Many times we are asked if hunters can request a certain dog handler. The answer is an absolute YES!
Many times the hunters can’t remember the man’s name, but often they remember the dog! So, we have included a list here to help you find your dog, …er, man…
Kelly Spiegel worked the Bucyrus GE plant as machine mechanic evening shift for many years and is now retired and enjoying guiding at Elkhorn more with his English Pointers Willow . Kelly says, “As your dog handler, my job is to see that you have fun, to present you with opportunities to be successful, and to make sure you look good… even if you miss.”
Kelly and his dad Max have also done much of the woodwork in the clubhouse.
Bruce Buurma has been a guide at Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club since 2010. He is in the process of retiring from Buurma Farms, Inc. of Willard, Ohio, and plans to spend more time running his dogs at Elkhorn. Bruce runs a Brittany named Rizor with his black lab Kimber, give the best of both words with the option of pointing or flushing dogs
Bryan Buurma has been a guide at Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club since 
2000, has hunted Brittanys his whole life, and ran dog trail events for several years. He is part owner of Buurma Farms, Inc. of Willard, Ohio. In his spare time from work he enjoys time on the lakes, hunting, fishing, and training his dogs Razz and Kid.
Jim Sexton and his black lab Roxie have been helping us with European hunts for a number of year and in recent years has join us as a guide. Jim is also running Ed McCleese’s dog Bella which she is enjoying.
Gerry Ranker and his golden retrievers Beau and Max will work to provide a fine quality hunt for you. Gerry is retired from firefighting but stays active hunting with his many grandkids. Sadly, Gerry’s dog Gauge left us in the summer of 2013 and is buried where he retrieved many birds on European hunts.
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Matt Auck is here to meet your needs as part of the Elkhorn Staff. Matt guides with Labrador retrievers and German Shorthair pointers. We will celebrate his 36th year with us in 2023.
Bert Royce supervises our cleaning room facilities to provide a top 
quality birds for the dinner table here at Elkhorn. Bert also helps retrieve on our European style hunts. Bert has been with us over 25 years. He enjoys trapping and hunting with his kids. His wife Linda also helps out in our cleaning room and in the summer with eggs.
Jon Tate is our newest full time employee having started working here part time while in high school he returned to work for us full time in . He and his wife Megg were married in 2018.