Episode 40
#40 Ever wondered how professional athletes pursue their outdoor passions between seasons? In this captivating conversation, Kenneth Witt welcomes Chicago Cubs Triple-A catcher Caleb Knight to Gundog Nation, revealing the fascinating intersection of professional baseball and duck hunting.
Caleb shares his journey from small-town Oklahoma to professional baseball, while maintaining his deep connection to waterfowl hunting and retriever training. Growing up in Chakotah (population 3,500), Caleb developed parallel passions that now define his life - baseball during the season and duck hunting every possible day during the off-season. His unique schedule provides the perfect opportunity to pursue serious waterfowling from October through January.
What truly stands out is Caleb's commitment to training his own retrievers. Starting with a Labrador at age 16 using only the classic "Water Dog" book as his guide, he's now hunting with a Golden Retriever named Rosie. His thoughtful comparisons between the breeds offer invaluable insights - describing Labs as possessing "wild drive" while Goldens bring a "methodical efficiency" to the field. His philosophy centers on consistency and building trust: "If you just get that dog to respect you and fully trust you, you can make it do about anything you want."
Caleb's approach to hunting mirrors his dedication to baseball - he's primarily a DIY hunter tackling public lands rather than guided experiences, finding satisfaction in the complete process of scouting, hunting, and working with his dog. As he puts it: "When I go hunt, I don't care about shooting, I don't care - my favorite thing is having my dog by my side, just watching her work."
Follow Caleb's adventures on Instagram at @caleb_night13 or check out his outdoor content at @the_bullpen_outdoors to see how he balances his professional sports career with his passion for retrievers and waterfowl hunting.
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Published on 2 weeks ago
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