Fall 2014 album
This was the first grouse Ellie (Northwoods Grits x I’m Blue Gert, 2014) pointed. She is a very bold pup, and the check cord you gave us is key to catching her! She is one super little puppy.
~ Tom, Indiana
Autumn is every bird hunter’s favorite season. Judging by the plethora of emails, text messages and photographs Jerry and I received from friends and clients, they spent as much time as possible in the woods and fields with their bird dogs—dogs ranging in age from three-month-old puppies to gray-browed, experienced grouse dogs.
Themes for the season seemed to be:
• lots of birds in the bag
• puppies having a ball and learning lots
• kids with their first grouse
• passionate hunters afield with multiple dogs
• dogs on point in the western U.S.
• dogs on point in the north woods
• suburban dogs yet to get out
• bird dog owners who wish they were better shooters
• lots of happy dogs
Finally, the bittersweet end of the grouse season in the central part of the country was sealed with a blanket of snow.
Cool and calm after a grouse hunt in western Wisconsin, CH JTH Izzie (Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011) is ready to go again as she scans the terrain for more likely spots.
“Oh my God!! There is an aviation term we use for some new guys…..all velocity and no vector! That is Lucy (Shadow Oak Bo x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2014). She is so calm and nice when you stop and pet her…..she just soaks it up…..but take her out side and she is all systems go! And I could not be any happier! Thank you for all your help, and another wonderful dog.”
~ Mike, Minnesota
That’s our youngest, Rece, with his first-ever ruffed grouse in central Minnesota. Both he and Finn (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2014) were elated. So proud of him for a 9-month-old pup! He’s bumping birds frequently but is learning from each encounter. On one bird he locked up 70 yards in front of me and held 5 minutes or more until I busted through a bog to get to him and flush the bird. And then, he won’t even give me time to praise him afterwards – he retrieves and then takes off looking for more! Feeling pretty fortunate to have one of your dogs – especially from Oscar.
~ Todd, Minnesota
Here is a photo of our youngest son Ryan with his first grouse. It was shot off a beautiful point by Tia (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011) a few weeks ago. We’ve been out hunting grouse every weekend. Tia still lives to hunt. Wish I was able to shoot better for her.
~ Ken, Minnesota
“Just wanted you to know that Rose (Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost, 2010) is killing it this year. She is not only a delight at home—but a first-class grouse finder. Chris could not be happier with her and I just overheard him telling her in all earnestness how proud he is to have her as a partner!”
~ Laura, Illinois
Took the dogs (From left: Prancer (Dashaway x Fallset Fate, 2008), Jordy (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Prancer, 2014), Timber (Westfall’s Black Ice x Nothwoods Prancer, 2011) out on a morning woodcock hunt on Sunday. It was a memorable day. Each dog had some pointed birds and each dog had retrieved birds. Could not ask for anything more.
~ Mark, Wisconsin
Kate (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2010, on left, with Cooper (Blue Chief x Blue Blossom, 2007) was on fire Sunday! For the record, Kate and I had 15 birds in one hour and 30 minutes.
~ Barry, Minnesota
Steve couldn’t be happier after a day in the northern Minnesota grouse woods with his older dog, on left, and Bryn (Blue Riptide x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2014).
Eastern Montana bird season is in full swing with pheasants opening last weekend. Thank you once again for allowing me the opportunity to own one of your fine bird dogs. I’ve had the pleasure of hunting over a number of dogs in my lifetime. Zada (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) has drive and intelligence, a rare combination in a young bird dog.
~ Tom, Montana
Charlie (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) has been lighting it up a bit. Was 3rd in the Larry Brech Memorial Open Derby Classic with 18 entries – quite a few from pros. Then won the derby held in conjunction with the the Cascade All-Age Championship. Took him chukkar hunting after trial. Had 9 finds in 90 minutes!!!!
~ Steve, California
“Had a great pheasant hunt with Piper (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) in South Dakota last week. She was able to pin them pretty tight most of the time. She’s a workaholic who just keeps finding birds and points them beautifully.”
~ Chuck, Minnesota
I thought I would drop you a line to let you know Frisco (Blue Riptide x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2014) is loving her new job…hunting. She naturally loves retrieving and the size of a pheasant is no problem. Other hunters are very pleased as well as us with her disposition; she is so pleasant and well mannered. Frisco listens well and doesn’t go hunting off on her own. She also gets along with other hunters’ dogs.
~ Rick, Minnesota
Tired-but-happy Mac (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013) poses with two beautiful ruffed grouse after a hunt in Minnesota.
Experience counts. At the age of nine, Jake (Gusty Blue x CH Houston’s Belle, 2005) proudly stands over his birds after hunting in Minnesota.
It’s hard to believe Boomer (I’m Houston’s Image x Blue Silk, 2006) is already eight years old. He is still running like a five-year-old, and lots of hunt still in him! Boomer has been a great dog, and I’m hoping his good health will last a few more years.
~ Scott, Minnesota
Duke (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013) has had a fantastic season with several points, but this one tonight on a woodcock is about as “classic” as they get! He pointed 19 woodcock this evening and a ruff. At this point in the season he has pointed sharptails, huns, ruffs, woodcock, and pheasants; and he’s backed on all of these as well as sage grouse! Still looks at me when I miss though…
~ Tom, Minnesota
In our one-hour hunt, we had 4 grouse contacts, 2 points, 1 bagged; 17 woodcock contacts, 8 points, 1 bagged. Tana (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2012) pointed and held steady for her first woodcock, but it flushed wild before I could get to her and she was off to the races. Her points were as intense as I’ve seen from her.
~ Brad, Minnesota
“…Bates (Northwoods Grits x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2014) is doing well. He has been running in the woods 4 times a week off leash, and becoming a nice family dog. Thanks for the great dogs.”
~ Jeff, Minnesota
Whatever you two did, you did it right. Rae (Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) has acclimated to suburban life seamlessly. Not one house accident, trained quickly to the electric yard fence, obeys, very trainable to further commands. She is my constant companion and she is the most stylish dog at the dog park. She and I are the best of pals.
~ David, Minnesota
Belle (Blue Riptide x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2014) is getting so big and is always the center of attention. She apparently likes to pose.
~ Robby, Minnesota
It was truly a magical weekend as the weather cooperated and the birds were abundant! Like the birds at my feeder, the grouse knew the weather was making a major turn for the worse and were busy feeding on the ground. We did have a blanket of snow Sunday morning, but it was actually warmer than the previous days and made for a wonderfully peaceful hunt before we all departed.
~ Chris, Wisconsin