As a grouse guide, I’ve heard all the excuses

Ruffed grouse hunters do have valid reasons for missing a shot. Few hunting environments are more difficult and challenging. Even with leaves down, the grouse woods can be dense.  It can be hard to see the dog on point, much less a bird thundering away through an aspen cut. And when grouse fly at 20 miles per hour, a hunter needs to make split-second decisions.

However, there are times when an easy shot—known as a butterball—is presented and missed. It happens to our guiding clients. It happens to me and I’m fairly certain it happens to anyone who hunts grouse.

No matter the circumstances of the missed shot, the excuses usually start flying. Or as one client corrected me this fall:  “Reasons for missing grouse were not excuses at all, but merely explanations of the facts.”

With tongue held firmly in cheek, here’s my list for 2012.

•    It’s too early in the day and I’m not fully awake.
•    It’s too late in the day and I’m tired.
•    It’s too dark.
•    It’s too bright.
•    The sun was in my eyes.
•    The bird flushed too far out.
•    The bird flushed too close.
•    I was too tired after rushing to the point.
•    I wasn’t ready for the flush.
•    I was off balance when the bird flushed.

•    My gun jammed.
•    My shell didn’t contain any shot.
•    I couldn’t get the safety off.
•    I forgot to eject the empty shells.
•    I was loading shells into my gun.
•    My choke is too tight.
•    My choke is too open.
•    The brush was so thick I never had a shot.
•    A tree was blocking my view of the bird.
•    My shotgun pattern went into a tree.

•    I was falling down.
•    I was getting up.
•    I saw the bird too late.
•    The bird flew too low.
•    I thought my partner was going to shoot.
•    I was letting my partner shoot.
•    The dog was in the way.
•    I had my head off the gun stock.
•    I got poked in the eye with a branch.

•    It was a left-to-right crossing shot; I prefer right to left.
•    A tree stopped my swing.
•    I shot too quickly.
•    I waited too long to shoot.
•    I shot behind the bird.
•    I shot above the bird.
•    I shot below the bird.
•    I shot in front of the bird.
•    I shot for the dog…twice.

•    My boot was untied.
•    My foot got caught.
•    My cell phone was ringing.
•    My glasses were fogged.
•    My glasses fell off.
•    I had the wrong color lenses in my shooting glasses.
•    My hat fell over my eyes.
•    My legs were weak.
•    I was having a sugar low.

•    My shells are too slow.
•    My gun is too butt heavy.
•    My gun is too barrel heavy.
•    My gun doesn’t fit me right.
•    My gun has an improper balance point.
•    The bird was too slow.
•    The bird was too fast.
•    There was too much air around the bird.

•    I think I may have hit the bird.

What I’m Reading: Don’t Shoot the Dog!

Don’t laugh. After a day spent training bird dogs, guiding grouse hunters or competing in field trials, you might think I’d want to read some easy fiction—a Randy Wayne White book or the newest Daniel Silva. Betsy teases me:  “How can you possibly want to read about dogs?”

While I do, occasionally, read fiction or other types of nonfiction, I really do love to read about dogs, birds and training.

One of the more successful ways to train a dog uses the principle of training with reinforcement. Don’t Shoot The Dog! by Karen Pryor is a 2009-revised edition of a book originally published in 2002.

Reinforcers may be positive, something the learner might like and want more of, such as a smile or a pat, or they may be negative, something to avoid, such as a yank on a leash or a frown.
 ~ Karen Pryor   

While a good share of this book advocates training with “positive” reinforcement, Pryor explains the proper use of “negative” reinforcement to modify behavior. She makes excellent distinctions between shaping, extinction, stimulus control and clicker training. She does so in a practical as opposed to a theoretical manner and uses anecdotal examples to make her points.

The trick to making “No!” effective is to establish it as a conditioned negative reinforcer. For example, anyone who feels it necessary to use a choke chain on a dog should always say “no” as the dog does the wrong thing, and then pause before yanking on the chain, giving the dog a chance to avoid the aversive by changing its behavior.
~ Karen Pryor

This book is informative and an easy read. It’s beneficial to anyone trying to train dogs—or, for that matter, any creature.

Grouse Champion Magic’s Rocky Belleboa (2002 – 2012)

Steve and Bud are tired but happy after a memorable South Dakota pheasant hunt.

Steve Snyder, Jerry and I are sad to report that Magic’s Rocky Belleboa (call name Bud) died on October 11.

For a week or so, Steve had noticed that Bud was ailing. He was a bit thin and just didn’t seem right. A visit to the vet and some exploratory surgery showed why. Bud’s abdomen was filled with cancer and the heartbreaking decision had to be made.

How fitting, though, that this strong, powerful bird dog went out with an unforgettable performance—a final swan song perhaps. Just four days earlier, Steve had taken Bud hunting and Bud had a beautiful point and retrieve on a South Dakota prairie chicken.

Bud was a dream come true for Steve, who wanted to enter the world of grouse trials. In late 2007 Steve discovered that Tim Post from New York was selling his multiple champion, Magic’s Rocky Belleboa, out of Post’s own Magic’s Stokely Belle by Long Gone George. Post entrusted Dave Hughes and the Foreman brothers to Bud’s training and handling and when Bud was four years old, he started winning.

In 2006, Bud won the New York State Grouse Championship and North American Woodcock Championship. Those wins earned him a spot in the 2007 Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational where he was named Runner-up Champion. To top off the amazing string, Bud won the 2007 Michael Seminatore English Setter Award.

When Steve learned that Bud was for sale, he called Jerry and me. We knew of Bud and were intrigued.

2X CH/RU-CH Magic’s Rocky Belleboa (2002 – 20012)

Bud was handsome and had a beautiful blocky head with a dark nose and deep brown eyes. He had excellent conformation and weighed a solid 52 pounds. Bud had tremendous endurance and desire, always searching for birds. He ran with style and pointed with intensity.

So the three of us concocted a deal where we would co-own Bud; Jerry and I would train him but Steve would foot the bill. “We will not be under-funded,” Steve commented.

What fun we all had! We trained and worked Bud in North Dakota, northern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We traveled to Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota for field trials. We planned special advertising campaigns for Pointing Dog Journal and The American Field and its big Christmas issue.

Ultimately, and this just might be his legacy, we bred him to some wonderful dams, including Paul Hauge’s multiple grouse champion, Houston’s Belle. Here is just a sampling of some truly great Bud puppies:  Liz, Ranger, River, J.B., Manny, Madge,  Jagger, Jenny, Foster, Cooper, Tucker, Haley, Lucy, Rainy and Rosco.

Sometime during the year 2009, we three decided that it was time for Bud to retire. He then became a permanent resident of Steve’s kennel where he was the star of countless hunts. And for these last three years, Bud lived the privileged life as Steve’s coddled pet—well deserved for such a talented bird dog and multiple grouse champion.

Pencil drawing by Shawn McCarthy.

A quintessential day on a guided grouse hunt

Ken, left, and Jim are long-time friends and clients of Bowen Lodge and Northwoods Bird Dogs.

A guided hunt.

Don’t the words evoke images of camaraderie, hospitality, gorgeous locales and excellent hunting?  Whether for pheasants in South Dakota, ducks on Delta Marsh or doves in Argentina, a guided hunt sounds at once fanciful and wonderful.

Anyone can indulge. The back pages of sporting magazines are full of opportunities. Jerry and I recommend the experience highly as we’ve been fortunate to be part of a grouse guiding operation for almost 20 years.

Jerry guides for Bill and Gail Heig, owners of Bowen Lodge on Lake Winnibigoshish, northwest of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Come September, some good fishing remains on the big lake but the family resort side of their business wanes when school begins. All of which makes room for a limited number of guided grouse hunts.

Over the years, the hunters and other guides have become friends and clients. It’s nice to see the same faces each fall but it’s also gratifying to see again all the dogs—whether dogs we trained or puppies purchased from us that have matured into good bird dogs and favorite companions.

Ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting, bird dogs, fine shotguns, great food, and great friendships. These words pretty well sum up the month of October at Bowen Lodge.
~ Bill Heig

Before the morning hunt, Northwoods Chardonnay waits patiently while Jerry puts on her bell and tracking collar.

Guides like to see a recently used drumming log. A Grulla Armas 20-gauge shotgun looks nice, too.

Every guiding day includes a break about mid day. Chairs are unfolded and a cooler full of water and soft drinks is opened. In addition, big, tasty sandwiches, plenty of side dishes and homemade treats are unpacked from the picnic basket.

When hunters stop for lunch, dogs get a rest, too. Jim waters Sam while Roxie, Casey and Morris relax.

Even guides need a break!

Ken and Northwoods Prancer pose with a perfectly retrieved woodcock after a beautiful afternoon in the woods.

A favorite part of the day is cocktail hour when hunters and guides gather in front of the fire at Bowen Lodge.

Gail always sets a beautiful table for dinner in the lodge.

In the lodge, a setter naps in the shadow of a bronze grouse sculpture after another fabulous day in the woods.

Many of the photographs were taken by Ken Taylor. Thank you!

2012 hunting reports from clients

Chris’ lap is the perfect spot for Piper after a good day in the woods.

October must be every grouse hunter’s favorite month. With careful planning and hopefully without endangering any careers, many spend more days in the woods than in the office. Despite some rather discouraging spring drumming counts and early season predictions, friends and clients of ours are enjoying excellent hunting. Grouse dogs seem pretty happy, too!

From Chris
Piper, Setter Female, whelped May 15, 2010, Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost
Roy, Setter Male, whelped March 12, 2012, Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis

Perfect day. Limit of grouse and woodcock by 3:30, and that is with a 2-hour lunch. Roy is having lots of fun. Two beautiful solo woodcock points this morning…He is extremely stylish and tall on his points. He was also able to hunt dead on 4-5 birds and had fun with a wing flapping grouse. I think he might be in puppy heaven.

Roy is tired but stares devotedly at Chris.

Piper is hunting extremely well and finding birds at an amazing rate, despite her tendency to range more than I would like. She has become very proficient at pointing birds in trees, which is fun and entertaining even though I don’t shoot birds out of trees.

…three pairs of hunters had a combined 36 grouse flushes in 2 hours last evening. In the light rain this morning, I had 11 flushes in two hours before heading home.

Ryan is proud of Biscuit on her second season in the woods.

From Ryan
Biscuit, Setter Female, whelped January 1, 2011, Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis

It gave me great pleasure being able to tell people that I had limited or nearly limited most days. I would agree that the count was down in the area but for someone with pointing dogs and the willingness to walk there were birds to be had.

From Mike
Sue, Setter Female, whelped June 18, 2011, Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice

Had Sue out several times this weekend and she might be the smartest dog I’ve ever owned….I hope her range extends a little. About 75 yards right now but the way my legs feel this morning that might be good.

Ken and his son with a nice day’s work by Tia, at rest in the background.

From Ken
Tia, Setter Female, whelped January 1, 2011, Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis

Last weekend between grouse and woodcock I bet I saw 40 birds in six hours of walking. This weekend maybe 20 or 25. There were good shots on about half or a third of them. Tia has been doing great. She’ll hold some woodcock three feet off the end of her nose (and bump others). She might point a grouse from 30-40 feet away or more if the wind is right.

From Mel
Jake, a French Brittany we had in for puppy foundation training

Thought you might be interested in an update on Jake’s maiden trip for grouse & woodcock yesterday. He pointed or flushed over a dozen birds, found 3 downed birds including one point a second time before it tried to crawl under a log, when he grabbed it by the tail feathers. He had no problem holding the points and responded well to whoa commands. He had enthusiasm and energy to hunt all day so I am quite pleased for his first time out.

For a seven-month-old puppy, Snicker shows remarkable maturity and beautiful style on a woodcock.

From Bart
Snicker, Setter Male, whelped March 12, 2012, Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis

Yesterday was the pheasant tournament that I sponsor through our company…..I couldn’t believe what a fantastic job he did. He quartered in front of all of us (most of the time) like he had been doing it for years and if I needed him to come back in closer he responded to my whistle commands with very little repeats. It was windy and the birds were moving around a bit and it was thrilling for me to watch him as he very carefully worked into the bird. He never bumped a one.

I was also amazed at how well he marks downed birds . . . even those that were out 35-40 yards he was at the fall quickly and it was a thrill I will never forget to see him deliver, to my hand, 11 big roosters.

From Brad
Tana, Setter Female, whelped March 12, 2012, Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis

Tana and I went on a long hunt. 21 grouse contacts and 2 woodcock. I thought she did great! Saturday we hunted about 5 hours and covered 6 miles and even though we took breaks, I gave her Sunday off….though I’m sure she would have rather gone out again.

She ranged well and checked in with me to stay in contact. I was also impressed with how she already seems to know birdy cover. When we would cross through some open maple stands she would beeline for an alder thicket or edge created with fir trees, etc. ,and ignore the open areas.

Jeff and Izzie: an inseparable pair

Jeff Hintz with his sidekick JTH Izzie.

Anyone who has visited our kennel has probably bumped into Jeff Hintz at some time or another. Jeff and Ron Watson own a very cool hunting lodge about 400 yards to the east of us. Both have been friends of ours for many years through dogs, field trials, hunting and other shared interests. Jeff and Ron are retired now from successful careers in the Twin Cities and so have lots more time to spend as our neighbors.

Jeff is also an invaluable member of our training team. He joins Jerry and Dan during the summer months when our programs are in high gear. He gathers pigeons from the lofts, places them in releasers and then plants them in the field. Too, Jeff is a crack shot with a shotgun when the training calls for dead birds.

Jeff is a pointer guy and usually owns several at a time. Currently he and his wife Carol have Cassie (CH Front ‘N Center x Dancing Queen), Hershey (CH Front ‘N Center x Chickadee) and from our 2011 litter of Northwoods Prancer x CH Westfall’s Black Ice, a beautiful black-and-white female named Izzie.

Like the rest of her seven littermates, Izzie is a sweetheart in the house and a tiger in the field. She was quite precocious and last year Jeff successfully hunted her on grouse, woodcock and the quail of southern Arizona. In addition, Jeff has gathered a couple of nice placements in field trials, including a recent second in the Region 19 Amateur All-Age Derby.

After Jeff’s work for us is done for the day, he usually heads home for some lunch and returns about an hour later at the helm of his gas-powered golf cart. He pulls up close to our front door, opens the cover to his Ipad case and logs onto the Internet using our wi-fi signal. (We joke that he works for free wi-fi.)

Perkily riding shotgun, wagging her tail and acting as if she owned the place is Izzie. She calmly waits while Jeff works. Soon Jeff cranks up the golf cart and the pair head back home.

A September hunt on the North Dakota prairie: 2012

Frankie and Northwoods Blue Ox with sharp-tailed grouse.

North Dakota in early September is for one thing only—sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge hunting. Ian MacTavish and I were fortunate to be included when Frankie Kartch planned a hunting trip at his farm in western North Dakota. Frankie grew up in the area and knows it well.

Frankie brought Ranger, his setter, and Ian had four setters, Pearl, Maggie, Eli and Chet. I never like to be under-dogged so I hauled our dog trailer and brought 12 dogs. In addition to my guiding string (Oscar, Prancer and Lucy ), I brought client dogs Morris, Franny, Harmon, Gale, Tyler, Liz, Jill, Sean, and Grits to train.  That country is vast and can eat up dogs in a hurry. We had just the right amount!

As it seems with most sharptail openers, the weather was warm and dry.  Making it tolerable for the dogs was the abundance of ponds—that is if they could squeeze between all the ducks. The small grain harvest was almost complete so there was plenty of stubble. We hunted native pastures and alfalfa fields also.

Ian’s salad of greens, asparagus, cashews and grilled sharp-tailed grouse.

We didn’t see as many Huns as we would have liked but the sharptail coveys were large and plentiful. Most of the birds we shot were young; in fact a few of the Huns were very immature.

For three guys, if I must say so myself, we did a fine job in the cooking department.  Every night included what became my famous sharptail kebabs, Ian’s delicious sharptail salads and main courses masterminded by Frankie.

A cold beer while preparing dinner and a nightcap of the single malt Laphroaig was all it took to put us to sleep after a long, fun day in the field.

Northwoods Aerosmith with two limits of sharp-tailed grouse.

To start:  grilled sharptail shish kebabs.

A nice mix of prairie hunting ground.

Northwoods Parmigiano backs Merimac’s Westerly Gale.

Houston’s Blackjack wins championship!

CH Houston’s Blackjack (CH Can’t Go Wrong x CH Houston’s Belle). Photo by Chris Mathan.

Our good friend and prairie camp partner Frank LaNasa handled his four-year-old Houston’s Blackjack to the dog’s first championship at the National Amateur Prairie Chicken Shooting Dog Championship held near Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, beginning September 21. Jean, Frank’s adept and vivacious wife, was also on horseback and scouted the dog to his two-find, country-eating race.

Jack is co-owned by Leroy Peterson.

Jack was bred by Paul Hauge and us in 2008 out of Paul’s superb 2X CH/4X RU-CH Houston’s Belle and another grouse champion, Can’t Go Wrong. That such a powerful horseback competitor was whelped by Belle is really no surprise to us. In fact, Belle placed in several horseback stakes herself due to her strength, far-reaching range and bird-finding ability.

In a cool bit of destiny, Jack won the companion derby there in 2010. If the definition of derby winner is the potential to win the championship, Jack’s derby judges definitely got it right.

Frank and Jean recently won a very nice derby stake with Jack’s son, Northwoods Nirvana, by our Northwoods Chardonnay. He bested all other young dogs at the Region 19 Amateur All Age Derby held near Solon Springs, Wisconsin.

Our congratulations to Frank, Jean and Leroy!

Frank waters Blackjack during training run in North Dakota.

Jerry featured on the radio

On Saturday, September 22, at 7:35 a.m., Jerry was interviewed by Bob St. Pierre and Billy Hildebrand from KFAN radio out of the Twin Cities. Bob and Billy are two of the three hosts of FAN Outdoors, a radio show dedicated to the outdoors.

The topic was grouse dogs and grouse hunting.

KFAN is at 100.3 FM. Unfortunately, the podcast is no longer available.

Prairie 2012: another season wraps up

Frank prepares two horses for an early morning training run.

Frank LaNasa and I shut down our North Dakota training camp recently and, as usual, the closing was bittersweet. The birds were plentiful and all dogs gained invaluable experience. Plus, we had a blast.

Good friends and clients Steve Snyder and Barry Frieler made the trip west to see their dogs in action on the prairie. Leroy Peterson spent a weekend with us, also. (Leroy founded the “Peterson” setters, which produced the famous Houston, owned by Paul Hauge.)

Lager and Frank’s CH Homemade show intensity and style during a morning workout.

I had derbies Grits and Vixen and four shooting dogs–Lager, Liz, Parmigiano and Kate. Frank had his three pointers plus two setters, Houston’s Blackjack and young Northwoods Nirvana.

But now it’s time to move on. Frank will travel with his string to several horseback championships. Our dogs will transition to their respective roles:  compete in the Wisconsin and Minnesota walking championships; be members of our Bowen Lodge guiding string; and/or be returned to their owners for a season of grouse hunting in the woods.

Hank ground ties in a pasture shared with windmills and round bales.

Liz cools down after her training session.

Kate and Frank’s CH Homemade share point on a nice covey of sharptails.