Dear Hunting Dog Enthusiast,

The Midnight Sun Gun Dog Association (MSGDA) is a dog training club dedicated to sportsmen and women, their families and their hunting companions (primarily retrievers).  MSGDA is a local non-profit organization that is a member of the North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA).

Belonging to MSGDA is a great way to meet people who love hunting dogs and love to hunt; to share training techniques and tips with other members while enjoying the great Alaska outdoors; and to spend time with your favorite hunting companion.  Whether you are new to retriever training or an old hand at it, MSGDA has something to offer to everyone.

Many sportsmen and women have never had the opportunity to observe good hunting dogs work, and therefore do not know the potential of their own hunting dogs.  Alaskan hunters need a structure which allows them to learn training techniques and methods to accurately evaluate their dogs.  They also need a system of informal events and formal tests that demonstrate and record their dog's working accomplishments.

MSGDA provides these opportunities by regularly sponsoring picnic events, hunt tests and educational events to promote field testing of hunting dogs in simulated hunting situations and to educate the public in the use of hunting dogs as conservation animals.

Each year the MSGDA hosts two 2-day NAHRA licensed field tests. There are four levels of tests for you and your retriever:

• Beginner Level is designed for puppies or new retrievers and consists of short retrieves for birds;
• Started Level consists of single retrieves (up to 75 yards in distance);
• Intermdiate Level requires double retrieves (up to 100 yards in distance); and
• Senior Level dogs are asked complete triple retrievers (up to 100 yards in distance).
  

Our website lists the email addresses and telephone numbers of our club officers and board members.  Please feel free to contact any of these individuals for more information about our events or membership.

Hope to see you soon!

Kody Bull
MSGDA President