Outdoor adventures
Phil Taunton
Originally published 01:53 p.m., April 18, 2008
Updated 01:53 p.m., April 18, 2008
Ever wonder how many dog owners promise themselves, “By golly, next year I’ll have a dog who will find birds and do my bidding when I go a’huntin!”
The trouble is, frustrations are often forgotten once the sun sets on the last hunt of the season and won’t resurface again until Renegade Rex is let out of the pen next fall! Why not look for and develop the hunting companion of your dreams now? Hunting with a good dog is a very rewarding outdoor experience. A dog’s ability to find game and retrieve dead or wounded birds is an asset to the ethical hunter and ensures that less of this valuable outdoor resource will be wasted. Start now, and by next hunting season you will have time to “know and grow” with your dog.
As I have written before, hunting dogs are just like any other pets. They can and should be enjoyed year-round. Besides being a faithful companion, some dog owners extend the pride and joy they have with their dogs to field trials and hunt tests. Contrary to some beliefs, these dogs also prove themselves to be biddable hunters.
The Missouri-Kansas Region of the National Shoot-to-Retrieve Association (NSTRA) will hold its biggest trial of the year at Don Flory’s Country Hunts on grounds located northeast of Valley Falls, starting Saturday. Brittanys, setters, pointers, German shorthairs and pointing dogs of all breeds will compete for the region elimination championship crown and the right to participate in the National Dog of the Year championship in Amo, Ind., come late October.
Directions to the trial grounds are: from Valley Falls, go four miles northeast on Highway 4, turn left on Effingham Road and go three miles to 206th. Turn left and go 1 1/4 miles to Country Hunts. The trial grounds are on the north side of 206th and the west side of Dickinson Road.
For more information about Country Hunts, this trial, training opportunities or if you get lost, contact Don Flory at (785) 741-0315 or www.countryhunts.com. Lunch will be served on the grounds.
Come on out and see these fine dogs in action!
NSTRA field events are an excellent way for the hunter to keep man’s best friend — that is if his wife is a golfer and doesn’t cook anymore — in shape and into birds once the hunting season is over.
NSTRA was started by a group of dedicated wild bird hunters who were looking for a way to extend the fun they enjoyed with their pointing dogs. Competitive trials are one way to do this. They provide a sportsmanlike atmosphere to compete with others who enjoy bird dogs and to recognize their accomplishments. Camaraderie and training philosophies run amok.
The rules of NSTRA are easy to understand and scoring is simple. Points are given for each find and each retrieve, as well as the dog’s first back or honor of a bracemate. The dog also is judged on his ground coverage and obedience throughout 30 minutes of running.
The outstanding characteristics of each pointing breed are enhanced through NSTRA field trials. Judging is by qualified persons with a thorough knowledge of the various breed characteristics. The NSTRA concept of field trials emphasizes the complete bird dog, from point to retrieve. These dogs must have the ability to find and handle birds for the foot hunter. Successful NSTRA dogs make excellent hunting dogs.
NSTRA handlers can do their own gunning or elect to have a friend gun for them. No sense in jeopardizing a good dog’s chance of winning when “ol’ dead-eye” can’t hit the side of a barn. NSTRA is proud to have many father-son teams participating, not to mention the many women handlers who are just as competitive as the men. The only prerequisite for participation is the desire to enjoy competitive bird dogging in a sportsmanlike manner.
More information concerning NSTRA field trials can be found at www.nstra.org.