About Marc Hettig

Born:  Coloma, Michigan, 1957

Grew up:  On Coloma fruit farm (currently Whistler Farm)

Education:

• Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Majored in Biology, Minored in Chemistry, Physics, Geology, and Health and Wellness
• Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Coloma High School, Coloma, Michigan

Married:  Denise Pierce

Children:  Caleb and Lucas Hettig

Started:  Whistler Farm in 1981

Dog Training:

• First dog trained to hunt in 1974 was a Brittney Spaniel
• First United Kennel Club (UKC) Hunting Retriever Champion, HRCH Tomas Michigan Tyke, in 1985
• First UKC’s Dual champion, show and field, Labrador Retriever, CH HRCH Whistlers Elwood Blues
• First professional dog trainer who is interested in training you as the handler as in training the dog

Horses:

• First to write a curriculum for, and teach, a public school class on horse science
• First to train a Modern two horse Mustang hitch east of the Mississippi River

First:  To organize a county barn tour to help preseve this unique American architecture and our rural heritage in Michigan

Dumbest thing I ever did:  Took 120 6^th and 8^th graders canoeing down the Big Manistee River for two days

Biggest Yuck I have ever had:  Taking 120 6^th and 8^th graders canoeing down the Big Manistee River for two days

Most fun I have had lately:  Catching a 150 pound Tarpon on the flats of Florida

Passions:

• Waterfowl hunting and watching my dogs work
• Watching my sons become first rate sportsmen, athletes, and gentlemen
• Getting new sportsmen, young and old alike, involved in the great outdoors anyway I can
• Starting a new lab puppy Hank just for myself
• Watching my sons train and field trial their own dogs
• Thanking God for everyday he gives me with my wife and best friend, Denise
• Thanking God for all the good friends I have come to have through Whistler Farm

Biggest Worry:

• The future of the Labrador Retriever breed
• The future of hunting and fishing in Michigan and America