The sun was warm but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April day. When the sun is out and the wind is still, You’re one month on in the middle of May. But if you so much as dare to speak, A cloud comes over the sunlit arch, A wind comes off a frozen peak, And you’re two months back in the middle of March.
~ Robert Frost
Northwoods Geneva (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Nickel, 2018) on a sunny afternoon in the woods.
Evening meal of sharp-tailed grouse from last fall.
The first place win for Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Chocie, 2013) garnered lots of hardware for Jerry and Royce’s owner, Bob Senkler.
After the close of the Florida bobwhite quail hunting season, the Georgia-Florida Field Trial Club gathers for its annual trial. This year, the trial was held March 7 on the Aucilla Plantation near Thomasville, Ga.
The club is comprised of dog trainers, handlers and scouts, many of whom work for the 100+ private plantations in southwestern Georgia and northern Florida. The trial is open only for dogs used on plantation hunts.
The 2020 Georgia-Florida Hunting Dog Invitational Field Trial attracts a big gallery to watch the 24 dogs in competition. Photo by Hope Doolittle.
Three placements are awarded. Winners must be steady to wing and shot but otherwise are no different than the kind of dog our foot-hunting clients would love to own.
Pointers are the dominant dog—by far—used on plantations. This year, only two of the 24 dogs entered were English setters. Jerry, of course, ran a setter. He chose Northwoods Rolls Royce, a handsome seven-year-old, tricolor son out of a favorite nick of ours, Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice. Royce is well conformed and even tempered and he always finds birds—lots of birds. Royce is owned by Bob Senkler of Florida.
Jerry flushes on one of Royce’s four covey finds. Photo by Hope Doolittle.
Royce ran in the first brace after lunch, not a coveted draw anytime but especially in a wild bird trial. He was outstanding! He pointed four coveys with perfect style and manners, handled like a dream and always showed to the front.
Congratulations to Royce and Bob!
Jerry and Royce, on left, pose with the second and third place dogs, their handlers, the judges and some members of the Georgia-Florida Field Trial Club. Photo by Hope Doolittle.
