The Gladwin forest shaped for bird-dog trials

Tucked into the northwest corner of Gladwin County is a patch of state forest managed around bird-dog field trials. Michigan began buying land there in 1916 for a public grouse field trial area. It was formally dedicated as the Gladwin Game Area in 1922, dedicated by law for field trials in 1947, and given its current Gladwin Field Trial Area name in 1957. The DNR’s current master plan puts it at 4,750 acres.

Here’s what makes it unusual. Most field trials happen on open grass with pen-raised birds planted ahead of time, the handlers following on horseback. Cover-dog trials throw that out. The dogs work real forest — young aspen, alder, tangled brush — hunting for wild ruffed grouse and woodcock that nobody put there. Handlers walk, not ride. When a bird flushes, they fire a blank from a cap gun to test whether the dog holds steady. No bird is shot; the whole thing is about the dog’s nose, range, and nerve.

The DNR describes the grounds as nationally recognized. Five field-trial clubs coordinate events, and the Grand National Grouse Championship rotates through Gladwin with grounds in Pennsylvania and New York. To keep the cover useful for grouse, woodcock, and the dogs searching for them, the DNR manages aspen in a mix of young age classes instead of letting the whole forest mature at once.

This is still public land, not a private dog course. The master plan lists camping, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, horseback riding, mountain biking, mushroom picking, and other uses. Field trials take priority, so the DNR can restrict activities when they would interfere with an event or damage the habitat. Clubs also need a state permit before holding a trial. In other words, you can use the woods; just check current signs and give a running brace of dogs plenty of room.