The Official Publication of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Minnesota, Inc. New Champion CH Hi-Spirits Aristides, owned by Karin Greeman finished his Bench Championship the weekend of November 8-9, at The Minneapolis Kennel Club show held in Skakopee, MN. He was handled Erica Rose Greeman. New Membership Applicants To be voted on at the January 6, 2009 Meeting Thomas Huffman & Kathy Fenske Maple Plain, MN GSPC of MN 2009 SAMPLE Ballot Tuesday January 6, 2009 PRESIDENT - Vote for one (1) Chad Hines VICE - PRESIDENT - Vote for one (1) Dan Erickson BOARD POSITION - Vote for up to Three (3) Karin Greeman Jodi Hines Clark Linn Todd Piechowski HELP WANTED: NEWSLETTER EDITOR I will be publishing two more issues of the Shorthair Sentinel. It has been fun and rewarding, but it is time for me to move on. If you are interested in learning the details or in volunteering for the job please contact me or the president, Chad Hines.
2008 Officers: President: Chad Hines (320)360-3603 willowcreekkennels@hotmail.com Vice President: Dan Erickson (320)274-6629 dne@lakedalelink.net Treasurer: Chris Benskin (612)396-8502 gspcmntreasurer@earthlink.net Secretary: Janelle Elfstrand (651)583-3137 GspcmnSecretary@Yahoo.com Board of Directors: Jodi Hines (320)360-3603 Todd Piechowski (763)682-9157 Karin Greeman (763)421-3414 Bill Blanchard (763)422-9464 Mark Liljedahl (651)462-0219 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 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)462-0219 May 1-3, 2009 Walking Field Trial* Kelley Farms, Marine on St. Croix, MN Chris Benskin (612)396-8502 May 22-25, 2009 Spring Horseback Field Trial* Crow Hassan Park Reserve, Rogers, MN Dan Erickson (320)274-6629 * Pending AKC Approval FIELD BRAGS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF CLUB MEMBERS AND THEIR DOGS September 26-28 Heart of America GSPC Open Puppy (13 Starters) 2nd RTK s Torrential Rainstorm, Owner: Chris Benskin Open Derby (24 Starters) 3rd Wildfires Big-N-Juicy, Owners: Troy & Winnie Ryan October 4-5 Western Irish Setter Club, Wilmington, IL Open Limited Gun Dog (20 Starters) 2nd Sun Spot Sunny, ES. Owner: Gary Pihlstrom 4th Timmy s Rusty Willy, Owner: Gary Pihlstrom, October 10-12 Sunflower GSPC, Eureka, KS Amateur Walking Derby (10 Starters) 1st Wildfires Big-N-Juicy, Owners: Troy & Winnie Ryan
Firearms Industry Statement on Results of CDC Blood Lead Levels in Hunters Study NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry -- issued the following statement in response to study results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released by the North Dakota Department of Health, showing no evidence that lead or "traditional" ammunition pose any health risk to those who consume game harvested meat. The CDC report on human lead levels of hunters in North Dakota has confirmed what hunters throughout the world have known for hundreds of years, that traditional ammunition poses no health risk to people and that the call to ban lead ammunition was nothing more than a scare tactic being pushed by anti-hunting groups. In looking at the study results, the average lead level of the hunters tested was lower than that of the average American. In other words, if you were to randomly pick someone on the street, chances are they would have a higher blood lead level than the hunters in this study. Also of note, the lead levels of children under 6 in the study had a mean of just 0.88, less than half the national average. Children over 6 had even lower lead levels. The CDC's level of concern for lead in children is 10. A media advisory released by the North Dakota Department of Health cited the highest lead level reading of an adult study participapant as still being lower than the CDC lead level threshold of concern for a child, and significantly lower than the CDC accepted threshold of concern for an adult. Furthermore, during a tele-press conference hosted by the ND Department of Health, officials stated they could not verify whether this adult even consumed game harvested with traditional ammunition. Correspondingly, the study only showed an insignificant 0.3 micrograms per deciliter difference between participants who ate wild game harvested with traditional ammunition and non-hunters in the non-random control group. Also demonstrating their understanding that game harvested with traditional ammunition is safe to consume, the ND Department of Health, following the release of the CDC study results, encouraged hunters to continue donating venison to local food banks as long as processing guidelines were adhered to. NSSF was critical of the ND Department of Health when earlier this year the Department overreacted to a non-peer reviewed study by a dermatologist who claimed to have collected packages of venison from food banks that contained lead fragments. North Dakota health officials did not conduct their own study, but merely accepted the lead-contaminated meat samples from the dermatologist. The ND Department of Health then ordered all food banks to discard their venison. Serious questions were raised in a subsequent investigative journalism piece published this summer about the scientific validity of the testing of venison samples from the ND food pantries, including concerns regarding the non-random selection of the samples. It has since come to light that the dermatologist's efforts were not the independent actions of a concerned hunter, as he claimed. It was an orchestrated strategy by the Peregrine Fund -- an organization dedicated to eliminating the use of lead ammunition for hunting. The dermatologist serves on the Fund's Board of Directors. For more than a century, hundreds of millions of Americans have safely consumed game harvested using traditional hunting ammunition, and despite there being no scientific evidence that consuming the game is endangering the health of individuals, special interest groups like the Peregrine Fund and anti-hunting groups are continuing to press state legislatures around the country to support a ban on this common, safe and effective ammunition. These politically driven groups understand that while an outright ban on hunting would be nearly impossible to achieve, dismantling the culture of hunting one step at a time is a realistic goal. Banning lead ammunition is the first step of this larger political mission. We can only hope that with the conclusive CDC results concerning the safety of traditional ammunition, legislatures across the country will listen to science and not anti-hunting radicals. The notion by some, that any amount of lead is a "concern," is scientifically unfounded rhetoric that runs contrary to nationwide, long-standing standards of evaluation. The NSSF is pleased that hunters and others can now comfortably continue consuming game harvested with traditional ammunition that has been properly field dressed and butchered, yet we remain unsettled that for so many months good and safe food was taken out of the mouths of the hungry as nothing more than a political gambit by special interest groups.
July 8 th, 2008 GSPC of MN General Meeting Members Present: Todd Piechowski, Chad Hines, Jodi Hines, Hunter Hines, Chris Benskin, Dan Erickson, Karin Greeman, Dick Greeman, Tim VanBeusekom, Cole VanBeusekom, Mark Liljedahl, Joni Liljedahl, Janelle Elfstrand (13 members) Meeting called to order at 7:09pm Minutes from May meeting were read and approved Report of Board: None Report of President: Things are going well Report of Secretary: Various mailings/publications were placed on table for members to look at. Report of Treasurer: Balance of $11,794.62 in checkbook; including $685.03 allotted for rescue. Additional note, Larry Loftin owes the club money and all committee members are advised not to take any entries for any events until he is paid up. Committees: Show: We had a small turnout. Committee is contemplating changing the show to the Rochester show (as other clubs are too). No data from Mary yet on the show. Game Fair: There is a meeting on July 15 th at Armstrong Ranch. Joni and Janelle will attend. Need volunteers to sign up for 4 hour shifts- sign up sheet passed around. Spring Field Trial: Had about 38 entries, ran 132 dogs. Profit of $1468.oo for the event Fall Field Trial: Scheduled for 9/19-9/21 in Solon Springs. Clark Linn is lining up judges. Hunt Test: No fall hunt test at this time Rescue: We have several in foster homes & and the kennel. Please check the website. Banquet: No report Picnic: To be held on July 26 th @ Sturges Park in Buffalo. Please rsvp by July 22 nd. Election of new members (f/march newsletter): Rhonda & Joseph Meath, Zach & Shana Demorest, Al Olson, Rob Johnson, Justing & Tiffany Linhart, Steve Marsh, Mike & Lynn Rodeheiro, John & Katie Voskamp, Kevin & Vickie Jahr voted in. Old Business: Signs: Dan will bring the old signs to Chad & he will have relettered. Cost for new would be $25.00 for plastic signs; $80.00 for aluminum single post and about $100.00 for fold-out signs. September Hunt Test: This was cancelled because no-one wanted to do it. By-Law changes: tabled until future meeting when people have more time to look at them. New Business: Ambassador : A motion was made to have the chair of each event be the ambassador for that event or appoint someone to be the ambassador to be available for people to ask questions and learn more about the event. Motion did not carry. FAQ spot: A motion was made to put an Ask Shorty spot on the website. People can send in questions they may have about the club, events, etc. Motion passed we will try this for awhile. Karin will check with Mary on getting this done. Meeting was adjourned at 8:15pm
Dental Care Dr. Joe Spoo When six-time Champion Hard Driving Bev started missing birds, professional trainer Joe McCarl attributed the changes to an aging dog starting to loose her senses. She became really unsure around birds, McCarl recalled. This was a dog that always just stuck her birds and now she either wasn t finding birds or was really unsure of where they were when on point. While McCarl wasn t going to turn back the hands of time it was possible that Bev s scenting loss was related to a very treatable condition advanced dental disease. \Dog owners and handlers are a superstitious lot, and for all of the technology and advanced knowledge of canine health and behavior that we have been given over the years, a reliance on old wives tales and a mentality of that s how we ve always done it still exists. For years trialers thought removing the tonsils on their favorite field trial dog would help increase scenting ability and performance in the field. When this procedure was looked at to determine how it worked, researchers discovered that at the time of the tonsillectomy most veterinarians were also cleaning the teeth. It was this teeth cleaning that was actually causing the increase in scenting ability not the removal of the tonsils. Yet even with the research out there to show dental care can impact scenting, many dog owners are reluctant to spend the money to have their dog s teeth cleaned. For a better understanding of how dental disease can impact scenting ability, it is important to take a look at canine anatomy and how closely associated the teeth and sinuses are in relation to each other. The following picture shows a side profile of a setter with important structures drawn on the photo. To qualify the drawing: I am neither an artist nor an anatomist, so bear with me. In the accompanying picture, I ve outlined in white where this setter s teeth and roots lie and in yellow where the sinus cavities are. For point of reference, the red line represents the gum line, and the blue area is the vomeronasal organ. It is easy to see that inflammation and infection of the teeth and surrounding tissues directly impacts the sinuses, the respiratory tissue and the scenting ability. With very severe dental disease, tracts can develop, forming an opening between the mouth and sinuses. Those foul-smelling, atrocious teeth are not just causing problems at the gum line often the issues extend much deeper. Now I can just about guarantee there will be skeptics who believe a veterinarian is writing an article on dental disease to drum up business and perform an unnecessary procedure. Too often we hear the argument that people don t have to be put under for dental cleanings or that we have our teeth for over 80 years without the need for such aggressive measures why is it so important for our dogs? The thing to remember, especially with health issues, is that dogs are not little humans and their medical needs are different than ours, and this includes their mouths. A dog s mouth health serves as a gateway to the rest of the body, and with advanced dental issues we can see the effects on distant organs like the heart, liver and kidneys, in addition to the local problems it causes in the mouth and sinuses. With too many dogs it isn t just an issue of bad breath, but rather, a much deeper health concern. The vast majority of sporting breed dogs will likely never require a dental in their lives. Dental disease is a highly variable condition from dog-to-do and is more prevalent in our small and toy breeds. As with all health issues, though, it is important to treat and evaluate the individual dog and not make blanket statements in regards to health care. Many dogs will have staining and tartar buildup as they age, and with most this will not have a significant impact on their overall health. The most important criteria to evaluate with dental health is the gumline and surrounding tissue. Once there is evidence of gingivitis, it is time to consider a thorough
cleaning in order to head off more severe problems. By the time this inflammation has started, there very likely has been an impact on scenting ability. A big sticking point with many owners is that dogs have to be anesthetized in order for the teeth to be cleaned. Too often owners will want to chip the tartar off on their own or just have the teeth scaled, and unfortunately, this can lead to worse issues. By the time there is evidence of dental disease and inflammation, often times the issues have spread to below the gumline. In order to perform a complete cleaning at tooth level and under the gumline, even the most tolerant dog will need to be put under. As for just scaling or chipping off the tartar, this too is a bad idea, because it can create grooves or imperfections in the enamel, which will give the tartar-forming bacteria a foot hold and can actually accelerate tartar buildup. It is vitally important to both clean the teeth and then to have them polished in order to ensure better dental health. I strongly recommend to dog owners to take a hard look at the teeth and gums every six months, and more frequently if your dog has dental problems. I certainly don t advocate across the board dentals for all dogs over a certain age, and some dogs will indeed go a lifetime without needing veterinary dental care. However, with that being said it is also important to not pooh-pooh the need for a dental. In conjunction with your veterinarian, evaluate if your dog will benefit from a dental. This decision may lead to increased performance in the field and more importantly a longer healthier life. One note on dental care and selection of a veterinarian to perform the procedure: while it may cost more, I would encourage you to find a small animal veterinarian with the appropriate anesthetic and dental equipment. Old Doc SoandSo down the road might be cheaper, but his level of expertise with anesthesia and dental care may be at the same level as his pricing. I always encourage owners to ask questions and understand what and how things are being done to their dogs. So how did things turn out for McCarl and Bev? After performing poorly in the spring trials due to a lack of finds, McCarl had a dental performed on the Champion. She almost immediately went back to sticking her birds, he noted, I couldn t believe the difference and I kick myself for not having her teeth cleaned sooner. The next time you roll back your dog s gums and reveal those foul-smelling, tartar-laden teeth don t dismiss it as just teeth. Think of it as the gateway to your dog s scenting ability and more importantly the major organ systems of the body. Ignoring dental health now can have dire consequences down the road. Meeting called to order at 8:37pm July 8 th, 2008 GSPC of MN Board Meeting Members Present: Chad, Jodi, Todd, Karin, Mark, Chris & Janelle Minutes from May were read and approved Report of Secretary: Nothing different from general meeting except the letter that was written to Mike Dziki was placed on the table for review. Report of Treasurer: Same as general meeting Unfinished Business: None New Business: None Meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm
2008 GSPCMN Award Eligibility Form Pursuant to the Annual Awards Section in the 2008 By-laws Book 1. I am the owner of AKC#, and was a member in good standing of the GSPCMN during the time award points were earned. 2. The award my dog is eligible for is as follows Minnesota Field Trial Dog of the Year Minnesota Puppy/Derby Dog of the Year Minnesota Master Hunter Award Minnesota Show Dog of the Year Minnesota Show Dog of the Year, Best of Opposite Sex Minnesota Obedience Dog of the Year Minnesota Agility Dog of the Year 3. My dog earned the following AKC or American Field Titles in 2008: 4. Name the shows, trials and/or stakes, together with the dates competed and points earned at each event areas follows: This section must be filled out in it s entirety! Use additional paper if needed. NAME DATES POINTS EARNED Person submitting forms are responsible for correct calculations of points earned. Form must be completed in full to be considered for award recognition. COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 12TH, 2009. My dog actively promoted the GSP in Minnesota in accordance with Section 6 of the Annual Awards chapter. I, hereby certify that the forgoing is accurate and correct Signature Name: Address: Telephone#: ( ) - Mail this completed form to: Jodi Hines GSPCMN Awards Chair 22545 195th Ave Little Falls, MN 56345 Contact me if any questions, (320)360-3603 or willowcreekkennels@hotmail.com A follow up a few days after sending your form wouldn t be a bad idea as my mail service is sometimes suspect
German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America National Field Trial and Futurity October 13-29, 2008 Bechtel Ranch, Eureka, KS 2008 National Field Futurity Judges: R.J. Marquart, George Wilson 1st: PJ s Wheel of Fotune S: FC PJ's Itsa Bet D: Cactus II B: Michael Vaz O: Gary & Terri Baszak H: Scott Azevedo 2nd: Gabbe's High Plains Busta Move S: FC Uodibar's Shoot the Moon D: NAFC/FC/AFC Gabbe's High Plains Rock Solid B: Kevin Waide O: Kevin Waide H: Kevin Waide 3rd: Uodibar s Pretty Boy S: FC Kojac's K-Man D: K Hawks Rockin Robin B: Mike Potttorff O: John Rabidou H: John Rabidou 4th: Uodibar's Waiting For Daylight S: FC/AFC Kojac's K-Man D: K-Hawk's Rockin Robin JH B: Mike Potttorff O: Hayley & David Killam H: John Rabidou All National Field Trial Photographs courtesy of Robbi Gulledge 2008 National Championship Judges: R.J. Marquart, Joe Amatulli 1st: 2008 NFC/FC Chisholm Creeks Jax or Better S: FC Sin City Slick Ace D: FC/AFC Grand Illusion's Final Edition B: Tom Davis O: Mark Wasserman H: Keith Gulledge 2nd: Royalerun All Bets Are Off S: FC Liebmeister Firecracker Jack 1st: 2008 NAFC/AFC Reo Pawnee S: NFC FC NRC's Magnum's Touch of Gold D: NAGDC FC QC's Prime Suspect B: Phil Salvati O: Don Dalton H: Don Dalton or Don Fidler 2nd: FC PFK Dunfurs Too Sharp S: Uodibars Shoot the Moon D: PFK Dunfurs Y Fly B: Stephen Short O: Stephen Short O: Stephen Short 3rd: FC/AFC Foxgloves Night on The Town S: Chance's Always in Demand D: FC/AFC Talk of the Town B: Brian Hill O: Benjamin Hill & Brian Bill H: Brian Hill D: FC Saddlesore's Chili Pepper B: Jake & Tate Bowen O: Don Schug H: David or Sara King 3rd: FC Slick Kessie Joe S: NFC/FC Heide's Mighty City Slicker D: Clown's Little Hustler B: Richie & Judy Rodgers O: Randy & Nancy Coffelt H: Keith or Robbi Gulledge 2008 Amateur Championship Judges: Doug Vaughn, Tom White 4th FC AFC Holzer's Desert Willow MH S: FC/AFC Grand Funks Rocky Road SH D: Holzers Desert Rose B: Blair & Jean Holzer O: Blair & Jean Holzer H: Blair Holzer Judges Awards of Merit NAGDC FC AFC Prairie's Edge Tippy S: C. Hillshustlers Halle's YOGI D: Cebourns Holiday Express B: Richard & Lana Vande Hei O: Pat Vande Hei H: Pat Vande Hei FC BDK's Break The Bank S: FC NFC Strikes Flash of Gold D: NGDC FC BDK's Shake The Bank B: Mike & Linda Woody O: Keith & Bobbi Richardson H: Keith Richardson
2008 National Open Gun Dog Championship Judges: Grant Stanfill, Tom Oswald 1st: 2008 NGDC/DC Doublerun Cole Bier S: FC/AFC Gabbe's High Plains Hurricane D: FC/AFC Wildfire's Brown L Dot Com B: Mike & Pat Martin O: David King H: David or Sara King 2nd: FC BDK's Break The Bank S: FC NFC Strikes Flash of Gold D: NGDC FC BDK's Shake The Bank B: Mike & Linda Woody O: Keith & Bobbi Richardson H: Eldon Hongo 3rd:FC Prairie Wind's Queen of Jazz S: FC Prairie Wind's Zackly Right D: FC Rocky - BI - Blues B: Keith & Bobbi Richardson O: Keith & Bobbi Richardson H: Eldon Hongo 4th: FC/AFC Tonelli's Sky High S: FC Tonelli's Rising Sun D: Palermo's Saddle Sky High B: Douglas Stocks O: Lou Tonelli H: Terry Zygalinski Judges Awards of Merit: Rexx's Maximum Scoop NGDC FC AFC VHK's Leapin Lizzie FC/AFC Dunfur's Dumazuri Rapscallion Sportsmen Dismayed by Overthrow of Congressman John Dingell Anti-Hunting Representative Assumes Pivotal Committee Chairmanship (Columbus, Ohio) The United States Sportsmen s Alliance (USSA) expresses its dismay today over the news that U.S. Representative Henry Waxman (D- CA) toppled Representative John Dingell (D- MI) as Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. Dingell has been a tireless champion of sportsmen issues for decades, while Rep. Waxman has a long history of supporting the causes of extremist animal rights and anti-firearm groups. Given the recent call by President-elect Barack Obama for a broad and bipartisan approach to governing, this action raises serious doubts in the eyes of sportsmen. Rep. Dingell understood and cared about sportsmen and their devotion to conservation, said USSA Vice President of Government Affairs, Rob Sexton. On the other hand, Rep. Waxman, an environmental activist, has consistently earned a 100 percent rating from the leading anti-hunting group in the country, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which has sought to use the Endangered Species Act to stop hunting. Among Rep. Waxman s anti-hunting votes are: against allowing hunting, fishing, and trapping in the East Mojave Scenic Area; against the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1996 that enshrined hunting, fishing, and trapping as a priority use of wildlife refuges; for banning the importation of polar bear trophies and resulting in a loss of conservation funding; Beyond his strong support of anti-hunting legislation, Rep. Waxman has also been a consistent opponent of Second Amendment rights. According to Sexton, He has voted for nearly all anti-firearm bills in Congress going back to the so-called Assault Weapon Ban and the Brady Bill. Both of those bills were punitive and designed to prohibit law abiding citizens from engaging in their constitutional rights. Sportsmen play a major role in the U.S. economy through their purchases of hunting, fishing, and trapping equipment. They also play the decisive role in maintaining ongoing conservation efforts through federal and state taxes on that equipment. With the economy facing its greatest challenge in over a generation, now is not the time to embrace the radical agenda of groups like HSUS and choke off one of its most vibrant sectors. The USSA hopes that Rep. Waxman will show a greater appreciation for this fact as he assumes his new position than he has in the past, concluded Sexton. The U.S. Sportsmen s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.
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: Email: 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 22020 Jivaro St Oak Grove, MN 55303-8625
www.autumnfiregsp.com German Shorthaired Pointer Club of MN Newsletter Editor Chris Benskin 22020 Jivaro St NW Oak Grove, MN 55303-8625 E-Mail: gspcmntreasurer@earthlink.net Be sure to check our website for more information at www.gspcmn.netkennel.com