Chuck Bye and Northwoods Venus (CH Can’t Go Wrong x Cold Creek Pearl)
To continue our tradition, Betsy and I want to honor three men and 13 dogs who passed away this year. These men were not only friends but were—in their own ways—crucial to the success of our business.
And, about the dogs. We’re grateful to their owners for the lives they gave the dogs—whether as beloved companions lounging in a favorite spot, playing with the kids or bird hunting. The ages of the dogs ranged from a 15-year-old setter female to two puppies who died far too young.
We’ll never forget these dogs pictured below. The various breedings they represent are the heart and soul of Northwoods Bird Dogs.
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Chuck Bye (1944 – 2025) Chuck owned New Wood grouse camp and was a passionate grouse hunter. He owned many Brittany spaniels but his favorite setter was Northwoods Venus.
Dr. Mark Nelson (1948 – 2025)
Mark was a trusted veterinarian from Wisconsin and was responsible for all the Houston frozen semen puppies.
Bob Walthall (1947 – 2025)
Bob managed the beautiful Sunny Hill Plantation outside Thomasville, Ga., and co-owned HOF CH Rock Acre Blackhawk and Blackhawk’s semen.
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Northwoods Camembert (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2010) with Ben Johnson, on left, and Ashley Heig on a guided hunt. ~ Bill and Gail Heig and Family, Minnesota
Northwoods Tesla (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011) ~ Tim and Monica Cunningham, Minnesota
Northwoods Led Zeppelin (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011) ~ David and Pam Bast, Kentucky
Northwoods Carly Simon (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011) ~ Jessica and Taggart Kramer, Wisconsin
Bess (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2012) ~ Glen Gilson, Ohio
Northwoods Lucinda Belle (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2012) ~ Ken Johnson, Alabama
Northwoods BMW (Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chablis, 2013) ~ Mike and Gil Blomquist, Minnesota
Northwoods Fen (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2015) ~ Harrison O’Connor, Montana
Rae (Sunny Hill Sam x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016) ~ Gregg and Sherrie Knapp and Family, Wisconsin
Forrest (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Minerva, 2018) ~ Jimmy Blackburn, Montana
Northwoods Flirt (HOF CH True Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2021) ~ Frank Ilijanic, Michigan
Northwoods Blue Beech (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024) ~ Walter Manley, Florida & Montana
Northwoods Jazzy May (Cold Creek Hank x Northwoods Stardust,2025) ~ Robby and Tim Lockler
Northwoods Carly Simon (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011)
The theme song for the 1997 James Bond movie, “The Spy Who Loved Me,” was composed by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics were by Carole Bayer Sager. But it was the singer Carly Simon who brought those words to life in the song, “Nobody Does It Better.”
In 2011, when our puppy naming theme was rock bands and musicians, one of the female setter puppies was named Northwoods Carly Simon. How befitting that our puppy matured into a phenomenal bird dog that expertly handled and pointed ruffed grouse. No dog did it better.
Carly was line-bred to Paul Hauge’s dog Houston, a major contributor to the early genetics of our Northwoods setter line. Carly’s sire, Blue Shaquille, was a son of Houston and her dam, Houston’s Belle’s Choice, was a granddaughter. Three times Betsy and I repeated that breeding, leading to a generation of natural bird dogs. Those dogs, in turn, had the uncommon ability to consistently pass those characteristics to their progeny.
What a morning in the grouse woods for two guiding clients. Two-year-old Carly, on left, is happy to share the spotlight with Maggie, her pointer bracemate.
Carly was the epitome of a grouse dog. She ran with lofty carriage, high head and high stiff tail. She would occasionally put her head down if scent was there but most often her head was up, nose searching for air scent. Carly had a medium-coupled build, an efficient gait and pointed with poise and intensity. She wasn’t a big ranging dog. In the grouse woods, she was within 100 yards and even on the prairie she would rarely crack 200 yards. Carly was always hunting birds and when she pointed, the birds were there.
As a young dog though, she wasn’t afraid to engage birds to try to make them sit tight resulting in quite a few bumped grouse. But once Carly figured out the distance, she invariably produced killable pointed birds with few unproductives.
Those abilities made Carly a celebrity of our grouse guiding string where—for seven years—she provided countless memorable days in the grouse woods for our clients.
Carly cares for her one-day-old puppies by RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus in 2018. Some famous dogs are in that nest, including Madrid, Paris, Dixie and Speck.
In addition to her prowess as a bird dog, Carly excelled as a producer. In her six litters of 24 males and 22 females, she left a legacy that continues today. Our 2025 Northwoods Homer x Northwoods Four Roses litter goes back to Carly through both the sire and dam.
Carly’s early litters produced extremely nice dogs—many are still enjoying life and hunting—but when Betsy and I chose RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus (out of CH Ridge Creek Cody, a dog we bred), we hit on a “nick.” For three years in a row, we repeated the breeding and produced 21 puppies. Besides many impressive grouse dogs, two cover dog champions, CH Northwoods Sir Gordon and CH Northwoods Cedar, were whelped. Siblings Northwoods Minerva and Northwoods Stardust were stars in our guiding string. All four of those dogs have been bred and produced wonderful puppies. Other notable dogs include Northwoods Hercules in our Georgia guide string and Fitz, an extraordinary Wisconsin grouse dog.
Jessica and Carly share a hug on the banks of the Kinnickinnic.
We retired Carly from breeding in 2019 and, as always, we searched for the perfect place for her best possible life. Through our friend and client, Chris Bye, we found that spot. Wisconsin residents Jessica Kramer and Taggart, her son, fell in love with Carly. For her last six years, Carly spent nights on her favorite couch and days wandering the banks of Kinnickinnic River, assisting in fly fishing whenever necessary.
But she wasn’t retired from the woods. Chris hunted her until she was almost 13 years old and they shared many memorable hunts. He commented about a first hunt with Carly: “I quickly learned if Carly pointed, the bird was there. That day she pinned 14 grouse in surgical fashion in less than two hours. It was a day you don’t soon forget, and we quickly learned to never, ever doubt Carly.”
Jessica summed up her feelings for Carly: “Thank you for allowing us to care for and love her these past six years. What a gift to me and my son she has been. She truly changed our lives.”
Carly Simon’s hit song concludes with the perfect line. “Baby, you’re the best.”
Rest in peace, sweet Carly. We will always remember.
Northwoods Tyler (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024) is owned and handled by Josh Matel.
“…there should be no distinction between a field trial dog and a shooting (hunting) dog, the former is merely the latter on public display.” ~ William Harnden Foster
We agree with Mr. Foster–especially when considering cover dog field trials. A large majority of the dogs entered in these competitions are also hunted on wild birds.
The dogs featured below perfectly exemplify our breeding goals for the past 30 years. We’ve strived to produce dogs with the physical and mental ability to compete at the highest levels of field trial competition. That those dogs win at the trials is because they excel as hunting dogs.
Here are Northwoods-bred dogs that had a phenomenal winning season.
Northwoods Cedar (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019) is owned and handled by Eric and Lindsey Saetre.
CH Northwoods Cedar (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019) is owned and handled by Eric and Lindsey Saetre of Minnesota. Cedar continued her success last fall with a stunning spring season. She placed in three trials in three different venues on her way to winning the 2025 Minnesota/Wisconsin Amateur Shooting Dog of the Year. • 1st Don Didcoct Amateur Shooting Dog Classic • 2nd Moose River Grouse Classic • Runner-up Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational Championship (blog post detailing the Invitational)
Northwoods Tyler (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024), owned and handled by Josh Matel of Minnesota, had a remarkable spring for a one-year-old puppy. Tyler placed over dogs up to twice his age in stakes that saw 25-32 entries. Tyler ran a mature hunting pattern and pointed grouse in three of his wins. He earned the 2025 Minnesota/Wisconsin Pro Plan Cover Dog Derby of the Year. • 1st North Country Championship Open Derby • 1st Minnesota Grouse Dog Association Open Derby (first trial) • 1st Minnesota Grouse Dog Association Open Derby (second trial) • 2nd Moose River Grouse Dog Club Open Derby
Northwoods Rip Roy (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024), second from left, is owned and handled by Greg Johnson.
Northwoods Rip Roy (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024) is another one-year-old, owned and handled by Greg Johnson of Wisconsin. The Grand National Puppy Classic is run on a single course—each brace of dogs runs over the same ground. Rip was in the fourth brace so six puppies had already run the course. Rip found and pointed a ruffed grouse—the only bird pointed in the stake! • 3rd Chippewa Valley Grouse Dog Association Open Derby • 2nd Grand National Grouse Futurity Puppy Classic
Northwoods Suki (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) is owned and handled by Eric Beauregard.
Northwoods Suki (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) is owned and handled by Eric Beauregard of Massachusetts. Suki is Eric’s first English setter and these were his first two trials! The placements earned Suki the 2024-2025 Amateur Walking Puppy Award by the Association of New England Field Trial Clubs. • 1st Setter Club of New England Amateur Puppy • 1st Northern New Hampshire Bird Dog Club Amateur Puppy Classic
Northwoods Homer (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x CH Northwoods Cedar, 2022), middle, is owned and handled by Mitch Anderson.
Northwoods Homer (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x CH Northwoods Cedar, 2022), is owned and handled by Mitch Anderson of Minnesota. • 2nd Southern Wisconsin Field Trial Club NBHA Open Shooting Dog
Northwoods Miles (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Madrid, 2024) is owned and handled by Lars Totton of New Jersey. They had success in their first trial! • 3rd Northern New Jersy Field Trial Club NBHA Open Puppy
Northwoods Southern Breeze (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) is owned and handled by Nik Zewars of Minnesota. • 1st Northwest Field Trial Association Open Walking Derby
Willow Creek Northwoods Nugget (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024) is owned and handled by Chad Hines of Minnesota. • 2nd Minnesota Grouse Dog Association Open Derby
Our hearty congratulations to owners and handlers for training and showing your dogs to such noteworthy success!
Big smiles are easy for a dog’s first championship. Northwoods Cedar (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2018) is the newly crowned champion at the North Country Shooting Dog Championship, held near Eau Claire, Wis. Proud owners are Eric and Lindsey Saetre. Cedar is handled by Eric and scouted by Lindsey.
Dogs out of our Northwoods breeding were big winners in field trials during the fall 2024 season. This included setters at all major field trials held in the Minnesota/Wisconsin area and a young setter in Pennsylvania.
Other winners include pointer littermates out of a Northwoods-bred sire.
At the Minnesota Grouse Championship, held near Mora, Minn., runner-up Northwoods Cedar, on right, is posed by owner and handler Eric Saetre while champion Over The Hill Morgan is posed by breeder and handler Rod Lein.
Northwoods Cedar (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2018), owned and handled by Eric and Lindsey Saetre, went on a roll this fall. She was named champion at the North Country Shooting Dog Championship and runner-up champion in the Minnesota Grouse Dog Championship. The wins put Cedar high on the list to run in the Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational next spring.
Special congratulation to Eric and Lindsey for their work and dedication. Cedar is their first bird dog!. They bought her from us as a puppy six years ago.
Northwoods Rip Roy (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024) wins the blue ribbon at the NBHA Sharptail Championship Open Puppy stake held near Minong, Wis. Rip is owned and handled by Greg Johnson.
Northwoods Rip Roy (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024), owned and handled by Greg Johnson, had quite a fall for an eight-month-old-puppy. He placed in the following stakes: • 1st NBHA Sharptail Championship Open Puppy • 2nd Wisconsin Cover Dog Championship Open Derby • 3rd North Country Shooting Dog Championship Open Derby
Clover Valley Mulak, handled by Greg Johnson and owned by Jerry Furnish, placed first in the Wisconsin Cover Dog Championship Open Derby held near Eau Claire, Wis. His littermate, Clover Valley’s Evans, handled by Jordan Pharris and owned by Jerry Furnish, placed third. Northwoods Rip Roy, owned and handled by Greg Johnson, rounded out the placements with a second place finish.
Three littermates out of RU-CH Northwoods Atlas (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017) x Clover Valley’s Millie had a banner season. They basically competed against each other and won nine placements in derby stakes. Jerry Furnish bred this outstanding litter out of his Millie, a granddaughter of another dog produced by us, CH Ridge Creek Cody.
Clover Valley’s Mulak, handled by Greg Johnson, owned by Jerry Furnish, had four placements. • 1st Wisconsin Cover Dog Championship Open Derby • 2nd Reuel Henry Pietz Derby Classic • 2nd North Country Shooting Dog Championship Open Derby • 3rd NBHA Sharptail Championship Open Derby
Big Big Energy, owned and handled by Jordan Pharris. • 1st Reuel Henry Pietz Derby Classic • 4th Grand National Grouse Futurity
Clover Valley’s Evans, handled by Jerry Furnish or Jordan Pharris, owned by Jerry Furnish. • 1st North Country Shooting Dog Championship Open Derby • 3rd Wisconsin Cover Dog Championship Open Derby • 3rd Grand National Grouse Futurity
The Grand National Grouse Futurity is a prestigious stake sponsored by the Grand National Grouse Championship. The breeder must nominate both the dam and the litter and then owners follow up with entries and fees. Results of the fall 2024 stake included a third and fourth place finished by littermates Clover Valley’s Evans, second from right, and a fourth place by Big Big Energy, on the right. Both dogs were out of RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Clover’s Valley Millie.
Northwoods Sunny Day (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Stardust, 2023), owned and handled by Tom Kieffer, won second place in the Black Moshannon Trial Club Open Derby stake held in Phillipsburg, Pa.
JTH Scion (HOF CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015), call name Cooper, was bred by us and owned by Jeff Hintz. When Rod Lein bred his female, Over The Hill Patty, he chose Cooper as a sire. Two littermates had big placements this fall.
Over The Hill Morgan, handled by Rod Lein and owned by Robert Zielke, was named champion at the Minnesota Grouse Dog Championship. Bad Habits, owned and handled by Ben Mergens, won runner-up at the Region 19 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship.
Jeff Hintz and Cooper (HOF CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015)
In a nod to the CBS News “Sunday Morning” feature, Betsy and I want to honor two special people and nine dogs that passed away in 2024.
Jeff Hintz (1948 – 2024) Though our mutual association with grouse trials, Jeff had been a friend since the 1990s. But in 2005, that friendship blossomed to another level when Jeff sold us a chunk of his land where we built our house and kennel. Every summer and fall, Jeff lived next door in his own unique home, Thunder Meadow. We saw him almost every day because he helped us train dogs. He also was one of our biggest supporters and advisors.
Jeff owned lots of dogs—many were pointers he got from us—over the years. He loved his dogs and bird hunting; few dogs worked wild birds more than his. Jeff also competed successfully in field trials for more than four decades. He was especially proud of CH JTH Izzie, a pointer that won off horseback and foot and was the MN/WI Derby of the Year. She pointed many species of upland birds and even retrieved ducks!
Jeff was our neighbor, friend and confidante. We miss him.
Steve Studer and CH Bear Hill Bob
Steve Studer (1945 – 2024) Shortly after I bought my first setter in the late 1980s, I met Steve. He took me to my first big trial, the Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational Classic held in Gladwin, Mich., and we became good friends. We worked dogs together and hunted together. We traveled to Texas every Christmas to hunt and bring dogs for our friend, Roger Buddin, to train. Steve’s Bear Hill pointers were successful competitors in the woods and his pointer male, CH Bear Hill Bob, won the National Amateur Grouse Championship in the early 1990s. Steve was a long-time president of the Minnesota Grouse Dog Assoc.
Steve was also an outstanding chef who was way ahead of his time in cooking ideas. His laugh was loud and infectious and he lifted up everyone around him. Steve was a big man with a big heart. We are grateful and feel fortunate for the years we spent with him.
“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” ~ Agnes Sligh Turnbull
Two female setters and one male died far too young. Two female pointers and a male setter lived to ages of 13, 14 and 13 respectively. Three setter females from the same litter died this year at age 14. They had spent their entire lives together as their owners all hunted at the same grouse camp.
We will always remember.
Maquina (CH/RU-CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2021), age 3
Valencia (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), age 7
2X RU-CH Northwoods Atlas, a.k.a. Jet (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), age 7
Birdee Sue (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011), age 13
Morris (CH Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2011), age 13
Ice (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Black Bama, 2010), age 14
Rosie, Piper and Sage (Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost, 2010), age 14
