 |
| Pudelpointer photo compliments of Bob Farris - Cedarwood Gundogs |
On February 5th, 2011 twenty people from around the state of Montana gathered in Great Falls to found the Montana Sharptail Chapter of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association. The group ranged from first time puppy owners to folks with decades of Navhda experience. It was great to see the range of experience as well as breeds represented…GSP’s, Spinones, GWP’s, Griffs, Small Munsterlanders, Weimaraners, Pudelpointers and Langhaars. Although there was official business to tend to, the majority of the meeting was a discussion based on the philosophy of the club and the values we’d like to embrace. Everybody chimed in and several ideas were discussed…..the following basic vision was adopted:
· Training will focus on both testing and hunting
· Test fees will be the same for members and non-members of the chapter
· Training Days will consist of multi-day “Training Camps” throughout the state
· The Chapter will endeavor to be “geographically accessible”
· “Youth Programs” will be a priority
· Youth who wish to handle a dog in a test will be allowed to do so for half price.
· PR at events will be a club priority, with a “Point Person” and committee
· Testing opportunities will preferentially occur prior to September 1st
As a result of the discussions we were able to iron out several details including:
· Natural Ability Test Fee will be $110
· Utility and Utility Prep. Test Fee will be $140
· Application for tests June 18th & 19th and August 27th and 28th will be filed
· Girtman’s in Vaughn (Near Great Falls) will be the site of the first test
· Training Camps will occur in Great Falls and Whitefish, with potential in Billings, Hot Springs, Lewistown and Three Forks (Dates forthcoming)
· As an Education-based chapter, we will pursue 501(c)3 status with the IRS
The group elected the following people to be officers, board members and committee chairs:
· John Arkins – Laurel, MT – Board Member at-large
· Stephan Brown – East Helena, MT – Board Member at-large
· Dawna Miller – Carter, MT – Board Member at-large
· Tom Healy – Whitefish, MT – President
· Michael Bowman – Great Falls, MT – Vice President
· Lisa Durand – Whitefish, MT – Secretary / Treasurer
· Annetta Bowman – Great Falls, MT – Test Secretary
· Tony Weber – Missoula, MT – Events PR Director
· Ryan Young – Froid, MT – Youth Programs Director
Membership in the club is steadily growing, and 11 individuals and families so far have been generous with “Founding Membership” gifts of $100 – giving the new chapter a much needed boost in its infancy. Experience and enthusiasm are both quite high in the club, with information relative to raising and keeping gamebirds, trapping feral pigeons and building homing pigeon lofts is already criss-crossing through cyberspace. We will add a “Weblog” portion to the website – thus allowing club members to share info and training dates.
John Arkins has assembled some thought s relative to raising chukars, which I will post on the weblog – or potentially on a “documents” page. For those members wishing to possess gamebirds for the purposes of dog training there are two separate permits necessary:
Possession of Gamebirds: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/71410819/birds
Use of Gamebirds for Dog Training: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/71410921/getItem
Hit the “Printer” icon above the document so you don’t print the whole screen. Feel free to call or email with any questions: Tom Healy 406-212-0602 – swiftcreekgriffons@gmail.com.
Our insurance is paid with "International" and our charter has been officially accepted. http://www.navhda.us/chapterinfo.aspx Michael and Annetta have applied for our test dates.
The meeting was a success and a great opportunity for Versatile Hunting Dog Enthusiasts to meet and share ideas….as I’ve continued to visit with the growing membership, I think it’s safe to say we’re all excited about the future and the coming season.
The meeting was a success and a great opportunity for Versatile Hunting Dog Enthusiasts to meet and share ideas….as I’ve continued to visit with the growing membership, I think it’s safe to say we’re all excited about the future and the coming season.