Result: Region 19 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Danbury, Wisconsin

Post Date: Nov 18, 2025

Submitted By: Lorrie Bohl

Region 19 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship: Touch's Too Much with Keith Anderson and Carbonado's Silver Sage with Michelle Turley, joined by participants.

The Region 19 of the Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America held its annual Amateur Shooting Dog Championship at the Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area, the first weekend in October. This year's field consisted of 22 dogs: 17 pointers, four Vizslas, and one setter. Eleven handlers from as far away as Montana, Missouri, and Texas came to compete on sharptail grouse.

The Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area is owned by the State of Wisconsin and managed by the Department of Natural Resources. The nearly 6,000-acre wildlife area was established in the mid-1950s for the preservation of its unique barrens habitat and rare native species, most notably, the sharp-tailed grouse. A strong partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and local field trial clubs helps make these unique grounds available for field trials through a special permit.

This year, unseasonably warm temperatures and recent prescribed burning in some areas of the Barrens Wildlife Area presented extra challenges for Chairman Bill Stapleton, who worked tirelessly to ensure that each participant had the best possible opportunity to showcase their dog. Each of the four continuous courses cut through challenging terrain comprising sand hills, scrub oak, and native prairie. The rolling landscape provided many opportunities for a great view of dogs working amidst the picturesque fall prairie grasses and colorful scrub oak.

Judging for this year's trial was ably handled by two well-qualified gentlemen, professional handlers/trainers, James Kleve and Justin Crook. Much thanks to each of these men for riding for three straight days in high temperatures and for staying ever-alert and attentive to each and every dog. The judges' final decisions were well received by all.
A judges' dinner was held on Saturday evening. The food was outstanding, and a good time was had by all.

Special thanks to Fran and Todd Manns for hosting a post-trial dinner for all participants at their home, located a few miles from the grounds. The meal was fantastic, and an opportunity to unwind and celebrate a successful trial was greatly appreciated.

The Winners
Touch's Too Much, handled by Austin Turley and owned by Keith Wright, was declared champion. The orange and white pointer, "Chief," powered through the tough cover with enthusiasm, yet maintained good contact with his handler. After 25 minutes of hard hunting, Chief stopped at a patch of scrub oak cover, but no birds were found. As if to make amends, the pointer put on a show just 10 minutes later when he made a bold cast around the south edge of "sharp-tail slew" and came to a confident stop along the edge of tall cover. His handler called point and held his hat high, and as if on cue, sharp-tail grouse took flight from various points around the slew. As the judges and gallery made their way to the dog, single birds continued to lift on all sides. Chief's style and manners were exemplary on point despite an egregious backing infraction from his bracemate, who was collected up. But the show wasn't over yet--several more birds the dog had pinned took flight as his handler flushed and fired. All was in order. Chief continued on and finished the hour with a strong ground performance, but no additional birds were found. Earlier this fall, Chief was named runner-up at the Region 9 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship, and he was declared champion of the Big Sky Open Shooting Dog Championship in the spring.

Carbonado's Silver Sage was named as the runner-up. Handled by Austin Turley and owned by Michelle Turley, the black and white pointer female had an attractive forward race and hit all the likely objectives during her hour. Sage had a beautiful find at 20 along an edge of scrub oak. Backed by her bracemate, Sage stood confident and proud as her handler approached, flushed a covey of sharptail, and fired. No additional birds were found on a second stop at 40. Sage finished the hour strong and to the front. Sage has a history of strong performances at the Region 19 Championships. She was the champion of the 2024 Region 19 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship and placed first in the 2021 Region 19 Open Derby.

The organizers would like to thank Purina and SportDOG for sponsoring the AFTCA Region 19 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship. Purina provided bags of Pro Plan for the winners, and SportDOG provided a training collar for the champion. Their contributions and continued support are vital to the competition and are much appreciated.

Danbury, Wis., October 3
Judges: Justin Crook and James Kleve
REGION 19 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats]- 17 Pointers, 1 Setter, and 4 Vizslas
Winner-TOUCH'S TOO MUCH, F1697545, pointer male, by Touch's Grey Street-Touch's American Baby. Keith Wright, owner; Austin Turley, handler.
Runner-Up-CARBONADO'S SILVER SAGE, F1691433, pointer female, by Touch's Diamante-Boudica. Michelle & Austin Turley, owners; Austin Turley, handler.