june from our prez calendar Black flies, mosquitos and ticks welcomed us all at the past two spring clinics. Be careful: check yourself and your dogs frequently after outside activities. Skunks, foxes and porcupines are out and about this time of year as well. Skunks: be sure to have hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap on hand. Porcupines: when training, always carry forceps, just in case. If it s bad, phone friends for help. Just recently at our training classes, we had a couple of road kill porcupines to avoidance train our dogs with. We are all crossing fingers, as these are very potentially dangerous creatures!!! Wild animals can carry rabies, mange and other diseases. If your dog is voraciously itching, rear leg thumping, it s time for your vet to do a skin scraping and check for mites. You know your pet better than anyone. If they are off, get them checked out by a vet. Pre-Test Training Clinic June 4 Dresden, Maine Test Prep Workshop June 5 Brunswick, Maine Yankee Test Weekend June 10-12 Dresden, Maine OK, now that I have your attention, it s Spring Test time! Between the four area chapters, there will be lots of dogs tested and even more being trained. At our events this spring, I have met many new versatile dog owners and welcomed them to the club. Their feedback is very valuable and keeps us producing well run, educational events. Always feel free to talk to me anytime. Thank you so much to our hard working chapter members that make it all happen. Green Point is an amazing place to train! Please step forward and offer your help at the Pre-Test Clinic Saturday. Speaking of the Pre-Test Clinic, it s just what we call it! Everyone is welcome and everyone will get to train their dogs! We will be sure that those testing get to do all the drills they need. Nancy has filled these pages with tons of info about our upcoming events, so pay close attention! I am so glad to have her keeping an eye on these details. The Test Prep Workshop is a Yankee Chapter / Nancy Anisfield masterpiece. Please join fellow members and a panel of experts, here at Merrymeeting Kennels for an interactive talk on what to expect being a handler in a NAVHDA Test. See info page 4. The NAVHDA Apprentice Hunter Program details are falling into place. A Maine Game Warden, RGS Biologist, Veterinarian, IFW Biologist, Varney s Clay Sports, EMT, Cooks and others are ready to make this a terrific program. Please pass along details about the camp to those special kids and their families that may be interested. We still have a few special openings. Lastly, so very sorry we have so many members this month saying goodbye to their four legged hunting companions. I hug my dogs closer, tighter. Cherish every moment... -- Patti Gun Raffle: I only have 30 tickets left to sell. For those of you holding sold and unsold tickets, please turn them in ASAP. Thanks to so many for selling tickets and good luck with the raffle. Huge thanks to Terry Wilson for his continued generosity to the Yankee Chapter. The raffle will be drawn on Saturday of test weekend. visit us on facebook and at yankeenavhda.org. -- page 1 --
chapter news welcome new member! Elise Wright, Lamberville, NJ kenny king/bob bisson fund thank you donors! Al Watson Mark Thomsen Elise Wright treasurer s report At the Vermont Clinic, we sold 28 Gun Raffle tickets. A few Yankee Chapter members renewed their membership. We made $190 on the lunchtime raffle and $180 from the sale of birds. The Vermont Clinic isn t specifically a NAVHDA event. It is put on by Ugly Dog Hunting with help from Yankee volunteers, so Ugly Dog donates the raffle and bird money to Yankee as a way of saying thank you for our help. The balance in the checkbook is currently $12,855.44. The balance in the KK/BB fund is $7186.33. We had a special raffle at our May 14th clinic. Bill Collins donated a bird crate that went to Joe Wadleigh who was the highest bidder of $38. The KK/BB also had a collapsible dog crate donated by Paul Brouha. Dani Friend was the high bidder of $50. A pair of knives also brought in another $20 for the KK/BB fund. yankee calendar JUNE 4 Pre-Test Clinic, Dresden, ME 5 Test Prep Workshop, Brunswick, ME 10-12 Spring Test, Dresden, ME JULY 16 Water Clinic, Bowdoinham, ME 20-24 NAVHDA Apprentice Hunter Program Camp AUGUST 13 Dean Croxford Memorial Shoot, Varney s Clay Sports 14 rain date for Dean Croxford Memorial Shoot 27 Pre-Test Clinic, Bowdoinham, ME SEPTEMBER 9-11 Fall Test, Bowdoinham, ME 15-18 NAVHDA Invitational, Grinnell, IA Bob s Drive Thru Burgers -- Yankee Chapter Catering at its best! FOOD FOOD FOOD We keep asking for someone to step up and help organize food for our clinics and test days, but no one has responded. Please don t take the Tracy s and Brey s hard work for granted! Every event, the Tracy s grocery shop, pack coolers and haul all the paper supplies, burgers, dogs, buns, condiments, chips, etc. The Brey s -- who clean and haul the equipment trailer -- also bring the coffee pots, coffee, etc. Be sure to give Cindy, Bill, Bob and Debbie a big thank you! Even though they ve been doing this for years, when no one stepped up to take over the job, they ve continued to make sure Yankee members have their morning coffee and lunch. That being said, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BRING A SIDE DISH OR DESSERT to the Pre-Test Clinic and on Saturday and Sunday Test Days! Don t just belly up to the buffet -- CONTRIBUTE!! Winner to be drawn on Saturday, June11th!! -- page 2 --
member news Spencer Fuller recently said goodbye to his search and rescue dog Moxie. Many Yankee members have seen Moxie s terrific rescue demo s -- he was highly skilled at his work. Our thoughts are with Spencer. Gus Ellinthorpe and friend helped out at the DK training clinic last month. Misi Knutson was interviewed by The Times Record on her work as the Androscoggin Bank s commercial loan officer for the Midcoast region. Way to go, Misi! Condolences also to Nick and Julie Racioppi for the loss of Bella (above photo). Nick writes, I will always miss my lovely little Bella Bush, but will always be able to hold onto the great memories she gave to us. No other dog will ever take her place although they may have a spot next to her in Nick and Julie s hearts. Seeing this puppy photo of Emmy in the recent VHD magazine, Eileen Facenda sent us the shot on the right for a great then and now comparison. Jacquie Kuritzky and Bling have requalified for the 2017 Invitational in Ohio. Congratulations to both of them for a great job! It was with great sadness, too, that Amanda Dyer and Justin Dodge said goodbye to Jack, their wonderful Prize 1 204 GSP, who suffered from complications after an accident. Jack will be terribly missed and lovingly remembered. Congrats to new Yankee member Aiden Coffin who was awarded a plaque from the Maine Bowhunters Association for the largest bear of 2015. Patti and Blaine Carter enjoyed a mid-may snowball fight in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they d travelled for Patti s nephew Jacob s wedding. Watch upcoming issues of Versatile Hunting Dog magazine for Jason Carter s article on Pheasants Forever s Focus on Forever train the trainer event. Jason and David Trahan, (along with NAVHDA members from other chapters) particpated in this youth events training workshop, learning all sorts of ideas for getting kids involved in hunting and conservation, and presenting to Pheasant Forever chapter members how to work with youth and hunting dogs. Congratulations to Blaine Carter who received his official pin and certificate for joining the Ruffed Grouse Society Doubles Club! -- page 3 --
pre-test training clinic - saturday june 4th -- green point wma, dresden The clinic starts at 9:00 a.m. Testing dogs will get priority on the sign-up lists for water and field, but there will be plenty of time for other dogs to train as well. Everyone is welcome! Even if you re not testing a dog this year, the clinic is a great way to give your favorite hunting partner a tune-up on his or her skills in the field or water. At noon a BBQ lunch will be served, and, again, PLEASE bring a side dish, salad or dessert to donate -- handlers and helpers get mighty hungry on these long training days. (We won t have a raffle at the pre-test clinic, but will have one again on test weekend.) Make sure to also bring plenty of water for your dog(s) and some form of shade or rain protection (tarp or tent) as well as crates and stakes. Don t forget the bug, spray! The ticks, mosquitos, and black flies love Yankee Chapter members and their guests. 2016 bird prices Ducks $16 Chukar $11 Pheasants $20 Cash or checks only. directions Take I-295 to Exit 43. Go east on Route 197 through Richmond. Turn right onto Route 128. Go a mile or so then watch for signs and big green barn! (The field is just after Eastern River heading north and just before Eastern River heading south.) test prep workshop - sunday, june 5 33 simpsons point rd, brunswick This workshop is all about helping your dog succeed on test day. It is a workshop for handlers, not their dogs. As many of us learned after testing dogs several times, there are lots of ways we handle our dogs and ourselves during a test that affect its outcome. Practical tips can be picked up during training clinics, but often testing questions or situations just don t come up. Besides, we all know that test day is very different from a training day. How does this workshop differ from a NAVHDA Handlers Clinic? NAVHDA Handlers Clinics focus on the NAVHDA testing and judging system - on the scoring system, what judges look for, and what the elements of the test are designed to accomplish. The Yankee Test Prep Workshop will focus on handlers actions and options in the field and at the water. We won t be teaching any tricks or ways to beat the testing system. We will present practical and effective handling advice for both the Natural Ability and Utility Tests, The workshop is lead by Yankee Chapter members who are NAVHDA judges and pro trainers. Yankee s VP will moderate the session, and there will be two handlers with dogs to demonstrate handling. What s the format? The workshop will cover Natural Ability in the morning and Utility in the afternoon, approximately three hours per session with a break in the middle of each. Participants can attend both sessions or just one. This is a people clinic, not a dog clinic -- you won t be working your dog. We will have two handlers and their dogs to demonstrate, as needed. The workshop is free of charge to all Yankee members. Non-members will be asked to pay $10 and can apply that to a Yankee Chapter membership ($20) if they d like. Participants should bring something to sit on. Full-day participants should bring their own lunches, beverages, etc. The Test Prep Workshop runs 9:00-4:00. Please contact Nancy Anisfield with any questions: anisfield@gmavt.net. Commands When to command and when not to How to decide if you should issue a command What types of commands are best to use verbal, whistle or hand Intervention and correction When should you intervene to change the way things are going or not going What s considered a command and what s considered a correction Field and Time management NA and UT: How to move through the field pacing, direction NA and UT: Watering your dog when and how and why NA and UT: Praise when to give it and why UT: How to handle your gun UT: Tips on receiving the retrieve UT Heeling How to start your dog Pacing and mid-course corrections Moving from the heeling course to the water At the water NA: How to motivate an NA dog into the water on test day NA and UT: How to help the judges check coat and teeth UT: Body posture UT: Timing gun shots UT: Handling the gun and poppers UT: When to throw stones on a search UT: Tips on receiving the retrieve Judge interaction What you can ask of the judges What you should tell the judges What to do if you don t agree with what a judge asks you to do -- page 4 --
yankee spring test weekend -- june 12-14 dresden, maine Spring Test weekend is almost here! Help is needed to make everything run smoothly, and working a test is one of the best ways to learn about the excitement of NAVHDA testing. If you d like to volunteer to sell raffle tickets, plant birds, set up the tent, be a go-fer, help with lunch, etc., please contact our Director of Testing, Jason Carter. The test will begin at 7 a.m. sharp each day. Handlers should be at the test grounds no later than 6:30 to have enough time to park, air their dogs, take a DEEP BREATH, and find the donuts and coffee before meeting with the judging team. Don t forget to bring lots of water for both you and your dog(s). There s not a lot of shade or cover at the Dresden field, so bringing a tarp or tent is a good idea if it s hot or raining, or both! Saturday and Sunday our grill will be up and sizzling with chicken, burgers and dogs and whatever else we can come up with. But even with the dedicated Yankee Chapter volunteers at the grill, there are lots of hungry handlers, field volunteers, judges and friends to feed. Please please please: Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to contribute to the lunch table!!! SUPER RAFFLE: We ll be holding a Super Raffle at lunchtime on Saturday. All donations welcome. Anything goes! The raffle funds are used to offset clinic and test day costs, such as shotgun shells, the portable toilet, equipment, etc. We extend a big THANK YOU to everyone who contributes and everyone who buys raffle tickets. To get the weekend started in typical celebratory Not Your Normal Chapter fashion, the Carters have invited everyone to their house for a lasagna dinner on Friday night at 6 p.m. (33 Simpson s Point Rd., Brunswick). After the test on Saturday, there will be a no host dinner at Joshua s Tavern at 123 Maine Street in Brunswick. We ll have a section reserved. Come help the testing handlers relax and share their stories of the day. We encourage all Yankee members and their friends and families to drop by any of the test days to cheer on the handlers and their dogs. Applause is always welcome! directions to dresden grounds Take I-295 to Exit 43. Go east on Route 197 through Richmond. Turn right onto Route 128. Go a mile or so then watch for signs and big green barn! (The field is just after Eastern River heading north and just before Eastern River heading south.) good luck to all handlers and their dogs! -- page 5 --
from our director of training What is a Release Command? certain action. A release command is a command that has a distinct action that allows a dog to move or do a For example, fetch means to go out, pick up and return with game. The release is on fetch, but the response has many trained actions with it. Fetch is trained in conjunction with a recall, pickup and hopefully the desire to return to handler. Two other release commands are back and over. These commands also have distinct yet similar actions to them. One way I help the development of these commands is with fun retrieving drills that teaches the dog to release for the bumper on back. I will follow that drill with piling drills with lots of repetitions. The reps will teach understanding and trust in the commands back and/over. Easy is a command that releases a dog to relocate on a running bird, or, in a test situation, to move closer to locate a planted bird. The dog should move up cautiously, and again, point, without flushing the bird. Relocating slowly is taught with a long lead or low stim ecollar, so the speed is controlled which will help the dog learn to be cautious. Keep calmly repeating easy, easy, easy as your dog works the scent. I find a flightless chukar with flagging tape attached to a leg and a long lead will work best at first. The long lead will give you the control to slow the dog s exuberance. The flagging tape will help you keep track of the chukar on the relocations. -- Blaine Carter puncture wounds... During hunting season, our dogs crash through the woods, launch after shot ducks and often cover a lot of rough ground. In the summer, they jump into ponds and streams, pounce on marsh frogs, and go for energy-releasing runs. Whatever the season, puncture wounds are very common. The sources of these wounds are endless but include: broken branches or sticks, stubby or low cut brush, splintered lumber, carpentry nails, thorns, or items submerged in ponds or lakes. Punctures should never be sutured closed. Punctures must be encouraged to remain open and drain for 5-7 days minimum. Punctures can be safely flushed with hydrogen peroxide, saline flush or chlorhexadine solution. Antibiotic ointment (Animax, Panalog, Neosporin, Mycitracin) can be infused into the wound to prevent local infection. If a puncture wound is deep, oral systemic antibiotics are advisable in addition to localized treatment. -- page 6 --
cranky yankees remember when you re shooting: get a clue before you see blue! This column offers advice by Nick Racioppi and Jason Carter about Maine s hunting laws and regulations. Is there a hunting regulation you don t understand? A situation in the field you weren t sure how to handle? Send the Cranky Yankees and email and let them look into it for you: Jason: jcarter@rsu1.org Nick: feathersfins@comcast.net Boating Safety and Smarts! You can help be sure you ll have a wicked good time boating this summer by performing this pre-departure check. -- You ll want to check on that weathah forecast I m tellin you! Them winds get a rippin!!!! -- Make sure that the steering and throttle controls operate properly and all lights are working properly, so you can hammah down. -- Check for them pesky fuel leaks from the tank, fuel lines, and carburetah. Makes for a short trip and one heck of a bbq. -- Check the engine compartment for oil leaks. Them motahs tend to like a little greasin now and again. -- Drain all water from the engine compartment and for god sakes remember that blasted bilge plug this time! -- Check to be sure you have a fully charged engine battery and certainly a good fire extinguisher as we know the venison will be a grillin. -- Make sure you have the required number of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and check that they are in good condition... it s a long swim when you park ol SS Minnow in the Lower Lake Parking Garage. -- Leave a float plan with a reliable friend or relative...which means don t call Blaine :) -- Most important, remember to pack all the essentials you ll need for your significant other as the whining, complaining and carrying on can really put a damper on things. I m talking about your dog you know...(water bowl, food, chew toys...) AND DON T FORGET YOUR DD (Designated Driver aka Deutsch Drahthaar) -- page 7 --
warm sun, cool water and lots of great field work... the may training clinic was a big success!! Photos by Wendy Bayles -- page 8 --
vermont clinic report: Yankee Chapter volunteers along with a few other NAVHDA trainers and judges travelled to Ugly Dog Hunting in Hinesburg, Vermont, May 7th to present a training clinic for both NAVHDA and non-navhda hunting dogs. Eighteen UT level dogs and nine NA dogs were put through their paces in field and pond work, from basic obedience to finished steadiness. Members of NAVHDA s Merrimack, Sebasticook, Southern Adirondack, Carolinas and Hudson Valley Chapter also came to help and to train their dogs. Thirteen breeds were represented with a Large Munsterlander, Pudelpointer, Braque D Auvergnes, two Springers and a Braque Francais joining the usual cast of GSPs, GWPs, Brits, Vislas, Setters, Griffs, and Small Munsterlanders. Terry Wilson and Nancy Anisfield sent sincere thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the day a huge success. tips for tooth brushing 1. Get your puppy used to brushing teeth at a very young age. You can start brushing their teeth at 10-12 weeks old. You may need to stop brushing while your puppy loses baby teeth, though. Their mouths can be sore and sensitive during that period. 2. Be patient and make it fun. Practice at the same time each day, so it becomes routine, and use lots of love, praise, and/or food rewards. 3. Handle your dog s muzzle and lips. You can work up to rubbing the gums and teeth by using your finger dipped in some chicken or beef bouillon. 4. Use a finger brush or soft veterinary toothbrush. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle, brushing back and forth or in a circular pattern. 5. Use canine toothpaste or gel. Avoid hydrogen peroxide (harsh on the gums) or baking soda (high sodium content). emma and the mole... -- page 9 -- hidden, discovered, extracted!
contacts, sponsors & info yankee board of directors President: Patti Carter 33 Simpson s Point Road, Brunswick, ME 04011 207-725-8229 mmkennels@myfairpoint.net Vice Pres: Nancy Anisfield 1067 Silver Street, Hinesburg, VT 05461 802-482-2561 anisfield@gmavt.net Secretary: Dani Friend 288 Chopps Cross Road, Woolwich, ME 04579 207-389-4470 dani.friend2012@gmail.com Treasurer: Cindy Tracy 37 Eider Lane, Topsham, ME 04086 207-725-4562 trac4fam@comcast.net Dir. of Testing: Jason Carter Dir. of Publications: Judie Bayles Dir. of Judge Development: Terry Wilson Dir. of Training: Blaine Carter Dir. of Gunning: Matt Lorello Test Secretary: Sandy Runyon Dir. of Grounds: Dick Dilley Delegate at Large: Bill Tracy barking dog guidelines Litter Ads - 1/4 page max size free for members $15 / month non-members Business Card Ads - $25 /year members $35 / year non-members Display Ads - 1/4 page max size $35 / year members ISSUE APPROX. MAIL DATE Jan/Feb January 1 Mar/Apr March 1 May May 1 June June 1 July/Aug July 1 September September 1 October October 1 Nov/Dec December 1 SEND US YOUR STORIES & PHOTOS! Please send us your photos and stories -- we love to hear from you and are always looking for material. Send up to three photos and stories 250-400 words. Besides your hunting and training stories, please share recipes, tips, dog humor and anything else you think the Not Your Normal Chapter folks might enjoy. Send them to anisfield@gmavt.net by the 20th of the month. Thank you all! -- page 10 --
classifieds 4 top safety tips for shooting: 1. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. 2. Be certain of your target and what s beyond it. 3. Treat every firearm as if it s loaded. 4. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. HYNSON S SPORTING GOODS STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!! One Old Town Loon Kayak 120 Blue -- $300. One Old Town Loon Kayak 120 Green -- $300. One Old Town Kingfisher Canoe (Fiberglass) Blue -- $250. One Remington 11-87 Automatic 12 ga Super Magnum Black Matt Finish -- $450. One Remington 870 Pump 12 ga Super Magnum Black Matt Finish -- $150. Contact: Jim Hynson 274 Blodgett Road, Pittston, ME 04345 207/582-7048 jrhynson@roadrunner.com Pigeons for sale: Merrymeeting Kennels is downsizing their homing pigeon numbers for winter. Darn critters are still sitting on eggs! These are very strong flyers as they spend the day in the trees and flying laps around the local air space. $10.00 each or trade a pair for a bag of cracked corn. 207.725.8229 -- page 11 --
knees up, elbows in...splash! -- page 12 --