Fritz Heller- "The Grouse Commander"
Fritz’s pursuit of upland birds began in the farm fields of southern Michigan chasing the not so abundant Wild Michigan Rooster. In the fall of 1996 Fritz departed for college at Grand Valley State University just to the west of Grand Rapids. In the few years following his arrival to the west side of the state Fritz’s passion for the uplands had grown and expanded. His knowledge of Michigan and its upland species expanded as he began making trips north trading the open fields of pheasant country for the confines of north woods grouse country.
The challenge that the Ruffed Grouse presents to a hunter lies within the habitat it resides and its innate ability to evade man and dog alike. This challenge is what drove Fritz to succeed in yet another challenging outdoor adventure. He read books, obtained mentors and most importantly spent countless hours on the ground and miles on the road learning the where’s, when’s and why’s of grouse and grouse hunting. In 2003 Fritz’s desire for the Northern Michigan life and adventures of chasing grouse and Great Lakes steelhead led he and his wife to the Northwest corner of the lower peninsula. Now living in grouse country Fritz spends hundreds of days in the woods each year training himself and his dogs to have a more in depth understanding of the Great Lakes Ruffed Grouse, slowly morphing from a hunter to a killer and a mentee to a mentor. Fritz is a giver not a taker ; he introduces and helps new hunters at any given chance, passing on his knowledge for the sport he loves and hoping to instill the same values to those interested.
Shortly after moving north Fritz joined the Le Grand Traverse Chapter of Ruffed Grouse Society and in short order his enthusiasm led him to his current position as chapter president. He is unique in the sense that he cares so greatly for the resources that provide he, his family and friends so much joy that he gives back far more than he takes. The success Fritz finds in the grouse woods is earned and deserved, he is a driven wing shooter, dog trainer and hunter who has climbed the ladder one rung at a time. Leading his journey of becoming a staple in the Michigan grouse hunting community have been Fritz’s Labrador Retrievers, Hilde (12), Bella (8) and May(2). These girls have been Fritz’s most consistent hunting partners making a name for themselves as lethal grouse dogs and dominant competitors in the Ruffed Grouse Society Gun Dog Circuit all while creating a rock solid foundation for Fritz’s & Ric's kennel Betsie River Labradors.
Ric Heller II- "The Reverend"
Reverend Ric followed a similar path to his older brother just a few years behind but light years ahead due to the ground work Fritz had laid. In all things hunting and fishing Fritz mentored Ric along the way creating a friendship that is more than family. After chasing Fritz and Hilde around the pheasant fields as a freshman in college (2001) Ric was hooked. A year or so later he purchased his first dog Deuce (10) and never looked back. As his final semester of college approached Ric began working as a fishing guide for a living. Spending summers in Alaska and falls, winters and springs in Michigan spending every free moment chasing upland birds. Leaving guiding behind Ric has settled into the same Northwest Corner of the lower peninsula as Fritz allowing them to partake in there favorite adventures together. He currently sits on the board of the Le Grand Traverse Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society and continues to follow his dogs Deuce (10), Jones (6) and Blue (2) through the Northern Michigan grouse woods hundreds of days a year.
Fritz’s pursuit of upland birds began in the farm fields of southern Michigan chasing the not so abundant Wild Michigan Rooster. In the fall of 1996 Fritz departed for college at Grand Valley State University just to the west of Grand Rapids. In the few years following his arrival to the west side of the state Fritz’s passion for the uplands had grown and expanded. His knowledge of Michigan and its upland species expanded as he began making trips north trading the open fields of pheasant country for the confines of north woods grouse country.
The challenge that the Ruffed Grouse presents to a hunter lies within the habitat it resides and its innate ability to evade man and dog alike. This challenge is what drove Fritz to succeed in yet another challenging outdoor adventure. He read books, obtained mentors and most importantly spent countless hours on the ground and miles on the road learning the where’s, when’s and why’s of grouse and grouse hunting. In 2003 Fritz’s desire for the Northern Michigan life and adventures of chasing grouse and Great Lakes steelhead led he and his wife to the Northwest corner of the lower peninsula. Now living in grouse country Fritz spends hundreds of days in the woods each year training himself and his dogs to have a more in depth understanding of the Great Lakes Ruffed Grouse, slowly morphing from a hunter to a killer and a mentee to a mentor. Fritz is a giver not a taker ; he introduces and helps new hunters at any given chance, passing on his knowledge for the sport he loves and hoping to instill the same values to those interested.
Shortly after moving north Fritz joined the Le Grand Traverse Chapter of Ruffed Grouse Society and in short order his enthusiasm led him to his current position as chapter president. He is unique in the sense that he cares so greatly for the resources that provide he, his family and friends so much joy that he gives back far more than he takes. The success Fritz finds in the grouse woods is earned and deserved, he is a driven wing shooter, dog trainer and hunter who has climbed the ladder one rung at a time. Leading his journey of becoming a staple in the Michigan grouse hunting community have been Fritz’s Labrador Retrievers, Hilde (12), Bella (8) and May(2). These girls have been Fritz’s most consistent hunting partners making a name for themselves as lethal grouse dogs and dominant competitors in the Ruffed Grouse Society Gun Dog Circuit all while creating a rock solid foundation for Fritz’s & Ric's kennel Betsie River Labradors.
Ric Heller II- "The Reverend"
Reverend Ric followed a similar path to his older brother just a few years behind but light years ahead due to the ground work Fritz had laid. In all things hunting and fishing Fritz mentored Ric along the way creating a friendship that is more than family. After chasing Fritz and Hilde around the pheasant fields as a freshman in college (2001) Ric was hooked. A year or so later he purchased his first dog Deuce (10) and never looked back. As his final semester of college approached Ric began working as a fishing guide for a living. Spending summers in Alaska and falls, winters and springs in Michigan spending every free moment chasing upland birds. Leaving guiding behind Ric has settled into the same Northwest Corner of the lower peninsula as Fritz allowing them to partake in there favorite adventures together. He currently sits on the board of the Le Grand Traverse Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society and continues to follow his dogs Deuce (10), Jones (6) and Blue (2) through the Northern Michigan grouse woods hundreds of days a year.