Result: Associated Field Trial Clubs of Florida (AFTCF) A New Generation

Location: Punta Gorda, Florida

Post Date: Dec 11, 2024

Submitted By: Petie Brown

The best thing to come out of our Annual Spring meeting, besides marking courses and recognizing our highpoint dog of the year, was Justin Muzynski becoming the club's President and Katie McEwen taking on the job as Secretary, left vacant by our much beloved Don Wood, who assumed so many rolls, for so many years. Justin and Katie are "Webb Brats," a term coined by this author for those who spent their formative years growing up field trialing on the Webb.

Yes, it's wet at the moment due to the seasonal normal, plus Debby, plus Helene, and now Milton...are you listening, John, as we know you love the Webb too?! As the late, great Jimmy Buffet said, we're just "trying to reason with hurricane season," and thankfully, it does not seem to bother the quail. The Muzynskis were training this morning (October 6) and checking the grounds, moving seven coveys off the high road. The condition report is that it's wet. Training fees are still $20 a day or $200 for the season, which ends February 18, 2025, and the grounds will be open for training for two days after each trial for those who do not have to rush back home.

At the spring meeting, Cason Pope, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FFWC), reported on the conditions of the grounds, plans for burning larger areas, and the plentiful bird count. All the feed plots were composted, and the plan is to do that every four years. It was noted that baby grasshoppers were in the plots attracting birds. Like many areas of Florida, the Babcock Webb is a watershed prone to seasonal wetness. With encroaching development, there is always concern about how that affects wildlife, the naturally managed beauty of the land, and long-term sustainability. Thankfully, there are many who want to see the area preserved indefinitely and continue to have the care and management that currently sustains it.

Purina has been a generous supporter of our trials, for which we are most grateful. They have supplied Purina Pro Plan to the winning placements and sponsored a Purina Dinner during the December Everglades trial. Our trials have changed this year to not conflict with other trials, most notably the Superbowl trial, which moved from December to February.

2023-2024 AFTCF Dog of the Year awards

All-Age
1st: Myakka Lucy Diamond, pointer female, Petie Brown
2nd: Myakka Time Shifter, pointer male, Beth Brown
3rd: Holopaw's Rear Axel, pointer male, Justin & Kenny Muzynski

Shooting Dog
1st: Myakka Freddie Freeloader, pointer male, Beth Brown
2nd: Funseeker's Texas Preacher, pointer male, Don Wood
3rd: Molly, pointer female, Tom Hennes
3rd: Arnold's Heat Wave, pointer female, Jeff Arnold

Derby
1st: Myakka Revolution, pointer female, Beth Brown
2nd: CKC Gun Runner, pointer male, Kent Cantrell
3rd: Checkmates Country Sunshine, pointer female, Vince Feltner

Puppy
1st: McEwen's Southern Pride, pointer male, Katie & Debbie McEwen
2nd: Checkmates Catch Me If You Can, pointer female, Vince Feltner
3rd: Myakka Debutante, pointer female, Petie Brown

Beth Brown's Myakka Freddie Freeloader took the overall high point placement, which this scout was very pleased to have supported. Freddy is not a youngster anymore, but he is a dedicated bird finder, and when he gets rolling, you can't help but ride with a smile, imagining him back on the prairies. Congratulations, Beth!

Highpoint Dog of the Year (Front row, l-r): Debbie McEwen, Beth Brown with Myakka Freddie Freeloader, and Petie Brown. (Second row): Justin Muzynski, Katie McEwen, and Vince Feltner. (Standing): Christian McGraw. (Seated in Buggy): Paul Daniel and KennyMuzynski. (Mounted): Daniel Linehan.