Here’s a quick synopsis of how the dogs did this fall. Joe was generally very pleased with their performances and their consistent, strong forward races, handling well on most occasions. Birds were at a premium at most trials they competed in.

Region 19 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship
(Thanks to all those who handled the dogs)
• Lucy had a strong, reaching race in the heat with a huge forward finish, unfortunately she was not able to connect with a bird.
• Fin was strong but picked up under a bird at 31.
• Rock had a strong race but moved on his own after a stop to flush at 55.
• Rita had a forward race with a good find on a covey of sharptail at 30. She finished the hour strong with a medium race.

Hard Driving Lucy

Wisconsin Coverdog Championship
• Fin had a strong forward race with a stylish back on the only bird seen on the course.
• Lucy had a great race with a beautiful relocation on a running grouse at 58.
• Casey had a grouse and 2 woodcock finds with an acceptable race.
• Rock pointed a grouse and woodcock. His race was also acceptable.

Minnesota Grouse Championship
• Fin ran in the first brace in the morning in fresh snow — under very difficult conditions. She was picked up after three attempts to get grouse pointed.
• Lucy had one grouse find on a running bird but snowy conditions made it impossible to keep track of her.

Pennsylvania Grouse Championship
• Fin had a spectacular race in the first brace that got under way at 7 am. Unfortunately she went birdless.
• Lucy’s race was erratic and she was lost at time.
• Rock had a grouse find at 55 with a good race.
• Rita was doing a great job on the ground but the grouse she got pointed in the open proved to be her undoing! Rita, an off-age dog, turned 2 in August is finding birds consistently.

Pal O’ Mine

Grand National Grouse Championship
• Rock did an exceptional job with a strong, forward and intelligent race throughout. He pointed a grouse early on. The birds flushed just prior to the dog being found. Rock’s style was high and lofty. At 30 minutes, he was found pointed some 300 yards to the front. A hen pheasant was flushed in front of the stylish dog.
• Fin started strong and handling well but was lost to the front at 40 minutes when Joe thought she was stopped. She was picked up on the road, looking for him.
• Lucy had a huge race but was not returned at time.

Montaro’s Rock

Rich Tuttle Memorial Grouse Dog Classic
• All three females, Lucy, Fin and Rita had strong forward races but did not connect with birds.
• Rock was picked up early when he was injured by running into a stick.

Hard Driving Rita

Back in Pennsylvania, Bev laid down a scorching forward race in the Pennsylvania Grouse Championship in Marienville. At about the 40 minute mark, her bell stopped far to the front where she had a grouse pointed. Unfortunately there was no judge present for her find. Fin was also strong, hunted hard and finished the hour at the Lake States and PA Championships — at the PA with a stylish back but no grouse of her own to claim. Rock, too, did the job on the ground but came up empty.

Though not always in the money, Joe was very pleased with most of the performances his string of dogs gave throughout the fall.

Following the Region 19 was the Wisconsin Coverdog Championship in Augusta, WI. where Tess (Ridge Runner Tessa, Rick Simpson, owner) was getting it done but crashed on her 3rd find. Libby had two solid grouse finds but moved up on a back and was up at 50.

Several of Joe’s shooting dogs began their fall season competing in the Region 19 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship held on sharptail at the Namekogan Barrens in Wisconsin. The dogs were handled by friends of their owners as none could be there themselves. Fin (Pal O’ Mine, Chris Mathan, owner) had a strong race and finished pointing a covey of sharptail. Unfortunately time had been called just moments earlier. Libby (Pal’s Sea Pearl, Chris Mathan, owner) also ran a strong race pointing a single sharptail far to the front. The bird flushed wild and shortly after, Libby resumed hunting unaware that her handler was approaching thereby ending her bid.

Namekogan Barrens