NEWS/CURRENT EVENTS

Update January 20, 2011
Now making Dog Collars and Tags. Email me if you need something.
Puppies for sale $125ea.
VADGIF website threatening sharp increases in Virginia Hunting License Fees. Check out the website to learn more and the link to voice your opposition to this.

Update March 9, 2010
I was lucky enough to purchase a Numberall Model 40B stamper for dog name plates. SO...starting very soon, we'll offer for sale on our site collars and name plates at the cheapest price possible. We'll be totally set up through PayPal so it will be quick and easy. Check back soon....
Update March 4, 2010
I recently has posted an article about a proposed anti-breeder ordinance in Madison County, VA.
Received an update this morning...

"Dear Friends,

Madison County tonight dropped consideration of the anti-breeder proposal described below. After hearing from a standing-room only crowd (50+) of hunting dog owners and show fanciers, the Planning Commission reversed its previous 9-1 "Yes" vote and voted unanimously voted to drop the idea. The five member Board of Supervisors quickly followed suit.

Thank you for all your calls and emails opposing this thoughtless, ham-handed ordinance.

Sincerely,

Bob Kane, Chairman Emeritus

Virginia Hunting Dog Owners' Association"

Congratulations to the folks in Madison that came out to voice their support.

***Update March 2, 2010***

A recent announcement came across my grapevine about 216 frequency tracking collars/systems. It seems the LifeSaver Co. has exclusively secured rights to the 216 frequency through the FCC. The non-profit company is a nationwide program designed at tracking and recovering demensia patients and other high risk people. I emailed the CEO of LifeSaver and asked him about this agreement's impact on hunting hound owners who use the 216 frequency to track their hounds frequently... This is his initial response:

"Matt,

Thank you for your interest. Actually, the switch was made due to massive interference from HDTV, in the 215 range, making it extremely difficult to track. On working with the FCC, it was that agency who put us in the 216 range and as I understand it, that frequency is now reserved for tracking of persons at risk. However, those who were in it previously may continue to use it but, can’t make any modifications to their transmitters. Also, all of the units we use have identifier codes in the transmitters so we can tell right away whether or not the unit being tracked is ours or not.

As to the GPS question, we are constantly reevaluating what we do and how we do it. It is our aim, as a non-profit, to have the best technology available to our members. After all, we are dealing with human lives and we do not want to leave room for second guessing. If you know of a vendor or technology we should look at, please let me know and we will pursue it.

Thanks again, and best of everything to you.

Gene Saunders

Chief Director General/CEO

Project Lifesaver International"

I emailed him back asking him to define the "modifications" which would be considered unacceptable, and asking why they didn't just use a GPS transmitter. He responded saying
"Matt,

Thank you for the information. As far as I know, the only regulation will concern the makers of the equipment, in that they can’t modify or change what they have in the 216 in any way. As for the users, I don’t think you will see any noticeable effect.
Gene Saunders"

Hope this helps any 216 folks out there. The website for LifeSaver Co is http://www.projectlifesaver.org/

Just got an email from Merle's new owner, she says he is happy as a clam, sleeps most of the day on a warm blanket, goes for long walks, has a best friend dog already, and is the highlight of her office at work.  I couldn't be happier for him, and I'm so glad I was able to find him the truly perfect retirement home. This is what every retired hunting dog deserves, and please continue this practice with your own hounds.

She also sent me some pics of him in his new home, which I've put up below.

I was finally able to adopt out Merle. Merle was an older male beagle we found while hunting after he was abandoned or lost. I cared for him for 2 years in the hopes of finding him a nice retirement home. After a hectic search, I was contacted by a very nice young lady near Washington, D.C. This woman was willing to give Merle the home he's always deserved. After exchanging numerous emails to make sure she would take good care of him, the young lady made the trip down from D.C. to pick him up. I gave him an overdue flea/tick bath, and voluntarily gave him his booster 5-way-distemper shots, and his rabies vaccine. Merle is now officially curled up on a warm bed in the suburbs of D.C. It's hard to imagine that this old guy was destined for the dirt, but because he wandered up to a responsible hound hunter who has a serious soft spot for dogs, he's now living like a king in Silver Springs. My hope is that every retired hunting beagle can be adopted into a home where they'll be spoiled after their days of hunting are over, and I encourage all houndsmen to do the same.

Working on a Deer Beagle Registry

**UPDATE March 2, 2010**

I'm currently accepting voluntary registration for the Deer Beagle Registry or D.B.R. This will take some time to complete, but will be the essential foundation of the registry. To have your hound's bloodlines documented and added to the registry, PLEASE email me your info including Owner/Kennel info, Hound's DOB and any known pedigree information, a picture of the dog in a bench position, and anything else you'd like to include in the registry.

TELL EVERY DEER BEAGLE OWNER YOU KNOW TO SUBMIT THEIR INFORMATION!

THIS CAN ONLY BECOME A REALITY IF WE ALL DO OUR PART...

I've received A LOT of support from all the folks I've spoken with about starting a Deer Beagle Pedigree Registry, and I think the first objective is going to be documenting as many known pedigrees as possible.  Of course this will be done on a 100% voluntary basis, SO we need the support and participation of as many deer beagle owners/breeders/hunters as possible in order to make this registry effective.  I've spoken with beagle owners on the deer side, AS WELL AS beagle owners on the rabbit side, and they've all agreed that such a registry would be extremely useful and helpful in breeding.  Deer Beagle owners will benefit by better knowing the history of their hounds, and can more carefully select crosses in bloodlines, as well as look out for genetic disorders and inherited health problems.  Rabbit beaglers will be better able to determine which dogs are pre-disposed to running deer, and therefore not worth the time for rabbit hunters.  Please submit to me in an EMAIL your kennel name, your name, and the roster of current dogs you'd like to register, along with any/all information pertaining to each dog.  Pictures would be helpful but definitely not a requirement, yet.  If you own/breed/hunt deer beagles anywhere in the country, PLEASE take the five minutes to fill out the information and drop me an email.  This project may take some time, and so anyone willing to volunteer helping me enter this information into an excel spreadsheet please email me as well.  Together we can make this registry a reality, and in doing so, make history. Thank You, Happy Hunting & Godbless