Event: Ralphy's Chasehill Rip Wins 81st Running; Over The Hill Merry, Runner-Up
Result: Grand National Grouse Championship

Location: Gladwin, Michigan

Post Date: Jan 22, 2024

Submitted By: Denise & Brent Peters

Grand National Championship Winners (l-r): Tammy Chaffee, Jennifer Hollister, Mary Moss, Bryan Wood (stake manager), Chad Wheeler (judge), Shane Haskin, Ralphy's Chasehill Rip with owner Brian Ralph, Tom Fruchey (president), Bruce Mueller (judge), Rob Ellis, Mark Hughes, Over The Hill Merry with Rod Lein (owner/handler), Brent and Denise Peters (reporters), Scott Chaffee, Roger Johnson, Richard Hollister, Kevin Stewart, and Mark Fernandez.

This year's Grand National Grouse Championship was held at the famed Gladwin Field Trial Area in Meredith, Michigan. One of the oldest and best venues in America for field trials is here in our own backyard. In existence since 1916 and encompassing 4,750 acres, this grouse and woodcock habitat haven is the pride of the five northern Michigan clubs that host events in the spring, summer, and fall. These grounds have 16 thirty-minute courses groomed and rerouted annually as the cuts mature. This work takes a lot of time and effort. The five clubs (Lakes States Field Trial Club, Ruffed Grouse Field Trial Club, Beaverton Bird Dog Club, Michigan Amateur Field Trial Club, and the National Brittany Open Grouse Championship Association) all formed a Grounds Committee to oversee the changes and supply the needed equipment to get the job done. This year's annual work detail day was a great success, and many thanks to all who helped us prep for this "grand" event. This year's event was held November 7-12, and we saw clear, cold, and rainy days with the cover down and the grouse working towards their winter covers. Some woodcock came through to add to our bird counts, but most had headed south already. Many thanks to this year's sponsors: Purina, Lion Country Supply, and Garmin. Lion Country Supply donated gift cards to the winners. Garmin donated a collar to the winner, and Purina donated dog food as they do each year.

The 2023 Grand National Grouse Championship began its annual event with the Purina Awards Banquet held at the River Walk Place in Gladwin, Michigan, on Monday, November 6. The evening began with hors d'oeuvres and a cocktail hour, with dinner to follow. The awards part of the evening commenced after dinner. Other events to follow will include the annual membership meeting on Tuesday evening and the Directors' meeting on Wednesday evening, all to be held at the Alibi Hall. The Alibi Hall has morphed into a mini museum of the north. There are many pictures of the past and present.

Our first speaker for the evening was DNR wildlife biologist Bruce Barlow. Bruce talked about his responsibilities, our Gladwin Field Trial area, his relationship with our field trial clubs, and his vision for our future. His loyalty to this area has been a godsend to keeping our refuge safely in place. He works with our clubs to help maintain the grounds with the rest of his DNR crew.

Todd Kellam, Vice President of UKC, was introduced and shed some light on UKC's vision for the trialing world. He shared information on their programs and the joining of UKC to The American Field. He also talked about future enhancements to the website, all for our benefit. He also talked about the upcoming online "store" that should be up and running shortly. He encouraged any questions or concerns to be directed his way. Todd also brought gift bags for Futurity judges Bruce Minard and Craig Merlington. Championship judges Chad Wheeler and Bruce Mueller were introduced and presented with gift bags from UKC.

Up next were the awards presentations.

President of the Grand Tom Fruchey, Scott Chaffee, Dennis Keysor and Secretary-Treasurer of the Grand Brian Ralph.

The 2022-2023 Cover Dog Derby of the Year was awarded to Meredith Grade Penny. This setter female is out of the legendary cover dog, Ponderosa Mac, and her dam, Eldridge's Beauty and Beast. Ronnie Eldridge had high hopes for this cross, and it did not disappoint, with six field trial winners coming out of it. Penny is owned by Dennis Keysor. Dennis hunted Penny her first fall and fell in love with her bird-finding ability, running style, and overall temperament. He handed over her training to Michigan Pro Scott Chaffee. Scott has had a long and successful career in grouse trials, and having lots of experience developing and winning big with her sire, he knew just what to do to have her ready to win her derby season. She pointed a wild bird in almost every stake she ran in, and that helped her to the winners' circle often and earned her this award. She was also the 2022-2023 Thomas Flanagan Award winner for the top Setter Cover Dog Derby. Congratulations to Dennis Keysor and Scott Chaffee on winning this award with Penny.

Brian Ralph presenting the Cover Dog of the Year Award to John Stolgitis, who accepted it in Russell Ogilvie's absence.

The 2022-2023 Cover Dog of the Year was awarded to Spring Brook Maximus. This pointer male is owned and handled by Walden, Maine amateur, Russell Oglivie. Max is out of the famous champion, 19x CH/19x R-U CH Chasehill Little Bud, and has certainly carried on the legacy of Bud dogs. Max is a hard-driving, above average bird finder. Whether in a field trial or training and hunting in the classic Maine grouse cover, Max always seems to find birds and, in fact, has never gone birdless at the famed Kilkenny grounds. Russell can be credited with Max's development, and he has also spent time under the tutelage and whistle of pro John Stolgitis. A multiple-time champion, the crown jewel of Max's career was winning the 2022 Grand National Grouse Championship, which catapulted him into the lead to win this award. Congratulations to Russell Oglivie and Spring Brook Maximus.

Brian Ralph presenting the Cover Dog Handler of the Year Award to John Stolgitis.

The 2022-2023 Cover Dog Handler of the Year award is sponsored by Purina. This prestigious award was won by Ashaway, Rhode Island Pro, John Stolgitis. A former lobster fisherman by trade, John has taken the hard work and long-day approach that made his boat successful and incorporated it into his passion for breeding, developing, and running the Chasehill line of dogs. He spends summers in the Northwoods of New Hampshire honing the skills of his string of dogs on wild birds. The time put into them and the talent in the line of dogs make John one of the strongest competitors on the grouse dog trial circuit. He has won this and other cover dog awards several times before. In the 2022-2023 grouse trial season, John racked up a whopping 2,032 points to win the 2022-2023 Cover Dog Handler of the Year. Congratulations to John Stolgitis.

Brian Ralph presenting the Michael Seminatore Award to Harold Holmes.

The 2022-2023 Michael Seminatore English Setter Cover Dog award went to Travel Alert. This English setter male is owned by none other than Harold "Doc" Holmes. Harold is a perennial competitor on the grouse trial circuit. Often only campaigning one or two dogs at a time, he has done a lot of winning over the years and has owned and handled some truly great grouse trial dogs that have ever run. Travel Alert is sired by another legendary grouse trial dog, Moss Meadow Traveler owned by Ken Moss. His dam, Wild Katrun, also contributed many attributes to his winning ways. Travel Alert is always a threat to win every time he goes to the line. When his name was called as winner of a championship, it was just a formality as all who had watched his performance already knew he had won. This is the second time he has won this prestigious award. Congratulations to Harold Holmes and Travel Alert on once again being the top English Setter Cover Dog winner on the grouse trial circuit.

Owner Steve Snyder and Handler Scott Chaffee received Legend of the Woods award for Ponderosa Mac from Joe Camissa.

Ponderosa Mac, an English setter male owned by Steve Snyder of Ellendale, Minnesota, trained and handled by Scott Chaffee of Clare, Michigan, has left an indelible mark on Grouse Trials. He has won Grouse Championships in all three of the Grand National Grouse Championship Regions at five different venues. He has won eight Open Cover Dog Championships, the most by any Cover Dog in the history of the sport. He is a three-time National Cover Dog Championship winner and two-time runner-up. From the fall of 2017 to the spring of 2019, he placed consecutively in all four of the National Cover Dog Championships. Ponderosa Mac's sire Jetwood, a son of Jetsetter, and his dam, Cooper Mountain Pepsi, a daughter of Shady Hills Billy, at the time of the mating that produced Ponderosa Mac, were both at Pioneer Kennels being trained and campaigned by Scott Chaffee. Both were exceptional Grouse dogs, and the mating was made. Mac is also proving to be a very good sire with over 50 winners to his credit, and those winners have accumulated over 200 wins. Every so often in the field trial sport, a dog proves his greatness, and Ponderosa Mac is one of them and a worthy candidate for the title "Legends of the Cover Dog World."

Harold Holmes receives the Legend of the Woods Award from Joe Cammisa.

The Grouse Woods has always been the favorite place for Flint, Michigan dentist Dr. Harold Holmes to compete his notable Grouse Dogs. In doing so, he not only won events in remarkable fashion but also displayed his love of the sport, his remarkable training abilities, and the dogs he competed with won repeatedly over a 50-year span. His sessions with Grouse Dogs started in 1967 after a stint in the U. S. Air Force when he met Chuck Hoffman and began with a setter named Hightone Star, Derby of the Year in Michigan, and 8 Derby and Puppy placements plus 19 as a senior competitor. From that point on, Harold began a whole career of training, handling, and placing a remarkable number of dogs in the Grouse Woods, and he is still at it, as this is penned, in 2023. A setter man and persistent trainer, here are some of his winners. McClellan, two titles; Centerfold Rose, five titles (3-time Invitational Champion); Centerfold Nell, two titles (Grand National Grouse Championship); Northern Star, 1st place National Grouse Futurity, 50 dogs); Centerfold Bette, four titles; and in recent years, Travel Alert, two titles and 2-time Seminatore Award winner. Doc Holmes did most of his own training but did reach out each year to Dave Hughes and, on occasion, also consulted the Formans and Rich Hollister.

Bryan Wood receives Legend of the Woods award from Joe Camissa.

Bryan Wood has given hugely of his time and energy to Michigan Grouse Trials for nearly 30 years. His sizeable trailer parked at the Gladwin Field Trial Area and has often served as accommodation for trialers. Bryan's main role all these years has been stake manager, and he excels at his job, transporting the judges, reporter, and the gallery to the appropriate courses and announcing the dogs and handlers at each breakaway. And there are a lot more facets to that role. There is much more that Bryan gives to the Grouse trial fraternity. Over the years he has been director or vice president of every Bird Dog Club staging trials in the Michigan Grouse Woods. He has served the Grand National Grouse Championship as stake manager for a dozen years, the Grouse and Woodcock Invitational Championship, and the National Amateur Grouse Championship 8 and 6 years, respectively, and overall, a total of 80 major Championship stakes. As a breeder of Field Trial Grouse dogs, Bryan's Grouse River Kennels has produced many pointer and setter champions as well as Puppy Classic and Futurity winners. He has produced pointer and setter winners in the same Futurity. On one occasion, in the National Amateur Grouse Championship, brothers he produced, Ch. Guy Begone and R-U Ch. Grouse River Rock took titles. Bryan surely fits the role of "Legends of the Cover Dog World."

This year, we were in the very capable hands of two outstanding judges, Dr. Bruce Mueller of Bedford, Pennsylvania, and Chad Wheeler of Riner, Virginia. Bryan Wood of Pinckney, Michigan, served as stake manager.

Bruce, after graduating from high school, became an elementary school teacher, along with being a football and track coach. After seven years, he was looking for a change and went back to school to complete the additional math and science classes needed to apply to veterinary schools. He was accepted at the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, he returned to Bedford, working in a 5-doctor mixed animal practice, where half of the day focused on dairy production and the other half working with small animals. He went on to take additional class time in orthopedics and soft tissue surgery, along with canine reproduction. After 25 years of practicing in this manner, he gave up the large animal side and focused solely on small animals. Bruce likes to train and trial English setters and has been fortunate to have a dog earn a championship, along with a runner-up championship, and be invited to compete at the Invitational. Bruce has been a go-to doctor and friend to many in our field. Little did he know that his expertise would be called to duty during this trial.

Chad grew up in southwest Virginia in the 80s and 90s, where there were lots of birds! He was fortunate that his father always had a pointing dog or two to hunt behind! He bounced around a bit in his younger years and played with a few hounds but regained his senses and came back to pointing dogs. Bird numbers in Virginia do not reciprocate having a good bird dog anymore, so he spends the month of October up north. Always trying to create the next best bird dog, Chad has bred some nice females into top-trial dogs. He once had bred a female to one of Dr. Tim Perschke and Tim Tufts's males. Dr. Perschke invited him to Marienville, Pennsylvania, to a Grouse Trial, and that is where his field trial addiction began. Having judged many championships, as well as the Grand National Grouse Championship in Michigan in 2020, he can honestly say that he truly enjoys judging dogs! Chad considers it an honor to judge this year's Grand National. Every dog brought to the line had an opportunity to point birds, as they were seen on every course!

Bryan Wood has been a staple here in the North Woods and has served as stake manager for many years for many different field trial clubs. He has been dutiful and reliable for decades. He has been a successful breeder and handler throughout his career. We are lucky to still have him stake manage our trials and offer his expertise.

Denise and Brent Peters worked in tandem with the reporting of this trial. Both are familiar faces here at the Gladwin Field Trial Grounds. Denise has been reporting for over a decade, and Brent's help made the journey easier.

There were 82 dogs drawn for this event on November 2 at the home of Brian Ralph, Secretary. We ended up with 81 dogs coming to the line to compete. Six days were committed to getting the job done. The Beaverton Grouse Dog Club hosted this event, along with the help from all the other Gladwin clubs. It takes a village! Our horse wranglers, Richard and Jennifer Hollister, were here with their incomparable string of horses. If you have never been here before, these horses are the best to be had. They are biddable and know these courses better than we do. We always tell the new judges that if they get lost or turned around, just let the horses take the lead; they will take you where you need to go. Every day, at lunch, we were served hot meals at the Alibi Hall. Thank you to Dave Fletcher for making all our plaques, as is his expertise. Thank you to all those who walked braces, marshaled braces, helped move cars, served our lunches, and did all the other things necessary to make the trial successful. Many GNC members from all over came to help. A young man, Owen Comeau, came from Massachusetts and walked nearly all the braces. Names, too many to mention, we thank you for all your help in making this a most successful event.

The 2023 Grand National Grouse Championship winner is Ralphy's Chasehill Rip. This striking liver and white male pointer is not quite 3 years old and is owned by Brian Ralph of Grove City, Pennsylvania, and handled by John Stolgitis of Ashway, Rhode Island. Brian wanted to get back into pointers in the spring of 2021 and purchased two pups (Rip being one) from John Stolgitis from a repeat breeding that had produced some great dogs in the prior mating. Most notable is Chasehill Poison Ivy. Rip developed very early; in fact, Brian couldn't believe it when, at 10 months old, John wanted to start breaking him. Never having successfully broke a dog that early himself, Brian left that up to John, and a week later, he was receiving videos of broke bird work. Rip finished 4th in last year's Grouse Futurity with a broke woodcock find right at time, and he qualified as runner-up in the Venango the week before the Grand National. At only 2 years old, he has been the easiest dog Brian has ever raised. Brian is super proud that Rip is his first champion. Congratulations to Brian and Rip. Rip's running is captured in brace 15 of the running.

The 2023 Grand National Runner-Up Champion is Over the Hill Merry. Merry is a beautiful orange and white pointer female, bred, owned, and handled by Rod Lein of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Merry is out of Diva Dot and sired by Grouse Trails Cracker Jack. Merry has been run in three championships this fall. She won the NBHA Sharptail Championship, culminating her year as runner-up in the Grand. Rod has been a part of our dog trial community for many years and has come to Michigan to judge for us many times. Congratulations to Rod and Merry on a job well done. Merry's running can be found in brace 5 of the running.

The Running
Day 1 - The temperatures started off in the 30s and never reached past the low 40s. Medium cloud cover and some gusting winds throughout the day.

Brace 1 - Courses 1 & 2 - Distant Spec (PF/Mark Hughes) and Bad Habits Lucy (PF/Ben Mergens). Both dogs were anxious, with the weather in their favor. Covering the ridges, Lucy's bell was not available. As we came down the big hill towards Joy Road, Ben sent his scout off to the right through the pole timber. Very soon after, her bell was heard. She was working the corner, going in and out of bell range. Meanwhile, Spec was also dangling out on the edges. At 22, Lucy was proving to be more of a challenge than wanted, and Ben called for his tracker. At the end of course 1, along the railroad grade, Spec stopped at 35. Mark went in, observing the situation, and quickly relocated Spec. She continued to course 2 to reach the first road crossing. Just after she crossed, she stopped in that likely grouse cover on the left. Mark went in again with no success and moved her on. Mark chose to pick her up at that point.

Brace 2 - Courses 3 & 4 - Meridith Grady Corky (ESM/Tammy Chaffee) and Hifive's Ruff Runner (PM/Bruce Minard). Course 3 had no action, both dogs rolling through the tubes, each reaching out to the edges. Corky stopped at 38 in the aspens to the left of the course. Tammy went in to flush, producing a woodcock quickly, with Corky having a bit of movement, marking the bird. Shortly after, at 39, Ruff also stopped in on the left. When Bruce moved in, he decided quickly to move the dog on. Ruff taking a few steps, a pair of woodcock burst out, and Ruff found himself on the leash at 42. Apparently, a small flight of woodcock had come in because Corky immediately stopped again, also on the left in the aspen cut. With judges in tow and after a flushing attempt, Tammy tapped the dog on, and he only took a few steps and stopped again. Tammy flushed again for a couple of minutes when the gallery shouted grouse. After some confusion, Tammy shot her gun, but there ended up being no official acknowledgment for the grouse. Corky moved forward, scouring the cover, and at 51, where the blowdowns are on the right and new aspen cut on the left, Corky went on point. Tammy went in, and after a short flushing attempt, a woodcock blew out. Corky finished the brace, working hard. It was noted that at least six wild grouse flushes were sighted.

Brace 3 - Courses 5 & 6 - Stan The Man (ESM/Tom Fruchey) and Panola Bacon (PM/John Stolgitis). At 19, Stan went on point to our right on the slope of a hill. The judge and handler went in, and Tom flushed wide to no avail. He tapped Stan on at 21, and Stan continued his effort to search for game. Panola was in and out of bell range, moving forward. As we crossed over onto course 6, we lost Stan's bell again. At 37, Tom went in and said he'd yell if he found him. Everyone else moved forward; after a bit, we saw Stan on point to our right in a blow-down. We yelled for Tom, and he quickly came in. The judge met him at the dog on point. A grouse blew out at 42, and all was in order. Panola continued running on the edge of bell range and challenging John. At 49, John had had enough and called for his tracker. Stan continued to the end of the course but was MIA at time. Two wild grouse flushes were noted, and another that blew out at the start after the brace broke away.

Brace 4 - Courses 7 & 8 - Grouse Hill Bullet Proof (ESM/Scott Forman) and Chasehill Snoop Dog (PM/John Stolgitis). Snoop Dog scratched, leaving Proof to run the brace alone. Proof worked to the front throughout both courses, hitting the cover in all the right places. Unfortunately, no birds were to be found, and he finished as strong as he had started.

Brace 5 - Courses 9 & 10 - Suemac's Sashay (PF/Mark Hughes) and Over The Hill Merry (PF/Rod Lein). Merry dug deep and was hunting the cut in the beginning. At 8, Sashay came to a stop in one of the swails to the right. After the flush, two grouse went up, and all was in order. At 15, Merry's bell went silent, and the scout was dispatched. It took a while to locate her. Judge and handler went in to where she was found on point. After an unsuccessful flushing attempt, Rod took her back to the course and moved on. Meanwhile, Mark moved forward, and both handlers were separated. Sashay went forward, going on point again, but was unsuccessful. Shortly after, at 19, Sashay went on point again, this time carding a woodcock find, all in order. Merry regained the front, still digging deep. It took a while for Rod to catch up, and when he did, he was directed to where the gallery had last had her bell. Judge and handler again went in to search. They had to go quite a ways in when Rod saw Merry and called point. As they approached, two grouse lifted. Merry stood for the flush, and after the shot, all was in order. Sashay continued forward, and between courses, she stopped again, but no bird was produced. Still behind the forward handler, Merry continued to hit the cover and again went on point deep to the left. Judge and handler went in, flushing a woodcock. Again, Merry stood staunch, and all was in order again. Merry was released and moved forward. At the road crossing, they caught up to the front. Merry continued to dig into the cover fast and forward. She finished the brace with no further bird work. Sashay also continued to work the cover, finishing with no further bird work.

Brace 6 - Courses 11 & 12 - Meredith Grade Penny (ESF/Scott Chaffee) and Cedar Creek Speck (ESF/Craig Merlington). They broke away and headed out, hunting hard. At 20, there were two wild flushed grouse. When we got across the clear cut, Penny stopped in the woods to the right at 22 in the young cut. Scott quickly tapped her on, and she moved forward. At 25, another grouse was flushed wild. In the crossover, both dogs stopped at around 36. Scouts went in but to no avail. Soon after, both dogs' bells were heard moving. Both dogs finished with no bird contact.

Brace 7 - Courses 13 & 14 - Wayward Flyin Tomato (ESF/Mark Hughes) and Over The Hill Patty (PF/Rod Lein). Patty was wide and forward running. Cooper had his own agenda. Patty crossed the road at the orange gate. She hunted hard, and near the half, she had a stop on the right at 25 with no one home. Both dogs finished with no bird work. However, it is noted that 4-5 grouse were wild flushed near the cherry orchard.

Day 2 - This day was cold and rainy all day. The most miserable day of the week for everyone.

Brace 8 - Courses 15 & 16 - Hifive's Top Shelf (PF/Bruce Minard) and Snyder's Sadie (ESF/Tammy Chaffee). This brace, at least, did not suffer the rain. Both dogs hit the edges with high endurance. At 9, before the road cross on the left side hill, Top Shelf stopped on point, looking majestic with head high and tail poker straight. Bruce went in, and immediately, a grouse took flight, all in order. With both dogs doing a nice job keeping out front, we were at the end of course 15. At the crossover, Top Shelf went on point at 28 on the left, where many-a-grouse have been pointed this year. Bruce had a lengthy flushing attempt, deciding to just take the dog out of there and move on to course 16. Meanwhile, Sadie also went on point, just up around the corner in the same vicinity. Her flushing attempt was to no avail as well, and moved on to course 16, all at 31. After the orange gate and we got into that aspen cut, Sadie went on point at 41, and Top Shelf's bell had stopped as well. Tammy and Chad went in and soon yelled for Bruce, as Top Shelf was also found on point. With both handlers working hard to get something up, no game was produced, and both dogs were up at 45.

Brace 9 - Courses 1 & 2 - Mojo's Remington Steal (ESF/Mark Hughes) and Grouse Hill Bella (PF/Marc Forman). The rains began with course 1, starting and ending with no bird activity. The rain hampering the scenting conditions. Bella was doing a nice job staying out front, hitting the proper covers. Remington also handling well but not quite as big running as Bella. At 38, just before the first road crossing, we lost Remington's bell on the left, so the judge and handler went in to look. After a long walk, they discovered Remington was moving, so they moved on to cross the road. Then, in that last long cut, we lost Remington's bell, soon to hear it moving again further up front. Just before we got to the pole timber at the end of course 2, Bella stopped in a staunch point. A woodcock was produced, all in order. Both dogs finished.

Brace 10 - Courses 3 & 4 - Setter Ridge Flash Forward (ESF/Scott Chaffee) and Wildland Sweet Caroline (PF/Eric Munden). After a short coffee break, the rain continued coming down, sometimes in buckets. Both dogs broke away with energy to burn, hitting the bottoms along the right through the beginning of course 3. Both dogs moved through the pines, hunting well. We hit the end of the course, where we cross the wood bridge, both dogs going on point on the left. Caroline was backing Flash with Scott going in to flush. When no game was produced, Eric got Caroline out of there and moved on up through the tubes. Scott tapped Flash on, and she headed for the tubes as well. Both dogs hunted well through the cover on course 4 despite the pouring rain. Both dogs finished with no bird work.

Brace 11 - Courses 5 & 6 - Shady Hills Zeena (PF/Marc Forman) and Tupelo Honey (ESF/Bob Wheelock). No activity on course 5, both dogs moving on to course 6. At 32, Zeena went on point in some scrub oaks to the left. After a short flushing attempt, Marc just moved her on. After we hit the skid road, both dogs hit the cut to our left. When Marc didn't have Zeena's bell at 41, he and Bruce went in to take a look. They found Zeena and attempted to flush. Tupelo had doubled back to them and then moved back forward. No game was produced; after a relocation attempt with Zeena, she also moved forward. When the judge came back out, he advised that Tupelo had failed to back and would be leashed. We soon found ourselves at the end of course 6 with no further bird work.

Brace 12 - Courses 7 & 8 - Chasehill Wicked Wilma (PF/John Stolgitis) and Wild Apple Siri (PF/Bruce Minard). Nothing happened through course 7 due to miserable rainy conditions. We got to the deer pen area, and Siri's bell started up on our right in the cedars. We hadn't had her bell for a short time. Once we got onto course 8, moving up into the cut, a couple of grouse got up wild out of a tree. Moving forward, John worked Wilma into the likely cover, and she came out under a grouse. Her bid over. Siri finished with no bird contact. There were a couple of other grouse flushed wild, but no dogs involved.

Brace 13 - Courses 9 & 10 - Mulberry Fields Molly (ESF/Mark Hughes) and Fireside Sally (ESF/Tammy Chaffee). Weather conditions were horrible and deteriorating. Molly had a nice run going, and before the turn up on the hill on course 9, she went on point. During the flushing attempt, she self-relocated, and her day ended. Sally was on an agenda of her own, and Tammy chose to pick up at the half.
Due to the weather conditions, we decided to call it a day after six braces.

Day 3 - Crisp and cold all day. The sun came out, and we felt high winds come up just before lunch--a welcome reprieve from our conditions yesterday.

Brace 14 - Courses 11 & 12 - Duck Hook (PM/Mike Flewelling) and Resin (ESM/Marc Forman). The dogs, liking the cover, moved through the scrub oak and beyond without incident to the creek crossing. Duck Hook handling well and hitting the likely cover. At 26, Resin went on point down on left in likely cover. After a short flushing attempt, Marc tapped him on at 27. Resin was acting birdy but chose to move on to the front. Just before the road crossing on course 12, Resin's bell went silent off to the left. Judge and handler went in to look while everyone else moved forward. Shortly after, the front judge yelled that the dog was on point up by the road. They found him very close to where the EW Connector crosses the North Boundary Road. After finding Resin, Marc went in to flush with a grouse bursting out at 47, all in order. A nice piece of birdwork. Everyone moved across the road, with Duck Hook working hard for Mike up ahead. Resin no sooner crossed the road, then went on point again just off the trail. Judge and handler again went in to flush. Resin started to look a bit loose, and Marc tapped him on at 50. Resin kept going. Duck Hook finished with no bird work.

Brace 15 - Courses 13 & 14 - French's Grouseringer Woody (ESM/Marc Forman) and Ralphy's Chasehill Rip (PM/John Stolgitis). Rip stopped at 13, but before judge and handler got to him, he moved on. At 16, both dogs went on point off to our left in likely cover. Woody was out front with Rip backing. When Marc went in to flush, John asked permission to pull his dog out and did so. Marc continued his flushing attempt to tap Woody on at 18. Woody headed to the front. Heading north into the pole timber, both dogs worked to get to good cover. At 42, where we get to that marshy spot with all the blackberry briars, Rip's bell goes silent. Judge and handler went in to the briar thicket to locate Rip. Rip was found in a staunch position with an 11 o'clock tail, all stretched out and looked gorgeous. The flushing attempt produced at grouse at 43. The dog never let up, standing from flush through the shot to the release, all in order. As we caught up, Woody was on a leash at 47. Apparently, he was naughty and found himself under a grouse. Rip finished, listening to his handler, with no further bird work.

Brace 16 - Courses 15 & 16 - Full Breeze (ESF/Dave Hughes and Springpond Rockin Sidney (ESF/Tammy Chaffee). After a coffee/donut break, we broke away brace 16. After the road crossing, at 18, just after we cleared the hardwoods in a thick spot of cover, Sidney's bell went silent off to the left. Judge and handler went in to locate her. After a long search attempt, they finally found her at 22. Tammy's flushing produced a grouse at 23, all in order, with Sidney looking good on her point. We moved out of the cut onto the tote road, and Sidney went on point off to our right at 32. A short flushing attempt produced a woodcock at 33--all in order as well. We moved on to the end of 15, and Breeze went into the left corner and stopped. Dave went in and decided to just move her on to course 16. Both dogs cleared the hardwoods, Breeze got a bit sticky for Dave by the orange gate, and Tammy moved forward with Sidney, working at a closer range. Sidney moved through that cut with no bird activity. Breeze also cleared that cut where grouse have been plentiful all fall with no bird contact. Must be yesterday's weather that moved the birds to a different cover. Both dogs finished with no further activity.

Brace 17 - Courses 1 & 2 - Game Winner (ESM/Mark Hughes) and Hifive's Power Line (PM/Bruce Minard). The weather being more conducive today, the dogs moved through course 1 with no bird contact. Heading down the big hill, Power Line working out on the edge of bell range and showing just often enough. Game Winner worked the cover extensively, making some nice casts but in closer range. Both dogs in tow at the cross-over to course two. Game Winner continued to work the cover all the way through, he finished with no bird contact. Power Line was out of bell range, and Bruce grabbed the tracker at 57.

Brace 18 - Courses 3 & 4 - Paucek's Little Tommy Tucker (ESM/Kelly Short) and Blast Off (ESM/Marc Forman). After an awesome Lasagna luncheon, we headed out to course 3. Both dogs broke away, working the bottom on the right as usual. At 14, Marc had lost Blast Off's bell and went in to take a look, soon after calling the judge down to look. As the wind picked up, Kelly thought her dog stopped. As the judge went in with her, they found Blast Off and realized Tucker's bell was moving. Blast Off's point was to no avail, and all moved on. On to course 4, both dogs worked the cover, up the hill, and into the cut. At 43, both dogs stopped on the left side hill. Tucker on point with Blast Off backing. A woodcock came up, a shot at 46, all in order. Both dogs were on the move, and at 49, both dogs stopped again, Tucker backing Blast Off. After a flushing attempt, Marc moved Blast Off on, and Kelly pulled Tucker off to move on. Marc securing an STF on a grouse at 49. Both dogs moved forward, and Tucker stopped quickly at 59, carding another woodcock find at time with all manners appropriate.

Brace 19 - Courses 5 & 6 - Deciding Point (ESF/Mark Hughes) and Sunkhaze Vera Masardis (PF/Mike Flewelling). Both dogs were putting down a nice forward race. Point ran more forward and to the front, where Vera had a more quartering and appropriately wider running brace. Mike picked up at the half and called for tracker as his dog was well out of bell range and gone. Deciding Point moved on, continuing to stay forward. In the valley, before we hit the tote road, Point was under a grouse and his bid over.

Brace 20 - Courses 7 & 8 - Dun Rovens Soozee (ESF/Richard Hollister) and Braggabull (PF/Mark Hughes). Both dogs broke away forward. At the two-track crossing, both dogs were hunting medium to large and forward. So far, so good. On course 7 in the pole timber after the big hill, both got bigger and continued to stay forward. Soozee went on point at 30 near the deer pen and, after a flushing attempt, was relocated. She stopped again and nothing was produced and was moved on. At the beginning of course 8, not far off the course, Braggabull went on point. A grouse was flushed, and all was in order. Soozee had another stop at 57 between the river and the beaver pond. After the relocation, no game was produced. Braggabull continued to hunt hard and finished with no further bird work. Time was up.

Day 4 - Colder this morning. Sun for a while, then colder.

Brace 21 - Courses 9 & 10 - Northwoods Atlas (ESM/Greg Johnson) and Timberdoodle Farms Sal (PF/Marc Forman). Both dogs worked the ridges in the first cut. We lost Sal's bell just after the ditch on the left in the pines. The judge and handler went in to find Sal. After an extensive search effort, she was located further right at 20. During the flush, she decided to self-relocate and was done for the day. Catching back up to Atlas, at 27, handler and judge were out in the thick young aspen cut on the left searching. Her bell started up at 31, with no bird contact. We continued to move on to the end of course 9, just before the road. Atlas went up on the side hill on the right. We heard his bell tinkling, and they finally located him at 44. After an unsuccessful relocation attempt, his day was over. We did observe two wild grouse flushes on course 9.

Brace 22 - Courses 11 & 12 - Miller's Hopped Up Version (PF/Mark Hughes) and Stokely B Annie (ESF/Brian Ralph). At 10, Version stopped to the left before the creek crossing. Manners not appropriate, Version was up at 10. Annie's bell was gone at 31, and Brian sent his scout in to take a look before the end of course 11 in the direction of course 12. At 33, Brian also decided to go in to look with both judges in tow. At 46, judges and handler were moving forward again, we still had not made it through the crossover. Judges came out to the course, and again, Annie's bell was lost. Brian chose to grab the tracker.

Brace 23 - Courses 13 & 14 - Chasehill Poison Ivy (PF/John Stolgitis) and Hifives Rolling Stone (PM/Bruce Minard). Ivy and Stone rolled through the scrub oaks, both on the hunt. We got to the road crossing, and Ivy's bell was missing. John sent his scout up the road to take a look. Stone moved forward, still working the cover. We all moved forward, and at 14, John also decided to take a look to the right towards the road. They searched for 13 minutes, and the word was that the scout walked up a grouse while looking for the dog. When they found the dog, she was still standing. Unfortunately, her bid was over for the day. Stone continued to the half, and Bruce felt she was letting down a bit and decided to leash her.

Brace 24 - Courses 15 & 16 - Wildland Warrior (PF/Eric Munden) and Kalamity Cinder (RSF/Deb Sloan). Cinder took off like a rocket, and it was a challenge to keep her in bell range. Warrior had a much closer range and hunted with effort. At the road crossing, Deb was able to get Cinder back with her, and again at 21, Cinder shot to the front and was off on her own agenda. Deb chose to pick up at the half. When we hit the tote road at the end of course 15, Warrior went in the aspen cover on the right and stopped at 29. After a flushing attempt, no game was produced. Warrior moved on to course 16, through the orange gate and into the thick aspen cut. A grouse flushed wild as Warrior worked forward. She stopped again at 48, still in the aspen cut, and after another flushing attempt, Eric tapped her on at 51, and was unable to produce game and was done for the day.

Brace 25 - Courses 1 & 2 - Rowling's Star (ESF/Scott Forman) and Miller's Special Upgrade (PF/Mark Hughes). Both dogs made a valiant effort through both courses 1 and 2. Each making some fine casts, moving in and out of bell range. Both dogs finished with no bird work. A wild flush on a grouse and woodcock just before the hardwoods at the end were reported. No dogs involved.

Brace 26 - Courses 3 & 4 - Grouse Hill Pepper (PF/Scott Forman) and Coal Camp's Annie (ESF/Adam Thomas). Both dogs broke away over the berm and into the cover. Pepper was running nicely with good effort, and Annie was off and away. Annie was working out front but did not show. Thomas called for his tracker at 11. Pepper was not consistent, and Scott called for his tracker as well at 23.

Brace 27 - Courses 5 & 6 - Grouse Ridge Larry (ESM/Richard Hollister) and Boomer Blackwater (PM/John Stolgitis). Boomer had a nice forward race. He stopped at 1:30, but the bird had already flown, so all moved on. Both dogs working forward and staying in contact with their handlers. Larry, not pleasing his handler, was picked up at the half. A wild grouse flush was observed at 35. Boomer finished with no bird work.

Brace 28 - Courses 7 & 8 - Over The Hill Morgan (PF/Rod Lein) and Kit's Whiskey Creek Patsy (ESF/Scott Chaffee). Patsy stopped, Morgan failed to back and was up. Patsy moved on but was picked up at the half when not pleasing her handler.

Day 5 - Cold with partly cloudy skies. High in the mid-40s.

Brace 29 - Courses 9 & 10 - Moss Meadow Seeker (ESM/Ken Moss) and Rebellious Fearless Fred (ESM/Mike Luebke). Breaking away into the cut, Seeker scoured the side hill. Fred ran with more range up ahead. At 10, when we didn't have Fred's bell and Seeker's bell stopped just before the ditch in the pines on the right. Both handlers and judges went in at 14 to take a look. They found Seeker backing Fred. After a flushing attempt, at 17, Fred was relocated but was unable to connect with game. Seeker was released, and both dogs moved forward. At 31, Seeker stopped on the right in the aspen cut. After a flushing attempt, he was tapped on at 33, and Seeker went hunting again, moving to the front. The handlers got separated, with Fred running up front and Seeker not caught up yet. A shot fired at 40, followed by some bell movement. It was reported that Seeker went on point going down that last hill at the end of 9. A grouse went up, but movement on the stand was more than the judge was looking for. Seeker was up at the half. Fred continued across the road, working well in the forward cover until time was up. He finished with no birdwork to his credit. One wild grouse flush was observed.

Brace 30 - Courses 11 & 12 - Backwoods Wild Fire Blaze (PM/Mark Hughes) and Baxter's Pale Rider (ESM/Brent Peters). The scrub oaks in the beginning sucked both dogs in. They covered it well, with no game to be found. At 26, Blaze stopped off to the right with judge and handler moving in. At 28, we heard his bell start back up and move on towards the creek. Both dogs took advantage of the water and kept moving forward. At 30, we lost Blaze's bell again near the crossover. No bird was scored after the flushing attempt and relocation--Blaze's bid over for this day. Pale Rider continued, working the cover well, reaching in and out of bell range. By the road crossing, Brent chose to call it a day.

Brace 31 - Courses 13 & 14 - B K Rolling Dice (PF/Bruce Minard) and Pine Straw Fatbottom Girl (ESF/Scott Forman). After coffee and donuts, Dice and Pine Straw burned the brush, looking for prey to the road crossing. Both dogs continued working the cover diligently through the half. Dice made a couple of great casts, causing Bruce to stay on his toes. Pine Straw also was reaching for the edges. At 38 and 59, we had grouse flush wild off the trail with no dogs involved. Both dogs finished strong with no bird work.

Brace 32 - Courses 15 & 16 - War Paint (ESF/Paul Cook) and Centerfold Peach (ESF/Harold Holmes). The dogs both worked the cover through the road crossing onto the tote road. As soon as we hit the tote road, we lost Blaze's bell. Paul sent his scout in, and he and the judge moved several yards down the road and went in, hoping to get her cornered. While they were searching, Peach also went into the vicinity and stopped. Our suspicions were correct, as Peach stopped to back Blaze, and both were found. Paul relocated Blaze at 30, to no avail. Both dogs moved to the end of the course. As soon as the orange gate was in sight, both dogs went in right at the corner. Blaze's bell stopped at 35 and Peach immediately after. Peach backing Blaze. Paul's flushing attempt produced a woodcock, all in order. Both dogs moved onto course 16. Both dogs managed to get all the way through the thick cut past the orange gate without moving anything. At the end of the cut, Blaze headed north, her bell fading away. When we couldn't get her back, Paul had his tracker. Peach finished with no bird work.

Brace 33 - Courses 1 & 2 - Warrior Zeke (PM/Mark Hughes) and Snyder's Fireside Ed (ESM/Tammy Chaffee). Zeke and Ed both gave their effort up front. Ed a bit ahead of Zeke. Ed lost his edge, and Tammy picked him up at the bottom of the hill on course 1. Zeke got more consistent but shortened up, and Mark chose to pick up at the half.

Brace 34 - Courses 3 & 4 - Bang Bang's Longshot (ESM/Adam Thomas) and Thornapple Casey (ESM/Bob Leet). Moving down the tote road on course 3, both dogs moving forward with speed. Both dogs were up at the half.

Brace 35 - Courses 5 & 6 - Shady Hills Whiskey Bonfire (ESM/Scott Forman) and Backwoods Rumble (ESM/Richard Hollister). Just before heart attack hill, Rumble and Whiskey were moving hard through the cover, with Whiskey staying more to the front. At the half, both dogs were picked up, not pleasing their handlers.

Day 6 - This day turned out cold, clear, and partly cloudy. All in all, a good morning to compete.

Brace 36 - Courses 7 & 8 - Grouse Ridge Mags (ESF/Scott Forman) and Redrum Rosie (PF/Dave Hughes). The dogs hit the cover down that first cut both hunting well. Hopes were high as these courses were very productive this fall. We hit the two-track crossing with no action. We were heading up the hill, past that first cut on your left, when we heard Mags scream. Not just once but several blood-curdling yelps. Something was undoubtedly very wrong. This wasn't just a porky or deer encounter. Scott yelled a couple more times, and her bell went silent. Scott grabbed his tracker, along with Christy and Brian Ralph as marshal with a walkie in hand, along with a couple of others. They hustled through the woods to find Mags. Our blessing for the day was that one of our judges, Bruce Mueller, is a veterinarian. He told them to call him if they needed him. Rosie continued forward, working the cover with Dave. Moments later, we could hear voices through the woods that they had found Mags. My walkie came back with "Send Bruce." Bruce heard the call, turned his horse around, and made fast tracks back. The rest of us continued forward, the mood changing drastically. Rosie worked through to the half with her mind still in the game. Dave picked her up at the half when he felt she wasn't ahead of what they already had in their pocket. We all moved back to the beginning of course 7 to wait until Mags was stable enough to be transported to the hospital and Bruce was able to continue. Mags was found with a 1 -inch round limb, several feet long, puncturing her chest and coming out her left side, luckily outside her rib cage. They were able to saw the limb off and get her to their truck, where Bruces's vet bag had been secured and needful medical tools were available. This was an example of great teamwork by everyone. Mags spent the night in the hospital, surviving the removal of the limb. At this writing, Mags is doing well and is one tough girl. Her vet is pleased with how well she is doing. We hope to see her in the woods again. It would be great to always have a vet on hand. The radios we use for communication have come to be a very valuable asset.

Brace 37 - Courses 9 & 10 - Double Deuce Zeke (PM/Mark Hughes) and Thornapple Cody (ESM/Bruce Minard). As per usual, the dogs hit the ridge on our right, both hunting hard. Cody moved out front while Zeke worked alongside us for the first few minutes. At 10, we lost Cody's bell, and Bruce sent his scout in to take a look. We were just past the ditch, and as the last of us walked through, a grouse lifted off to our right. The scout was moving forward, and soon after, Cody's bell started up behind us. Somehow, we had missed him in the cover and angle of the hill. A lost opportunity. At 21, Cody stopped again off to the right of the path. A grouse got up off to our left and shot fired. Cody, carding a grouse in his favor. Zeke had some short stops and starts but was not able to connect. He finished with no birds. Cody finished with no further bird work.

Brace 38 - Courses 11 & 12 - Asper Hill Bandit (ESF/John Cullen) and Ghost Train Bella (ESF/Tom Fruchey). At 15, Bandit stopped on the right in some aspen and white pine. Bandit looked positive at first but then loosened up a bit. The flushing attempt went deep, and at 17, the shot was fired, a grouse taking flight. At 26, just at the second creek crossing, where the big blowdown goes over the top of the path, we had a grouse wild flush out above us. At 47, Bella stopped in the aspen slashings to the left of the grassy area. Tom decided to relocate at 48, and Bella went forward, stopping again at 49. Bella's attempt was thwarted, and she found herself leashed. Bandit had stopped up ahead again, but his attempt was also unsuccessful. Both dogs were up at the road crossing.

Brace 39 - Courses 13 & 14 - Travel Alert (ESM/Harold Holmes) and Baxter's Indian Arrowhead (ESM/Brent Peters). Indy chose to be the wild child and left on a mission of his own. Brent grabbed the tracker at the road crossing. Buster continued, out hitting the cover. At 18, Buster stopped right near the path, Doc taking a wide flush and relocating at 19. Buster made a wide circle cast in the vicinity but was unable to connect with game. Alone on the course, he stopped in the pines at 32, just at the half. After a flushing attempt, Doc relocated him and again was eluded. His bid also over for this day.

Brace 40 - Courses 15 & 16 - Pistol Patch Bullet (ESM/Pat Smith/Brian Ralph) and Titanium's Hammer (PM/Neal Minard). Pat Smith broke Bullet away and soon after gave the handling over to scout Brian Ralph. Bullet worked the cover stealthily but was unable to find game and have a race to best his competitors. Hammer, giving a valiant effort also was not able to best what had come before. Both were leashed at the half.

Brace 41 - Courses 1 & 2 - Back Creek Lucy (ESF/Richard Hollister) and Kasida (ESF/Paul Cook). Being that last brace of the day, the bar has been set--a challenge to these two contenders. Lucy took off and hit the edges, giving Rich a challenge to keep her in check. Kasida, at closer range, was handling well but did not have the race to beat what was ahead of her. At 23, Lucy's bell couldn't be found, and after searching at length, it was heard. Both succumbed to not enough to beat what came before and pulled the plug at the end of course 1. All proceeded to the Alibi for the judges' declaration.

Ralphy's Chasehill Rip Winner of the Grand National Grouse Championship.

Gladwin, Mich., November 20
Judges: Bruce Mueller and Chad Wheeler
81st GRAND NATIONAL GROUSE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 33 Pointers, 48 Setters,
and 1 Irish Setter
Winner-RALPHY'S CHASEHILL RIP, 1697746, pointer male, by Panola Bacon-Chasehill Lizzy Izzy. Brian Ralph, owner; John Stolgitis, handler.
Runner-Up-OVER THE HILL MERRY, 1678045, pointer female, by Grouse Trails Cracker Jack-Diva Dot. Rod Lein, owner and handler.

Over The Hill Merry Runner-Up in the Grand National Grouse Championship.

The Judges Bruce Mueller and Chad Wheeler.

The Banquet held at the Riverwalk in Gladwin, was well attended by members of the GNC, contenders and many other guests.