EP. 353: Cookies for Conservation and the Future of Public Land Hunting

A 13-year-old bird dog trainer is funding public access one cookie at a time.

At National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, most conversations revolve around bird dogs, habitat, and the next great upland hunt. This one goes further. Brooke Bartels, a young dog handler deeply involved in North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA), is turning homemade cookies into real dollars for wildlife habitat and public hunting access.

Raised in a family devoted to Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, and versatile hunting dogs, Brooke trains Epagneul Bretons, runs NAVHDA tests, and understands firsthand the value of quality bird dog breeding standards. But her impact stretches beyond the training field. Through Cookies for Conservation, she has raised thousands of dollars to support PF & QF’s Public Access To Habitat (PATH) Program, helping expand access for upland bird hunters.

This conversation explores more than baking. It dives into youth involvement in conservation, the importance of habitat restoration, ethical dog breeding backed by performance testing, and why public access to pheasant and quail hunting matters for the future of the outdoors. You will hear how community, volunteerism, and hands-on habitat work shape the next generation of hunters and anglers.

If you care about upland bird hunting, public land access, versatile hunting dogs, and leaving wildlife habitat better than you found it, this one hits home.

Show notes

1. Check out Cookies for Conservation on Instagram at @cookiesforconservation.
2. Learn more about North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association on the NAVHDA website at www.navhda.org.

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