Living with Birddogs

CA revised striped bass regs shot down

2012-02-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

At a meeting of the California Fish and Game Commission today, the proposed regulations I wrote about last week failed to pass in a reported 0 yea - 4 nay vote.

Hear, hear!

Now, if we can figure out a way NOT to de-water the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta, maybe we will have a productive and continuing fishery.

Heartland Dog Stakes

2012-02-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

Before heading for Montana last Summer, I decided that I needed a good set of stake outs for the dogs. I found an excellent product from Heartland Dog Stakes, offered in steel or stainless steel.

I used the steel Heartland stakes at camp in Montana and since then while hunting and field trailing. They work very well, don't bind, and the cables have never come loose. I recommend them. The only improvement I can think of that would make them easier to use is to cover the metal crimps with a heavy heat shrink tube to make them more comfortable to handle.

Here's where to get them...

Heartland Dog and Horse Stakes
mike coleman
319-929-3460
_mike850@excite.com

Endurance in sled dogs

2012-01-24T19:05:00.000-08:00

There is an informative article on the Science Daily website about research into the amazing endurance of Alaskan sled dogs.

"It is unclear how these racing dogs can keep running, despite heavy blizzards, temperatures as low as –40°F, and winds up to 60 mph. No other animal has been found to come close to the physiological attributes these dogs display."

The article goes on to quantify attributes that allow these dogs to perform so well, and for so long...

Rapid adaption to exercise and the ability to sustain and recover
Tremendous aerobic capability
Ability to rapidly convert fat into energy
Possible physiological attributes that enable endurance through high energy production and efficient use of energy

It's worth a read and may help us to make better bird dogs.

Indian Head Strike

2012-01-24T13:58:00.000-08:00

Sue is a diminutive little bitch weighing in at approximately 37-lbs. She is just under 2-yrs old and is pretty-well broke; steady to wing and shot, and backs on sight. Her breeding is about 90% Elhew; in the 6th and 7th generation of which all breedings go back to Dr. Nitchman's Champion and great producer, Elhew Strike; through such Champions as Swami, Snakefoot and Big Blaze . The other 10% of her breeding is mostly Rock Acre and Fiddler stock, through Champions Rock Acre Blackhawk and Fiddlin' Rocky Boy. She runs with intensity and purpose, and points with high head and tail. I have hunted her several times this season and she seems to have the stamina and feet for the job.

California DFG throws West Coast striped bass under the bus...

2012-01-21T16:05:00.000-08:00

Photo from California DFG website

The striped bass has been an important Northern California fishery for over a century. But since the beginning of massive water exports from the Delta in the 1980s the population has been seriously reduced – along with the historic chinook salmon runs and a number of native Delta species.

Just as the Striped bass in California were showing signs of recovery, the California Department of Fish and Game has proposed new regulations that include...

Increasing the daily limit from two stripers to six stripers
Lower the minimum size limit from 18” to 12”
Establish a South Delta catch limit of FORTY fish per day
Allow taking in a number of coastal rivers south of SF Bay that have previously been off limits

If this sounds like a plan to decimate the striped bass fishery, it is. Why?

The problem is the Endangered Species Act, Delta water pumping and the greed of powerful southern agriculture interests.

The ESA has mandated protection of certain Delta species... notably the chinook salmon and the delta smelt. This resulted in curtailing water exports from the Delta, which reduced the amount of cheap water being shipped south to irrigate the crops of agribusiness in the San Joaquin Valley.

These agribusiness interests, operating under the benign sounding name of the Coalition for a Sustainable Delta, brought suit in Federal court claiming that the reduction in these now endangered species was not due to the 6,633,000 acre feet of being exported out of the Delta system, but was due to the predations of the striped bass – an introduced species that would not be protected under the ESA in California. The fact that the striped bass and other Delta species existed side by side without problems until massive water exports began and that there is almost no scientific data to link striped bass to reduction in native Delta species did not cloud their thinking in the least.

NOTE: To provide a scale for comparison, the 2011 Delta water exports would flood the entire surface of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (10,555 square miles) with a foot of water...

In short, the court ordered the DFG to prepare a 'management plan' that would redress this striped bass “problem”. The DFG responded with it's new proposal in November of 2011. Biology had nuthin' to do with it...

Here are some facts about fish endangered by the Delta pumps feeding the California and Central Valley Water Projects...

The annual export total, including water diverted by the Contra Costa Canal and North Bay Aqueduct, was 6,633,000 acre-feet in 2011 – 163,000 acre-feet more than the previous record of 6,470,000 acre-feet set in 2005, according to DWR data. The annual export total, excluding water diverted by the Contra Costa Canal and North Bay Aqueduct, was 6,520,000 acre-feet in 2011 – 217,000 acre-feet more than the previous record of 6,303,000 acre-feet set in 2005.

“One of the reasons for the record-setting pumping is that much of the water this year went to refill the underground Kern Water Bank, largely controlled by billionaire farmer Stewart Resnick, and to the smaller Diamond Valley reservoir, which serves Southern California,” according to Mike Taugher of the Contra Costa Times. (http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19014459)

Ironically, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California offered water at discount prices in 2011, since southern California reservoirs largely filled.

'Southern California’s water wholesaler is offering up cut-rate surplus supplies for the first time since 2007, but few local providers can buy in because they are short on storage space,...' according to an article by Janet Zimmerman in the Riverside Press-Enterprise on July 10. (http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_surplus11.3abcf4c.html)

The record pumping from the Delta – used to fill the Stewart Resnick-controlled Kern Water Bank and southern California reservoirs – resulted in a huge, unprecedented fish kill at the Delta pumps in 2011. Agency staff “salvaged” a total of 11,158,025 fish in the Delta water pumping facilities between January 1 and September 7, 2011 alone.

A horrific 8,985,009 Sacramento splittail, the largest number ever recorded, were salvaged during this period, according to DFG data. The previous record salvage number for the splittail, a native minnow found only in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River system, was 5.5 million in 2006.

The fish “salvaged” at the “death pumps” of the state and federal water projects also include hundreds of thousands of threadfin shad, striped bass, American shad, white catfish and other species. DFG data reveals that 742,850 threadfin shad, 514,921 American shad, 496,601 striped bass and 100,373 white catfish were “salvaged” between January 1 and September 7 of this year.

Agency staff also “salvaged” 35,560 Sacramento River spring run and fall run chinooks, 1,642 Central Valley steelhead and 14 green sturgeon in the project facilities during the same period.

While no comprehensive studies have been conducted on how many of the salvaged fish survive, fish advocates believe that the majority of many species perish during and after the salvage process.

Although the salvage counts are certainly alarming, the overall loss of fish in and around the State Water Project and Central Valley Project facilities is believed to be much greater than the salvage counts. The actual loss could be 5 to 10 times the salvage numbers, according to “A Review of Delta Fish Population Losses from Pumping Operations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta,” prepared by Larry Walker Associates in January 2010 for the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District – Facts researched and assembled by Mr. Dan Blanton

More to come on the latest in sanity of California game management and water policy.

Chukar Odyssey

2012-01-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

In northeastern California the Chukar hunting this season has been frustrating to say the least. The lack of precipitation and associated dry conditions in the high desert has scattered the birds, and they are really spooky. The dogs are sticking coveys but the birds are not holding for a decent shot, often flushing when the gunner is 50-or-more yards away. Hopefully things will change with the weather systems that are passing through the area at this time. Friends on the "eastside" are saying there is a smattering of snow on the peaks, down to about 55oo', this will hopefully drive birds down from the cloud-line and make them a little more accessible.

In the flow - or not

2012-01-10T20:20:00.000-08:00

I got out hunting several times before and after Christmas, looking for chukar and quail across much of southern California. Had a great time, and very much enjoyed a few days with Mike, but never quite got into synch. A variety of things big and little kept going wrong. I approached several coveys of birds from upwind (resulting in wild flushes and tough shots), generally shot poorly, and endured The Lost Shotgun Blues. Can't really say what caused it - the winter solstice doldrums? - but it was real.

Thankfully, I broke out last Saturday. Went out locally for quail with my pups, found two good covies in less than 2 hours. Fired a half dozen shots and bagged 4 birds, so the shooting precentage was back up where I want it, and a few things really went well ...

After breaking up a big covey I flushed a single bird that was visible for only 25 feet before getting behind tall a big clump. I fired just as the bird disappeared, and did not draw feathers, but the trajectory seemed to change. After a 10 minute search I found that bird about where I had expected.

Later a single got up wild and flew over a rise. Such birds are usually long one, but I followed the most natural course, flushed the bird again, and killed it with a nice shot. Clearly saw where it fell but could not find it after 15 minutes of searching. Gave up on the 'runner', but continued on a likely path, and Rosie emerged with the dead bird in about 50 feet.

That's the way things go when they are going well, and it felt great to be back in synch.

Cannot say much about dog work. I'm pretty sure Rosie locked onto at least one of the covies but in the thick chaparral, I just know that she was not visible, birds flushed, and a moment later she reappeared. The weather was dry and warm - a Santa Ana condition - and that does not produce great scenting. But they had a great time.

Next Sunday I hope to visit my Secret Spot - only place I know in Southern California that consistently yields a limit of quail. I'll let you know how it goes.

I hope all of you can stay in the flow for the rest of this season.

Winter may be coming, or maybe not

2012-01-04T12:06:00.000-08:00

Settling in for the winter season – assuming that it WILL arrive at some point.

Did the usual merry gluttony season. No visible change, but I need to moderate the goodies while watching endless bowl games – the Potato Bowl, the Ginsu Knife Bowl, the Drano Bowl, ad nauseam. These peculiar events take up TV airtime at the expense of Republican primary coverage, which is AOK with me. Bummed that Stanford lost to Oklahoma State in a bowl game wherein they outplayed their opponent, but have lost no sleep over it.

Pete and I made a short hunt for quail on the Carrizo Plains last week and had fun while finding only a couple bevies. They seem to have been pounded into a fever of sprinting and distant flushes. Had a wonderful time in an area that always seems to be empty.

Pete got the best Christmas present imaginable from his lovely wife, Diane -- the green flag to shop for a new setter puppy. Outstanding.

Dogs are doing fine. I ran Ted in a little Shooting Dog stake and he picked up another placement. He doesn't seem to be too excited about it, though. I am working Cody and Tommy on birds and getting them to stand to the flush, shot, and fall. Cody is doing it very well, and I have hopes that I will get Tommy broke one day before too long. Cody has a future as a field trial dog, but I am not pressing him to run a bunch of derby stakes – he is qualified and I intend to take my time and get him ready for adult stakes beginning this coming fall.

On the horizon – Spring field trials, fishing season, and Summer.

New (old) books

2011-12-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

For a couple bucks a copy I found these two books on Amazon.com

Practical Education of the Bird Dog for Hunting and Field Trails by J. A. Sanchez Antunano

and

Modern Breaking - A Treatise on the Rearing, Breaking and Handling of Setters and Pointers - by William A. Bruette

I am always a sucker for old sporting books. I also enjoy learning a bit more about dog training. If I find something that I want to share here, I'll post it up...

Sacred Cow?

2011-12-04T12:08:00.000-08:00

From the Idaho Statesman (Rocky Barker) --

"The U.S. Bureau of Land Management told scientists working on a $40 million study mapping ecological trends that they couldn’t look at the effects of grazing, an environmental group says.

The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility filed a complaint Wednesday saying the BLM study violated the Department of Interior’s new policy designed to limit political interference.

The complaint is the first major test of a policy that Barack Obama promised environmental groups in the 2008 presidential election.

Obama said his administration would emphasize science over political considerations, contrasting that approach with what critics said were Bush administration officials who handcuffed scientists and subverted science on public lands, wildlife and endangered species — including keeping sage grouse from being listed as an endangered species..."

Read more: Idaho Statesman 12/1/11

We will never have competent public land management without understanding this critical element of land use.

Thanksgiving and a conundrum

2011-11-28T15:17:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving – two daughters, two dinners – bloat recovery and football. Thinking of hunting.

I have much to be thankful for – family, friends and dogs. Time and enough money for traveling to places that I love to go.

So, the conundrum. When young, despite having a lifetime ahead of me, I ran from one thing to another. And the time passed quickly. Now that I am older, despite having less than a lifetime ahead of me, I am not in such a rush. And it works out that I can see more, learn more, do more... and that is infinitely more satisfying. So I am thankful. I hope that you all have the same good fortune.

A few days in the desert

2011-11-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

I spent the past few days hunting chukar on the slopes along highway 395, from Joberg to Independence. Had a great hunt the first day. Rosie & I worked the slopes hard for 3 or 4 hours with just one soft point to show for it - the birds ran out before I could get there.

As we worked along a lower ridge Rosie caught point, facing downhill. I was already in nearly perfect position, and when I took a few more steps the birds blew out, easy crossing shots, downhill right-to-left. I don't usually try for doubles on chukar or quail (hard to find even one dead bird ...), but the first bird crumpled nicely so I took a second shot and folded another. Took 15 minutes to find them both but it was a great start to my chukar season.

While in the Joberg area I met up for a day with Craig Fiehler, a DFG biologist who works the California coastal area. He had never hunted chukar before but I think he enjoyed the day. At least he said that he did - but perhaps just being polite. "First time for adventure, after that for revenge". We found three coveys but never got into position for a shot.
I had been playing phone tag with the Bishop DFG biologist for a couple of days and finally connected while I was on the road. He recommended the west side of the valley so I tried working some of the Sierra slopes. Got into a few quail and a covey of chukar so I'll definitely return. Tough walking though - those slopes are not for the faint of heart. That's it for today. Off to Oregon to visit my daughter for Thanksgiving. Hope all have a wonderful holiday with much cause and opportunity for giving thanks.

One more story on a Sunday

2011-11-13T15:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the Glorious 12th - the day on which pheasant and dove season open in the Imperial Valley. The dogs and I spent it roaming from the border to the Salton Sea, hunting and touring, having a fine time, and finding plenty of birds.

I've been shooting my Fox most of the season and decided to give my Westley Richards droplock a day's use. It is a lovely gun, an engineer's delight, and I shoot it pretty well. I started the morning hunting for dove, and though the shooting was slow, I had a handful of birds by 7.30.

I decided to try another spot and on the way noticed a lot of dove working around the intersection of four fields. The birds were feeding in three newly-planted fields of row crops but the fourth field was alfalfa and unposted. I concealed myself in a drainage canal and killed a couple more dove in just a few minutes. Then I noticed that some hunters were driving the alfalfa for pheasant and managed to put up a few birds. They had not hunted my edge of the field so perhaps a few of the roosters had moved into that area? I got Rosie and Silk out of their crates, loaded the gun with heavier loads of #6, and gave it a try.

We worked the area for 20 minutes or so without moving a bird and then I noticed a couple of dove land on the other side of a drainage ditch 200 yards away. Since the pheasant were not cooperating I dropped dove loads into the gun (I shoot very light dove loads with very small shot) and walked in their direction.

Of course I had not gone 30 yards when a big cock popped up right in front of me. I probably should have just waved at him, but instead I took a close shot with those dove loads, and hit him hard enough to kill him - but not until he had flown 400 yars, collapsing dead in mid air, in the middle of another field that was (a) posted, and (b) being actively worked by a couple of guys on fast tractors with hay rollers. I walked over to the edge and looked for an obviously-dead bird without luck. The drivers would have been very annoyed if I started combing their field with my setters so I cursed my choice of guns (most of my doubles have two triggers, but W-R was very proud of their single trigger and apparently only sold droplocks that way) and headed for other spots.

Next I was in an area with a deep irrigation channel bordered by heavy, waist-high chaparral. I've killed pheasant there before so I loaded with #6 and even managed to kill a dove with that load. Then I ran into a covey of Gambels quail and proceeded to miss 4 in a row over some decent dog work. That was quite annoying. I'm convinced that those little demons flew right through the sparse loads of #6 (I shot 4 for 4 on quail that weekend when shooting #8, so I should have killed at least a couple of them).

Now I'm feeling pretty bummed. I have a nice collection of dove, but no pheasant and no quail, and some pretty sorry stories to tell about it all. Then, redemption: a cock pheasant flushed out of canal and back over my head. Since it was first sold in 1901 the W-R has probably killed 5,000 pheasant on shots just like this and the #6's did their work. The bird was dead in the air and hit the ground in an open spot.

Now I could relax, give up on pheasant, and just shoot quail and dove. We got into more quail and I killed a couple, and then I found a spot for dove that had about 150 birds working the area. Killed a few more there, including a couple a long-range passing shots (60 paces to one of the dead birds) that left me feeling pretty good about the day.

So, the lesson: shoot a gun with two triggers when hoping for a mixed bag! I have a nice thumblever Purdey that would have been a great choice. But the day came out well. Mike, wish you had been there to point out my folly.

What are the odds?

2011-11-13T14:49:00.000-08:00

While driving a decent dirt road in Montana in September a rear tire went very quickly flat. When I changed the tire I saw this small pebble protruding from the center of the tread:

The idea that such a tiny rock could cause immediate failure had me thinking about changing my prefered brand of tires. But after Malta Tire installed new rubber I saw that the "pebble" was just one end of this: A perfect tire assasin. My best guess is that the front tire tossed up the rock which then fell in front of the rear tire in a perfect jabbing position. Nasty rock and worse luck. But I always carry two spares on a long trip, and it was about time to change out the rear tires anyway, so just a mild inconvenience in a wonderful bird hunting trip.

East of San Diego

2011-11-13T09:42:00.001-08:00

I've enjoyed some great hunts the last couple of weeks and will post a bit about them. First, a couple of weekends ago I hunted quail with Rosie (foreground, she's actually backing) and Silk (background, she found the birds first) in a area east of Julian (San Diego). The cover looks perfect, and I know there is some water around, but for some reason the bird populations are never very good. But I did get some nice work from Rose and Silk, and killed a couple of birds over their points, and had a very nice few hours walk, so who could complain?
By the way, Silk will be 15 in January. Anyone have a picture of an older bird dog pointing wild birds? She has never run big, but she will hunt all day, she handles birds well, and we've killed a lot of birds together. I'd take another one just like her if I could.

You know you're a bird hunter when...

2011-11-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

You retire 10 years early with no plan other than to hunt birds everywhere they exist.

You own an equal number of shotguns and bird dogs.

Your hunting truck cost more than your daily driver.

You realize that ALL your good friends are also bird hunters.

You take your best dog and a shotgun on an elk hunting trip -- planning to shoot the first legal elk you see and spend the rest of the two weeks hunting birds.

You wife AUTOMATICALLY assumes that you have some special bit of hunting gear in mind for Christmas.

You look in you closet and you have more hunting boots than dress shoes.

You spend more time in Montana than in your second home in the Caribbean.

When you do go to the Caribbean with your wife, you are invited to shoot birds by your friends... and you go.

Your vet bill equals or exceeds your own medical expenses.

You spend your cross country flight time looking out the plane window trying to spot likely places to go in the Fall.

You realize that all your non-hunting friends have given up on you... you're getting more invites to go hunting than to attend Christmas parties.

Kris - Showing Progress

2011-10-25T13:54:00.000-07:00

Kris is now nine-months old and is coming along really well. Ground work has been done mostly with pigeons and launchers, with the occasional bobwhite and chukar thrown in to keep things interesting. She is standing her birds well and holding most of the time after the flush and shot. Since she was about three-months old she has been worked regularly in the yard; standing on the bench, barrel, and platforms; crating, heeling, and whoaing. She responds to her workouts and training with enthusiasm and has a lot of energy. She is roaded regularly off an ATV and has been run in a few derbies off horseback. Now that chukar season is here it's time to introduce her to some wild birds.

Eastside Finn - RIP

2011-09-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

About a week ago I had to put the "Big Boy" down. Finn was suffering from Spondylosis, a chronic condition caused when bone spurs form on the spine due to progressive disc degeneration. It wasn't apparent to me that he was suffering from anything but old age, and the arthritis he had in his front elbows. But overnight, he had gone from moving around slowly in what appeared to be a somewhat arthritic walk, to being debilitated.

This past summer he had enjoyed many days on the dining deck of the "Staff House" of Laurens summer camp, at the feet of the children as they ate their meals. In true Lab fashion, not a crumb was spared. From breakfast through dinner Finns presence was enjoyed by the children and staff alike. Many nights I had to go to the deck to retrieve him. He would grudgingly follow me back to the kennel, his head slung low and moving at a snails pace.

I quit hunting him in the uplands a few years ago, as the ground was just not compatible with his aging frame - the steep rocky ground of chukar country is not forgiving. But we did have opportunities to hunt the Valley for ducks, and shoot a few doves at home. The sight of a gun and the closing of it's action still causing him to whimper, whine, and dance.

He is buried above the barn. It is where he spent most of his days when camp was not in session, acting as the official greeter to all who came to visit. His presence will be missed, memories cherished......

Report from Montana

2011-08-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

Paul Garrett and I have been in NE Montana working dogs since August 3^rd. We have had good grounds on which to run dogs, thanks to several local ranchers. We are making progress and so are the dogs.

The long cold winter followed by a wet Spring resulted in some rank growth and many farmers were not able to get wheat in the ground until mid-June or later. Where we are most of the wheat is still standing, but finally browning off, so it should be harvested over the next week or two. This will redistribute game birds and make more ground available for dog work.

Cover on CRP ground here is very heavy and tall, It has been difficult to get much done in this cover – a mix of grasses and yellow sweet clover. It is tough on the dogs and it is hard to get birds pointed in this type of cover.

We have been concentrating on hay/alfalfa field edges that have had the first cutting, edges of wheat fields, and prairie ground. We have been finding adequate birds for training – sharp-tails and more Huns than I expected. Pheasants are scarce. The weather has been hot, so we are working dogs morning and evening.

I am excited with Cody. He has been running well from horseback, staying to the front, responding to voice and paying good attention. He is very appealing on the ground. I have also been check cording him on wild birds and he is pointing Huns and sharp-tails – and becoming a bird monster. He was the primary reason I came to Montana and his progress is well worth the trouble and expense of making this trip.

Ted is getting fit and finding birds. He is hunting birds near camp and running hard. Tommy is still crazy. I still don't know if he is going to be a bird dog, despite the progress we made late last season.

Paul has several nice setter pups on his string that are starting to hunt and run well. They are starting to point game birds and look good doing it.

I will try to post some pictures next time, but I have to get in the truck, drive to the top of a hill a mile and a half away and post via a cellular connection.

Grass seeds and infection

2011-07-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

Canada wild rye - a dangerous grass, one among many you may encounter this Summer or Fall

Summer, and the time that many of us begin training dogs for the Fall season. Spring was late in the northern prairie. There has been a lot of rain/snow in most places this year and grass is high. There are a number of grasses that pose a serious and widespread risk to dogs, and this seems a good time to post again about the hazards or grass awn infections.

My setter, Ted, had a nasty infection from a cheat grass awn in his front paw last season that sidelined him for much of the season. With treatment, he recovered completely. But grass awns can kill your dog. They may be inhaled and cause disabling or fatal lung infections, or enter the mouth and be swallowed when the dog drinks and infect/perforate the walls of the stomach and digestive tract, or they can enter the dog's body through the skin and travel remarkable distances carrying infection with them. None of this is easily diagnosed or treated.

I am heading to Montana to work with my dogs on sharp-tails, young pheasants, and Huns for a couple of months at the end of July. Through Torben Hansen's thoughtfulness, I received a copy of documents by Cathy Lewis and Dr. Pat McInteer, DVM that were presented by Cathy at the Purina Pointing Dog Awards weekend last month. She has consented to my reproducing parts for her work here on Living with Bird Dogs. I'll put some links and citations at the end of this post and encourage anyone to learn more about this widespread and not easily diagnosed health risk. Here is the her (slightly edited) paper:

Grass Awn Infection, by Cathy Lewis (e-mail) and Dr. Pat McInteer, DVM

...you are your dogs best defense against this danger. Learn to recognize threats and avoid them, and carefully observe and know your dog. Recognizing subtle changes early may make a huge difference in successful treatment should your dog fall prey to a grass awn infection.

The most common grass threats to our dogs (my comments in brackets):

Foxtail Barley – if your live, train and/or compete (or HUNT) in the western United States or Alaska, especially, but this foxtail is spreading throughout the U.S.

Cheatgrass – a known threat in the Rocky Mountain states (and the entire Great Basin). Residents know that this becomes a problem when the grass begins to dry and drop its seeds, sometime around July, through the first freeze or snow.

Canada wild rye – unlike the above, this grass is actively cultivated as an effective cover crop for other, slower to establish grasses. It features a particularly aggressive awn. Popular with state and federal conservation authorities, and bird and habitat preservation organizations due to its low cost, it has become widespread through the Midwest and Mideastern states over the past ten years.

Find a full list of known problem grass species at www.meanseeds.com

Grass awn infections can manifest in multiple symptomspatterns (or combinations thereof): pyothorax (an infection in the chest cavity), pneumonia, and/or body wall or internal abscesses. Based on my experience and the case histories I am gathering, Many infections show up as an acute illness. The dog seemed fine two hours ago/yesterday, but nows/he has an elevated temperature, is lethargic, and has no interest in food…

The symptoms of a grass awn infection overlap those of other fairly common threats, such as tickborne disease. Your powers of observation may be key in making an accurate diagnosis quickly. If you have reason to suspect that your dog has been exposed to a problem grass, make your veterinarian aware of that fact and the likely manifestations. Veterinarians that do not see many working dogs in their practice may not consider the grass awn possibility in their early workup.

Treatment in most cases is costly. Even “medical management” of a pyothorax (Chest infection) is most times not a matter of simply giving some pills. With my own dogs, treatment costs have ranged from approximately $1000 to $12000...

In most cases that I am aware of where treatment has successfully resolved the infection, the dog's health has been restored to the point of returning to the field, though for competition dogs the consequences of surgery, e.g. removal of a lung lobe, ribs, and/or muscle tissue may effect performance to the point where retirement becomes advisable.

Sadly, the threat of grass awn infection appears to be rising. YOU are your dog's best defense.

Be careful out there...

Links:

Meanseeds.com (The Grass Awn Project)

Nocardia Infections in Bird Dogs, Dr. Pat McInteer, Dr. Kames Mills, and others

Speargrass, Dr. Pat McInteer

Good-bye Jesse

2011-06-15T10:31:00.000-07:00

Jesse in better days, pointing sharp-tails in Montana

A couple of weeks ago my 13 year old setter, Jesse, started to decline food and showed signs of serious arthritis in his hips. He died this morning, laying on his bed in the shade of a plum tree.

He was the companion of many miles, always willing, and durable. He was an honest dog that would stand his birds for a very long time - waiting for me to find him. I will miss him greatly.

Good-bye, Jesse, and thanks for the thrills.

Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development

2011-06-06T22:56:00.000-07:00

I have written about the threat of energy development on Western lands. The seemingly willy-nilly issuance of oil and gas leases has dwarfed the Gold Rush in 1849.

Go here to read more: http://www.sportsmen4responsibleenergy.org/recommendations.html

Summer camp

2011-05-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

I have not posted in about a month... sorry. I have been busy with the business and have been making plans for the Summer.

I've been talking to Paul Garrett, making plans to go to eastern Montana for a Summer training camp. So as it stands right now I will be heading to Montana at the end of July for 6 weeks of fun training and running my setters. When we are done, I expect to spend a few weeks just bird hunting in Montana or Saskatchewan. I have never been able to spend that much focused time training, and jumped at the chance to do so... especially with such an experienced 'setter man'.

I expect to post some photos and notes, as well as get Cody green broke for his derby season, and work with Tommy and Ted on sharptails.

IB Fenway's tragic end

2011-05-03T18:11:00.000-07:00

I B Fenway, an accomplished field trial pointer, and littermate of the late, great champion Kelly's Talkin' Smak was shot and killed in Reno, Nevada.

I received this bulletin by Dr. Charlie Hjerpe, DVM today:

During the 13th brace of the National Am Chukar SD CH in Reno, IB Fenway was lost and subsequently shot and killed by an area landowner who is a practicing veterinarian. Fenway was Runner-up Champion in the 2006 National Amateur Chukar All Age Championship, and a littermate to 4X Ch. Kelly's Laser Eye and 9X Ch. Kelly Talk'n Smak. At the time of his demise, Fenway was owned by Nard Bailey of Alturas, Cal., and was being handled in this stake by his former owner and trainer, Torben Hansen, the current 3rd Vice President of AFTCA.

Although Fenway was wearing a Garmin tracking collar, Torben and Nard were never able to pick up a signal. In all likelihood, the Astro 220 had not been properly tuned to the specific collar that Fenway was wearing.

According to Dr. Scott A. Thompson, Fenway attacked some of his free-range, egg-laying chickens, killing 7 of them, and then "charged" Dr. Thompson when he attempted to intervene. Dr. Thompson is a 1976 graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and owns and operates a 3-veterinarian specialty practice in Reno (Feline Medical Center) that is limited to cats. The website for this practice can be reached by clicking on: http://fmcreno.com/about/

Although Fenway was wearing both a tracking collar and a regular collar with Nard Bailey's name, address and phone number on it, Dr. Thompson never contacted Nard to advise him about what had happened to his dog. Nard and Torben did not learn about Fenway's fate until more than 24 hours after Fenway had disappeared. Apparently, Dr. Thompson did not recognize that Fenway was a pointer, because he had called the owner of "Green Feed", a local Red Rock area feed store, told him that he had shot a dog that was attacking his chickens, and inquired as to whether the owner's son might be missing a "hound". On Monday, April 18, Jarry Walton was in the "Green Feed" store buying chukar feed, and learned that a dog had been shot (the previous day) that might be Fenway.

As of the present time, Dr. Thompson is refusing to return Fenway's remains or his tracking collar, and is threatening Nard Bailey with a $4,500 lawsuit for the loss of 7 chickens. In fact, the damages may well exceed $4,500, should it be determined that the psyches of Dr. Thompson's 2 cows have been permanently damaged by the commotion caused by Fenway's actions. The dollar value of the claim is said to be based upon the value of the "organic, free range eggs" the chickens would have been expected to produce, if they had been allowed to have live out their normal life expectancies. However, if Dr. Thompson was so much concerned about the value of his chickens, why did he not catch Fenway, call the number on his collar, return Fenway to his owner, and ask the owner (Nard) to reimburse him for the value of 7 laying pullets (for which I have recently been paying $10 to $15 each). It is simply not credible that Dr. Thompson was so fearful of Fenway that he needed to kill him to protect himself. All of Fenway's former owners are unanimous in stating the Fenway did not have "mean bone in his body". Even if Fenway had growled at Dr. Thompson, veterinarians are trained in the handling of such animals, and Dr. Thompson was in general small animal practice for more than 25 years before he began limiting his practice to cats.

Shame on a man who practices small animal veterinary medicine for this belligerent and unwarranted behavior.

When you see how bad it can get ...

2011-04-10T13:12:00.000-07:00

My wife and I just returned from a 15 day trip through China. I've practiced Tai Chi Chuan for 7 years and the trip was sponsored by the studio where I train. We spent the first week in classes with the very best Tai Ci masters in the world and then spent the second week doing the usual tourist stuff in Xian and Beijing. My overwhelming reaction: nearly all of the enviroment that I saw was was horribly damaged. During the entire time in country I saw only a handful of songbirds, a few magpies, no rodents, no hawks. Certainly no game birds. Anything that looks green is under mono-species cultivation. Most of the country is covered by a cloud of smog from the coal-burning electric plants. 5,000 years of human occupation have left a mark on the land and the animals that will not disappear until the next ice age. So, get out your checkbook and send some money to you favorite environmental advocate group. This trip really brought home to me how much we stand to lose if we do not learn to live in a balanced relationship with our environment.

Sorrow at a loss and helpful advice

2011-04-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

I received this sad news this morning...

It is with great sadness that I relay that Sean found Smak dead in his kennel on Thursday morning, April 7th. It is believed that his death was caused by an injury that occurred on Wednesday during a training session at Red Rock, Nevada.

Sean had seen Smak being chased by 2 coyotes at about 300 yards. Due to the distance and the rough terrain, it took Sean sometime to close the distance and catch up with Smak. At that time, Sean found him underneath a pickup belonging to some BLM employees. Smak appeared to be shaken from his experience but not seriously hurt.

By the time Sean reached his trailer, Smak seemed to be O.K. Upon arriving home, Sean noticed a small amount of blood in his crate and upon further examination he found a cut on Smak in the area where his front leg joins his body. He cleaned the cut and doctored it. It did not appear to be serious. Smak was eating and drinking normally.

The next morning when Sean went to the kennel he found Smak dead. Upon close examination, he found a small hole penetrating in approximately 4". Sean believes it may have penetrated his lung.

Smak was 6 years old and had won 9 Championships and 5 Runner-up Championship placements. He was admired by all who had the privilege of seeing him compete. Frequently, field trialers would ride in the gallery just to watch him . He was qualified to run in the Nationals and competed in the Amateur Invitational held at the Ames Plantation in which only the top 12 dogs were invited.

There are only a few dogs who have earned the right to be called great. In my opinion, there is no doubt that Smak has earned the right to be counted among those privileged few!!

Sean is a sportsman and is dedicated to his dogs. Kelly's Talk'n Smak was a truly exceptional bird dog. I saw him run many times and have run in brace with him a few times at trials. My condolences to Sean at his loss.

In light of the risks that our dogs take, I am again recommending that you take a minute to look at Birddogdoc's (Shawn Wayment) blog - he has a lot of good advice that might help us treat the inevitable injuries that our bird dogs sustain while doing what they do.

Be careful out there!

AKC Mean Seeds grant

2011-03-24T17:27:00.000-07:00

Grasses cover approximately 25% of the earth's lands and are a very rich and productive environment. We all know that grasslands mean game birds. So we run our dogs most often in areas that have at least some grasses present. Last year I presented a piece about speargrass on this blog and it has received several thousand page reads, so this is a subject of some interest.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation has now established a Mean Seeds grant to investigate “mean seeds” and the role they play in grass awn migration disease. According to the AKC news release, "In the sporting dog world, there is a perception among owners that there has been a dramatic escalation in the incidence of grass awn migration disease in the last 20 years."

Hopefully this research will equip us to better deal with the risk that these grass seeds pose to our dogs.

Thinking about fishing, and other stuff

2011-03-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Weather was wonderful this morning - temperature about 50, overcast, a bit of wind, took the dogs for a 2 hour walk in the mountains behind our home. Heard a few quail calling in the distance. They have not really recovered since the last fires but I'm hopeful that the wet winter will bring back the local coveys. Nice just to see them, and good for dog work in the off season.

Last summer my cousin Rod presented me with a fine gift - a full set of float tube equipment. We used it on some Sierra lakes and I landed a couple of very nice trout. Now I'm thinking about bluegills and bass. There are a couple of small lakes close by, each only a couple of acres, but with a year-round water source. I've thought about fishing them for years but they are entirely circled with cattails. Now that I have the float tube I think I'll give them a whirl. I bought a half dozen poppers on-line and will have a go at it when the weather warms in a few weeks.

Also thinking about ocean fishing. The party boats out of San Diego can do pretty well. Surface fishing for bass, bonita, barracuda, and yellowtail starts in June or so. I've got a Shimano Bait Runner spinning reel (it can be put into free spool) and it works really well for fly lining a live sardine. I can toss those greenies 50 yards or more without any weight on the line, then put it in free spool and wait for a strike. Much more fun than bouncing lead off the bottom.

Cody gets something done

2011-03-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

Took Cody to his first field trial yesterday at Setter Springs Ranch near Maricopa, California. He got his first placement in the Open Shooting Dog Derby, so he is now qualified to run in AF/AFTCA open and amateur championships. He is eleven months old and ran with the older derbies and did not disappoint me.

The Meadow, by James Galvin

2011-03-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

In The Meadow James Galvin writes of the Western landscape and illuminates the character of the people, their inter-dependance and how the land that we call The West shaped them. This book reads like an accounting of life, not a novel, but fulfills the requirements of both. Here's a sample:

Almost everything Lyle did was hazardous. And after his brothers had gone he mostly worked alone: felling trees with chainsaws; balancing on the top log of a barn; hewing with an axe so sharp that a couple of fingers or toes wouldn't even slow it down; or just out fencing – old wire can snap under the stretcher and come at you like a snake...

Lyle learned to pay attention, to think things through and not get ahead of himself, not to lapse into inattention ever. After a while he couldn't not pay attention, shaking a stranger's hand, tasting Mrs. So and So's pickles, setting fenceposts. It endowed all his actions with precision. I gave him total recall. It obliterated time.

The Meadow by James Galvin,Henry Holt and Co., 1992

Top All-Age setter derbies

2011-03-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

I was looking at the Setter Awards web page and noticed that three of the top 5 All-Age setter derbies (Gertrude, Drifter & Jet) are from the same litter.

Gertrude - Hal Meyer, owner/Sheldon Twer Handler
Southwind Jetset Drifter - Michael Eades, owner/Jim Michaletz Handler
Skydancer Dancing Bull - Dennis Lutynski, owner & Handler
Horizon's Jetsetter - Terry Erickson/owner & Handler
Acuff's Hytest Apollo - Roger Acuff, owner/Colvin Davis, Handler

This is the same breeding that produced my pup Cody. I hope that he can do as well as these 5 young dogs are doing. Congratulations to their owners and handlers!

Say goodbye to Mearn's quail?

2011-03-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

I am posting this contribution from Roy Pool of Arizona to make everyone aware of the fragile nature of our Mearn's quail populations. As always, game species management has a lot of stakeholders - hunters, land owners, grazers, and local, state and federal government agencies. Food for thought and a warning.

For years, those of us who live in or near Mearn's quail country have been frustrated with the Arizona Game and Fish Department's lack of response to the ebbs and flows of Mearn's quail populations. The feeling of most long time Mearn's quail hunters is that AzG&F does nothing to manage the resource - and that is the best that can be said of the Department concerning Mearn's quail. The worst that is said, and said often, is that AzG&F is ruled by marketers that promote Mearn's quail hunting to such an extent that the resource is threatened with extirpation in the best areas. The Department, its detractors say, ignores the advice of biologists that base their recommendations on solid in-the-field science, focusing instead on an effort to attract non-resident hunter dollars to the state.

In December 2009, I realized that Mearn's quail were in trouble. There was a monsoon failure that year and Mearn's quail reproduction was near zero in most of the best places that Mearn's quail are found in the USA. If you knew where to go and had good dogs, you could still find 6 or 7 coveys in a day's hunting but all the coveys - I hesitate to call them that - were pairs or 3-4 birds, all adults. Although the failure of the summer rains meant very low grass production in most areas, there was no reduction in grazing allotments in the National Forests where most Mearn's quail are found. Consequently, most of us expected a lower than usual over-winter survival of Mearn's quail and we braced ourselves for another poor season this year.

In June or July of 2010 - I'll have to look up the date - I reported a shocking dearth of quail found when I took a friend to the two best canyons there are in Mearn's quail country - and believe me, I know every canyon there is down here. I told him that I expected to find far fewer quail than in average years, but we'd find some, at least 10 pairs, with the help of my very experienced dogs. We found none at all, zero, no tracks, no scratchings, no sign at all. Something was terribly wrong in Mearn's quail country.

Well, with the help of another Mearn's hunter I found out what was wrong. He sent me an abstract from a wildlife biologist's Ph.D. dissertation. This biologist's research study is Mearn's quail ecology and his study area is in the heart of Mearn's quail country here in Arizona. What went wrong in Mearn's quail country last year was this: we had a week of unprecedented cold temperatures, in the teens, and most of the quail literally froze to death on their roosts. Mearn's quail are a subtropical species and their USA populations occupy the northern-most fringe of their range. Here, in Arizona, they are found mostly at high elevations, above 4,000 ft, and brother, it got cold there last year. That, coupled with the small covey size - Mearn's quail roost on the ground like bobwhites and there were too few birds in most coveys to keep them warm - killed the birds. Many, perhaps most, areas experienced a 90% or greater mortality. Many of the best areas that I visited personally with my best dogs had a complete wipe out - there were no quail at all.

There was a lot of pressure on the AzG&F Department to act to protect the resource. That is their primary responsibility, after all. AzG&F's response was, well, no response at all. The Mearn's quail season was just as long as it's always been and the bag limits were unchanged. When asked why the Department failed to protect what was left of the Mearn's quail resource, AzG&F spokespersons gave these excuses:

(1). No one knew that the quail were in trouble prior to the opening week of the season. Well, my response to this excuse is - what a crock of bs! The biologist who documented the drastic die-off of quail sent his findings to AzG&F in writing, recommending a complete closure of the hunting season months before the season took place.

(2). The season and bag limits were already printed in the hunting regulation booklet and it was too late to change anything. My response - why is it impossible for AzG&F to act at any time at all to protect the resource? Other states do it, why not Arizona?

(3). "Oh," one guy at AzG&F told me, "the birds will come back. Populations boom and bust all the time. The birds always come back." Hmmm, where have I heard that line before? …How about those of you who live in what was historically the greatest, most productive bobwhite range in the country, the southeast - have you heard that line?… Those places were quail heaven when I was doing my master's research on quail ecology, way back in the 70's. How's the quail hunting there now, folks?

(4). "Hunting is self limiting," I was told. "Hunters that go out on

Opening Day and don't find any quail don't come back, so we don't need to close the season." Well, I used to think that is true and it probably is in most places but it is not true in Mearn's quail country and here's why it isn't true. Have you ever heard the old saying that 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish? Well, that is also the case when it comes to the Mearn's quail hunter harvest. There is a special set of circumstances that will make it always true, here in Mearn's quail country. The 10% of the hunters that get all the quail are mostly old, retired guys like me, guys that winter here and hunt every day. …One fellow I talked to explained why. "I'm 73 years old, Roy," he told me. "My dog is 8. I can hunt now and my dog can too, but the clock is ticking for both of us. How long will it take for the quail to come back? Five years, 10?" I can't blame him, really, but if AzG&F closed the season, the few quail that are left would be protected from guys like him.

(5). "The hunter harvest is compensatory mortality, not additive," I heard for the umpteenth time. "Birds killed by hunters would have died from natural causes anyway, all the quail studies have shown that." Well, not all the studies have shown that and I can provide documentary evidence collected by scientists in the field to prove that under some circumstances, hunter kill can be additive. Not only that, but "all the studies" referred to by AzG&F are bobwhite studies, not Mearn's quail studies.

Here's the thing. When Mearn's quail numbers are so low that only two pairs occupy a canyon that used to support 100, it is vitally important that both those hens survive if there is to be any hope of even one covey in the canyon next year. Even if both hens do survive and the males also, chances are, one of the nests will be lost next summer - there are lots of nest predators in this country. There will be no recovery if there are no birds left to breed.

As far as I'm concerned AzG&F has been grossly incompetent in performing their function with regard to protecting the Mearn's quail resource. I am the client, you are, too, all of us as hunters. AzG&F has been frustratingly unresponsive to us, the clients who pay their salaries with our hunting license fees. It should be relatively easy to find out where the incompetence lies. If it is the field biologists that fail to gather evidence necessary to let the decision makers act to protect the resource, they should be fired. If the biologists are acting responsibly and competently but the decision makers are failing to act, then they should be fired.

Rosie may never learn

2011-03-05T16:05:00.001-08:00

My setter Rosie is a walking disaster area. Boundless enthusiasm untempered by even a shred of common sense. She's been stitched more times than any other dog I know - probably twice as many times - and now has endured her second snake bite. She looks truly pathetic in this picture - oh the ignominy that a regal setter should look like a sharpei.
She was bit yesterday evening (Friday) and today (Saturday) she seems to be recovering well. She gets rattlesnake antivenom every August and perhaps that is a factor. Much more swelling this time than last so the vet gave her one round of antivenom and more benadryl, plus lots of antibiotics.

Somehow, she's never been skunked or slapped by a porky. She does truly hate coyotes and attacks every one she sees. I saw her roll one a year or so ago, and it then took off even faster. She's got 10 ounds on them so one-on-one they don't stick around.

I've never seen a snake out so early in the year here around San Diego. We've had several weeks of cool weather, but recently it has warmed into the 70's and that apparently brought them out.

Men and lions

2011-03-04T15:39:00.000-08:00

Saw this on Steve Bodio's blog and am including a link here. These guys are pretty cool.

Intelligence in bird dogs

2011-03-04T14:14:00.000-08:00

Somehow, I keep coming back to this... What separates the 'special' dogs from all the others? It always seems to be some combination of talent, physical ability and presence, personality, and intelligence.

With bird dogs it is hard to overestimate the importance of intelligence. They learn from birds, from us, from each other, from everything around them. They can learn things that please us, or things that displease us. Purposeful, self-directed ground application when hunting reveals learning and intelligence. We say that birds make the dog. True. All we can hope to do is expose the dog to birds, help him to be successful, and add some polish to their manners. Most of it is on the dog.

Some people say that dogs cannot think. Maybe not, but they can sure figure things out.

One example that comes to mind is a border collie that was in the news recently, the dog had learned over 1,000 words and would associate other words to modify a request - “Get the green ball.” as opposed to “Get the ball.”

But measuring canine intelligence is always polluted by the fact that the researchers are human and limited in their ability to understand and interpret observed behavior. I think that, perhaps, the dogs we think are most intelligent are the ones that have lived close to us and put in the effort required to understand us and that, by itself, requires a good deal of intelligence. My setter, Ted, just came to sit next to my chair, cocked his head and made a tiny whine. “Outside?” I said, and he gave a yip and headed to the back door. He learned how to communicate what he wanted without my training him to do it – he trained ME.

Wikipedia reports:

Psychology research has shown that human faces are asymmetrical with the gaze instinctively moving to the right side of a face upon encountering other humans to obtain information about their emotions and state. Research at the University of Lincoln (2008) shows that dogs share this instinct when meeting a human being, and only when meeting a human being (ie, not other animals or other dogs). As such they are the only non-primate species known to do so.

Did you know this? Well, apparently your dog does.

When I look into a dogs' eyes I can see that there is an intelligent presence. There's someone at home.

Newest National Champion

2011-02-25T17:32:00.000-08:00

Touch's Whiteout with co-owner/handler Ike Todd, co-owner Keith Wright
and scout Nick Thompson

(Photo from the Ames Plantation website)

I don't know anyone who wouldn't like invited to the 'Big House' at Ames Plantation to have their dog named National Champion. CH Touch's Whiteout finished the three hour race with six finds and a strong finish, and a seventh find just after time was called. The National Championship is a contest for the elite of the bird dog world, and requires everything the dog, handler and scout can give - plus a dash of luck. Congratulations to a great bird dog and great owners, handler, and scout.

New Pup

2011-02-24T13:28:00.000-08:00

Kris is the latest addition to the Indian Head pack. At twelve weeks she is currently being broke to the lead, crate trained, and taken on a lot of walks. She does a lot of riding-around in the truck with me, and is lucky enough to spend most of the weeknights in the house. Here she is showing some style on a quail wing tethered to the end of a fly rod. Those familiar with Delmar Smiths method will recognize the nylon rope tied to her collar, and how well it works in breaking a pup to the lead, and running with a check cord.

Cody is growing up

2011-02-23T16:04:00.000-08:00

Seems like I just got this pup, but he will be a year old next month. He is developing very well. I plan on some training time on the Prairies of South Dakota this Summer, some derby events in the Fall, then into formal training.

We took Cody to the training grounds for his first run in front of a horse a couple of weeks ago, and he did very well, immediately figured out that he should key off the horse, stay to the front, and LOOK FOR BIRDS. He found and ripped birds and ran very well for a young dog.

No photos of the training session, but here is one from December on the Kern River - he's alert to some nearby valley quail...

Spring yet?

2011-02-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking of Spring fishing lately. Large mouth bass on a flyrod. Clean Delta mornings and topwater fish in the tules. Couple months away still, but I can tie a few flies and make some plans...

Kevin Doran with a fly caught bass fresh from the Delta.

In the beginning...

2011-02-03T10:03:00.000-08:00

Once you're hooked...

I can see now where my life took the first turn towards the outside. My first fish, caught from a dock during a family vacation at Clear Lake in Northern California a lifetime ago.

My dad took the photo, and I have always treasured it.

The Power of the Dog

2011-02-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

There is sorrow enough in the natural way,
From men and from women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and you think to buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie;
Perfect passion and friendship, fed
By a curse as well as a pat on the head
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the short term of years which Nature permits
Is ending in asthma, or fever, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or leveled guns
You'll find it also your affair
And that you have given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the thing that lived at your single will
With it's whimper of welcome, is still (how still),
And the spirit that answered your every word
Is gone, wherever it goes, for good,
You will discover how much you did dare
When you gave your heart to a dog to tear.

We've debt enough in the natural way
When it comes to burying our two-legged clay;
For treasures aren't given, but only lent,
At compound interest of building percent,
And though I've no firm figures I firmly believe
That the longer they're the longer we grieve

Yet when debts come true, for right or for wrong
A short term lone seems as bad as a long
So why in hell, before we're all called there
Should we give our hearts for a dog to tear?

- Kipling

Big win for English setters

2011-01-30T18:45:00.000-08:00

English setter Shadow Oak Bo won the most important All-Age field trial in the country... no, not the National Championship... the Continental All-Age Championship. All-age English setter, “Shadow Oak Bo” is owned by Butch Houston, trained and handled by pro Robin Gates.

Bo bested an accomplished field of 68 pointers and 7 setters to win what knowledgeable field trialers consider the most important All-Age trial in the United States.

The Hungarian Partridge

2011-01-30T16:51:00.000-08:00

The 'Hun', known as grey partridge in most of the world, is an introduced species common in the Northern tier of the United Sates from Washington to Wisconsin. It has also established strong populations in the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In Europe, the grey partridge is distributed from Southern Portugal, Italy and Greece to the United Kingdom, Finland, and Northern Russia. It is a popular game bird across it's broad range.

The Hun is one of the finest species in North America for availability, sporting qualities and dog work. This position has traditionally been held by the bobwhite quail, which has declined rapidly across almost all its original range over the past twenty to thirty years.

The first Huns I ever saw flushed through the snow from under my horse's feet while I was riding through the breaks of the Snake River one November, many years ago. I was taken by them immediately. Since then I have hunted them in Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and Saskatchewan. I am hooked on Hunsand the beautiful country they inhabit.

The photo above was taken one of our Montana hunts by Clair Kofoed, was published in Shooting Sportsman Magazine, and I swiped a copy to post here. Clair has an eye for a great photo and this one is one of my favorites.

A right and a left

2011-01-30T11:49:00.000-08:00

This photo was taken by Clair Kofoed a number of years ago in SE Washington. My friend Rick takes a pair of chukars on the covey rise. I believe that these were the first wild chukars that Rick ever shot. I have always liked it, and thought I should share it with you.

Century old setters

2011-01-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

Richard Best, falconer for Captain Gilbert Blaine, with two of the famous "Westdown" Setters- 1912.

These setters appeal to me. Remarkable how they resemble the field bred setters of today.

Unforgettable

2010-12-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

Bill Allen's book of fables is a truly fabulous reliving of some of his memories of dogdoms not-so-distant past. Mr. Allen recounts many of the dogs, trainers/handlers and owners, that made up a most significant era in field trialing. His prose puts the reader "in the moment" with first-hand accounts that play out vividly in ones mind. What I am reminded each time I read through this extraordinary recollection is that the game is about the dog, and that our emphasis as promoters of the breed should be to skim the cream off the top and not settle for mediocrity.

The Unforgettables and Other True Fables is in it's second printing and is available at http://www.strideaway.com/

Walkin' around camera

2010-12-02T12:05:00.000-08:00

After I drowned my Cannon digital in the Wenaha RIver, I started to consider the virtues of a 'waterproof' digital pocket camera. After a very brief review of the options available, I bought an Olympus Stylus Tough-8010. The picture quality is not likely to be quite what the Canon offered, but the small size and ruggedness will be much appreciated on my walks.
This was shot yesterday - the Fox C grade with two valley quail taken on BLM ground on the Eastern side of the Sacramento River.

A truly miserable dog

2010-11-30T20:04:00.000-08:00

Here's Rosie, looking very unhappy with her new footgeat. But she got used to them quickly and the Lewis boots did the trick - no foot problems.

Report from the field

2010-11-30T13:25:00.000-08:00

Reba, Jane and Jared (he's the one with the gun)

Jared checked in reporting tough conditions and just a few birds on an outing to NE California for chukars. Wind, snow, cold, and running birds.
It has been my experience that chukars are jumpy and easily spooked when the barometric pressure drops.

A worthwhile book

2010-11-14T11:09:00.000-08:00

With a painter's eye and a writers pen, Russell Chatham dissects the sporting life from a very personal point of view. Little escapes comment as he ranges across lessons on life, old friends, places gone to rot, food, death, sex, art, sportsmanship and sport in the outdoors.

Included in this collection is one of my favorite pieces, which first appeared in Gray's Sporting Journal in the seventies, I think. The Great Duck Misunderstanding – a story that is pure Chatham. And since I love eating ducks it has remained in my mind for over 35 years. It is good to find it here in this collection.

Chatham grew up in the California of my youth, now sadly gone. Having fled to Montana in the seventies, he has the benefit of some distance now. “In an odd way,” he says, “ it's a curse to have been born and raised in one of the most sublime places on earth. I've been around the world and have never seen another place of such sensuous, languid character, or where the climate is so benign.”

In Pumping Irony Chatham mourns and quietly rages over what is now gone – striped bass fishing in California – which is clearly an indicator of the abundant and free California he knew in his youth. And he was right about the future of this state over 40 years ago.

Read this book.

PS: Russ Chatham has written a number of books and is a celebrated painter. One of his first was a little gem in paperback published in 1977 by the San Francisco Examiner, Striped Bass on the Fly - A Guide to California Waters. The pencil illustrations, observations and specific information are priceless, if dated.

Now THAT was good

2010-11-13T19:52:00.001-08:00

My wife is visiting our daughter this weekend so I cooked up a dinner just for me. I tried a few new things and it all came out quite well.

Start with 2 Oregon chukar and 2 San Diego quail, plucked, with backbones removed. Soak for 2 hours in brine, 1 quart water with 1/2 cup salt, 2 tbs sage and 2 tbs white pepper.

Then, the side dish. Coarsely dice 1 onion and 1 red bell pepper. Cook in olive oil until onions are somewhat brown. Cut the kernels from 2 ears of corn, microwave the kernels for 3 minutes, then add to the onions and peppers. Add 1/2 cup canned drained black beans. Add 1/2 cup Goya "Sofrito" tomato cooking base. Add a bit of water and let it all cook for 5 minutes.

Finally, rinse the birds, tie the legs, season with a lot of ground black pepper, and grill until still pink in the middle. Baste the skin side with butter as the birds finish cooking.

I've never brined whole game birds before and this was simply outstanding. Definitely will do this with most grilled birds in the future. Even the legs were tender and very tasty.

Game warden murdered

2010-11-13T10:29:00.001-08:00

Reported by Carl Bergen...

David L. Grove, a 31 year old Penna Wildlife Consevation Officer was shot and killed by a convicted felon who did not want to go back to prison. The felon was night hunting and was in possession of a firearm. The suspect was also wounded and in custody with charges of homicide, weapons and game offenses, along with other charges. It has been 95 years since a Pennsylvania Game Warden has been killed in the line of duty. More news here

One tired puppy

2010-11-12T20:16:00.000-08:00

Mike and I joined forces for nearly two weeks in Oregon, then I headed south and spent a final couple of days in the Mojave hunting chukar with my friend Bruce. After a couple weeks of daily work on wild birds my Setter Rosie was handling pretty well; in about 3 hours one morning she gave us nearly a dozen points on a half dozen covies. Exciting stuff. But I could tell it was time to go home from this picture ...

Bruce and I spent that afternoon annoying the ducks in a nearby marsh. The water was generally shallow, the bottom was generally hard, and I the rubber boots I was wearing had been adequate. Then I killed a mallard that fell into a "new" pond. First steps were fine, then I sank to mid-thigh in an invisible soft spot. With Bruce laughing in the background on the shore I lost my balance, fell to my left, and with a gargled "aaaargh" found myself horizontal, right arm clutching my gun above the water. Bruce says that if he had captured the video it would have a million hits on YouTube in the first 24 hours.

AFTCA Guidelines

2010-11-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

Guidelines to Field Trial Procedure and Judicial Practice is a pocket-sized reference book distributed by the Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America (AFTCA). This book contains a wealth of information including descriptions of the All Age and Shooting Dog Standards; what is expected of the Field Trial Marshall and Reporter; minimum qualifications for, and the expectations of, a Judge. And a lot of questions and answers to many issues and situations that a field trialer will run into, from the advertisement of the trial through the running of dogs. The book can be found at http://www.aftca.org/, and is reasonably priced at $3.95 a copy.

Works as advertised

2010-11-09T13:23:00.000-08:00

When Pete and I were in Oregon we did take a day to fish. The rod I recently bought from High Sierra Rod Co. (the 8' 3" 5 wt. 'Penta' cane rod) was really lovely to fish with. We threw some big October Caddis dries and were rewarded with some decent fish. Just after this photo was taken I slipped and dunked my digital camera. I was able to rescue some of my photos. This proves that my luck was not all bad.

Early season set-backs

2010-10-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from Northeast Oregon. Returned from my hunt early - not something I would usually do.

I ran out of dog. My old dog Jesse is a little long in the tooth and I left him home to keep my wife company. Tommy is in South Carolina in training. So I took Ted and Cody, the six month old puppy. Long story short, we hunted opening weekend but by Monday Ted's foot began to swell and looked really nasty.

To the vet in Enterprise, Oregon (Jereld E. Rice, DVM). Neither of us could find a wound, but it looked a lot like a grass awn in a middle toe. Ted was fevered and the foot was red and swollen to almost twice normal size. The vet prescribed Cephalexin and Rimidyl and said it would probably take 10 days or so to heal, but to come back if I saw changes.

Two days later I let Ted out of his crate to pee, and he decided to go hunting. After Pete and I spent a couple hours looking for him, he showed up at the truck looking contrite, and without his bandage on his foot (I had found most of the bandage downhill and about a mile away earlier in the search). I cleaned his foot and flushed with saline solution and while doing so noticed an entry wound. Back to the vet, where he did some deep cleaning and removed parts of a cheat grass awn. "Give him 10 days", said the vet.

So I hunted with Pete behind his setters, Silk and Rosie and focused on running Cody every day and had a good time watching him learn about chukars and Huns. This was really the bright point of the trip.

But after suffering some back pain in the mornings, shooting poorly when I had opportunities and falling while fishing the Wenaha and ruining my digital camera, I felt I was snake bit and decided to head home to regroup and plan for hunting later in the fall when Ted's foot heals up.

I did enjoy Pete's company, we had some great campfires and ate and drank well. But even I know when to quit.

Selling a 'reject' trial dog

2010-10-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

I recently received this contribution from Dr. Charles Hjerpe. Charlie has vast experience raising and training trial dogs, and wrote this as a 'owner's manual' for those people who buy dogs that don't quite cut it as trial prospects.

I should point out that these are not inferior dogs and will often make a real brag dog for the hunter. They simply have some (real or perceived) shortcoming that would hamper their success in field trials.

---------------------------------

To: Yaller’s New Owner

From: Dr. Charles A. Hjerpe

I am going to discuss the positives and negatives of your new bird dog, and make some suggestions on how to work with him to maximize your enjoyment of him and to avoid future problems. This letter is like the Owner’s Manual that you get when you buy a new pickup truck.

A. His Positive Attributes:

Yaller is a well bred, male, English pointer and is registered with the Field Dog Stud Book (FDSB) maintained by the offices of The American Field Publishing Company, 542 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 663-9797

He is a big, strong, handsome dog that wants to please you.

He has a great nose, and is an excellent bird finder.

He hunts at medium range, and is easy to handle.

He has been yard trained to obey the commands “heel”, “whoa”, and “come here”.

He is trained to move out to the front using short blasts on the whistle, and to turn right or left or to come back to me with the verbal command “How! How! How!” which is repeated until he responds appropriately. If he doesn’t respond, I then change to “Why-you!” “Why-you!” with the accent on the 1^st syllable, and “knick” him with the electronic collar until he does. If I want him to come all the way in to me, I begin using the “here” command when he is getting close.

He is steady to wing and shot, and will back another pointing dog on command (the latter means that he may not always back another dog that is on point when he first sees him/her, unless you command him to “whoa”).

He has had a total of 12 weeks of summer horseback training on wild birds in Canada (sharp-tailed grouse), and a total of 8 weeks of winter horseback training on wild birds in Arizona (Gambel’s quail) during 2009 and 2010.

Yaller has one field trial placement, which was a 2^nd place in the Mortlach Field Trial Club’s Open Derby Stake. This trial took place on September 14, 2009, in Mortlach, Saskatchewan, Canada. A total of 17 dogs competed in this stake.

B. His Negative Attributes and Deficiencies:

Yaller is afraid of other big male dogs that he doesn’t know, and he doesn’t understand how to behave submissively to avoid conflict. Instead, he will bristle up, growl, make eye contact with, and stare at them. This may cause a dominant alpha male dog to attack him. He will not attack the other dog, and if he is attacked himself, he doesn’t know how to fight and will not fight back. This has never happened while he was actually hunting, only just before or just after hunting. If there will be other hunters and dogs present where you are hunting, I recommend avoiding them while hunting, and taking Yaller out to the field and back to your vehicle while on a leash.

Yaller has never been in my house and is not housebroken.

During his entire life, Yaller has always been encouraged to hunt as far out from me as he is comfortable doing, because he was being groomed as a field trial prospect. You may find that his range is excessive for your preferences, especially if you are hunting on commercial hunting clubs where there are lots of other hunters and dogs. If so, you are going to have to reprogram Yaller to hunt at shorter ranges. You can have this done by a professional dog trainer, or may choose to do it yourself. If you do it yourself, you will definitely want to obtain an electronic training device and learn how to use it. What you will need to do is to keep calling him back to you, whenever he gets outside of the perimeter within which you want him to hunt.

Yaller is field trial broke. This means that, when he smells a bird, he points it and allows you to flush it and fire a blank pistol, all the while remaining in a rigid pointing attitude. However, Yaller has never been shot over with a shotgun, only with a blank pistol, and has never had any birds killed for him. Because the sound of a shotgun is much louder than that of a blank pistol, some precautions should be taken when you do begin to kill birds for him (see C.3. below).

Yaller has never been trained to retrieve anything, and since he has never had a bird killed for him, we don’t know whether he might be a natural retriever, or whether he will need to be force broken to retrieve (assuming you will be requiring him to retrieve). I have force broken several of my own dogs to retrieve, and it is a long, tedious process that would require working with him for 15 to 20 minutes each day for at least 3 months (see C.3.d. for further details). This is one of the reasons why Yaller is priced so reasonably.

Yaller has had a lot of experience pointing bobwhite quail and sharp-tailed grouse. He has never seen or pointed a pheasant or chukar partridge. The first time he sees a pheasant flush, he will probably want to chase it. With some (if not many) individual bird dogs, training on one species of game bird does not carry over to other species of game birds. They have to be taught to be steady on each species of game bird they are likely to encounter. However, once a dog is steady on one species, it usually takes only a few lessons for them to learn that they must also be steady on a second species. (continued... click to read more)

Yaller is being sold because, in all likelihood, he will not be a winning field trial dog. His main deficiencies in this respect are (a) his fear of other male dogs, (b) he doesn’t range out quite far enough when hunting, (c) he doesn’t run quite fast enough and hunt with quite enough urgency, and (d) he has a tendency to“flag” on point (he wags his tail when pointing). Yaller will almost certainly stop flagging when you start killing birds for him. I could correct this myself by killing birds. The problem would be when he found out that the birds he pointed in field trials are never killed. He would then probably revert back to flagging.

Yaller was 2 years old on July 7. He is still a young dog and still has a lot to learn. He will not be the best that he can be, physically or mentally, until 3 years from now. A bird dog is not like a machine that comes out of the factory working at 100% efficiency and always performing that way, until worn out. The training of a bird dog is a job that is never quite finished, as dogs are not people, and they can and will “screw up” from time to time. Yaller has had quite a lot of training and experience, but he will continue to test you, from time to time, for the rest of his life. He will flush a bird from time to time. He will chase a bird from time to time. He will ignore your commands from time to time. This is what a bird dog is and does! Yaller will require constant discipline and training for the rest of his life. If you ignore a mistake he makes (like chasing a bird) I will guarantee that he will keep on making that same mistake, over and over again. You can MAKE a bird dog heel, or stop, or come to you, or quit flushing and chasing birds, but no one can MAKE a bird dog hunt. They hunt only because THEY want to. If you get too tough on them and too demanding of perfection, you may find that hunting is no longer any fun for them, and when it is no longer fun, they will no longer be very good at it. So, the owner of a bird dog must be like the coach of a little kids’ athletic team: observant, firm, and constantly striving for perfection in his/her pupils, but also kind, sympathetic, flexible and encouraging. If you have not previously owned a pointing breed bird dog, I highly recommend that you obtain a copy of the book “The Brittany: Amateurs Training with Professionals”. It is available from Glade Run Press, P.O. Box 160, Valencia, PA 16059, for $29.00. Many older books that are available on this subject do not discuss some of the more modern training concepts, and do not adequately cover the use of the most modern electronic training aids.

C. Some things to do, and some things not to do:

Don’t take Yaller hunting with you for the first week or two after bringing him home with you. Wait until after he gets to know you and he likes you. During this time, work with him for 10 to 15 minutes each day in the backyard on the “heel”, “whoa” and “come here” commands, using a check cord and spike collar, if necessary. Insist on prompt obedience, and praise and pet him each time he obeys a command. Try to make him your “buddy”.

Always put an electronic dog-training collar on him each time you run him or hunt him, and always insist that he obey all of your commands promptly. Start with the lowest possible voltage setting (test it on yourself, first) and work up from there, as required to obtain compliance with your commands.

Yaller is not gun-shy, now. Dogs are never born gun-shy. They are made gun-shy by people who don’t know what they are doing. We do not know how Yaller will react to his first exposure to close by shotgun fire. If mistakes are made in introducing Yaller to the shotgun, he could BECOME gun-shy. The following are some things you should do to prevent Yaller from becoming gun-shy:

The first few times you go hunting with Yaller, stay away from other hunters. The worst thing that could happen would be for 3 or 4 near-by hunters to shoot 2 or 3 blasts each at a bird that Yaller didn’t even see.

The first 5 or 6 times that you shoot at a bird while hunting with Yaller, (1) be certain, before you shoot, that Yaller sees the bird, (2) try as hard as you can to kill the bird, and (3) don’t fire more than one shot at the bird (even if you miss with the first shot). You may want to take ONE friend hunting with you, and let him/her do the shooting. That way, all of your attention can be focused on Yaller. After you have killed 5 or 6 birds for Yaller in this way, the possibility that he might become gun-shy will have been greatly diminished.

If Yaller appears to become upset or disturbed by gunfire while hunting, immediately stop hunting, take him back to your car or truck, put him in his box, and take him home. Then, either read up on this subject or consult with a professional dog trainer, in order to determine what should be the next step. There are a wide variety of options, and nearly all gun shyness can be corrected, if it is promptly addressed.

If you kill the bird with the first shot, Yaller will probably not be steady, but will run over to the bird and pick it up. This is OK, if you do not plan to run him in field trials. When he does pick up the bird, call him to you and get him to give the bird to you, as promptly as possible. Don’t let him maul and chew on the bird. If he does the latter, he is not a natural retriever, and you will probably either have to train him to stand and be steady (while you, yourself, retrieve the birds by hand) or force break him to retrieve on command.

Good luck with Yaller!!!

Flying your bird-dog

2010-09-22T15:33:00.001-07:00

This might have been a very different post if the outcome had been any different, but I am happy to report that Mr. Enthusiasm has arrived safely home.

After spending a month out in the White Mountains of Arizonatraining with Bill Gibbons this summer, I decided to leave my younger dog out there for another six weeks so he could keep getting regular, honest birdwork. I had originally driven out there with my two dogs -- but was now faced with an obvious dilemma.

I should point out that we invested in a Deer Creek Uplanderdogbox roughly three years ago when we became a two-dog household and it was pretty obvious we were going to be driving a lot with our two dogs. Even leaving aside how (literally) cool these insulated boxes can be, or how convenient the top storage compartment is, this was one of our best investments because of the extra protection these boxes offer our dogs while driving. Mercifully, I don't have any horror stories to tell about close calls -- but I have peace of mind knowing that my dogs can't be catapulted around should an accident befall us.

At first, because Jozsi was flying out of Phoenix, I thought I'd have to go out there and drive him back because the temperature at the airport would be too high in mid-September. I then discovered that this was largely urban myth and that individual airlines maintain their own guidelines for when and where they will fly dogs. Then, at this point in my research, of course, there were the seven puppies who died on an American Airlines flight in early August from Tulsa to Chicago. Another friend then mentioned that there was an airline that only flew dogs and cats -- Pet Airways, surprisingly enough -- and in the main cabin, to boot.

The deal with Pet Airways is that they are, I believe, a single plane operation and essentially fly out of nine regional airports across the country, all close to major metropolitan areas. So, for example, they do fly in and out of 'Phoenix' and 'New York' - but these are actually Falcon Field in Mesa and Republic Airport in Farmingdale. They essentially fly eastbound on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and westbound on Thursdays and Fridays, normally with a stop-over in Omaha. It all looks pretty slick.

They are a single-plane operation, however, with limited space and are pretty adamant about folks making reservations for the correct size crate. One thing to keep in mind before flying your bird-dog is that the USDA regulates travel crate sizes, not the individual airlines. As theirregulations state: "Primary enclosures used to transport dogs and cats must be large enough to ensure that each animal contained in the primary enclosure has enough space to turn about normally while stand, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position." (Regulation 3.14.e.1) Call me inhumane, but part of the point of a dog-box is that your dogs can't move around entirely freely (so that in the event of an accident, they don't become a projectile). In any case, keep in mind that the crate you have at home is probably smaller than the one you'll be expected to fly your dog in.

What this means with regard to Pet Airways is that, interestingly enough, in the time between when I first started researching flying Jozsi with them and now, they have changed their website reservation process so that owners can no longer choose which size carrier their dog will fly in, but have to input their dog's height (when standing erect) and weight. I presume that their policy of no refunds is still in effect if you reserve a smaller crate size than necessary to save money and there are no larger crate spaces available on your dog's flight. And there are, of course, a limited number of larger-sized crates on each plane so if you decide to go this route and have an average-sized pointing dog, book well in advance.

I did also call Continental Airlines to inquire about their PetSafe flight program and was immediately impressed by the agent who picked up my call. If she even used a computer to tell me how I could fly my dog on a direct flight from Phoenix to the East Coast, I would be genuinely surprised. It took less than two minutes for her to tell me the Phoenix SkyHarbor flight limitations (e.g. before September 15th, they won't fly a dog later than 8:00am, period), flight numbers, flight times, and cost. When I did call again, the representative who made the reservation was equally thorough and well informed. And frankly, by contrast, the representative at PetAirways sounded both a little vague and a little smug. If there had been space on a PetAirways flight that worked for us, would I have still flown my dog on Continental? That's a tough call, but I have to say that I felt a little played -- as if not flying your dog in the main cabin was somehow not doing the best for my dog.

Nevertheless, the spectre of those seven puppies nagged at me. Honestly. But this was my thought process. Since mid-2005, commercial airlines have been required by the US Department of Transportation to track killed, lost, or injured pets on its flights. As this blogarticle about that tragic American Airlines flight points out, the US Department of Transportation has records of only 122 pet deaths in five years. Again, I appreciate that if one of these 122 dogs were one of mine, I might be writing a different story. But statistically speaking, unlike those 7 very young dogs in Chicago, the chances of anything disastrous happening to my super-fit, crate-acclimatized three-year-old were slim. And I imagine that those odds are also significantly slimmer than putting my dog in a crate in a rental car and driving on the nation's highways for four days straight. I can't find any statistics for how many dogs are killed in automotive accidents, but I strongly suspect that it's more than 122 in five years.

So, I booked with Continental through their PetSafe program -- and I have to say I wasn't merely satisified but also impressed. When I made the reservation with Continental, the service rep gave me precise directions to both the drop-off and pick-up sites, complete with actual direct numbers. We joked about that fact that the drop-off in Phoenix sounds completely dodgy -- in a trailer on top of a parking garage (but as it turns out is a fully air-conditioned, dedicated pet reception where they keep all the pets till the last minute before boarding). But his directions were completely accurate despite the labyrinthine nature of Newark airport (which is still nothing compared to either of the major New York airports) and the staff clearly on the ball. While I waited for Jozsi to show up, it was clear that they were giving several dogs waiting to depart their last minute trip to the bathroom.

I can't say that I am now rushing to fly my dogs everywhere, but I think it's important to keep in mind that the media doesn't report stories like 'Healthy male vizsla arrives safely at Newark Airport!', that fear-mongers literally profit from tragedies like that in Chicago, and that there are alternatives to driving your dogs everywhere, alternatives that might actually be safer.

Meet Cody

2010-08-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

Jerry Lewis poses Cody in North Dakota

On Tuesday of this week, I was in Beach, North Dakota at Jerry Lewis' summer training camp to look at some puppies. We put three pups down and walked them through the fields. One of them was consistently ahead of the others and to the front, handled naturally, and found a covey of sharptails, which he flushed and chased a short distance. Then he rolled back and checked the spot again and put up two more birds. "I like this pup," I thought, "he really hunts!" and after a brief once over to check for any physical problems, Jerry and I made a deal and started the paperwork.

After leaving Jerry's camp, I headed over to see some dogs at the Montana Shooting Dog Championship in Circle, Montana. Jim Michaletz had a horse for me to ride, and I rode six braces on the spectacular course that the Big Sky Field Trial Club has on the Scott Brown Ranch. I met a number of people I knew only by reputation and phone and e-mail exchanges - Jim Michaletz (owner of my new pup's sire, CH Jetsetter), Tom and Shannon Nygard, Austin Turley, Dave Noel, Jim Tande, Doug Ray, Travis Gelhaus, and others. Everyone made me welcome and I am grateful to all there for an excellent time. After the morning braces, I remained in camp and walked the pup in a little field behind the camp. He found, flash pointed, and flushed a bevy of sharptails and, as he did the day before, went back to the spot and found three stragglers, which he also put up. I was impressed with this determination and good sense in a pup just turned five months old.

So this is Cody (CH Jetsetter X RU-CH Johnny's Jewel - and to be registered as Wenaha Code Red). I have the hope that we all experience with a new puppy - at this point all things are possible.

Puppy prospects & anticipation

2010-08-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Heading out on Sunday for North Dakota. It's always a crap shoot with a young pup, but I think that raising and developing a young dog is very rewarding and I am anxious to get started.

The pups I will be looking at are a repeat breeding of a nick that produced Terry Erickson's young prospect, Horizon's Jetsetter, pictured above at about 9 months of age. She is a nice, smooth moving pup that seems to have what it takes. Her littermates look as nice and are all very similar.

Goodbye and (maybe) hello

2010-08-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

Last week I had to put one of my older setters down. A simple bowel obstruction, upon closer examination, led to a sarcoma on the spleen and a unhealthy looking node on a testicle. Rather than put him through a bowel resection, spleen removal and castration with a very dubious prognosis for short term survival, I elected to let him go. This is not easy. Every time I do this it seems that the grief is compounded by the dogs that went before. Benny was a really sweet little maniac. So desperate for birds that I could never trust him completely, and eventually quit hunting him. He was my wife's pet and favorite.

So next week I am making a trek to North Dakota to the summer camp of a well known trainer to evaluate three young puppies. I expect that I will come home with one, if they are like the others I have seen from this breeding. I will have a young dog to develop, and I am excited about the prospect of taking the youngster on my fall bird safari.

On the way home from North Dakota, I will stop in Circle, Montana to ride braces at the Montana Open Shooting Dog Championship and meet both old friends and some people that I have only known previously through phone conversations and exchanges of e-mail.

Pictures of puppies, dogs, and field trial to follow.

Gun X training pistol

2010-08-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

The Gun X training pistol is a recent entry into the market that has generated a little discussion in the last few months. I've had the chance to see and use one the last couple of weekends. My impression is that it's very well made and to this point seems quite reliable. It feels much more like an NEF than an ALFA with the overall weight between the two. If I hadn't recently purchased an ALFA, I'd have one of these in a minute.

See http://www.dogsafield.com if you're interested.

Fishing the Sierra back country

2010-08-08T16:09:00.001-07:00

Our extended family & friends spent the past week camping in the Sierras (near the Pickel Meadows Marine Corp training camp for those who know the territory). My cousin and I both purchased float tubes before the trip and made a couple of day hikes to lakes that were a bit off the beaten track. An uninflated float tube fits perfectly within an old external frame Kelty. I'd never tubed before and had a great time floating the lakes, mostly tossing nymphs (thanks Mike).

However, the trout were not cooperative. We both caught plenty of small rainbows on flies in the local rivers but could not even get a strike in the lakes. Finally I gave in to frustration. I switched from my old Pflueger to a spinning reel, attached a mid-size spinner, and began trolling the deep areas of the lake. The results we incredible ...

In the space of an hour I had three strikes and landed two trout, the first 17" and the second 18", each well rounded, probably weighing a bit over two pounds. Prior to this the biggest trout I had caught in the area was 13", and the biggest I had ever heard of was only 15". Wow.

The experience was bittersweet though. I nearly always catch and release in the Sierras but the second trout did not recover. I was using very light tackle (appropriate for the "normal" trout in the area ) and the 5-minute fight exhausted this fine fish. I spent 10 minutes trying to get her swimming again but finally put her on a stringer. Back in camp, we shared the filets for lunch and they were delicious - orange and firm. I also collected 4 or 5 ounces of roe and will try my hand af making caviar.

Hope others are also enjoying these weeks before the bird season kicks off again.

Line Breeding, inbreeding and COI

2010-07-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

Berg Brothers Head Turner

There has been, off and on, lengthy discussions about 'line breeding', breeding related dogs. The discussion usually revolve around "how close is too close"? One side argues the idea that closely bred dogs are unsound, and that breeding unrelated dogs is a better strategy. Others argue that line breeding, when done properly, results in more consistent litters of above average dogs. I am one who believes that line breeding has a lot of pluses when done intelligently, and within the framework of a defined program - one that aims at removing dogs that may be carriers of detrimental genetic traits, while taking advantage of positive traits to improve a line of bird dogs.

Scott Berg, of Berg Brothers Setters, has this to say on the subject of line breeding...

"In terms of what is an acceptable level of inbreeding, opinions are going to vary. There is considerable empirical evidence that supports the position above that COI levels well into the 20s can be sustained. Personally, I don’t find it necessary to push those limits. However, the difference between .03 or even .06 and .25 is very wide and the practical implications are very substantial. The practical implications would be that we would have to focus on diversity not performance to maintain levels at .03 or below. This approach suggests that breeders have done such a good and consistent job in selection that the consistency we seek in narrowing the gene pool for a specific breeding is already present in the population. This is a very uninformed position in my opinion. For starters, 95% of breeders don’t evaluate and cut enough prospects to gain anywhere near this level of consistency. There are substantial differences in size, build, gait, stamina, heat tolerance, intelligence, biddability, mental make-up, bird finding, manners around game and the traits that make for good companions.

We have always followed a pretty basic premise which is to put a significant number of prospects through a rigid selection process and only retain the superior individuals. We have experimented with a large percentage of the available ES lines and have evaluated about 250 individuals of my own for breeding purposes. That number is probably low because we have evaluated 90+ in the past 3 years. Of course, we also get substantial feedback from clients, and we have trained, trialed with and observed a thousand (literally) other dogs. Our experience would suggest line breeding produces a significant but not monumental increase consistency and the overall quality of the individuals produced. We will continue to breed the best individuals and monitor our relative success.

Line breeding is not very practical for the guy with 4-6 dogs in the backyard. Actually, I think that is a considerable factor in this method being questioned. That’s how guys that breed 1-2 litters/year constructs a position that their methods and understanding rival Bob Wehle. I break par a few times a year but I sure as hell am not going to compare my knowledge of the golf swing to Butch Harmon.

The relative benefit of line breeding is a constructive topic. I believe that good dogs can be produced in a heterogeneous litter as long as the ancestry consists of exceptional individuals throughout the pedigree. We have produced many such litters. However, our observations have been that modest inbreeding (half-sibs or less) produces with greater consistency. This pattern will produce COIs well below what has PROVEN to be tolerable levels."

Summer and heat - again

2010-07-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

Dogs – especially sporting dogs - are particularly susceptible to heat stroke. This is a primary danger to our bird dogs. Your dog is far more likely to suffer heatstroke than snakebite, coyote attack, or any other medical problem in the field. It happens rapidly and is often fatal. Because dogs have limited ability to control body temperature (mainly respiration), these mechanisms can fail to control temperatures, and the stage is set for heat stroke.

Once a dog's body temperature passes above about 105⁰F, changes begin to occur that make it difficult to regain normal temperatures. Oxygen demand increases beyond what can be supplied. As temperature elevates past 108⁰F , cellular damage starts to occur in the kidneys, liver, blood, gastrointestinal tract, heart and brain – how much damage depends on the temperature and duration. Even dogs that do not die immediately may (or will) experience continued problems and die several days later. I know people who have lost dogs they thought would survive, and it is a heartbreaker.

Aggravating factors

Obviously, heat, but it does not have to be extremely hot. Exertion, humidity, lack of hydration, use of some drugs (like antihistamines), and lack of air circulation (as in a closed vehicle or crate) are all associated with canine heat stroke.

Extreme activity will drive body temperatures up very quickly. After high activity, return the dog to an air conditioned space, or wet your dog down stake him out in an area that is shaded and breezy to allow evaporation to further cool the dog. Do not return a wet dog to an enclosed crate – evaporative cooling requires air circulation. Provide plenty of cool fresh water both before and after activity. When hunting and trialing, I find that a dog is usually very receptive to a drink once he has run for 5 or 10 minutes. This is an opportunity to get extra fluids into the dog before he actually needs it. Keep the dogs weight down, provide exercise regularly, and be careful with older dogs.

Evaporative cooling becomes less efficient as the relative humidity rises, so humidity is an important factor as well. Jim Michaletz, a Missouri field trailer, has suggested that combining the air temperature (⁰F) and relative humidity figure is a good index. If, for instance, it is 70⁰F with a relative humidity of 70% to total number would be 140. It could be 85⁰F with a relative humidity of 40% and the total is 125 -- effectively lower. Jim says that he stops running dogs when the combined number gets above 140.

Signs of heat stroke

Dogs suffering heat stroke will exhibit disorientation, staggering or stumbling, excessive and uncontrolled panting and accelerated heart rate. The gums may appear grayish-pink. They often do not want water or food. When in doubt, assume that the dog has heat stroke and take immediate steps to cool the pup down.

First aid and follow-up

In my opinion, it is far better to over-react than to simply wait and see. Get the dog cool as soon as humanly possible – immersion in cool water will rapidly lower body temperature. Get the dog to a vet immediately for blood tests and IV hydration. If there has been damage the blood test will indicate and additional therapy may be required.

Remember, it's a lot hotter at ground level that on the back of a horse, on an ATV, or even walking. Be careful out there. Better, I think, to err on the side of caution and pick that pup up before he tires and overheats.

EDIT -- I see that there is another useful piece on canine heat stroke on Strideaway by Shawn Wayment, DVM. I highly recommend it! - MS

The Journey

2010-07-16T12:24:00.000-07:00

When I got Tommy, an August pup, he was five months old. He had no chance to hunt with me when he was a puppy. At ten months old, I sent him to Summer Camp in North Dakota with Randy Anderson of Cross Country Kennels. He was run from horseback on sharptails and pheasants several times a week. When I picked him up from Randy at the end of September, Tommy was an unbroke, big-running bird monster. Randy grinned and asked me, “Are you gonna hunt this dog?” Yep.

Heading from North Dakota to Montana, I hunted Tommy in the big open for several weeks. What he showed me was thrilling and a bit scary. I put the Astro on him, and set him down on some big ground where Pete and I have often found good sharptail hunting. Tommy went left and forward burning up the ground and stuck a covey of birds at about 800 yards, then busted them and rolled forward again. At 1000 yards the Astro began to read in miles. At over three quarters of a mile, Tommy went right, crossing the front, and went up a low parallel ridge, responded to the whistle and took the ridge back towards us and came to me. Being accustomed to shooting dog range, I was a bit dazzled by this run and I felt I would need to get a better handle on him if it was going to hunt him.

November of that year I ran Tommy in a horseback derby event and he impressed a number of people and was awarded a placement - his first time out. We decided to get him ready to run in the Pacific Coast Derby Championship. But he was not ready for the training regimen and I had to take him home from the trainer. He still loved birds, but he did not want anything to do with that training thing. He would just shut down, obviously not wanting to work. Worse yet, be would sometimes blink a bird during training.

I kept Tommy with me for a month, then took him to Mike McGinnis in Baker City, Oregon and explained the problem. We flew some wing clipped pigeons and let him chase and retrieve them. Mike said he’d work with Tommy and report back. His report - “Something happened with this dog”. What, we do not know. Mike and Nicky worked with Tommy for about five months, gaining his trust and coaxing him with johnny house chukars that were shot for him - just what Mike and I thought he needed. Mike did not not attempt to break him steady to wing and shot, but he was finding and holding birds well.

In the Fall I took him to Montana and Saskatchewan with me and hunted him. He loved the birds, handled much better, and still ran well, but was still not broke. We came home from the Fall trip and I pondered my options. Make him into a hunting dog only and forget trials? Given all that he had shown me, and his love for birds, I decided to try one more time, so he was sent to Maurice Lindley, who employs the “West System” - low pressure training that seemed to be suited to Tommy’s needs.

Got a report yesterday from Maurice... “Mike I am able to move forward with Tommy.. What I did and I am still doing is kill some birds for him while I am checkcording him. Doing this changed his attitude about work in general and made this work positive to him, he wants to work and be out there with me. Now that his attitude is good I am working on getting him broke on game like I want. Normally I will not kill birds until the dog is steady to wing and shot but with Tommy I go ahead and have my helper kill him a bird every so often, this is keeping his attitude up enough so he is taking training pressure. I am easy on the dogs but training a dog to be steady is totally not natural to dogs. The pressure I use is from my pinch collar at 1st, no jerking. He has not tried to blink a bird in awhile. Now I want to see if I can start overlaying the e-collar, this will be a real test for Tommy... I will let you know pretty fast what I find out. He has been wearing the collar but I have not even tried to use it...”

This dog is quite intelligent, which can be either a joy or a challenge in training. It seems that, with the right approach, we may have turned the corner. I have my fingers crossed.

Summer Training in Virginia

2010-07-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

On July 4th my son and I headed to South Hill, VA to spend some time with professional trainer Pat Casey. Jim Bush, President of the U.S. Complete, was also there.

Jim has a couple of real nice pups on the ground that are being evaluated. It was great fun to watch the youngsters romp through the Virginia countryside.

Riley had three broke finds but let down a little at the flush. She has absolutely zero interest in backing so we've got some work to do before the Fall trial season starts.

My son (13) and middle daughter (16) have shown an increased interest in our dogs and local field trials. They will both start horseback riding lessons next week and I hope to get them enough experience this summer at Pat's place that they can trial the dogs for me while I'm at sea. Few things in life are better than enjoying your favorite hobby with your family.

Hazel Grouse and Charlie

2010-06-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

From Charlie Hjerpe... Bonasa bonasia (the hazel grouse or hjerpe) is the hjerpe bird of Sweden, from which my last name derives. It has, however, a wide distribution in northern Europe and Asia, its range extending east across Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, China and on to North and South Korea, Sakhalin Island and the north island of Japan (Hokkaido). In Europe it is also found in Norway, Finland, eastern France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania, Switzerland, Italy, Albania, and Ukraine. It is closely related to the ruffed grouse of North America (same genus), the bird that I hunted almost exclusively, as a boy growing up in Connecticut.
-- Charlie

Memorial Day

2010-06-02T20:29:00.000-07:00

Like a swarm of illuminated bees, they travel down the far left lane. Flashing brake lights and riding close , cutting in and out between the aluminum behemoths whose gravity seems to sling them forward, they ride as if they hold a papal dispensation from the consequences of their carelessness. They arrive in tight knit clusters of 8 to 10 mini vehicles, indistinguishable from each other - mini-suvs, sedans, the occasional small truck. Heading, as if down a wormhole, back to the very places they could not wait to leave on Friday.

I time my moves and target the gaps, steering back between the trucks for refuge from vehicular homicide. This is the last day of the Memorial Day weekend. Could we pause to think of who this day honors?

After 12 hours of driving I ask myself why I choose to live in the crucible of modernity and forward motion. Eight days of traveling the backcountry of the Kaibab, camping on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and relaxing in the night time moonlight with a fist-full of distilled spirits has set my mind back to a time of more leisurely motion.

I wonder where the real world is... and who inhabits that world.

Scent Cone Primer

2010-05-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

There is an excellent article - Scent Cone Primer - by Bill Allen on Strideaway. Here is an excerpt:

Experience and correction time, and a lot of patience with the young pup and derby showing exceptional scenting ability will pay off. The best youngsters will learn to handle critical scent problems in direct proportion to the number of times they learn to stand and see birds fly, and learn how to get their mouths on a bird. They will also learn to slow their pace at the right place at the edge or “mouth” of the cone and find the best scenting area to do their job. Of course, this accounts for the specialty dogs that seem to better handle running upland game: (ruffed grouse, pheasant, Huns, Valley and scaled quail and chukar) in various environments. It also accounts for the brilliance some dogs show in rounding up a covey and/or relocating while some dogs just have an unproductive or fail to relocate.

Well worth reading the entire article.

Tommy travels to Maurice Lindley

2010-05-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

I have been seeking a training venue for Tommy, who is now two and ready for finishing. A friend, Leif Lendrop, had scheduled time to travel to SC to put his young pointer with Maurice Lindley for summer training, and suggested that I send Tommy along. So Leif took Tommy on his trip to South Carolina - thanks, Leif.
Tommy seems to adjusted to the new surroundings and has realized that there are birds down south. He will be with Maurice for the summer and should be home in time for Fall hunting and trial season.

Hunting Dog Hypoglycemia

2010-04-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Dr. Charlie Hjerpe with 2X CH Sand Creek Bud

It has been my privilege, through field trialing, to come to know Dr. Charles A. Hjerpe, DVM. If it has been done with bird dogs, Charlie has probably done it during his long lifetime. Charlie is a little modest in his introduction - he is Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine at Davis.

A couple of months ago, Charlie sent me a copy of a longer article that he had written about Hunting Dog Hypoglycemia. Great information, including some little known information about nutrition and fitness, but a little too long for a blog post. At my request, Charlie boiled it down to the following article. A big thank you to Charlie for this very valuable contribution...

Some Personal Observations, Opinions, Hypotheses, and a Little Science Concerning Hunting Dog Hypoglycemia (HDH)

by Dr. C.A. Hjerpe, DVM - Davis, California

A. INTRODUCTION:

Before discussing my personal observations of and opinions concerning hypoglycemia in hunting dogs, I will first offer some disclaimers, present my credentials and provide some definitions. First, I wish to emphasize that I am not and have never been a small animal specialist, and my personal observations and opinions are based on recollections that are not backed up with detailed, written records, and should not be regarded as “research”.

I graduated from Cornell University’s New York State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1958, worked in private, mixed species veterinary practices for 5 years, and was a professor of large animal medicine at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, for 31 years, until retiring in 1994. During the last 14 years of my academic career, I also served as Director of the UCD Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. During the past 48 years, I have owned one Weimaraner, 2 English setters and more English pointers than I would be able to recall and enumerate (probably more than 100). I have field trialed with most of these pointers, and have always hunted with my field trial dogs.

B. DEFINITIONS:

I think it appropriate to begin this presentation with a short discussion of hypoglycemia. When veterinarians or physicians say that a dog (or cow or person) is hypoglycemic, we are saying that the concentration of glucose (a specific type of sugar compound) in the blood of that individual is below the normal range for blood glucose values in that species. For a dog, it means that the patient’s blood glucose concentration is less than 59.4 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).

Many different diseases of dogs may cause hypoglycemia, so hypoglycemia is not a disease or a diagnosis but, rather, a non-specific biochemical alteration of body fluids. Clinical hypoglycemia in a dog means that (1) the dog’s blood glucose concentration is below normal, and (2) at least some of the characteristic clinical manifestations that always accompany marked reductions in blood glucose values are also present. Since clinical hypoglycemia can be caused by a number of different diseases (especially liver diseases and pancreatic B-cell tumors) clinical hypoglycemia is also not a specific disease. However, when we specify that we are talking or writing about PRIMARY clinical canine hypoglycemia, people will know that we are referring to a dog that has:

(1) very low blood glucose values (below 50 mg/dl),

(2) accompanied by typical clinical manifestations (symptoms or signs) of low blood glucose values, and

(3) that no other primary diseases capable of causing hypoglycemia are present. This condition is usually associated with prolonged, vigorous exercise, and is generally referred to as exertional hypoglycemia or hunting dog hypoglycemia (HDH). During the remainder of this discussion, I will use only the latter term when referring to it.

Glucose is the primary energy source for most cells in the body. Glucose is liberated from food by the digestive processes, absorbed into the blood stream from the stomach and intestines, and transported to the liver by the portal blood circulation. Within the liver, glucose is converted to glycogen and stored within specialized cells called hepatocytes. In response to falling blood glucose concentrations and/or the metabolic requirements of other body cells for glucose, liver glycogen is converted back to glucose, and released back into the blood stream.

Current scientific knowledge of basic energy metabolism suggests the reason why an otherwise healthy dog develops HDH during hunting: the dog’s liver glycogen reserves were insufficient for maintaining normal blood glucose concentrations, during the period of vigorous exercise that preceded the clinical signs of the disease. This supposition is based mostly on extrapolation from basic research conducted in mice, rats, human beings and in cell cultures, as little or no actual research has been done using HDH affected dogs

C. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF HDH AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION:

The characteristic progression of typical clinical manifestations of HDH is organized, below, into Six Stages, using my own classification system:

Stage 1: Whenever hypoglycemia develops while a dog is being hunted, the first physical or behavioral evidence of it will be a gradual onset of fatigue. However, it should be emphasized that, in the vast majority of instances in which fatigue becomes evident during hunting, hypoglycemia will NOT be the cause. In most cases, the dog is simply becoming physically exhausted and/or overheated, or is experiencing intestinal or stomach cramping. Nevertheless, any dog that appears to become fatigued while hunting should be carefully observed for the possible appearance of stage 2 symptoms.

Stage 2: In addition to fatigue, the dog begins to evidence incoordination and/or staggering. At this point, it is urgent that all physical activity immediately cease, and that either the dog be fed (its regular dog food) or a concentrated glucose source, such as:

(1) 50% glucose solution in water or,

(2) corn syrup, be administered by mouth.

If the dog won’t eat, and no of sources of glucose are available, the dog should be taken to a veterinary clinic without delay (even though it is true that some dogs, in this stage of HDH, if rested, will recover spontaneously, without any treatment at all).

Stage 3: In addition to stage 1 and 2 signs, muscular tremors and spasms may occur, which may result in abnormal postures. The dog may be unable to open its mouth, or chew food that is offered, or may be unable to swallow food that is placed in its mouth. At some point during this stage, the dog may be unable to walk or stand without assistance. During this stage, it may be inadvisable to attempt to force-feed food or oral glucose supplements, because (if the patient cannot swallow) they may be inhaled and cause fatal inhalation pneumonia. It has been stated that glucose can be absorbed through the oral membranes, and that simply rubbing glucose on the gums can be effective treatment. This method of treatment seems suspect to me, and needs to be evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions, before I could recommend it. However, there is no harm in doing this, so long as it is done while the dog is being rushed to a veterinary clinic.

Stage 4: In addition to stage 1, 2 and 3 signs, the dog may begin having seizures/convulsions. This is very serious, because the dog may not be able to breathe during convulsions, may die of asphyxia during prolonged convulsions or, at the very least, may sustain permanent brain damage as a result of low levels of oxygen in the blood flowing through the brain during convulsions. From this stage on, an affected animal can only be effectively treated by a skilled and knowledgeable veterinarian in a well-equipped veterinary facility. The patient will require continuous intravenous drip infusion with 5% glucose in water, periodic monitoring of blood glucose values, and specialized equipment for correcting hypothermia and maintaining the body temperature within normal limits.

Stage 5: The dog is completely unconscious and unresponsive, a condition which is referred to as coma. Either the convulsions have ended, or the dog has passed directly from Stage 3 to Stage 5, without stopping in Stage 4. Dogs may recover completely when treated in Stage 5, or they may recover but have permanent brain damage, either from:

(1) the anoxia accompanying the convulsions in Stage 4, or from

(2) a prolonged period of severe hypoglycemia during stage 5.

Stage 6: This stage is death, which may occur in untreated animals as a result of exposure (and hypothermia) or, in either treated or untreated animals, as a result of severe damage to the brain and/or other vital organs from hypoglycemia and/or anoxia.

D. SOME PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS AND OPINIONS CONCERNING HDH:
I have personally observed and dealt with approximately 21 cases of HDH, all in my own pointers. About 10 cases occurred during foot hunting, one case occurred during horseback training, and the remainder occurred while I was conditioning dogs by “roading” them in harnesses from an all terrain vehicle (ATV). Of these 21 cases, only one terminated fatally, and only 2 required treatment in a veterinary clinic or hospital. Both of these latter cases made rapid and complete recoveries. All 3 of these severe cases were precipitated by roading. The remaining 18 cases were successfully managed by terminating their physical activity (when Stage 2 signs became evident) and either administering oral glucose solutions and/or feeding them.

I do not recall any cases of HDH occurring in my own dogs after they were 3 years of age. Most of my affected dogs were less than 2 years of age. Other authors have reported that dogs affected with HDH at a young age will (usually) become less susceptible to it with increasing age. Intact male and female pointers appear equally susceptible to HDH.

On 4 different occasions, I have observed HDH occurring (during exercise), shortly after my dogs were subjected to extreme chilling, as a result of being thoroughly drenched with cold water. My hypothesis is that the chilling effect of the cold water may (sometimes) trigger an unidentified physiological mechanism that impairs the release of glucose from the liver glycogen reserves, and might involve reductions in arterial blood flow to the liver. It is well known that vigorous physical exercise can shunt the flow of arterial blood away from the digestive tract and into the musculature and cardiopulmonary circulation. Cold water chilling might simply facilitate or accentuate this physiological phenomenon. Three of these 4 incidents occurred during roading. The 4th incident occurred during foot hunting, was my first experience with HDH, and is described below:

I was hunting with 3 dogs, during the morning of the opening day of pheasant season. After I had been hunting for about an hour, a cold rain began falling and, within 15 minutes, all 3 dogs began to stagger. Within a few more minutes, 2 of the 3 could no longer stand up. In addition to the chilling effect of the rainfall, I now know that these 3 dogs were also predisposed to HDH by my nutritional program: I had been feeding the least expensive dog food available from my local Safeway supermarket, and I had been observing that the less of it I fed to my dogs, the better they would run. So, as I progressively fed less to my dogs, they ran progressively better, but also became progressively thinner. It is also likely that their liver glycogen reserves were being progressively depleted. So when it started to rain that Saturday morning, and as my dogs became wet and chilled, all those “chickens” suddenly came home to roost.

I have seen no conclusive evidence that HDH is ever inherited, and I have owned only 3 dogs that were affected with HDH more than once. One dog that I am currently field trialing has been affected twice (to date), each time while being roaded. I also recall 2 other dogs that were each affected 3 times, always while being foot hunted. In virtually every instance in which one of my dogs has been affected with HDH, my dog was NOT the problem. I was the problem! If I had been a little smarter, a bit more “on the ball”, and not so willing to “cut corners” with my feeding and conditioning programs, nearly every one of the cases in my own dogs could have been avoided. In light of these observations, it makes little sense to me to cull a dog, simply because it has been affected with HDH on one or 2 occasions.

E. PREVENTING HDH:
In order to prevent HDH, the problem areas that need to be addressed (in approximate order of importance) are: (1) physical conditioning, (2) feeding, and (3) nutrition and ration formulation:

1. Physical Conditioning: Most of the HDH cases in my own dogs have occurred when I roaded or foot hunted them for periods of time that were excessively long, considering the physical condition that they were in at the time. Often these affected dogs had been in top physical condition only 10 to 20 days previously, but in the interim they had not received sufficient exercise to maintain their fitness. I appreciate that most hunters do not have the time and facilities required to insure that their dogs will always be in top condition when they want to go hunting with them. Consequently, it should come as no surprise to them when their dogs develop HDH, and they should always be prepared to effectively deal with it. All other things being equal, the more vigorously a dog hunts and the longer that dog is hunted, the greater will be its risk for developing HDH.

2. Feeding: When hunting dog people sit down together to talk about conditioning their dogs, they will almost always be thinking and talking about an exercise regimen that will result in the degree of cardiopulmonary fitness and muscular strength that their dogs must have in order to be good, strong hunters. However, there is another aspect to conditioning that is mostly “flying under the radar”, that few people know about, and which is almost never discussed. That aspect involves conditioning dogs so as to maintain large liver glycogen reserves, and to become primarily dependent upon those reserves as an energy source, and as a source of glucose for maintaining normal blood glucose concentrations. Ideally, a conditioning and feeding program for a hunting dog should seek to achieve the following end point objective: The dog should have achieved sufficient physical strength and cardiopulmonary and metabolic fitness that it is able run and hunt industriously for the entire length of the hunt, and be able accomplish this on an empty stomach.

It is generally recommended that hunting dogs be fed once each day, in late afternoon or early evening. This practice, which essentially starves your dog for 24 hours after each feeding, makes it IMPOSSIBLE for your dog to rely entirely on glucose entering the blood stream from the gastrointestinal tract for maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. As a result, your dog is FORCED to gradually increase its liver glycogen reserves, and adjust to using those reserves as the primary source of glucose for maintaining normal blood glucose levels.

After a hunting dog has been adequately conditioned for the work that will be expected of him/her, it should not be necessary to alter the feeding program that is being used, except (possibly) to increase the amounts fed so as avoid inordinate weight loss in dogs that are being hunted frequently for long periods of time. All other things being equal, a dog that is excessively thin will tend to be more prone to develop HDH than a dog that is in moderate to moderately thin condition. A fat but well-conditioned dog may be less prone to develop HDH than a thin dog, but is also more likely to become overheated and fatigued while hunting, especially during warm weather.

If a dog is fed a heavy meal shortly before being hunted, the dog may be slower and more sluggish than usual, and may experience gastrointestinal cramping and/or or vomiting during the hunt. However, I sometimes take advantage of this phenomenon, by purposely feeding a heavy meal to especially fast and wide-ranging dogs, just before I intend to foot hunt with them. Feeding dogs immediately before hunting them may even help to prevent HDH, so long as you adhere to the practice of feeding no more than one meal per day, and observe a 24-hour period between feedings.

In addition, if you have an ordinary hunting dog, one that is not in top physical condition and may be at risk to HDH, it is not going to do any harm to carry some dry dog food with you, and to feed your dog a bit from time to time, while you are actually hunting. This latter practice has been widely recommended for preventing HDH when hunting with poorly conditioned dogs.

3. Nutrition and Ration Formulation: Basic biomedical research has demonstrated that liver glycogen storage can be greatly increased by feeding diets that contain only SMALL proportions of carbohydrates, especially small proportions of simple carbohydrates (like simple sugars and starches). In contrast, when diets containing LARGE proportions of simple carbohydrates were fed, it was found that liver glycogen reserves declined precipitously, and the animals came to rely heavily on gastrointestinal absorption of glucose for maintenance of normal blood glucose concentrations. Simple carbohydrates are rapidly digested to glucose in the gastrointestinal tract, and this glucose is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream. When these animals with low liver glycogen reserves (on high carbohydrate diets) were fasted and/or subjected to exercise, they were much more prone to develop hypoglycemia than were animals with high liver glycogen reserves (on low carbohydrate diets).

Thus, at least in theory, the risk of developing HDH in hunting dogs should be lessened by feeding rations that provide the smallest possible fraction of total ration calories in the form of carbohydrates, and the largest possible fraction of total ration calories in the form of proteins and fats. Since a high proportion of total ration nutrients fall into these 3 categories (carbohydrates, proteins and fats), the carbohydrate fraction will usually be lowest in those rations that contain the largest proportion of the other two macronutrient classes combined (protein plus fat).

The combined crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate content of a “performance” dog food will account for approximately 85% of ration ingredients, by weight. For example, Purina’s Pro Plan Performance Formula dog food contains 30% crude protein, 20% crude fat, 12% moisture, 1.8% oleic acid, 0.9% calcium and 0.7% phosphorus. When you add up all these percentages and subtract the total from 100, you will have calculated the percentage of carbohydrates in the product, which is 34.6%. So, 34.6% (carbohydrates) plus 30% (protein) plus 20% (fat) equals 84.6%. However, since we, as consumers, can not know the digestibility and biological availability of all of the proteins, fats and carbohydrates included in this (or any other currently available) dog food product, it is not possible for us to calculate the precise proportion of ration calories provided by each of these 3 major nutrient classes. Nevertheless, we can probably help to minimize our problems with HDH by feeding a premium, dry, performance dog food that contains a high combined percentage of crude protein and crude fat.

I cannot recommend any of the dietary carbohydrate supplement products that are currently being marketed to dog owners for purposes of “rapidly replenishing muscle and liver glycogen reserves following strenuous exercise”. The use of these products in dogs (as opposed to use in people and horses) would be tantamount to feeding a high carbohydrate diet, which would be counterproductive to our objective (which is to reduce carbohydrate intake and force our dogs’ bodies to increase glucose synthesis from proteins and fats for purposes of increasing liver glycogen reserves, and to rely on those reserves as the primary source of glucose for body functions).

F. THE BARE MINIMUM THAT EVERY HUNTER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HDH:
Hunters who remember and consistently follow the 2 recommendations listed below, should never have to pay a veterinary bill for a dog with HDH, much less have to bury one that dies of it:

1. Hunters should always carry a half-pint of corn syrup (or other concentrated source of glucose) in a pocket of their hunting coat or vest. Should your dog become fatigued while hunting, watch him/her closely, and if he/she begins to appear weak or to stagger, stop all physical activity with that dog for that day, administer a couple of ounces of corn syrup by mouth, and feed him/her heavily as soon as possible (in other words, don’t wait to feed your affected dog until you normally feed your other dogs). For all practical purposes, (1) 50% glucose solution (in water), (2) corn syrup (which contains 100% glucose), (3) high fructose corn syrup (which contains 50% glucose and 50% fructose), (4) honey (which contains 50% glucose and 50% fructose) and (5) 100% natural fruit juices (with no artificial sweeteners) are all equally effective for oral treatment of HDH.

2. Hunters should also be aware that, on rare occasions, a dog that does not show either stage 1 or stage 2 clinical signs while hunting, may suddenly become severely hypoglycemic, shortly after the end of the hunt. Consequently, even though your hunting has ended and your dog is safely in a box, on a stakeout or in a kennel, your responsibility for the welfare of your dog does not end at that point. You must force yourself to remember to check on your dog 3 more times, at 10, 20 and 30 minutes after the end of the hunt, and be certain that he/she is behaving normally at those times.

======================
Addendum by Dr. Hjerpe regarding feeding dogs prior to running or hunting...

Hi Mike:

I was rereading my article on your blog this morning, and noticed Joe's comment (which is pasted below mine). He has an excellent point! If I had a retriever, especially a Lab (or a hunting dog of any breed in which bloat is known to occur) I would not do this myself, and certainly would not recommend that anyone else to do it either, if they hunt with dogs of such breeds. However, I have never known gastric torsion to occur in an English pointer or English setter, so I am not going to quit doing this in my own dogs. I must say that, when I first started doing this, it was not without some trepidation. However, as time has gone by and no problems have resulted, I had actually forgotten about the potential for mischief that can be associated with this practice. Wikipedia lists Weimeraners and Gordon and Irish setters as being among the 5 breeds that are most susceptible. Apparently, according to the chart pasted below, the GSHP and English springer spaniel are also somewhat at risk. Perhaps we should append some sort of disclaimer to this article.

Charlie

What dogs are more susceptible? Breed There is a definite link between the likelihood of occurrence of GDV and the breed and build of the dog. GDV is much more likely to occur in large breeds with deep, narrow chests. The problem can occur in small dogs, but only rarely. The University of Purdue conducted a study of hundreds of dogs that had developed GDV, and they calculated a ratio of likelihood of a particular breed developing the problem as compared to a mixed breed dog. For example, using the GDV risk ratio, a Great Dane is 41.4 times more likely to develop GDV than a mixed breed dog.

Breed	GDV Risk Ratio	Risk Rank
Great Dane	41.4	1
Saint Bernard	21.8	2
Weimaraner	19.3	3
Irish Setter	14.2	4
Gordon Setter	12.3	5
Standard Poodle	8.8	6
Basset Hound	5.9	7
Doberman Pinscher	5.5	8
Old English Sheepdog	4.8	9
German Shorthaired Pointer	4.6	10
Newfoundland	4.4	11
German Shepherd	4.2	12
Airedale Terrier	4.1	13
Alaskan Malamute	4.1	14
Chesapeake Bay Retriever	3.7	15
Boxer	3.7	16
Collie	2.8	17
Labrador Retriever	2	18
English Springer Spaniel	2	19
Samoyed	1.6	20
Dachshund	1.6	21
Golden Retriever	1.2	22
Rottweiler	1.1	23
Mixed	1.0	24
Miniature Poodle	0.3	25

Busted

2010-04-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

The other night, after a hard days work, a little dog training and a horseback ride (yes, it was a fabulous day), I grabbed a cold beer and sat with my lovely girlfriend Lauren on the couch in front of the TV. Noticing that I was staring into the TV mindlessly and not saying a whole lot, she asked out of the blue, "are you thinking about birddogs?"........

McGuane again

2010-03-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

From Tom McGaune's 'Midstream'

American shame at leisure has produced the latest no-nonsense stance in sport, the "streamside entomologist" and the "head-hunter" being the most appalling instances that come readily to mind. No longer sufficiently human to contemplate the relationship of life to eternity, the glandular modern sport worries whether or not he is wasting time.

Just thought that i would bring this to your attention, since it extrapolates to many areas of life.

Dog at dusk

2010-03-17T17:42:00.000-07:00

I was at the West Coast Shooting Dog Championship at Brooks Ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills two weeks ago and took this photo of a setter nearing the end of his hour run.

another book review

2010-03-11T11:21:00.001-08:00

A while back I posted a review of Dave Walker's Bird Dog Training Manual. Dave was a student of the legendary Bill West, a man reknowned for his desire to let dogs develop with as little, and as gentle molding as possible. This new book from Glade Run Press, Training with Mo: How Maurice Lindley Trains Pointing Dogs, written by Martha Greenlee describes the West method as practiced by SC trainer, Maurice Lindley. To quote the book: '"What I like about Bill's method," Maurice explains, "is that the dog thinks it is his idea."' As the first chapter goes on to say, while Mo uses some different techniques from Bill West, the bird is the teacher.

Like I said last June, I wish I had known this method when I got my first dog. And he would probably have appreciated it, too. Unlike my younger dog who despite being started a little differently has since taken to the method, I find myself backtracking with my older dog in a way I wouldn't have needed to if I had understood and followed a method like this. For me at least, and I sense I am far from being the only one, I started seeing each step of training as a progressive sequence, rather than understanding the final goal and seeing how the first steps were a necessary part of that goal. I don't mind saying that I had no idea if I or my dog could get through a JH, let alone a SH, or a broke-dog stake. Each milestone was intialy an end rather than merely a milestone, a marker on the way from puppy to finished gun dog. The West method by necessity takes the long view: virtually every dog is capable of acquiring those skills if we, as trainers and handlers, don't get impatient, pay attention to each dog, and for the most part keep our mouths shut.

Punchline spoiler alert: this is a really useful book, especially if you have Dave's book, too. They complement and diverge from each other really nicely -- and assuming that most folks are familiar with the core of West method, I will simply pick out some parts of Training with Mo that I thought particularly useful. (For those of you looking for other resources on the West method, I encourage you to check out the Steady with Style website.)

Birds make a bird dog. While paying clients and their pros can often migrate to follow wild bird populations to let the dog learn from the bird, most of us amateurs can't. The challenge then becomes how to introduce young dogs to birds in a way that stimulates their drive and engages the genetics deep down in them, the genetics that will tell them when to stop chasing and slow down to a point. Mo, like Bill Gibbons out in AZ, uses carded pigeons and there's good information in here as to how to use them -- however, being a city dweller, I don't mind my dogs being interested in pigeons, but I don't want to reward them for pointing every single one. The more useful notes for me are on how Mo uses launchers to teach a variety of skills to dogs of intermediate and advanced status.

I think the sections on how Mo introduces intermediate dogs -- dogs which normally point, which have begun to understand the stop and stand still cue -- to pen-raised quail are thought provoking: why, for example, he will plant birds in the center of a thinly covered field; why he will try to have a helper to flush birds during early loose bird work; and how he introduces gunfire. I also found Mo's chapter on 'Problem Solving' to be interesting and useful -- through issues like blinking, circling, and flagging. My younger dog, for example, is pretty damned close to being broke, but somewhere in the last eight months, he began to flag on birds unless he can see them right in front of him or till you get in front of him to work them. It's not an uncertainty issue in terms of not trusting his nose and, heaven knows, I've beaten myself up enough trying to figure out what I did. Seeing Mo describe my exact scenario and ascribe a developmental phase to it is tremendously reassuring.

To paraphrase Mo, dog-training isn't (or shouldn't be) a race. For those of you interested in Mo's adaptation of the West method, Martha Greenlee's clearly written book is an easy read and a valuable perspective into developing a bird-dog over the long haul.

USFWS decides not to add Sage Grouse to ESA list... yet

2010-03-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

In a release by the USFWS, it was announced that, while the greater sage grouse warrants ESA protection, it will NOT list the game bird under the Endangered Species Act at this time, but will continue to monitor progress (as a candidate species) on an annual basis.

From the Press Release issued today...

"The determination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) today that listing the greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is warranted, but precluded for now, confirms that some of America's most treasured landscapes and game species are in trouble. It is a wake-up call for landowners, industry, and conservationists to work together to reverse the decline of the bird and the land it inhabits. Greater sage-grouse currently occur in only 11 western states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

"An endangered species listing is no one's first choice as a tool to fix broken landscapes," said Ted Toombs, Rocky Mountain Regional Director of the Center for Conservation Incentives at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and a member of several state technical committees for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). "It is really a last resort option to keep species from going extinct."

"The first, best option to protect species is for conservationists, farmers, ranchers, energy companies, the recreation industry, and other stakeholders to work together on habitat conservation and restoration, so that an endangered species listing can be avoided," Toombs added. "Many western industries -- including tourism, hunting and livestock -- depend on the same thing as this iconic bird: healthy, productive, open lands."

According to FWS, while the bird's decline warrants listing, it must be delayed due to the backlog of other species that are already candidates for ESA listing. Whazzat again? This statement seems to imply that the USFWS is unable to fulfill their mandate to protect our fish and wildlife resources.

The press release goes on to quote representatives of the oil and gas, windfarm and ranching industries promising that they will improve their operations to have less impact on sage grouse habitat. Further, any landowner who engages in a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA). CCAAs protect landowners who voluntarily adopt habitat restoration measures from future land use regulations in the case that this game bird is granted endangered status, with the goal of avoiding endangered species listing. However, if the species is listed in the future, the landowner is absolved of any obligations beyond the CCAA. Last month, FWS negotiated the first CCAA to protect the greater sage-grouse in the nation with landowners in southwest Idaho and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. FWS is negotiating similar pacts elsewhere in Idaho, Wyoming and other western states inhabited by ESA candidate species. I am uncertain, given zero history on this program (in regards to sage grouse) whether this is a silver bullet or a trap door.

I guess we will have to wait and see if politics, public lands resource management, and voluntary programs by rancher and extractive users will save the greater sage grouse. Hasn't happened yet.

Oil & gas development in the Intermountain West

2010-03-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

In a peer reviewed study by PLoS ONE published last October, it was estimated that about 8.4 million acres of sage brush habitat and 2.7 million acres of grasslands in the Intermountain West will be impacted by oil and gas development. I imagine that at least some of the areas shown here are familiar to many of you.

The map above shows the potential for oil and gas development from low to high. Areas in red have the highest potential and tan have the lowest. Black dots (the black clusters) show producing (active or inactive) well locations (IHS, Inc.). Click on the map for a larger view. Map from PLoS ONE.

Greater Sage Grouse dilemma

2010-03-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

Once there were more than 2 million sage grouse throughout the West. Now, the best estimate is that there are somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 of the birds left in the United States, mostly in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and Idaho. For those of us who run bird dogs in these areas, the decline is evident. Populations have been declining for years.

Accordingly, the US Fish and Wildlife Service is considering the greater sage grouse for endangered status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The USFWS says that they will send their decision to the Federal Register on March 5th, 2010. No other comment from the people I spoke with in the Wyoming USFWS office. It is worth noting, however, that the USFWS declined to list the Gunnison subspecies in 2006.

The greater sage grouse was reviewed for ESA listing previously (2004) but the panel responsible, after reviewing the presented scientific evidence chose not to list the bird. In 2007 however, a federal district court concluded that the Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) finding that the listing of the greater sage grouse as “not warranted” was arbitrary and capricious. The court reasoned that FWS ignored the best available science, excluded experts from the listing decision, and failed to logically evaluate the current circumstance of the sage grouse. Furthermore, the court found that FWS invalidated the listing decision partially due to the “inexcusable conduct” of political appointee Julie MacDonald, who tainted the process by editing scientific conclusions.[citation here].

According to the USFWS, “Once listed, a species is afforded the full range of protection available under the ESA including prohibitions on killing, harming or otherwise taking a species. In some instances, species listing can be avoided by development of a Candidate Conservation Agreement that may work to remove potential threats facing the candidate species.”

In states like Wyoming oil and gas production, wind farm energy production, coal mining, and possibly ranching could be heavily impacted. Western states would likely lose valuable jobs and significant tax revenue if the sage grouse is protected throughout its range. An endangered listing would be "absolutely devastating" by requiring sage grouse to be considered ahead of virtually any development in most of the state, said Ryan Lance, deputy chief of staff to Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal.

This photo shows the impact of oil and gas extraction, which has blossomed on lands that were once sage grouse habitat. The fragmentation and activity have effectively destroyed greater sage grouse habitat in large areas of several Western states

On the other hand, sage grouse have been declining steadily over most of their range due to habitat destruction, disruption by development activity, and possibly grazing. Add to this the impact that West Nile Virus has had over the past couple of years, and there are many people concerned that, if nothing is done, the sage grouse will be extirpated across most of its range.

The plight of the sage grouse and, apparently, the threat of listing the bird for ESA protection has galvanized all parties concerned – extractive industries, state governments, environmental groups, and public land managers.

The extractive industries are working to prevent listing by sponsoring studies, programs to assist local management, and, I expect, by lobbying anyone who will listen. Western states are making some effort to field sage grouse 'management programs' which might prevent the USFWS from taking them out of the sage grouse management picture by ESA listing the sage grouse. Environmental groups are fighting to have the native grouse listed, which would severely limit habitat encroachment.

Strangely, there seems to be little active interest among upland bird hunters, even though this would be the first game bird to be listed under the ESA.

There seems to be little common ground here - perhaps it is too late to find common ground. It is too bad that we lack the foresight and citizenship to work to prevent crisis management in which everyone may lose, especially the the very object we are trying to protect... the greater sage grouse.

A bad idea... please vote the poll

2010-02-26T09:43:00.000-08:00

California State Senator Dean Florez, author of California SB 250 - the Mandatory Sterilization Bill - introduced a new bill this week, SB 1277, to establish an animal abuse registry. Is this a good idea? Go to PetPac to express your opinion...

Here’s what we know about SB 1277:

1. The millions in costs to set up the registry will be paid for by a new tax on pet food.

2. The sponsor of the bill, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, is known for its advocacy of pet guardianship and vegetarianism.

3. The author of the bill, Senator Dean Florez, has been the leading advocate for mandatory sterilization.

Please let your voice be heard on this important issue.

Racketeering lawsuit brought against HSUS

2010-02-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

Humanewatch reports that the owners of the Ringling Brothers Circus are suing the HSUS and accusing them of racketeering - including laundering money through a shell charity and paying a witness $190,000 in exchange for testimony alleging that the circus abused elephants in their care. The abuse case, brought in New York, was tossed out by the presiding judge, who found that the main witness was not credible.

I am going to be watching this one...

Unproductives - Where are the birds?

2010-02-24T11:28:00.000-08:00

The term “unproductive” is used to indicate a point without a bird produced in front of the point. This often happens in both hunting and field trials. But the term covers a lot of situations – some are handler errors, some are caused by training, some are 'no fault', and some are on the dog.

A typical scenario... your dog is running well and to the front. He goes out of sight over a rise. Minutes later you top the rise and find your dog on point. You remain silent and go ahead to flush but produce nothing. At this juncture you might re-locate your dog to see if he can move forward and find the birds, re-establishing point. In a field trial this can carry some risk, since the birds may be close and the moving dog might flush them, and you are asked to pick-up your dog. Decision is yours, and if you know your dog well, you act accordingly. In a hunting situation, you probably want to release the dog to relocate.

But what happened here? Is the dog at fault? Some possibilities are:

1.The birds are there, but they didn't flush at your effort. Is a further effort required?

2.Your dog HAD the birds before you arrived, but they ran and/or flushed. This often happens with wild birds like grouse or Huns. In my opinion (voiced here before) the dog should relocate himself and avoid the UP. But if you trained your dog to hold point regardless of what happens, you could assume any possibility.

3.Your dog is pointing old scent and the birds were gone before the dog arrived. This is typical of a cautious dog, which could be a natural trait, a response to training, or a lack of experience. Some dogs become 'sticky' when natural caution and rigorous training combine and the dog seems to think, “I am not sure there is a bird here, but I am going to stop and point, rather than risk flushing a bird and getting in trouble.”

4.The birds flushed ahead of the dog and he has 'stopped to flush', and is awaiting release. You can usually determine this based on the dog's posture. Or not.

5.There were no birds here at all and the dog went on point for reasons unknown.

I have never seen a dog that didn't have an occasional UP, and I am never quick to blame the dog, relying on the old adage. “Trust the dog.” Nevertheless, I find it difficult to correct something without a reasonable idea of what caused the behavior.

New York Times talks bird dogs

2010-02-24T08:50:00.000-08:00

The New York Times seems to have had a reporter at the National Championship in Grand Junction, Tennessee this year... and did a pretty good article introducing field trials to its readers.

New blog watching HSUS. Good, they need watching

2010-02-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

A new blog, Humanewatch is keeping tabs on the Humane Society of the United States. Worth a look to keep track of what the HSUS cretins are doing now. Click the link, and make up your own mind.

Thought for the day

2010-02-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

A friend recently forwarded me the following quote from the ABC sitcom, Better off Ted. I'm not sure whether to rejoice that mainstream television has heard of birddogs or be peeved that they clearly misunderstand their sunny dispositions...

"Don't be the guy that points fingers. Nobody likes a pointer.
Even in the dog world they are seen as insufferable."

New on the blog

2010-02-14T11:03:00.000-08:00

You may notice that there are two new contributor's names here - Will Pennington and Jared Tappero.

Will Pennington has shown up in a couple of my posts with his two nice pointers. Will is a career naval officer and currently lives in Virginia.

Jared Tappero is a hunter and field trailer, and professional forester who lives in Northern California. Jared hunts and trials a couple of very nice pointers.

Welcome, Will and Jared!

The National is upon us

2010-02-03T09:52:00.000-08:00

With the 111th running of the National Championship for All-Age dogs due to start on Monday, February 8th, at the famed Ames Plantation I wanted to let folks know about Brad Harter's series of DVDs of the event.

While I largely field-trial vizslas and exclusively, for now, in AKC trials, I did get out to the American Field's Northeastern Open Shooting Dog Championship this past October and while only able to watch a single day did get to see the brace that produced both the winner and runner-up. In short, I like watching birddogs of all shapes and sizes run hard and find birds. Even if some of them are largely white and have long tails. And while it might be a while before I can get to Ames, I wanted to get a sense of both the location and the action.

While nothing can substitute for watching a performance in person, Brad has been documenting the Nationals on film for over 20yrs. (He has also served as the trial's official reporter for several of those years, too.) And between carrying his own camera and having others strategically positioned on the course, he misses very little of the birdwork and captures a whole heck of a lot of the excitement. While editing with the benefit of hindsight can certainly help frame a great performance, it was pretty easy to see that Gary Lester's Bud (Lester's Snowatch) had put down a heck of a race -- and therefore why, in judges' minds, Bud's total performance had eclipsed that of 2006 winner, Shell Creek Coin, despite one fewer find. The interview with Gary Lester at the end is a nice tribute to both man and dog.

With many of the contenders from 2009 -- Bud, Coin, Game Maker, and Strut -- nominated to run again next week, this year's National should be an exciting one. Unless you're lucky to get there yourself, in the meantime treat yourself to 90mins on the couch and not 9 days in the saddle.

Belated congratulations

2010-02-01T14:18:00.000-08:00

Will and Lizzie in Montana in October

A note of congratulations is due to my friend, Will Pennington, who ran his two pointers, Liz and Riley, at the Chicahominy Field Trial Assn. US Complete trial in November. And won with both dogs, beating Aubrey Morgan's National Amateur CH Pinekone Spade in the process. Results as reported below:

Chicahominy Field Trial Assoc.
November 22, 2009

Amateur Shooting Dog-18
1st Tailhook Lizzie              W. Pennington W. Pennington
2nd Quinton Oak Budlight   J. Lewis            J. Lewis
3rd Pinekone Spade         A. Morgan           A. Morgan

Amateur Derby-5
1st Tailhook Riley W. Pennington W. Pennington
2nd Wright’s Precious Jodie A. Wright A. Wright

Times have changed

2010-02-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

I doubt that you could find a gun powder company operating in downtown San Francisco today. This ad from the Western Field - August 1903 issue. There is also a fine article about hunting quail in Alameda County by H. L Betten of Alameda, California in this issue. Courtesy of Google Books, who undoubtedly scanned it without permission of the publisher.

Last hunt of the season

2010-01-31T19:25:00.000-08:00

A strange urgency seems to grip me as the close of bird hunting season approaches. Rational decision making is abandoned as I try to get in those last few hours following my setters. Today was perhaps an extreme example: I got up at 4.00 am and drove 220 miles in order to hunt chukar in the Mojave Desert mountains on the last day of the season.

The weather was perfect and the birds were there - we found several coveys in a bit under 4 hours of hunting. Unfortunately, Rosie was not on her game, pushing the birds too hard, and flushing them before I could get close. I'll try to offer an excuse for her: we've been hunting Valley Quail for the past few months and those birds hold much better to a point. But I should have delivered an electric telegram in order to get her head back into the game.

Fortunately, Silk is a cautious old lady who would feel deeply shamed if she pushed a bird too hard. As we headed downhill towards the car she pointed rocks near the top of a slope and a single flushed as I walked up to her. I was pleased with myself when I hit the looping bird just before it dropped out of sight, and Silk appears to be very pleased with herself in the picture below.

And that, I think, was the perfect end to the season.

Styles for different birds?

2010-01-28T08:17:00.001-08:00

Mike's comments on shooting books brought something to mind ... I find that my shooting styles don't quickly adapt to different conditions and species. For example, I hunted quail a couple weeks ago and was very successful with an instinctive see-swing-mount-shoot. On the other hand, my shooting on the opening day of dove season can be pretty miserable as I dial in the leads that are needed for 30+ yard crossing shots. I think Mike uses a consistent method for all his shooting. How about other folks?

Marksmanship for the bird hunter

2010-01-27T13:11:00.000-08:00

Let me start by saying that I am not a great fan of Orvis. Having read most of what is available on the subject of shotguns and shooting I have found some texts that are very helpful in the practical application of technique for the upland bird hunter, and many, many that did not, or could not, distinguish between target shooting (trap, skeet, sporting clays) and the needs of the upland bird hunter. The Orvis Wing-Shooting Handbook does.

Looking for something to read last night I picked Bowlen's book from the shelf and re-read mytattered copy. Bruce Bowlen has a structured, simple approach that most bird hunters will find useful - especially those that, like me, like to carry a lightweight doublegun.

In the early 90s I abandoned International Skeet and clays. I sold my heavy O/U target guns. I wanted to learn to shoot a light game gun well, and could not make adequate progress using the techniques that worked (mostly) for me when shooting targets in competition. I struggled to figure out how to effectively shoot a sub six pound SxS gun. Since a friend and fellow shooter, Jon Ogilvie, offered high level instruction, I also turned to him for help. After a period of years (I must be a slow learner) I evolved a personal style (a jumble of Move-Mount-Shoot and instinctive techniques) that allows me to shoot lightweight double guns reasonably well in most any field situation. I still have my off days, but I now have confidence that any bird in range is at risk.

If I had read Bowlen's book when I started in shooting truly lightweight guns at game birds in the early 80s, I would have suffered much less pain, sweat, cartridges, and embarrassment. Bruce writes clearly and lays out a clear, step-by-step method uncluttered by anecdote or self aggrandizement. This is a welcome relief from the run of the mill 'outdoor writer' for which I am very grateful. I recommend this book for any upland gunner, even one who has already figured most of it out.

I also recommend a text by a pair of Brits, Shotgun Marksmanship by Percy Stanbury and G.L. Carlisle. This requires wading through the 'whilsts' and 'one musts' to get to the meat, but it is good.

A wonderful hunt - and a thought

2010-01-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed one of the finest one-day hunts of my life last Sunday. A friend and I walked through my San Diego "secret spot" for quail and everything lined up. The weather was about right, my dogs did a very nice job, there were plenty of birds, I shot very well, and when the day ended we had each collected 10 birds (about one per mile walked). Even little things went well; we found a cache of half-liter water bottles left long ago by migrants and avoided pumping water through a purifier.

During the walk out I started to wonder: so what makes this hunt special to me? I think it comes from simultaneously being successful with respect to so many challenges. Easy hunts (opening dove season or ... ) can be fun but are seldom special. But when I have to really work at it, when I have to persevere and handle each situation well, then the day glows in my memory.

Now we are two

2010-01-11T09:39:00.000-08:00

The first post on this blog was made on January 9, 2008. Time flies when you're living with bird dogs.

The armed society

2010-01-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

The Assize of Arms of 1252 [England] stated that all "citizens, burgesses, free tenants, villeins and others from 15 to 60 years of age" should be armed. The poorest of them were expected to at least have a bow. This made it easier for the King to raise an army, but also meant that the bow was a commonly used weapon by rebels during the Peasants' Revolt. From the time that the yeoman class of England became proficient with the longbow, the nobility in England had to be careful not to push them into open rebellion. This was a check on the power of the nobility of England which did not exist on the European continent.

This from a Wikipedia discussion of the history of the long bow. Food for thought.

A setter in Sweden

2009-12-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

Several years ago I was homeward bound from a client meeting in Paris, and was seated next to a pleasant young woman from Sweden - an agricultural journalist, she said. Somehow (perhaps inevitably) the conversation turned to bird dogs and setters. She was a bird hunter and bird dogger and she talked to me a bit about the influence of the Smith setters in Norway and Sweden. She sent the the photo above by e-mail a few days later. I have always liked the photo and offer it here.

Merry Christmas!