On The Wing Podcast

A rich, winter-ready wild game dish that hunters can master with simple stock and sauce techniques. In this holiday feasting edition of On the Wing podcast, we dig into an upland-inspired meal built for cold evenings after long days in the field. Quail Forever Journal Editor Ryan Sparks returns to the podcast and guides hunting cooks through his red wine and mushroom quail recipe, an approachable plate that blends Italian-style game cooking with ingredients any bird hunter can pull straight from the freezer.Ryan breaks down how to turn a handful of bobwhite quail into a meal that highlights every ounce of the bird. You’ll learn why small game cooks should always save legs and carcasses, how to make a no-nonsense homemade stock in a crockpot, and how to build richer, more reliable sauces using simple reduction and deglazing techniques. We also cover choosing the right mushrooms, crisping quail breasts properly, pairing wild game with the right wine, and adapting the recipe for pheasants or other upland birds.Whether you're a seasoned upland hunter or an aspiring wild game cook, this episode gives you practical, confidence-building techniques you can use across your entire upland hunting and wild-game kitchen repertoire. And yes, this one absolutely tastes like Christmas.Show notesCheck out the Passalacqua + Quail Forever wines and a limited-edition holiday gift pack ready to ship in time for Christmas. Use the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership to plan your next bird hunting adventure. On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

A fall feast of pheasant, apples, and Passalacqua Winery’s white wine created for hunters who love wild game. In this snackable holiday edition of On the Wing podcast, Quail Forever Journal Editor Ryan Sparks breaks down his pretzel-crusted pheasant cutlets with apple cream sauce, a cold-weather dish that blends upland hunting traditions with rich autumn flavors. If you’re looking for a new way to showcase fresh pheasant after a long day in the field, this is the recipe to add to your hunter’s table.Ryan walks through the full process, from pounding out pheasant breasts for even cooking to building the perfect crisp using crushed pretzel chips. He explains why spaetzle makes the ideal companion starch and how to avoid common pitfalls when cooking delicate wild game. Along the way, he shares stories from late-season pheasant hunts on his family’s ranch, highlighting how food ties us back to the land and the memories behind each bird.You’ll learn how to make a balanced apple cream sauce using pheasant stock, the best varietal of apple for the dish, and how to build flavor without overpowering the natural taste of upland birds. And to top it off, Ryan pairs the entire dish with the Passalacqua + Quail Forever Fiano, a bright white wine that cuts through the richness of the cutlet and elevates every bite.Whether you’re planning a holiday wild game feast or just want a new go-to wild game meal, this episode delivers everything you need to cook like a seasoned hunter-chef.Show notesCheck out the Passalacqua + Quail Forever wines and a limited-edition holiday gift pack ready to ship in time for Christmas. Use the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership to plan your next bird hunting adventure. On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of Illinois upland hunting with chapter volunteer leader and bird dog devotee Freddy Reyes. Aaron Williams, PF & QF’s regional representative for northern Illinois, also provides a boots-on-the-ground upland report for early-season pheasant and quail hunting. Together, they break down common struggles for new hunters (from gear and dogs to confidence in the field) and share practical takeaways you can use on your next upland hunt.Freddie also shares how he transitioned from deer and dove hunting to discovering the thrill of bird dogs and wingshooting. You’ll hear how his German shorthaired pointer, Bailey, completely changed his hunting trajectory and how that dog/hunter connection fuels his passion for mentoring new hunters across Illinois. From running youth clinics to helping adult-onset hunters through Illinois’ Learn to Hunt program, Freddie illustrates why volunteerism is the backbone of PF & QF’s upland conservation mission.If you care about bird hunting, upland habitat, youth recruitment, or the future of conservation, this discussion delivers real insight straight from the field. This episode is an authentic, insider conversation for anyone passionate about bird hunting, habitat conservation, and growing the next generation of outdoorsmen and women.Show notesLearn more about PF & QF in Illinois at www.IHuntIL.com.Use the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership to plan your next bird hunting adventure. On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

A single newspaper column sparked one of America’s greatest upland conservation movements, here’s how it happened.Before there were banquets, chapters, or habitat acres on the ground, there was a typewriter and an idea. In this episode of On the Wing Podcast, PF & QF’s Bob St. Pierre and Jared Wicklund sit down with Star Tribune Outdoors Editor Dennis Anderson, the man whose 1982 newspaper column launched Pheasants Forever.Anderson reflects on the early days of pheasant hunting across Minnesota and Iowa, how changing farm practices and vanishing grasslands inspired him to act, and what it took to turn a single column into a nationwide conservation force. He also shares his lifelong passion for upland bird hunting, his fascination with British Labradors, and his firsthand stories of duck and grouse hunting across the Midwest.Listeners will come away with a deep appreciation for how grassroots action, community, and habitat conservation changed the future of pheasant hunting and why today’s hunters must continue that fight. Whether you’ve been chasing roosters for decades or are just stepping into the uplands, this discussion offers rare insight from one of the most influential voices in outdoor journalism.Show notesDennis Anderson will be the keynote speaker at PF & QF’s National Celebration Dinner on Saturday, February 21st in Minneapolis during National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2026. Tickets for this special dinner celebrating Pheasants Forever’s origin story are now on sale at www.PheasantFest.orgUse the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership to plan your next bird hunting adventure. On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.

Three hunters, six dogs, and three western states—one unforgettable pursuit for prairie chickens, sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, and ptarmigan.This episode of On the Wing Podcast follows three Pheasants Forever volunteers, Kenny Reed, Colton Nefsker, and Justin Nie, as they return from an epic upland hunting road trip across South Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming. From prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse in the Fort Pierre National Grasslands to the elusive white-tailed ptarmigan high in Colorado’s alpine ridges, these “Flatlanders” share the challenges, lessons, and triumphs that come with chasing new birds in wild country.Host Bob St. Pierre dives deep into their preparation and field strategy—how they conditioned for altitude, handled dogs across different terrains, and balanced conservation ethics with the thrill of the hunt. Along the way, listeners will pick up practical tips for planning multi-state bird hunts, researching habitat, and staying mobile when conditions—or luck—shift.With plenty of laughs, dog stories, and hard-earned insight, this episode captures the heart of upland adventure: wild birds, wild country, and good company under big western skies.Show notesUse the code PFQF at onxmaps.com/hunt/app for 20% off your onX Hunt membership to plan your next bird hunting adventure. On the Wing Podcast is proudly fueled by Purina Pro Plan.