So many updates!

Hunting reports are rolling in from happy hunters working our line of squirrel dogs. Just this week, we have news about the Gray line of mountain feist getting the job done in Virginia, Missouri, Pennsylvania and others!

We post nearly real time updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grayfeist

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On our forum: http://graysfeist.proboards.com/


Here are a few highlights!

GET'N FEISTY available for download.

GREAT NEWS!!! We now have the Get'n Feisty video for sale online! Available to you for immediate download. Check it out. $15.

http://graysmountainfeist.com/?p=167

UKC Event in Maine

Last Saturday, we took the family to check out the United Kennel Club event hosted by the Pine Tree Coon, Cat & Bear Association. The only dog we brought with us was Gray's Prairie Daisy. The intention was to meet club members, introduce the breed to some new folks and show Danielle the big coonhounds. My hope was to talk to the membership about their rules about dogs that are silent on track, etc. Well, at the urging of one of the Club Officers, we entered Daisy into the Bench Show.

Daisy was up against some stiff competition from the females of other breeds, including a nicely-built English Coonhound. After some serious deliberation between the Master Of Hounds and the Apprentice he was training, we came out on top! 

The UKC recognizes all feist dogs as "Treeing Feist." Daisy has been UKC registered since she was a little pup. We just haven't lived close enough to attend competitions in the past. Both her parents were NKC/UKC registered. I finished her dam to SQCH/Bench CH. Daisy is NKC/UKC/WTDA/AFBA registered. She now has points toward Squirrel Champion in WTDA and Bench Champion in NKC, UKC and WTDA. We could finish her out in multiple registries if we lived closer to squirrel dog hunts or wanted to spend a ton campaigning her. Daisy has what it takes and reproduces her traits well in her offspring.

We're proud of her Best Female win at the UKC event this weekend because it was not simply like we won class & breed because we were the only ones there. Everyone at the club was very cordial and welcoming. Jess and I look forward to taking our kids to the clubhouse again SOON!    

Squirrel Season Update

As avid small game hunters, let’s urge outdoor writers and hunting media outlets to delve deeper into the topic of pursuing squirrels than “they’re a great way to hone your skills for big game.” That tired line or some reincarnation of it has been an annual cut and paste option for years. It’s beyond worn out, wouldn’t you agree? We need thoughtful, insightful, honest articles dedicated to squirrel hunting. Period.

Thanks to a decent hard mast crop over the past couple years, the squirrel population across wide swaths of the US is plentiful. It remains to be seen if we can overwinter animals to enjoy relatively high bushytail numbers next fall. The 2013-2014 season has turned out to be a good one with many reports coming in from across the country of successful hunts. The plentiful squirrel level creates a situation where youth are more easily engaged in the tradition of hunting because shooting opportunities abound and outings are action-packed. Likewise, if you’re like me, a good squirrel year makes training squirrel dog pups a breeze. Bountiful game is useful in tuning up the skills of started dogs and assists in building their confidence.

I try to introduce at least a few new people of various ages to hunting each year. One of the new participants, I am proud to say, if my wife. Jess completed her Hunter Education Course and has jumped in with both feet. She enjoys being in the timber, working dogs and of course – eating squirrels! We’ve had a decent season ourselves despite being busy working professionals with a young daughter and another child on the way. It’s always good to touch base with old friends, make new ones and as I mentioned take folks new to squirrel dogs out. One of our hunts we harvested 11 gray squirrels down in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. The dogs did a great job as they generally do…It’s the shooter’s fault most of the time! Another memorable trip was heading out to hunt on our family farm in Missouri. Despite only a short period to hunt, in the wind and extreme cold we were able to add 8 fox squirrels and 1 gray squirrel to the game bag. Jess and I have had fun working young dogs this year.

Some states still have time in February to hunt. Remember, late season is where a mountain feist or other squirrel dog breed can shine. It’s difficult to pinpoint food sources and as squirrel populations fall, a good dog can increase your success rate afield. A special note of appreciation is due Mark Puckett (Small Game Coordinator) for the Department of Game & Inland Fisheries for working with sportsmen and women to successfully extend the squirrel season in Virginia. Increasing opportunities will hopefully lead to increased participation in the great outdoors. I know that my family will be out there. See y’all in the timber!