Eight-week-old Leo curls up for a nap in a tub filled with his puppy toys.
Among the dogs in our kennel, Betsy and I have every trait we’d ever want. The challenge for us as breeders is to get as many—if not all—of those characteristics into each pup.
Leo picks up a bobwhite quail and brings it back to hand at nine weeks of age.
We think we have one now with just about all of them. It is setter male Northwoods Lyon, call name Leo. He has the brains and the nose. He has the temperament and personality. He hunts with verve and determination. He goes to his birds with the right mix of boldness and caution. He is high-headed and straight-tailed on point. He’s naturally staunch to flush, backs, and retrieves to hand with a soft mouth. He handles from foot or horseback and finds as many wild birds as dogs twice his age.
And Leo is only nine months old.
By fall, four-month Leo handled in the woods, found and pointed many woodcock.
Leo was whelped on June 3, 2018, by Northwoods Minerva (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016) bred to Northwoods Grits (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011). Carly and Grits represent our two best nicks.
Leo spent a weekend in the northern Minnesota woods at 19 weeks of age–hunting during the day and playing with girls in the evening.
Why do Betsy and I even own Leo? Serendipity. There were extra males in the litter and near the end of the picks, a cute orange-and-white one with a dark nose and eyes was left. We picked him.
Six-month-old Leo easily transitioned to the piney woods of northern Florida and found this covey.
Leo inherited almost every trait we’d want and showed us at this early age what he has. But, more than that, in a year when we lost two of our all-time favorite dogs—dogs that were also sires of those two nicks, Shaq (Blue Shaquille) and Oscar (Northwoods Blue Ox)—Leo assuaged our grief and loss.
Even though Leo is his own dog, he is the embodiment of Shaq and Oscar.
Leo beats two bracemates to this find at seven months of age.
In this video, Leo points a covey that was spread out and feeding. His relocation is bold and confident. He exactly locates two quail and points staunchly until flush.
Houston’s Belle’s Choice (Gusty Blue x CH Houston’s Belle, 2005)
On the day after Christmas, Betsy and I received a heartbreaking message from Marc Austof that Jill had died. She lived happily and sprightly through Christmas but suddenly her health failed. Marc, his wife Melissa and their four children made the sad but merciful decision.
Marc Austof took Jill out for the first hunt of the 2016 season.
First hunt of the season. Man, I love this dog! ~ Marc Austof, September 2016
Jill was whelped January 16, 2005, in a co-breeding arrangement with Paul Hauge. Betsy and I were novices—it was only our seventh setter litter and the last at our home in Forest Lake, Minn. Parents were female Houston’s Belle, Paul’s soon-to-be multiple grouse champion, and Gusty Blue, owned by Bob Saari. I liked Gusty after watching him frequently at our prairie camp. He showed the gait, boldness and bird savvy we look for in a breeding dog. Besides, Gusty reminded us of his grandsire, our grouse champion Blue Smoke.
We sold most of the puppies but Paul chose two. One was a black-and-white female and the other was an evenly masked tricolor female that Paul named, suitably, Houston’s Belle’s Choice.
JILL AS A YOUNG DOG
Paul was interested in campaigning Jill on the grouse field trial circuit and so we tailored her development. She spent her first summer at our North Dakota prairie camp where I worked her on sharp-tailed grouse and pheasants. Paul then hunted her in Wisconsin and North Dakota and, in early winter, I took her south for training on our quail lease near Childress, Tex.
Jill was a beautiful dog, lofty in motion and with a strong, ground-eating gait. Luckily, she wanted to please and always handled. Jill was a natural at finding birds and was bold and confident on her game. She was steady-to-wing-and-shot as a fall derby and naturally backed. In short, she was a talented prospect for field trials.
JILL IN COMPETITION
As a puppy and derby, Jill was recognized in the most prestigious grouse trials in the country. In spring 2006, she placed fourth in the Grand National Grouse Puppy Classic held in Marienville, Penn., and second in the Minnesota Grouse Dog Association Open Puppy Stake. She was named one of three reserve dogs at the Grand National Grouse Futurity held in Marienville that fall.
As a derby, Jill won first in a quail shooting dog stake. After her derby season, Jill was campaigned sparingly.
During a training session in April 2012, the veteran Jill worked and pinned a grouse deep in an ash swamp.
JILL AS AN ADULT
Jill matured into an exceptional adult in all ways important to a bird dog and companion. She was long-legged, big-strided and weighed a solid 42 lbs. She was a focused bird finder and adept at pinning running grouse. Her range could vary from close to big but she was always in search of birds. In addition to ruffed grouse, woodcock and sharptails, she traveled with Betsy and me wherever we went in winter—whether Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Georgia—and she handled each situation, location and bird with ease.
Jill inherited long ears from her sire Gusty which she often passed on to her progeny. We always found the trait endearing but a friend always kidded us: “Jill can put a set of ears on her pups!”
Besides her calm and affectionate disposition, Jill had another distinct trait. When she was especially enjoying being stroked, she made a purring sound that seemed to be coming from her adenoids.
Bob Senkler owned both Jill and her grandson Grits. Those two veterans were a good brace in the grouse woods.
Bob Senkler, a serious, passionate grouse and woodcock hunter, became her owner in 2010. Bob commented: “Jill gave me some of the best grouse hunts I ever had.” That is very high praise from someone like Bob who has had more “once-in-a-lifetime grouse dogs” than anyone I know.
JILL AS A PRODUCER
Betsy and I bred Jill five times—three to Blue Shaquille and one each to Northwoods Blue Ox and Northwoods Grits. Puppies were sent all over the country. All were hunted and many were also campaigned. Jill’s production record from the American Field Stud Dog Book shows 12 winners with a total of 29 wins.
The pairing with Shaq was one of our best nicks and produced outstanding bird dogs. Three females—Chardonnay, Chablis and Carly Simon—became proven dams on their own and formed the foundation of our sixth generation of setters.
Jill was bred five times–three of those were by Blue Shaquille, our best-ever grouse dog. This litter of six in 2013 includes some famous dogs: Royce (Bob Senkler), Duke (Tom Dosen-Windorski), Creek (Randy Ott) and Mac (Dale Robinson). I built this shelf above the whelping nest so Jill could get some respite from her puppies.
In addition, Chardonnay (owned by Betsy and me) won the 2011 MN/WI Cover Dog Derby of the Year award while Chablis (Bob Senkler), Northwoods Lager (Jim Bires), Northwoods Troy McClure (Dale Robinson), Northwoods Creek (Randy Ott) Northwoods Rolls Royce (Bob Senkler) and Carly Simon (owned by Betsy and me) all earned placements on grouse and woodcock.
Her litter by Northwood Blue Ox produced stellar grouse dogs whether used in competition, guiding or hunting. Northwoods Highclass Kate (Barry Frieler) won the 2012 MN/WI Cover Dog Derby of the Year award and Northwoods Parmigiano (Paul Hauge) won woods derby placements and horseback stakes. professional grouse guides: Northwoods Camembert (Bill Heig) and Northwoods Brie (Scott Berry) are keys to professional guiding operations. Northwoods Ahniwake Grace (Sam Gary Jr.) has been one of our best Georgia quail dogs and Northwoods Roquefort (Grant Murray) is hunted hard on grouse every fall.
Jill’s last litter by Northwoods Grits produced grouse derby winner Northwoods Lady Got Rocks (Joe Byers). Northwoods Hartley (Nick Larson) gets many hours in the woods and Northwoods Elmer (Luke Olson) is part of the passionate New Wood grouse camp.
Finally, as a testament to her ability to pass on her excellent qualities, all setters in our kennel have her name in their pedigrees, down now to the seventh generation of great grandsons and daughters.
Marc Austof’s son proudly shows off his woodcock while hugging Jill, his hunting partner.
JILL IN RETIREMENT
Since 2014, Jill lived a pampered and privileged life with Austof family of Traverse City, Mich. There she quickly became the queen of the house, slept in her favorite chair and played with the four Austof children.
Marc is a serious grouse and woodcock hunter, though, and every autumn Marc and Jill headed to the woods where both benefited. Marc capitalized on her extensive hunting experience and Jill had ample opportunities, right up to the end. She pointed grouse, woodcock and pheasant within a couple months of her passing.
Great grouse dog, field trial winner, producer, companion. Jill had it all. RIP, sweet Jill.
Thanks for all those precious hunts, memories and everything you taught me. It has been an honor and privilege to carry a gun behind you. You will be missed. ~ Marc Austof, December 2018
Northwoods Rob Roy (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2012)
Our good friend and client Chris Bye recently completed a whirlwind, monumental effort for the future of bird dogs. He made a very quick, round trip, solo drive from his home in Wisconsin to Georgia for the express purpose to breed his Northwoods Rob Roy to our Northwoods Minerva.
But while in this Red Hills region of venerable quail plantations, Chris and I took some time to train dogs from horseback on Pinehaven Plantation in north Florida. Chris captured this classic covey rise in slow motion during a workout with pointer Northwoods Audi and setter Northwoods Hercules.
Joy (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Minerva, 2018), hunting with Steve Wilds, Minnesota
Whether the dogs Jerry and I sell are puppies or older dogs, setters or pointers, they are family pets for most of the year. Come autumn, though, and owners head to woods and fields with their dogs, sometimes traveling a thousand miles or more, in pursuit of ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, woodcock, pheasants and Hungarian partridge.
Judging by big smiles and tired dogs, all couldn’t be happier!
Murphy (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2016), hunting with Tony Follen, Montana
Ellie (Northwoods Grits x CH I’m Blue Gert, 2014), hunting with Tom Beauchamp, Michigan
Cooper (CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015), hunting with Jeff Hintz, Wisconsin
Oz (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), on left, dog Simon in the middle and Biscuit (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis. 2011), on right, hunting with Ryan Gould (on right) and a friend, South Dakota
Eddy (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), hunting with Charlie Schulz, Montana
Hunters, guides and dogs at Bowen Lodge, located on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish in northern Minnesota.
Bowen Lodge, located about 40 miles northwest of Grand Rapids, Minn., was featured in a Duluth News Tribune story last week by outdoor writer John Myers. The piece was titled “Pointing dog enthusiasts take ruffed grouse hunting to the next level.”
Bill and Gail Heig, owners of Bowen Lodge, transform their resort into a premier grouse hunting and guiding operation each autumn so it was entirely natural that Myers spent a couple days with their guides and clients.
What is more unusual is that Myers understood and clearly articulated the unique experience of hunting grouse and woodcock over pointing dogs.
“And so goes upland bird hunting in the traditional pointing dog style, where only birds flushed from under a solid point are considered fair game. If there’s no shot, so be it. The dog work, the pointer’s steadiness and style, are honored as much as any bird in the game pocket of the Orvis hunting coat.
“Every point is a memory, every grouse a trophy. It’s about carrying ancient side-by-side double barrels considered functional works of art. It’s about the camaraderie of Scotch in front of a fireplace after the hunt and the laughter over who missed what and why.
“It’s the process, not the success, that matters most to these guys.”
Jerry and I have known Bill and Gail for about 23 years. We have a deep friendship based on shared interests and a business relationship formed through grouse guiding and pointing dogs. Bill has owned many setters and pointers out of our kennel.
Consequently, many hunters have bought our dogs after watching Jerry and Bill guide over them.
Featured in the story are hunters Ken Taylor and Jim DePolo of Pennsylvania; guides Cubby Skelly, Jens Heig and Bill Heig; and setter male Tyler (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011), pointer female Gee (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013) and pointer female Macey.
Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016)
The month of August and into early September has always signified that it’s time to start training on wild birds. The foundation has been laid and reinforced during summer sessions and the dogs have been conditioned so they’re all in great shape.
It’s with pleasure that I get up early, load eight dogs into the trailer and arrive at the sharp-tailed grouse training grounds by sunrise.
In addition to taking photographs, I’ve captured some of the training runs on video. I always run the dogs in braces—usually pairing an older dog with a derby. For young dogs, I often run in groups of three or more.
The first video features our own Northwoods Carly Simon (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011) and her 19-month-old son Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), owned by Ben McKean.
Northwoods Aphrodite (RU-CH Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock x Southern Grace, 2016)
The next two videos star Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013), owned by Bob Senkler, and 20-month-old Northwoods Aphrodite (RU-CH Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock x Southern Grace, 2017), owned by Betsy and me.
Against a background of golden maples and basswoods, hunters, guides and dogs are a colorful group.
How to describe the camaraderie and hunting experiences that bring guests, guides and dogs back to a northern Minnesota lodge for 10, 20, 30 years?
Bill Heig, who with his wife Gail own Bowen Lodge on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish, explains it this way:
“Sportsmen and women from all over the country gather at Bowen Lodge to spend their days in some of the nation’s finest ruffed grouse and woodcock covers. The evenings around the stone fireplace are filled with testimonials of the day’s adventures, topped off with Gail’s world-famous table.”
As for the dogs and guns, Bill says:
“A dog must be at the top of its game to be considered a true ‘grouse dog.’ To bag a pointed bird over a stylish bird dog with a lovely, lightweight, well-balanced gun really adds icing to the cake.”
Even better than reading about a guided grouse hunt, though, is to see one. Kurt Walbeck of Outdoor Bound TV, a Midwest-based hunting and fishing show, visited Bowen Lodge for several days last fall. He just released “Bowen Lodge Minnesota Grouse and Woodcock Hunting.”
Filming in woods so thick with aspens and other woody plants that it’s almost impossible to see dogs or birds can be problematic. So, too, it can be difficult to capture the special ambiance and close connection between guides, hunters and dogs.
But Kurt nailed it all. He catches Bill giving his safety lecture before a hunt. He films spectacular dog work and exciting, screech-to-a-halt points. He captures the beauty of the woods in autumn. Perhaps most importantly, Kurt gets the relaxed friendships, the ribbing, the laughter and the wonderful evenings in the lodge for dinner and story-telling.
Brian Simmons, Dick Taylor and Jon Hirtle are featured hunters. Guides include Bill and Jens Heig, Cubby Skelly, Mike Powers, Tony Follen and Jerry. Stars of the film, or “pro athletes” as Brian describes them, are the dogs—Bobbi and Gee (owned by Bill, bred by Jerry and me), and Oscar, Carly and Vixen (bred and owned by Jerry and me).
In response to a bit of stress from the camera, the puppy on the left yawns and squints its eyes.
Dogs can’t talk yet they constantly communicate using their body. From nature’s perspective, it can be vital. Dogs convey their moods and intentions to others in their pack to avoid conflict but also for communication and cooperation.
Turid Rugaas is a Norwegian dog trainer who called these body expressions “calming signals.” In her fascinating book, On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals, she identified more than 30 calming signals.
Many of these signals are used singly or in a combination and with both people and other dogs. While dogs understand and interpret their meaning, the signals can be misunderstood by people.
Here are some of the more frequent signals Betsy and I see.
Shake off
Dogs shake for various reasons but a shake off is done shortly after the dog has felt stress. For instance, two dogs meet and stand stiff legged, sniffing each other. Once they figure out their relationship, they turn away and shake.
It also happens when puppies are playing and it gets too rough. One puppy yelps and moves away, followed by a shake off.
We also see it during training sessions. Dogs shake off after being released from a command or after the lesson is over. It can be stressful for dogs to learn a new command but once they’re confident in the behavior, they will no longer need to do a shake off.
Yawning
This signal is easily seen when picking up tiny puppies from the whelping nest. Betsy and I had thought we simply woke them up but now we know better!
Ground sniffing and sitting
When dogs are being WHOA trained, they often feel stress and exhibit these two common signals that are extremely undesirable. Knowing the reason for that stress, we now to respond in a more suitable and helpful manner. We shorten the length of time we ask the dogs to stand and then release them before these signals are expressed. (Timing is everything!) Gradually, as the dogs gain confidence, we ask them to stand for longer and longer periods of time.
Laying down with belly against the ground
While submissive dogs often lie with belly up, dogs that lay down on their bellies are exhibiting a calming signal.
Paying attention to what your dog is communicating via body language will lead to a better relationship and will help both in the day–to-day routine and when training and hunting.
Northwoods Grits (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011)
It’s one thing to breed dogs that are outstanding both in the field and in the hunting cabin at night. It’s quite another when that dog passes on those traits to a preponderance of its offspring, no matter the pairing.
So no wonder Jerry and I are extremely proud of Northwoods Grits, a seven-year-old tricolor setter male out of Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, owned by our long-time client Bob Senkler.
Cade (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), owned by Jim Malecha, Minnesota
Over the past five years, Grits has sired several litters and given us time to evaluate the results. We’ve used different dams—from stellar Houston’s Belle’s Choice (2014) and grouse champion I’m Blue Gert (2014) to our own Carly Simon (2015), Nickel (2017), Bismuth (2017), Carbon (2017) and Minerva (2018).
Oslo (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), owned by Ryan Gould, Minnesota
A majority of his puppies inherit his calm, confident personality and yet also have the fire and extreme drive to find birds in the field. They do this naturally, easily and with a minimum of training. An intense desire to please is evident as is a natural inclination to point, back and retrieve.
The accompanying photos are young dogs from litters sired by Grits in 2017 litters. Similarities in posture, carriage and composure are evident as well as, in some dogs, lots of spots.
Quinny (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Bismuth, 2017), owned by Karyn Dietz, Wisconsin
Jet (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), owned by Greg Johnson, Wisconsin
Edinburgh (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), owned by Charlie Schulz, Wisconsin
Titan (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), owned by Paul Matson, Michigan
Dixie Mae (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Bismuth, 2017), owned by Mitch Kowalski, Montana
JTH Scion (CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015)
I’m thinking of taking up duck hunting with pointers. ~ Jeff
Our friend/neighbor/training helper, Jeff Hintz, is a passionate bird hunter. He divides his time between the grouse woods of east central Minnesota and southern Arizona desert quail country.
CH JTH Izzie (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011)
Jeff has always been partial to pointers and has owned many in the past, sometimes four at a time. Now he has two—female Izzie and male Scion, call name Cooper. I’m not sure there’s a more in-tune, man-and-his-dogs group than these three.
On hot summer afternoons, Jeff loads Izzie and Cooper into his pickup and drives to a local lake. With Jeff’s training, both pointers rival some of the best Labradors I’ve known.
I threw the dummy and the three young mallards just stayed put! Cooper forgot about the dummy and, when released, went for the real retrieve. ~ Jeff
Molly (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) backs Charlie (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017) ~ Ken and Caroline Taylor, Jim and Flo DePolo, respectively, Pennsylvania
Filly (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) ~ Tom and Lauren Strand Family, Minnesota
Rae (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) ~ David Larson, Minnesota
Junie (HOF CH True Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2021) ~ Joey Paxman and Amanda Allpress, Montana
Normanie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017) and her pal ~ Walter Manley, Florida
Archie (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024) ~ Blake and Solveig Nelson, Minnesota
Caddie (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) ~ Brian Smith, Pennsylvania
Frisco (Blue Riptide x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2014), on left, and Zion (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022) ~ Rick and Jodi Buchholz, North Dakota
Rip (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024) ~ Greg and Michelle Johnson, Wisconsin
Miles (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Madrid, 2024) ~ Lars Totton, New Jersey
Vida (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019) ~ Tom Condon, Montana
Suki (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) ~ Eric Beauregard, Massachusetts
Winnie (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024) ~ Joe and Jess Nelson Family, Minnesota
Cosmos (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019), on right, and his pal ~ The Collins Family, Georgia
Stanley (May's Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) ~ Johansson Family, Minnesota
Tyler (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024) ~ Josh and Des Matel, Minnesota
Filly (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024) ~ Tom and Lauren Strand Family, Minnesota
Sage (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024), top, and Louis (CH Erin's Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Nickel, 2018) ~ Joey Paxman and Amanda Allpress, Montana
Racer (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x Northwoods Comet, 2024), right, and his very special pal JTH Cooper (HOF CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015) ~ Doug and Nicole Miller, Oregon
Russell (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024) ~ Gregg Pike and Family, Montana
Abby (CH Woodville’s Yukon Cornelius x Northwoods Redbreast, 2024), on top of her new pal ~ Ben and Penelope Pierce, Montana
Annie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017) on her 7th birthday ~ Lynn and Kathy Olson, Iowa
Maisy (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) ~ Zenas and Susanne Hutcheson, Minnesota
Molly (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023) ~ Ken and Caroline Taylor, Pennsylvania
Jordy (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Prancer, 2014). Look closely! ~ Mark and Janie Fouts, Wisconsin
Speck (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2018) ~ Mike Watson, Pennsylvania
RU-CH Northwoods Atlas (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017) ~ Greg and Michelle Johnson, Wisconsin
Zion (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022) ~ Rick and Jodi Buchholz, North Dakota
Harper (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022) ~ Tom Dosen-Windorski, Minnesota
Attie (Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023) ~ Jeff and Carol Hintz, Arizona
