HUNTING IN NORTH DAKOTA, A LITTLE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

I was fortunate to take part in a very intriguing hunt last weekend. It was called Hunting Dakota with Roosevelt. The hunt is a charitable venture with a major goal of raising money for the Bismarck Cancer Center and that alone should be enough to make the cause worthwhile. In addition to that the organizers of this hunt wanted to also accomplish a couple of other goals, they wanted to acknowledge and thank the men and women of ND whom have taken part in the Global war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, by inviting some of those brave veterans along on this hunt, they also wanted to celebrate the role that ND played in developing one our greatest presidents, Teddy Roosevelt, and the role he played in developing the model of conservation we have today. I would contend that if it were not for ND, TR would never have become President of the United States and I believe he has written and said this many times but I would go on to add that if TR had not become president we would not have the conservation model in this country we have today, and without this conservation model we would have no game to hunt and no worthy land to hunt it on. So to sum it up without North Dakota there may not be the outdoor sports we so much enjoy today.

I write this now because as I was out in this country not far from where TR spent his time in ND, I could literally feel his spirit among us, he truly would have loved the camaraderie and fellowship we enjoyed while chasing pheasants in an area that if it were not for the conservation efforts of men like TR and later FDR, would surely have not held the type of game they do today. Although TR came to ND to hunt large game such as Buffalo and Elk it was his focus on saving the wild parts of this country and a focus on keeping sporting opportunities available for the common man that made these types of pheasant hunts possible.

So whether you hunt in the woods or the prairies, the potholes or the marshes whether you hunt deer or quail or turkeys or ducks rest assured that without the vision of a few of our predecessors you would not have have those opportunities today. When I say a few I truly mean that, TR first started his conservation efforts with a group of 3 men in NY after returning home from ND, of course it was his rise to the presidency that gave him the power to implement the programs he did which did things like develop A National Park System and National Forests along with National Wildlife Refuges. Kind of amazing what can become of a sickly young man who gets a passion for something like TR did. It does not take a million people to accomplish these things it takes a lot of individuals getting involved in something that is important to them.

I will close this by paraphrasing something I heard Jim Posewitz say this weekend. You do not own these resources your are merely borrowing them from your children and grandchildren, so make sure you return the resource to them in better shape than when you found them.

Thanks for listening.
Bill Holtan

Out of the mouthes of babes.

Maybe a lesson in faith, but definitely an eye opening conversation took place between our daughter and her son, our precious 4 year old grandson, Aden.

Some of you reading this may know, but for those who don't I will give a little background. Two years ago our 15 year old son, Izaak, was killed in a freak and tragic car accident. This loss has left a hole in our lives that will never be filled. Aden at the time was 2 years old.

Life has progressed and little Aden is growing up, like many young children he has a tendency to make up little songs as he goes about his day. Well lately he started singing bible related songs, songs about Jesus, God and Heaven. His mother noticed this and found it peculiar because Aden has not attended and bible schools or Sunday school yet. So finally her curiosity got the best of her and she asked him where he learned those songs. This is where the story got very interesting.

Aden told her that Izaak taught them to him, surprised she asked him when Izaak had taught him these songs. Aden calmly responded that Izaak talks to him everyday and that is when the teaching had happened. Our daughter then asked him what else Izaak had said to him, to which he responded, He tells me that God loves me.

Of course we were not surprised to hear that God loves our little Grandson, but the way that God chose to relay that info to Aden was a bit of a surprise.

If you needed a little reassurance or needed to add another stone to your wall of faith, maybe this is it.

That's all from the farm today.
Thanks for reading
Bill

Flood of 2009

My sister lives in Moorhead, MN. Thursday last week I headed to Moorhead to help try to save her house. It was touch and go for awhile and the two neighbors to the north of her did both lose the battle but so far it appears that we have saved it. The river is now going down but there is a winter storm headed there way and it will probably go up agan but I feel pretty good about where we are in the fight.

The Fargo-Moorhead area has really had an awesome turnout of volunteers from both within and from outside of the area. While watching this both in person and on TV I am moved to remember something that Muhamed Ali said "Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth". Thank God for all of those who have to serve the FM area.

Izaak Holtan Walking Shooting Dog Classic

On Friday 4/25/08 the Classic was held. This was obviously a very emotional trial for me to attend and compete in. Long time family friends Rich Boumeester and Jim Tande braved the elements to judge this trial in the wind and rain. Our friend Don Dack build a beautiful trophy, carved out of a cherry tree that fell down in his yard...this trophy is a sight to behold obviously the work of love provided as a traveling trophy by Don.

The weather was terrible, 35 degrees rain and wind but we toughed it out and my youngest son Billy walked several braces. In the end Scott Berg won the classic with Lizzy and setter female with a strong race and one find on a quail, the runner up position was secured by Berg Brothers Hytest handles by Bill Holtan. Scott was generous to share the trophy with us for the year so it now resides at our house. In the companion derby I was fortunate to gain 3rd place with Maiden Pearl our young pointer who is a daughter of CH Sir Lancelot. In the companion puppy we were 1st with Winter Jewell a daughter of Billy Jackson.

On Sunday the 12 O'clock Field Trial club hosted a one day trial. Butch Cassidy bested the field in the Open Shooting Dog with 16 entries. Butch ran great race with 5 perfect finds, I was very proud of him. All in all a very good weekend, in spite of the weather.

I would like to thank Scott Berg for all the work he put into this trial.

Last Butch Dixie pup is sold.

Congrats to Bill Rountree of Georgia on your new puppy.

March 15-16th at the Farm!

Well we had a very nice weekend at the farm. We held our first field trial ever in the area. It was a very nice turnout, not a large trial but just big eanough with very quality dogs and great people.

Also this weekend 6 of our 7 Butch x Dixie Puppies went to new homes, Good Luck to all the new owners with their new puppies. That means we still have one female puppy left, in my opinion she is the nicest pup in the litter and will make someone a very good dog. This little orange and white pup is a fearless little fireplug who looks to be built just right.

Happy Easter From all of us from The Farm!!!

Butch/Dixie Puppies turning 6 weeks old!

Well on Monday March 10th the pups will be 6 weeks old. They have really been alot of fun and my son, Billy and Grandson, Aden have really had fun playing with them and I think the pups have enjoyed all the attention as well. There are still a few pups available, 1 male and 2 females as of now are available. These puppies should be outstanding wild bird dogs with the possibility of making trial or class hunting dogs. The last litter is now really starting to mature into very nice dogs.