Gun Dog Forum

NGSPA National FT starts next week, who is going to Boonville? I am going to run in the Futurity, ASD & SD.

Dan, what is the runnig order? Is the AA 1st? I want to go over and watch J R win it.

Jerry

Jerry,

If you are lucky enough to make it over to Booneville to watch the AA, Please give Sonny a big hug and kiss from me for winning the darn thing!!
Seriously, I wish I could be there and watch too. May the best dog FOR THOSE FEW DAYS win. Good luck to you, JR and Rich.

Tim

Jerry,

In the American Filed they have it listed - AA, Futurity, ASD & SD. That sounds different from what they used to run but as I understand it you have to run in the order that the ad shows.

That would mean that I would have to go there and be there on the 24th, get to see the drawing and all. Was just thinking to take the car at 35 mpg and go and come home. Sounds better all the time.

Might give it a try.

Jerry

I will gpo by and see your good boy tim, nice dog, but I have klnown that for quite a while.

Word has it that part of the place is under water. Bring your scuba gear!

I had not heard that, I guess you know Mr. Board Member.

Jerry

Jerry,

I just talked to Mark W. at lunch and he said he heard that it was down to only one course and it was suspect. This winter has been horrible. I even saw where the Ames Plantation Nationals were postponed yesterday and today due to snow and ice.
Hopefully it starightens up soon. We have walking trials up here in 3 weeks!

Tim

It is a mystery why they continue there, the majesty of it all I suppose. How many times does that happen. I realize that it beyond their control with the water.

2 years ago there the water was aweful and we were making loops and around to have a trial

Jerry

I just wonder why they have it this time of the year. Even 2 weeks later would make a big difference... IMHO

Tim

The running order is AA, Futurity, ASD then OSD. The AA is usually Thur. and Fri. The Futurity runs over the weekend. The ASD usually starts on Monday.

And you boys just go ahead and whine. I like the place. I'm thinkin' its better than running on a course that has so many planted birds that a dog has to run by a few hundred to look good.

You have to deal with weather wherever you go. Lets see, two years ago, they had alot of snow and cancelled the OSD at Booneville. Then three or four weeks later in Illinois they ran half the OSD at the All Breed National, decided to declare a Champion from the dogs that had run and cancelled the entire rest of that trial. Lots of the pros went home after that because the weather that spring was brutal. Some went to the Great Plains though, where the weather turned out to be great, but the year before they had water running over the road to the course.

Has anybody figured out yet WE RUN OUTSIDE? That's cause they ain't no birds INSIDE. Heck, I have hunted in ND in below zero temps where we were shuffling our feet through waist high snow drifts to get the pheasants to pop out. Did pretty good. We ran a trial on Memorial weekend up here once when its usually in the 80's, got 5" of snow in a couple of hours.

Blue Dawn Kennel is going back to Booneville this year and passing on the All Breed and Region 5. With the ranch we just can't be away all that time. I talked to Rich and Joyce the other day and Rich had talked to Don Kidd. We'll be down to course 1and part of 3. We've been there and done this and it all works out fine. We've seen about every type of weather their is to see while we're there. The NGSPA has looked at different places but none have panned out over the years. FranK Alexander had donated/started a fund to find and pay for new grounds a long time ago I don't know what has happened with that. But even with the crappy weather and all between Larry & Red and their hard work and the NGSPA boards hard work it all works out just fine and the great/awesome facilities.
Good luck to all down there and we'll see ya next week.

Robbie,

I understand it can be bad at Booneville, heard some stories. As you know the Brit's run there as do the Irish, and the both seem to like the place. But can you tell me why the GSP people just rag the place? I understand it's not everybody, but it is surely enough that it has effected people within the Gordon breed about going there. That's just an up in the air statement, as I don't know if there would be an open date.

I've pitched going there, but have run the gauntlet from people that have ties in the GSP realm, and have been told how terrible the place is.

It is the time of year that the GSP folks are there, wet in the late winter and rain and snow and all the other things that go with bad weather. Not to harp but the # 1 issue is birdless dogs. Sorry John if you felt I was whining as that is not the case, I do supose it sounds like it though.

Keith had not been for several years as he just got tired of "Birdless Dogs", I think I know that.

Jerry

Boonville as far as I am concerned is the toughest grounds I have ever been on. It takes a very special kind of dog to win their. Dogs do go birdless a lot, but it is not the fault of, no birds. The NGSPA releases some 1250 birds during the trial, the hedge rows are very wide and a lot of dogs simply don’t dig in looking for them. A few years back I planted all three courses and a lot of the places I tried to put birds I found that birds were already their, but buried deep into the hedges. If your dog doesn’t like to get his feet dirty you are not going to find birds. The biggest problem with the place is the time of year and Boonville is simply the sticks, nowhere to go.

Good luck to all and bring plenty of wet gear.

Personally, just my opinion, only worth .02 tops, based on my own personal birddog priorities I don't consider "digging" in and rooting around hedges to find a feathered rock that great of a bird finding exhibition or crowning achievement - pretty easy to train for and I know a guy who has won there alot that does just that. The best test, especially for crowning a "Nat'l Ch", is putting 'em down in country with native game planted by their own whims and see how it shakes out...and yes, it can be done, there are places to do it, we do it every year.

Doug I think you miss understood what I am saying. The road runner or the dog that runs to stubble over a bird is not going to make their. They have to run, hunt and hunt hard on those grounds. There are no birds next to the road or along some nice clean trails. A dog that goes routing around ain’t going to get it done either. I don’t know if you have been their, but to me at least the place looks like bird country, weather it is or not is another subject. And ya the NGSPA would move out in a heart beet if they had someplace else to go.

Don't get me wrong, if one of my dogs ever went and got a placement I'd be tickled as heck, crowin' around just like any other trial no matter the set up - there is nothing easy about any of 'em!!

As almost always, I agree with Doug. I do understand what he is saying, and I think he is right.

I ran at Booneville for the Brittany NC, hated the abrieviated courses due to flooding, bitched to anyone that would listen, my dog did poorly, I did worse as a handler, my worst ever.

But there is not a doubt in my mind the best dogs won! The really good ones always seem to find a way to win. And had I done better, I would still be strutting.

So I think we can critisize the venue without deminishing the winning dogs.

Neil

The best test, especially for crowning a "Nat'l Ch", is putting 'em down in country with native game planted by their own whims and see how it shakes out...and yes, it can be done, there are places to do it, we do it every year.

Amen.

Planted bird trials are mostly what we have though, you can criticize any of them just because of that. You won't see alot of dogs rooting around hedges at Booneville though, and those that do don't win despite what the detractors say ( and there are always detractors).

Coming from a wild bird trial background though, I sometimes shake my head at the way planted bird trials are set up.

BDK has done alot of winning in Booneville. I love all 3 courses when you can use them. We've won both the OSD and AA on all 3 courses. It is a great bird place it's just that there are and have been alot of times the dogs ( and a lot of them) have gone birdless. There are a lot of places for these birds to get off into I've seen some finds where the dogs really have to dig into the big pockets of timber in order to find birds. I also agree and we tell all our clients (especially the newbies) it take a dog with a lot of heart, drive and desire to run at Booneville and look good. If your dog doesn't run a certain way there their not going to look well. We needed a change and that's why we haven't been to Booneville in 3 yrs and went to southeastern Il. for the Region 5 and All Breed. Our biggest problem is is that we can't attend all 3 do to ranch priorities at home here in KS so we have to pick and choose. Keith & I both are looking forward to being back there this coming week. The time of year can be bruital. As said I've been there when it was sooooo dry and you would ride in dust and dogs couldn't smell cause it was so dry to when it's been under water, when it's had sleet on it and when it's had snow on it. It's just the chance you take the time of year we run. Seems to me they always have had a pretty good turn out in all the years I've been in the sport. One other thing then I'll quit but when I first got into this when I met Keith the State of AR. /or the Booneville wildlife area used to have feeders out everywhere then all the different clubs would go in and put out birds and the birds would hang around and if you went birdless it was not a good thing. Not that the dogs found the birds on the feeders but out and around at quite a bit of distance but the fact was is that it kept them from burying up in the wooded area's and thickest thickets and since they quite using all of the feeders it's just been hard it seems to keep the birds around especially the time of year when we're there. Know it's not Larry & Red's faults at all they were just doing as they were told to do. Those to guys bust their butts every year and have since the Nationals were moved to Booneville. Cudo's to them again, to the awesome facitlites and grounds they they do their best to improve and keep improved.
Sorry for the rambling. ;0)

Does anyone know entry numbers for the AA and Futurity?
Long range(next 10 days) call for dry weather with high temps in low 50's through next Sunday.
Having never run Booneville before, will a week of good weather make a differance in how the course drains?

Her are the entry numbers I got from Jean -
AA - 23
Futurity -25
ASD - 43
OSD - 63

Brian it should help alot but without seeing how much water is on the courses it's hard to tell. I've seen it dry pretty fast in past years. Looking forward to sun and warmer temps. We'll probably be leaving out in the morning. We didn't get any snow yesterday/last night just a little ice. See everyone there.

We're coming. Tell Nancy I will be armed. Unfortunately there is some rain in the forecast.

Thanks for the update.
My boy has been running in south ga. for the last month, so he's seen his share of wet weather. I will be looking forward to something other than NE Ohio snow!

John~

Nancy and Randy won't be down. Kessie is taking the spring season off and not running. See ya there. I did check the 10 day forcast and saw where rain showers expected on Friday but that can always change. Weather will be what weather will be, it's still winter. :0(

Well then, if you see any honey nut roasted peanuts anywhere it wasn't my fault.

John, let us knpow how it is going for what you are there to see.

Jerry

Anyone have the running order for the AA??

Good luck to all and may the weather Gods be kind!!

Tim

Jerry,

Are you going over to Booneville to watch your dog run?

I am going to head over on Friday to run a couple dogs.

Dan

Not going but would have liked to have been there, if it goes accordingly my fella will run in the last brace of the Allage tomorrow. Fingers crossed, hope he does well

Dan, are you coming for Region 5, Allbreed and the 1st one being Gateway GSP at Pyramid in Southern Illinois. It is not to far.

Jerry

I wan to go to Region 5 and The All Breed.

I hope to get there early in the afternoon and ride the last brace or two and will let you know how he does

We would love that to occur, please do take lots of photo's of the awards ceremony, Ha Ha!

He was runner up last year so I have high hopes.

Jerry

chomp'n at the bit for some results.... might wear out the refresh button!!!!

Any news yet??
Bill L.

Tonelli's Little Stinker Dixie wins the NFC no RU named.
Owned by Harvey Franco
Handled by Chris Goegan

ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?.. LACK OF BIRDS?..GROUNDS UNDER WATER?...ETC...THANKS

That's all I know other then the weather was clear first 2 days & they used courses 1 and 3.

Big congrats and pats on the back to Harvey and Chris - good stuff! Cool to have a female AA Ch. - I guess it's a she...??

Yep FEMALE !!

Info I have is 5 dogs with birds, I understand that mine had 2 non p's. Oh well,

Pepper

Futurity Results

1st
GK's Ramblin Luke
Owner Greg Kiser
Handler Chris Goegan

2nd
MSR's What's It Gonna Be
Owner James & Sarah Messer
Handler James Messer

3rd
Uodibar's Sam Brown
David & Hayley Killam
Handler Eldon Hongo

Goegan is hot, congratulations to all. Messer bred the allage winner as well. 2 for him

Jerry

They got thru brace 8 in the ASD. Starting in the morning with brace 9;

Congrats to all the winners!

Congrats to all the winning dogs, their owners and the handlers!!
Looks the the ASD should finish up by Wednesday late or Thursday if my math is correct.
Bill L.

Lots of water on the course. Not doing the usual three continuous courses, more of a loop out and back starting on course 1, using part of course 3 and finishing back on 1. Things are going very smoothly. Weather forecast has been for rain, but it has held off and temps have been just about ideal. Had a couple of double crashes at the beginning of the ASD so we are ahead of schedule on that. Ran 9 braces yesterday, and there are 22, so it may be done tomorrow (Tuesday), Wed. for sure unless there is some unexpected weather event. Lots of people and dogs here, everyone is having a good time as usual.
Jimmy Wallace scouted Spot for me yesterday and we got him around. Didn't see the winning run in the NC, must have been very nice. Goeghan is just sort of floating around here. The people down on Cloud Nine look like little ants to him right now.

Yeah seems to be Chris's year wish Star had qualified.Hope his head shrinks before he gets home! Good luck to everyone & Congrats to all the winners.

Nat Amateur SD
Uodibar's Angelina
Owner David & Hayley Killam
Handler Hayley Killam

Ru Uodibar's Lolita
Owner David & Hayley Killam
Handler Hayley Killam

Congrats to all the winners so far!

Anyone have an idea what the bracing is for the OSD? Curious when Bell is running. I haven't been able to get in touch with Matt.