Twas the night before Christmas

And all through the house, not a canine was stirring, not even a mouse. The dogs were all nestled asleep on their beds, while visions of food bowls danced in their heads. Their stockings were hung in the kennel with care, in hopes that some milk bones would soon be found there.  Mama with her wine glass and I with my beer were enjoying a nightcap cause morning was near. The dogs rose before sunrise and started to bark, we loaded them up and off to the park. The moon on the crest of the new-fallen snow made it easy to find places for the dogs to go. We quickly picked poop with bags on our hands and promptly tossed it park supplied cans. Returning to home we found the old elf, he was filling the stockings alone by himself.  We thought if we scared him he might disappear, and the dogs would not get their favorite pigs' ears. Laying a finger aside of his nose he said Merry Christmas and up the chimney, he rose. The dogs were all happy  The End

RGS  Biologist Heather Shaw joins me to talk about the status of grouse around the great Lakes. and a few nuggets of info that you need to hear. We can't speak for all the Great lake States, but Michigan has their S_ _ T together!!!

Robert and I dig a bit deeper into the world of Retrievers. We talk about the elephant in the room. And also talk about the Queen Mother at field trials. His book "Absolutely Positively Gundog Training", is refreshing and informative.

This is part one of my chat with one of the countries best dog trainers. Robert started out like many of us. bending a dog to our will, but found that positive communication and reward, was the path to better dogs with less training time.

Three newbies hit South Dakota via Georgia. Four seasoned hunters do their annual trip. Two very different outcomes. If your thinking about making the journey for ringnecks? This episode is tailor-made for you!!