Mid-North Region of NSTRA

Dakotazeb

Dakotazeb

Well-known member
Our first spring trial is this coming weekend April 6-7. It was originally scheduled to be held near Morris, MN but we determined last weekend that the snow pack in that area was not going to allow us to have the trial there. I was able to find a site near Gary, SD (35 miles SE of Watertown) that was acceptable and the trial has been moved there. The grounds aren't perfect but not too bad and the snow is gone in these fields. It's been a rat race the past several days changing the venue, getting everything set up and notifying all the entrants. But everyone was very good about the change and I think we only lost one entrant. I see the weather forecast now is predicting a 50% chance of rain on Saturday. I hope and pray they are wrong as the last thing we need for that trial is rain. I know we need moisture but I pray it will hold off until Monday.
 
Nothing is more miserable than running a dog in the rain.On the bright side at least you are not judging!
Most of the grounds around here are in pretty bad shape due to the drought last year,hopfully we get some rain and warmer temps soon to bring the flatened cover back up.
Good luck this weekend and let us know how you did.
 
Seems like most of our trials we have rain or crappy weather. My dog loves water but for some reason doesn't perform well in the rain or really wet conditions. Update coming after Sunday.
 
Dakotazeb said:
Seems like most of our trials we have rain or crappy weather. My dog loves water but for some reason doesn't perform well in the rain or really wet conditions. Update coming after Sunday.
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If you promise it will rain you can have one every week at my place.
 
haymaker said:
If you promise it will rain you can have one every week at my place.
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Got about a 100-120 acres of grassland that would work? We'll talk about it. I'll even do a little rain dance for you. :)
 
looks like they have something going on in Michigan this weekend too. I have never been to any of these things before think I'm going to check it out.
 
We had a great weekend. Weather was a little cool and breezy but the rain held off. My Elle had 4 runs over the weekend and came away with a 2nd and a 3rd place. So I was very happy with her performance. She saved my butt today on one bird. I missed it and it flew about 200 yds. before going down. She chased it over to where it went down and it flew about another 30 yds before she caught it. Brought it right back to me. I'm thinking the judge was going to give me a retrieve score in the 90's but I only got an 83. Oh well, it wouldn't have mattered in my placement anyway.
 
Nice going, George! Getting a head start on fall?

Are you seeing any birds in the Eastern part of the state?

Jon
 
jonnyB said:
Nice going, George! Getting a head start on fall?

Are you seeing any birds in the Eastern part of the state?

Jon
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Birds?? Tons of ducks and geese. Very few phesants.
 
I returned last night from a NSTRA trial near Sidney, MT. Elle had 2 decent runs on Saturday. No placements but beat her bracemate both runs. Sunday morning we wake up to a snow storm. 6-8 inches on the ground and still snowing hard. They were just dropping the birds (chukars) in the snow so when you went out the birds were sitting up and plain sight. Elle took out the first 2 birds and received her first ever disqualification. I had another run in the afternoon but knowing the same thing was likely to happen I scratched and headed home. I hit I94 at Glendive, MT. I94 from Glendive to Dickinson, ND was really bad. By the time I got to Dickinson they has shut down the interstate so I spent the night there. First room I got was at the Super 8. The place was quite run down and the room dirty but i thought for one night I could handle it. then I pulled back the sheets and found the bed full of Bed Bugs. I was out of there and got a refund. Found a new motel called the Astoria that was really nice. Quite upscale rooms and the price per night was less than the Super 8. I had a long conversation this morning with Super 8's customer service.

Our trial next weekend in Granite Falls, MN has been cancelled due to the weather and snow still in the fields. It looks like mid January around here and we are suppose to get more snow tomorrow. Over 6 inches possible. When will this winter ever end??? Going to cut the Harley riding season short.
 
This past weekend we had a trial by Granite Falls. It was great to see a member of this site, Dakota Swede, at the trial. He only made one run with his young Vizsla and put 4 birds on the card. Excellent run for a first timer and a young dog. Before he left he told me he was hooked and would be back.

Elle did pretty good. She had a couple of quite disappointing runs but on her final run Sunday she took home a 1st place so that helped make the weekend.

Wish some more of you UPH members would consider getting into the NSTRA game.
 
I would have to get different dogs. Keeping the ones I have now in a 40 acre field would tough. They would be out of bounds more than in. I would like to try it though.
 
sepointer said:
I would have to get different dogs. Keeping the ones I have now in a 40 acre field would tough. They would be out of bounds more than in. I would like to try it though.
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40 acres is 1/4 mile square. That's why you are judged on obedience. If the dog is out of bounds for 10 minutes it's disqualified.
 
George:

Could I enter a "pointing Golden Retriever?" We hunted Monday at Major Ave. and he pointed all 7 birds - two roosters and 5 Chuckers...

Just wondering!
 
When I return home I really want to get into some NSTRA events. It looks and sounds like a ton of fun and a great way to extend your season. Sounds like a win win to me.
 
jonnyB said:
George:

Could I enter a "pointing Golden Retriever?" We hunted Monday at Major Ave. and he pointed all 7 birds - two roosters and 5 Chuckers...

Just wondering!
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Sorry Jon, only pointing breeds. Pointing Goldens or Pointing Labs do not qualify.
 
Elle put 2 more placements on her record this weekend with a 2nd and a 3rd place finish at the trial near Morris, MN. Could have been even better with a little luck but I'll take it. Right now she is sitting as the High Point Dog for our region (MN, SD & ND) for the year, with one trial to go next week in Williston. It would be quite an honor to come away with that title. I wasn't planning the long trip to Williston but now I have to.
 
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