1771 Roble Grande RD 
Alpine, CA 91901 
(619) 659-9393 
(619) 659-5966 (fax) 
Email: marysarmiento@sandiegosportingdogclub.org

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Wednesday, May 12th
7:00PM
Animal Medical Center
600 Broadway, El Cajon

Our Topic - Sporting Dog first aid, rattlesnake avoidance and vaccine.

Training Day
May 15th
Look for details via e-mail 

Turner's Outdoorsman Shooting Sports Fair
June 4th, 5th & 6th
at Raahauge's
Click to view flyer

Recent Events

Emotion has No place in Training

I learned so much over the weekend Wyatt and I spent with Sharon Potter.  The seminar started out with a Friday evening orientation that went over the 17 steps in the Trained Retrieve process.  I was familiar with the process having read about it and viewing it on DVD but was uneasy with attempting the training on my own knowing I'd not be able to do it properly.  I was right, there is no substitute for professional training.

Saturday Sharon demonstrated the first of the techniques to the handlers and the dogs.  All the dogs responded differently to being strapped to the post and holding a wood dowel in their mouth.  No dog was beyond Sharon's calm controlling demeanor.  She showed each of us how to achieve success in each exercise and how to end each session on a positive note without going backwards on our training.  

By the end of Saturday we were ready to introduce the dogs to the dreaded ear pinch.  Only two of the dogs needed stimulation beyond the standard pinch.  By Sunday all the dogs had made good progress on what the pinch meant and how to make it stop.  Sunday was spent going over Saturdays lessons and introducing the group to the techniques used to get the dog to pick up objects off the ground on command.  

Sharon taught me to take a moment and calm down before working with Wyatt.  It's an ongoing problem I've had.  If we get in a dicey situation hunting or at the dog park with an aggressive dog he always plays off my mood.  Two weeks prior to the seminar Wyatt was near death in the animal hospital with a bacterial infection in his intestines.  Once out of the hospital he bounced back quickly.  I did not bounce back so quickly with the emotional and financial toll of W's illness weighing heavily on my mind as I pondered rewarding his regained health with a good old fashioned ear pinch.  Once Sharon got me to calm down and we got into the ear pinch both Wyatt and I did much better.  To better train Wyatt I need to retrain myself to calm down.  Yoga classes would probably not be a bad thing.  

Sharon emphasized that we all needed to go back to the beginning and do one step at a time and take however many weeks it takes and achieve the individual steps one at a time.  Wyatt has gone from not wanting to hold a wood dowel in his mouth for any length of time to holding any object I give him for up to 3 minutes.  We're doing 3 - 4 five to ten minute sessions per day and he's making great progress.  In three to four weeks we should be back on the ear pinch but I now have the confidence and knowledge to follow through on the training and am looking forward to the rewards of my efforts next hunting season.

	Sharon Potter with Andy & Diana Hauber's Chocolate Lab, Keeneye learning to hold a dowel.
Trevor's Vizsla, Brandy figuring out the post.
	Brad Fenton and Tater work on dowel training.
Mark Miller with Tasha his Drahthaar.

	Randy Domingos and Wyatt learning the ear pinch.
Mary Sarmiento and Brandy making progress on the dowel.
	Mary & Sharon demonstrate the final stages of the Trained Retrieve process.

You will soon be getting raffle tickets in the mail for our annual gun raffle. This year we are raffling off the following two guns; one 12 gauge and one 20 gauge. They are as follows:

Remington SPR310 Over/Under Walnut stock 28" barrel 4 chokes Auto selective ejector Chrome lined bore Vent rib Additional details will follow.

Scott Toothacre's application to rejoin the SDSDC has been approved.  Welcome back Scott. 

Andy & Diana Hauber and Brad Fenton have applied for membership and will be voted on at the next B.O.D. meeting.

It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you that long time SDSDC member Harry Steele has died. Jack informed us yesterday that his dad passed peacefully the weekend of April 16th. Harry was an Honorary member and had been in the club almost 20 years. Farewell our friend. Harry Steele seen here with Casey Kurpiel.

Minutes from the SDSDC Board of Directors meeting held April 7th 2010.

Present were; Mary Sarmiento, Ron Dotson, Rick Greenwell, Wendy Greenwell, Pam Felgenhauer, Joe Artes, Ernie Lopez and Randy Domingos. Bill Cox were unable to attend. The meeting was held at the Greenwell’s home.

Minutes
Reading of the minutes from the March board meeting as published in the April Newsletter was waived.

Treasurers Report
Wendy Greenwell presented the report.

As of 4/7/2010 there is; $ 187.96 in the Pt. Loma Credit Union account. $6901.81 in the B of A account. A motion was made and approved to transfer all but $500 into the Pt. Loma Credit Union account. The B of A account will remain open as it is so old as to have lower fees associated with it and if the Pt. Loma account does not work out we can transfer monies back in without costing the club higher fees. 

Membership Report
Pam Felgenhauer presented the report.

Currently the SDSDC has 50 members. Of the 50, 12 have not renewed their membership for 2010. Pam has contacted those who have not renewed in an attempt to get them to renew. Unpaid members will not be allowed to participate in club events do to insurance issues. 

Rules Committee
As of 3/1/2010 the Competition Rules committee has not met do to time constraints
Old Business

Safety Shoot
The May 2nd date conflicted with activities at the Lemon Grove Rod and Gun Club and a new date will be chosen.

Picnic
Wendy Greenwell presented the report.
The picnic will be scheduled around the Safety Shoot date. Wendy will advise us as to the date.

Website
Randy Domingos presented the report.

The website should near completion by the April 14th meeting. SDSDC.com has now be rerouted to the .org site. Problems occurred while trying to transfer the contact information in Go Daddy from Bill Cox to Randy Domingos. This has been resolved.

Gun Raffle

The guns are on order as soon as they arrive the board will take steps to start the raffle.

Bird Boxes

The new bird boxes have not been ordered yet. Ernie Lopez may have a source for used bird boxes. He will look into if they are useable and if so what the cost might be.

April General Membership Meeting

Doug Norman – Owner of Hi-Pass Sports is confirmed as our guest speaker. He will be discussing gun issues and how to choose a gun.

SDCWF
The club has rejoined the SDCWF. They have requested that we send a representative to their meetings. The board will inquire to the general membership if anyone is willing to take on this responsibility.

Census

Randy presented the preliminary version of the 2010 club census. The information will be used to tailor the needs of the club and find out how many of what breed of dog is in the club. After he completes the work on the website this will be finalized.

New Business

Snake Training
Ron Dotson will look into finding a person for snake avoidance training and report back to the board. The club will form a committee for a 2011 event for snake training. 


Birds
The club has an opportunity to buy 100 pigeons at $2 ea. A motion was made and approved for this purpose.

Sharon Potter Seminar
A motion was made and approved to send a club member to the Sharon Potter Seminar, a $350 purchase. To be eligible a member must be current on their dues as of the general meeting April 14th 2010. Not attended a Potter seminar previously. Must be able to attend all three days. Pam sent an email inquiry to eligible members. Only those responding that they could attend will go in the drawing. The winner need not be at the meeting to win. An alternate will also be drawn in case the first winner is unable to attend.

Insurance
Our insurance underwriter is no longer offering policies for sporting dog events. Pam is filling out the paperwork to obtain new coverage.

May BOD meeting
Will be held prior to the May general meeting at the Animal Medical Center.

The San Diego Sporting Dog Club would like to thank Doug Norman, Owner of Hi-Pass Sports, for volunteering his time as our guest speaker.  Doug answered questions concerning the sale and transfer of firearms from out of state.  Doug also spoke about the private sale and transfer of firearms in California.  The SDSDC held a drawing to send a member to Sharon Potter's Trained Retrieve Seminar.  Randy Domingos and Wyatt were drawn by Mr. Norman.

Look for the club census to arrive in your e-mail Wednesday May 12th.  By taking a few minutes to respond you'll be helping the club plan for the future.  The questions are simple and straight forward.  Providing your dogs breed, full name and level of training will help enhance the newsletter and website.  Providing information on the type of events your interested in will help the B.O.D. plan for the future so please respond.

Misty got her first AKC Master Hunter pass this weekend!  We had 41 dogs in the Master stake of which only 7 passed.  AKC Master stakes are 2 day events.  She was really on her game the first day Saturday.  They started with a triple land mark with an out of order flier. The middle bird (live flier) was long (90yards) with 2 short birds to the left 95 degrees right 45 degrees from the middle.  Order I believe was left middle right.  Some dogs had memory trouble on the left and others blew by the right short and hunted long.  Misty did a great job with short hunts and good memory of the fall areas.  We stayed in the same area and ran 2 land blinds on either side of the previous left mark.  The left blind was very short around 40 feet, the right about 50 yards through the area of the old fall.  One whistle blinds on both so that worked out well.  We next went to a land and water mark.  At this point we were down to 22 dogs I believe.  Land mark was to the right and water mark to the left.  About a 45 degree separation.  It was designed as a cheating test for the water mark.  First bird was the water 2nd bird the land.  Fairly straight forward dog went and picked up the land then turned 45 degrees and picked up the water mark.  It was easy for dogs to cheat and take the land route to the water mark and some dogs were dropped for doing that.  Others for having to handle to many times on marks.  

That ended Saturday and we went back to camp for my famous Spaghetti. Its really my wifes family recipe but its so good I took ownership of it many years ago. This being our first master we thought no way were we going to get passed and would go out early in the first series. Then I could go cook. As the saying goes "Best laid plans of mice and men". 

Sunday we had 16 dogs coming back and did a water series with a blind between 2 of the marks.  The left mark was an in bird towards the line, the middle bird live flier at 90 yards and right bird at 90 yards.  Order was left right and then middle flier. Misty had a short hunt on the flier and then pinned the right bird.  Most dogs got the flier but had trouble on the right bird.  The line to the bird was water,land,water,land,water,land.  A number of dogs hung up on the second land or blew pass the mark and hunted way out.  The left mark as I said was an in bird and this threw Misty off.  The line was water , point, water, point/peninsula.  She hung a right when she hit the first point and was really off line.  So I handled for the first time in a test on a mark.  One whistle and an over and she headed into the water and over to the other point and ran right to the bird.  Really do not know what was going on there.  On the blind it was sloppy.  The line was to hit both those previous points and the the channel beyond.  She got onto the peninsula/second point and was headed down it and off the line.  Stopped her gave an over got a CR stopped again and a hard over got her back into the channel.  She went down the channel and landed about 10 feet from the bird.  She turned left (away from bird), stopped and gave a right over she angled back and went behind the bird.  Stopped her and gave a right come in and got her to the bird.  Does anyone know if you can bring a crate to the line to stand on?  Us short people are visually disadvantaged. :-)  I have diagrams of the test if anybody want to see them I will email them to you.

Harvested 4-28-10, 11AM, Eagle Peak Road area, Julian, CA – 23 1/2lbs, 10” beard & 1” spurs. I decided that since it was raining on 4/28/10, I would go out on a late morning to afternoon hunt. Bases for my decision to go out turkey hunting was that past experience proved that for the most part these beautiful birds like to come out after the rain and dry off. The drying off usually takes place in an open area where they can flap around. Well I was in the right place at the right time (11AM!!!!) two hen’s and a Tom to the rear came through my area. There was no gobbling, no clucking, no putting …… not a sound, they were just walking through very slowly, flapping their wings and shaking their bodies. The ladies passed and Mr. 
Tom was still hanging to the rear just pecking around and shaking. The ladies returned for a few minutes (it seem like an hour) and Mr. Tom proceeded to move towards them. As they moved to my right Mr. Tom was getting closer, it seemed like hours, he was in front of me at which time he stretched his neck and looked at me and the rest is history. I knew he was a nice size bird, but was thinking he was a Jake. Boy was I wrong! I gave Mike Barry (taxidermist) a call and transported Mr. Tom to Pine Valley yesterday where he will become a full mount.

Pending Legislation

SB 1058 - Protection of Big Game Tag and Upland Game Bird Stamp Revenues - COHA SPONSORED

Senator Tom Harman (R-Orange) has introduced SB 1058, COHA-sponsored legislation which would prevent big game tag and upland bird stamp monies from being misused for non-game or non-hunting purposes. A similar COHA-sponsored bill, SB 589, was vetoed by the Governor last year.

SB 1058 would mandate that all deer, elk, wild pig, antelope, bighorn sheep and bear tag revenues and upland game bird stamp monies be used to benefit those particular species, their habitats, and the users that generate them. It would also provide much-needed opportunity for sportsman’s groups to review and provide comment on proposed expenditures of the funds. 

SB 1058 will be heard in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee in early April.


AB 2223 - Prohibition of Lead Shot on State Wildlife Areas – COHA Opposes

Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) has introduced AB 2223, legislation which would prohibit the use of lead shot on state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) operated by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). Violators of the bill’s provisions would be subject to a $500 fine on the first offense. 

COHA must strongly oppose this measure because it would ensure that politics, rather than science, dictates the state’s hunting regulations and management of wildlife. The bill would not only undermine the Constitutional authority of the California Fish and Game Commission - the regulatory body tasked with determining the precise methods of take for hunting and the specific public use regulations for each WMA - but also remove any meaningful scientific review and analysis of the effects of lead shot by providing an exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 

According to the proponents, the bill is intended to reduce the alleged lead shot-induced mortality to mourning doves—perhaps the most populous game bird in North America—as well as to raptors that feed on doves and other small game. Yet, only a portion of the WMAs across the state provide significant dove hunting opportunity and fields that are heavily hunted for dove are typically disked on an annual basis so as to make most lead pellets unavailable to wildlife. In addition, there have been no documented incidents in recent years of raptors succumbing to lead shot poisoning on WMAs. 

AB 2223 is sponsored by the Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife and the Humane Society of the United States. The first hearing will likely be in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee in early April

Please take a moment to let your State Representatives know how you stand on these important issues.

E-Collars Information:

Steve Sarmiento is now a Tri-Tronics representitive and can help you with information and purchasing Tri-Tronics collars. 

 
If you are thinking about getting an e-collar, and want to do some research, go to this link
  www.gundogsupply.com/dog-training-collars-buyers-guide.html for a lot of  information.

Training Opportunities:
Pam and Mary are holding obedience classes in Alpine, North County and Lakeside. Basic obdedience for puppies and adults, behavior issues, rescuced dogs, AKC Canine Good Citizen classes and Puppy Star classes. Also availbe for private in home lessons. Call for details 619-659-9393 or 619-442-5354 or email muscat54@gmail.com.

Steve Sarmiento is accepting dogs for training.  Cost is $650 per month and includes birds.  Take advantage of the off season and get your dog trained up.  Contact Steve at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@gmail.com

Dog Portraits (and other art):
Have your best friend and hunting partner immortalized in a commissioned painting. Visit the website of SDSDC member Ron Dotson.
  www.rondotson.com

For your shooting needs:
Hi-Pass Sports 2435 Alpine Blvd #B Alpine, CA 619 445-4039. 
  www.hipasssports.com

Labrador Retriever Puppies: Our Fox Red Lab, Franklin has fathered a litter with a pointing Black Lab; 2 Female Fox Red, 2 male yellows and 7 blacks. I expect these to be some great multi-purpose hunters, both upland and waterfowl. If you are looking for a lab puppy contact me and I will give you more info.  Steve Sarmiento 619-701-2089

FOR SALE: Command Leads and Leather Collars – Call Steve Sarmiento for details. 619-701-2089

FOR SALE: Training birds for sale, Pigeons, Chukar and Pheasants . Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393

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