Jake Bartells for Navhda President

11/21/2025

WE did it! Thank you, NAVHDA!
This win belongs to all of us. I’m grateful for every person who showed up, spoke up, and believed in what we can build together. I’m energized to get to work on the things that matter most to our members and our dogs.

The 2025 NAVHDA International election is final and complete

Approximately 32% of the membership voted - 2,959 people.

President:
Jake Bartells: 1493 votes (50.5%)
Tim Otto: 1466 votes (49.5%)

Vice President:
Lisa Pehur: 2818 votes

Secretary:
Luc Raymond 2831 votes

Treasurer:
Rick Holt: 1507 votes (51%)
John Wolfe. 1452 votes (49%)

11/13/2025

Anyone else ready for the election to be over?

Let’s get enough votes to make the winners clear so we can all go back to talking about hunting stories and how to fix our steadiness issues this Spring.

Rick and I are grateful for your support and patience through this process.

If you haven’t voted, you have until the 15th. Make your voice heard and be part of NAVHDA’s future!

11/03/2025

Honored to spend the day among heroes. Thank you to all the veterans who have served our country. 🇺🇸

WOW!!!!….what a day!!!!

With a couple of cancellations we ended up taking out 33 VETS/HEROES today and it was amazing!!!

So many new faces, so many stories, so many embraces and so much gratitude!!!

We will post some more pictures, but for now, we just want to say thank you, thank you to all the VETS/HEROES, this day was for you!!!

To all the incredible volunteers, when I asked you to make these heroes your priority, to make sure they have the absolute best day possible, you did and then some!!!…so much incredible feedback today, we are truly surrounded by the best!!!

God Bless all y’all!!!!!!!

10/14/2025

To all who have been steadfast supporters of my candidacy for president, Thank you! Your encouragement and belief in me mean more than words can express. You understand that true leadership isn’t learned; it’s a reflection of character that someone is born with and refines over a lifetime of service.

As Blaine and Patti Carter so perfectly said, it’s time for new blood… along with that will come new ideas and a fresh energy to carry NAVHDA into the future.

Looking ahead, my focus remains clear:
✅ Real transparency so well-informed members can provide meaningful feedback.
✅ Better support and training resources for our chapters and their members.
✅ Recognize and respect the vital role of our judges.
✅ Strengthen our financial future through responsible spending, increased fundraising, new sponsorship, and new program initiatives like conformation ratings.
✅ Investigate a hybrid Invitational format to better serve our membership, reduce expenses, and ensure that all dogs who qualify with a Prize I have the opportunity to participate.
✅ Ensure our bylaws are upheld and consistently applied.
✅ Continue investing in our youth programs.
✅ Grow and modernize our data systems so breeders and members have access to NAVHDA’s valuable information.
✅ Build more mutually beneficial partnerships with conservation organizations.

At the heart of every one of these goals is a simple promise… to always uphold NAVHDA’s mission: to foster, promote, and improve the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America.

I’m also honored to endorse Rick Holt for Treasurer. Rick has given tirelessly to NAVHDA for decades, has been a steady and valuable voice on the Board, and has always championed financial transparency on behalf of our members. Please visit his website: RickHoltNAVHDA.com

Through this journey, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible members and chapters. It has only reinforced what makes this organization so special. We may have joined for better hunting dogs, but we’ve stayed because of the friendships and community that feel like family.

I'll end this post like I have ended many before it... I'm a hard-hunting, conservation-minded, family-oriented, business-focused, outside-the-box thinker who's ready to serve, with and for, our members.

Rick and I appreciate your vote!

Hunting Dog Podcast - My Vision for NAVHDA: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-vision-for-navhda/id961418092?i=1000727789797

Endorsements Video: https://youtu.be/ZaddCRAjN9I?si=CHRlsogXFBt3VztO

NAVHDA International Discussion: https://youtu.be/Ybc5Dv08izs?si=aXgdyiYh383uULy8

My website: JakeBartellsforNAVHDAPresident.com

10/13/2025

We couldn’t be more proud of our daughter, Brooke, who raised $6,000 for Pheasants Forever last year!

She spent her summer baking cookies for local events, one batch at a time, and wrapped it all up at Pheasant Fest. She turned her love for the outdoors into an incredible act of giving.

We’re so grateful to be raising our girls in such a supportive community (the conservation and bird dog world) where kids learn the value of hard work, stewardship, and giving back.

This month, Brooke’s story is featured in Pheasants Forever magazine, where she shares her experience and what it meant to give back to a cause she loves. Check it out!

If you’re not already a Pheasants Forever member, we’d encourage you to join. It’s an amazing community doing so much for conservation, habitat, and the bird dog world we all care about.

Here’s to the next generation of conservationists! 💛

10/11/2025

In most states upland hunting is in full swing. I’m most looking forward to a trip I have planned to Nevada. Not only will it be my first time there but, my daughter Brooke will be joining me. Where are you headed this fall? Will you have any youth accompanying you?

10/06/2025

10/02/2025

It’s always been my goal to give NAVHDA members a real choice in this upcoming election. I’m humbled by the incredible support I’ve received from longtime members, past officers, and judges, plus the many new faces stepping forward. Your encouragement means the world, and I’m excited for what we can build together. - Jake

It’s always been my goal to give NAVHDA members a real choice in this upcoming election. I’m humbled by the incredible support I’ve received from longtime me...

09/29/2025

Kind words from an honest and good soul! Also one of the best dog men I know!

I appreciate your support.

09/25/2025

🎙️ Tonight’s Open Discussion is officially FULL! Can’t wait to connect and chat with everyone. Huge thanks to Nancy Anisfield for being our host!

Couldn’t snag a spot this time? No worries. More great conversations are coming soon!

09/25/2025

🎙️ New Podcast Episode is LIVE with Ron Boehme and The Hunting Dog Podcast.

We cover a lot of ground in this conversation around my bid for NAVHDA International President. If you want to know more about my vision for NAVHDA, this is a great listen.

Topics covered include WHY I'm running, financials, membership, chapter needs, motions, the annual meeting, confirmation ratings, breeders, membership portal and database software, hybrid Invitational, and more.

As always, give me a call with any questions.

Podcast Episode · The Hunting Dog Podcast · 09/22/2025 · 1h 16m