Skip to content
FREE SHIPPING on orders over $89

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.

Other Senior Prostaff

I've been training dogs, professionally, since the summer of 2012, after graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. I spent a year working and apprenticing under some of the best pros in the business, before going out on my own in the spring of 2013,...I've been training dogs, professionally, since the summer of 2012, after graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. I spent a year working and apprenticing under some of the best pros in the business, before going out on my own in the spring of 2013,...

Colby Williams

I've been training dogs, professionally, since the summer of 2012, after graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. I spent a year working and apprenticing under some of the best pros in the business, before going out on my own in the spring of 2013,...

Greg McGuffin has been professionally training hunting dogs for 8 years.  3 years ago he and his family sold their house in Tulsa, Oklahoma and decided to dive head first into Retriever Training.  They now live on the 2,000 acre family ranch in south central Oklahoma where Greg, his wife,...Greg McGuffin has been professionally training hunting dogs for 8 years.  3 years ago he and his family sold their house in Tulsa, Oklahoma and decided to dive head first into Retriever Training.  They now live on the 2,000 acre family ranch in south central Oklahoma where Greg, his wife,...

Greg McGuffin

Greg McGuffin has been professionally training hunting dogs for 8 years.  3 years ago he and his family sold their house in Tulsa, Oklahoma and decided to dive head first into Retriever Training.  They now live on the 2,000 acre family ranch in south central Oklahoma where Greg, his wife,...

Andrew Barbouche and business partner Adam Levy own Next Generation GunDog Training in southern Minnesota. Next Generation GunDog Training is a full service retriever training facility focusing on AKC hunt test and gun dog training. We train retrievers for hunt tests, tournament hunting and for high-end gun dogs. Andrew has...Andrew Barbouche and business partner Adam Levy own Next Generation GunDog Training in southern Minnesota. Next Generation GunDog Training is a full service retriever training facility focusing on AKC hunt test and gun dog training. We train retrievers for hunt tests, tournament hunting and for high-end gun dogs. Andrew has...

Next Generation GunDog Training

Andrew Barbouche and business partner Adam Levy own Next Generation GunDog Training in southern Minnesota. Next Generation GunDog Training is a full service retriever training facility focusing on AKC hunt test and gun dog training. We train retrievers for hunt tests, tournament hunting and for high-end gun dogs. Andrew has...


Gear The Way You'd Design It