Photo Album: Autumn 2024

Piper (CH/RU-CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2021) is owned by the Tom McPherson family of Pennsylvania.

Autumn is a hunter’s favorite season of the year. It’s also when Jerry and I hear from happy dog owners around the country. They head out with their dogs as often as they can—sometimes with friends and family and other times by themselves with just one dog. They hunt as long as they can—from early season when foliage is still lush until the snow falls.

Here are photos from some of those hunts. The locations vary from West Virginia and Pennsylvania, to the Lake States, Dakotas and mountains. The birds vary, too, including that most difficult of birds—the ruffed grouse—to woodcock, pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse, chukars, and to perhaps the prettiest of them all, the Hungarian partridge.

What’s especially gratifying is that no matter how old the dogs are and even if their eyebrows are turning gray, they still love to hunt. The ages of dogs in the photos range from six months to 12 years of age.

Many thanks to our dog owners for sharing the photographs. They are arranged in chronological order of the whelp date—from the eldest to the youngest.

Tana (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2012) is owned by the Brad Gudenkauf family of Minnesota.

Valencia (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), on left, and Tasha (Blue Shaquille x Snyder’s Liz, 2012) are owned by Tim and Tia Esse of Minnesota.

Finn (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2014) is owned by the Todd Wiedmann family of Minnesota.

Jenny (CH Shadow Oak Bo x Northwoods Carbon, 2016) is owned by John and Jeri Cleverdon of Michigan.

Rae (Sunny Hill Sam x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016) is owned by the Gregg Knapp family of Wisconsin.

Luna (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), on left, and Pep (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) are owned by the Mike McCrary family of Michigan.

Oz (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017) is owned by the Ryan Gould family of Minnesota.

Earl (Northwoods Rolls Royce x Northwoods Valencia, 2020) is owned by Craig and Karen Purse of Wisconsin.

Rickey (HOF CH True Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2021) is owned by the Jake Beveridge family of Minnesota.

Boone (CH Rufus Del Fuego x Northwoods Valencia, 2021) is owned by the Brady Miele family of Minnesota.

Char (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022) is owned by Stu McIntosh of Wisconsin.

Brego (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) is owned by Amanda and Sam Ballengee of West Virginia.

Racer (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024) is owned by Doug and Nicole White of Oregon.

Legends of Coverdog: Blue Streak

4X CH/4X RU-CH Blue Streak

At the banquet preceding the 82nd running of The Grand National Grouse Championship held in early November in the Eau Claire County Forest near Eau Claire, Wis., our 4X CH/4X RU-CH Blue Streak was named this year’s Legends of Coverdog.

Legends of Coverdog is a special award given by The Grand to dogs “that have had a profound impact on the sport of coverdog field trials.” Streak joins only six other bird dogs to earn this award. Jerry and I were shown a commemorative plaque that will be hung in the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tenn.

It was an evening we’ll never forget. We were, at once, honored, thrilled and humbled for Streak to have achieved such distinction.

Blue Streak (Spring Garden Tollway x Finder’s Keeper, 1995) was a setter female Jerry and I bred and owned her entire life. We called her Little because she was the smallest in her litter. But apart from her 36-lb. frame, everything else about her was big—her heart, her drive, her fire and her bird finding.

“She is independent, adaptable and has bottomless guts. What great qualities!”
~Craig Peters, reporter, 2001 Pennsylvania Grouse Championship

Streak’s 22-win career spanned 10 years. She was handled by Jerry and scouted by me. Her first derby placement was in 1996 and, as a 10½-year-old, her final field trial was the 2005 Grand National Grouse Championship where she was named Runner-up Champion.

“Her considerable effort, featuring a pair of good grouse finds added to by a woodcock find, stood up for the runner-up position despite the challenge of 80 other contenders.”
~Dave A. Fletcher and Ryan Frame, reporters, 2005 Grand National Grouse Championship

Streak’s breakout year was 2001. She was entered in six cover dog championships and placed in five: Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational (RU); Pennsylvania Grouse Championship (CH); Minnesota Grouse Championship (RU); Wisconsin Cover Dog Championship (CH); National Amateur Grouse Championship (RU).

Based on that “streak,” Streak won two prestigious awards in 2002:  the Michael Seminatore English Setter Award and the William Harnden Foster Award. In addition, she won the Minnesota/Wisconsin Cover Dog Shooting Dog of the Year award in 2002 and 2003.

“Streak finished this brace to the front and hauling the mail. It is seldom that I witness an hour I will never forget, but this will be one that is stamped in my memory. Fantastic!”
~Steve Studer, reporter, 2002 Minnesota Grouse Dog Championship

Although bred only twice, Streak left her mark by producing eight field trial winners including CH Bobby Blue and Blue Silk. Blue Silk won the 2001 Minnesota/Wisconsin Cover Dog Derby of the Year and produced winners CH I’m Blue Gert and CH Satin From Silk.

Of prime significance, Blue Silk’s sons, Blue Shaquille and Northwoods Blue Ox, are foundation sires for our setter breeding program. Through these grandsons, Blue Streak’s legacy continues in 5X CH/5X RU-CH Northwoods Charles, CH/RU-CH Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock, CH/RU-CH Northwoods Sir Gordon, RU-CH Northwoods Atlas, CH/RU-CH Northwoods Cedar, RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana and RU-CH Cody’s Sadie Bell.

“In her hour, Blue Streak showed us bird savvy, style, race, endurance and excellent manners.”
~Brett Edstrom, reporter, 1999 Region 19 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship

“She had two grouse finds, four woodcock and a back. Combined with a strong, forward easy handling race, it truly was a championship performance.”
~Rod Lein, reporter, 2001 Wisconsin Cover Dog Championship

A personal note from Jerry: Blue Streak challenged me more than any dog before or since. Her tremendous desire to hunt game—whether feathers or fur—along along with her endless stamina would sometimes get the best of her. In the days before GPS tracking, this led to her spending a night or two alone in the woods! Streak gave me the highest highs and the lowest lows, but she also taught me important lessons. If you believe in your dog, forge a bond and put in the effort, you can go farther than you ever imagined. In fact, it can change your life.

From Betsy: From the beginning, Little was destined. I remember our first puppy walk with her. Instinctively, right out of the dog topper, Little was off. She charged into the woods, independent but hunting, and she didn’t want to stop. A lifetime of memories also come to mind but my final time with her was especially poignant. More than ten years later when Little had serious lung complications, I stayed up with her all night as she struggled to breathe. Her big heart simply would not quit.

Montana is for young dogs

The posture of Chet (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) on this staunch point is impressive, especially for a six-month-old puppy.

“There comes a time when it is absolutely necessary for the breaker to go afield with his dog and do nothing but let the dog develop.”
~ C. B. Whitford, Training The Bird Dog, 1908

The key word in the quote is develop. This isn’t the time to train the dog. It’s the time to let the dog learn without interference from the handler.

Further, it’s a time specifically for a young dog. Betsy and I believe this time is crucial for a young dog to figure out its purpose, to learn from the birds, to let it make mistakes around game and to get excited about hunting and finding birds.

Rudy (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) chases a big covey of Hungarian partridge.

In addition to developing them, though, it’s a perfect time to evaluate a young dog in all sorts of ways—from seeing how it runs the country and uses its nose, how it acts when game is scented, whether it is bold or cautious. Also, it’s time to observe gait, carriage and the dog’s ability to orient to the handler.

All of that was the focus of my trip to Montana. The eight young dogs in my string ranged in age from five to 20 months. In the trailer also were Comet and Robin, two experienced bird dogs.

The dogs gained knowledge and experience and we all had a blast.

Cupid (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) backs her dam, Comet (HOF CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2018).

Robin (Northwoods Rolls Royce x Northwoods Minerva, 2021), on left, and her daughter, Dilly (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024) share point on sharptails in front of a thornapple thicket.

The views are spectacular! Rudy (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) backs Robin (Northwoods Rolls Royce x Northwoods Minerva, 2021).

Foxy (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) and her littermate, Chet, made the trip. Foxy had a nice find and point on huns.

In pretty late afternoon light, two five-month-old littermates out of CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet stand on a find. Tyler, owned by Josh Matel, is backed by our puppy, Dahlia.

The Pointers of Northwoods Bird Dogs

Northwoods Comet (HOF CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2018)

Even though Jerry and I are primarily known for breeding setters, we also have had a line of pointers for 27 years. It doesn’t have the breadth of our setter breeding program but there is length and incredible strength.

It began inadvertently but we’re so proud of the outcome.

When we started in the 1990s, not only were we neophytes in trialing but in breeding, too. We were fortunate, though, to own an extraordinary liver-and-white pointer female, registered as Dance Smartly. We called her Dancer. Her sire, CH Northern Dancer, was a grouse champion and her dam was ultra talented 6X CH Vanidestine’s Rail Lady. Besides her parents, the top and bottom of her pedigree included three HOF males—Smart, Pork Roll and Guard Rail.

CH Dance Smartly (CH Northern Dancer x CH Vanidestine’s Rail Lady, 1991)

Dancer was a beautiful dog with an evenly masked head and near-perfect conformation. She had intelligence, strength, grace and incredible bird-finding ability. Dancer was stunning on point—confident, composed, nose in the air, eyes on fire. She loved people and couldn’t wag her tail fast enough when anyone got within petting distance.

For a span of three years, Dancer dominated the grouse field trial circuit in our region. She won the 1995 Minnesota Grouse Championship and the 1996 Wisconsin Woodcock Championship. Before the Wisconsin trial was a championship, she was named runner-up in 1994 and won first place in 1995.

Dancer was invited to the Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational three times and was named Minnesota/Wisconsin Cover Shooting Dog of the Year in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

Northwoods Prancer (Dashaway x Fallset Fate, 2008)
© Chris Mathan Sporting Dogs

Jerry and I were novices in breeding knowledge and experience, but we knew Dancer was worthy. Since we had a strong female line as a start, we looked to the best-of-the-best field trial champions for sires. Two are Hall of Fame males—Rock Acre Blackhawk and True Confidence—and all but one are champions in various venues. The lone non-champion was Dasher, our own dog out of the Dancer’s first litter. Dasher was rarely competed but did have several field trial placements. Most importantly, we valued his qualities and strengths—and he proved crucial to the line’s continuation.

Perhaps it was beginner’s luck or serendipity, or both, but our strategy worked. Through almost three decades, we’ve continued our pointer line and are now producing the sixth generation.

Northwoods Vixen (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011)
© Chris Mathan Sporting Dogs

We’ve kept the reindeer theme blithely started with Dancer. Just this year with our youngest female, we ran out of reindeer so Dahlia is the first of our flower-themed pointers.

Dancer (CH Northern Dancer x CH Vanidestine’s Rail Lady, 1991)
Dasher (CH Brook’s Elhew Ranger x CH Dance Smartly, 1997)
Prancer (Dashaway x Fallset Fate, 2008)
Vixen (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011)
Blitzen (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2016)
Comet (HOF CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2018)
Cupid and Rudolph (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
Dahlia (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024)

Cupid and Dahlia are next in line to continue our pointer breeding program and will, hopefully, produce the seventh generation.

Passionate hunters from states in all parts of the country—east to west, north to south and every place in between—own pointers from our breeding. As mentioned at the beginning of this post, Jerry and I are so proud. We’re thrilled to give our pointer puppies their best lives possible with these truly wonderful people.

Murphy (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2016)
~ Tony and Cheryl Follen, Montana

Northwoods Juniper (HOF CH True Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2021)
~ Joey Paxman and Amanda Allpress, Montana

Northwoods Timber (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024)
~ Randy Ott and Kim Olson, Minnesota

Northwoods Easy Keeper (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024)
~ Joey Paxman and Amanda Allpress, Montana

Attie (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
~ Jeff and Carol Hintz, Arizona

Jade (HOF CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015)
~ Frank Ilijanic, Michigan

Jordy (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Prancer, 2014)
~ Mark and Janie Fouts, Wisconsin

Belle (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
~ Kevin Sipple, Wisconsin

Lacey (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2016)
~ Brian Smith, Pennsylvania

Autumnal musings from “Peanuts”

© Peanuts Worldwide LLC

Here are two depictions of autumn as imagined by the brilliant Charles M. Schulz. Only he could have conceived of and drawn Snoopy dancing with a falling leaf.

In the second strip, Woodstock reviews various signs and finds the correct way to fly south.

© Peanuts Worldwide LLC

Even though Schultz died in 2000, the wonderful characters he created are still available in myriad forms, including books, buttons, calendars, lunchboxes, magnets, pins, stuffed animals, memorable television specials (“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a holiday tradition in our house) and even on spatulas from Williams-Sonoma.

There’s 355 million—the number of world-wide readers of “Peanuts” according to Schulz’s obituary in The New York Times–reasons “Peanuts” is still wildly popular. In addition, Schulz created about 18,250 strips in his almost 50 years of drawing the daily comic and his work has been translated into 20 languages.

“Smoky gold” and other observations from Aldo Leopold about a grouse hunter’s favorite time of year

Photo courtesy of Rob Zimmer

“There are two kinds of hunting: ordinary hunting, and ruffed-grouse hunting.

“There are two places to hunt grouse: ordinary places, and Adams County.

“There are two times to hunt in Adams: ordinary times, and when the tamaracks are smoky gold.”

Thus opens the chapter titled “October” in A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There by Aldo Leopold. He ranks among the very best nature writers of all time. Not only did he deeply understand the true nature of nature but he simply, yet with eloquence and elegance, describes its splendor.

What grouse hunter doesn’t relish the month of October? Previous months can be taken up with various preparations—training and conditioning the dogs, gear preparation, travel plans—but, still, everything is focused on October. It is the perfect time to be walking along a tote road in the woods with dogs.

Leopold continues:

“The tamaracks change from green to yellow when the first frosts have brought woodcock, fox sparrows, and juncos out of the north. Troops of robins are stripping the last white berries from the dogwood thickets, leaving the empty stems as a pink haze against the hill. The creekside alders have shed their leaves, exposing here and there an eyeful of holly. Brambles are aglow, lighting your footsteps grouseward.”

Several paragraphs later, Leopold notes:

“The tamaracks grow not only in the swamp, but at the foot of the bordering upland, where springs break forth. Each spring has become choked with moss, which forms a boggy terrace. I call these terraces the hanging gardens, for out of their sodden muck the fringed gentians have lifted blue jewels. Such an October gentian, dusted with tamarack gold, is worth a full stop and a long look, even when the dog signals grouse ahead.”

Tamarack (Larix laricina) is a member of the Larix, or Larch, genus and Pinaceae, or Pine, family. Another name is the Eastern Larch. While the tree is a conifer (cone-bearing) and produces needles, it isn’t an evergreen. Instead, this genus is cool because its needles are deciduous and so are shed in the fall.
Photo courtesy of Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

Leopold finishes the first section:

“Lunch over, I regard a phalanx of young tamaracks, their golden lances thrusting skyward. Under each the needles of yesterday fall to earth building a blanket of smoky gold; at the tip of each the bud of tomorrow, preformed, poised, awaits another spring.”

Leopold’s final sentence of the chapter:

“I sometimes think the other months were constituted mainly as a fitting interlude between Octobers, and I suspect that dogs, and perhaps grouse, share the same view.”

Northwoods Atlas: May 2017 – July 2024

Northwoods Atlas (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017)

Most often, I write these remembrances when, after living a long life, a special dog passes. In those cases, you see the end coming and you can, somewhat, prepare yourself. But when a favorite dog dies suddenly, without warning, in the prime of its life, the heartache and pain are almost unbearable.

Atlas died like that on July 11.

Northwoods Atlas (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), call name Jet, was owned by Greg and Michelle Johnson of Wisconsin. Previously they had owned Gordon setters. Jet was the first dog “white dog” Greg trained and entered in cover dog field trials.

From the beginning, Greg and Jet were a winning duo. From his first derby placement through two runner-up championships, Jet placed in almost every trial—whether in Minnesota, Wisconsin or North Dakota and whether in wild bird or planted quail trials. The stake wasn’t over until Jet ran.

A stellar field trial season placed Greg and Jet as winners of both the amateur and open 2024 Minnesota/Wisconsin Shooting Dog of the Year awards.

Jet had all the characteristics of a champion—style in motion, style on point and the ability to find birds. In addition, Jet had consistency. In 2024, he won a distinctive honor by taking home the Minnesota/Wisconsin Shooting Dog of the Year for both open and amateurs. Jet was invited to the 2023 Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational field trial, the most prestigious in the cover dog world as only the top 14 point-earning dogs are invited. Most likely, he would have been invited again in 2025.

Jet possessed another attribute: he passed on his special qualities to his offspring. He sired only four litters but there are many happy dog owners to whom Betsy and I have sold puppies. Jet had a bright future in our breeding program and he leaves a big hole. In addition, one son, Big Big Energy, won the 2024 Minnesota/Wisconsin Open Derby of the Year award, so a father/son pair won in the same year.

On a vacation to the Southwest last winter, Michelle and Jet rest in rugged terrain.

It’s said that actions speak louder than words. Seeing Greg and Michelle interact with Jet in their day-to-day lives, at field trials and on vacations, they didn’t have to talk about how deeply they loved him and were devoted to his health and well-being. And knowing Jet as we did and watching him, it was clear the feeling was mutual.

National caliber cover dog winner, excellent producer, devoted companion. What more could a dog give?

RIP sweet Jet. We will always remember.

A pointing dog’s first season

Photo © Chris Mathan Sporting Dogs

The process of developing a puppy into an experienced bird dog should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. That process begins with the all-important first season. Not only is the young dog at an impressionable age, but the experience and knowledge gained from that time in the woods and fields will create a foundation the dog will depend on and use in future seasons.

The first year is primarily about exposure. The goal is to have the puppy hunt for and find wild birds. Owners shouldn’t worry if the dog doesn’t point the bird or hold point for long. Both will come with repeated exposure, maturity and training.

The key is wild birds
Most of what a dog needs to know about finding and pointing wild birds is learned from the birds themselves. The owner’s job is to put the young dog into birds—lots of birds.

The puppy will learn key details about birds.
• Where they’re most likely to be found.
• How to differentiate where the bird is as opposed to where it was, i.e., old scent vs. new scent.
• How close is too close before the bird flushes.
• It can’t catch the bird.
• How to follow running birds.

Handling in the woods and fields
Handling is often a big issue with owners. Jerry and I have a simple handling theory. As long as the young dog goes with us and looks to us for direction, we say the minimum necessary to control it. Over-handling, in terms of too much calling, whistling or constant encouragement, can distract and confuse the dog. We only use two commands: HERE and calling its name. HERE means come to us. When we want the dog to turn, we call its name. At a certain point we enforce the commands with an ecollar

Expecting your puppy to be always in sight or range at a certain distance is unrealistic and, in fact, can inhibit its bird finding. As long as it’s checking in and hunting in the direction we’re headed, we don’t say anything.

In this field, Sage (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024) looks staunch on point. But was there a bird? If so, did she hold point until owner Joey Paxman of Montana could flush?

Puppy mistakes
Expect your puppy to make mistakes—flush birds, chase rabbits, not pay attention and, at times, just act like the immature dog it is. Be patient. Remember it is still just a young dog. Take a break. Call it in to you, talk calmly and stroke its back.

Be prepared
A few important points need to considered prior to the hunting season. The foremost is proper introduction to birds and gunfire. The young dog should be conditioned to an ecollar for the basic HERE command and for turning. A GPS collar is excellent for peace of mind.

Also, the young dog should be accustomed to wearing a bell or beeper and comfortable both with being in a crate and riding in a vehicle.

Proper physical condition is always crucial. The young dog should be at the proper weight. A couple extra pounds can make a big difference, especially on those hot, early season days.

Finally, remember!
Have fun with your young dog. And savor this first, special season.

Jerry and I wrote a piece for the September 15, 2013, issue of the Minnesota StarTribune. Some parts of that have been reprinted here.

Gallery: September 2024

Beginning with their first dog in the late 1990s, Barry and Jill Frieler have owned six setters out of our dogs. On a recent afternoon in their Minnesota home, the current pack found a sunny spot for napping. Clockwise from top: Northwoods Highclass Kate (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2010), Madison (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2018), Ellie (CH Ponderosa Mac x Northwoods Redbreast, 2022) and Jack (CH Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Highclass Kate, 2013).

When Sig (Northwoods Rob Roy x Northwoods Minerva, 2019) isn’t in the grouse woods or in wide open Montana places, he accompanies his owner Chris Bye of Wisconsin on trout streams.

Lacey (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Minerva, 2020) flies across an open field on Nantucket where owner Zenas Hutcheson conditions her for the hunting season in their home state of Minnesota.

There are good reasons Northwoods Comet (HOF CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2018), a female pointer Jerry and I own, is one of our best of all time. On a recent training run for sharptails, in addition to her breathtaking poise, style and composure, her blazing eyes tell the story.

Dogs make people better

Tally (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) is at Northwoods Bird Dogs for puppy training and accurately locates a pigeon on her first puppy point.

As are many of our clients, Joe Wech and his wife Deb are repeat puppy buyers. This summer, they picked up their second from us, a female setter out of May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust.

Tally is her name and she joins Georgia, the first setter they bought in 2015. Georgia is out of Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carly Simon. In a bit of serendipity, their two setters are related. Stardust is Carly Simon’s daughter.

Joe is a pilot for American Airlines and commutes from his home in the Twin Cities to Texas. That commute gives him hours of quiet time to think.

In a recent email, Joe shared some of the musings from time in the air. Not only were his sentiments totally new to me, they were, all at once, insightful, profound and uncomplicated.

Here is a passage from Joe’s email.

“I think every child can learn so much if they are lucky enough to be around a dog. They make the child feel loved. They give the child something to be responsible for and care for, to not only think about themselves, but of someone else who needs them. So because of you, your puppies and your training, my family is better, and my kids and grandkids are better people.”

Note: A quick glance through the photos under “From field and home” on the right is all the proof one needs about the truth of Joe’s words.