their energy for the next few hours when they will pace beh...

03/11/2023

Chronic Wasting Disease was discovered in southwestern Tennessee in 2019. Certainly, the disease had been present on the local landscape for a number of years before it was discovered. It has since spread across much of western Tennessee.

Read More Here: https://www.huntandfieldmag.com/post/the-mysterious-wasting-syndrome

03/10/2023

Not so long ago the call of “bob...white” was as ubiquitous on the southern landscape as were the mist-laden scents of honeysuckle in the spring and a riot of red and gold leaves in the fall. But that is no longer true. Quail are no longer there, at least not as many, and in some places, they’re simply gone. Even the honeysuckle and fall’s royal colors have dwindled in many areas. What happened? What went wrong?

Read More Here: https://www.huntandfieldmag.com/post/the-decline-of-bobwhite-quail

03/09/2023

The Ames Plantation’s Brick Stables is one of the finest stables in Tennessee. The stables were completed in 1913 by Hobart Ames. It houses 21 stalls, ten stalls that Mrs. Ames occupied with her horses on her wing of the stables, and ten additional stalls on the adjoining wing Mr. Ames utilized. On Mr. Ames’ wing there is an enclosed Stallion stall. There are also five standing stalls on each wing where fellow field trial guests could rest their horses while they visited or ate lunch with Mr. Ames.

Read More Here: https://www.huntandfieldmag.com/post/ames-plantation-s-brick-stables

03/08/2023

Meet our Publisher, Lauren Abbott, and learn more about her vision for Hunt & Field Magazine, her first Field Trial experiences, and her hopes for future issues to come!

Publisher, Lauren Abbott, shares the 124th National Championship for Bird Dogs issue in its new format. Since 1986 the Field Trial Review published countless stories of famous bird dogs, their handlers, owners and trusted steeds. Now Abbott continues that legacy, under the new Hunt & Field Magazine.

02/27/2023

The 124th National Championship Digital Edition is now live! Check it out here. If you are not a paid subscriber, and owner or handler of one of the 2023 contending dogs then make sure you either purchase a single keepsake copy or a yearly subscription. We will be publishing quarterly and will feature all bird, gun, hunt dog field and waterfowl sports year round!

The 124th National Championship for Bird Dogs Digital Edition is now live. Hunt & Field is a quarterly Magazine featuring bird, gun and hunt dogs, horses and all field and waterfowl hunting sports.

02/22/2023

We are excited to have our new website live! More stories, content and photography will be added early next week once our 124th National Championship issue publishes. Stay tuned but please visit and subscribe to receive your copy in the mail.

*All owners and handlers of dogs who ran in the National Championship will receive a complimentary issue. Please be sure to email your mailing address to [email protected] and in the subject line put: (Your dogs name, Complimentary issue)

On February 21, Miller's Blindsider was named the 2023 National Champion on the steps of Ames Manor Plantation, in Grand Junction, Tenn. "Sam" known to his owner: Nick Berrong, handler: Jamie Daniels, scout: Judd Carlton, and family and friends, had an impressive run on the second day of running on....

02/21/2023

Here we go! And the National Champion is…. Miller’s Blindsider, owned by Nick Berrong, handled by Jamie Daniels! Congratulations to all!

02/17/2023

Yesterday we had heavy thunderstorms and tornado watches, today Brace 8 left out in the sleet! Running now is Painted Owyhee Toad and Touch's Shadow Rider.
Painted Owyhee Toad is from the Pacific Northwest and has come the greatest distance of any of this year's competitors. Owned by father and daughter Jim and Bridget Ledington and handled by Bridget Ledington, the only female handler at the Nationals. Bridget is also competing with a knee injury that she sustained about a week ago or a little more.

Touch's Shadow Rider is owned by Bruce & Karen Norton and Dr. Reuben Richardson. He is handled by Mark McLean.

This afternoon we will see Lowrider Frank, owned by Dr. Jim Mills and Steve Lightle and handled by Allen Vincent and Westfall’s River Ice, owned by Brad Calkins and handled by Andy Daughtery.

Good luck to everyone today!

02/16/2023

TRIVIA time courtesy of Mr. Steeple Bell:

We will publish the answers to our new website that is launching Monday! For those with correct answers we’ll mail a complimentary National Championship issue to you when it publishes the first week of March!

02/16/2023

Delayed Brace 7 will kick off at 2 today! The contending dogs and handlers are:
Pendy's Good Grace, owned and handled by Matt Pendergest.
And Touch's Amazing Greyce, owned by Austin Turley, and handled by Keith Wright.

Good luck this afternoon!!!

02/15/2023

It’s right before dawn and horses are being saddled at the Ames’ beautiful brick stables!

Today’s braces are:
AM: Shadow’s Lord Magic, handled by Luke Eisenhart, owned by Carl Bowman.
And 2022 National Champion Lester’s Shockwave, handled by Gary Lester, owned by Tommy and Bonnie Hamilton.

PM brace: Touch’s Malcom Story, handled by Mark McLean, owned by Alex Rickert.
And Hendrix’s Touch Up, handled by Burke Hendrix, owned by Burke and Guy Hendrix.
Good luck today!!!

02/14/2023

Yesterday was an exciting day! Here are today’s Dogs and handlers. Let’s hope the rain holds out!
AM Brace: Quickmarksman’s Dan, Handled by Mike Hester, owned by Larry Earls and Sam Starnes.
Miller’s Blindsider, handled by Jamie Daniels, owned by Nick Berrong.
PM Brace: Game Heir, owned and handled by Dr. Fred Corder
Mauck’s Wyeast Owyhee Jack, handled by Alex Mauck and owned by Steve Croy.

Good luck to everyone this morning and afternoon!

02/13/2023

Today is the day! The National Championship kicks off at 8:00am this morning! Here are the Dogs and Handlers running in today’s braces:
AM: Bonner’s Bulletproof, owned by Dr. Chris Comman, Handled by Randy Anderson.
Lester’s Storm Surge, owned by Tommy and Bonnie Hamilton, Handled by Gary Lester.
PM Brace: Dream Chaser, owned by Brad Calkins, Handled by Andy Daughtery.
Touch’s Fire Away, owned by Greg and Carmen Adams and Handled by Randy Anderson.

02/11/2023

We are here at the National Bird Dog Museum Field Trial Hall of Fame inductee ceremonies! There are so many amazing individuals and dogs being celebrated today. We look forward to sharing their stories in the upcoming National Championship issue! The Championship kicks off Monday!!! Stay tuned….