Result: National Amateur Prairie Chicken Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Post Date: Nov 4, 2024

Submitted By: Mark Johnson

National Amateur Prairie Chicken Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Sean Patrick Derrig, Susie DuVall, Jarrett Bell posing Runner-up Champion Erin's Doc Holliday, Mark Johnson, Allison Connolly Bell, Steve Auxier (judge), Bruce Bryant (judge), Scott Jordan, Mike DuVall, Dave Moore posing Champion Pearl Jam Nation, Dean Reinke, Doug Reisner, Ed Liermann, and Nick Zeners.

The 33rd renewal of this premier wild bird trial was held again this year on the 8,000-acre Buena Vista Grasslands near Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Weather conditions were good, albeit warm for the afternoon braces. Cover was high, reflecting the extensive early spring rains that prevailed in this region, and most importantly, birds were prevalent. Prairie chickens were moved in virtually every brace over a daily venue of six one-hour courses. Twenty-one dogs were drawn, reflecting a mix of 15 Pointers, six Setters, and one Irish Setter. The judges for this year's championship were Steve Auxier (Lincoln, Nebraska) and Bruce Bryant (Silver City, Iowa). The action watching these wild prairie chickens is fast and tests the best of dogs, handlers, and judges. Both Steve and Bruce were attentive and focused for each brace. All appreciated their professionalism, and their decisions were well received.

In addition to the great judges, it takes considerable effort to effectively run these championships. I'd like to call out the great assistance from Ed Liermann, who not only marshaled almost every brace but also orchestrated the behind-the-scenes duties of obtaining state permits, having the tent erected, organizing the Saturday Purina-sponsored banquet, having hay brought in, and the list goes on! Ed also chairs the Open Shooting Dog Championship which is run immediately following the Amateur. Additionally, we thoroughly appreciate the top-drawer dog wagon work of Gary Wolf. Gary is a Wisconsin DNR employee who gives up a week of his time each year to make sure the right dogs are at the right place at the right times for both the Amateur and Open Championship. Along with Gary, one of this championship's long-time leaders, Doug Reisner, was on hand to help with road crossing safety and assorted other involvement. Long-time patrons George and Ann Ihrke were unable to attend this year due to a conflicting engagement. I would be remiss not to mention that this championship's co-chair, Frank LaNasa, was unable to attend in person but he certainly was present in spirit and by remote interaction. The important processes of placing ads, ordering trophies, taking entries, conducting drawings, and completing post-trial paperwork deserve huge recognition. Thank you, Piper Huffman! Certainly, not last or least, the support of each handler and owner who attended the 2024 AFTCA National Amateur Prairie Chicken Shooting Dog Championship deserves a big THANK YOU!

In today's world of rising costs and event expense increases, the support of sponsors is even more appreciated. No amount of gratitude is enough for the tremendous support this championship and the AFTCA receive from Nestl Purina. Purina representative Terry Trzcinski was on hand and augmented the support extended by Greg Blair. Pro Plan dog food for the winners, judges' gifts, and banquet raffle items from Purina are most appreciated. Additional sponsorship support from Garmin Corporation, who awarded collars to the winners, and The Saddle Guy and Santa Cruz Biotech, who provided nice leather judges' bookholders and samples of their products, respectively.

This Prairie Chicken Championship is special not only due to the venue and distinction as one of the very few wild bird trials east of the Mississippi but also due to the mix of parties and entities engaged in the land resource itself. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, local landowners, well-organized habitat-focused conservation groups, county properties, and The University of Wisconsin/Stevens Point yield a superb venue and leadership mix unrivaled nearly anywhere. The collaboration and cooperation between these entities and the field trial community are simply outstanding and serve as a model for how our sport can posture itself as a respected beneficiary of such great public and private natural resources. Of note, the Saturday banquet and accompanying raffle raises monies for scholarship gifts, which are annually extended to two (2) University of Wisconsin students who are directly involved in the Buena Vista Grasslands site and Prairie Chicken Program.

The Winners and Others
This year's National Amateur Prairie Chicken Champion Pearl Jam Nation (PF) ran in the seventh brace Saturday morning for her owner and handler, Scott Jordan. Pearl and Scott are no strangers to the wild bird quest in tough cover and challenging conditions. As a team, they showed us all "how it's done." Running a focused, strong forward race with intelligence and class, Pearl carded a quality find at 35 with bracemate Grouse Feather Witcher (Dunbar) backing. Pearl went on to finish the hour with a consistently strong forward race punctuated with intelligent application and purpose.

The 2024 runner-up title was extended to Erin's Doc Holliday (PM). Doc is owned by Allison and Jarrett Bell and was handled in a smooth manner by Jarrett throughout the hour. Running in the first brace of the championship on Friday morning, Doc carded a nice covey find at 20, a stop to flush at 35, and a non-productive at 50. He finished the hour forward and well applied.
Other dogs in the mix for consideration were Erin's Tin Lizzie/Johnson (PF), with birds pointed at 15 and 21 and a non-productive at 30, and Nine to Five Nation/Moore (PM), who laid down an exciting ground race, in the heat of the day, without a pointed bird.

The Running
Brace-by-brace summaries are as follows:
Brace 1--Erin's Doc Holliday/Bell (reported above) and G F Parabellum/Dunbar. Following 30 minutes of hunting a stop to flush was too much for Parabellum, who was then picked up by Dr. Dunbar.

Brace 2--Erin's Wild Atlantic Way/Derrig and Cole Fusion/Womack. Wild Way was strong on the ground. The handler called for a retrieval device at 19. Cole Fusion hunted the cover with a breach of manners at 20 and harnessed.

Brace 3--Confident Nation/Jordan and Stellar's Little Man/DuVall. Confident Nation had bird contact at 5 and finished the hour. Stellar's Little Man carded finds at 5 and 11 with a breach of manners at 15.

Brace 4--Worsham's Silver Comet/Worsham and Saginaw Luke Skywalker/Johnson. Silver Comet was strong and gone. The handler called for Garmin at 30. Skywalker had a forward race, no birds, and finished the hour.
Brace 5--Nine to Five Nation/Moore (reported above) and B G K's Luke/Bell. The handler picked up Luke at 15.

Brace 6--Murphy's Law/Womack and Erin's Southern Comfort/Derrig. Murphy's Law was under a bird at 7 and harnessed. Erin's Southern Comfort was a big goer. The handler called for a retrieval device at 57.

Brace 7--Pearl Jam Nation/Jordan (reported above) and Grouse Feather Witcher/Dunbar. Witcher carded finds at 5 and 26, backed bracemate at 35, and finished the hour.

Brace 8--Bocomo Dutchman/Lewis and Erin's Rebel Attraction/Derrig. Dutchman was credited with a find at 6, under birds at 10, and picked up. Erin's Rebel Attraction was credited with a find at 19, a second non-productive at 45, and harnessed.

Brace 9--Stone Creek Rooster/Jordan and Cedar Creek Sixgun/Liermann. Rooster pointed birds at 11 and 14. The handler elected to pick up at 28. Sixgun had a consistent application with a nice find at 48 and finished the hour.

Brace 10--Worsham's Spitfire/Worsham and Erin's Tin Lizzie/Johnson (reported above). Spitfire was carded with a stop to flush at 2 and a back at 30. He finished the hour forward.

Brace 11--Cochise B/Brown. The handler elected not to run, and the bracemate ran as a bye.
We cordially invite all of this year's owners, dogs, and handlers back next September and extend a sincere invitation to those who have not yet experienced this great wild bird venue and field trial.

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., September 20
Judges: Steve Auxier and Bruce Bryant
NATIONAL AMATEUR PRAIRIE CHICKEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 15 Pointers, 5 Setters, and 1 Irish Setter
Winner-PEARL JAM NATION, F1701309, pointer female, by Confident Nation-Notorious Rebel Woman. Scott & Julie Jordan, owners; Scott Jordan, handler.
Runne-Up-ERIN'S DOC HOLLIDAY, F1704304, pointer male, by Erin's Lone Star Law-Erin's Little Lullaby. Jarrett & Allison Bell, owners; Jarrett Bell, handler.