Groundhog

At Sweetgrass Farm, we wholeheartedly support the JRTCA's motto in "Preserve, Protect, and Work the Jack Russell Terrier." Having said that, I go back east and hunt our terriers at least four times a year. When you live in Washington state, nothing worth hunting goes to ground in a rain forest.
When we decide on which terriers to breed, we always strive for good working lines. Our foundation dog (Briarpatch Temper) and our foundation bitch (Treetop Twiggy) have bloodlines that come from some of the oldest working kennels in the United States and England.

In order for a terrier to hunt successfully and earn a Natural Hunting Certificate, the following criteria must be met:

1. The terrier must enter a natural earth, rock den, etc., and locate the quarry on its own. The dog should disappear from sight into the earth. It must mark the quarry and either bolt it, draw it, or stay with it until it can be dug to; or if undiggable, you must be absolutely sure that it is right up to its quarry.
2. The quarry must be visually identified by the working judge.
3. The terrier must have worked in such a manner that if it were the only dog there that day, the hunt would have been successful.
4. The list of acceptable quarry for an NHC includes Red Fox, Grey Fox, Woodchuck, Raccoon, and Badger. The quarry must be of suitable size and disposition to warrant gameness in the terrier; in other words, it must be formidable.

I have been fortunate to hunt with some of the most incredible working judges and would like to publicly thank them. Jack Batzer, a man of infinite patience and one of the most experienced terriermen around, was the first one to ever take me out hunting. Why he didn't dig a hole and put me in it, I have no idea. I'm sure he's asked himself the same question. I can never thank you enough, Jack!

When back east hunting, Jack was often accompanied out in the field by Chuck Hufnagel. Chuck was the first one to write a certificate to Temper for opossum and we went out many times. Chuck was the most kind and patient person with both terriers and their owners. The terrier world lost a great man when Chuck passed away unexpectedly. I feel very fortunate that I could call him my friend.

Wayne Robinson and his wife, Marla, of Vagabond Terriers, are two of the finest people I have ever met. Wayne is a working judge from Ontario, Canada, and Marla is a walking dictionary on the genetic health of the Jack Russell Terrier. I have had the opportunity to hunt with Wayne several times and I'm always impressed with his knowledge and skill with the shovel. Wayne was the working judge to write Sarah her first certificate to Marmot while hunting in the rock dens of Merritt, British Columbia. It was Wayne's gentle guidance that started Gator off right and I know I'll be going to him with future working terriers.

Lord, They say that none of your creatures is as fierce as brock (badger), ... When abruptly aroused from his sleep. He's made many terriers pay the ultimate price, and made many a terrierman weep. So Lord, please watch over my terriers when they disappear from my sight. Going deep into an underground world, With darkness blacker than night And Lord, please protect my terriers, whenever danger is near, For we both know they're loyal and brave, And know not the meaning of fear, Lord, please give me the stamina and strength, If I have to, to move the earth. To dig my little terrier, For he's giving it all he's worth, And when the hunt is over Lord, And the hard days work is through, I'm proud my terrier's been a part of it and I give all the credit to you. Amen (Author Unknown)

Winter hunting in New York.

Temper waiting his turn while hunting in the fields of Maryland