Guide Service

A happy and satisfied Wild Apple Hunter

Craig Doherty first moved to the North Country in the late 1970s and began exploring the woods and waters of Northern New Hampshire. In 1987, Craig got his first pointing dog and has hunted grouse and woodcock passionately ever since. In addition to hunting birds, he also became active in competing with his dogs that have won field trials in the woods of Michigan and Pennsylvania, and throughout New England and New Brunswick. In 2001, Bob Wehle of Elhew Kennels gave Craig his first pointer, Elhew Liebotschaner, and when bred to Wynot Ace created the foundation of Wild Apple Kennel with a litter that produced two Grand National Grouse Champions: Wild Apple Jack won the event in 2007 and his littermate, Autumn Moon, won it in 2008. It is the progeny of these two dogs that make up the bulk of our guide string.
With Craig’s extensive knowledge of the grouse and woodcock covers of Northern New Hampshire and the bird finding abilities of the championship caliber Wild Apple dogs, he now offers guided hunts to discriminating sportsmen and women from around the country. Craig is a New Hampshire licensed guide and one of just a few who specialize in grouse and woodcock hunting with pointing dogs. You are also welcome and encouraged to bring along your own bird dogs.
Our hunting season runs from October first to the end of December although we are often snowed out sometime in December. The woodcock season runs from October 1 through November 14. New Hampshire offers a non-resident 3-day small game license that is all you need to hunt grouse. The addition of a free HIP number is required for woodcock hunting. The license in 2023 was around $30.00.

May have some Openings for Fall 2024

email wildapplekennel@gmail.com to gey on the waiting list for 2024

I begin firming up dates in March.

IMG_0509