Result: Region 19 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Moose Junction, Wisconsin

Post Date: Nov 3, 2021

Submitted By: Brent Sittlow and Sigmund Degitz

The Moose River Grouse Dog Club held the 2021 Region 19 Amateur Walking Championship on October 8-10 on Douglas County forestry land in far northwestern Wisconsin.

These grounds were initially developed in 2008 and have continually been reworked and improved to provide ample opportunity for dogs to find birds and show well on the ground. Grouse numbers throughout the upper Midwest have seen a significant decline in the past several years and these grounds have not been immune to these declines. However, because these grounds are situated in prime habitat there was an ample supply of birds to go around.

We thank Purina for their continued support of the Cover Dog trials. Their donation of dog food to the winners is very much appreciated.

Lunches were provided on the ground by club member Brad Holt. He put on a delicious spread for us all Friday and Saturday.

Every trial requires a dedicated group of club member to clear courses, marshal braces and assist with trial details. We would like to thank Neil Anderson, Tim Callahan, Sig Degitz, Bill Frahn, Brad Holt, Greg Johnson and Tim Kaufman for all of their hard work.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP

We were fortunate to secure two very qualified judges who have considerable experience handling dogs and judging in high level competition. Judges were Ben Mergens of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and Brent Sittlow of Hudson, Wis. They were attentive, on their toes at all times and had a keen eye for the attributes that are necessary in a champion and runner-up.

We drew eighteen dogs for this event with handlers coming from Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. A number of the dogs entered hold champion or runner-up titles.

English setter male Northern Lights Sirius, six-year-old white and black setter male owned and handled by Sigmund Degitz of Lake Nebagamon, Wis., was named champion. "Walter" started with a very pleasing ground effort. He was always in bell contact yet reached deep into the cover and was rarely seen. He got on the board at 40 and again at 43 with precise woodcock finds with good style. Degitz wisely moved him on when he looked unsure at 51. Walter's final find was dug up deep to the left, in a ditch side thicket that produced his third woodcock find. He finished strong like he started, moving out in flowing fashion, reaching for cover. Walter's effort would not be beat in this trial.

Rufus Del Fuego, six-year-old white and chestnut setter male, owned and handled by Neil Anderson of Duluth, Minn., was named runner-up. Rufus was beautiful moving, far flung, and covering big chunks of ground on the first half. He was searched for near half, however he returned on his own. He was searched for at 40 again returning on his own. Near the end of the brace, Rufus made a large cast and buried himself in a nasty thicket. He was eventually found by his scout with less than 5 minutes left in his hour and ultimately pinned a woodcock after a relocation. While returning to the course another woodcock was flushed, and a stop to flush was recorded. Anderson fired a third time for Rufus, on a nicely pointed woodcock nearby, just before time. A flurry of a finish was enough to earn runner-up honors.

Northern Slopes Star. white and black setter female owned and handled by Ed Graddy of Rochester, Minn., was closest to the winners. She was super classy, wide ranging and always reaching for cover. She had a nice find at 15 on a grouse that attempted to escape by foot until Graddy chased it down and put it to flight. Graddy got behind the forward group while trying to get connected with Star. She was ultimately found on point by the forward group when backed by her bracemate, but a lot of time had expired, and the flush attempt was empty. The forward gallery noted flight of a grouse before Graddy arrived. She was searched for at 31, near the location of her bracemate's grouse find, but eventually came along on her own. She finished the hour a bit erratic, but going strong to the very end, on a warm morning.

Star's effort was good enough to displace what was carried, but not quite good enough to stay there. With a little more flow to her ground race the outcome may have been different.

Moose Junction, Wis., October 8

Judges: Ben Mergens and Brent Sittlow

REGION 19 AMATEUR WALKING SHOOTING DOG

CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] -- 4 Pointers and 14 Setters

Winner--NORTHERN LIGHTS SIRIUS, 1667836, setter male, by Keystone's Red Recession--Hartland Maisy Mae. Sigmund Degitz, owner and handler.

Runner-Up--RUFUS DEL FUEGO, 1656494, setter male, by Pine Straw Smudge--Rouge River Bogsucker. Neil Anderson, owner and handler.

OPEN DERBY

The Derby started bright and early Sunday morning. The skies were overcast, the air was damp, and the temperatures were ideal for cutting loose these young competitors.

We thank our judges, Greg Johnson of Superior, Wis., and Tim Callahan of Park Falls, Wis. They awarded first place to Pine Straw Fatbottom Girl, owned and handled by Dale Ash of West Glarus, Wis. She was fancy, forward and strong on the ground and required minimal handling. She held nicely on a woodcock until Dale arrived to witness her proud stand.

Second place went to setter male, I'm Easy Money, owned and handled by newcomer Kyle Peterson of Rush City, Minn. This young setter is no stranger to the winners' circle having placed first in the last three Derby stakes he's been entered. Four for four on the season, not bad. Easy did not find game but really pleased the judges with his classy and forward hunting effort.

Earning third was pointer male, Hackberry's Amos Moses, owned and handled by newcomer Ben Brettingen of Waconia, Minn. The pointer male impressed the judges with a nice point of a grouse.

Judges: Tim Callahan and Greg Johnson

OPEN DERBY -- 4 Pointers and 4 Setters

1st--PINE STRAW FATBOTTOM GIRL, 1692898, setter female, by Erin's Hidden Shamrock--Pine Straw Sweet Tea. Dale Ash & Michael Reeves, owners; Dale Ash, handler.

2d--I'M EASY MONEY, 1693862, setter male, by Jetwood--I'm Blue Who. Kyle Peterson, owner and handler.

3d--HACKBERRY'S AMOS MOSES, 1695788, pointer male, by Elhew Sinbad--Numark Surefire Peg. Ben Brettingen, owner and handler.

OPEN PUPPY STAKE

A young charging group of youngsters were judged by Bert Benshoof and Dale Ash. The judges named setter female Rosie first for newcomer Jack Nelson; Annie, pointer female, was awarded second and pointer male Capohe was award third for handler Randy Bruder.