VERSATILE HUNTING DOG A Publication of The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association • Volume XLVIII • No. 11 • November 2017 HANDLING IN THE FIELD IF SOMEONE TOLD YOU THAT OF THE TOP 100 SPORTING DOGS* EAT THE SAME BRAND OF FOOD Would you ask what it is? HELPS OPTIMIZE 30% PROTEIN / SUPPORTS HELPS KEEP OXYGEN METABOLISM 20% FAT IMMUNE SKIN & COAT FOR INCREASED HELPS MAINTAIN SYSTEM IN EXCELLENT ENDURANCE LEAN MUSCLE HEALTH CONDITION proplansport.com SOLD EXCLUSIVELY AT PET SPECIALTY RETAILERS *Based on 2016 National, World & Invitational Champions and Purina Award Winners. The handler or owner of these champions may have received Pro Plan dog food as Purina ambassadors. Purina trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Printed in USA. CheckMark Communication Versatile Hunting Dog 1111 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63102 JOB# 083685 OK WITH DATE PRINTING CMYK August 2017 APPROVALS REVISION PROCESS BRAND Director Design OFFSET Ad code: NPPL16FFTBSB1-REV1 Breeder Art Director PROJECT Copywriter FLEXO Ad size: 8-1/4”W x 10-1/2”D + Bleed Versatile Hunting Dog Prod. Designer ROTO SIZE Proofreader 8.25 x 10.5 Acct. Director OTHER LAST MODIFIED Acct. Coordinator 06 21 17 Client NUMBER FILE CREATED BY FINAL OK OF COLORS J Camp NOTE: Although this artwork has been checked for accuracy, 4 MODIFIED BY final approval is the client's responsibility. Please double check before signing o. VERSATILE HUNTING DOG NAVHDA International Volume XLVIII • No. 11 • November 2017 Officers & Directors David A. Trahan President Bob Hauser Vice President Steve J. Greger Secretary Richard Holt Treasurer Chip Bonde Director of Judge Development Jason Wade Director of Promotions FEATURES Tim Clark Director of Testing Tim Otto Director of Publications Steve Brodeur Registrar 4 On The Right Track: Handling In The Field • by Tim Otto Tracey Nelson Invitational Director Marilyn Vetter Past President 8 Joe Wolak Memorial Youth Hunt • by Stephen Johns Versatile Hunting Dog Publication Staff 11 A Few Ideas For Gun Safety • by Nancy Anisfield Mary K. Burpee Editor/Publisher Erin Kossan Copy Editor Sandra Downey Copy Editor 14 Drake’s Big Day • by Justin Mann Rachael McAden Copy Editor Patti Carter Contributing Editor Dr. Lisa Boyer Contributing Editor Nancy Anisfield Contributing Editor/Photographer Philippe Roca Contributing Editor/Photographer Wight Greger Women’s Editor 8 Dennis Normile Food Editor Maria Bondi Advertising Coordinator David Nordquist Webmaster Advertising Information DEPARTMENTS Copy deadline: 45 days prior to the month of President’s Message • 2 publication. Commercial rates available upon request. All inquiries or requests for advertising should be The Mailbox • 12 addressed to: Spotlight Dog • 13 NAVHDA PO Box 520 Ask Doctor Boyer • 16 Arlington Heights, IL 60006 Voice 847/253/6488 • Fax 847/255/5987 Full Circle Fare • 18 Email [email protected] Tips From Purina • 19 Web www.navhda.org The Forum • 20 See our web site or call for current rates. Kennel Registrations • 20 Please submit all articles for and questions pertaining Classifieds • 21 to the VHD to [email protected], with ATTN VHD Editor in the subject line or by mail via the postal service NAVHDA Test Results • 22 to NAVHDA, PO Box 520, Arlington Heights, IL 60006. Calendar Of Events • 28 © 2017 The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, Inc.• All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association does not discrim- inate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, 14 sexual orientation or age in its programs, activities, or in its hiring and employment practices. The Versatile Hunting Dog is published monthly and is the official publica- tion of The North Amercian Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA), a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to fostering, improving, promoting and protecting the versatile hunting dog in North America and to the conservation of all game. The basic annual membership dues are $60 (US Funds.) Membership benefits include a monthly subscription to the Versatile Hunting Dog mag- azine, decal, participation in all NAVHDA events (at membership discount rates) and full voting privileges. All contributions are tax-deductible. A copy of NAVHDA’s most recent financial report can be obtained by contacting: NAVHDA, 120 W. Eastman St, Arlington Heights, IL 60006- 5950. The Versatile Hunting Dog reserves the right to reasonably edit or refuse all material (including advertising) submitted for publication. Articles or opinions herein expressed are not necessarily those of the publication TM staff or of The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, Inc., its officers or Directors. The material contained in this publication is intended to provide accu- rate and authoritative information on the subject covered. By their nature, the articles and columns contained herein cannot provide the complete and detailed guidance required by every individual in every situation. The material is thereby offered with the proviso that it is not the intent of the publisher, the editors, or the authors to render professional counsel on the matter covered and said person(s) cannot be held liable for any use thereof. If specific assistance is required, the services of an expert authority should be sought. The Versatile Dog denotes that this feature or story is an original article by a NAVHDA member. The Versatile Hunting Dog magazine (USPS number 016-491, ISSN: 1099-0577) is published monthly for $60.00 per year by the North Amer- ican Versatile Hunting Dog Association, 120 W. Eastman #302, Arlington Hts, IL 60004-5950. Periodical postage paid at Arlington Hts, IL and addi- Visit the Versatile Hunting Dog magazine online at tional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NAVHDA, PONovember Box 520, Arlington 2017 Hts, IL 60006-0520. Versatile Hunting Dog • www.navhda.orgwww.navhda.org 1 President’s Message By Dave Trahan Deerfield, New Hampshire Our Mission Together e are very fortunate to have the support of companies owned by Terry Wilson sells the best hunting apparel and who believe in NAVHDA’s mission. Our sponsors dog training equipment. Terry, along with his wife Nancy, Wnot only support us financially, but also give gifts and started our Youth Program with a big bang. Dakota 283 items for our events. Many of these companies also support has been a sponsor for one year, and they wish to continue the NAVHDA main office in other ways, such as paying for the for another year, offers an exclusive discount program for printing of cards and making up our brochures. Please always NAVHDA members. keep Purina Pro Plan, Ugly Dog Hunting, Garmin/Tri-Tronics Last but not least I must mention our conservation groups, and our new sponsor, Dakota 283, in mind. Dakota 283 offers an the Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society and exclusive discount program for NAVHDA members. Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever. They are the ones who pro- When you see better, Our judges, at every event, talk about our sponsors and tect, preserve and enhance the habitat we need to ensure our encourage members to try their products out. I have been hunting tradition will continue. If you do not belong to these you hunt better. feeding Purina Pro Plan for some twenty years and I still organizations, I put out the challenge to join one or both. feed it to this day. Garmin/Tri-Tronics is the number one e-col- The holidays will be here soon – a great time for families to lar and GPS company around. They give discount coupons for get together to enjoy a family hunt along with good food and our events, and they also support the office. Ugly Dog Hunting memorable times together. I wish you all a very Happy Holidays. HuntView maps for Astro® dog tracking systems now cover more states. Get exclusive BirdsEye Satellite Imagery and TOPO U.S. 24k mapping with more detail, including public/private land 2017 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries © boundaries for 32 states and more. 2 Versatile Hunting Dog • www.navhda.org November 2017 17-MCJT3747 HuntView Upland Ad-8.25x10.5-NAVHDA.indd 1 3/16/17 8:25 AM When you see better, you hunt better. HuntView maps for Astro® dog tracking systems now cover more states. Get exclusive BirdsEye Satellite Imagery and TOPO U.S. 24k mapping with more detail, including public/private land 2017 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries © boundaries for 32 states and more. November 2017 Versatile Hunting Dog • www.navhda.org 3 17-MCJT3747 HuntView Upland Ad-8.25x10.5-NAVHDA.indd 1 3/16/17 8:25 AM About The Cover By Tim Otto Flemington, New Jersey ON THE Cover Photo By Jay Hoth RIGHT TRACK Handling In The Field At the beginning of my field sequence the judges told me to handle my dog like I normally would, but then during the test sometimes they asked Q: me to call my dog around (when I normally wouldn’t) and other times asked me not to call him (when I normally would). What gives? Why was I asked not to give my dog a “whoa” command when he was clearly “getting birdy?” I didn’t want him to go in and catch the bird. Several other handlers told me that I would be penalized for calling my dog during the NA test. Is that true? Why might the judges ask you to call your dog around? There are many reasons why, but, in my experience, one of the most common reasons is to get your dog out of potential trouble. For example, Iate in the day, the previously flushed but unshot birds Knowing when you should give your dog com- often congregate in woods adjacent to the field where you’re mands in the field during testing can be con- testing; if judges see your dog going into an area they know is fusing.