In the world of quail, bird dogs and horses there are few, if any, that can match the prestige and celebrity of Delmar Smith.

Generations of trainers, bird dogs and enthusiasts from across the globe have attended his legendary seminars. Delmar’s legacy has been well-documented by renowned journalists, photographers and novelists alike. It is my belief that Delmar is the greatest dogman ever to walk this earth. He is my hero.

While the proverbial saying warns us to never meet our heroes, it is indisputable that Delmar is the exception.

A Legend at the Ames Plantation

I first met Delmar at the Ames Plantation outside Grand Junction, Tennessee. We were at the grounds for the annual portrait unveiling of the reigning national bird dog champion.

As I was touring the national bird dog museum, I overheard a couple excitedly proclaiming that they had finally met Delmar Smith at a nearby table. After gathering my courage, I walked up to his table and asked to take a seat. He looked up at me with his iconic smile and pointed toward an open chair. While I struggled to contain my emotions, he began telling a vivid tale about a field trial experience in the past.

As I sat there and listened to his marvelous stories, I was impressed by the level of detail he could recall from various accounts decades ago.

Eventually, Delmar asked me to introduce myself, to which I happily obliged. I explained that I had traveled from my home in Kansas City to Alberta and Florida and all manner of places in between with my first bird dog, chasing wild birds and learning how to handle a pointing dog.

My experience recalled a memory for him about a past trip to Canadian prairies running bird dogs. I moved onto my upbringing in Nebraska, to which he exclaimed how productive Nebraska was as a state — fertile ground in the east, productive grazing grounds in the Sandhills, and healthy hunting opportunities in the west. Each of my life experiences were a catalyst for his memory.

Before he left for the evening, Delmar asked to look at the young setter that had me motivated to travel across North America.

When we went out to the truck, he pulled out Sta and styled her up on the tailgate. He ran his hands across her face, back and tail in an inquisitive manner then he looked at her teeth and paws. After his analysis, he complimented her coat and markings and told me to have fun with her.

As he departed, he said if I ever found myself in Oklahoma that I should look him up.

This is Delmar’s Oklahoma

Throughout the long, hot days of summer I thought often about my conversation with Delmar back at Ames. Each time I took Sta for a run, I couldn’t help but recall his invitation.

Fortunately, a family occasion took me to Oklahoma, so I called up Delmar to see if he was available. He excitedly answered the phone and said he had been running around like a wild Comanche. This is one of my favorite sayings of his — it evokes a proud feeling, a way of remembering the Lords of Plains and my own fondness for the Comanche tribe.

I told him I would be in Edmond in a few days, and he simply replied that I should meet him at daybreak.

So, like any good pupil, I arrived at daybreak. Delmar was waiting and playing cards — his shirt pressed, cowboy hat atop his head, and his large belt buckle perfectly adorning his outfit.

At his age, Delmar leaves the driving to others, so I loaded Sta’s kennel into his truck and climbed into the driver’s seat. Before we took off into the sunrise, he gifted me one of his famous wonder leads and told me it was for later.

I had a list of questions to ask. But as we visited his old training grounds, historic sites and the Lazy E ranch I simply listened to his vivid memories.

To spend time with Delmar is to learn life lessons disguised as compelling tales.

Delmar’s Lessons

Each time I visit Delmar, we drive the roads of Oklahoma and talk bird dogs, history and the great adventures of life. He is always ready at daybreak and can stay up late into the evenings; in my eyes, the cowboy schedule in him is ingrained.

While the stories are magnificent, his skill with a bird dog is truly amazing. Often, I will show him pictures or videos of Sta, and he will smile, explain to me what she was likely thinking, and predict what would happen next, with an incredible level of accuracy.

When he is feeling well, he will take Sta out on the wonder lead and reinforce her biddability, but also teach me how to respond to her cues.

Delmar knows and understands dogs unlike anyone I have ever seen. There is beauty watching him work with Sta, and she looks up at him with respect. He has trained a legion of bird dogs. It shows, and the dog knows.

While I can’t always visit him, I continue to call him and talk through Sta’s progress. When she went up to summer camp for horseback training, I would give him updates on the cover, bird numbers, and how many finds she would have. Each time he would give me a story about his time up north. All his stories contain a lesson.

As Sta and I have transitioned to the all-age field trials, I keep him updated on her placements. Delmar will belt out a joyous laugh and congratulate me on her success, but always remind me to have fun.

Wherever I travel, I take short videos and pictures to send to him. Each series will spur a wonderful memory that he will happily share.

Tail Up, Waiting on Go

My time with Delmar has been filled with lessons on raising a bird dog, but also full of fun.

Delmar speaks in a version of Oklahoma Sanskrit: a way of distilling problems into simple folksy messages. For instance, he will say, “You ready, got your tail up, waiting on go?” … which is his way of asking me if I am excited for the day ahead of us.

At 97 and in good health, he wakes up ready to take on the adventures of every new day with a positive attitude and stories to tell. I hope life gives me plenty more chances to turn dogs loose with Delmar, to watch and listen to his sage advice, and learn the ways of a dogman.

Delmar is my hero.

Douglas Spale recently embarked on a pointing dog adventure by inviting a setter, Sta, to join his Lab Kohtop.

This article originally appeared in the Spring Issue of Quail Forever Journal. If you like this content and would like to see more of it, consider supporting Quail Forever as an annual member: among many other benefits, you'll receive the Quail Forever Journal 5x/year in your mailbox.