As a chapter we are dedicated to sponsoring field tests, conducting training clinics, and acquainting sportsman and hunters with history and use of versatile hunting dog breeds. We are also determined to increase general awareness of the historic heritage and undiminished value of the trained hunting dog as an indispensable companion for the fair pursuit and conservation of game.

Advertise with us!!! $10.00 yearly donation for a business card size ad in every issue for that year..

Mike, Cherie, & Mandy at Avi pond

Our N.A.V.H.D.A. Experience
By Cherie Hendrix
Kingman, AZ

   My husband, Mike, and I picked up a German Shorthair pup in August from Cari and Vince Rodriguez of Rivers Edge Shorthairs in Red Bluff, CA. When we started talking, Cari mentioned NAVHDA to me. I had no clue. She talked to me about Natural Ability testing the pup, and maybe even Utility Testing.

   I thought it sounded kind of interesting, and shortly after bringing my pup home, I signed up with the national association. I received my green book and video and Mike and I sat down to watch. Very interesting. I can do this. Grand Canyon chapter wasn't too far away.

   I contacted Ted, the president of the chapter, and he invited us to a training. Well, the timing never really worked out. But, in December, a call was made for volunteers to help out at the testing being held in Mohave Valley, AZ. That wasn't too far away, and the timing was right. Even though I wasn't yet a member, I asked if I could come down to help out and see what it was all about. I went down to help - planting birds. Can I tell you what great people I met there? Everyone was very friendly and so helpful. They all had something to say about hunting and training and helpful hints with the dog. It was fantastic. I had the best time.

   We have since met up with several of the members. Anita Weiss has been a great mentor and instructor. Not just for our pup, Mandolin, but teaching US how to train her! She has spent several weekends with us honing Mandy's skills to try and get her ready for testing in March. And Ted Hamilton met us up at Orme Pond last weekend for the same thing. (Orme Pond, isn't that in Flagstaff?) And Jim Carpenter with his tips on silent signals to the dog. Mike and I have learned more in the last month with everyone than we learned in 6 years with our other GSP, Molly! If you are thinking about joining the chapter, I highly encourage you to do so. You are dealing with people that really care and love being involved. And people that willingly share their knowledge and experience to further not only the sport and chapter, but to help you turn your hunting buddy into the best they can be. We are hooked and look forward to many years of involvement to come!

Mandy retrieving a bumper @ Avi Pond

   We as a chapter have had a very successful year. Both financially and in membership and activity growth. We currently have 23 members and that does not include our current members that have not yet renewed. So we will be near 30 members! For us that's HUGE! So please get involved and help us keep growing.

   We had a lot of help from many people over the past year, and I want to thank you all. From the training days, the tests, and the Annual Meeting, we came together and got it done. One big part of our organization is Melissa Knudson, our Vice President. Melissa was also our training coordinator, test secretary, and the major player in pulling off the Annual Meeting. Melissa and I had a connection that doesn't come around often and we made a really great team leading the Grand Canyon Chapter the past few years. As many of you know Melissa is moving to Colorado, very soon. In fact when this newsletter comes out she will probably already be a Coloradian. BURRER! I will greatly miss this energized and motivated Lady, as will all that were fortunate enough to really get to know her. Her quick wit (a family trait), her organization skills, her leadership and her friendship, will always be part of this chapter. We wish Melissa and Aaron (and Oakley,and Isiss) all the joy and happiness in their new adventure and let them know they will be truly missed by all.

   We have some new faces on the executive committee for 06 and 07, yes folks it is a two year term. As Vice President, Alan Manas has stepped up to take that position, Scott Nelson will be our Secretary, and Chuck Metchis and I are sticking around for another term as Treasurer and President. Jim Carpenter has taken over test secretary duties. Scott has also volunteered to do the newsletter. My thanks and appreciation to all you folks, and hope we have another successful year here with the Grand Canyon Chapter of NAVHDA.

   Once again thank you all for all you have done!

Ted

Good Thing Our Dogs Can't Count
By Scott Nelson
Apache Junction, AZ

of first test jitters. He told me that dogs pick up on this stuff and it effects how they perform, but when it is all said and done not to dwell because dogs can't count! They have no idea what their score is and never will.

   At our December hunt test in Mohave Valley the light finally came on for me. It was Saturday night at the test sight and Melissa and I were having some beer and talking life's trials and tribulations. As we were engaging in this depressing conversation I noticed the attitude of "Ash" change from that happy go lucky nut job that she is to a concerned pup. It was obvious that she was concerned with my stress and it absolutely effected how she responded. At that point I truly understood what my breeder was telling me all along.

   So just remember that on test day clear your head, have fun, and remember that your dog can't count either.

   During this time be sure you remember that our dogs read us

   Shortly after our test last spring I had a phone conversation with "Ash"'s breeder. Along with giving him the results I was apologizing for letting him down. He then told me not to worry - it was most likely my fault because

Ivana on point!

Anita Weiss is our featured member of March.

Anita and Tango hanging out at the test.

   Anita has been a member since 1977 when she acquired her first German Short haired Pointer “Kaiser.” She was also the first woman in Southern California to successfully test and pass a dog with N.A.V.H.D.A.

   Over the years Anita has developed a great training program that puts her in the top rankings of versatile dog trainers. She always has time to help her fellow member with their training needs.

   Through her love and desire of GSP'S Anita has also developed a great breeding program that produces great dogs. Hunters from all over the country inquire about her breedings.

   Thank you Anita for your hard work and dedication to the sport we all love.

Available to Hunting home only!!!!!! Male GSP, Liver & White DOB-1/6/06 Extremely staunch on point @ 10 wk's. Strong hunting lines Sire is a M.H. N.A.V.H.D.A. N.A. prize.1, UT prize.1 Dam is a personal hunting dog that has been hunted on AZ Quail, Michigan Pheasant & Grouse. Both parents are available for viewing Garbonita Litters

   I like to use whistle to communicate with my dogs. I use the whistle to indicate a change of direction or to call them in to rest or water. An E collar plus beeper plus whistler. It's a system that works for a productive day in the bird field.

Upcoming Club Events

March 26-26, 2006 NA/UPT/UT test @ Orme/Dugas area.

April 9th Club Members training day @ a location yet to be determined.

   I've been hunting birds throughout the west for about 10 years now with versatile dogs, presently three GWP's.

   In my travels I've met and hunted with a good many bird hunters, most of whom talk too much while hunting. If there is one thing that spooks a quail, it's the human voice, especially the loud commands to the dogs.

   I strongly advocate silent hunting, no talking to the dogs while chasing birds.

   Let me tell you what works for me. FIRST conditioning. Don't expect you or your dogs to suddenly be ready on opening day....You both need at least six weeks of conditioning prior to the opener.

   Second: Steady up your dogs. They've been in the kennel and off birds for months. Pick up some quail they are still reasonably inexpensive and take the dogs and birds to your training grounds. It doesn't take long to steady up a previously trained dog. Judicious use of an E Collar and or a lead is all that is necessary. At a minimum you want your dog steady to shot. I like to begin the season steady to fall; knowing that the dog will sooner or later break on the shot. This is OK. When quail hunting, moving with the shot prevents loss of crippled birds.

Chuck with Katie & Tiger

Chuck with Stitch & Pooh

   The first cross of the Pudel and an English Pointer to establish the new breed took place in Germany in 1881. The sire was "Tell", an English Pointer belonging to Kaiser Frederick III, the dam was a German Hunting Pudel bitch "Molly", owned by Hegewald, a famous Teutonic author on the subject of hunting dogs. The idea behind this breeding was to combine the outstanding natural working abilities of the two great specialists in one dog: The intelligence, water love, retrieving instinct, easy trainability and willingness to please, wrapped into the protective coat of the Pudel with the unending desire to hunt, birdiness, pointing instinct, field nose and endurance of the English Pointer.

   The Pudelpointer in its home country Germany, has always ranked among the finest performers in tests and in the field, and is sought by those who enjoy and value a dog with desire and drive. The breed is medium sized, between 22 and 26 inches at the shoulder and weighs anywhere from 45 to 70 lbs. Pudelpointers are predominantly solid in color, from dark brown to the color of autumn leaves, and occasionally black. The ideal coat is harsh, wiry and dense.

   Sigbot, "Bodo" Winterhelt imported the first Pudelpointers into North America in 1956. His Winterhelle Kennel has been the foundation of the breed in the New World and gave birth to the Pudelpointer Club of North America in 1977 in Canada.
(continued below)

   A sound temperament, as well as a style pleasing to the eye, makes the Pudelpointer a great companion both in the field and the home. They take to training easily, despite their desire and drive. With the proper development and exposure, club pups are guaranteed for desire, nose, pointing instinct, love of water and trainability.

   The Grand Canyon Chapter deserves to be applauded at least three times this year: 1) for doing an excellent job in organizing the 2006 Annual Meeting, 2) for holding it in a place where the classic Mearns quail is "just down the road," and 3) for doing it in a year when Mearns staged a desperate comeback. Congratulations! Several members of the Large Munsterlander Club of North America (LMCNA) brought along dogs and guns and decided to combine the meeting with quail hunting. They came from Wisconsin (Mike Melotik, LMCNA president), Minnesota (Etta Bernu), Saskatchewan (Joe Schmutz), Oregon (Jeff Raymond) and Utah (John Staley, Bart Hanson and Andy Kyriadis). At different times we met with local members Scott Nelson and Randy Haines

   After the Annual Meeting we pooled rides and headed "down the road" past Tucson. We no doubt drove past scores of Gambels and scaled quail that time, as they occur over an area in the Southwest some five times larger than the Mearns’ range. Mearns are really a Mexican quail, where the bulk of their range is located. However, we were keen to chase Mearns as this quail holds so well for pointing dogs, the grass-pine-oak woodland where it occurs is spectacular and cacti are comparatively scarce in this high elevation evergreen forest.

   Between the drive to the Sierrita Mountains NW of Nogales, and scouting out some spots productive in years past, there was little time left for hunting on day one. Bart and Andy bagged two Gambels. The only excitement the rest of us had was my chasing a Javalina around a bend to nearly collide with John using the same game trail!

   Knowing that Mearns depend heavily on summer and winter rains and that rains can be spotty in these mountains, we moved on next day. We concentrated on Sycamore Canyon. Between the seven of us, we saw an estimated 50 flushes/re-flushes and bagged 10 Mearns in the remaining two days. Most of those birds had their bills filled with cotton and were protected in nylon
(continued below)

Pika with a Mearns Quail

   Since the meeting had taken up time, most of us bought only three-day licenses and headed home. Since I was driving, I was flexible and stopped to hunt with Drum Hadley and Rebecca West of the Guadalupe Ranch. We hunted a draw in a high and grassy inter mountain valley so close to Mexico, we could see traffic on Hwy 2. Drum’s dog Candy, nicknamed "Foxy Lady," and my Ruff found two coveys

Gambels quail courtesy of the Az. Game and fish

   We also worked a grassy patch of jumping cholla. The scalies bunched in the center as we walked around, doing what scalies do best, running. Once we broke up the party we had some nice dog work on singles. I blame my misses on the borrowed guns not fitting. Unable to bring mine into the U.S., I borrowed Randy’s Citori, Janice Staley’s Browning side-by-side and Drum’s Remington re-make of a Parker. Every one of my 4,700 mi round trip was worth it! Being a bird watcher of sorts I enjoyed watching a blackshouldered kite drifting lazily around us; a species

   Back home, the Okanagan Riesling tasted better than the Mearns and scalies. No matter though, the reflections triggered by every bite more than made up for quail bodies toughened in the cooler on a long trip home. We hope the rains keep coming and wish the quail well, perhaps to chase them again one day.

Scaled Quail courtesy of the Az. Game and fish

Lunch at Sycamore Canyon with Jeff Raymond, John Staley, Mike Melotik, Andy Kyriadis and Randy Haines. Dogs "Gus" and "Tycho."