Intensity

 

Contact info:

eMail: Roger Hull

Chapter President

 

Phone: 907-346-6279 or

907-346-6280 (cell)

 

Membership Application

 

Test Registration Form

 

Yahoo Discussion Group

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Territory:

The Greatland Chapter is currently the only NAVHDA-sanctioned chapter in Alaska. Therefore, we welcome members from throughout the State of Alaska. We endeavor to conduct clinics and tests in locations that best serve those members participating in each event.

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Legal ...

This is an independent web site maintained by the Greatland Chapter of NAVHDA. The Greatland Chapter does not and is not authorized to speak or act on behalf of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, Inc.  The accuracy of any statements or information posted on or derived from use of this web site is not verified, and may not reasonably be relied upon.

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Purina is proud to be an ongoing sponsor of NAVHDA and supports their efforts to improve, foster and promote purebred versatile dogs.

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Official remote collar sponsor of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association

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NAVHDA's Conservation Partner

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Pheasants Forever

Quail Forever, website header image

Quail Forever

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Web site template by:

FrontPage templates by Round The Bend Wizards

 

Fossi lin snowGreatland NAVHDA

Promoting versatile hunting dogs

in Alaska

Bramble in snow

 

 
Alaska Chapter of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association

NAVHDA Tests planned for 6-8 August ... click for info

Please remember to join the Greatland Chapter for the 2010 season!

And don't forget to join NAVHDA International!

Photos from the previous tests

Additional test day photos

Alaska Chapter of Pheasants Forever kick-off event at Birchwood Shooting Park Aug 5th

SlamPoint
 

"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went."
Will Rogers
 

2010 NAVHDA Tests

Update on the 2010 August tests ... on track!

The Greatland Chapter will hold the 2010 NAVHDA-sanctioned tests in August as planned. We have filled all three days of tests with the maximum number of dogs allowed by NAVHDA, based on the combination of test types each day. The entries, some fully paid, some partially paid, are:

Friday, 6 August

                
Owner/Handler Dog Breed Test   Owner/Handler Dog Breed Test
Skippy Johnston Wiley SM NA   Don Holum Greif LM NA
Yong Chun Beanie GR NA   Tom St. Clair Lark GW NA
Forrest Bolles Chance SM NA   Don Holum Kara LM NA
Steve Havens Bligh GR NA          
                 

Saturday, 7 August

                
Owner/Handler Dog Breed Test   Owner/Handler Dog Breed Test
Jeff McDonald Bezor GR NA   Don Holum Condy LM NA
Jeff Alling Jake SM UPT   John Haddix Kobuk GW UT
Dan Branvold Kodi GW UT   Jeff Alling Sparky SM UT
                 

Sunday, 8 August

                
Owner/Handler Dog Breed Test   Owner/Handler Dog Breed Test
Roger Hull Bramble GR UT   Jay Parker Fossil GS UT
Jeff Daigneau Doc GW UT   Jeff Alling Sparky SM UT
Don Holum Geeta LM NA   Don Holum Cruiser LM NA

The tests will be held on Friday through Sunday, 6-8 August, 2010, at Falcon Ridge. We’ve received an adequate number of entries to justify the cost of running the event, with perhaps one more test slot (NA, UPT or UT) available.

We currently have 19 paid entries: 11 NA, 1 UPT and 7 UT representing five VHD breeds. We’re doing the test day slotting to stay under the combined total for each test day that NAVHDA allows us to run. We've released the schedule so you can plan ahead for the day that you will be running. We can’t give you a running order until the actual test day.

We found it necessary to increase the fees for the tests to break even on the cost for judges, accommodations, birds, test registration and other unavoidable expenses. Thanks to all the handlers who stepped up to pay what is still a substantial savings over the cost of traveling Outside to test your dogs.

The Chapter does zero-based budgeting every year. We only have enough cash reserves to keep a bank account open ... about enough to buy lunch. Each year the tests we run are entirely funded by annual membership fees, test entry fees and donations from individual members. The cost of running a test is substantial. We pay our annual insurance premium to NAVHDA International, pay for the judges to travel to Alaska, pay a fee to NAVHDA for holding the test, pay for the birds, and pay for the grounds we use, along with incidentals like shells and bottled water. Many of those expenses are paid well in advance of the test weekend, and can't be refunded.

We are conducting a raffle on a couple of really decent guns and artwork to help offset the cost, and we are pursuing several sources of sponsorship from Alaska businesses.

We recently had a table for the Greatland Chapter at the Palmer Gun Show where we talked to folks about versatile hunting dogs, and stimulated interest in the Chapter and our test program among the attendees. Later this spring, we'll have a Saturday demo at Sportsman's Warehouse in Wasilla.

Please remember, to keep us from running into an unworkable financial situation, the entry fees we have received are non-refundable. If you did enter and, for any reason, you aren't able to run the dog in August, there a few options.

·                     Consider the entry fee to be a contribution to the Chapter and a scholarship for the other dogs that do run

·                     Run another dog that wasn't previously entered

·                     Find another handler and dog to run in your place, that weren't previously entered. We'll transfer the registration and the two of you can settle up between yourselves. We can probably change the test type, if necessary.

Now that we have made the commitment to run the tests and pulled the trigger on our expenditures, the non-refund rule will apply even if your dog dies, runs off or doesn't shape up quite like you expected during summer training. Trust me, it happens.

If you haven't entered the August Tests and would like to try for the one NA slot or put yourself in a position to take a slot if somebody has to back out, the Test Entry Form is linked from the upper left corner of this page and here. Print it, fill it out and mail it with your check to Judy Deaver (address on the form).

We'd like you to join the Chapter, but it isn't required. Your test fee is cheaper if you do.  The fees are listed on the form. It would sure help the chapter if you did join.

We'd also like to see you join NAVHDA International, but that isn't required either. That membership gets you a good magazine, access to test scores and litter registration info, the privilege of being a Chapter officer and the opportunity to run your dog in the Invitational if it's accompanied by a UT Prize I score on your dog. I'd do it.

We appreciate the interest in participating in these tests, and the willingness to commit early enough in the year to let us get the logistics accomplished in time.

Judy Deaver will be serving again as Test Secretary, which is an enormous amount of work. She and Jeff Daigneau will assist with running the tests, and other members will serve as field marshal, bird planters, gunners, snack and drink arrangers, raisers of ducks and other essential tasks. Many of you will be asked to assist on a day when you aren’t running a dog … and it sure would be helpful.

Gary Thompson at Falcon Ridge provides the chukkar and pheasants for the tests, and we use his grounds. We encourage you to join Falcon Ridge and use it for your individual training needs throughout the year if you are working your dogs in this area.

Thanks, and good hunting,

                Roger
   

 
 

Chapter events for 2010

The Chapter trains and tests during the summer. Click here for the tentative schedule of events.

If you are new to NAVHDA testing, and are considering running a pup in a Natural Ability Test, read this article by Steve Graham from the Pacific Northwest Chapter.

 

Greatland NAVHDA Chapter

The Greatland Chapter of NAVHDA is one of many sanctioned chapters in North America, and operates as a separate nonprofit corporation in the State of Alaska. We are a statewide organization, and the only NAVHDA-sanctioned chapter in the State, with members living in geographically dispersed locations in this Great Land we call Alaska.

The Chapter was originally formed in February of 2004 and has a current VHD owner base of around 40 versatile hunting dog owners.

Our purpose is to provide a source of camaraderie for our members with a common interest in sharing training and hunting opportunities with our versatile hunting dogs. We also intend to conduct NAVHDA-sanctioned tests and clinics in Alaska, provide training resources for our members, and a path for members who have an interest in becoming NAVHDA judges.

For additional information on the Greatland Chapter, please feel free to contact us by eMail at Greatland Chapter or by phone at 907-346-6279.

What is NAVHDA?

The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to foster, promote and improve the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America, to conserve game by using well-trained reliable hunting dogs before and after the shot, and to aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals by discouraging nonselective and uncontrolled breeding, which produces unwanted and uncared for dogs.

German Shorthaired Pointer at work during test at Falcon Ridge

What's a versatile hunting dog?

The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association defines versatility as "the dog that is bred and trained to dependably hunt and point game, to retrieve on both land and water, and to track wounded game on both land and water."
~ NAVHDA Aims, Programs, Test Rules

In the field, a versatile dog should exhibit a fine nose, staunch pointing and the desire to search for, track and retrieve game in a cooperative manner. A versatile dog needs to further prove its independence, stamina and quality of nose by transferring the search for, and retrieving of, game to the water. NAVHDA's testing program provides an opportunity for dogs to exhibit these characteristics while remaining obedient and in control at all times. True versatile dogs should perform all tasks with enthusiasm and be willing to work with, and for, their handlers.

The versatile breeds, as we know them today, are products of Europe. No distinctive versatile hunting breed has been developed in North America.
"Fossil", a German Shorthair Pointer on a ptarmigan hunt near Soldotna, Alaska


What does the Greatland Chapter offer you?

Tests ... The Greatland Chapter organizes and conducts NAVHDA-sanctioned Tests with a goal of two events a year in Alaska. Judges for these Tests are NAVHDA-approved, and come from the Lower 48 (until we develop approved judges within Alaska!). The tests include the Natural Ability Test, the Utility Preparatory Test and the Utility Test. Each test allows an owner or handler to have a dog tested without placing it in direct competition with the other dogs in the test. The dog is evaluated strictly on the basis of guidelines set out by NAVHDA. In a specific test, any number of dogs may receive any of the Prizes described in NAVHDA's Testing Manual.

Training Clinics ... The Greatland Chapter conducts dog training clinics based on the NAVHDA methods contained in the "Green Book" and the NAVHDA-produced video that come with NAVHDA International membership. These training clinics are held throughout the summer, starting in April, and are an excellent opportunity for owners new to dog training beyond basic obedience, owners with their first versatile hunting dog, and experienced owners/handlers. These clinics are a source of hints for managing problem dogs, starting puppies, refreshing your experienced dog, and refocusing on test-related skills prior to an actual Test. The training sessions are an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions (and get answers!), socialize your dog, and demonstrate what you and your dog have learned.

Finally, and most importantly, these training clinics provide access to ideal grounds and water, tracking areas, training tables, and other "tools of the trade" that may not be available to you at home.

NAVHDA-sanctioned Handler Clinics ... These are formal clinics run by NAVHDA-approved judges, and are a rich source of tips and tools for VHD owners contemplating participation in a formal Test. The Greatland Chapter can offer a Handler's Clinic in the local area with sufficient interest and participation.

Contacts ... The Greatland Chapter members include owners of a variety of VHD breeds, several hunting guides, veterinarians, veterans of NAVHDA tests, members of other hunting dog organizations and kennel clubs in Alaska, and people who have experienced just about any training difficulty you can imagine. Membership in the Chapter is a great opportunity to take advantage of this knowledge, and an excellent source for finding like-minded people to hunt with.

Pre-ownership information ... People who are contemplating acquiring their first versatile hunting dog, or a breed different from one you have trained or hunted with in the past, will find the Greatland Chapter a good way to benefit from a broad range of experience. Attending a training clinic where a variety of VHD breeds are present is the best way to see your breed in  action close-up and to ask questions of an owner rather than a breeder. The relationships you develop within the Chapter can be long-lasting and a real benefit throughout your training and hunting experiences with your new dog.

How to join:

To join the Greatland Chapter of NAVHDA, please print out the membership application form and mail it to us with a check for your annual dues. We do not have the capability to accept credit card payments. Please include your eMail address so we can add you to our mailing list for announcements. Also, please check this site for the Chapter newsletter, announcements regarding Tests, clinics and other events.

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