Event: Miller's Special Upgrade named 2024 Champion of the
Result: Pennsylvania Grouse Championship
Location: Marienville, Pennsylvania
Post Date: Nov 11, 2024
Submitted By: Mike Husenits
Pennsylvania Grouse Championship Winner Miller's Special Upgrade is posed by handler Mark Hughes with the magnificent Pennsylvania Grouse Championship Trophy. (Standing, l-r): Gerry Mercatoris, Bruce Mueller, Steve McKalko, Dr. Tim Perschke (judge), Joe Cammisa, Jarrod Specht (judge), Carlos Escalante (owner), Dick Brenneman, Dr. George Najor, Dave Duell, and Mike Husenits (reporter).
This year, 2024 marked the 78th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Grouse Championship, one of the oldest grouse dog championships in the nation. Prior to the origination of the Pennsylvania Club and Championship in 1947, the same organization held the National Grouse Championship, which was formed in 1913 and eventually evolved into the Grand National Grouse Championship that we know today. Thus, the Pennsylvania Club began holding grouse trials in 1913 at Indian Creek, Pennsylvania, remarkably amassing 111 years of historic grouse dog competition. Throughout the years, the Allegheny National Forest grounds have experienced ups and downs relating to wild grouse populations and their availability on the thousands of acres the forest encompasses. To all who follow grouse, bird numbers are historically cyclic, with the up and down cycle generally revolving around 10-year spans. However, in recent decades, the cycle in Pennsylvania and other parts of the northeast region have trended downward. Many wildlife experts claim the downward spiral is due to a lack of acceptable habitat, such as old-growth forest, and the onslaught of West Nile Virus (WNV) disease caused by warming trends and increased numbers of disease-carrying mosquitos. Whatever the cause, it has been a problem at Marienville for the past 20 years. However, the situation is not gloom and doom; this year, no less than a dozen grouse were moved in a day and a half of running. The increase is encouraging and creates optimism for the future of these historic grounds. History does reveal that many Pennsylvania Grouse Championships held during the 1940s, '50s, '60s, and early '70s required second and even third-series callbacks to determine a winner. At least 13 times, no champion was named due to either lack of grouse or failure to handle them. The picture brightened sharply in the late '70s when grouse numbers exploded upward all over the region and held steady through the '80s, '90s, and into the new century when we started to witness a sharp decline. Your reporter judged this Championship in 2011 with Russ Richardson when we counted over 100 grouse moved with a near record entry of 85 starters. Hopefully, the upward trend we witnessed this year will continue. Wild bird field trials have always been and most likely will always be either feast or famine. That's what makes them such a treasured prize to win. Some advocate that Marienville and its 111-year history should be abandoned for greener pastures. For one, this reporter is hard-pressed to envision grouse trials ending at Marienville. Memories of past winners and distinguished participants are etched in our minds, and abandoning this venue would surely create profound sadness throughout the cover dog world. The founding fathers of Marienville grouse trials are such noted dignitaries as Sam Light, Bob Wehle, Rich and Larry Tuttle, Bob Habgood, Art Haight, The Willis brothers, and the Flanagan family. Famous dogs, names prefixed with Sam L's, Elhew, Orchard Valley, Pleasant Valley, Grouse Ridge, and many others. Early legendary reporters included Marc J. Deberti, Bill McCarty, Walter S. King, Bill Allen, Al Pilon, and Ben Jones. Marienville has withstood the test of time and, with a little patience, will rise again.
Currently, The Pennsylvania Grouse Club membership consists of a small group of dedicated men and women. Appreciation is extended to all who contributed to this and recent years' events. Trial Chairman Joe Cammisa and Secretary Dave Duell organized the pre-trial arrangements, handling the advertising, securing judges, motel and restaurant reservations, and drawing. Stake Manager Dick Brenneman ensured dogs were on the line and kept the trial on schedule. Brian Ralph, Norm Meeder, Rich Warters, Bob Smith, Steve McKalko, and your reporter moved vehicles from course to course. Joe Cammisa, with generous contributions from Suzie Cammisa and Helen Brenneman, kept the party well-fed with an array of cookies, brownies, snacks, drinks, and hoagies made by Bettina's Italian Restaurant in Marienville, where the club also sponsored a Tuesday evening dinner.
David Powell of Nittany Valley Trail Rides provided sure-footed woods-wise trail horses for the judges and anyone desiring to ride.
Sincere appreciation is extended to Greg Blair and Purina for their ongoing support in providing premium Pro Plan dog food to the winners. Also, to Eric Munden of Lion Country Supply for gift certificates for the judges and reporter.
Weather conditions were far less than ideal for grouse hunting, with a sunny sky, warm temperatures, and dry ground. Plus, most of the foliage had already fallen, making it impossible to walk quietly through the woods, which also may have attributed to the bird count.
The Club and participants are grateful for the services of well-qualified and attentive judges. Dr. Tim Perschke of Marienville, Pennsylvania, has competed in and judged numerous field trials over these grounds, in addition to being an avid hunter and owner of several outstanding dogs. Though younger in years, Jarrod Specht of Newmanstown, Pennsylvania, has undeniable experience with grouse dogs and field trials. These two gave their undivided attention to each competitor and reached a fair and unanimously popular decision.
CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER AND CONTENDERS
Miller's Special Upgrade, a marked Pointer female, owned by Carlos Escalante of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and handled by Mark Hughes, emerged victorious over a quality field of 23 contenders. Upgrade, or "Penny," is not a stranger to the winners' circle, having won the U. S. Complete Regional Shooting Dog Championship at Oak Ridge, plus numerous other placements at just four years of age. Penny was bred by Fran and Jack Miller of Barwick, Georgia, from a cross between Miller's Upgraded Version and Miller's Special Edition. Jack and Fran bred this cross twice; the first litter whelped in 2020 produced no less than three champions. The second litter from the same cross just turned two years old and has produced multiple futurity winners. Several ancestors are already enshrined in the Hall of Fame, plus their grandmother, Miller's Bring The Heat, is one of this year's contenders. Penny displayed her winning performance on Lamonaville Course 3, which starts on the recently timbered hilltop, traversing in a semi-circle through a mix of cut-over second growth, a few open edges, then downhill to end near a parking area called the pit. Penny began her bid at 10:17, strong and hunting the cover with vigor until her bell fell silent at 31 along a rock-laden edge, a somewhat open area. Bracemate Iv's Whiskey In A Teacup honored nicely. As handlers approached, a perfectly located grouse went airborne with the styled-up Penny holding steady as the shot rang out. Penny continued to hunt well forward the remainder of her hour, finishing with strength.
Beyond the new champion, there were four others the judges really liked. Had any of them had positive birdwork, the outcome of this trial could have been different. Two appeared in the first brace, namely Grouse Hill Rambo, handled by Robert Ecker, and A Distant Spec, handled by Mark Hughes. The ground race and application bar were set high, with Spec holding the edge on overall range. Others with impressive performances on the ground were Ralphy's Hillbilly, handled by owner Brian Ralph from the fourth brace, and Doodle Ridge Elroy, handled by owner Bruce Mueller in Brace 11.
THE RUNNING
The first brace broke away at 7:40 on Course 1 along Lamonaville Road with Grouse Hill Rambo (Robert Ecker) and A Distant Spec (Mark Hughes). As noted, both earned honorable mentions for their efforts, but neither had official bird work. Rambo pointed with beautiful style and intensity near the 15-minute mark in a likely spot. The handler called the flight of a grouse and shot, but unfortunately, neither judge saw a bird. At the 45-minute mark, a grouse lifted near pine thicket; neither dog was involved.
The second brace featured Mulberry Fields Molly (Mark Hughes) with Dun Rovens Midnite Ike (Robert Ecker). Molly flitted through the woods with style and speed at moderate range, consistent for the hour. Ike's ground effort was similar, hitting the likely-looking cover and finishing the hour with strength.
The third brace had Miller's Special Upgrade (Mark Hughes) with Iv's Whiskey In A Teacup (Robert Ecker). Upgrade's winning championship performance has been noted above. Whiskey, a very fast, hard-hunting Brit, canvassed a lot of territory, backed bracemate, and finished strong.
The fourth brace had Ralphy's Hillbilly (Brian Ralph) with Beaver Meadow Bit (Mark Hughes). Hillbilly ranged well ahead and was noted as one of the top-ground races. Bit hunted all the likely cover at medium range, pointed stylishly at 7 and 55 with nothing shown either time.
The fifth brace featured Millers Dusty Version (Mark Hughes) and Sammy The Rock Star (Robert Ecker)--breakaway after lunch at 1:10 under dry windy conditions. Dusty never got untracked, seemed confused, and went AWOL at 15. Sammy hunted the cover with ambition but closed in after the half and leashed.
The sixth brace started at 2;29 on Course 1 along Loleta Road with Full Breeze (Dick Brenneman) and Backwoods Wild Fire Blaze (Mark Hughes). This course has an area that sometimes produces woodcock, but not today. Breeze pointed at 4 in a likely area but to no avail, then suffered a second unproductive at 20 after closing in on range. Blaze hunted hard in likely cover but ended up birdless.
Brace 7 had Double Deuce Zeke (Mark Hughes) and Meridith Grade Longshot (Brian Ralph). Zeke, a well-known grouse champion, hunted the likely cover with a consistent forward race, pointed positively at 59 with no results. Near the 50-minute mark, a grouse exploded wild near a swampy area. Longshot laid down a well-applied ground race but couldn't contact game, bringing an end to the first day's running.
Brace 8 started at 7:42 on Lamonaville Course 1 with Deciding Point (Mark Hughes) and Mia Star (Robert Ecker). Grouse were again present on the course, but unfortunately, neither dog could connect today. At least seven birds were moved by the party, most flying out of trees. Point looked positive at 10, but no bird; she pointed solidly again at 30 but corrected and moved on to finish ahead. Star had owners Steve McKalko and Dr. George Najor in the gallery. She did not disappoint with a classy forward race and a solid stand at 50 that was unproductive.
The ninth brace had Buck of Piney Woods (Robert Ecker) and Warrior Zeke (Mark Hughes). Owners Rich Warters and Dr. George Najor were here for their young star Buck, who started well forward but was up early after shortening in the heat. Zeke was fresh off his big win in Michigan and hunted well forward with plenty of eye appeal, but for the second day in a row, no birds were sighted on this course despite inviting cover.
The tenth brace had Miller's Hopped Up Version (Mark Hughes) with Saddled Up Sadie (Dick Brenneman). Both hit the front, ranging well while maintaining contact with handlers. Excitement mounted at 40 when Sadie was found pointing with high style and rock-solid intensity near a likely spot, Version in for a perfect back. The handler went into flush and was surprised by a curled-up snake. A later suggestion from Suzie Cammisa was, "You should have checked to see if it had eaten a bird," but at the time, there were no volunteers. Both finished the hour strong and forward.
West Wind Big Jake (Mark Hughes) and Doodle Ridge Elroy (Bruce Meuller) comprised the eleventh brace. Gerry and C. G. Mercatoris were on hand to pull for Jake, who started high, wide, and handsome but got out of pocket before halftime and counted out. Roy ran a super ground race, forward and at the edge of bell range the whole time. All he needed was a bird.
The twelfth and final brace was a bye with Mojo's Remington Steal (Mark Hughes). Away on Lamonaville Course 5 at 1:31 under bright sunny skies and warm temperatures. Remi hunted hard and well forward but failed to find game with the bluebird conditions that prevailed.
Marienville, Pa., October 22
Judges: Jarrod E. Specht and Dr. Tim Perschke
PENNSYLVANIA GROUSE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 13 Pointers, 9 Setters, and 1 Brittany
Winner-MILLER'S SPECIAL UPGRADE, F1695107, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Carlos Escalante, owner and handler.