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Upland Nation

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Pro bird dog trainer Jim Van Engen on retrieving for pointers and flushers

Dec 9, 2025
1h 3m

Episode Description

Why isn't he retrieving well? This time in the season, it seems like everyone is wondering what happened to their dog. From not bringing birds all the way back, dropping birds or just going hunting again, many upland dogs are just not delivering, literally, these days.

Retriever Hall of Fame inductee, pro trainer, and now successfully transitioned into pointing breeds, Jim Van Engen of Right Start Kennel has answers to our pressing questions. Simply put: force fetch. He'll hit the critical points in a dog's retrieving training whether flusher or pointer, and how to teach those important steps. Of course, we'll talk all things hunting and hit some of the high points of this new phase in his training career.

Listeners sound off on safety practices in the field, and "Fix It" has a suggestion when the walk-in spot looks crowded.

And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, RuffLand Kennels, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, HiViz shooting systems, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.

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