eventually buying a German shorthair and hunting over
that breed since. But his shorthairs, Mojo and Trapper, aren't
normal shorthairs.
They're gigantic.
"The shorthairs came out of Minnesota from the Minnesota
Horse and Hunt Club," Justin said. "As the story goes, the
owner of the club went to Germany and grabbed the No. 1
stud there and brought him back to America. My dogs trace
back to him. They're just bigger."
When we hunted, it was clear why he loves these dogs so
much. They cut through habitat — regardless of height —
with ease, and they can hunt long. This is beneficial to Justin
because he can walk — I mean, really walk.
As I trailed him with a camera through field after field near
Geneva, he reminded me of the 6-foot-5 hunting partner I
had as a kid, working field edges and plum thickets for quail
just like he does here.
In each instance, keeping up is the primary goal.
Justin walks by a patch of sunflowers on an upland hunt in Fillmore County.
Having adequate food and cover is crucial for the long-term health of Nebraska's upland bird populations.
December 2025 • Nebraskaland 45
