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No-see-ums are tiny biting midges that can cause itchy, painful bites and are difficult to see due to their small size.

What Are No-See-Ums?

No-see-ums, also known as biting midges, sand flies, or punkies, belong to the Ceratopogonidae family. They are extremely small, measuring 1–3 mm (0.04–0.12 inches), which makes them hard to detect even when biting. Only female no-see-ums bite, as they require blood to reproduce, while males do not bite. They are similar to mosquitoes but smaller and can leave red, itchy bumps that may last up to two weeks and sometimes form raised welts thebugsquad.com+2.

Habitats and Behavior

No-see-ums thrive in moist, warm environments. Their larvae develop in aquatic or semi-aquatic areas, such as ponds, streams, marshes, bogs, moss, algae, and decomposing logs. They are attracted to CO2 from humans and animals, light sources, and areas with standing water. Outdoor activities near water, such as camping, fishing, or hiking, increase the likelihood of encountering them thebugsquad.com+1.

Preventing Bites

• Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus for effective protection Dengarden.
• Wear protective clothing, including long sleeves and pants, especially during peak activity times bcpestcontrol.com.
• Install fine mesh screens (16–18 mesh or finer) and use no-see-um netting for tents and sleeping areas Dengarden.
• Reduce standing water around your home to prevent breeding, including bird baths, plant saucers, and clogged gutters bcpestcontrol.com.
• Use fans outdoors to disperse them, as they are weak fliers bcpestcontrol.com.

Treating Bites

• Wash the area with soap and warm water to remove saliva and reduce infection risk wikihow.com.
• Apply a cool compress to relieve swelling and pain.
• Use topical treatments such as hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, or aloe to reduce itching wikihow.com.
• Seek medical attention if bites become infected, extremely swollen, or accompanied by fever wikihow.com.

Additional Tips

• Avoid outdoor lights at night, as no-see-ums are attracted to them bcpestcontrol.com.
• Consider CO2 or light traps to reduce their numbers in outdoor areas bcpestcontrol.com.
• Maintain regular yard care, trimming vegetation and improving sunlight exposure to reduce hiding spots bcpestcontrol.com.
  By combining personal protection, environmental management, and bite treatment, you can significantly reduce the nuisance and discomfort caused by no-see-ums.

This is a long note, however towards the bottom is a link to contact your senator and leave comments. We are conservationists with our dogs, and if we loose the right to use "live birds" for training or testing, this changes everything. Just Saying

May 27, 2026                     Federal Update: US Senate May Consider the Farm Bill in June – Take Action to Protect Responsible Dog Ownership   Please share this important information with your club members, family and friends   Thanks to the strong response from AKC advocates and sportsmen’s groups—and the strong leadership of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson—the House Farm bill, H.R. 7567, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act,” passed by the U.S. House contained positive provisions that support responsible breeding and dog ownership and no provisions that will cause harm.   Now the Farm Bill is moving to the Senate. The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee is expected to release and mark up its version of the bill in June, and animal extremist organizations, determined to make it tougher to breed dogs or use them for their intended breed or purpose (including hunting, scent, sporting and detection work) are walking the halls of Congress, and proposing  new restrictions that would harm responsible dog breeders.   Your action is urgently needed NOW to stop the animal-extremist supported proposals such as the Better CARE for Animals Act (S. 1538), Goldie’s Act (H.R. 349), the Puppy Protection Act (S. 4437), and the Greyhound Protection Act (H.R. 5017) from being attached to the Senate Farm Bill.     PLEASE ACT TODAY!   Even if your Senator(s) already shares these concerns, it is important that they hear from YOU, their constituents. Your individual contact makes a difference.   Easy ways to make a difference:   Call, email, Message or write to your U.S. Senators – A personalized call, voice mail, or message is more effective than a preformatted message. Click here to find our who your U.S. Senators are.   Please contact your U.S. Senator today and respectfully urge them to:   Support the positive animal enhancement provisions included in the House Farm Bill and Oppose any Senate floor amendment promoted by animal rights activists that would restrict responsible dog ownership, breeding, lawful dog training practices, competitions, or hunting with dogs.   House lawmakers heard your voice– but your involvement remains crucial to ensuring that the Senate continues to support responsible dog breeding and ownership and the long-standing traditions of training, competing, and hunting with dogs.   It’s Easy to Make an Important Difference! Click here to send a message directly to your Senators.   Tell them:   You are a voting constituent (including city/town you live in) and a responsible dog enthusiast. Respectfully ask them to support the animal enhancement provisions included in the House-passed Farm Bill. Respectfully ask them to oppose any amendments that seek to include onerous provisions of the Better CARE for Animals Act (S. 1538), Goldie’s Act (H.R. 349), the Puppy Protection Act (S. 4437), the Greyhound Protection Act (H.R. 5017) or that will restrict or ban traditional dog training methods and competition, responsible breeding and ownership of dogs. Note that the Farm Bill is one of the most important and broadly supported pieces of legislation considered by Congress. It should not become the vehicle for language that disrupts lawful hunting traditions, events that showcase breed characteristics, responsible dog ownership, and established canine training practices nationwide. More information:   Problematic Potential Amendments That Should be Opposed    Language in the “Better CARE for Animals” Act (S. 1538/H.R. 3112) would expand the power of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce any violation of the AWA and circumvent the USDA’s authority and the expertise of veterinarians and other animal experts at USDA to enforce animal care requirements. The so-called Better Care would also empower the DOJ to bypass USDA and file charges, including potentially criminal charges, seize animals and impose penalties regardless of whether USDA has determined or even alleged that there has been a violation of the AWA. USDA already has the demonstrated authority and ability to work with the DOJ on rare cases involving criminal conduct. Language originally in Goldie’s Act (HR 349), redefines violations of the AWA to remove the distinction between minor non-compliances such as paperwork errors and animal care violations. AKC believes the goal should be zero non-compliances, but the health and wellbeing of animals should always remain the priority. Goldie’s Act also allows for immediate seizure or euthanasia without due process of any animal an inspector perceives to be suffering from “psychological harm” — a term it does not define. One-Size-Fits all kennel engineering standards that undermine best care practices. Proposals from the Puppy Protection Act (S. 4437/H.R. 2254) included inflexible and arbitrary prohibitions on breeding a dog based on size and age; mandated full time “unfettered access to exercise area large enough to allow extension of full stride”, arbitrary temperature requirements, and other requirements that become problematic without flexibility to allow for individual animals’ needs and requirements. Provisions in the “Greyhound Protection Act” (H.R. 5017) that would restrict and potentially eliminate common dog training and event practices for certain field trials, performance events, lawful hunting with dogs, and other widely accepted training methods used by responsible dog owners and handlers’ flexibility to allow for individual animals’ needs and requirements. To learn more about AKC Events that could be affected: by the Greyhound Protection Act, please see:    Fast Cat Barn Hunt Earthdog 101   There are many positive measures included in Title 12 of the House passed Farm Bill that the Senate should support, such as:    Enhanced protections for dogs under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The AWA provides the basis for federal breeder licensing and oversight. AKC supports improved enforcement of AWA violations, including additional resources and reporting for USDA. In recent years, poor enforcement of breeder requirements has resulted in high-profile cases used by anti-breeder groups to undermine the reputation of the vast majority of caring, responsible breeders. Defunding of educational outreach, including teachable moments, have further undermined a cooperative approach to animal welfare and support of best practices. Additional resources for USDA to better enforce the AWA and existing regulations requires a report to Congress on existing enforcement with recommendations on improving enforcement and enhancing educational programs and outreach. Animal Care: Clarifies that visual dental examinations should be included in existing annual veterinary requirements. Provides funding for transitional shelters for victims of domestic violence that allow victims to shelter with a pet. This measure reflects efforts privately supported by the AKC Humane Fund that ensure that concern for a pet left behind does not prevent a victim from seeking needed safety and shelter. Increases resources for the USDA’s National Detector Dog Training programs to support the training of specially selected dogs (and their handlers) to identify invasive pests and diseases that threaten agriculture. Responsible importation of healthy dogs:  Expands USDA’s documentation requirements for pets entering the United States, providing a policy alternative for the current ban on the import of owned puppies under of 6 months of age that meet health requirements.   This reflects language in the Healthy Dog Importation Act (HR 3349/S. 1725) by requiring electronic records documentation on dogs prior to their importation that confirms the dog is in good health; microchipped; has received all necessary vaccination and parasite treatment, demonstrated negative test results, and has a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian; and in the case of a dog intended for transfer, is at least 6 months old. Exceptions are provided for dogs that are personal pets of United States origin returning to the United States; United States military working dogs; for research purposes; or coming to the United States solely for veterinary treatment; among several others. Questions? Contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org or 919-816-3720.   THANK YOU for your partnership and commitment to a better world for purpose-bred dogs and responsible dog ownership!      Take Action Now!

 

Marin Retriever Club  takes pride in trying to make sure everybody is kept up to date on Retriever News. Especially with the information regarding the Master National. The link below shares information regarding the previous vote, that was going to involve combining Region 4 with Region 3. The voting process was evaluated and the outcome has changed. The link describes and discloses the outcome, it’s a quick and informative read:

https://masternational.org/paws-itive-perspectives-from-the-master-national-retriever-club-2/

Website Admin

AKC

https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/u-s-congress-amendment-to-farm-bill-could-threaten-akc-events-hunt-training/

March 31, 2026

Please share this important information with your club members, family and friends.

An amendment to the House Farm Bill (HR 7567) proposed by animal rights groups threatens the future of AKC performance events and recognized hunt training techniques. 

Please join AKC and leading sportsmen’s organizations in defending responsible dog enthusiasts, sportsmen and trainers. Please contact your member of the U.S. Congress and respectfully ask Congress to remove language derived from the “Greyhound Protection Act of 2025” (HR 5017) from the Farm Bill before final passage.

Scroll down for easy ways to make a difference.

Why This Matters

While the stated intent of the Greyhound Protection Act is to address concerns related to commercial greyhound racing, the provision attached to the Farm Bill is overly broad and risks eliminating or banning standard training and event practices for certain field trials, performance events, lawful hunting with dogs, and other widely accepted training methods used by responsible dog owners and handlers.

In fact, the amendment goes well beyond “commercial” greyhound racing – which currently only exists in one state; it also bans live lure training, use of live lures, and open field coursing events involving live animals.    

Because these terms lack clear statutory definitions, they could be interpreted in ways that affect lawful hunting activities and traditional dog training methods. For example, controlled exposure to live birds, or other game animals, is a widely accepted and essential component of preserving unique breed characteristics and training bird dogs, retrievers, hounds, and other working dogs. Dog trainers and hunters commonly use farm‑raised birds such as pigeons, ducks, or pheasants to teach scent recognition, steadiness, retrieval skills, and humane handling of game. These practices help ensure that hunting dogs perform their work effectively and minimize harm to wildlife during hunts.

Without clear exemptions, prohibiting the use of live animals in canine events that showcase breed characteristics, responsible hunting, or dog training could effectively eliminate long-standing, responsible training methods.

These restrictions could easily be interpreted or amended to severely impact or eliminate:

• Field trials,
• Hunt tests,
• Earthdog competition,
• Barn Hunt,
• Nite Hunts, and
• Other organized dog sports/events that are conducted under carefully controlled conditions.

It could also easily be interpreted or amended to impact other popular and responsible running / racing events that do not use live lures, including:  

• Lure Coursing,
• Coursing Ability Tests (CAT); or
• Fast CAT events.

Two Ways You Can Make a Meaningful Impact

• Click here to send a message directly to your member of Congress

Better yet …

• Click here to find out who your member of Congress is.

Tell them:  

1. You are a voting constituent (including city/town you live in) and a responsible dog enthusiast.
2. Respectfully ask them to oppose overly broad language from the Greyhound Protection Act (HR 5017) that has been added to the Farm Bill.
3. Explain that it does nothing to improve the wellbeing of dogs, and as written could ban or lead to bans on responsible dog training practices that are essential to developing well trained working and performance dogs, as well as popular responsible dog events in the community. Share your positive experiences with these events, if appropriate.
4. Note that the Farm Bill is one of the most important and broadly supported pieces of legislation considered by Congress. It should not become the vehicle for language that disrupts lawful hunting traditions, events that showcase breed characteristics, responsible dog ownership, and established canine training practices nationwide.

 Learn more about AKC Events that could be affected:

• Fast Cat
• Barn Hunt
• Earthdog 101

Thank you.

The time you take today to fight animal extremism and protect your dogs really does make a difference!  

From the President of the 2026 Master National:

MasterNationalMar2026.pdf

Hello Marin Members—There is a Columbia Special Event coming. Our Merchandise person Sheree C. has secured us special entrance to this employee discount Specialty. They are having their annual winter sale, up to 70% off retail price.  February 6th through March 1st^.. 

*You must bring a copy of this email invite (hard copy or show from your mobile device).

* You also have to show your affiliation with the Marin Retriever Club. You will need to go to the website, and download the mobile app, which includes your membership card    https://www.marinretrieverclub.com   Once on the website, go to Members>members welcome>Marin mobile app> Click on the link that pertains to your mobile device Android or Iphone

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Your Columbia Employee Store Invite has arrived, kindly confirm receipt and share this email with your organization*

Columbia Employee Store Invitation Details:

• Marin Retriever Club offer is valid February 6th - March 1st!
• Store is stocked with the latest products from our family of brands: Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear, and prAna – all items are 40% off Full Retail Pricing
• For store access, please provide your digital invite (printed or shown on your mobile device) + proof of affiliation
• Invitees can bring up to four additional guests with each visit

• This offer is for store access (not valid online)
• Annual Winter Sale on now! Up to 70% off retail pricing!

Richmond Employee Store Retail Marketing Team|Columbia Sportswear Company

1414 Harbour Way South, Ford Point Suite 1005, Richmond, CA 94804

Questions? Store Phone Number: 510-558-2995

Email: richmondemployeestore@columbia.com 

2026 Master National Event Set for Unlimited Entries

The Umpqua Valley Retriever Club is pleased to announce they will host the 2026 Master National in Roseburg, Oregon  October 1-11. In response to the recent Master National Annual meeting and Bylaw changes, Umpqua Valley Retriever Club will remove their request for a cap of dogs entered into the event.  The event will NOT have a limit on the qualified dogs entered into the event.

The Hampton Inn, Roseburg will serve as the Host Hotel. Details on other hotels and camping accommodations will follow soon. 

While the new AKC Rules and Regulations Books are not printed, here is a link to the new rules that will apply toall of us. There is always something new.......

https://www.akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/news-updates

Happy Training

Congratulations to a lot of Marin Club Members!!!!

The following Members, went all the way to Giddings, Texas to run and walked away with a Nice Pewter Plate. Thus completing all 6 series

In no particular order: Dennis Hayre,  Debra Chun, Michael O’Bannon, Katie Quarles, Rhonda Reed, Richard Gebhart, Brook Douglas, Francis Harvey

It’s quite the accomplishment to even get the invite, so I also want to acknowledge those that Qualified and choose to not attend for a variety of reasons. In no particular order: Jim Batson, Sharon Ventura, Kathy Gibson, Chris Hempel, Bruce Hayes, John Gamon, Kerry Forni, Rob Schell

Michael O’Bannon was also recognized for receiving a Master National plate, 3 times with a amateur status.

If I have overlooked anyone(accidently), please let me know the update

Here are a few pictures

https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/california-2025-legislative-session-draws-close/   October 14, 2025     Yesterday, California’s 2025 legislative session came to a close as Governor Gavin Newsom had a midnight deadline to act on bills that landed on his desk. AKC appreciates all who helped throughout the year to protect the rights of responsible dog owners; we are most successful when working together. Your actions made a difference for dogs! As was the case during the 2024 legislative session, California faced a budget shortfall, which put a brake on many legislative proposals. However, AKC had many wins during the year including seeing the defeat of a bill that would have increased onerous regulations on hobbyist dog breeders, continuance of Californians to be allowed to provide basic care on their own animals (like administering vaccines), and passage of bills expanding consumer protection on pet purchases in the state, and expanded protection to the pets of domestic violence victims, to name a few. Below are the conclusions of key bills the AKC tracked throughout the year.  AKC is in the process of finalizing a more comprehensive summary on how the new consumer protection laws and others will impact sellers and breed club rescues.  This will be sent in the near future. Bills Supported by AKC Assembly Bill 506 – Pets: sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits. Status: Signed by the governor with some AKC amendments. Summary: AB 506 expands consumer protection rights for pet buyers in the state. AKC worked extensively on the bill with stakeholders to expand consumer protection provisions so that sellers- including breeders and rescues – will be required to provide certain information regarding the dog’s health and background at the time of sale. Senate Bill 312 – Dog importation: health certificates. Status: Signed by the governor with some AKC amendments. Summary: This bill clarifies where (already required) health certificates for dogs imported for resale should be submitted, and which state agency is responsible for record-keeping.  After concerns were expressed by the AKC and club members, a provision that would have established a public website with seller and purchaser information was removed from the bill. Senate Bill 221 – Crimes: stalking Status: Signed by the governor. Summary: This bill seeks to expand what constitutes stalking to include behavior that seeks to harm or threaten a domestic violence victim’s pets, service animals, or emotional support animals. This bill strengthens California’s anti-stalking statutes. Assembly Bill 478 – Accessibility to emergency information and services: evacuations: pets. Status: Signed by the governor. Summary: AB 478 requires California cities and counties to update emergency plans to include pet rescue procedures during evacuations (such as wildfires), ensure public access to related information, and protect rescued pets from adoption or euthanasia for 30 days. Assembly Bill 631 – Animals: animal shelters: transparency. Status: Held in Senate Appropriations Committee, did not become law. Summary: This bill would have required California animal shelters to collect, regularly update, and publicly share detailed intake and outcome data for all animals, increasing transparency and accountability in shelter operations. Assembly Bill 400 – Law enforcement: police canines. Status: Vetoed by the governor. Summary: This bill was amended to require, on or before July 1, 2028, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to study and issue recommendations to the Legislature on the use of canines by law enforcement. The governor vetoed the measure stating in his message that the bill was redundant to existing practices. Bills Opposed by AKC: Assembly Bill 1482 – Bowie’s Law: animals: adoption, shelter overcrowding, and breeding. Status: Held in Assembly Appropriations Committee; did not advance this year. Summary: This bill, opposed by AKC, would have changed the definition of a dog breeder in California from someone who breeds three litters or transfers 20 dogs to someone who transfers two litters or 10 dogs.  AKC thanks the clubs who took the time to reach out to express concerns on this bill. Bills Monitored by AKC: Assembly Bill 519 – Pet broker sales. Status: Signed by the governor with some AKC amendments. Summary: AB 519 prohibits brokers from selling or facilitating the sale of dogs, cats, or rabbits. AKC believes that AB 506 is a better solution, which does not prohibit certain sellers, but instead expands consumer protection. However, we appreciated the amendments to allow for exemptions for dogs over 12 months, service and police dogs, along with 3 owner transfers allowed per year. Assembly Bill 1502 – Veterinary medicine: California Veterinary Medical Board Status: Signed by the governor. Summary: Currently, animal owners in California can perform certain functions on their animals such as giving vaccines or basic wound care under what’s known as the “owner exemption”—allowable under current regulations from the California Veterinary Medical Board (CVMB). This policy (and others affecting veterinarians) was considered by the California Legislature as a part of their bigger “sunset review” of various regulations of the CVMB.  AKC and local clubs reached out to lawmakers and were successful in ensuring that the CVMB will continue to allow the owner exemption to remain part of the regulations.  We will continue to closely monitor this issue area closely next year for any possible changes. Assembly Bill 867 – Veterinary medicine: cat declawing. Status: Signed by the governor with AKC-requested amendment. Summary: AB 867 as introduced restricted declawing procedures – including the removal of dewclaws—to licensed veterinarians for “therapeutic purposes” only, requiring documentation and allowing for disciplinary actions against violators. At the request of AKC, the bill was amended in the Assembly Business and Professions Committee to ensure the bill would solely apply to cat declawing and would not prevent dog dewclaw removal. Assembly Bill 793 – Potentially dangerous and vicious dogs Status: Held in Senate Appropriations Committee; did not become law this year. Summary: AB 793 revises the criteria for designating dogs as dangerous or vicious, requiring clear evidence and uniform standards across California, while prohibiting such designations if the dog was provoked or defending against an attack. Assembly Bill 516 – Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants: scope of practice. Status: Signed by the governor. Summary: The bill clarifies the roles of veterinary technicians and assistants, allowing them to perform more health care services under supervision, including dental procedures, and broadens the settings in which they can operate. AKC Government Relations will continue to provide updates as these laws go into effect, and continue to watch for local issues impacting dog owners.  For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.