Result: Minnesota Grouse Dog Championship

Location: Mora, Minnesota

Post Date: Dec 28, 2022

Submitted By: Ryan Hough

Minnesota Grouse Dog Championship (back, from left): Scout Ryan Hough and John McKellop with Grouse Trails Warrior Cat. (Front, from left): Judges Eric Munden and Ben Mergens.

On October 10th at 8am, the first brace of shooting dogs cut loose on the first course near Mora, Minn. Thanks to hard work by club members and attendees, the trial was a success despite conditions that were not ideal. Without the partnership of the Minnesota Department of Natural resources, and the huge efforts put into course maintenance and planning, wild bird trials like this would not happen. The club is grateful for strong attendance, many of which traveled from out of state to be here.

After some deliberation, judges Eric Munden of Philipsburg, Pa., and Ben Mergens of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., elected to revert the Championship to an Open Shooting Dog stake. Winners of the shooting dog stake were as follows:
Mora, Minn., October 10
Judges: Ben Mergens and Eric Munden
OPEN SHOOTING DOG [One-Hour Heats] - 6 Pointers and 27 Setters
1st-GROUSE TRAILS WARRIOR CAT, 1690752, pointer female, by Panola Bacon-Chasehill Little Izzy. John McKellop III, owner and handler.
2d-NORTHWOODS SIR GORDON, 1674314, setter male, by Erin's Prometheus-Northwoods Carley Simon. Ben McKean, owner and handler.
3d-NORTH SLOPES ALLIE, 1683347, setter female, by A Kesytone Kid-Signature Ridge Cody. James Graddy, owner and handler.
REUEL HENRY PIETZ OPEN DERBY CLASSIC
The Ruehl Henry Pietz Derby Classic saw a change of weather as clouds moved in and temps cooled. Judges Neil Anderson of Duluth, Minn., and A. J. Kalupa of Big Lake, Minn., observed more grouse pointed during the derby, than were pointed during the 3-day shooting dog event.
Judges: Neil Anderson and A. J. Kalupa
REUEL HENRY PIETZ OPEN DERBY CLASSIC - 9 Pointers and 9 Setters
1st-LITTLE HAWK, 1698254, setter female, by Erin's Hidden Shamrock-War Paint. Paul Cook, owner; Ryan Hough, handler.
2d-OVER THE HILL MORGAN, 1699010, pointer female, by J T H Scion-Over The Hill Patty. Robert Zielke, owner; Rod Lein, handler.
3d-HACKBERRY'S AMOS MOSES, 1695788, pointer male, by Elhew Sinbad-Numark Surefire Peg. Ben Brettingen, owner and handler.

Reuel Henry Pietz Derby Winners: Ryan Hough with Little Hawk, Rod Lein with Over The Hill
Morgan and Ben Brettingen with Amos. (Front, from left): Eric Munden and Ben Mergens.