Back in early August, I was asked to hold off on the blog so the content could be transferred to our new website/blog. Since that time there have been some delays that were not really controllable, but that is all now water-over-the-dam and the New Wild Apple Kennel website/blog is now live. The new design is great and the content will continue to evolve as time goes on. The new site will give you the opportunity to keep track of all the going ons at Wild Apple Kennel with one easy click of our web address.
Since the last post in August a lot has happened. Most of the training dogs have gone home for the fall and are now hunting and/or trialing with their owners. It has also been a great early fall for our young dogs. Wild Apple Calvados was run in four wild bird derby stakes and placed in three of them — The Woodcock Futurity, The Bill Kerns Memorial Derby Classic, and most impressively the Miss Leslie Anderson Derby Classic which she placed in last year while still a puppy. Wild Apple Samantha had a good fall as well placing second in the Andy Wishart Memorial Derby stake at the Maritime Grouse Classic Labor Day weekend. Two other derbies from Samantha’s litter (Wild Apple Jack X Wynot Belle) also placed multiple times this fall. Plans are to repeat that breeding this fall.
Wild Apple dogs at the Woodcock Futurity. First Jigpaw Maximum Overdrive, Wynot Whitney second, and Wild Apple Calvados third.
If you were following the blog before we went dark, you know about the trio of Bud Bros that I was working this summer. Vic (formerly Tick) went to Douglas Dear of Virginia and went West with Ed Nicholson for the fall. At last report he is doing well. Derek Caudill of Kentucky, who bred the litter, came up in early October and went home with Steve Jobs the pup that many picked as their favorite of the three. That left Spot with me. I’ve registered him as Wild Apple Spot On and expect him to have a bright future. I have already shot some birds for him this fall and will continue to hunt him for the rest of the season. He has run in some fall trials and will get some more chances in Kentucky and back up here in the spring while still a puppy.
Wild Apple Spot On in the bird field late this summer.
Last year, Wild Apple Samantha was slated to go to Lynn Mosley in Kingsport, TN, but when he came up to get her he agreed to swap her for Wild Apple LJ who turned out to be a super grouse dog in the Southern Appalachian mountains. Unfortunately, LJ was struck by a coal truck and killed instantly during a hunt. Calling me to tell me of the tragedy was undoubtedly difficult for Lynn. Saddened but undaunted, Lynn asked me to find him another puppy this past summer. At first I thought Wild Apple Polka Dot was the one for him, but she did not progress in the way I had hoped and Lynn ended up with Wild Apple Molly McGee who I’m still working this fall before she goes South early this winter to test her mettle on Southern grouse. It’s hard to compare Molly McGee and LJ but Molly definitely has the run and desire to reach out to find the often widespread and wary mountain birds. Lynn has also graciously agreed to allow me to breed Molly in the future. If that happens it will be most likely to one of Jack’s sons. Molly also showed her promise at the Cronk Farm Puppy Classic where she earned a third place ribbon.
Wild Apple Molly McGee
Our youngest puppy this summer was Wild Apple Polka Dot who was born in early March. She is by Autumn Snow (Autumn Moon X Creek’s Elhew Lucy) out of Indian Creek Triple Rail who is a Guard Rail daughter. She amazed me by finding first quail released on the puppy loop and then grouse when we went to the bigger loop here at the kennel. Being the youngest set her behind the older pups at first but she is catching up fast. In the last couple weeks she has given me a number of chances on both woodcock and grouse and I’ve been able to knock a few down for her. She is starting to be a handful on the ground as she seems to have the motor that I hoped for when we brought the Guard Rail blood into the breeding program. I would imagine you’ll be hearing more of Dottie.
Wild Apple Polka Dot
The guiding season here at Wild Apple Kennel and Guide Service has been going full blast for most of October and will continue well into November. I have been fortunate to have a great group of men and one woman this fall who have had the opportunity to hunt with the dogs and me. I am already booking for 2015 and if you think you might be interested in experiencing the grouse and woodcock hunting in Northern New Hampshire click on the “Guide Service” tab on the page bar above.
Wild Apple Calvados with a limit of woodcock I shot for her the other day.