Upland Ready 3.0
About
Starts: Week One drops Sunday, June 9, 2024
Ends: Sept 1, although you have access until Sept 30 in case you get a bit behind
Cost: $249 (a portion of the proceeds are donated to HerUpland)
How does it work? Once registered, you will receive an invitation to join the app for the course. Each Sunday, for 12 weeks, a new module will drop with weekly exercises, tasks, and information. You will be invited to a private Facebook group to join fellow uplanders and bird dog enthusiasts taking the course. We love this section! Photos, videos, encouragement, and connections all happen here.
What is it? A well-rounded strength and conditioning program is essential for preparing for upland hunting and ensuring the physical fitness of both the hunter and the dog. Upland Ready 3.0 encompasses physical and mental preparation and additional aspects to prepare your gear, vehicle, shooting, and things to expose your dog to.
Although you are preparing on your own, you are not alone! You will join fellow upland hunters and bird dog enthusiasts from all over the World throughout the 12-week journey to share, support, and inspire.
This 12-week program is compiled with content from professionals in the industry. Physical Trainer Bill Koepke, Veterinarian Dr. Kristina Mott, and Dog Trainer William Bastian are active daily to provide additional content and answer questions.
Instructors

Dr. Kristina Mott,
Veterinarian
My name is Kristina Mott and I am looking forward to sharing my passion for sporting dogs with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. I graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 2009 with degrees in Wildlife Ecology and Biology. I went on to pursue my veterinary degree at UW-Madison and graduated in 2013. While in vet school I took additional coursework through the Chi Institute in Florida and the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in Florida/Colorado to become certified in veterinary acupuncture and canine rehabilitation therapy. In 2021 I completed my veterinary spinal manipulation training (veterinary chiropractic) at the Healing Oasis Wellness Center in Wisconsin. I own my veterinary practice with a primary location in Wautoma and satellite station in Bancroft, WI. When I am not working my hobbies include everything outdoors, getting bossed around by my 7-year-old, training and competing with my dogs and horses, and ridiculous fitness games like “ride and tie” horseback relay races. I run a small kennel and breeding program of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and German Shorthair Pointers and I love hunting and competing with my home bred dogs.

Bill Koepke,
Coach
Bill grew up in North central Wisconsin running beagles on snowshoe hares with his dad, bear hounds with his godfather, and butchering deer with his Nana. An interest and love for the outdoors was seeded early, and fully developed in college. Bill found an interest in upland hunting after finding a copy of Mark Parman’s “A Grouse Hunter’s Almanac” from a local bookstore. After a long hiatus from hunting and hunting dogs, Parman’s book reinvigorated a love for working dogs and chasing game. Bill now chases any and all small game, waterfowl, and upland birds with his English Springer Spaniel Jango. Bill graduated from University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a degree in Sports Medicine as a Certified Athletic Trainer. Bill has been working in the sports performance and fitness world for over a decade helping bridge the worlds of outdoor recreation, performance, and sports medicine. Bill works with a wide variety of people with varying levels of training, orthopedic injuries, and fitness levels. The Stevens Point area has amazing access to public land and water, which has a way of keeping people in the area. William and his partner Marissa live in the Stevens Point area with their two dogs Bree the dachshund and Jango the ESS. You can find them recreating all over Wisconsin on land or water in much of their free time.

William Bastian,
Gun Dog Trainer
William Bastian has dedicated his life to the world of sporting dogs, transforming his passion into a professional career since 2010. Renowned for his positive, calm, and consistent training methods, William has successfully titled over 200 dogs and has crafted countless exceptional gun dogs for their owners. His expertise spans across the globe, with training engagements in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, and England.
As a distinguished AKC Senior Hunt Test and Field Trial judge, William has had the honor of presiding over several Pointing Breed National events. He also serves as a judge for the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA), contributing his deep knowledge and experience to the organization.
William’s impressive achievements as a GWP breeder, owner, trainer, and handler are highlighted by numerous accolades, including:
- 50+ NAVHDA NA Prizes
- 30+ NAVHDA UT Prizes
- 3 NAVHDA VCs
- 31 AKC show champions
- 10 Master Hunters
- 17 Senior Hunters
- 40 Junior Hunters (client dog awards not included)
Residing in Montana, William takes full advantage of the upland hunting season in the state’s vast prairies, pursuing Sharptailed Grouse, Hungarian Partridge, Pheasants, and Mountain Grouse species. He also frequently travels to Idaho and Oregon to hunt Chukar and Quail.
Curriculum
Cardiovascular Fitness:
- Engage in progressive interval training, hiking, or biking activities to improve endurance.
- Gradually increase the intensity and duration of cardiovascular workouts to simulate the demands of upland hunting.
Strength Training for the Hunter:
- Focus on overall strength, especially in the legs, core, and upper body.
- Incorporate exercises like squats, lunges, deadlifts, push-ups, and pull-ups to build functional strength.
- Perform exercises that mimic hunting movements, such as carrying a weighted backpack.
Agility and Balance:
- Include exercises that improve agility, coordination, and balance, such as ladder drills, agility ladder work, and single-leg exercises.
- Incorporate activities that challenge stability, such as Bosu ball exercises or balance boards.
Flexibility and Mobility:
- Perform regular stretching routines to maintain flexibility and prevent injuries.
- Focus on areas prone to tightness, such as the hips, hamstrings, and shoulders.
- Consider incorporating yoga or Pilates to improve overall flexibility and body awareness.
Dog Conditioning:
- Gradually increase the dog’s exercise and activity levels to build endurance.
- Engage in activities such as running, hiking, swimming, or retrieving exercises to improve cardiovascular fitness.
- Incorporate specific training drills for upland hunting, such as retrieving dummies or simulating hunting scenarios.
Mental Conditioning:
- Train both the hunter and the dog for mental toughness and focus.
- Practice obedience training and reinforce commands in various hunting scenarios.
- Gradually expose the dog to different environments, distractions, and hunting-related stimuli to build resilience.
Remember to start any training program gradually and consult with a healthcare professional or a qualified strength and conditioning specialist to ensure the program aligns with your individual capabilities and needs. Additionally, be mindful of your dog’s age, breed, and overall health when designing their conditioning program.
New for 3.0!
- Weekly Live Q&A
- Practical dog training concepts
- Shooting preparation
- Vehicle maintenance
- Hunting rig options
- Pre-season scouting
- Clean/Prepare/Organize Gear
HerUpland
34059 Sheep Camp Rd.
Bonner, MT 59823
501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit
Federal Tax ID Number:
88-1817113