WEBLOG

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

NAVHDA YOUTH DRIVE

Ryah and her Griff Kruz

Phil Swain, the Northwest Regional Representative for NAVHDA's Executive Council, has contacted the chapter and asked to make us aware of current Youth Membership Drive at the International level, as well as inform us on the fundraising efforts on its behalf. As Youth Participation is a Sharptail Chapter priority, we should discuss how we can participate in this effort in a meaningful way...........Below is the info Phil has provided:

Hi to all,

Please make sure the following information makes it on to your web sites and into your newsletters. Although many of us have already had our annual meeting for the year, I highly recommend you print up the following message from NAVHDA leadership and have copies available at your training days or other chapter activities. Some chapters who have a little extra cash in the treasury could really help this program by making a cash donation to the Youth program in NAVHDA. These youngsters are the future in keeping an activity we all love alive and growing.

Thanks, Phil

Donations for Junior Member Welcome Packet

We are all aware of the declining number of new hunters over the past decade or so. Many

conservation organizations have taken steps to increase the number of youth hunters, and NAVHDA is no exception. NAVHDA has a special membership option for youngsters, the Junior (or youth) membership. We are very proud to say that over that past two years our Junior membership has increased by 65%! NAVHDA leadership believes this increase in membership is due, in large part, to the Youth issue of the Versatile Hunting Dog magazine (VHD). This issue, produced annually, is one of the magazines largest issues. The Youth issue features articles and pictures provided, almost exclusively, by Youth members.

The success of the Youth issue has been very encouraging and NAVHDA leadership wants to facilitate even more growth. Therefore, the August Youth issue will contain conservation, hunting, safety and dog‐geared crossword puzzles, word find and other features that will be youth oriented. Additionally, the VHD is focusing on incorporating these types of Youth‐focused segments once per quarter rather than once per year.

Two years ago NAVHDA began giving all new Junior members a welcome packet. Sponsors and other interested members have given products, such as leashes, water bottles, training dummies, collars, books, dog care items, whistles, lanyards, hats, and so on for the welcome gift. Additionally, NAVHDA gives each new junior member a T‐shirt. The program has been so successful that it’s been a challenge to keep enough items in stock to give a robust welcome pack.

We are asking our chapters and general membership to help support our Youth members and youth membership drive. If you cannot donate an item (s), you can provide funds in the form of a check and the Central Office will purchase items on your behalf. Checks for the Youth Membership drive should include that as a memo note on the check and will be exclusively used towards purchasing items for the Welcome Packets.

This investment in encouraging Youth to join NAVHDA will, we believe, will help build a strong foundation for a long‐term commitment to NAVHDA and hunting. Creating positive, welcoming, first impressions you and your chapter can foster will last a life‐time. NAVHDA leadership is asking all chapters or individual members to submit donations to support the Youth membership program. Chapters and members may submit money or items appropriate for our youngest members. Please join us in saying to these young people “Welcome to NAVHDA.”

All donations should be sent to the Central Office and noted “For Youth Welcome Packet.” Your leadership is counting on your support.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Alexis & Vesper @ Christmas

NATURAL ABILITY SEMINARS

We will be hosting 2 "Natural Ability Test Seminars" during the month of March. Count on at least 4 hours, with the intent of the seminars to get handlers acquainted with the test format and expectations - as well as provide a "heads-up" in terms of how you can proceed in readying you and your dog as a team during the coming months. Bring a lunch....You are welcome to bring a dog (and we may use it for a demonstration) but it is not necessary for either event. The emphasis will not be on training or getting dogs on the ground......The emphasis will be on spending time as a group, sharing insights and walking through the test. John Arkins and Tom Healy have developed an "Outline" for the seminar....posted below.......Please feel free to post to the weblog, or email either John or Tom with other ideas to add...............

Sunday, March 18 - 10:00 am at Girtman's in Vaughn (outside of Great Falls) (see directions link in "The Library" on the right portion of this page.)

Saturday, March 24 - 10:00 am at Arkins in Laurel (outside of Billings)
Directions from John are forthcoming.

There will be no "fee" associated with the events, although everyone must be a new member or have their 2012 Memberships renewed before participation.

We will offer a similar "Utility and Utility Prep" Seminar in Whitefish in April or May.

Any and all Chapter members are encouraged to attend any of the seminars, whether running a dog or not. Our regular training camps will "hold true to our mission" and have plenty of opportunity for folks who want to emphasize "training for hunting" and not for testing. As discussed during our Annual Meeting, we will also schedule specific short seminars during each training camps....ie: Lining Drills, Stop to Flush, e-Collar Training, Launcher Use, Hold & Force Fetch, Honoring (Backing), etc..............

PLEASE RSVP at: montanasharptail@gmail.com if you plan on attending either event.

Stay Tuned.

NATURAL ABILITY SEMINARS

MONTANA SHARPTAIL CHAPTER

The NAVHDA Natural Ability (NA) Test Seminar

What to expect and how to prepare.

NA test overview-

-Purpose

The 3 “Practical” parts of the NA Test: (not necessarily in this order)

1.)Field

2.)Tracking

3.)Water work

Other:) Gun Sensitivity and Physical Attributes

-Scoring and Understanding the “Scoresheet” (Scoresheet Provided)

-What the judges are looking for

-Why Test?

Conditioning and exposure - preparing for the test- Views and tips from those that have tested

-When and how to start (Formal and Informal Training)

-Proper Gun Introduction

-Understanding “Cooperation” and developing a “Cooperative Dog”

-Building “Desire,” “Search” and “Use of Nose.”

-Field work

-Tracking tips

-Introduction to water

-Handler prep and skills (when to “handle” your dog, and why “less can be more”.)

-Dog and Handler - Confidence in each other and development of a good “Field Relationship”

-Preparing for the “Physical Attributes” Portion of the Test

-The “Big Day” – What to expect on Test Day

-Resources to help you get ready

Saturday, January 14, 2012

ANNUAL MEETING - 2012

The Annual Meeting for the Montana Sharptail Chapter will be on Sunday, February 12 at 1:00.
The meeting will be held at the Meadowlark Country Club in Great Falls, MT. The meeting is open to anyone interested....Thanks and hope to see you there.

Directions: http://www.mapquest.com/?hk=nYoVR4&icid=embed_viewLargerMap

Inquiries: montanasharptail@gmail.com

Monday, January 2, 2012

JANUARY 2012 NEWSLETTER

Bruno and the Ultimate Upland Hunting Vehicle - Owned by George and Celeste Mclean

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope the new year finds everyone with sore feet, content dogs and a full freezer. I know some folks are still chasing roosters in Kansas or Chukars on some western rimrock…..(I’ve got at least one more trip in the works….if I could only get a dog to “come into season” …..as the trip pivots around a “rendezvous” with a particular dog in Oregon.)

2011 was a great “Launch Year” for the Montana Sharptail Chapter – As I’ve visited with several folks around the chapter, it seems as though last year will be the perfect stepping stone to an even better 2012. Highlights from last year include:

*A new chapter that grew to more than 70 members

*4 Registered Youth Members

*16 Training Days at 4 different venues around the state of Montana

*4 Days of NAVHDA testing at 2 phenomenal sites

*An unparalleled and selfless “Volunteer Ethic”

As we look to the future of the Chapter, it is key that we continue to define and refine our mission, and continue in a direction that not only meets the objectives of NAVHDA International, but insures the chapter is an asset to each Sharptail Chapter Member and their dogs. As we head toward an “Annual Meeting,” hopefully everyone has a chance to consider the objectives of the chapter and how we move forward. I’ve had some great input from Chapter Members and Board Members throughout the year….To summarize, I’d say our “Informal Mission Statement” is pretty simple and straightforward…..something akin to:

“The Montana Sharptail NAVHDA Chapter Exists to Promote a

Lifelong Love of Versatile Hunting Dogs”

When we founded the chapter less than a year ago we prioritized the following basic tenets:

*Care of individual dogs and stewardship of versatile breeds is a chapter priority

*Training in the Chapter will focus on continued training for hunting…..not just testing

*Youth Membership is free as long as each youth member has an adult member ‘sponsor’

*Youth Handlers pay 50% Test Fees

Training Camps ran smoothly as our main objective was to not train individual dogs, but collectively become better dog trainers…..As a result, we were able to run several venues within a training day and folks jumped in and adopted an attitude not of “when does MY dog get to go?” ….but rather…“Let’s get YOUR dog on the ground.”

Our 4 Test Days went flawlessly as we had a great team of Judges and a model volunteer effort. The food was delicious and plentiful. A huge thanks of course goes to our hosts…….The Girtmans for our June test, and the Dooling Ranch for our August test. Both sites are outstanding and we are grateful for their use.

“NATURAL ABILITY” Tests and/or training for them are frequently a new member’s first (and frequently their only) contact with NAVHDA. If we continue to focus on quality events and continued training for not just “Testing” but for “The Hunt” as well, we should have no problem continuing to thrive as a chapter.

I’ll be working with other Board Members to put a date and place on the calendar in the coming month for our Annual Meeting. Chapter resources include a positive balance in the checking account and the generous contribution of a Higgins Release with a Dogtra Receiver and Multi-Release Transmitter from the family of ‘Bruno the WonderGriff.’ As we look to the coming year, expanding those resources will be a priority in order to serve a growing and enthusiastic membership……

….For now, here’s to Happy, Healthy, Well Cared-for and Well-Trained Versatile dogs with owners that have a proud grin between their ears………HAPPY 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

TRAINING DATES

The Following Training Camps are now on the calendar:
We will have Pigeons, Chukars, Ducks and Pheasants available at both training events. Fees for birds and Mock Tests will be forthcoming shortly, although we'll keep our "Use Fees" at $20.00 plus birds for one day and $30.00 plus birds for 2 days..........Please rsvp to montanasharptail@gmail.com for either event, and feel free to call Tom with questions....406-212-0602

July 30 & 31 - Whitefish, MT
State Land Recreational Land Use Permit required (Whitefish Training Only)
http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/permits/stateLandUse.html
PLEASE make sure you get one (or at least download your receipt and bring it with you)
These are also available anywhere you get your Hunting or Fishing License.
Contrary to popular belief, you are NOT covered by your Hunting or Fishing License. Dog Training is considered a "Recreational Use" - These are 10.00 apiece or 20.00 for a family.

August 13 & 14 - THE BIG HOLE - Jackson, MT

We will be training at the August Test Grounds........A "Mock Test" for NA will be available on Saturday and UT and UPT on Sunday. More info on Directions, etc coming soon..........