2018 Ontario Grouse Championship

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February 14th, 2018, 10:46 AM
Tim Tufts

2018 Ontario Grouse Championship

ONTARIO GROUSE CHAMPIONSHIP
Sponsored by the Venango Grouse Dog Club & Ralston Purina
April 7th to conclusion

Marienville PA

Drawing Wednesday April 2nd, 8:00 PM
At the home of the Secretary
Entry Fee: $135.00
(All funds in US Dollars)
To be run on native grouse & woodcock. Continuous courses. One-hour heats.
To be eligible dog’s must have a placement in an Open Derby or Open All Age Stake
Dogs are entered at the risk of their owners.
The club assumes no responsibility for loss or injury to animals or people
resulting from any cause
Purse $2000.00, 80%-20% if runner-up named

Judges: Dave Duell and John Crissenberry

Championship entries to:
Tim Tufts (secretary)

8075 Maynard Rd. Orono Ontario

L0B-1M0
1-905-983-5465
[email protected]
All entries must be confirmed by email
(Make cheques for entries payable to the secretary )
February 14th, 2018, 10:52 AM
Tim Tufts

Ladies and Gentlemen. Before we get into the usual discussion of why is the championship not held here in Ontario let me once again explain that without suitable grounds and sufficient help a wild bird field trial cannot run successfully. As has been said in several upland discussions the amount of new growth habitat for wild game birds in Southern Ontario has been and continues to decline every year. My friends in the US field trial community stepped up to help with both grounds and manpower to keep this event going.
February 14th, 2018, 11:43 AM
finsfurfeathers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Tufts

Ladies and Gentlemen. Before we get into the usual discussion of why is the championship not held here in Ontario let me once again explain that without suitable grounds and sufficient help a wild bird field trial cannot run successfully. As has been said in several upland discussions the amount of new growth habitat for wild game birds in Southern Ontario has been and continues to decline every year. My friends in the US field trial community stepped up to help with both grounds and manpower to keep this event going.

Just curious is it sufficient help or suitable grounds? What makes Hullet not be a good place to run the trail there? Granted grouse numbers are at unicorn levels but woodcock should be doable.
What would need to change to bring it home?
February 14th, 2018, 12:04 PM
Tim Tufts

Grouse trials, unlike planted bird trials, require separate one hour courses for each brace (6 or 7) and each course has to have enough suitable cover for the competitors to show their ability not only to hunt the country but to have the opportunity to find and point wild game.
February 14th, 2018, 12:17 PM
finsfurfeathers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Tufts

Grouse trials, unlike planted bird trials, require separate one hour courses for each brace (6 or 7) and each course has to have enough suitable cover for the competitors to show their ability not only to hunt the country but to have the opportunity to find and point wild game.

Not to be difficult but is it Hullet is too small of an area or the area of Hullet is fine but it doesn't have suitable habitat?
February 14th, 2018, 02:27 PM
Tim Tufts

A fair amount of Hullet is marsh and the remainder has a lot of cultivated fields so the area suitable for upland cover is quite limited.
February 14th, 2018, 03:24 PM
finsfurfeathers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Tufts

A fair amount of Hullet is marsh and the remainder has a lot of cultivated fields so the area suitable for upland cover is quite limited.

Maybe its time to rethink the design of Hullet than. With the demise of the field trails there and the cry the pheasant program is to costly it might be better to consider letting some of those fields transition to young forest.
February 14th, 2018, 03:56 PM
trkyhntr21

Quote:

Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Maybe its time to rethink the design of Hullet than. With the demise of the field trails there and the cry the pheasant program is to costly it might be better to consider letting some of those fields transition to young forest.

Hullet is still used for horseback and walking quail trials such as the region 13 championship. As Tim Tufts said the land and courses required to host such an event not to mention help don't make it feasible to run it in Ontario.
Arguably the best wild bird field trial area in the USA is just a short drive to Michigan supported and managed just for that purpose since 1915 and more grounds in Ny and PA .
February 14th, 2018, 04:57 PM
finsfurfeathers

Quote:

Originally Posted by trkyhntr21

Hullet is still used for horseback and walking quail trials such as the region 13 championship. As Tim Tufts said the land and courses required to host such an event not to mention help don't make it feasible to run it in Ontario.
Arguably the best wild bird field trial area in the USA is just a short drive to Michigan supported and managed just for that purpose since 1915 and more grounds in Ny and PA .

And that is the rub. Field trial for game you can't hunt yet no show case for stuff you can hunt.
Little wonder why the sport of upland hunting is dying.
February 26th, 2018, 10:30 PM
sidelock

You sure about field trials still being conducted at Hullet ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by trkyhntr21

Hullet is still used for horseback and walking quail trials such as the region 13 championship. As Tim Tufts said the land and courses required to host such an event not to mention help don't make it feasible to run it in Ontario.
Arguably the best wild bird field trial area in the USA is just a short drive to Michigan supported and managed just for that purpose since 1915 and more grounds in Ny and PA .
February 26th, 2018, 10:31 PM
trkyhntr21

Yes

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February 26th, 2018, 10:44 PM
sidelock

The Region 13 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship was held at the Mingo Sportsman's Club in Bloomingdale Ohio on September 22-24 2017.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trkyhntr21

Yes

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February 26th, 2018, 10:48 PM
trkyhntr21

I have reliable information that the region 13 walking championship will still be held at hullet this spring.

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February 26th, 2018, 10:57 PM
sidelock

That's good news, do you know who's hosting it ?
Sorry Tim, didn't intend to derail or hijack your post !

Quote:

Originally Posted by trkyhntr21

I have reliable information that the region 13 walking championship will still be held at hullet this spring.

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February 27th, 2018, 09:19 PM
Ugo

Grounds are a part of the equation. Getting helping hands is another. That said, you really need grouse to run a grouse championship. And that is where this province falls short....VERY short. Ontario has to replace the words "wildlife conservation" with "SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!" If you choose to dispute this, let's go upland bird hunting....you can pick the species and the spot(s). I'll provide both the dogs and the shotshells. ;)

When we ran grouse trials here years ago - these weren't even championships - we had 4 courses, each one within a 3-5 mile drive (Walkerton area). The first brace ran course #1, the second ran #2, etc. When we get to brace #5, we return to course #1 and repeat, which can be literally hours from when we first ran. Perhaps this helps folk understand the need for grouse numbers adequate to give the dogs that deserve it a chance. If not, luck becomes too big of a player, ie: - we know there are few birds on course #1, we have yet to see any on #2, 3 is hit and miss, 4 is OK but late in the day.
Yes....this can happen where-ever you run but in southern Ontario, we got into issues where far too many truly fine dogs put on an amazing display but went birdless....again! When it becomes a regular occurrence, it's time to move on. Sadly, I get it but I saw it first hand. Admittedly, I won a grouse trial or two when my dog was one of 2 that actually had grouse contacts. That alone is not an adequate test of a winner, never mind a champion! (The funny part is, I was told by a veteran that my Brittany drew the course that historically "had no grouse". Karma is a beatch isn't it?)
The truth is, it isn't easy watching any dog under judgement put on a masterful performance where there are NO birds. When it skews the final outcome, something has to be done. That is a major reason for having relocated this championship.

* Without entries there is no trial. A major number - if not the majority- of entries comes from our U.S. cousins. They have to pack accordingly, negotiate the border, accumulate travel and accommodation expenses. Subsequently asking them to travel to Cochrane where bird numbers might present opportunities is not practical.

As for the 2018 Championship, may the BEST dog win! Subsequently, may it go forth and produce more great bird dogs for us all!!
March 1st, 2018, 06:29 PM
sidelock

The lack of wild birds and sufficient grounds is an ever increasing issue unfortunately with the exception of very few limited venues. Any idea what the grouse numbers are in Marienvill ? Last conversation I had with a well respected and successful field trailer that lives and trains in the area wasn't encouraging eighter.