Gun Dog Forum

I want to anounce to the masses that there will be two AKC Horseback Fieldtrials in Ohio on back-to-back weekends. These are Vizsla trials, but most stakes are open to all pointing breeds.

The first is April 5/6 for the Miam Valley Vizsla Club and will be held at Indian Creek in Fayetteville, OH.

The seond is April 12/13th and will be held at Killdeer Plains in Harpster, Oh. It is for the Vizsla Club of Greater Cleveland.

The judging panels have not been solidified yet, but are close.

Both trials may well be the last on the grounds - ever. So, come on out and have a good time and run your dogs. You can contact me for more info.

Justin, what is the current status of Ohio FT grounds? Things looking any better/worse as to keeping them?

Paul:

Well, we are still getting booted off of state grounds as of April 28th.

Don't think for a moment we are rolling over. Several things are possible.

1. It has been rumored that the state is contacting USFW to find the purcahse price of buying the land back from the feds so they have control over it.

How true this, I'm not sure. We think this is a smoke screen from the ODNR.

2. Members of the OABDC (Ohio Associated Bird Dog Clubs) are thinking of filing suit against the state. I'm not sure on what grounds yet, but they do have a legal leg to stand on - it just may be expensive.

3. We are asking everyone to e-mail state reps and the governor and ask why the state is take the action to shut down the grounds when there is a 1billion budget shortfall. The grounds have a significant economic impact on the state and local cottage industries via lodging, fuel, food, vet bills, horse rental, birds, etc. Why is the state turning away dollars when there is a huge defecit????

So, as you can see there are still irons in the fire....but no definite progress. It's still touchy at best.

As far as field trialing goes in Ohio it will have to be (as of 4/28) on private grounds or outside of the state.

I wish I had better news, but I don't. So, keep writing and bugging folks in charge and let them know we are a vocal little group......

I know this sounds weird, but what if everyone that handled, scouted, planted birds or gunned was required to have a hunting license.

My thinking is that then the field trialers would be contributing to the Pittman Robertson fund and would be entitled to something back.

I think we had to do that in South Carolina. So, there is some precedent.

Best regards, Greg J.

I don't think the increase in license sales would be noticeable, a lot of field trialers already have license. I may be wrong but I think PR funds are from ammunition sales not hunting license.
Considering what the state charges for the grounds. We already contribute much more than , the bird watchers.
I have been told that LaTourette is sympathetic and one of his aids says we should call him to show support. A friend is suppose to get me the phone number I will post it when I receive .

Sorry, I should have been more detailed.

In formal debate, there is a Proposition and Affirmative and Negative arguments for the Proposition.

The opposition's Proposition is that field trialing is not hunting and therefore not a legitimate use of Pittman-Robertson-funded lands.

If I was arguing the Affirmative for their Proposition, the first thing that I would ask is if a hunting license is required to field trial with the hidden assertion that no hunting license => not hunting.

If I was arguing the other side and was hit with that assertion would be to say "Well, now that you mention it, we really should have a hunting license because it is obviously hunting!".

Greg J.

So Greg,

Let's say I roll to Harpster for a FT. What's an outstate license gonna set me back?

We were in Illinois this past weekend for a field trial. Illinois residents had to have a current hunting license but for field trialers the out-of-staters are given a waiver. Kristi

Wyndancer wrote:So Greg,

Let's say I roll to Harpster for a FT. What's an outstate license gonna set me back?

The way it worked in South Carolina for the NAVHDA test I went to there, was that the attendees had to have a hunting license from their home state, whatever it might be.

They might have had it wrong, but that's what they told us we had to have and that's what I had when I attended.

Regards, Greg J.

Greg Jennings wrote:I know this sounds weird, but what if everyone that handled, scouted, planted birds or gunned was required to have a hunting license.

My thinking is that then the field trialers would be contributing to the Pittman Robertson fund and would be entitled to something back.

I think we had to do that in South Carolina. So, there is some precedent.

Best regards, Greg J.

Greg,

Yes this is currently being done in IL as part of the compromise that stopped the state from shutting down the grounds in IL. All in state field trialers have to have a valid hunting license. Out of state is waived or if i'm not mistaken picked up by the club(not sure on this.)

Buckeye,

I was on the AKC site and couldn't find the second FT listed?

Also do you know how much it cost to rent a horse and who to contact?

It was listed. I checked yesterday and it wasn't there either. Let me know if you want to know any details.

It's usually 10-15 a brace to watch dogs, or you can call Bud Blair to reserve a horse for a half or entire day. I'm not sure what his rates are. Let me know if you want the number.

Justin

I'm interested in running. What stakes will they be running, any walking? I'm not much for riding a horse, I can but prefer not to, so I'd only want it for the brace I'm running. Can the gallery walk the course during a brace?

Well, the only walking stakes are derby and puppy and I'm not sure yet if they are open to all pointing breeds.

You are welcome to walk any brace you want, just realize that if it is a horseback brace you won't be able to see much of anything other than a horse's back side and then that not for long.

You can also handle any stake from foot. There are disadvantages when your bracemate is mounted, however.

Keep checking AKC for info. It will be up soon.

Justin

Each of these trials have stakes open to all pointing breeds. We welcome all to come out and run with us and have good time!

Justin

There is still time to send entries in for both trials!

MVVC has stakes opne to all pointing breeds for OD, AGD and ALGD. Come on out and have a good time. It appears as if there will be no Pros there, so it will most likely be all amatures!!! Good or bad....

Justin

How is Killdeer holding up with all this rain???

Some friends were there last weekend for the Irish. They thought it was pretty tame.

I was at KP last weekend and it was not bad. I have seen it worse.

It has been dry for 3-4 days in a row, so it's probably a wee bit dryer now. Should be passable with no problems in a few weeks....

Justin