Tommy Launer, Bird Dog Leader at the Rolfe Beagle Club, announces the winners of the Third Annual Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge on Saturday, 9/22, at the Rolfe Beagle Club in Johnsonburg, Pa. The weather was cool, the challenge was full, and dog handlers enjoyed the day – Phil would have planned it that way!
Phil Fitch was a dedicated member of the Rolfe Beagle Club and never missed a bird dog event at the club.
Twenty-four dog handlers came from across the Commonwealth
The winners in the flushing dog category were:
1) Millie, a Golden Retriever, cared for by Rich Frantz from Uniontown;
2) Pepper, a Lab, cared for by Danny Lease from East Berlin; and
3) Bo, a Lab, cared for by Rich Frantz of Uniontown.
The winners in the pointing dog category were:
1) Granger, an English Pointer, cared for by Ron Guidas of North Huntingdon;
2) Mike, an English Pointer, cared for by Ron Guidas of North Huntingdon; and
3) Annie, an English Pointer cared for by Becky Schoeffield of East Berlin.
First through third places in the flusher and pointer categories were ribbons from Hodges Badge Company. Purina Pro Plan furnished the prizes for the dogfood raffle held at the club.
Members of the Upland Bird Hunt Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society managed the challenge. Many members of the chapter or the beagle club stepped up to make the day run smoothly.
Nathan from Butler won the Purina raffle. Robin from St. Marys won the 50/50.
Judges and Stagers were Jack Hackley, Tom McPherson, Tommy Launer, Bethany Ford, Robin Daniels, and Jed Hamberger.
Lead bird man was Garrett Balon; other bird men were Zaiden Straneva, and Dan McPherson.
Mix’s Game Birds supplied the chukars.
An excellent lunch was donated by the following folks: Mick and Gay Cooper – homemade baked beans; Bethany Ford – chips, cookies, and candy; and Mary Hosmer – hoagies.
ATV and an UTV were donated by Tommy Launer and Garrett Balon.
We thank all the people that came to honor Phil Fitch’s memory and for participating in the Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge.
Photo 1 – Winners in the flushing category, Rich Frantz and Danny Lease. Photo 2 – Winners in the pointing category, Ron Guidas with help from Jack Hackley, and Rebecca Schoeffield.
Comments