In many ways, being an outdoorsman on the plains and prairies of North America is much the same today as it was one hundred years ago. The hunting concept of "fair chase," the respect for the environment, even the dangers associated with being out on the prairie on a frigid winter day in pursuit of game hasn't changed over time. Frick's Creek and Other Tales takes the reader on a humorous and thought provoking journey across the plains. It loosely follows one extended family in a tight-knit community, showing how youngsters are taught the code and how adults live by it. A short novella about a champion bird dog, told through the mind of the dog, is included as well. The author has been training and competing with these rare dogs for over thirty-five years, and he has come to understand their true nature as much as a person can. Anyone who has owned, trained, and/or handled these dogs knows there is something different about the way they think. This novella gives the reader a good idea of what that thinking is. The journey starts at birth and continues well beyond the dog's competitive years. At times heartwarming and tragic, this story is riveting throughout.

Bird dog performance events may not be what many people believe they are. This book takes the reader behind the scenes across the span of two years campaigning. The author reports from chapter to chapter on the progress of two dogs, one already a field champion, the other a dog just getting started in field trials. More importantly, each chapter examines various elements of field trialing not directly connected to the dogs. Most of these elements are common to all breeds of bird dog performance events whether they be the pointing dogs, the flushers or the retrievers. This book looks at the interplay between the clubs sponsoring the events and wildlife managers responsible for the grounds on which they are held. It looks at the friendships and conflicts between dog handlers. This book also looks at the elation of winning field trials, but shows the follies which occur as well, and much more. If you are a hard core field trial handler you will nod your head as you read saying to yourself, boy if that isn't the truth. If you have never been to a bird dog performance event and have wondered what they are really about, this will tell you the story.

In many ways, being an outdoorsman on the plains and prairies of North America is much the same today as it was one hundred years ago. The hunting concept of "fair chase," the respect for the environment, even the dangers associated with being out on the prairie on a frigid winter day in pursuit of game hasn't changed over time. Frick's Creek and Other Tales takes the reader on a humorous and thought provoking journey across the plains. It loosely follows one extended family in a tight-knit community, showing how youngsters are taught the code and how adults live by it. A short novella about a champion bird dog, told through the mind of the dog, is included as well. The author has been training and competing with these rare dogs for over thirty-five years, and he has come to understand their true nature as much as a person can. Anyone who has owned, trained, and/or handled these dogs knows there is something different about the way they think. This novella gives the reader a good idea of what that thinking is. The journey starts at birth and continues well beyond the dog's competitive years. At times heartwarming and tragic, this story is riveting throughout.

Bird dog performance events may not be what many people believe they are. This book takes the reader behind the scenes across the span of two years campaigning. The author reports from chapter to chapter on the progress of two dogs, one already a field champion, the other a dog just getting started in field trials. More importantly, each chapter examines various elements of field trialing not directly connected to the dogs. Most of these elements are common to all breeds of bird dog performance events whether they be the pointing dogs, the flushers or the retrievers. This book looks at the interplay between the clubs sponsoring the events and wildlife managers responsible for the grounds on which they are held. It looks at the friendships and conflicts between dog handlers. This book also looks at the elation of winning field trials, but shows the follies which occur as well, and much more. If you are a hard core field trial handler you will nod your head as you read saying to yourself, boy if that isn't the truth. If you have never been to a bird dog performance event and have wondered what they are really about, this will tell you the story.