Guy de la Valdene: writer, bird hunter, bird dog owner

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Guy de la Valdène has led a colorful life. He was born in a “small castle built in 1642” in Normandy, France, but has since spent a good share of his life in the U.S. He’s both an eloquent writer and a passionate bird hunter. He hangs around with cool hunting, fishing, eating and drinking pals, including notable writers Jim Harrison and Tom McGuane and Russell Chatham, the artist. Chatham’s beautiful landscape paintings grace the covers of his books and two include ink drawings of birds, dogs and hunters.

Both Betsy and I have read and highly recommend the following books by Guy de la Valdène.

The Fragrance of Grass, 2011
This book is about de la Valdène’s pursuit of and great appreciation for Huns, otherwise known as Gray or Hungarian Partridge. He begins with his first introduction to them in France and takes the reader on a journey through some of the best Hun hunting areas in North America.

Between the four pads of a dog’s foot, the fragrance of grass.
~ Jim Harrison

For a Handfull of Feathers, 1995
Since 1990, de la Valdène has lived on an 800-acre farm near Tallahassee, Florida. The book is a chronicle of his relationship to all things wild that live on the farm and, in particular, bobwhite quail. It’s also an insightful look into the life of these little birds, the effort required to maintain their habitat and the tradition that surrounds the pursuit of them.

A breeze ruffling a handful of feathers carries enough weight to enslave a dog to a bird in a covenant of uneasy immobility.
~ Guy de la Valdène

Making Game:  An Essay on Woodcock, 1985
In his research, de la Valdène followed the woodcock migration across the country and met fascinating people along the way.  Among them was Sally Downer, daughter of Bill Wicksall. Years before woodcock hunting became popular, Wicksall, along with his brother Jack, hunted woodcock and bred English setters that pointed them. This book is a great read that includes much wine drinking and delicious woodcock meals.

Comments

    From field and home

    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

    Rip (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022)
    ~ Mark Fitchett, Kansas

    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

    Birdee-Su (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011), from a stellar litter of eight females
    ~ Chip Young, Tennessee

    Winnie (CH Miller’s Upgraded Version x
    Northwoods Comet, 2024)
    ~ Joe and Jess Nelson Family, Minnesota

     

    Tally (May’s Pond Hank x Northwoods Stardust, 2024), on left, and Georgia (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2015)
    ~ Joe and Deb Wech, 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

    Cedar (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019)
    ~ Eric and Lindsey Saetre, Minnesota

    Chester (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Stardust, 2023)
    ~ The Milles Family, Minnesota

    Millie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017)
    ~ Mercer Clark, Georgia

    Belle (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Kevin Sipple, Wisconsin

    Piper (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2021)
    ~ Tom and Ashton McPherson, Pennsylvania

    Tork (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Nik Zewers, Minnesota

    Fred Dog (Northwoods Rob Roy x Northwoods Minerva, 2019)
    ~ Chris and Maggie Standish, Pennsylvania

     

    Phoebe (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Minerva, 2018)
    ~ Brandon Boedecker, Montana

    Earl (Northwoods Rolls Royce x Northwoods Valencia, 2020)
    ~ Craig Purse, Wisconsin

    Ginny (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022)
    ~ Pat Kane, Montana

    Valencia (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), on left, and Tasha (Blue Shaquille x Snyder’s Liz, 2012)
    ~ Tim Esse, Minnesota

    Macquina (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2021)
    ~ Jeremy Moore Family, Wisconsin

     

    Caddie (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Brian Smith, Pennsylvania

     

    Madji (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Stardust, 2021)
    ~ Ron and Lora Nielsen, Minnesota

     

    Russell (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Nathan and Gretchen Johnson Family, Minnesota

    Willie (Northwoods Rolls Royce x Northwoods Minerva, 2021)
    ~ Chris Smith, Wisconsin

     

    Junie (CH True Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2021)
    ~ Joey Paxman and Amanda Allpress, Montana

     

    Enni (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar 2022)
    ~ Eric and Lindsey Saetre, Minnesota

    Layla (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023)
    ~ Skyler and Jen Gary, Colorado

    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

     

    RU-CH Northwoods Atlas (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017)
    ~ Greg and Michelle Johnson, Wisconsin

     

    Watson (CH Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Highclass Kate, 2013), on left, and Walker (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023)
    ~ The Long Family, Ontario, Canada

     

    Northwoods Highclass Kate (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2010)
    ~ Barry and Jill Frieler, Minnesota

     

    Pep (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Houston’s Nelly Bly, 2023)
    ~ The McCrary Family, Michigan

     

    Maple (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022), on left, and her pal
    ~ The Watson Family, Montana

    Rip (Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Stardust, 2023), on left, and Flint (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2015)
    ~ Ben and Adrian Kurtz, Colorado

     

    Attie (CH Southern Confidence x Northwoods Comet, 2023)
    ~ Jeff and Carol Hintz, Minnesota

     

    Luna (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon 2017)
    ~ The McCrary Family, Michigan

     

    Stoeger (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013), on right, and Chester (RU-CH Northwoods Atlas x Northwoods Stardust, 2023)
    ~ The Milles Family, Minnesota

     

    CH Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), on left, and Eddie (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2023)
    ~ Ben and Maureen McKean, Minnesota

     

    Griffin (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2023)
    ~ The Johnson Family, Minnesota

     

    Annie (CH Rufus del Fuego x Northwoods Valencia, 2021)
    ~ The Sligh Family, Georgia

    Chrissy (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022), on left, and Carly (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2015)
    ~ Bob and Carol Berry, Wyoming

     

    Sage (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2022)
    ~ The Orstad Family, Minnesota

    Dottie (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Betty, 2020)
    ~ Tom (on left) and Lauren Strand, Minnesota

     

    Lacey (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Minerva, 2020)
    ~ Zenas and Susanne Hutcheson, Massachusetts

     

    Smooch (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013)
    ~ Wayne and Julie Grayson, Mississippi

     

     

    Biscuit (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011), litter sister to our beloved Grits
    ~ Ryan and Monica Gould, Minnesota

    Rayna (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017)
    ~ Jeff Bird, Oregon

     

     

    Carly Simon (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2011)
    ~ Jessica Kramer, Wisconsin

    Jenny (CH Shadow Oak Bo x Northwoods Carbon, 2016)
    ~ John and Jeri Cleverdon, Michigan

     

    Lacey (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2016)
    ~ Brian Smith, Pennsylvania

    Jade (CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015)
    ~ Frank Ilijanic, Michigan

    Jones, on left, and Nellie (both out of CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2022)
    ~ Chris and Laura Miller, Illinois
    ~ Gregg and Sherrie Knapp, Wisconsin

     

    Tippy (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022)
    ~ Bill and Gail Heig, Minnesota

     

    Dexter (CH Snyder’s Pioneer Scout x Northwoods Cedar, 2022)
    ~ Mike Rosario, Wisconsin

    Jones (CH Northwoods Sir Gordon x Northwoods Valencia, 2022), on left, Stella (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2015), center, Rose (Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost, 2010), on right
    ~ Chris and Laura Miller, Illinois

     

    Rip (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022)
    ~ Mark and Jana Fitchett, Kansas

    Willow (Northwoods Louis Vuitton x Houston’s Dancing Queen, 2022)
    ~ Rhon and Lori Tranberg, Indiana

     

    Madison (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2018)
    ~ Barry and Jill Frieler, Minnesota

     

    Lady P (RU-CH Erin's Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2018)
    ~ DeWolf Emery, Maine

    Nellie (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Bismuth, 2017)
    ~ Dick and Melanie Taylor, Michigan

     

     

    Elmer (Northwoods Grits x Houston’s Belle’s
    Choice, 2014), Annie (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), Sig (Northwoods Rob Roy x Northwoods Minerva, 2019), front to back
    ~ The Olson Family, Illinois
    ~ Kathy and Lynn Olson, Iowa
    ~ Chris Bye, Wisconsin

    Winston (CH Rufus Del Fuego x Northwoods Valencia, 2021)
    ~ The Short Family, Oregon

     

    Cosmos (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2019)
    ~ The Collins Family, Georgia

     

    Northwoods Diana (RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana x Northwoods Carbon, 2017)
    ~ Lynn and Kathy Olson, Iowa

     IN LOVING MEMORY

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    NORTHWOODS DIOR

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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