I have a friend on our lease who runs NSTRA all the time, has had several champions. Any one else using NSTRA to get by till birds come back? And tell us about your NSTRA dogs, any board members with past or present champions?

I dont, but have began to think about getting involved when I get out of school. I have been to a couple NSTRA events, and it is appealing, but there are a couple downsides, but maybe someone can change my mind on it.

I have relatively big running pointers, not AA level, but 200 - 300 yard casts are the norm. This is what is necessary to find birds these days. Also they hunt objectives, with minimal handling, they just work out front and check in periodically.

At the NSTRA events I have been to, the area is usually just 50 or so acres, thus big running dogs are in trouble. And second the dogs that do the best tend to work closely with the handler, very methodically back and forth across the field, as opposed to hunting objectives.

Basically I dont want to encourage my dogs to hunt a way that is going to reduce their effectiveness in the field.

Am I way off base?

I really like NSTRA as an alternative to hunting. I like hunting best, but NSTRA is a good second choice. My Cookie which died over the holidays was a two time champion. She was the fastest dog in NSTRA, and a hand full in the NSTRA fields. They get picked up if they are out of bounds for 10 minutes. She had more disqualifications than she had placements when she first made champion. They learn to stay in bounds by the scents in the fields. I always liked it better when the fields were fenced. I assure you that NSTRA never slowed her down. My setter was also a two time NSTRA champion. Cracker is my only dog now, and has not had a placement. She's doing everything right, but not finding her share of birds. I still think she'll end up being my best. I don't like her tail, but tails won't hurt you that much in NSTRA.

No, don't think your wrong. I know most of those guys hunt their dogs and they range more than they do in the trials, but they have a great handle on them so when they begin to leave the field they are able to turn them. And yes some work very close. It's a game and once the dog learns it they seem to hustle around in bounds pretty well. But your right some wild bird dogs will have trouble adjusting and some folks don't want to hack their dogs to get work on planted birds. My second try at it ended up with one find inbounds and three out of bounds. It's not natural to a big going birddog but somewhat like working singles is the only way I can relate it to my hunting.

Belle was a littermate to Elhew Sunflower. I've hunted with both, and Belle had better wheels than Jill. (Sunflower)

Here's Belle;


Owner: JOHN MITCHELL
Registered Name: SNAKEFOOT'S ELHEW BELLE
Callname: BELLE
Breed: English Pointer
Region: MK
Sex: F
Date Whelped: Saturday, May 04, 1996
Sire: CH ELHEW SNAKEFOOT
Dam: HANNA'S ELHEW LOU

Number of Times Open Champion: 3
Date of Championship: Sunday, October 17, 1999
Total Open Points: 63

questions-do they need to be steady to wing?
do they need to be steady to shot?
do they need to retriever to hand?
is it ok to smash and half eat the bird?
are they disqualified for fighting skunks, coons or porcupines?

If any of the answers are yes then maybe Tigger and I can start a new association with new rules

no
no
yes
no
no

One more--if a person decided to try this is it allowable for someone such as yourself to walk along and give a little advice on what to do as things progress? Sort of tell you what you are suppose to be doing.

Been really wanting to try it, but when it's bird season, I dont have time because of bird hunting & when it's not bird season I dont have time because of Crappie fishing. But I think it is a great opportunity for people that dont have a lease or place to hunt.

2.02 A dog must retrieve the bird to within three (3) feet of its
handler, who shall remain in the same spot, before any credit
is be given for the retrieve.

A hard mouth is a minus factor, but you will still score the retrieve.

The judge will give you all the help you need. They are not there to hurt the dog.

The trails I've run in (only 3) the judges are really good about telling you what you should or should not be doing. I had a find where I shot the bird as it headed down a tree line that was not seen by my dog. I started to move out so I could see if the dog was anywhere near the bird and the judge stopped me as you can't leave where you shot or the retrieve doesn't count. They stop you if you get excited and start to run in the field etc. So I would worry about not knowing what to do, ask the judge and they will give you the straight skinny and they can't run a dog so no conflict of interest. Even had a judge tell me he could hear a couple of birds and I should check it out. Good folks most of them.......

I'm going to go check out the one by me in March and maybe get to work some of the leftovers. I have a lease for next year but it would be nice to work a little before the season started.

CC you should come up and bring a couple of dogs and I'll show you some spots on Lavon for the paper mouths.

I'd try it if I had more time to work with my dog. Nevertheless, it's fun to watch them run.

Aussie1- Are you referring to the one in Anna? I'll be there as well and so will some of the members from the Texas Gun Dog Club!

I thought somebody stole my dogs until I finished reading. C

I may do that.

I'm running a dog at Anna also, lets make a party out of the deal. If we know who's driving what kind of vehicle we can park together and have us a get together.

Alright dangit, I need some info on this, I am 90% sure I will be there. But y'all have to promise not to make fun of me if Daisy sucks at it. I guess I will bring her to compete & throw Blue in & let him do a little clean up with Aussie's dog Ginger.

Surely we have some more NSTRA boys on here with winners or champions? Who's got the best in Texas? Keep hearing that it was Copper.

I have done it several times. It is fun but to my mind no way comparable to wild bird hunting.

Honestly, I enjoy cleaning fields after the braces have been run a lot more.

I have ran NSTRA for a couple of years and I really enjoy it. I look forward to it and love to practice it. I really feel the superior dogs can run both NSTRA trials and wild bird hunt. Just like dogs that can dove hunt and quail hunt. I won't name any names, but some of the best dogs in NSTRA are the best wild bird dogs I have ever hunted over.

The other nice thing I look forward to is the people. The majority of the people are there for the dogs. I have made some great friends in this organization.

Most of our guys will have a orange and black Texas Gun Dog Club decals, I'll be in a 4 door silver Dodge Ram. I don't I'm going to compete in this one, just going to watch, observe how the game is played and take some notes!

what are the dates for the event in Anna? Bill, will they open the field at the end of the day to clean the birds out for the next day? I'd like to go watch, and it'd be all the better if I could get some dog work in at the end.

March 5 & 6
Tri Region / Priddy Tx
Invitational
Co-Chairman: Buzz Taylor (LST)
8015 Contrary Creek Rd
Granbury, TX 76048
214-704-4369
$TBD

March 12 & 13
Anna Spring Trial/ Anna Trial Grounds
Open Double/Double
Chairman: Dale Heaton
8 North Star Rd
Allen, TX 75002
214-543-0907
Entries only accepted by email
d-dheaton@dfwair.net or US mail
$40

March 26 & 27
LST Regional Trial / Sissortail Ranch Lake Richland Chambers
Open/Novice
Chairman: Jim Selby
1004 Desperado Dr.
Murphy, TX 75094
469-525-0965
$75 April 9 & 10
Anna Open/Novice Trial / Anna Trial Grounds
Open/Novice
Chairman: Dale Heaton
8 North Star Rd
Allen, TX 75002
214-543-0907
Entries only accepted by email
d-dheaton@dfwair.net or US mail
$40


Read what B Buff wrote. You're more than welcome to clean the fields after the tria.

Alright, thanks Bill. So the Anna trials aren't even close to Anna? That's weird. Would still like to go though.