Wednesday, December 26, 2007

My New Year's Resolution...

Start the New Year with a Purest Challenge resolution... be sure to renew your membership to the National Red Setter Field Trial Club!

Membership is only $30 per year for the entire family. Membership includes an annual subscription to The Flushing Whip, the national publication of the NRSFTC. The Flushing Whip is the "lifeblood" of our club... you don't want to miss a single issue!



If you need a membership form, you can download one at the National Red Setter Field Trial Club website, at http://www.nrsftc.com/PDF/MembershipApp.pdf


Join us in our pursuit of the Purest Challenge.




Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas From the National Red Setter Field Trial Club!



From the Board of Directors of the National Red Setter Field Trial Club, we wish a most blessed and peaceful holiday to all of our Irish red setter friends and family, from coast to coast, and across the ocean. May your coveys fly fast and far, your points be staunch, and your shots be true!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

The 12 Field Trialer Days of Christmas

The 12 Field Trialer Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
A Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Three check cords,
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Four Garmin trackers,
Three check cords,
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Five Champion setters!
Four Garmin trackers,
Three check cords,
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!


On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Six red setters running,
Five Champion setters!
Four Garmin trackers,
Three check cords,
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Seven coveys rising,
Six red setters running,
Five Champion setters!
Four Garmin trackers,
Three check cords,
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Eight pheasants flying,
Seven coveys rising,
Six red setters running,
Five Champion setters!
Four Garmin trackers,
Three check cords,
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!


On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Nine horses walking,
Eight pheasants flying,
Seven coveys rising,
Six red setters running,
Five Champion setters!
Four Garmin trackers,
Three check cords,
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!


On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Ten derbies holding,
Nine horses walking,
Eight pheasants flying,
Seven coveys rising,
Six red setters running,
Five Champion setters!
Four Garmin trackers,
Three check cords,
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!


On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Eleven puppies pointing,
Ten derbies holding,
Nine horses walking,
Eight pheasants flying,
Seven coveys rising,
Six red setters running,
Five Champion setters!
Four Garmin trackers,
Three check cords,
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Twelve days of hunting,
Eleven puppies pointing,
Ten derbies holding,
Nine horses walking,
Eight pheasants flying,
Seven coveys rising,
Six red setters running,
Five Champion setters!
Four Garmin trackers,
Three check cords,
Two bobwhite quail,
And a Ruffed grouse in a spruce tree!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Words of Wisdom...

"History discloses that the great gun dogs come from dynamic, aggressive, prepotent individuals. Without these brilliant, scintillating, spectacular, hard driving, independent performers, consumed with a passion for finding birds, evincing unquestionable fire in the quest, needing restraint rather than encouragement, the splendid shooting dogs of the current era could not have been bred and developed."


William F. Brown
former editor, American Field



(Picture courtesy of Sandy Peter'ka)

Monday, December 17, 2007

Ohio Bill Strips Away Dog Ownership Rights

Ohio Bill Strips Away Dog Ownership Rights

A bill before the Ohio legislature takes aim at the concept of dogs as private property, stripping away the right of private ownership of dogs. The legislation redefines owners of kennels as having “custody of or control” over dogs, but does not grant them the right of actual ownership. The bill is designed to regulate kennels having nine or more breeding dogs. It requires additional regulation of kennels that sell more than 25 dogs and puppies a year, which are called “intermediary” kennels.

House Bill 225 gives dogs the same legal status and rights as human children or wards of the state, and incorporates many of the basic principles advocated by extreme animal rights groups such as the Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. HSUS and PETA believe that all animals should be granted rights equal to those guaranteed to humans, and the Ohio legislation reflects this position.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance (ASDA) has identified the Ohio legislation as one of its highest priorities for 2008, and is assembling a strong leadership team and legal representation to fight back against this blatant attempt to take away our right of dog ownership and infringe on the vital concept of private property.

“It’s not going to be an easy fight,” ASDA Director John Yates said. “The Ohio legislation (H.B. 225) already has the endorsement of 38 members of the 99-member Ohio General Assembly. That is close to 40-percent support, and the bill still is in committee.” The 38 Ohio legislators who endorse the bill will be listed at the bottom of this article.

“I ‘smell a rat’ with this legislation,” Yates said. “First of all, it was not introduced into the House Agriculture Committee, even though it would be administered and controlled by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Instead, the bill was introduced in the State Government and Elections Committee. This is a tactic use to minimize the influence of pro-farm legislators, who would recognize the fundamental danger to farmers when animals are granted equal rights with humans, and when the concept of private ownership of animals is destroyed.”

Yates said it also seems fishy that numerous sensationalistic and inflammatory news articles, television news stories and National Public Radio broadcasts have appeared in Ohio over the past month. National Public Radio is funded with tax dollars, and ASDA plans to demand equal airtime to counter these biased news stories.

Yates urges all Ohioans who have sporting dogs, own dogs of other breeds, who farm or who simply care about basic human rights to take an active role in this fight by joining ASDA and volunteering their time and talent to strike down this legislation and put real heat on the 38 legislators who support it. ASDA also has assembled a list of Ohio organizations that support this legislation, and businesses that support these groups, and will urge sporting dog owners to boycott them.

ASDA’s website can be accessed at http://www.americansportingdogalliance.org. Frequent updates about the Ohio situation will appear on the organization’s journal blog, which can be accessed through this site.

A full political and legal analysis of this legislation will be published on the ASDA website this week, but here are some of the most significant aspects of H.B. 225:

· All litters of puppies born by regulated kennels must be registered with the state agency.

· Each kennel operator will be required to post surety bonds and carry insurance to pay for the cost of any enforcement action against him or her.

· The state will be given the power to confiscate dogs, both for alleged mistreatment and for technical violations of the kennel law.

· Although violation of any part of this law would be considered a First Class Misdemeanor, subject to the criminal code and possible prison sentences and stiff fines, accused kennel owners are granted only the right to an administrative appeal through the Department of Agriculture.

· It allows the Department of Agriculture to pass judgment on an applicant’s competence to operate a kennel, without defining what standards will be used to make this determination, and gives the power to deny licensure to anyone deemed lacking “the expertise or capacity” to meet the requirements of the law. Photos of an applicant’s kennel and various affidavits must be filed with each application.

· The bill requires initial and annual criminal and personal background checks of kennel operators, and of all of their employees and family members who have contact with dogs, and also requires fingerprinting of each person involved. Kennel owners thus will have to meet the same background requirements as people who work with children or adults in schools, institutions, group homes and social service agencies. A kennel license would be denied if the operator, a kennel employee or a family member have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to animal abuse or domestic violence allegations at any time in their lives.

· Grants complete power to the Department of Agriculture to create and enforce specific regulations about the care of dogs, kennel management, paperwork and facility design. The bill does not require either legislative oversight or public participation, and the specifics of the regulations are not contained in the text of the legislation. Specific information is being withheld from the legislature and citizens.

· Annual kennel license fees ranging from $150 to $750 are imposed by the bill. Intermediaries (anyone who sells more than 25 dogs or puppies a year) are required to pay an additional $500 license fee. In addition, any citizen can request an inspection of any intermediary facility at any time and for any reason, and the request will be mandatory.

· The bill also sets up contracts with animal shelters and rescue groups to house and care for any animals that are confiscated by the state.

· Creates a 10-member oversight commission consisting of two members of the general assembly and eight members “representing various entities with an interest in dog kennels.” There is no requirement for any of these representatives to be stakeholders in the issue, and the door is open for representation by animal rights groups. These eight seats will be held by political appointees who are not accountable to the Legislature or the voters.

Here is a list of the 38 co-sponsors of the bill: Ohio Reps. Hughes (the prime sponsor), R. Hagan, D. Stewart, Flowers, Skindell, Combs, B. Williams, Seitz, Okey, Fende, Setzer, Bacon, Beatty, Brady, Otterman, Peterson, Brown, Yuko, J. Stewart, Luckie, Wolpert, J. McGregor, Webster, Evans, Ujvagi, Blessing, J. Hagan, Distel, Heard, Dyer, Celeste, Foley, Chandler, Hottinger, Strahorn, Schneider, Bolon, and Miller.
Yates urges Ohioans and others to contact these legislators both in person and with strongly worded letters of protest aimed both at defeating this legislation, and having the co-sponsors formally withdraw their support from it.
ASDA also is working to save Ohio field trial grounds at the Kildeer Plains and Indian Creek Wildlife Management Areas, which are being closed to trialing this coming April by state and federal wildlife agencies.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Ohio Proposes Kennel Regulations...

The state of Ohio has proposed legislation that would regulate kennels for all dog owners who are breeding dogs. This legislation has the same appearance as the PAWS legislation and the PA Kennel regulations proposed in that state last year. As expected, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is supporting this legislation. The legislation is purported to be designed to eliminate "puppy mills" but in reality will force undue regulation on virtually anyone who breeds dogs in the state of Ohio. HSUS has a bigger agenda than simply attempting to eliminate puppy mills... although they pretend to be a "humane society,", in reality, the HSUS has no affiliation with any local humane society, such as those that typically are found in your local community or county. The HSUS has assets of over $113 million, yet it does not support or operate a single animal shelter. They consistently mislead the American public into donating millions of dollars to the organization, implying that they are a "humane society," when in reality the agenda is to control, limit, and eventuallly eliminate animals from human contact. They are opposed to dog or cat ownership or breeding, farm animal ownership or breeding, rearing animals for milk, meat, egg, or clothing production, fishing, hunting, or any recreational sport involving animals, such as horseback riding, rodeos and similar activities. This is the organization that is supporting the current kennel regulations in Ohio.

This proposal is another example of overzealous governmental regulation that has been proposed to punish the majority of responsible pet owners, rather than using existing laws that would eliminate the few kennels who are violating the law. HSUS is excited about this proposal, because it would give them a "foot in the door" to advancing their extremist, "big brother" agenda on the American public. HSUS is not concerned about animal welfare... if they were concerned, they would be supporting the local humane societies in our state that are constantly struggling to do their work with minimal budgets.

Here are a couple of links to check out the current legislation...

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/analysis.cfm?ID=127_HB_223&ACT=As%20Introduced&hf=analyses127/h0223-i-127.htm

http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/state_legislation/ohio/puppy_mills.html

Ohioans... contact your state Congressman and express your opposition to this proposed bill. This will have a negative impact on all aspects of dogs and dog breeding, for everyone from hunters to field trialers, to show and bench folks, and everyone in between. Stand up for your right to own, train, breed and handle your dogs without governmental interference!

Last, but not least, if you want to donate some funds to a humane society... donate to your LOCAL humane society, where the money will be spent in your local community to help control local animal populations. Please do NOT donate to HSUS... your money will not be used to help any animals, and in fact may be used to their detriment!

redpups

Thursday, December 13, 2007

My Favorite HSUS quote...

HSUS president Wayne Pacelle described some of his goals in 2004 for The Washington Post: “We will see the end of wild animals in circus acts … [and we’re] phasing out animals used in research. Hunting? I think you will see a steady decline in numbers.” More recently, in a June 2005 interview, Pacelle told Satya magazine that HSUS is working on “a guide to vegetarian eating, to really make the case for it.” A strict vegan himself, Pacelle added: “Reducing meat consumption can be a tremendous benefit to animals.”

My response to this astute observation... "duhhhhhh!!"

For more info on the HSUS, check out the website ActivistCash... a great website that lists and exposes the many supposedly benevelent organizations and foundations that are in reality nothing more than fringe groups looking to finance their idiocy with your hard earned cash.

Check them out at http://www.activistcash.com/index_organizations.cfm

Thanks Wayne Pacelle for a briliant piece of ecological brainstorming. I'm going to have my supper now... a big juicy hamburger.

redpups

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Texas Red Setters Rock!!


Litter mates Summer Wine (Rocky) and Flame’n Red Violet (Violet) just finished showing that they know how to find and point birds. 12-1/2-07 Rocky carded 7 finds and Violet 5 to go first and second in the Texas Red Setter Open Derby. They had the Pointer boys shaking their heads. Not content to stand on their laurels this pair repeated their performance at the Irish Setter Club of San Antonio 12-8/9-07. This time Rocky found four coveys to Violet’s two as they once again went first and second in the Open derby. Good Lord willing these two have bright future. Rocky is owned and handled by Jim Baker, Violet is owned by MaryAnn and Royce Gustafson and handled by MaryAnn.
Thanks to Jim Baker for forwarding this info!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Alaska Becomes the 34th State Sportsmen’s Caucus

With the announcement of the newly-formed Alaska Sportsmen’s Caucus, more than half of the state legislature joined as founding members and vowed to shine more of a spotlight on hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities in the state. “This caucus it a tool to address a lot of the erosion of the hunting and outdoors heritage in the country and Alaska,” commented Rep. Bill Stoltze, who represented the Alaska Caucus at the recent NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit held in Branson, Missouri. “It's a mechanism for legislation to promote hunter safety, wildlife education and firearm safety among kids. It is also about preservation of the state's heritage and hunting and fishing resources, not conservation by locking up everything to hunting and fishing.”
The Caucus is co-chaired by House Speaker John Harris, R-Valdez, and Senate President Lyda Green, R-Wasilla. The group, officially named the Alaska Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus, will team up with other states’ caucuses under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses. Alaska is the 34th state to form a caucus under the NASC.
Rep. Harris said, “the caucus would serve as a voice for Alaska sportsmen and women and help lawmakers protect against loss of habitat, urbanization, lack of proven predator-prey management and outside national organizations who voice anti-hunting and anti-fishing programs.”

State Legislators and Highly Recognized Conservation Authorities Gather At Sportsman-Legislator Summit
From Alaska to Florida and from New Mexico to New Hampshire and states in between, hunters and anglers were represented by their state legislators at the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Fourth Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit in Branson, Missouri.
Record breaking attendance of 40 state legislators, including an unprecedented number of legislators from new states, signaled that sportsmen’s issues have moved up the legislative priority list at the state level. In total, the Summit brought together a collective group of more than 100 highly recognized individuals from state legislatures, state and federal wildlife agencies, national conservation organizations and private industry to zero in on issues that will shape the future health of hunting and fishing in America.
Issues examined included, better management practices for wildlife, the need for dedicated state funding and the emerging and important issue of Marine Protected Areas, as well as creative tactics being deployed by the anti-gun and anti-fishing/hunting lobbies.“I have attended this meeting since it first took place in 2004 and every year I learn about trends in other states that I can implement back in Idaho to benefit sportsmen, as well as being made aware of legislation that I need to be on the look out for,” commented Idaho State Caucus Co-Chair Rep. David Langhorst, who serves on the NASC Executive Council.
Attendees left Branson, Missouri with a more tangible realization that hunting and fishing are not just outdoor activities, but are also economic drivers in every state, creating jobs and contributing to the state and local tax base. With this in mind, sportsmen caucus legislators vowed to return to their home states with a concentrated effort on introducing pro-sportsman legislation during the 2008 legislative session. It is no coincidence that since NASC was launched the number of pro-sportsmen’s bills introduced and passed has more than doubled. With 34 affiliated state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses, the strength and synergy of NASC is rapidly increasing
“The commitment and cooperative nature of this year’s summit was unparalleled by any year before, setting the stage for NASC and state sportsmen’s caucuses around the country to be more proactive than ever before,” commented Jeff Crane, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation president.
The NASC 4th Annual Legislator-Summit was hosted by the Missouri Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Missouri Conservation Federation, in partnership with Bass Pro Shops. The title sponsor was the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The presenting sponsor was Anheuser Busch and the activity sponsor was the American Forest Foundation.

Dedicated Legislators Elected to NASC Executive Council
During the NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit, five legislators were elected by their peers to the NASC Executive Council (EC) to serve a two-year term. Senator David Langhorst (ID), Representative Mike Burris (AR) and Representative Mark Gergely (PA) were reelected, and new members Representative Jason Brown (MO) and Representative Carl Isett (TX) were elected to their first term. NASC is fortunate to have quality legislators serving on the EC. Their insights, counsel and guidance have been invaluable to increasing the role of NASC as the leader assisting state legislators who are promoting a pro-sportsmen’s agenda.

CSF Selects Allan Ellis as New Communications Director
Allan Ellis was recently selected as the new Communications Director for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Allan will be responsible for the day-to-day production of news, updates and press releases for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses.
Allan brings over 25 years of publishing and broadcasting experience as well as his years of experience as the Promotions Manager for Bass Pros Shops Maryland location. Allan lives in Baltimore County, Maryland with his wife Kathy. They have two grown children and enjoy their two young grandchildren. He enjoys deer and waterfowl hunting and all styles of fresh and saltwater fishing. Allan publishes the ‘Maryland Deer and Waterfowl Hunting Guide’ annual magazine and hosts the popular ‘Outdoorsman Radio Show’.
“We are pleased to welcome Allan to the Foundation,” said Jeff Crane, President of CSF. “Allan’s understanding of our goals, his experience and his passion for the outdoors are the attributes we were hoping for.”
“I’ve been familiar with the important work of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and the Congressional Sportsman Caucus as well as National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses for a number of years. I’ve worked with CSF on their annual banquets and attended their events, stated Ellis “This position will allow me to share with others how the mission of CSF and NASC affects and protects our heritage and traditions of hunting and fishing.”

The Sportsman's Link to Congress and State Capitols
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses 110 North Carolina Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003

Monday, December 3, 2007

It's Time To Throw Out the Hunting Act!!

Tony Wright, the first huntsman prosecuted under the Hunting Act, had his conviction overturned on appeal in Exeter Crown Court on Friday 30th November. Mr. Wright, of the Exmoor Foxhounds, was found guilty in August 2006 at Barnstaple Magistrates Court, despite having used two hounds to flush foxes to be shot on 29th February 2005 as he believed was allowed by the Act. More people have been convicted of hunting rats under the Act than have been found guilty of illegal fox hunting.

Check out this link for additional information on this ill-conceived law in Great Britain... it's time the Brits throw this one out!

http://www.countryside-alliance.org/

Thanks to the Terrierman website for the info on this posting!
http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/

Bearcat

Bearcat
VOTE BEARCAT FOR HALL OF FAME