The Official Publication of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Minnesota, Inc.

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1 The Official Publication of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Minnesota, Inc. Wow. Where did summer go? In a little more than a week the kids are back in school. Hunting season openers are just around the corner. Cooler temperatures like this weekend really gets me ready for fall and the pending hunting season. We have a brief testing/trial season during September. Try to get out and see the results of all the hard work that our club members have put into making a better trained hunting dog and companion. With September coming around the club will appoint a nominating committee to put together a ballot for the January 2009 meeting where we will elect a President, Vice-President, and three Board members. Please consider accepting a nomination if you are asked. The club is always looking for enthusiastic members to help lead the club into the future and take care of club business. Even if the committee doesn't tab you as a candidate and you are still interested in running, open nominations from the floor will be accepted at the November meeting. Please feel free to send in pictures and/or write-ups of any events that you go to or any hunting adventures that you have this fall. New Membership Applicants To be voted on at the November 11th Meeting JohAnna Christensen Buffalo, MN Nicholas & Alison Daleiden St. Michael, MN Wayne LaForge Maple Grove, MN Everyone have a safe and fun fall season! New Qualifications for the NGSPA 2009 National Championship (All-Age) Any previous winner or runner-up in an NGSPA or AF 1 hour Championship or a first place win in an NGSPA sanctioned All Age stake. Dog must be FDSB registered. The no crossover rule is still in effect.

2 2008 Officers: President: Chad Hines (320) Vice President: Dan Erickson (320) Treasurer: Chris Benskin (612) Secretary: Janelle Elfstrand (651) Board of Directors: Jodi Hines (320) Todd Piechowski (763) Karin Greeman (763) Bill Blanchard (763) Mark Liljedahl (651) Newsletter Information Advertising and Submission deadline is the 20th of the month for next month s edition. Advertising Rates: Business Card $2.50 per month 1/4 Page $5.00 per month 1/2 Page $10.00 per month Full Page $20.00 per month SCHEDULE OF GSPCMN EVENTS September 9 General Membership Meeting, Board Meeting to Follow 7:00 PM Kelly s, 63rd and Boone Ave Brooklyn Park, MN September 19-21, 2008 Fall Horseback Field Trial Solon Springs, WI Chris Benskin (612) November 11 General Membership Meeting, Board Meeting to Follow Details the same as September 9th Meeting January 6, 2009 Annual Membership Meeting/Elections, Board Meeting to follow. 7:00 PM Kelly s, 63rd and Boone Ave Brooklyn Park, MN April 18-19, 2009 Spring Hunt Test* Kelley Farms, Marine on St. Croix, MN Joni Liljedahl (651) May 1-3, 2009 Walking Field Trial* Kelley Farms, Marine on St. Croix, MN Chris Benskin (612) May 22-25, 2009 Spring Horseback Field Trial* FOUR BROOKS TRAINING PERMITS Required passes to train at the Four Brooks WMA, north of Milaca, are now available. Passes are good through December 31, To purchase, send a check payable to GSPCMN in the amount of $20.00, to Chris Benskin, Jivaro St NW, Oak Grove, MN Crow Hassan Park Reserve, Rogers, MN Dan Erickson (320) * Pending AKC Approval

3 Upcoming Area Events AKC FIELD TRIALS September 6-7 Minnesota Brittany Club, will offer an Amateur Walking Gun Dog stake Douglas County Bird Sanctuary, Solon Springs, WI Diane Hedstrom (763) September 13-14, St Croix Valley Brittany Club, WFT Four Brooks WMA, Milaca, MN Fran Marier (763) September 25-26, Twin Cities German Wirehaired Pointer Club Douglas County Bird Sanctuary, Solon Springs, WI Kathy Erickson (320) September 27-28, North Country Gordon Setter Club Douglas County Bird Sanctuary, Solon Springs, WI Becky Voss (763) October 13 -, GSPCA National Championships/Futurity Bechtel Ranch, Eureka, KS Kent Harter (847) AKC HUNT TESTS September 27-28, Northstar Weimaraner Club Rock Ridge Hunt Club, Bloomer, WI Stephanie Meyer (507) NAVHDA TESTS August 28-31, NAVHDA Invitational Kelley Farms, Marine on St. Croix, MN August 30-31, MN NAVHDA Chapter Four Brooks WMA, Milaca, MN NA Diane McClaskie (651) September 12-14, St. Croix Valley NAVHDA Chapter Kelley Farms, Marine on St. Croix, MN NA, UPT, UT Carey McMillan (715) APPLE TARRAGON GROUSE 2 tbl Flour 1 1/4 cup Apple cider 2 tbl Vegetable oil 1 tbl Honey 1 tsp Steak sauce 1/4 cup Sliced green onion 1/2 tsp Tarragon leaves 1/4 tsp Salt 1/8 tsp Freshly-ground black pepper 4 x Ruffed grouse breast halves skin removed 1 x Firm tart apple cored Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Shake flour in regular size (10 by 16 ) Reynolds Oven Bag; place in 9- by 9- by 2-inch baking pan. Add cider; mix to dissolve flour. Add remaining ingredients except grouse and apple; turn bag to mix. Cut apple into 4 rings. Add grouse to bag; top with apple rings. Close bag with nylon tie and make 6 halfinch slits in top. Cook 30 minutes or until meat tests done. Serve sauce over grouse and apples.

4 Spring Horseback Trial May 23-26,Crow Hassan Park Reserve Rogers, MN Submitted by Dan Erickson Well we had another great turn out for the spring trial. We started with 138 entries and ran 133. The weekend brought some new faces to Crow Hassan and return of a couple who had not been there in a few years. We had beautiful weather and a storm that hit on Sunday that went on to hit Hugo. Thanks to the committee for all their hard work. Chris Benskin and Clark Linn for tending to the grill. Mary Wiener and Clark Linn s boys for handling dog wagon, and a big thanks to the judges for their time. Open All-Age Ret W Wiener K Jahr (14 Starters) (1 Pointer, 1 Set-Eng, 1 Vizs, 4 Pntr- GW, 7 Pntr-GS) 1 st (3 pts) NFC DC Backwoods Sure Shot Marley, German Wirehaired Pointer H Shelley/G Dixon 2nd K-Hawk's Live Wire, German Shorthaired Pointer D Walters 3rd NFC FC Backwoods Longshot, German Wirehaired Pointer E Kalmes/T Avent/G Dixon Open Limited Gun Dog Non-Ret D Voss T Piechowski (28 Starters) (1 Set-Eng, 1 Set-Gord, 3 Pointer, 5 Pntr- GW, 5 Vizs, 13 Pntr-GS) 1 st (5 pts) FC Cobbs Golden Kernal, Gordon Setter P Jaeger/L Sanders 2 nd (2 pts) FC Duke Von Hillfire, German Shorthaired Pointer W LODES 3rd FC Cebourns High Roll-N-Angel, German Shorthaired Pointer T Zick/E Zick 4th FC Ace's Sin City Redemption, German Shorthaired Pointer H Burbach Open Gun Dog Ret D Voss K Jahr (29 Starters) (1 Brit, 1 Set-Gord, 1 Set-Irsh, 2 Pointer, 2 Set-Eng, 4 Pntr-GW, 4 Vizs, 14 Pntr-GS) 1 st (5 pts) Caden's Bode On The Run Von Rostig, German Shorthaired Pointer T Hetherington 2 nd (2 pts) Schuster's All Max'D Out JH, German Shorthaired Pointer R Schuster 3rd Withheld, 4th Withheld, Open Derby C Benskin T Piechowski (16 Starters) (1 Pointer, 1 Vizs, 4 Set-Eng, 10 Pntr-GS) 1 st (3 pts) Mavericks Once Ina Blu Moon, German Shorthaired Pointer A Niska-Linn/C Linn 2nd Old School Attitude, Pointer J Martin 3rd Shiloh's Enforcer, Vizsla J Ritenour 4th Coldcreek Sin City Ella, German Shorthaired Pointer I MacTavish/T Olson Open Puppy W Wiener D M Koslowski (26 Starters) (1 Pntr-GW, 3 Set-Eng, 3 Weim, 4 Vizs, 15 Pntr-GS) 1 st (5 pts) Armbrusts On-Point Ole, German Shorthaired Pointer O Armbrust 2 nd (2 pts) Coldcreek Buckshot, German Shorthaired Pointer O Williams 3rd Saddletramps Pink Cadillac JH, German Shorthaired Pointer C Denham 4th Coldcreek Sin City Ella, German Shorthaired Pointer I MacTavish/T Olson Amateur Gun Dog Ret C Benskin W Wiener (20 Starters) (1 Brit, 1 Pntr-GW, 1 Pointer, 2 Set-Eng, 2 Vizs, 2 Set-Gord, 11 Pntr-GS) 1st FC Shirley's Gift, Pointer K Jahr/V Jahr (4 pts) 2nd NAGDC FC AFC Prairies Edge Tippy, German Shorthaired Pointer P Vande Hei (2 pts) 3rd FC Wynd Dancer Tenasscity, Gordon Setter B Voss/D Voss 4th Withheld,

5 Handling the Retrieve by Mark Powell Retrieving stakes are always exciting, sometimes too exciting for the handler whose dog is called back for a retrieve. While most clubs will specify in the premium list that the retrieve is to be on call back only, some will have retrieving in the birdfield for all dogs and some even have retrieving all the way around the course. How you handle the retrieve can keep your dog in the placements, or even move it into the placements. Tip #1: Try to be in the direct line between the flushing bird and your dog on the shot. Look directly at your dog on the flush. Your position between the dog and the flushing (and hopefully soon falling) bird acts as a barricade to the dog, inhibiting your dog from breaking on the shot. Any eye contact you can make with your dog before and during the flush should help your dog choose to remain set up. You cannot always get the bird to fly the direction you want, but this really helps keep your dog from any tendency to break on shot. Tip #2: After the bird falls, move out of the direct line between the dog and bird. You do not want your dog to have to move around you to get to the bird, or have trouble locating the bird. You do not want to be an intimidating presence on the actual retrieve. Tip #3: Let the first word out of your mouth after the shot be the retrieve command. Most dogs will hear that command regardless of what you say. So if your command to retrieve is the first word you utter, then everything works out well. If you show off, and ask the judges to send your dog, your dog may embarrass you. Tip #4: Use a directional hand signal when you issue the command to retrieve. Getting your dog used to such a directional hand signal amplifies the command to retrieve, and can be used to remind your dog to retrieve. Tip #5: If your dog has some trouble locating the bird, help with directional hand signals. If you use a directional hand signal on the retrieve command, when you use it to help your dog find the bird you in effect reissue the command. Of course, you should not reinforce the command verbally if you can avoid it. Tip #6: Don't move from the spot where you issued the initial retrieve command until the retrieve is complete. Any movement either towards the dog or bird can easily be interpreted by the judge as a lack of retrieving training and intimidation of the dog. Tip #7: When you take the bird from your dog, maintain control of your dog. A finished dog will not return to hunting until you direct it to do so. Plus, the direction the dog might choose to go hunt might not be the direction of the course. Tip #8: Hand the retrieved bird to the gunners. Often the judge will want to look at the bird to see if your dog was tendermouthed. Let the gunners hand the bird to the judges, you need to get your dog back finding more birds if this is not a recall. You and your dog can look really classy and finished on the retrieve, or look very sloppy. I have changed my mind as a judge on placements as a result of a recalled retrieve numerous times, placing the dog (and handler) with the better retrieve over a dog with a better race and more birds and sloppy and yet passable retrieve. Have fun and good luck at your next trial! Reprinted with permission from the Pointing Breed Sports in the Field Internet World Wide Web pages ( attwater/pbsports), sponsored by Attwater Publishing. Attwater Publishing is the proud publisher of QUALIFY! A Guide to Successful Handling in AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Tests by Mark Powell, available for $21.90 including first class shipping and handling (Idaho orders must include 85 state sales tax),

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9 Bedrock Qualities Over A Century Of Bird Dog Field Trialing: Intelligence, Strength and Courage by Frank LaNasa Our experiences in life in general and with bird dogs in particular form our opinions regarding how we pursue, develop, display and analyze bird dog performance. Our collective gravitation to the great American sport of Field Trialing has taken many different roads with a vast array of experiences, opinions and visions. The subjective interpretation of bird dog performance has been applauded as the sports strength, as well as cursed as its weakness. Often the focus has moved from one superficial preference to another over the span of a century. Traditional performance standards work to hold constant that which outside forces steadily and assuredly pressure. Rather than maintaining a constant, class and style have been defined in the eye of the beholder leaving them open to various interpretations. An analytical review of a thousand American Field newspapers would expose those interpretations in an array of colorful reports throughout the 20th century. But in the end that monumental effort would only be a diversion from the focus of what is certainly in the genetic bedrock of Stud Book All Age Champions through the ages the truly enduring qualities of intelligence, strength and courage. Similar to admiring monumental classic buildings in all their awe and magnificence, what we don t see at first the underground structure critical to the splendor above will ultimately determine whether this beauty will transcend time or collapse under its own weight, quickly loosing its appeal. As definitions, I use class to mean how the dog goes about his work while style is how he looks doing his work. All Age tradition tells us that more range requires increased intelligence, strength and courage to sustain the performer s class and style for the heat s full duration. Traditionally if given an hour, the good handlers have used their developing and displaying skills to exhibit their charges intelligence, strength and courage by managing and displaying range in many challenging, thrilling and productive ways. Like range, a test of extraordinary stamina for more then an hour draws deep on these same genetic qualities in order for the dog to sustain class and style over an extended period of time. In endurance stakes these same handlers strategies may change; less than one might think when the dog possesses great intelligence, strength and courage; more than one might care to undertake when lacking any one of these qualities. While the dog s class and style in his pursuit, handling and presentation of birds are readily and immediately visible to the eye, intelligence, strength and courage lie hidden like bedrock within. The dog s true quality or lack thereof is only apparent in reviewing the entire performance. Time has shown that range and stakes of long duration are indiscriminate in their insatiable appetite for these three critical genetic qualities, and both tests provide a meaningful way to distinguish between dogs whose genetic foundations have cracks and those whose run deep and true.

10 Individual Membership $25.00 Family Membership $30.00 German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Minnesota 2008/2009 Membership Application Name: Spouse Name: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Home Phone: Work Phone: Information: How many dogs do you currently own? What Breeds? Do you breed dogs? (Yes/No) If yes, how many litters do you have per year? If yes, what health clearances do you run on your dogs prior to breeding? Are you a member of any other breed club? ( Yes/No) Have you ever been suspended or expelled from another breed club? ( Yes/No) If you answered yes to the last question, explain the circumstances using an additional sheet of paper. Have you ever been suspended or fined by the American Kennel Club, Inc.? ( Yes/No) If you answered yes to the last question, explain the circumstances using an additional sheet of paper. What activities do you participate with your dog (s) in, circle all that apply. Hunting AKC Hunt Tests Field Trials Conformation Obedience Agility Would you be interested in helping at any club sponsored events? Circle all the apply. Specialty Show Hunt Tests Field Trials Awards Banquet Fun Days Novelties Newsletter Game Fair I agree to abide by all Club by-laws and breeding guidelines. I also certify that I/we are in good standing with the AKC. If either of these conditions are violated you may be suspended of removed from The German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Minnesota, Inc. Signature Date Please fill out and return with dues to: Chris Benskin Treasurer GSPC of MN Jivaro St Oak Grove, MN

11 German Shorthaired Pointer Club of MN Newsletter Editor Chris Benskin Jivaro St NW Oak Grove, MN Be sure to check our website for more information at