Gundog clubs

[metlhead]

Anyone have any contact info for any organizations serving SW Washington? I'd love to get my wirehair acquainted with some other dogs and likeminded folks with bird hunting passion.

[KFhunter]

Anyone have any contact info for any organizations serving SW Washington? I'd love to get my wirehair acquainted with some other dogs and likeminded folks with bird hunting passion.

I hope you find a good club that isn't tainted with elitist members that won't give the new guy the time of day unless they have a belt full of titles then they want to sludge off training tactics and time while shoving out other new members


Sorry I don't have any suggestions that doesn't meet the above generalized complaint about "gundog clubs"

 

[Bluemoon]

KFHunter nailed it on the head. Stay away from the AKC Clubs you will be very disappointed.  In SW Washington reach out to John Morgan thru the SW NAVHDA Chapter. He will gladly help you out. Most of that group actually get out and hunt.

[metlhead]

Thanks, I'll do that. Really for the dog. Good way to get him out working with others.

[jagermiester]

Bluemoon
John Morgan may be one of nicest guys I have ever met. The NAVHDA is well run and full of hunters with bird dogs. I do not train my dogs to do well on test but to do well in the field and I get along great with the guys in the club that are training their dogs to do well on the test.

metlhead

How old is your pup?

[metlhead]

He's a 5yo GWP. Very strong runner and swimmer with an excellent nose. I can range him 200yds, or hold him tight, all with rock solid points. Perfect duck blind etiquette with a desire to retrieve. Never trained distant directional commands, but we get by just fine. He is currently in farm dog mode, clearing out voles and doing stare downs with the local deer herd.

[Birdguy]

Second John Morgan He is absolutely as nice as stated and KNOWS how to raise and train bird dogs. It is not a stand by club, if you get involved the sky is the limit if you go twice a year and watch that is what you will get out of it. Best of luck with your dog!

[metlhead]

Had a wonderful conversation with John, and it sounds like the organization is doing great things for the benefit of the sporting breeds. However, we agreed that it was not what I was looking for. Wanting more of a social group of hunters that gather regularly and plan excursions, really centered around the joy of working the dogs.  I recall my very young years, and attending the local TU Steelheaders with my father. They were a busy group of guys spent a lot of time on the water, and planned projects that benefitted their sport. Thanks for the input all.