Matt Mates

Saint Johns, MI

Background

I’ve hunted upland game birds from North Dakota to Northern Maine, spending most of my time in my home state of Michigan. My love for pheasants dates back to my days as a youngster, first chasing them with our Labradors, German Shorthaired Pointers, or the occasional contact while running beagles in the winter. However, the ruffed grouse is king, and I currently raise and train my English pointers with that pursuit in mind. I spend much of my time training here in Michigan, but also spend approximately 4 weeks per year in Maine doing the same.

I’m an amateur bird dog trainer and enjoy assisting newcomers with their training inquiries. I’ll gladly spend my time afield with any well-mannered bird dog, but especially appreciate the drive and style of my English pointers.

I find it important to introduce new people to the sport, conservation of our resources, and exposing them to the joy of hunting with well-trained pointing dogs. I serve on the board and banquet committee of the Andy Ammann Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society. I also field trial from time to time and thoroughly enjoy judging as well. I’m a graduate of Siena Heights University with a degree in Public Safety and Behavioral Science. Aside from my outdoor pursuits, I take a great deal of pride in doing my part to keep Michigan’s citizens safe.

Why I Use SportDOG Brand

I’ve been using SportDOG products since they have been available and have had a tremendously positive experience from the beginning. The combination of practical and reliable equipment coupled with unmatched customer service is what makes me proud to represent SportDOG.

Favorite Products

UplandHunter™ 1875.

Articles by Matt Mates

man sitting in vast wilderness looking at TEK 2.0 handheld screen

TEK 2.0: Utilizing the Trip Computer

If you’ve paid attention to the reviews for the TEK 2.0 system from SportDOG Brand®, you know that hunters are really impressed with the mapping feature. Count me as one of them. While a lot of hunters and dog handlers rely on the screen’s information to help them locate a...

Other Senior Prostaff

Dave is a judge for AKC pointing and retriever hunt tests as well as the North American Hunting Retriever Assoc. During the summer months he conducts (Utility) North American Versatile Hunting Retriever Association classes on one of his advanced retriever ponds. To his credit, he has titled several AKC Master...

David Molyneaux

Dave is a judge for AKC pointing and retriever hunt tests as well as the North American Hunting Retriever Assoc. During the summer months he conducts (Utility) North American Versatile Hunting Retriever Association classes on one of his advanced retriever ponds. To his credit, he has titled several AKC Master...

Pete has been a long-time outdoorsman. He has been training his own dogs for many years and has recently become involved with HRC and SRS competitions. He is a member of the L'Anguille HRC and has long been a member of Ducks Unlimited. Pete has a passion for teaching people...

Pete Lochner

Pete has been a long-time outdoorsman. He has been training his own dogs for many years and has recently become involved with HRC and SRS competitions. He is a member of the L'Anguille HRC and has long been a member of Ducks Unlimited. Pete has a passion for teaching people...

I have been active in competition raccoon hunting for the past nine years. I started when I was 12 years old. Most have a previous family member that hunted before them, I was the first to hunt in my family. All my family members are hunters, but none have taken...

Chace McCaskill

I have been active in competition raccoon hunting for the past nine years. I started when I was 12 years old. Most have a previous family member that hunted before them, I was the first to hunt in my family. All my family members are hunters, but none have taken...