2018 Ontario Grouse Championship

[trkyhntr21]

Yes

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[sidelock]

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

Yes

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[trkyhntr21]

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

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[sidelock]

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

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

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[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!!

[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.