Result: National Chukar Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Condon, Oregon

Post Date: Dec 19, 2020

Submitted By: Holly Higgins

CONDON, OREG. -- The 2020 running of the National Chukar Shooting Dog Championship, hosted by the National Chukar Championship Association, was held at the Buckhorn Ranch in Fossil, Ore.

The Buckhorn Ranch provided ample space, terrain, and cover for the exhibition of this year's sixteen contestants and the efforts of the landowners, Charles and Kara Kunde, to restore wild bird habitat have been rewarded with impressive coveys of both wild chukar and Hungarian partridge.

The weather experienced during this year's running was typical of fall in the Northwest and was challenging to both dogs and handlers with windy and cold mornings warming to still brisk afternoons that favor bird dogs well-conditioned to run in such conditions.

The 2020 National Chukar Shooting Dog Championship was judged by Jarry Walton of Reno, Nev., and Mike Eades of Enumclaw, Wash. The winner of this year's renewal was Janee's American Rebel, 23-month-old white and orange pointer male, owned and handled by Jason Staley of Murtaugh, Ida. Runner-up laurels were awarded to Gotta Little Project, seven-year-old white and orange pointer male owned and handled by Todd Schaff of Woodland, Wash.

Janee's American Rebel ran in the fourth brace and had a strong forward shooting dog ground race with five finds, including two covey finds, and immaculate bird work.

Gotta Little Project had a well-purposed ground race, three perfectly executed finds, including one covey find, a divided find, and a back. Both dogs showed impeccable manners on game, required little scouting, and classic shooting dog style.

Differences in ground application separated the two with Janee's American Rebel showing astronger forward race.

In addition to dogs placed, fourteen other shooting dogs were brought to the line including, in running order, MH Rockford Peach, Snakebite NV, Janee's Unphiltered, Ch. Tian Butterbean, Fiffith's Tumalo Fire, Skydance Goldrush, Ch. Tian Elhew Verbena, Tain Shooting Star, Touch's California Dreamin', Knight's White Lady, Tian Gotta Lotta Hope, Lone Tree Splash, S B Always Dreamin', and Northwoods Charles.

While impressive performances were shown by many of the competitors, they were not able to match the athleticism, manners, and style of the winner and runner-up.

The National Chukar Championship Association would like to thank all who participated in this year's renewal with special thanks extended to Judges Jarry Walton and Mike Eades. Thank you also Tom Griffin and Eric Mauck, who were scheduled to judge this year's running of National Chukar All-Age Championship which was cancelled due to unfortunate circumstances.

Thank you also to Charles and Kara Kunde for their continued support of field trials, bird dogs, and the use of their beautiful grounds and facilities at the Buckhorn Ranch.

The National Chukar Championship Association would also like to extend our gratitude to the family of the late Rick and Sharon Anderson, owners of the Sulfur Creek Ranch in Sunnyside, Wash., for their many years of hospitality, friendship, and dedicated support of the National Chukar Championships and other trials in the northwest. Godspeed, Rick, and thank you for everything.

Condon, Oreg., October 20

Judges: Mike Eades and Jarry Walton

NATIONAL CHUKAR OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] -- 12 Pointers, 3 Setters and 1 German Drahthaar

Winner--JANEE'S AMERICAN REBEL, 1688573, pointer male, by Dominator's American Rebel--Searchin For A Rainbow. Jason Staley, owner and handler.

Runner-Up--GOTTA LITTLE PROJECT, 1653509, pointer male, by Kelly's I B Wells--Wells Fargo Mollie. Todd Schaaf, owner and handler.