Field Residency
Most bird dogs have more heart than their owners have vacation days. I help bridge that gap. With over 50 days spent afield each season, I can offer your dog the one thing that many owners and trainers can’t: days of wild bird contacts.
The GDY Field Residency is a bespoke, immersive experience on the open prairie designed to move your dog beyond “trained” and into “experienced.” From the first turn in the grass to the final bird in the vest, I facilitate the time, the terrain, and the wild bird contacts that truly make a bird dog.
There is no substitute for the wild bird. It is the greatest teacher a dog will ever have - sharper than any whistle and more consistent than any trainer. The GDY Field Residency is built on the belief that a dog’s true potential is unlocked through thousands of acres, hundreds of wild scents, and the grit that can only be found on the open prairie.
Birds make a bird dog.
Learn the Road
Getting accustomed to traveling long distances in the kennel, eating and sleeping on the road are “life skills” a healthy bird dog needs to learn.
in Good Company
Dogs are social hunters and can learn from one another. When one sees another working hard and finding birds, it often triggers a natural competitive drive.
while Getting Reps
Different day, different terrain, different bird. Rinse and repeat. Each hunt builds experience that can’t be replicated at home.
and Bagging Birds
The byproduct of hard work and miles logged, and it doesn’t happen every day, but when it does, seeing the hunt come together builds lasting confidence.
I currently offer two tiers of Field Residency, the Weekend Warrior and the Long Haul. Due to the logistics of being based in the Kansas City metro, the Weekend Warrior is typically limited to hunting in Kansas, but special accommodations can sometimes be made for South Dakota. The Weekend Warrior is a great fit for keeping your dog sharp between trips you already have scheduled for the season. The Long Haul is ideal for the owner that’s looking for the most possible bird contacts. The volume of opportunity a longer trip provides can be transformative.
Residencies Offerred
the Weekend Warrior
Duration: 3 Days
Season: Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail
Timing: Mid-November - Mid-January
Pickup: Friday
Drop Off: Sunday
Destination(s): Kansas
Price: $500
the Long Haul
Duration: 7 Days
Season: Prairie Grouse, Partridge, Pheasant
Timing: September - November
Destination(s): Montana, N & S Dakota
Pickup: Scheduled, typically Thursday
Drop Off: Scheduled
Price: $1,500
The Road to Residency
Acceptance into a Field Residency is a curated process. Because of the high-intensity nature of prairie hunting and the limited number of "spots in the box" each season, I personally vet every dog to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for the journey.
This isn't a high-volume kennel operation; it is a bespoke experience where your dog joins my string. By limiting the intake, I ensure that every dog receives an uncompromising level of individual attention, optimal recovery time, and the lion's share of the wind.
Not every dog will be a good fit, and there aren’t enough days in the season to bring every dog along. This deliberate selection process allows me to maintain a standard of excellence that honors both the dog’s potential and the wild birds we pursue. When a dog joins a GDY Field Residency, they aren't just filling a dog box; they are being invited into a dedicated pursuit of mastery.
Step 1: The Inquiry
Start the conversation. Fill out the initial application form. This isn't a booking form, but a "get to know you" phase. I’ll ask about your dog’s age, breed, and current level of field experience. This helps me ensure that a residency is the right developmental move for your dog at this specific time. All information collected is confidential and will not be sold or shared.
Step 2: The Consultation
A dedicated video deep-dive. If the initial profile is a fit, we’ll schedule a 20-minute video call. We’ll discuss your dog’s conditioning, temperament, and your specific goals for the season. This also gives you a chance to ask any questions.
Step 3: The Reservation
Securing the "Spot in the Box." Acceptance is finalized once we’ve confirmed the dog's readiness and the travel logistics. A 50% deposit secures your dog’s dates in the residency calendar. I limit the number of dogs per trip to ensure every dog receives individual attention and the "lion's share" of the wind.
Step 4: The Departure
Prep and Pack. Once booked, you’ll receive a "Road-Ready" packet. This includes your detailed travel itinerary, a gear checklist, and the Liability & Permission to Treat waiver. All forms must be completed one-week prior to departure date. The outstanding balance is due upon return from the trip.
Steward of the String
I am not a traditional professional trainer with a 40-run kennel. I am a student of the uplands and a steward of the bird dog’s potential. My background is rooted in a ten-year career as a U.S. Army Veteran, serving first as a Combat Medic and later as an Infantry Officer. While I am not a veterinarian, my years in trauma medicine and operational leadership in a combat zone provide me with the calm and competence required to prioritize your dog’s safety in remote environments.
My commitment to excellence carries into my professional life as a Consultant for Private Wealth firms, where I guide firms through the complexities of mergers and acquisitions. Because my professional work is remote-based, I am afforded a unique level of flexibility that allows me to spend over 50 days afield each season. This career path enables me to maintain a small, elite string of dogs without the pressure of high-volume turnover, ensuring your dog receives my undivided attention and each field is methodically approached to maximize opportunity.
I am an active member of NAVHDA and I have pursued wild game across the landscapes of my home state of Kansas as well as Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Idaho, Iowa, and Nebraska. While much of my time is spent solo with the dogs, I am occasionally joined afield by my wife, whom I love dearly; her presence reminds me that the best hunts are those shared with the people - and dogs - we value most.
When your dog joins my string, they aren't just a client; they are a member of my team for the journey ahead. My goal isn't to “finish” your dog in a single trip, but to return a dog who is significantly more seasoned, confident, and improved by the grit of the prairie.
FAQs
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I mitigate risk of injury risk through constantly monitoring the dogs, ensuring they are fueled and hydrated, and by a “hands-on” inspection (eyes, ears, mouth, coat, paws) every time they get out of the box and get back from the field. I carry first aid supplies in my vest and keep a field trauma kit in the truck at all times. I carry a list of emergency vets with me for all of the areas we’ll travel through and hunt in. If there’s ever a question or concern, I’ll rest the dog and contact you immediately.
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All dogs must be on a leash or be wearing a tracking collar whenever they step out of the box. I will provide a tracking collar if yours is broken or you don’t have one. Dogs must have a sound recall foundation in order to qualify for a Field Residency.
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Dogs are kept in insulated, weather-protected kennels. Every dog’s hydration is monitored constantly and dogs are watered throughout the day. I will rest your dog at the earliest sign of fatigue - your dog’s long-term health is more important than “just one more” covey.
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I avoid high-risk areas for snakes during peak heat as best as possible and I’m always on the lookout for other troubles - like porcupines and skunks. I keep de-skunking supplies in the truck and forceps on my vest for quills. Safety is a priority and I will seek immediate veterinary care if needed.
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When camping, dogs stay in their kennels in the bed of the truck, locked. If staying in a motel or hotel, dogs stay in the room with me. Dogs are NEVER left unattended.
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Each dog has his own Gunner G1 Intermediate kennel, the market's safest dog crate, proven to save. These double-walled kennels provide 2x the shock protection & superior thermal properties and are made in America. Kennels are secured to the truck bed with Gunner tie down straps.
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Food, leash, e-collar and handheld with chargers, and any medications. For those that wear them, goggles, vest, and boots. I’ll provide a “Road Ready” checklist when a deposit is made.
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At the end of each day, depending on cell service, I will send you a Field Report that outlines the day. This will include things like the number of points or flushes, number of retrieves and type, among other general performance observations.
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Absolutely! Your dog MUST be accustomed to gunfire to be eligible for a Field Residency. Unless requested otherwise, shots will be taken as birds flush.
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While I use my years of experience and scouting to put us in high-probability cover, wild birds are unpredictable and have the home-field advantage. Even on the quiet days, your dog is getting the real-world exposure they simply cannot get in a training field.
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The GDY Field Residency is about exposure, not repair. I am not a traditional "pro trainer" with a kennel and a curriculum. I do not offer corrective training for deep-seated behavioral issues. My focus is on providing your dog with the one thing a trainer often can't: volume of wild bird contacts in a real-world hunting environment. Please call attention to any behavioral or performance concerns you may have with your dog at time of application.
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30+ Days Before Departure: You can cancel and receive a full credit toward a future residency within 12 months.
15–29 Days Before Departure: You forfeit 50% of their deposit. The remaining 50% of the deposit is held as a credit for a future season.
Less than 14 Days Before Departure: The entire deposit is forfeited. At this stage, it is nearly impossible for me to vet a new dog and fill the "spot in the box."
Note: If you must cancel within the 30-day window, and I am able to fill your dog’s spot from my standby list, I will convert your entire deposit into a credit for a future season, minus a $100 re-booking fee. -
It is extremely rare that I would need to cancel a planned trip, however, in the event that I need to cancel, I will offer a full refund or re-book for a later date and trip.
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If a residency is cut short by more than 48 hours due to unsafe field conditions, the remaining "days in the field" are converted into a pro-rated credit toward a future residency.
If a dog becomes ill, injured, or (for females) unexpectedly comes into heat, the residency is suspended immediately to prioritize the dog's recovery. I will provide a pro-rated credit for future seasons for the unused portion of the trip. The pro-rated credit does not apply if we must return sooner than planned due to the dog’s health.