Northern Michigan Chapter
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association

Newsletter Archives - August 1999

Random Ramblings - Chris Raymond

Let’s get right to it with the housekeeping issues:

First of all, this year’s fund-raising event will be held outside of the sporting clays shoot (please see Sporting Clays Shoot Update on page 5 for changes in this event). Similar to last year though, we will be raffling a shotgun. Each member will be expected to sell at least ten (10) tickets but we encourage each of you to sell as many as you can. The organizer, Norm Licht, will be providing information about the event shortly.
Test administration will be changed after the August test. If a registered handler pulls their dog with at least thirty (30) days remaining until the test they will be required to pay a $25.00 cancellation fee. Those handlers pulling their dogs inside of this thirty (30) day window will forfeit the entire test registration fee. This should prevent individuals from pulling their dogs at the last minute and provide test alternates a little more time in which to prepare.
As some of you may have noticed, it can at times become crowded on the training grounds. This should ease somewhat with the ability to again train on state land. However, going forward we will need to institute some guidelines to ensure the safety of all members. Effective immediately, the shooting of non-blank shells will only be done in the back (Southern) field. As shooting is restricted to this specific area, this field will be available first to those members that are doing shooting training on a first come-first served basis.

Now on to other things. Due to the explosion in membership over the past year, the chapter has now reached the point where three tests per training year are probably in order. As always, the success of a test is directly dependent upon having members willing to help with the event activities. Currently, the chapter is considering another test during the first two weeks of October. This test will only be possible if: a) we have people volunteer to help out with the event, and b) we are able to do it without losing money. Most if not all test positions have written “help” sheets. These sheets outline each position’s respective responsibilities and provide helpful advice and direction toward outside resources and coordination. If you are interested in putting your name on the list to help, please give Lance Vernam a call at 231.938.1324. Also keep in mind that we will need volunteers for the three tests we are planning in 2000.

Still Coming Home to Roost - Judy Balog

For the most part, maintaining training pigeons on the grounds has gone exceptional well. A couple of items need to be re-emphasized though. The issue of primary concern is that pigeons are to be used only in “no contact” situations. For instance, do not dizzy pigeons for ground planting as they can and are caught and mouthed by dogs. Currently, the club has one manual launcher and by the time you receive this newsletter, will have three more. We ask that you use launchers when training with the club’s pigeons.

Another important item that should be mentioned is to make sure they have enough food and fresh water when you are done with your training sessions. If each member that uses them were to do this, there should be no reason for them to go without food or fresh water as has happened in the past. This is especially important during these hot summer months.

Finally, the chapter does from time to time, replenish its supply of birds. Please look at the legs of the pigeons before using them. The ones that have bands should not be used as they are still being conditioned to return to the coop.

Again, we are very pleased the chapter has been able to make use of these birds. We hope they have served each of you well. By keeping the above items in mind, we will have their continued use until the end of the training season.

Shot From the Hip - Colonel Lead Load Sure Shot

It’s time for a few more words of wisdom from the Colonel. First let me say I hate this time of year; the tourists are here, it’s too hot to run your dogs effectively, and the salmon aren’t here yet so we can rip lips. So I guess we had better talk about the NAVHDA chapter. At this time of year, the Chapter is even boring - not a whole lot of juicy tidbits for the Colonel to knaw on. But let’s start with the spring test anyway. There was great work and test scores by all the dogs and their handlers under such dry and hot conditions. There was also some fancy footwork by your President, Judge Vernam, to receive free lunch when the other apprentice judges were forced to pay for theirs. His excuse was he was also serving as Test Chairman - yeah, right, Lance.

There was also an award from the Colonel to General Judy Balog for her training of one rooster pheasant to crap on her on command and allow her to change clothes in the middle of the test in front of all observers. A hats off goes to Lance Vernam and Dave Nordquist for being appointed as official NAVHDA judges. We hope their wardrobes will fit their titles. It appears to the Colonel that a lot of members have been using Norm Licht’s property for training this summer including Pat Cole and Rob Marriott whose German Short Hair and German Wire Hair made great points on a hen turkey that was hiding under Pat’s feet.

That basically is all the scuttlebutt the Colonel could dig up for this issue of our newsletter. However, if you are too hot and uncomfortable to go into the field, feel free to call 231.946.0828 for an exciting fishing trip with the Colonel. Aloha until the next issue. See you in the fall. Good-bye, Adiõs, Au Revior, See Ya!!! The Colonel

P.S. Please let’s have a few more screw-ups before the next issue - I am always looking for good material to enhance this article.

1999 Spring Test Results - Lance Vernam

Please take the time to congratulate all those members who tested at our spring test on 5 and 6 June. The time and effort they put into their dogs was well rewarded; the results of the runnings are listed here.

Sporting Clays Shoot Update - Chris Raymond

The sporting clays shoot is being rescheduled. It will now be held one week later on Sunday, 15 August 1999 and is still at Denny Norman’s Action Shooting Sports in Manton. Directions have been included within this newsletter. The shooting will start at 12:00 noon with the cook-out following at approximately 3:30 p.m. As a reminder, all individuals on the course or shooting fields will be required to wear both eye and hearing protection. Denny will have shells available for purchase if needed. The price will be $25.00 per shooter and $5.00 for all non-shooters just attending the cook-out. For shooters, the $25.00 fee will provide: one round of Sporting Clays (50 targets), one round of Five Stand (25 targets), and one round of Skeet (25 targets), plus your meal and beverages. The charge for non-shooters is to cover the cost of the cook-out. The picnic will probably again consist of hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, chips, cake and beverage. If you plan on attending, please inform Chris Raymond, 231.929.7537, no later than Monday, 9 August 1999.

Welcome

We would like to provide and warm and hearty welcome to the following new members and their dogs:

Member Dog & Breed Member Dog & Breed

Jim Pryor Ringo - PT Dennis Waineo Abbey - GSP

Member Spotlight

Judy Balog and Gunnar, soon to be one of the nation’s most well known Weinermeiner’s oops, I mean Weimaraners, are at it again. In addition to the televised coverage they received on Michigan Outdoors, they were the focus of a recent Animal Planet filming -- Breed, All About It. Animal Plant can be viewed locally on channel 59. The exact airing of Judy and Gunner’s segment has not at this point in time been determined. However, it will be announced in the future.

Previously, we reported that Lance Vernam was participating in NAVHDA’s judge apprenticeship program. What wasn’t reported, is that Dave Nordquist and Ron Boehme were in the program as well. Please congratulate both Lance and Dave as they have been officially approved as full-fledged judges!!! The added testing experience that Lance and Dave have gained as a result of their judging activities is of tremendous benefit to the chapter and our own individual training programs.

If the efforts of others have inadvertently been overlooked, please accept our apologies and bring it to Chris Raymond’s attention at 231.929.7537 for inclusion in future issues.

Green Books

The chapter still has some copies of the official NAVHDA training bible otherwise known as the “Green Book.” If you are interested in purchasing one, please contact Lance Vernam at 231.938.1324. Their cost will once again be $10.00.

Club Clothing

The chapter will once again prepare a clothing order of interest warrants. Individuals interested in ordering clothing should contact Harry Hill at 231.946.0828.

Classifieds

If chapter members have dog training or hunting related items they would like to list in the newsletter and web site, please submit a short description with contact information to Chris Raymond at 231.946.4070 (fax).

Puppies for Sale - German Shorthaired Pointers, whelped 14 April 1999. One is still available. If interested, please call Pat Cole at 231.946.7476.

More Puppies for Sale - AKC registered German Shorthaired Pointer puppies, championship bloodline, call Scott Olds at the Olds Pheasant Farm at 231.269.3413.

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