Northern Michigan Chapter
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association

Newsletter Archives - August 1997

Hunting season is almost upon us. It's time to get together and enjoy the hard work of handlers and dogs. We have several upcoming events and ideas for the fall and winter to help our chapter grow and become a more cohesive and enjoyable unit. Your Board of Directors has appointed Harry Hill as Secretary for the chapter. I will attempt to keep you well-informed of events and activities in the area. So here we go ............ lock and load ..............

EVENTS

NAVHDA Natural Ability/Utility Prep/Utility Test - September 20 & 21, 1997

The test site will be equipped with a large tent, portable toilet, and dog water for participants and observers. Please remember to bring your own lunch and foul weather gear. The club is seeking volunteers for some test positions: Assistant Marshals, Distraction Gunners, Duck Throwers (please have strong arms), and Bird Planters. Bird Planters must bring gloves and wear rubber boots. Distraction Gunners must wear hunter orange and have a breakdown 12 gauge shotgun. Ammo and supplies will be provided. If you would like to volunteer, PLEASE CONTACT JUDY BALOG AT 616.938.4426.

Ruffed Grouse Society Banquet - September 12, 1997

The Northern Michigan Chapter would like to have their own table for members. If interested, PLEASE CONTACT PAUL FISHER AT 616.386.5670.

Spring Puppy Trials - May 1998

We will test ten dogs each day (Saturday & Sunday). General Lance Vernam will be the Field General for this event. Specifics of the trials will be made available as soon as dates are set.

Gun Raffle - December 15, 1997

Your new Secretary is in the process of putting together another gun raffle for our chapter for the purpose of raising funds to purchase club supplies and help pay for event expenses. Tickets and gun specifics will be provided to you as soon as final arrangements are made.

IN THE PLANNING STAGE

Club Clothing

The Board of Directors is considering club clothing items for our membership. One suggestion was a safari type shirt with short sleeves for warm weather with our club logo and your name on the shirt. Also long sleeve and short sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts with club logo will be offered. Order forms and a price list will be provided in the next newsletter. Also hopefully some example will be available at the NAVHDA test.

Annual Dinner

Last year's dinner was such a success, your Board of Directors is planning the same type of event for this year. It will be held after the busy holiday season in 1998.

Pheasant Shoot/Sporting Clays Family Day

These two events have been kicked around by the Board. We feel both would be fun; but we need your help by providing feedback for both events as well as the best possible time and season in your busy schedules. Please feel free to contact me at 616.946.0828 in the spring, summer and fall or at 941.492.6386 in the winter.

NOTICES

Dr. Norm Licht's property located on Cedar Run Road is closed until the NAVHDA test date.

The club is pricing buying our own event tent instead of renting one for each club event.

MacNEAL'S MARVELOUS REMARKS

Director John MacNeal would like to enlighten all club members on appropriate names for crossbred dogs.

• Pointer + Setter = Pointsetter, a traditional Christmas pet
• Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier = Blue Skye, a dog for visionaries
• Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs, a puzzling breed
• Pekingese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dog
• Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle
• Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever = Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists
• Newfoundland + Basset Hound = Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors
• Terrier + Bulldog = Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes
• Bloodhound + Labrador = Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly
• Malamute + Pointer = Moot Point, owned by .... oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway
• Collie + Malamute = Commute, a dog that travels to work
• Deerhound + Terrier = Derriere, a dog that's true to the end
• Cocker Spaniel + Rottweiller = Cockrot, the perfect puppy for that philandering ex-husband
• Bull Terrier + Shitzu = Bullshitz, a gregarious but unreliable breed

COLONEL LEAD LOAD'S COMMENTS

First, I want you to know that everything I put into print is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I have come on board to assist people in their endeavors to become better hunters, dog handlers, and trainers. Unbeknownst to anyone, I have been observing the activities of this club for the past year, and I must say some areas need work. Let's start with the dogs. I have observed that there is more than one type of hunting dog. But why anyone would own a dog other than a versatile breed is beyond me. Long-tailed breeds are nice to look at, BUT .....

Gunners. First of all, we must do some education on the gender of the species. Certain breeds of birds, the male, is the only acceptable target. Therefore, pictures and flash cards will be mailed to the shooters who cannot distinguish between the two.

Hunting wear. This observer has been on the lookout for almost one year trying to locate the Polish Army Hunting Fedora displayed by Ms. J. Balog and David Nordquist in their search for the elusive Iowa pheasant. I feel that no hunter should be seen in the woods without one of Judy's tie string hats. But with a saddened heart, I must inform you that they are nowhere to be found.

Awards. A civic award will be presented at the proper time to our very own wing shooter aka The Terminator (a renowned orthopedic surgeon) from the little old lady with the white hair who is his secret admirer. A shooting award to John MacNeal for a fine shot on Judy's pet baby homing pigeon, Homer. A smooze award goes to Lance Vernam for his ability to have Belle, his fine English Setter, as the feature story on the next Versatile Hunting Dog Journal. The determination award goes to Pat Cole's German Short Hair, Magnum Maggie, for her first experience with wild pheasants after a long summer of school and training. Maggie was last seen chasing pheasants every which way, which goes to show that students only remember 5% of their education. The new member award goes to John McDougall for joining this fine organization, and obtaining a second Gordon Setter to assure his first dog is not lonely at club functions.

Have a good hunt.....keep your feel dry....I will see you, but you wont' see me.....

The Colonel