Event Recap: It was a fantastic morning of seeing familiar faces and welcoming new members. From puppies to seasoned veterans, we had more than 15 EBs attend the event. With so many people and dogs attending, we split into multiple groups for each hunt with a safety spotter following to ensure everyone and our four-legged friends were in proper position. Stories were told and experiences were shared. We look forward to the next event.

Where: Contact for us for more info
When: Meet at 7:00am. Caravan to desert around 7:15am
What to Bring: EB, water, hunting equipment, wear orange
Requirements: AZ hunting license (daily or annual) - $15/day for AZ residents or $37 for the a year. $20/day for non-residents.
Cost: No cost other than a hunting license (required by the state)
Weather disclaimer: Event is weather dependent. If it rains a lot the day before we may cancel to avoid potentially getting a vehicle stuck in the mud.

Disclaimer: We will be hunting wild birds, so there are no guarantees of finding birds.

EBs of the SW is hosting a snake avoidance clinic with Guy Mollicone of Mollicone Kennels. Guy has trained hundreds of dogs in snake avoidance. He uses live, uncaged snakes to best mimic a real life situation in the wild. The rattlesnake is de-fanged prior to any dog contact. Dogs are given multiple exposures to the snake to ensure the lesson is sealed.

Have questions? Email us at ebsofthesw@gmail.com

Event details include:

• Where: Surprise, AZ

  • GPS coordinates: 33.690886, -112.419370

  • Directions: Take the 303 to Grand Ave/Highway 60 exit. Go north on Grand Ave. Turn left (west) on N Dove Valley Road. Take an immediate left onto an unnamed road that will be paralleling Grand Ave. We will be setup in a gravel parking a few hundred yards to the south of N Dove Valley Road.

• When: Saturday, October 16, 7:00-10:00am

• Who: All dog breeds welcome.

• How: Avoidance Clinic includes use of a live rattlesnake (de-fanged) and ecollars. You may choose to handle your dog into the snake or volunteers are available. Prepay to move your dog to the front of the line. Each dog typically takes about 15-20 minutes once it's their turn.

• What to Bring: Nonslip collar and your dog. Ecollars and leads are provided.

• Cost: $100 for new dog and $50 for refresher (refresher only applicable if your dog has been thru Guy's snake course)

Disclaimer: Snake avoidance does not guarantee your dog will not be bit in the future. The natural environment still plays a key role in snake bites. If your dog does not smell, see or hear the snake in the wild, there is still a chance of being bit.

Join us for a couple hours of sporting clays followed by a quick, tailgate club meeting. The event is a time to meet other club members, dust off the shotgun in preparation of quail season and have a quick meeting to outline the upcoming club calendar. This is a DIY event organized by the club, so attendance is optional and cost is up to you. Shoot as much or as little as you want. Ben Avery Sporting Clays allows you to purchase a set number of clay targets so that you can shoot until you are happy. We encourage you to bring your own gear, but the club will have shotguns you can use if necessary.

• When: Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 8:00am-10:00am - Club meeting immediately to follow.

• Where: Ben Avery Clay Target Center located at 5060 W Skeet St, Phoenix, AZ 85086 (this is the located at the west entrance to Ben Avery).

  • We will be parked near the Quail Course located just south of the check-in building. We will then move between stations throughout the time block.

  • If you are new to Ben Avery, a 90-second safety video and 4 question quiz are required before you start.

• What to Bring: Ear & Eye protection are required. We encourage you to bring your own equipment. Please contact the club beforehand if you want to borrow a gun. Please bring water to stay hydrated.

• Cost: Participants may purchase clay targets at the check-in desk inside the Clay Target Center. Credits are loaded onto a card that can then be moved between stations.

• Who: All EBs of the SW club members are invited. Guests welcome. If you’re new to shooting and want to learn, we are happy to help introduce you to shotguns. Non-shooters also welcome. Please leave your dog(s) at home.

EBs of the SW is hosting a training day with Mollicone Kennels. All levels welcome. From intro to birds to broke dog reps, this is an informal training day for both the pup and handler. All participants must preregister and provide the current level of your pup. Handlers will receive one-on-one instruction as well as the opportunity to participate in walking braces and Q&A during groundwork. Price = $50/person. Birds = $5/bird.

For more info or to register your pup, please email us or PM our Facebook page.

Please note: Actual time may vary based on weather conditions. All breeds welcome.

Snakes are an unfortunate part of life in the Southwest. EBs of the SW partnered with Mollicone Kennels to provide a snake avoidance class. Whether in the field, hiking or at home, keep you dog safe through snake avoidance. All breeds welcome. Pre-register thru our Facebook page or email us to receive an early-bird discount.

$100 per dog

$50 for refresher

Learn more about Snake Avoidance training and Guy Mollicone in the article at MeatEater.com.

Recap: There was a great turnout for the snake breaking. 24 dogs went through the class. It was good to see so many people and their various pups.

EBs of the SW was happy to participate in the kid’s fun hunt hosted by AZ Quail Today at the Desert Creek Sportsman Club. Through bird dogs and upland traditions, kids were introduced to hunter safety and sportsmanship. Our members volunteered their time and dog-work to help create a successful event and mentor new upland hunters.