Northern Michigan Chapter
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association

Newsletter Archives - August 1998

FROM THE DESK OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF

As President of the Northern Michigan Chapter (and my first editorial to the membership), I want to take this opportunity to discuss two subjects. The first is my vision for how our chapter should function, and the second being member participation and involvement.

My vision for the chapter is rather simple. I want to make sure that all members have the opportunity to train their dogs to their highest ability level. When the fall hunting season or NAVHDA Test Day arrives, We want to be proud of our dog, put some game in the pouch, and have a pleasurable time. We don't want to yell, chase, or constantly correct our hunting companions. The foundation in accomplishing this is field training and obedience using the proper training tools. Norm has agreed to let the club build a she (training tool warehouse) on his land which will be fully stocked with all types of training and testing supplies for all members to use. With our fund raiser, our bank account will permit us to fund this endeavor. I hope that the shed and training tools will be available by early spring 1999. In addition, the chapter in 1998 established two open training days per week, had Rick Whitney spend a Saturday with us on one-on-one field and obedience training, and Tom Gremel gave a field first-aid seminar. Those that took advantage of these events greatly improved their dog's work and their own ability as a trainer.

This leads us into the second topic - participation and involvement. A chapter is only as good as its members. Fortunately, there are quite a few members that religiously train, participate in scheduled events, and are active on committees. For those of you who do not fit into one of these categories, I encourage you to do so for not only the benefit of your dog but to learn more about Navhda and share experiences with other members. Over the next few months, we have schedule our first Family Sporting Clays Day set for August 23, a Fun Hunt for October 17, and a Fall Test scheduled for September 19 and 20. These events were set up for the members to enjoy, so I encourage you to take full advantage of them. Even if you are not testing a dog this fall, stop by and watch or request an active role in helping on one of both test days.

Finally, we have put together in this newsletter a questionnaire. Please take a few moments to complete it and return it to me. I will personally review each one of your comments and with our Board of Directors, establish a 1999 schedule of events and activities based on your opinions and desires. Remember that this is your club and your involvement is what drives it.

CALENDAR OF CLUB EVENTS

End of 1998 Training Days - August 15

Norm Licht's property on Cedar Run Road will close for training effective August 15, 1998. Norm has made this request to the club members so his property can "quiet down" for his own early season hunting. However, the property will be open for both Fall Test Days on September 19 and 20. All members please respect Norm's request. Thank you Norm for you generosity and good sportsmanship for another year.

Sporting Clays Shoot/Outing and Gun Raffle Drawing - August 23

The first Sporting Clay Shooting Day is fast approaching. Please call Lance, Judy, or Harry and let them know if you are going to attend. The price is $25.00 per shooter and $3.00 for all non-shooters who will be attending the cook-out. For you $25.00 you get one round of Sporting Clays, 50 Birds, one round of Five-Stand, 25 Birds, and one round of Skeet, 25 Birds, plus your meal and beverages. The $3.00 charge for non-shooters is to cover the cost of the cook-out. The picnic will consist of hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, chips, cake and beverage. We need to know the number of shooters so Denny Norman will provide sufficient pullers, and also we need to get a count for the cook-out in order to plan quantities of food. There will be games and activities for children. The shooting will start at noon, and the cook-out will follow at approximately 3.30 p.m. The drawing for the gun raffle will be held following dinner.

Dog Handler Clinic for Deer Hunters - September 12

See attached notice.

Fall Test - September 19 and 20

The Fall Test will be held on September 19 and 20 on Norm Licht's property on Cedar Run Road starting at 7:30 a.m. Remember to provide your own lunch and water for your dog. A meeting and dinner will be held after the test on Saturday, September 20, at Brady's Bar.

Feather and Fur Hunt - October 17

Please note that the Feather and Fur Hunt date has been changed from October 10 to October 17.

Spring Test 1999 - June 5 and 6

Tentatively our Spring 1999 Test has been set for June 5 and 6.

ENLIGHTENING COMMENTS BY COLONEL LEADLOAD SURESHOT

Well the dog days of summer are almost over. My neck is beginning to swell and my dogs are getting mean. I am working frantically to finish my "honey do's" so I can get out of town and start hunting. But before I leave, let me give you some insight about your club and what I have seen since the last newsletter.

Let's start by congratulating Ron Boehme for becoming an apprentice dog judge for NAVHDA. However, to fulfill that lofty position, Ron must make a few changes. First of all, he will have to quit dressing like a truck driver, and buy some of the very best brand name hunting apparel. Secondly, to receive any respect at all from dog handlers, he will have to stay off his knees and out of the mud while working with some of the established NAVHDA judges.

A hearty welcome to Bryan Bilinksi who not only has raised the standards of dress for our clothes conscience club members, but also has displayed masterful bicycle riding while fully dressed for shooting wearing shooting gloves and earmuffs.

A special appreciation goes to John MacNeal from Haggar for the inspiring pep talk before Haggar's field events as shown in the photographs take at the Spring Test.

The Colonel takes his hat off to all the participants in the Spring Test and their dogs for the hard work, love, and admiration that was seen between handlers and dogs.

Paul Fisher, you may be a good hunter, have a new puppy and a new pickup truck, and you sold a lot of gun raffle tickers, but you must upgrade your hunting hat and shooting gloves. BAD - BAD - BAD!!!!!!

It has come to the Colonel's attention that some members came out of the woodwork to get themselves and their dog on the 9 & 10 News, August 2, 1998 at 6:20 p.m. General Judy Balog and Gunnar even had their own private quail. Lance Vernam put Jazz (his new puppy of 10 weeks old) on the training table, all for the camera - COME ON LANCE. Kurt Bard and Zeke did some dancing in the field - THE DOG AGITATION. Norm Licht and Zeke go for a swim - THE BREAST STROKE, and had Walter do a track & destroy for the film crew. Lance made sure there were cold drinks on hand, even if it was not a club function per your hawk-eyed Treasurer - "Count Every Penny" Sherri Hill.

I would like to carry on a little longer, however, my wife is walking down the hall with a large, ugly baseball bat saying something under her breath about some molding that has needed to be put up for two years. Regretfully, I am out of here until the next issue. Safe hunting and see you soon.

The Colonel

INSIDE THE GAME POUCH

Spring Test 1998 Results

Congratulations go out to the following club members and their dogs:

Member	Dog	Breed	Test and Result
Rick McPhall	Gunner	GSP	NA - Prize II
Thom Burns	Gracie	VIZ	NA - Prize II
Kurt Bard	Zeke	VIZ	NA - Prize III
Dave Laing	Fleck	GSP	UPT - Prize I
John MacNeal	Haggar	WPG	UT - Prize II

Field First-Aid Training

A special thank you to Dr. Tom Gremel, DVM, for his excellent and informative presentation on field first-aid. All who attended were pleased and found the information beneficial for their dog's health.

Gun Raffle Ticket Sales

The Gun Raffle drawing will be held at the Sporting Clays Shoot on August 23. We have all the tickets out to members for sale. We are still receiving requests from other members for additional tickets. Therefore would all members please either return their money or unsold tickets by August 10. This will give us the ability to be certain all tickets get sold.

Chapter Clothing

The members' response to the clothing order blank has been very bleak. The club does need a higher quantity of sales before we can place an order. Harry Hill will be placing one order this year by September 15. If you are interested in any items of clothing for this season, please contact Harry as soon as possible.

Welcome New Members and Puppies

Member	Address	Phone Number
Travis Gillow	880 Munson Traverse City, MI 49686	616.922.7327
Bryan Bilinski	3313 South Airport Road Traverse City, MI 49684	616.933.0767
John McDougall	3633 Apollo Drive Traverse City, MI 49684	616.943.5114
John DeMeyere	7455 Maple Terrace Traverse City, MI 49686	616.929.1337
Bruce Anderson	7787 East Shore Drive Traverse City, MI 49686	616.947.9882
Bob Bingle	210 North Rempert Road Tawas City, MI 48763	517.362.2556
Rick Whitney	9312 South 24th Street Portage, MI 49002	616.327.8863

Member	Dog	Breed	Age
Lance Vernam	Jasmine	GSP	10 weeks
Bruce Anderson	Tye	ES	6 weeks
Bruce McLachlan	Scout	WIM	8 weeks

1998 NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Following are area businessmen who are dog lovers and hunters that support our chapter through sponsorship of our Paw Prints Newsletter. Please show your gratitude by patronizing their various businesses.

Name	Business	Address & Phone
Pat Cole	Brady's Bar	401 South Union Street Traverse City, MI 616.946.8153
Randy Hanson	Grand Traverse Gun	1132 South Garfield Traverse City, MI 616.935.3100
Bryan Bilinski	Fieldsport, Ltd.	3313 South Airport Road Traverse City, MI 616.933.0767
Dr. Jerry Harrison	GT Vet Hospital	3805 Veterans Drive Traverse City, MI 616.946.3770
Jim Shroger	Northsport	305 US-31 South Traverse City, MI 616.943.3030
Denny Norman	Action Shooting	1872 North 41 Road Manton, MI 616.824.6378

CLASSIFIEDS

FOR SALE : Large Igloo Dog House. Heavy Insulated Plastic Construction. Includes Pad. $40.00 Call Lance Vernam - 616.938.1324.

FOR SALE : Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Puppies due to be whelped August 25, 1998. Large Dogs, Good Bloodlines, Great Dispositions. $600.00 Call Harry Hill - 616.946.0828.

FOR SALE : Browning Automatic Rifle, 7mm mag, excellent condition, $625.00. Call Harry Hill - 616.946.0828.