Introducing Pine Straw Magpie - "Maggie"

This is our newest member of Pine Straw Setters, and Katie's half sister. Out of CH Chip's Uncle Buzzie and Annabelle Blue Sky. We got this puppy from Mike Groy of Blue Sky Setters. We have big hopes for little Maggie. She has already been introduced to birds, and not only sight points, but is scent pointing them already as well.

Hawk wins Chemung County Derby!

Pine Straw Blackhawk took 1st place in the derby stake at the Chemung County field trial. Hawk ran well and had several nice finds for Marc Forman. There were a total of 12 dogs entered in the stake. This placement was his first after taking first at an NBHA derby stake in South Carolina. We're proud of Hawk and appreciate the Forman brothers' (Marc and Scott) efforts.

Spring Training for Katie and Smudge

We took a trip to my parent's farm over spring break. While there we took advantage of some great weather to work Katie and Smudge. It was nice to have some big fields and woods in which to work the dogs. It was getting green, but not too bad. I also took the opportunity to snap some pictures of the dogs.

Smudge scores another blue ribbon, Charlie and Hawk go back with the Formans.

On Presidents Day, I took Charlie and Hawk back to the Formans at their training grounds in central Kentucky. The spring cover dog trial season starts this coming Saturday and Hawk and Charlie are on their way.

Smudge kept his roll going with another Derby 1st place on Saturday, February 25. Smudge ran well and had several nice finds. This is his second placement of 2012, the other was a third place in an Amateur Shooting Dog stake at an NBHA trial in South Carolina.

Katie did not take.

We are disappointed to report that Katie is not pregnant. The breeding of her to Charlie did not take. We have to wait another year for a batch of puppies at Pinestraw Setters.

Pheasant Hunting with Pinestraw Setters

Smudge and Katie got to go on a pheasant hunting trip to Illinois and the well known Harpole's Heartland lodge. They shared time down with the Vizslas, but everybody got in on the action. Smudge learned a lot and tracked down several wily roosters, pinning them cautiously once they were cornered. Katie remembered the pheasant dance too and pointed her fair share. Here are a couple of pictures showing them doing what they were bred to do.

Hawk wins Amateur Derby, Smudge gets 3rd in Am Shooting dog

On January 14, 2012 Pine Straw Black Hawk had won first place in the Amateur Derby stake at the Sumter County Bird hunters NBHA field trial (American Field). Hawk had four broke finds. This was Hawks first AF amateur placement which qualifies him for most amateur championship trials.

At the same trial Pine Straw Smudge took 3rd place in the Amateur Shooting Dog stake. He had two nice finds, one far to the front. This was Smudge's first shooting dog placement, not too bad for a derby aged dog.