A fine morning with a setter puppy on a Florida quail plantation

Northwoods Madison (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2018) and Jerry. Photo by Ben McKean.

At the age of one, Northwoods Madison (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2018) is precocious—and not only in desire and focus but in stamina. From the moment she’s released at the breakaway, Madison has one thing on her mind. Birds. During this morning’s session, she finds and points four coveys.

Madison is owned by Barry Frieler of Minnesota.

Spring in Minnesota

Our kennel on a cold spring morning.

The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You’re one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you’re two months back in the middle of March.
~ Robert Frost

Northwoods Geneva (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Nickel, 2018) on a sunny afternoon in the woods.

Evening meal of sharp-tailed grouse from last fall.

Our pond on a pretty spring day.

Northwoods Rolls Royce wins 2020 Georgia-Florida Hunting Dog Invitational

The first place win for Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Chocie, 2013) garnered lots of hardware for Jerry and Royce’s owner, Bob Senkler.

After the close of the Florida bobwhite quail hunting season, the Georgia-Florida Field Trial Club gathers for its annual trial. This year, the trial was held March 7 on the Aucilla Plantation near Thomasville, Ga.

The club is comprised of dog trainers, handlers and scouts, many of whom work for the 100+ private plantations in southwestern Georgia and northern Florida. The trial is open only for dogs used on plantation hunts.

The 2020 Georgia-Florida Hunting Dog Invitational Field Trial attracts a big gallery to watch the 24 dogs in competition. Photo by Hope Doolittle.

Three placements are awarded. Winners must be steady to wing and shot but otherwise are no different than the kind of dog our foot-hunting clients would love to own.

Pointers are the dominant dog—by far—used on plantations. This year, only two of the 24 dogs entered were English setters. Jerry, of course, ran a setter. He chose Northwoods Rolls Royce, a handsome seven-year-old, tricolor son out of a favorite nick of ours, Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice. Royce is well conformed and even tempered and he always finds birds—lots of birds. Royce is owned by Bob Senkler of Florida.

Jerry flushes on one of Royce’s four covey finds. Photo by Hope Doolittle.

Royce ran in the first brace after lunch, not a coveted draw anytime but especially in a wild bird trial. He was outstanding! He pointed four coveys with perfect style and manners, handled like a dream and always showed to the front.

Congratulations to Royce and Bob!

Jerry and Royce, on left, pose with the second and third place dogs, their handlers, the judges and some members of the Georgia-Florida Field Trial Club. Photo by Hope Doolittle.

A fantastic winter of training on wild bobwhite quail

A quintessential sight on a wild bobwhite quail plantation. Northwoods Minerva (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2017) points into a chopper block under towering longleaf pines.

It’s hard for us to believe but this is the eighth winter Betsy and I have lived and worked in southwestern Georgia. The adage is correct. Time flies.

The reason we’re here is simple—bobwhite quail. This Red Hills region is unique. There are about 300,000 mostly contiguous acres managed by about 100 private plantations devoted to bobwhite quail.

We’re fortunate to train on one of the finest of these plantations near Monticello, Fla. The manager and his crew work year-round to maintain high quality habitat that consistently produces an abundance of wild quail.

Each morning, I load up the day’s dogs and my horse (this Tennessee Walker is named Snort) into the trailer and head out onto the plantation. I park in a central spot and work several braces from there. Northwoods Valencia (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2018), on left, and Northwoods Minerva (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2017) are whoa-ed at the breakaway and awaiting my whistle to be released.

I spend the majority of my days out on the plantation, working from horseback and training dogs in braces. When a dog points and a covey of 12, 16, or more flushes within a few feet of the dog and me, the rush is intense and incredible. And I never, ever tire of it.

I also condition derbies and adult dogs. This involves attaching heavy-duty iron bars to my four-wheeler and hooking up the dogs in pairs to each bar. The dogs love it.

Northwoods Vixen (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011) and her daughter Northwoods Audi (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) are cool, calm and ready for roading.

In addition, I use homing pigeons brought from our coop in Minnesota to teach steadiness to young dogs.

Steadiness training is started when young dogs show an inclination to not move when pointing. I use an ecollar on the belly so the stimulation is different from other training. Houston’s Audrey is a quick learner.

Breeding dogs: possibilities and probabilities

possible adj. 1. capable of happening

probable adj. 1. likely to happen

One spring, Betsy and I attended a Ruffed Grouse Society banquet in Superior, Wisc. We had a good time visiting with friends and participating in the fund-raising efforts. Unusual for me, I bought a raffle ticket for a shotgun. With the purchase of that single ticket, it was possible that I could win but not very probable. If I’d bought more tickets, the probability of winning would have increased.

That notion is similar to breeding dogs.

Photo by Chris Mathan

Random matings that don’t take into account hereditary characteristics, called genotype, and observable characteristics, called phenotypes, can produce an outstanding puppy. It is possible. Is it probable? Not very. Could that breeding produce an entire litter of outstanding puppies? Still possible but even less probable.

Let’s move the odds from possible toward probable. What if the two dogs that are bred are similar in phenotype and genotype and both are physically robust, mentally sound, naturally talented, easy-to-train dogs? Now probability improves.

What if those two dogs came from litters where each puppy was physically robust, mentally sound, naturally talented and easy-to-train? Probability increases further.

Photo by Chris Mathan

Finally, what if those two dogs and their siblings, and all of their grandparents and great grandparents and their siblings, were physically robust, mentally sound, naturally talented, easy-to-train dogs? Now, it’s entirely probable that all puppies in the litter will be physically robust, mentally sound, naturally talented, easy-to-train dogs.

And that’s just what a good, solid, long-term breeding program tries to do. Knowledge, experience, hard work, expense and patience are crucial. A truly consistent breeding program requires many years and perhaps even decades.

Is it worth it to you? Is finding a breeder with those qualifications worth it to you? That depends how badly you want to win the raffle.

Gift idea: On Dogs

“What do you want this dog for?” I was asked austerely…
“I want him,” I answered, “to be my friend.”
~ One Brown Dog, by Dorothy Margaret Stuart

Here’s a last-minute gift idea for that hard-to-buy-for dog lover. On Dogs: An Anthology is a small, lovely book with simple, charming graphics and very nice black-and-white dog portraits.

“There is a profound connection between humankind and dogs that has existed for thousands of years. What began as a mutually beneficial hunting partnership has developed into a deeper emotional attachment.”
~ Tracey Ullman

That blurb is from the introduction by Tracey Ullman. It perfectly sets the stage for the thoughtful, heart-warming, sometimes humorous writing by authors as luminary and disparate as William Shakespeare, Alexander Dumas, Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, Vita Sackville-West, John Steinbeck, Jack London, Alice Walker, A. A. Gill, James Thurber and David Sedaris.

“To get through to a dog’s mind…You need hands that on touching the dog send messages of love and sympathy to its brain. You need eyes that tell the dog who watches them what you are feeling…you need telepathy so that the dog thinks with you.”
~ Barbara Woodhouse

“…and she’s watching me…What she’s doing is learning me. She’s reading me like a book. The truth is, I’m the Fool to her Lear.”
~ A. A. Gill

“Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’s making a poop, the other one’s carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge?”
~ Jerry Seinfeld

Northwoods dogs are cover dogs

Northwoods Minerva (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2017), in front, and Northwoods Aphrodite (RU-CH Three Leaf Shamrock x Southern Grace, 2018).

Recognize these tricolor setters?

That’s Northwoods Minerva and Northwoods Aphrodite on the cover of the newest catalog from Kevin’s, Fine Outdoor Gear and Apparel. The blurb on the inside page states: “Great wild bird dogs can handle both our beloved Bobwhites and the king of the north woods, the Ruffed Grouse.”

Chris Mathan shot the photograph last spring at Pinehaven Plantation in Monticello, Fla. Chris, of Chris Mathan Sporting Dogs, is an excellent outdoor photographer and graphic designer and also a long-time business associate and friend. She lives in Pavo, Ga., and is in high demand to photograph the myriad bird dog hunting and field trial gatherings in the area.

Kevin’s is an institution in this plantation-rich region of south Georgia/north Florida. Kevin Kelly and his wife, Kathleen, run a business that includes the catalog and stores in Thomasville and Tallahassee. The Thomasville location on Broad Street couldn’t be more charming. Complete with a high ceiling, squeaky wooden floor, gorgeous antique display cases and top-quality merchandise piled in every nook and cranny, the shop is always bustling.

Jerry and I own Minerva (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2017). She inherited wonderful traits from her sire and dam, including her spectacular posture on point. She is part of the grouse and quail guiding string and has whelped two fine litters.

Aphrodite (RU-CH Three Leaf Shamrock x Southern Grace, 2018; Shamrock is out of Northwoods Chardonnay by CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock) now hunts quail for John Downing on Long Brow Plantation in Green Pond, S.C.

Northwoods dogs prevail in fall field trials

Reuel Pietz Derby Classic winners. From left: Steve Snyder with his dog; Dave Moore with The Highway (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2018), Jeff Forsberg with Northwoods Setter Tech Ringo (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Nickel, 2018).

Fall is the season when our clients are usually busy hunting their dogs. Some, though, were competing in—and winning—field trials around the country.

In late September, the North Country Shooting Dog Championship was run on native sharp-tailed grouse at the Namekagon Barrens near Danbury, Wisc. Two litter brothers won the top placements at the accompanying Open Derby stake. Northwoods Istanbul (Bull) ran a smooth, forward race with an adept relocation on a running grouse to earn first. Northwoods Setter Tech Ringo pointed a big covey to claim second. Both had excellent manners and were steady to wing and shot. I handled Bull and owner Jeff Forsberg handled Ringo. They are out of Northwoods Nickel by CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock.

Northwoods Istanbul (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Nickel, 2018)

That placement started a roll for Jeff and Ringo. In early October, Ringo placed second in the companion open derby stake to the Wisconsin Cover Dog Championship held near Stanley, Wisc. A week later at the Minnesota Grouse Dog Association fall trials outside Mora, Minn, Ringo won the Reuel Pietz Derby Classic with a pointed woodcock, again displaying steady to wing and shot manners.

Second place in that same Reuel Pietz Derby Classic was another setter male, The Highway. Owned and handled by Dave Moore, Highway is out of RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus and Northwoods Carly Simon, one of our most consistent crosses.

Northwoods Charles (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013)

In the piney woods of Alabama, Northwoods Charles placed third in the Conecuh Station Field Trial Club Amateur Shooting Dog stake for his owner and handler Bill Owen. Charles also placed third in the Burnt Branch Amateur Shooting Dog stake. Charles and Bill are well traveled. They’ve competed and placed in field trials in Saskatchewan, several western states, Alabama and Georgia. Charles is out of Northwoods Chardonnay by CH Ridge Creek Cody.

In other parts of the country, a setter and pointer—both with grandparents that were bred by us—placed in futurity stakes. Erin’s Big Casino won fourth place in both the National Shooting Dog Futurity held near Bloomingdale, Ohio, and in the New England Futurity held near Windsor, Conn. Casino’s sire, CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock, the same sire as Bull and Ringo. Shamrock’s sire is CH Ridge Creek Cody who was co-bred by Paul Hauge and Betsy and me.

Casino’s dam, Three Stripes Livewire, is by RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana. Nirvana is from the heart of our breeding program. His dam was Northwoods Chardonnay and his sire was CH Houston’s Blackjack, a littermate to CH Ridge Creek Cody.

In the North American Woodcock Futurity held in mid September near McAdam, New Brunswick, pointer male Wynot Pete won third place. Pete’s dam is Northwoods Maddie, out of our 2015 CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen litter.

For an owner and handler, it takes a significantly greater amount of knowledge and effort to prepare a dog for field trial competition. To be successful at the highest levels, it also takes a dog with inherent ability.

Good luck to owners and dogs in all future competitions.

Conecuh Station Field Trial Club Amateur Shooting Dog winners. On right, Bill Owen with Northwoods Charles (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013).

Blue Riptide: February 2006 – September 2019 & CH I’m Blue Gert: April 2006 – November 2019

CH I’m Blue Gert (I’m Houston’s Image x Blue Silk, 2006)

Jerry and I mourn the loss of two great bird dogs in the Northwoods family.

Blue Riptide (Blue Chief x Blue Blossom, 2006) was owned by the Rodney and Monica Klimek family of Osakis, Minn. Rip was beloved by Rodney and his sons as they hunted the fields of western Minnesota.

CH I’m Blue Gert (I’m Houston’s Image x Blue Silk, 2006) was owned by Dave and Rochel Moore of Big Lake, Minn. Gert was a 2X CH/2X RU-CH grouse champion.

Blue Riptide (Blue Chief x Blue Blossom, 2006)

Both dogs made distinguished contributions to our breeding program. Riptide produced 19 wonderful puppies by three different dams: Blue Ghost in 2010; Northwoods Carly Simon in 2014; and Northwoods Chablis in 2017. Gert was bred to Northwoods Grits in 2014 and produced three outstanding females. She had previously been bred to CH Tom Jones which produced a two-time grouse champion.

RIP Handsome Rip. RIP Dirty Gert. We will always remember.

World-class sharptail hunting in Montana

What do you get when you have 15 Northwoods Bird Dogs, one English cocker, five gaited horses, five guys and endless Big Sky country?

World-class upland bird hunting!

Here was our dog roster.

Our host, Sam, brought five setters and one pointer.
• Northwoods Ahniwake Grace (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2010)
• Northwoods Jeter (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011)
• Northwoods Audi (Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2014)
• Northwoods Gucci (Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2015)
• Northwoods Hercules (Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016)
• Northwoods Dixie (Shadow Oak Bo x Northwoods Carbon, 2016)

Bill had three setters.
• Northwoods Louis Vuitton (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2014)
• Northwoods Flint (Sunny Hill Sam x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2015)
• Northwoods Madrid (Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2018)

I hauled my dog trailer and so had room for one pointer and five setters.
• Northwoods Vixen (Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011)
• Northwoods Nickel (Shadow Oak Bo x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2014)
• Northwoods Minerva (Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016)
• Northwoods Istanbul, Northwoods Geneva, Northwoods Dublin (Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Nickel, 2018)

Pat had his stellar cocker Rocket.

On our hunts, there were several moving pieces. Picture the five of us on horseback with at least three bird dogs on the ground and the cocker heeling alongside the horse.

When someone called point, we had one dog on point, two dogs backing, quick dismounts and two gunners going in to shoot.

And every time, a big covey of sharp-tailed grouse flushed.

What a hoot!