Result: North Country Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Augusta, Wisconsin

Post Date: Nov 18, 2024

Submitted By: Lindsay Saetre

North Country Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Joe Landowski (judge), Northwoods Cedar with Eric and Lindsey Saetre (owners), and Tim Kaufman (judge).

The 2024 North Country Cover Dog Championship hosted by the North Country Bird Dog Club was held in the Eau Clarie County Forest near Augusta, Wisconsin. It started on Saturday, October 5, and commenced on Monday, October 7. Joe Landowski and Tim Kaufman judged 18 braces with 35 dogs over the three days. Thank you to the judges for their time and for walking many miles to evaluate an outstanding group of dogs. Lunches were held at the newly constructed shelter overlooking Knight's pool on the beautiful Eau Clarie River. This structure will be utilized for many years to come. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this idea become a reality.

The first day started with sunny skies and temps of 48 , but they quickly rose to over 75 by the fifth brace. The dry and hot conditions were tough on scenting conditions and birds were hard to find. The afternoon forecasted clouds and possible rain, and that's what the dogs needed to turn things around. You could feel a drop in the temps and a rise in humidity for the last brace of the first day ran on the Horse Creek course. Northern Slopes Bell, a small but mighty, mostly white and orange female owned and handled by Ed Graddy, took full advantage of the conditions. While handling her birds staunchly, she expertly moved through the course with woodcock finds at 16, 50, and 55. She laid down a mostly forward race while showing a strong connection to her handler. This was enough to garner Bell runner-up champion, her first well-deserved title.

The second day provided slightly cooler temps but continued with very dry and windy conditions. This generated more birds found and respectable dog work.
The third day presented four braces to complete the competition. Mother Nature was relentless with her sunny, dry, and windy weather but gave the dogs a break with temps in the high 30s for the first brace of the day. Once again, the cooler temps equated to more birds being located. The last brace started at noon with temps in the 60s on the culvert course.
Northwoods Cedar, an athletic black and white female Setter owned and handled by Eric Saetre, laid down a commanding, forward race. She pushed the limits of bell range when needed but also worked closer and scoured the young, tight cover. The handler and scout lost Cedar's bell around 15 minutes into the brace. Her bracemate, Kasida, was still working hard and in the hunt for birds when Kasida's bell fell silent. Judge Tim Kaufman looked to where he last had Kasida's bell and spotted Cedar standing with Kasida honoring her point. Both handlers went into flush in a thick patch of willows, and a woodcock fluttered from its hiding spot. Both dogs stood steady to wing and shot. According to the judges, Cedar's drive and determination and the fact that she was always out front were what sealed the deal on her first championship title.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with lunches, moving trucks, donuts, and coffee. The trial would not be a success without everyone's contributions. Another huge thank you to the sponsors, Purina and OnX. Your continued support helps cover dog field trials thrive.

Runner-up Champion Northern Slopes Bell with Ed Graddy (owner) and Tim Kaufman (judge).

Augusta, Wis., October 5
Judges: Tim Kaufman and Joe Landowski
NORTH COUNTRY SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 17 Pointers, 15 Setters, and 2 Irish Setters
Winner-NORTHWOODS CEDAR, F1691883, setter female, by Erin's Prometheus-Northwoods Carly Simon. Eric & Lindsey Saetre, owners; Eric Saetre, handler.
Runner-Up-NORTHERN SLOPES BELL, F1682006, setter female, by Ponderosa Mac-Out Of The Shadows. James Graddy, owner and handler.

Open Derby
The Open Derby stake entry was robust. Field trial clubs use these juvenile stakes to judge the potential of their up-and-coming cover dogs. The contestants ran on a single course to prove their potential to judges Brent Sittlow and Ben Mergens. The stake was run over two days on the "H" course. Coming out on top was a trio of attractive, young, active, and busy setters.
Clover Valley's Evans earned the blue ribbon, handled by Jerry Furnish. Second place was awarded to Clover Valley's Mulak, handled by Greg Johnson. Third place was given to Northwoods Rip Roy, also handled by Greg Johnson. All three winners separated themselves from the rest of the field by hitting the likely grouse cover with speed, purpose, and independence.

Judges: Ben Mergens and Brent Sittlow
OPEN DERBY - 10 Pointers, 10 Setters, and 2 Irish Setters
1st-CLOVER VALLEY'S EVANS, F1705659, setter female, by Northwoods Atlas-Clover Valley's Millie. Jerry Furnish, owner; Jordan Pharris, handler.
2d-CLOVER VALLEY'S MULAK, F1705658, setter male, by Northwoods Atlas-Clover Valley's Millie. Jerry Furnish, owner; Greg Johnson, handler.
3d-NORTHWOODS RIP ROY, F1711135, setter male, by Woodville's Yukon Cornelius-Northwoods Redbreast. Greg Johnson, owner and handler.

Open Derby. 1st place Clover Valley's Evans with Jordan Pharris, 2nd place Clover Valley's Mulak with Roger King and 3rd place Northwoods Rip Roy with Greg Johnson.