JOHNSONBURG —  “It was awesome to have great training grounds and access to people with the training skills I wanted,” said Mike Dietz, a bird dog handler who attended the Individual Bird Dog Training offered at Rolfe Beagle Club on Saturday.

Dietz is the proud caretaker of a 10-month-old Boykin spaniel named Peach. The training was offered at the club by “Birddoggers” consisting of volunteers from the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), American Woodcock Society, Pheasants Forever, and beagle club members.

Eight dog handlers were provided with two hours of one-on-one instruction in any area they wanted to receive training for their bird dog. Handling, search, steadiness, pointing, whatever – a perfect opportunity to tighten those skills between a bird dog and the handler. Four trainers provided the knowledge needed for two hours of instruction. The first session was from 8 to 10,  a.m. and the second session 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Jonathan Wirth, a member of the RGS and the Rolfe Beagle Club, as well as a trainer at Warriors Mark, said, “I really enjoy training dogs, all types of bird dogs, so this was one of my happy days.”

The training was organized by Tom McPherson, also a trainer, and Bethany Ford, volunteers with RGS. Jack Hackley, also a trainer, provided all the pigeons for the training. Jennifer Kellogg rounded out the dog trainers. Rolfe Beagle Club provided quail, launchers, and all bird equipment. Mary Hosmer provided lunches.

The next bird dog events at the Rolfe Beagle Club in northcentral Pennsylvania will be an RGS Women’s Hunt on Sept. 7 and the Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge on Sept. 20.