May 16, 2011
Charity Upchurch
Bird Dog Training, Kennel Update, Sire and Dam Ability, Trap and Skeet Shooting
Bark for the Cure Cancer Walk, Dog Training, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, Puppies, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Happy First Birthday, Bluestem “A” Litter, on April 30th!! Here’s Winston’s 1st birthday picture, he lives on an acreage outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Thank you to Kelvin and Nancy for the picture!
Winston from our "A" litter at 1 year old
I also received some pictures from one of my new owners of a “B” litter puppy. “Roxy” (formerly known as Bess) lives out in Utah with Randy and Pam. They are very happy with her progress and surprised at how fast she is learning. Once again, many thanks to them for the photo contribution:
Roxy of our recent "B" litter checks out the wing
Roxy on retrieve to Randy
Roxy points the wing
Roxy on water retrieve
While we’re talking water, Monday and Tuesday of last week were 95+ degree days here, so I took the opportunity Monday afternoon to take the big dogs out for some swimming practice and see if we could get our new puppy “BB” in the water. Water practice is not only fun, it is vital for the dog’s desire to water retrieve waterfowl during hunting season.
Sue and Sam take a dip
BB takes her first swim
BB heading back to shore
The water was still pretty cold even though the air was warm, so our time in the water was limited. Swimming is an instinctual behavior for dogs, therefore you can’t introduce them to water too soon after picking up a puppy from a breeder (weather permitting).
As a follow-up to the wing work that we’ve been doing in the house, BB got into her first live chukar on Saturday. I used the same technique on BB that I just used on the litter of puppies. I put the chukar on a bird harness attached to a leash, I then used my puppy training pen (a 5 ft. x 10 ft. area that I created with metal fence posts and snow fence) to get the puppy to focus on the bird. I first hold the bird in my hand and put it into the puppy’s face, then slowly give more and more leash, until the bird can move about pretty freely (run and flap) within the confines of the pen and my leash. Naturally, at first the puppy is apprehensive about this strange new creature, but the scent from the training wing made it somewhat familiar. By the end of the 10 minute session, BB was chasing and pouncing on the bird with vigor! This is a good first step to get a new puppy excited about birds.
BB a little apprehensive at first
It didn't take long for BB to get aggressive with the chukar
Spring training isn’t only something for the dogs, it is important for humans too! When it comes to upland hunting, we have to do our part to ensure success also. Dog training and handling are very important, but the hunter’s shooting skill and physical fitness are also key. We’ve been spending a few weekends a month at the local skeet range tuning up our skills with the shotgun, in preparation for hunting season (which is only 3 1/2 months away). If you can’t hit the bird, then the dog doesn’t have anything to retrieve!
Charles walking back to station 1 to start a new round
Charles smashes the high bird on station 7
Those are the happenings over the past week at Bluestem Kennels! We will have a booth at the Bark for the Cure Cancer Walk on Saturday, May 21st from 9 AM -12 noon at the Lied Activity Center, 2700 Arboretum Dr. in Bellevue, Nebraska. If you would like more information about the walk or would like to register for the walk please see their website at https://sites.google.com/site/rflthunderingherd/bark-for-a-cure-cancer-walk We will be there to talk Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, versatile hunting dog training and just for some good canine fellowship! Hope to see you there!
February 22, 2011
Charity Upchurch
Guiding Hunts, Hunting Tales
Bird Hunting, Dog Training, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, Pheasant Haven, Pheasant Hunting, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
A cool, moist day for a hunt.
Everyone wondered if we were in for rain or snow as we set out Sunday afternoon in search of pheasants and chukars. For the first time, the owner had completely turned over the reins for this hunt and it was just Charles, Sam and I on the property with the hunters. It was three generations of a family from a rural southeastern Nebraska town by the name of Geneva: a grandfather and great-uncle, the son and the sons-in-law, and most importantly, the grandson.
The flushes all came in singles throughout the property. We hunted for a couple of hours, took a water break back to the cabin, then set out again for more birds for another hour and a half. It was getting up towards supper time when we finally parted ways. The weather cooperated and so did the dog. The best part of the day was to see the anxiousness and timidness of the young lad melt away, turning into joy and excitement for the sport. This was confirmed by his dad, as we all left and shook hands, he stated that his son told him, “Dad, this pheasant hunting is fun!”
A chukar partridge flushes between two hunters.
"Nothing like a good clean kill."
Charles and the youngest hunter.
A hunter walks into Sam's point.
Another chukar goes down.
Sam retrieves a chukar.
A rooster pheasant in flight.
A rooster pheasant upon impact.
The youngest hunter requests to carry a pheasant.
A happy young hunter, what it's all about!
Three generations of hunters: grandfather, grandson, son.
The hunters and their quarry along with Charles and Sam.
February 14, 2011
Charity Upchurch
Kennel Update, Puppy Update
Dog Training, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, National Geographic Adventure, Nebraska Sandhills, Pheasant Cordon Bleu, Puppies, Valentine Nebraska, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Happy Valentine’s Day from Bluestem Kennels!! It is an extra special observance for me as a native of the North-Central Nebraska town of Valentine, which was recently named a “Best Adventure Town” by National Geographic Adventure magazine! Check it out: http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/weekend-getaways/nebraska/valentine-travel Over the years, we have had some adventurous upland and waterfowl trips to the Nebraska Sandhills ourselves.
Spring is in the air here in the woodlands of Eastern Nebraska! Robins galore, squirrels scurrying about and a pleasant morning sunshine for some photography this morning. We are still anxiously waiting the arrival of the puppies, but I anticipate that by this time next week, I’ll have some puppy photos to share. Of course, I will post those up as soon as they are born, so it could be any day now! For now, here’s some shots of Sue and Sam during morning exercise.
Sue on the sniff
Sue doesn't let her big belly stop her from inspecting a deadfall
Sam looking regal in the sunlight
Sam on the sniff
Closeup of Sue's belly
Sam running to check back in
If you have any pheasant breasts hanging around in your freezer, you really should try making this Pheasant Cordon Bleu recipe for your Valentine! It is an adaptation of a Tyler Florence chicken recipe, but it didn’t take very long and the family was very pleased with the results (as Charles cooked in restaurants in his younger days, I have a tough crowd).
- 6 pheasant breasts, skinless and boneless
- Salt, black pepper and either crushed thyme, basil or oregano
- 6 thin slices deli ham
- 12 thin slices of good cheese (typically Swiss, I used extra sharp white cheddar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 cup bread crumbs (I used Italian style bread crumbs)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lay the pheasant breast between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet, gently pound the chicken to 1/4-inch thickness. Take care not to pound too hard because the meat may tear or create holes. Lay 1 slice of cheese on each breast, followed by 1 slice of ham, and 1 more of cheese; leaving a 1/2-inch margin on all sides to help seal the roll. Tuck in the sides of the breast and roll up tight like a jellyroll. Squeeze the log gently to seal.
Season the flour with salt and pepper; spread out on waxed paper or in a flat dish. Mix the bread crumbs with thyme (or oregano or basil), salt, pepper, and oil. The oil will help the crust brown. Beat together the eggs and water, the mixture should be fluid. Lightly dust the pheasant roll with flour, then dip in the egg mixture. Gently coat in the bread crumbs. Carefully transfer the roulades to a baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until browned and cooked through. Cut into pinwheels before serving.
Pheasant Cordon Bleu
Enjoy!!
February 7, 2011
Charity Upchurch
Kennel Update, Regional Update and/or Misc., Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association, Auglaize County Ohio, Bird Hunting, Chad Love, Dog Training, Field and Stream Magazine, Greg Wagner, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, Pete Berthelsen, Pheasant Habitat, Pheasant Hunting, Pheasants Forever, Puppy Training, Quail Habitat, Rudy's Youth Village, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
January 28-30 was a weekend full of upland excitement at the 2011 Pheasant Fest, the national convention of Pheasants Forever. Here are some of the highlights from our weekend spent there:
- As seen in the last post “Bluestem Kennels in the Omaha World-Herald”, Cordelia, Sam and I had a great time at the photo shoot. Cordelia and Sam were on the front page of the Friday, January 28th paper and also featured in an online video and slideshow.
- We were the only Wirehaired Pointing Griffon entry in the Friday afternoon Bird Dog Parade. Visiting with local Nebraska Game and Parks personality, Greg Wagner, was a fun part of the day. He mentioned the possibility of having us on his KFAB radio show to talk dogs at some point in the future.
- While Charles was out in the foyer working out some day job office issues over the phone during the Friday evening banquet, I got to pick the brain of Chad Love, a photojournalist for Field and Stream magazine. He works primarily with upland hunting and bird dog assignments, so it was fun to hear how he went from his political science degree to getting published in outdoor magazines. It was definitely an inspiration for where I want to take my blogging. Here’s his most recent post on the Field and Stream website: http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/hunting/2011/02/jealousy-between-dogs-can-be-powerful-training-tool
- Saturday afternoon turned out to be quite interesting for me, as I ended up helping to lead a seminar that I attended. The 1 PM “Picking your puppy and the First Six Months” seminar was quite full and by 1:15 PM, there was still no presenter. A fellow breeder/trainer and I got up in front of the audience and freestyled the seminar, sharing the wealth of what we know on the subject.
Charity Upchurch of Bluestem Kennels, right, discusses selecting and training a puppy
Thank you to Pheasants Forever photographer Jim Cooper for the use of the photo.
- My children spent Saturday afternoon at Rudy’s Youth Village of Pheasant Fest, where we met some inspirational teenagers, the Illinois Pioneer Chapter #069 “Young Guns”. They raised $6000 for a virtual shooting gallery had it trailered all the way to Omaha for the young people to enjoy. My son, Conrad, couldn’t get enough of it!
Conrad practices his shooting skills
- Charles and I had a great time at the Saturday evening banquet visiting with the members of the Auglaize County, Ohio Pheasants Forever chapter and one of their state wildlife biologists. It was interesting to learn that the pheasant population in Ohio has been decimated to the point where the state game and fish department has a pheasant stocking program. I didn’t realize until attending Pheasant Fest that promoting stocking pheasants in Nebraska is seen as nearly rebellious to the habitat cause. The latest Focus on Pheasant report was sent to me by Nebraska Game and Parks following my post “Focus on Pheasant needs to readjust their sights”. Once I get a chance to read their report, I’ll be revisiting this topic will a full post in the near future.
- Sunday we met renowned wildlife artist Carl J. Melichar, who was a Federal Duck Stamp finalist and has taken on bird dogs as the focus of his painting. He does not yet have a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in his catalog, so we’ll be getting him some photographs in the near future and possibly commission a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon original painting. Here are some examples of his work: http://www.artbarbarians.com/gallery2/main.asp?artist=48
- We closed out our visit to Pheasant Fest on Sunday by attending Pheasants Forever Field Coordinator Pete Berthelsen’s talk on creating quail habitat on his 160 acres near Elba, Nebraska. It was amazing to see how quickly habitat adjustments can restore bird populations. In a matter of a few years, he went from one covey of quail to fifteen coveys!
The weekend was a complete success and really fired us up to increase our involvement in Pheasants Forever, habitat restoration and sharing our love of not only the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon breed, but raising, training and hunting versatile dogs.
January 25, 2011
Charity Upchurch
Bird Dog Training, Hunting Tales, Kennel Update, Sire and Dam Ability, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Bird Hunting, Dog Training, Focus on Pheasants, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, Lancaster County Nebraska, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska Pheasant Hunting, Pheasant Hunting, Pheasants Forever, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
It isn’t very often that we get to enjoy a pheasant hunt in well-established native tallgrass prairie in Southeastern Nebraska. We’re not the only ones. In the 1960’s 140,000 hunters bagged about 1.4 million pheasants annually in Nebraska. These days, the annual count is around 50,000 hunters and 200,000 birds (Hendee, Omaha World-Herald, 01/23/11). Speaking to other Nebraska hunters this year from across the state, pheasant numbers this year have been up from recent years past, but obviously nowhere near the level of the mid-20th century.
Our hunt last Saturday was in some amazing habitat on private ground east of Lincoln. It was a cold, windless winter morning, ideal for keeping the roosters held tight in the thick grass. The air was moist and slightly foggy, perfect scenting conditions for the dogs.
The SE Nebraska combination of windbreaks, crop fields and a smattering of prairie.
Nate, the landowner, begins working the fields
Sam and Charles make their way through the big bluestem
We headed east, away from the farmstead, pushing through some thick cover towards a small cattle feedlot. As we neared the break between the prairie ground and the feedlot, Nate saw a flock of hens flush to the north. I saw one rooster fly into a windbreak at least 40 yards out, then Charles and I both saw another rooster spook way out of range. I’ll admit that we were all probably a little too chatty about what we had already seen and not focused on keeping quiet for any other roosters nearby.
The guys thought they had seen a rooster land to the south in a bit of a marshy area, so we pivoted as we came to the feedlot and began to work our way through some tough swamp weeds.
Busting through some weeds
Walking down a waterway
Sam running on the left, Sue visibly pregnant on the right
As we worked our way back west out of the swampy area and into the grassland, the dogs both started acting birdy: retracing their paths with their noses to the ground, Sam sneaking lower to the ground, Sue holding her head high, circling and searching. Finally, Sam’s beeper collar starts to make the loud, sharp beep, telling us that he’s on point. Charles walks right in for a close flush and takes the rooster.
Stay focused! The rooster takes the impact, but unfortunately my auto-focus thought I was taking a picture of that piece of grass
Sam presents the gift
The rooster!
We continued to push southward into the corner of the property, then made our way west, working a treeline on our way.
Checking back in: that’s pregnant Sue on the left with the frosty face
Following the take of the rooster, we worked the field for another hour or so, with no further sightings of pheasant.
Arriving back to the farm
The pose: Nate with Sue, Charles, Sam and the rooster
January 24, 2011
Charity Upchurch
Hunting Tales, Kennel Update, Puppy Update, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Bird Hunting, Dog Training, Goose Hunting, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Hunting Nevada, Korthals Griffon, Puppies, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Whiskey from litter 2010 and Geese
Pete and Deborah sent over a great photo and e-mail on Saturday that I just had to share:
Pete just emailed me Whiskey’s newest experience!!
They are hunting on the UC Ranch which is about 3 hours east of Reno…Pete said that Whiskey didn’t actually RETREIVE these geese…Whiskey couldn’t pick up the birds because they were as big as he is…he had to drag them to Pete!
Besides being an awsome hunting dog, Whiskey continues to entertain us daily with his endless energy and golden heart…he doesn’t tollerate being ignored and when it’s play time….it’s play time!! He is the smartest, sweetest, most loveable dog we have ever had!!
Hope all is well with you…we will continue to send pictures!!
Take care!!
Deborah
January 11, 2011
Charity Upchurch
Bird Dog Training, Guiding Hunts, Hunting Tales, Kennel Update, Sire and Dam Ability, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Bird Hunting, Dog Training, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, Pheasant Haven, Pheasant Hunting, Pheasants Forever, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
The snow began to fall on Sunday morning, but it wasn’t enough to deter the hunters of Pheasant Haven Hunting Acres in Elk City, Nebraska (www.pheasanthavenlodge.com). Charles and the dogs guided their third hunt on the preserve, with myself on hand as co-handler of the dogs, guide assistant and photographer.
We began the day running both Sam and Sue, which led to some very fast shooting and more retrieves than we could keep up with at times. There were points where we had to stop to let the dogs catch up on picking up the shot pheasants on the ground.
Charles takes a retrieve from Sue while looking out for Sam working a bird
Sam on retrieve
Sue happily checks back in
We stopped around 11 for a lunch of pheasant breast and mushroom stew, then went back out with Sam for a second sweep of the property.
Walking the fields at Pheasant Haven
Sam brings in a rooster
Sam on point
Hunter walks in on Sam’s point
Sam gives Charles another perfect retrieve
The hunters, 24 pheasant, Sam and Charles
Your reporter in the field, posing with the birds
In 2011 litter news, Sam and Sue completed breeding at Christmas and she is showing obvious signs of pregnancy. We anticipate whelping towards the end of February. The puppy application is ready and has been sent out to the 30+ individuals expressing interest, with more calling and e-mailing every day. I am excited to raise these pups and get them into some excellent hunting homes!
December 20, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Guiding Hunts, Hunting Tales, Kennel Update, Sire and Dam Ability, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Bird Hunting, Dog Training, Elk City Nebraska, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, Pheasant Haven, Pheasant Hunting, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
The hunting cabin and pond of Pheasant Haven
Yesterday was the perfect day for a hunt: not too cold or windy, with moist air; perfect scenting conditions for the dogs. As some of the hunters had brought their dogs, Charles worked Sue with the large group of gentlemen in the morning.
The orange army departs
Sue with her high-style point
Sue retrieves a colorful pheasant
The orange army on the move
I wish I had gotten a better photograph on the next shot because it was some incredible dog work. One of the hunter’s white Spinone Italiano is on point along with Sue, followed by the preserve’s yellow lab coming in for the flush.
Amazing dog teamwork!
I now understand the value of the flushing dog in these situations. As foot hunters, Charles and I typically do our own flushing by walking up into the dog’s point. At the preserve, the hunters would rather not walk in to flush and it isn’t safe for the human guide to do the flushing, therefore the flushing dog is needed. It looks like in the near future we’re going to be shopping for a female AKC Cocker Spaniel to take on that job!
After a successful morning well-spent on the hunt, we took a break for cheeseburgers at the bar in Elk City, then returned to Pheasant Haven for an afternoon hunt with Sam and a grandfather/father/son trio.
Sam with his low-style point
Another solid point from Sam
The father-hunter walks in on Sam's point
I was thrilled to finally take my first hunter/dog/bird photo yesterday. They are terribly difficult to set up and take. The pheasant is difficult to see, as it is flying away near the top of the frame and camouflaged by the grass.
My first hunter/dog/bird photo
Sam on retrieve to Charles
Grandfather and grandson walk into Sam's point
Charles and Sam with the bird total
In hindsight, I should have organized the large group and their dogs to pose with the bird total, because Sam and Charles certainly can’t take all of the credit! It is a learning process for both the dogs and the people to take on this guiding business, but it gives us great pride and joy to be able to share our passion for hunting with great dogs!!
http://www.pheasanthavenlodge.com
December 18, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Guiding Hunts, Hunting Tales, Kennel Update, Sire and Dam Ability, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Bird Hunting, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Korthals Griffon, National Shoot to Retrieve Association, NSTRA, Pheasant Haven, Pheasant Hunting, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Bird Total from Day Two of guiding at Pheasant Haven
Charles, Sam and Sue were recruited at the end of November by Scott Bruhn of Pheasant Haven hunting preserve (http://www.pheasanthavenlodge.com/) in Elkhorn, Nebraska as guides. As the dogs were strictly wild bird hunters prior to this experience, I was a little nervous that they would “trap” the cage-raised birds (this is when the dog catches the bird in its mouth following the point). For this particular two day outing, chukkars were used. The birds were of a good quality and did not allow the dogs to get sloppy. They also ran across a number of “scratch” (previously released) pheasant which made for some added fun and action. The dogs are used to locking up on unforgiving wild grouse and pheasant, which made for some stylish points on the slower-moving planted birds. Sam and Sue were run separately to give the gunners plenty of time to walk up on the point and prepare for the shot. This event was a lot of fun for the dogs, as it isn’t everyday where a dog get to point 100+ birds. They also did a terrific job of retrieving for the two days they were on the job, November 30th and December 1st. Scott runs a nice operation and is talented at releasing birds in way that simulates wild bird hunts.
There was a second guide on the hunt running a Vizla, who is active in the National Shoot to Retrieve Association (http://www.nstra.org/), which is essentially a competitive field trial organization. Doing a side-by-side comparison of Sam and the NSTRA Vizla, Charles feels that this may be another dog sport organization that we would like to investigate and potentially participate in.
Charles and the dogs will be back guiding at Pheasant Haven tomorrow, with me joining them as blogger/photographer, so I’m looking forward to getting some good shots and stories to post next week.
December 13, 2010
Charity Upchurch
Hunting Tales, Puppy Update
Bird Hunting, Dog Training, Gun Dog, Hunting Dogs, Hunting Minnesota, Korthals Griffon, Pheasant Hunting, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
Sounds like Winston (Male 3 2010 litter) has been enjoying the big snows up in Minnesota. I received this cute letter from him, along with a video and some stills from the video.
Winston on point, with Kelvin
Winston and pheasant
Winston reporting in as promised – it might be a little slow in coming, but that seems to be part of my new family (Dad at least). I have been having a great time since getting to my new home in Minnesota back in June you saw some pictures with me and my new sister Stella (German Wirehair) everyone thinks we look a lot alike. Living on 20 acres and having lots of run time is wonderful. I did go through a little obedience class that Mom took me to -what a snap that was – just doing what they ask and there were treats at the end.
Other than that it has been some simple stuff for training, just being a real puppy for a while. Boy did that change last weekend as now I know what Stella has been telling me about. Just because I have out grown her at 7 months and she has about 5 years on me she really knows this hunting game well.
Dad took us both to southern Minnesota for some pheasant hunting with friends John and Jeff and we were joined there by Ken and Scot Dad explained I was along for the experience and he wasn’t expecting much since I did not have much specific training to date, but everyone was excited none the less.
Stella and I started out in the field by ourselves since we knew each other best. They dressed her up in some orange cloths to protect her chest as she is a girl so I just chased her around for a little while trying to check out her orange vest. Dad thought enough was enough as there were birds to hunt and he hooked a silly cord to my collar. After dragging that around and getting tugged on a couple of times I started thinking I should pay a little more attention. By this time we were joined by Poker (English Springer), now things started getting exciting as he and Stella were getting down to business.
I was eager to see what they were doing but knew well enough not to get in there way when they would stop and point – which usually meant bird, flush, shot and a chase. As Stella and Poker went about their business I decided to do a little hunting of my own and found that was the way things were to be done, we were all working on our own but still hunting together and helping out. I also got to lose that silly check cord. We all had our own way of telling everyone when we knew there was a bird to be shot and sometimes we would all 3 point the same bird – that was fun.
Seeing those birds fly and fall I figured out real quick a good way for praise was to get to the bird quick and find it, mind you I was not as quick as they were most of the time, but they let me have some fun too. Poker wasn’t as willing to let me help retrieve as sis was, but she has learned to put up with me and seems real willing to help teach me along the way.
Dad was especially pleased when I pointed a bird that the other dogs had gone by but they hung around to see what was up and beat me to the down bird (Dad actually caught some of that action on video).
Not sure what to expect, but Dad was mentioning a little E training in my future. Something about very happy with what I showed on my first trip but needed to work on a few details that he thought would come with more specific training on his part. I guess that is how Stella got to be so good in the field and I think I will be real lucky if I get to keep hunting with her.
Got home in time to beat the snow and it really snowed filling up our kennel run so Stella and I stayed inside except when Dad was out shoveling the snow – I really like playing in the snow.
I will check in later.
Winston
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