Episode 060: What The Heck Is A Lek? w/ Ken Plourde

Ken Plourde is an Upland Game Bird Habitat Specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  Ken shares his story of getting started in upland hunting, his favorite upland bird species and the bird dogs he pursues them with. Ken dives deep into leks, how understanding them will help hunters, their biggest threats and lek viewing etiquette. The Bird Dog Babe Podcast is Presented By: Purina Pro Plan Boss Shotshells 7:00 Combining work and play 12:20 Favorite upland bird 14:15 First bird dog 15:40 German Wirehaired Pointers 17:20 Welcoming a new Irish Setter Puppy 19:30 What’s a Lek 21:00 Which species Lek 22:15 Lek regions 23:55 Variations of a Lek 29:25 Venturing and nesting behavior 30:50 Distance between leks 32:30 Features of habitat 34:30 Behavior and mannerisms within 35:40 Mating and communal area 36:35 Most popular lek activity 39:40 Hen laying behavior 42:10 Weather affecting nesting 44:05 Gestation & Incubation 46:45 Threats to leks 49:30 Sage Grouse concerns 52:30 Lek disturbance 53:20 Lek viewing etiquette 1:00:45 Photography recommendations 1:02:00 What can we do to help 1:04:00 Spring dog training considerations 1:06:45 Favorite sharptail recipes Connect with Ken Audubon's Guide to Ethical Bird Photography and Videography --------------------------------------------------- Thank you to our Partners: Dakota283 Kennels (promo code birddogbabe for 10% discount) Syren: Shotguns for Women Support this podcast on Patreon Connect with Courtney Follow Bird Dog Babe: Instagram Facebook YouTube -------------------------------------------------