As I mentioned in my January newsletter, my friend and Director, Bob Corley and I began recording my first audio book, "Dash in the Uplands...legacy of a legend".  Of course, it's about the training of, and the hunting with my famous Llewellin Setter Dash over 5 seasons and 62 television shows.  The audio book will be recorded at Bob's Mirage Productions studios and the marketing package will be put together by Infinity Publishing.

 I am starting a list of Hank and Dash fans who would like to be notified when the audio book is available.  If you would like to be notified, just drop me a note at:  dez.young68@gmail.com or here at our website, and I will be sure to get you on the list.  I'm anticipating an early spring availability.

From January 8th through the 14th, Dash and I visited an old friend, Ted Everett, at Hard Labor Creek Plantation in Chipley, Florida.  It was an opportunity for several of Dash's fans to hunt behind him for the great bird of the southland, the Bobwhite Quail.  Over a 5 day period, Dash found, pointed and retrieved quail for each person who came to hunt with him.  And at the end of the trip, Ted hosted a great party at the lodge for Dash and me that included fans and friends of Ted’s.  It had been several years since I had been to Ted's great facility, and it was a real treat to get to spend time again with such a great gentleman.

Ted was even able to locate a guitar for me to use while there, so that I could keep my fingers in shape for an upcoming performance by my group, The Dez Young Trio.  To check us out, get on Facebook and type in:  Dez Young Trio, and you'll be able to hear a few samples of our sound.  Although I absolutely loved the 135 television shows that Bob and I produced with Hank and Dash, there is nothing quite like being in front of a live audience to receive instant feedback (good or bad).  

With each upcoming newsletter, I will be sure to keep you updated on the progress of Dash's audio book, so keep checking in once a month...and don't forget to let me know if you want to be on the waiting list for it when it comes out.

Talk to you again in March.

Dez

As I begin 2012, I'm looking forward to working once again with my friend and Director Bob Corley.  Bob and I will begin recording my new audio book,  "Dash in the Uplands, legacy of a legend", on January 3rd.  I had a great experience writing my first book about Dash's dad, Hank ("Hunting With Hank, side by side in the uplands"), and it was a thrill to have the Limited Edition and Trade Edition sell out.  Thank you to all of you who loved Hank and wanted to read about his exploits in the uplands.  

But, with Dash's book, I'll be returning to my educational roots.  My degree is in Speech Communications, and I've been able to use what I learned in narrating all 135 television shows that Bob and I did over 11years with Hank, Dash and our specials.  It seems only natural that I should try my hand at narrating Dash's story.  When finished, the audio book will be a set of several discs that you can hear anytime you want: driving to your favorite hunting or fishing spot...flying across the country...or just relaxing in your favorite chair.  We will be setting up an "early sign up" program for those of you who want to get on the book when it's available, so please drop us a line at this website to get your name on the list.

This month, those of you in and around the Florida Panhandle can meet Dash at Hard Labor Creek Plantation between the 8th and 14th.  I'll be presenting my "Training from an Amateur's Perspective" dog training seminar, giving out Dash's official portrait, signing autographs, and taking a few lucky hunters out with Dash to take a bird over his beautiful points.  There aren't many slots left, so give my friend Ted a call at Hard Labor Creek Plantation, Chipley, Florida for details, and come join us!

From my wife Karenanne, Dash and me...we wish you a tremendous new year...

Dez  

After hearing from many of you after my November newsletter in which I requested to hear from you regarding Dash's book, here are the results:  the opinions from his fans are running 4 to 1 in favor of an "audio" book rather than a written version.  With that in mind, my friend and Director, Bob Corley and I are setting the groundwork to begin recording the book within the next several weeks.  I hope to include a "forward" or introduction from my friend and outdoor author, Laurie Bogart Morrow...if I can talk her into sitting down in front of a microphone...she's much more comfortable sitting behind her computer...but I will try to convince her.  As much of a fan of Hank and Dash that she has been over the years, I could never get her to do a show with me, either...perhaps I can convince her otherwise regarding recording her already written forward...I'll keep you posted.

In addition to working on that issue in November, other things were happening also.  My niece Karen Miller (15), just got her first hunt with Dash.  Her grandfather, Don Swift (a frequent guest on both Hank and Dash shows), was along on the hunt as well.  Karen was very safe with her shotgun, very enthusiastic and even when she missed her first opportunity over a beautiful point from Dash, she didn't get discouraged.  Then, on the edge of some trees, a small, narrow patch of tall corn brought Dash to a screeching halt and point, looking into the corn patch.  Don walked in from Dash's side while Karen and I stepped around the other side, hoping the bird would flush our direction.  It worked perfectly...the bird leaped over the top of the corn, flew out across Karen and me, and she brought it down with her second shot.  It was a thrill for all of us.  Dash made a perfect retrieve to hand, and Karen had her first bird.  Of course, we took pictures, and I have one up in my office now, along with my Grandson London's first bird over Dash, my nephew Andrew's picture with Dash and one of his birds...great memories to see every day that I'm in the office.  

Many of you are aware of my singing background (I started singing for a living at 19)...if you'd like to see and hear a sample of my new trio, go on Facebook...search for Dez Young Trio...click on one of the songs and you can see the talented guys I have with me...Chris Charles and Brian Ray.  Hope you like our sound.  

In addition to the Christmas holiday this month, it's also Dash's 10th birthday...I will be taking him on a birthday hunt just as I have each year, as I did for his dad, Hank before him.  It's hard to believe he's 10 now, but it's the perfect time to take him to Hard Labor Creek Plantation next month.  It was at that location where we taped Hank's last show...when he was 10 years old!  That trip is from January 9th through the 14th...his fans will get to hunt with him, receive his "pawed" portrait, and get to spend time with my famous bird dog.  If you are in the area of Chipley, Florida, and are a fan of Hank and Dash, come by and see us.

Also, don’t forget to visit the online store and order DVD's of our shows for your favorite hunter. They are all available with special Holiday pricing!

Until next time, from Bob, Dash and me...Happy Holidays.  

Dez 

I'm so sorry I didn't get a newsletter written for you last month...no excuse...hope you will forgive me.  

I NEED YOUR HELP THIS MONTH
I would like to hear from you regarding a plan I am developing regarding Hank's boy, Dash.  Here it is:  As you may remember, when I wrote the book about Hank (Hunting With Hank, side by side in the uplands), both the Limited Edition and the Trade Edition sold out.  I have since written the text for Dash's book (Dash in the Uplands, legacy of a legend), and it has been ready to print for a while now.  The problem has been the economy and the challenge of finding a publisher who isn't struggling to stay afloat, and is willing to put up the money to print, publish and market the book.  

I have considered self-publishing in order to get it in the hands of the fans of both my boys, but an alternate plan has surfaced.  Long time friend, author and fan of Hank and Dash has made a different suggestion.  Laurie Morrow believes that the success of Dash's book lies in the "Audio Book" field.  Her point is that with our fan base being used to hearing me talk to them for 135 television shows, that there would be a market for the new book in audio form.  

My friend and Director, Bob Corley and I have been doing some preliminary research into this idea.  Here's where I need your help.  Would you be interested in "hearing" about Dash's exploits though an audio book spoken by me?  Please drop Bob or me a line and let us know your opinion.  

Our twice postponed appearance at Hard Labor Creek Plantation in Chipley, Florida seems to be moving forward.  A tentative time period of January 9-14 has been set aside for that trip.  While at the plantation, Dash and I will take his fans on Quail hunts, I'll present my "Training from an Amateur's Perspective" seminar, we'll share time together in the field and relaxing at the club house, I'll have Dash's official portrait for those who come to see us...and we'll share some stories.  I'll keep you informed as the dates and activities firm up.  

Until next month...have a great (and safe) bird hunting season.  

Dez

One of the many things I love about Alaska is that the hunting season begins at least a month earlier than other states here in the lower 48!  For the second year in a row, Dash and I flew from our home here in Portland, Oregon to Alaska in Mid-August to take a few of Dash’s fans hunting for Ptarmigan.  One of the lodges that I have been endorsing is All Alaska Outdoors in Soldotna, Alaska.  Owner, host, pilot and guide, Bob Ledda is a terrific guy who’s knowledge of the fishing and hunting opportunities in that great state, are unequaled.

In addition, I have a special place in my memories for Bob, because he was the first person to agree to host and guide the HWH Productions crew on our very first “Hunting With Hank” adventures in the fall of 1996.  Bob Corley (Director, 1st camera), David Bogan (2nd camera), my father-in-law Don Swift, Hank and I taped the first three shows of that series while we were there.  The first season of shows aired that following January, and Hank was on his way to the National Bird Dog Museum.  

As I look back on that first season, I reflect on how difficult it must have been for Bob Ledda to make the decision to host an unknown crew, for an as yet untried bird hunting series.  He not only had to lodge and feed us, but also arrange for, and then fly us to the Kenai Mountains on more than one trip to tape two shows on Ptarmigan hunting.  For our third show, he had to guide us around the forested areas that surround Soldotna, searching for Spruce Grouse.  It took a leap of faith on his part, but it was the beginning a great adventure for all of us involved in the making of those bird hunting shows that endeared Hank to thousands of fans across the country.

So, it was great to see Bob again last month and join him, along with four of Dash’s fans (on two different trips) as we hunted the Alaskan tundra for that beautiful member of the Grouse family.  Despite the wet weather on the first trip, we managed to get our first guests (including a 13 year old boy), birds over Dash’s points.  The second trip gave us nicer weather, and two other hunters collected birds over Dash as well. As usual, the scenery was spectacular (even in the rain), the birds were plentiful, and Dash was spectacular with his hard work, beautiful points and flawless retrieves.  Alaska will always be special to me.

This month, my long time friend, and Director, Bob Corley and I will enjoy a brief hunting trip to eastern Oregon for a Dove hunt as my gift to him for his birthday in July.  It will be a time for us to just hunt together and reminisce about the great fun we have had working together to bring viewers our shows starring Hank and his son Dash.

I’ll give you a report on our trip next month. Until then, remember to be safe this fall...and have a great hunting season.

Talk with you again,

Dez

Last month I mentioned that my wife Karenanne and I would be taking a fly fishing trip to Utah in mid-July.  You may recall I mentioned that we’d be taking three, 14 year olds with us...my Grandson, London...our niece Karen...and our nephew Riley.  It was a great adventure.  The kids got along great the whole time, spending countless hours together for the several days we spent driving and staying at White’s Ranch, in Paradise, Utah. Our host, Grant White once again was the chief cook, providing wonderful, filling meals throughout each day to keep the kids fueled.  Each of them caught beautiful Trout on flies when they weren’t exploring the creek and ponds together.  We took one day to drive to the Great Salt Lake, where they got to float in the salt water, eat Buffalo Burgers, tour an historic Ranch, and spot Antelope and Buffalo on an island in the middle of the lake.  In between all of my “guiding” and other activities, I managed to spend some quality time on the water and released several fish, including 4 over 20 inches.  It was a great trip, and one that Karenanne and I will not soon forget.

This month, Dash and I leave for Alaska.  We depart on the 18th, and spend the next several days hunting Willow and Rock Ptarmigan with Dash’s fans.  We’ll be staying at All Alaska Outdoors in Soldotna, and flying out into the beautiful Alaskan tundra each day...hunting for several hours and then fishing for Grayling, Arctic Char and Lake Trout.  Last year, we had a spectacular time, and I expect it will be the same this month as well. Owner and host Bob Ledda is an accomplished pilot, excellent guide, and terrific host.  If an Alaska Ptarmigan hunt is on your “bucket list”, come join us for a couple of days of pure fun and excitement. Give Bob a call at 1-800-646-4868.

Speaking of hunts...my friend Chuck Cates of Luckiamute Valley Pheasants near Dallas, Oregon is offering a few select hunts with Dash for northwest hunters, this fall and winter.  If you’d like to hunt over a National Bird Dog Hall of Fame inductee, give Chuck a call and he’ll work out some dates with me, and Dash and I will meet you at Chuck’s place.  He can be reached at 503-838-4221.

Dash is getting in his workouts each morning now, and he’ll be ready for the season to start in Alaska by mid-month.  That reminds me to mention to you that if you have a bird dog and intend on hunting it this fall...it’s time to get started on a workout program for BOTH of you.

Talk to you again next month.

Dez

First, I want to thank all of you who took the time to come to the Gun Dog Expo in Albany, Oregon over the weekend of June 24-26.  Dash and I greeted many of his (and his dad, Hank) fans throughout the three day event.  In addition, we put on our “Training from an Amateur’s Perspective” seminars each day, and hopefully we helped those in attendance with some of their own training issues.  Dash even got to meet one of his cousins.  Jeff and Julie Trnavsky stopped by with their Llewellin Setter, Luke, so we got to visit, take some pictures and talk about the love we have for our dogs...it was a real treat.

Dash and I shared a booth with Chuck and Brenda Cates of Luckiamute Valley Pheasants, so we I got to talk with a lot of serious bird hunters over the weekend. Chuck and Brenda are offering an opportunity to their customers to spend some time in the field with Dash on an exclusive Pheasant hunt this coming bird season. So, if you would like to walk behind a National Bird Dog Museum Hall of Fame bird dog, and step in front of one of his famous points, just give Chuck or Brenda a call at: 503-838-4221, or look them up on the web at Luckiamute Valley Pheasants.

Mid-July will find my wife Karenanne, Dash and me on our way to White’s Ranch, in Paradise, Utah for a fly fishing trip.  But it won’t be just us.  We are also taking our Grandson London, our Niece, Karen, and our Nephew Riley.  All three of them are 14...it should be quite a trip.  Karen and London have been to Utah with us before (each catching many Trout...including a 20 incher for each of them), but this will be Riley’s first trip.  He hasn’t done any fly fishing yet, so I’ll be giving him a few pointers before we leave, and he should be able to hold his own on the stream by the time we get there.   Being able to share these outdoor experiences with family is one of the great rewards of a life lived in the outdoors.  I still fondly remember taking my Father-in Law Don Swift with us to White’s Ranch as we were filming Dash in the Uplands. (Volume 2, Editions 7 & 11) It was a thrill to watch him catch and release some beautiful trout. The memories these kinds of trips make are truly priceless.

There is only one month left before Dash and I once again return to our friend Bob Ledda’s All Alaska Outdoors lodge in Soldotna, Alaska. And there is only one slot left for a hunt with Dash and me in the Alaska outback for Ptarmigan.  The birds are in huge numbers, and the scenery is absolutely beautiful.  In addition, the flight into and back from the tundra is breathtaking.  Glaciers, snow covered mountain peaks, wildlife below...it’s quite an adventure.  The hunting trip will also include stop-overs at some of Bob’s favorite lakes to fish for Grayling, Char, and Lake Trout. Be sure to check out our trips there in our very first season of Hunting with Hank (Volume 1, Editions 1, 3, & 7). If an Alaska bird hunting and fishing trip is on your “bucket list”, this is the place to come. Give Bob Ledda a call at All Alaska Outdoors to get the details (1 800 646 4868)...call right away to secure that last spot, and I’ll look forward to seeing you up there.

One last thought...it’s not too early to start working your dog to get it in shape for the upcoming bird season.  Start slow (a couple times a week), then build up to several exercise sessions a week. Don’t forget to get yourself in shape as well, and you’ll both be ready when your season starts.

Talk to you again next month.

Dez

Well, we are still in one of the rainiest Springs I’ve ever experienced here in the Northwest.  But every time I begin to gripe about it, I realize how much better we have it here right now than in the mid-west.  Karenanne and I have donated money to the Red Cross to help them help others in need...so let it rain!

Thank you to all of you who stopped by to see us at the Grand Opening of the Cabela’s Store in Springfield, Oregon in early May.  It was great to see so many people come by and say “hello” to Dash and me, and to talk about the television shows with Dash and his famous dad, Hank.

At the end of this month (June) Dash and I will be making another appearance at an outdoor event.  This time it will be at The Gun Dog Expo, in Albany, Oregon (just a few miles down the freeway from my home here in Portland).  The event is over the weekend of June 24, 25 and 26th, at the Lynn County Fair Expo Center.  Dash and I will be in the Luckiamute Valley Pheasants booths (#605-606) each day to greet you.  In addition, each day we will be putting on a demonstration in the arena on my “Training From An Amateurs Perspective”.  In this seminar I cover all the training steps and techniques I used to train Dash and Hank to do the things that made them famous television bird dogs.  As I will say in the seminar, I’m only an amateur trainer, but I hope there will be something of value in the seminar for those other amateur trainers who want their bird dogs to perform for them in the field.

Speaking of bird dogs...my nephew Andrew Miller will be graduating from High School this month.  It seems like just yesterday that my friend and Director, Bob Corley and I took Andrew to Eastern Oregon to tape a show with Dash.  It was near the Oregon Trail so in the show we did a little skit that took us back in time to the days of the pioneers.  Andrew and I dressed in clothing appropriate for that time period, and walked along the Oregon trail as immigrants moving west. It was a lot of fun, Andrew did a great job, and the skit was as fun to watch as it was to do.  In that episode, Andrew took his first birds over Dash’s points, but more importantly, he was safe and cautious with his borrowed shotgun, and was a real “trooper” as the day wore on and he got tired. That episode is Volume II, Edition Eight of Dash in the Uplands. Andrew was 12 then, and he still spoke in a high pitched voice.  Now, he is eighteen this month...boy the time sure does fly!

Dash and I will be getting in some stream fly fishing this month...perhaps we’ll see you there.

Talk to you next month,

Dez

As I write this newsletter, I have just heard on the radio that April here in Oregon has been one of the wettest and coldest on record...this following a similar radio report last month for March. Although this is the time of year when I usually give Dash a break from his morning work outs in our local park, I try to get him out at least a couple of days a week...not this Spring!  Until I buy him a pair of water wings, his runs in the park will have to wait at least until the ground is dry enough to run on without drowning.  Also, any thoughts of breaking out my fly fishing gear have been put aside until the streams in my area have dropped to fishable levels.  So, each morning Dash and I head down to my office here in my home and stare out my windows at the grey, wet sky...longing for a little sunshine.

The first weekend this month will bring a little work-related sunshine into our lives, though.  Cabela’s will be holding a Grand Opening for its new store in Springfield, Oregon over the weekend of May 7th and 8th.  Dash and I have been invited to be there to welcome customers on both Saturday and Sunday.  We will be inside the store (because it will probably be raining) from 10am to 3pm each day.  So, those of you in the general area of Salem, Eugene and Springfield will get a chance to meet Dash in person...I’ll even be there with autographed pictures of Dash to hand out.

If you can’t get there, you’ll have another opportunity to meet Dash the next month.  The huge Gun Dog Expo will be held in Albany, Oregon June 24, 25 and 26.  We will be there all three days greeting attendees.  In addition, we’ll also be putting on my “Training from an Amateur’s Perspective” seminar once a day.  As you may already know if you are a fan of Dash and his dad, Hank, they are the only two television bird dogs who’s portraits hang in the National Bird Dog Museum. The seminar will show you how I trained both of my “boys” to perform their job on their television shows.  As with the May appearance, there will be autographed pictures of Dash for his fans.

It will be a busy Spring and Summer...I can’t wait.

Talk to you again next month.

Dez

Hi everyone:

Now that spring has officially arrived, the cold, rainy days of winter here in western Oregon have given way to the warmer, rainy days of spring.  It’s been so wet and rainy that I had to postpone the scheduled released Pheasant hunt for my niece, Karen.  It was to be her first hunt with Dash, (although she’s walked along on hunts before). I’ve already rescheduled her hunt for the first part of fall, when we can count on much better weather for her.  I just didn’t want her first hunting experience to be spoiled by the rain.  As I have been doing for the past couple of years, I’ll continue to take her clay target shooting at our local club throughout the summer to keep her shooting skills sharp.  Just a quick moment of bragging...Karen is a straight A student in the 8th grade, and is a beautiful and caring person...and is becoming a fine shotgun shot as well.

Many of you have been kind enough to ask how the transition is going for my daughter, Stacy and my grandson London, since they’ve moved back here to Portland. They are both doing well in their new job and new school. It’s great to have them both here once again.  I am planning on spending as much time with them as possible, including taking London (along with Karen) on a fly fishing trip to White’s Ranch near Paradise, Utah this coming July.  The last time my wife, Karenanne and I took them both (2 summers ago), they had a great time catching trout, driving my truck along the dirt access roads, and just generally being kids.  It will be great to have them along again...this time their cousin Riley Swift (my brother-in-law Don’s son) will be joining us.  All three of the kids are 14...it should be quite a vacation.

For those of you in our general neck of the woods, I want to give you a heads up on two upcoming appearances that Dash and I will be doing this coming early summer:  First...Cabela’s will be holding a Grand Opening of their Springfield, Oregon store the weekend of May 7 and 8.  Be sure to come by and pet Dash while you tour the store.  

Second...we will be the featured celebrities at the Oregon Gun Dog Expo in Albany, Oregon June 24-26.  At this event, I’ll be presenting my “Training from an amateur’s perspective” seminar as well as being available at the Luckiamute Valley Pheasant’s booth each day.  At this event, we are planning on raffling off official portrait prints of Dash (signed and “pawed”)...it’s the same print that hangs in the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee...along side that of his famous father, Hank.

Although it’s still early, there is only one spot left to join Dash and me at All Alaska Outdoors, in Soldotna, Alaska for our upcoming Ptarmigan hunt and fly fishing excursion into the wilds of that beautiful state.  This is truly a “bucket list” trip for any bird hunter, so if you’ve always wanted to hunt Ptarmigan in Alaska, sign up now and you can walk in on Dash’s points, deep in the tundra.  To talk to Bob Ledda at All Alaska Outdoors, just go on their website, look over the pictures and comments from last year’s hunts, and then call the number on the website for more details...and let me know if you sign up.

As always...my best,

Dez

Hi Everyone,

Please accept my apology for missing my February newsletter. Much has happened in my personal and family life that has taken my attention and focus.  Here are the details:

After several years in the Seattle area, my daughter Stacy and my grandson London have moved back to Portland so that Stacy could accept a new job.  The challenges of the move have taken considerable time and effort on all of our family in order to get them out of their rented home in Seattle, find a place to live here in Portland near us on the West Side, get London into the middle school in our neighborhood, and get them settled.  In addition, after years of feeling as though she didn’t need to drive, my daughter has now decided that she must get her driver’s license, so I’ve been giving her lessons nearly every day, and now she is driving to and from her new job while I ride “shotgun” to help her.

There is other news of a family nature as well.  My 14 year old niece, Karen, who has been out with Dash and me on hunts in the past, but only as an observer, will finally get her first hunt this coming Sunday.  It will be a my favorite local wing shooting facility, Luckiamute Valley Pheasant club, about an hour and a half south of Portland.  On our last trip to the clay target range, she shot 15 out of 20 clays with Karenanne’s old gun, a Remington 1100 auto.  Her older brother, Andrew, has already had a few hunts with Dash, including an appearance on a “Dash in the Uplands” show when he was 12...he is 17 now.  London also has had his first hunt with Dash, last August in Alaska, when he got his first bird (a Ptarmigan).  This Sunday will be a lot of fun for me.  Karen is also a fly fisher and will be joining Karenanne and me this July on another fly fishing trip to White’s Ranch in Utah.

As I write this, Dash is asleep by my desk chair here in my office...he is so bored...so getting him out this weekend will be great for him and for me.  Taking him to the park for his daily (except when it’s raining hard), runs keeps him in shape but doesn’t really satisfy his desire to get out and chase birds with me.  

Again, please forgive my lapse in my monthly newsletter...I’ll be more diligent the rest of the year...I promise!

Talk you again next month.

Dez