Result: Region 19 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Moose Junction, Wisconsin

Post Date: Nov 19, 2025

Submitted By: Jerry Furnish

Region 19 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship: Eric Saetre (judge), Scott Anderson with Planet Queen, Ben Fleischacker with Birdogn True Confidence, and Bill Frahm (judge).

Friday, October 3, was the beginning of our Region 19 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship, and what followed was three days of top-notch sportsmanship and stellar dog work. Weather conditions were not ideal in the woods as most braces for the championship saw over 80 degrees. The well-being of dogs and participants was on our minds, and the outpouring of help to carry extra water, locate bells, and go the extra mile to help was noted and appreciated. As noted by Judge Eric Saetre, "It was amazing how everyone pitched in."

Thank you to all who came and walked braces. This event could not have been successful without you.

The Moose River Grouse Dog Club would also like to thank the following for another successful event:
To all club members who helped clear courses, helped with prep work leading up to the trial, and those who helped during the trial, including Tim Kaufman, Ed Graddy, Bill Frahm, Sig Degitz, Lindsey Saetre, Eric Saetre, Ben Mergens, Tucker Johnson, Colin Peterson, Jeff Marek, and Greg Johnson; Judges Eric Saetre, Bill Frahm, Tim Kaufman and Ed Graddy; Douglas County Forestry Department for their cooperation in allowing us to hold our event on county forest land; Purina for sponsoring and providing awards; Trent Sprague at Moose Junction Lounge for the wonderful lunches, fantastic campground facilities, and a great place to serve as our trial headquarters; to everyone who participated and entered dogs, the Moose River Grouse Dog Club is extremely grateful.

The Champion
"Rhonda" (Scott Anderson), a setter female, started on the Bear Bait Course and ran a really strong brace in very warm and dry conditions. She was in the second brace on Saturday morning, and the temperatures were already 80 F when she started her brace. She pushed forward the whole brace, had an unproductive at 15, and Scott let her try to relocate. She covered the area with intensity but was unable to produce a bird. She moved on and continued hitting likely covers. Scott did a great job bringing her in regularly for water. She was moving well despite the heat. As we crossed the snowmobile trail and moved toward a young cut, Rhonda pushed forward over a small rise. As she dropped down with 45 seconds left in the brace, her bell went silent. Scott went down the hill and moved into the cut on the left side of the trail. As he walked in, a grouse burst out of the cover, and Rhonda was observed standing staunch about 10 yards away. Time expired, and Rhonda bested the tough conditions with a strong run and bird work worthy of a champion.

The Runner-up Champion
"Sadie" (Ben Fleischacker), a pointer female, started on the Beaver Dam Course and from the beginning ran out front, and at halfway, she was still running with purpose and intensity. She made a big move into a good-looking alder swamp and held until found. No bird was produced on that point. Then, with about 15 minutes left, her bell went silent again. This time, she was found in a thick patch of brush, and her point was very intense. Ben moved in, and a WC got up right under her nose. Sadie was a statue through the process, and when Ben released her, she again raced to the front. Ben brought her in for water with just over three minutes to go. As she broke away, Frahm said, "Make these her best three minutes," and she did. She moved to our left about 30 yards off the trail. As she was searching for scent, a grouse flew out of a tree just above her. She stopped instantly and held point. As Ben moved toward her, another grouse got up just behind her, and she held that as well. She definitely saved her best for the last three minutes. Very stylish and intense in both points, ran with purpose and hit all the likely spots again, fighting through hot, dry conditions.

Moose Junction, Wis., October 3
Judges: Bill Frahm and Eric Saetre
REGION 19 AMATEUR WALKING SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 8 Pointers and 15 Setters
Winner-PLANET QUEEN, F1702708, setter female, by Rufus Del Fuego-Stumbo's Scarlet. Scott Anderson, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-BIRDOGN TRUE CONFIDENCE, F1693417, pointer female, by True Confidence-Elli Elhew Birdogn. Ben Fleischacker, owner and handler.

Open Derby
"Lottie" (John McKellop) ran on "Bear Bait #2 Course" and had a nice ground race, often powering through thick cover. She stayed out front for most of the brace and was an easy handle.
"CC" (Brian VanderMaazen) ran on "New Course," which had some nice spots to observe her running with a nice smooth gate, and stayed in good cover. According to Judge Kauffman, "She was a gem to walk behind".
"Chip" (John McKellop) ran on "Bear Bait #1 Course" and was a little more lateral than the first two placers, but also had a stylish appearance, powerful race, and easy handle.
Congratulations to all placements.

Judges: Ed Graddy and Tim Kaufman
OPEN DERBY - 9 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-GROUSE TRAILS FIRE DANCER, F1712856, pointer female, by Ralphy's Chasehill Rip-Grouse Trails Firestorm. John McKellop, owner and handler.
2d-KENZIE'S COOKIES & CREAM, F1717431, pointer female, by Bluestem's Blackhawk Frank-Lee's Yellow Rose. Brian VanderMaazen, owner and handler.
3d-GROUSE TRAILS CHIPPEWA WARRIOR, F1710623, pointer female, by Toth's Tornado Reloaded-Grouse Trails Warrior Cat. John McKellop, owner and handler.

Open Derby: John McKellop with Grouse Trails Fire Dancer, Brian VanderMaazen with Kenzie's Cookies & Cream, and Roger King with Grouse Trails Chippewa Warrior.