Joe has one empty box for his Texas training trip. If you are interested in sending a dog with Joe after Christmas, please contact him by email or by calling:

Kennel: 814-789-3715
Cell: 814-547-2153

It was a tougher than usual winter in Texas with little precipitation. This was Joe’s first season on the Bar P Ranch near Aspermont. The Bar P, owned by Bill Prestage is managed exclusively for wild quail. The lack of moisture made for difficult scenting conditions but the dogs still managed to find their fair share of Bobwhites.

Tom Nygard’s Badger

Doug Kepler’s Mabel

Please visit the Texas Slideshow for lots more photos!

Joe has been training dogs in west Texas for the past 4 winters. The ranch he is on is managed exclusively for wild quail. Nothing is better for young dogs than exposure to wild birds. Joe’s Texas training program provides a great introduction to birds for older puppies and the best situation for beginning or finishing the breaking process for derby+ age dogs. Wild birds keep a young dog’s enthusiasm high during this critical time. Joe takes only a limited number of field trial and gun dogs and they are ALL worked on a regular basis. Older field trial dogs will return sharp, fit and ready for the spring trial season. Dogs are run from 4-wheeler so the program is suitable for horseback as well as walking field trial dogs. Joe has worked both over the past 4 years, fully appreciating the requirements to keep dogs hunting a forward pattern.

Dogs must be in good physical condition, be accustomed to being on a stakeout and traveling and current on all their shots (including lepto, which is necessary in Texas). Dogs are fed Purina Pro Plan Performance.

There are only a few spaces still available. Please contact Joe if you are interested in sending a dog to Texas with him. He leaves PA on December 27th and returns the first week of March. References are available from both horseback and grouse trial clients. Please watch the West Texas slideshow for a taste of the action!

Pal ’O Mine backed by Montaro’s Rock

The bird counts were excellent this winter due to the good amount of rainfall last spring. The rain also created conditions for the vegetation to grow exceedingly well making it more difficult to get coveys located, particularly for young dogs. Not only was the bluestem and broomweed higher and thicker, the sand burs were the worst they have been in years, especially in the sandy shinnery country where the greatest population of birds are. The dogs were booted when Joe ran them where there were sand burs. All were having excellent opportunities on wild birds. Please visit the new West Texas 2008 Slideshow for photos of the dogs and some of the vegetation, including a close-up of sand burs.

Pal ’O Mine