The M.U.G.S. Series Championship
March 10, 2008 - This past weekend brought to a close the inaugural M.U.G.S. season with the Series Championship hosted at Caribou Gun Club in Le Sueur, MN. Saturday’s events would be conducted in biting conditions with whipping winds, periods of snow and downright cold temperatures. Despite the weather, the competitors headed to the fields for those days’ activities eager to begin their hunt for the elusive chukar partridge.
Jonathon Tepley and his young British Lab Hector got the festivities started in the Top Gun Puppy Flusher Event. These two combatants have been embroiled in a season long points tussle with JD, a black Lab owned by Oakdale Ridge and handled by Rusty Haglund, with each team holding the point at various times. Today, Jonathon and Hector were in second place in the Points Standings and needed a strong showing if they were to overtake the lead and become the Puppy Flusher of the Year. Unfortunately, in their first attempt they struggled to locate the birds and ran full. Luke Welch and his father’s young Lab Lager were ne xt and they too could do no better than three birds. Haglund entered the field with a few extras and hoped to capitalize on his opportunity with JD. All eyes were on the two of them as they entered the gate and prepared for their attempt. Haglund, a long time competitor and popular attendee is a struggling shooter by his own admission and often found himself the target of his peers for his prowess with the gun. He handled it all in stride and could be counted on for a “yea, but did you see...” defense. Once into the field, it was obvious that he and JD would not need any help from the extras left earlier. These two systematically worked the field from side to side and one end to the other producing all four birds – cleanly! They had set the bar mightily high if they were to be denied their Championship; today or for the Season. Throughout the day they dodged one shot after another as so many birds had done to Haglund this year and in the end they won each title (day/season). Trevor Heins handled his buddy Keith Hass’ petite Lab Kate to the Runner-up spot while Hass placed here in the third spot. These dogs finished the Puppy Flusher of the Year Point Standings in the same order JD (Haglund), Hector (Tepley) and Kate (Hass).
The Top Gun Puppy Pointer Event was won by Kerby Kroells and his GWP Doc in convincing fashion. These two had a spectacular entry eventually besting Susan Hoppe and her Red and White Setter, Sally and Series Points Leader Scott LaPlante and Dexter his GSP. The battle for Runner-up was decided by just five seconds in the first bird tie breaker. It was a struggle in this field throughout the day as conditions eroded and the wind became unfavorable. The Series Points Championship in this Event was won by LaPlante (Dexter) with Al Berg (Hogan) finishing Runner-up ahead of Kroells (Doc).
Mike Stickler and Lefty entered the competition with the Series Points Lead in the Top Gun Masters Flusher Event. Trailing these two was Max Wroten’s Lab Baxter who has been handled by Paul Kruse and Roger Haglund at various times this season and Dan Krantz’ Lab, Brandy. This Event was decided by just twenty points as Stickler and Lefty edged out Haglund and Baxter for the title. Close behind was Kranz and Brandy who ended up third. The Series Points Standings replicated this same finish with Stickler and Lefty overcoming Mike’s often hectic travel schedule for the Championship.
Bill Steeno and his electric GWP, Mondtal entered the Top Gun Master Pointer Event trailing Al Berg in the Series Points Standings and needed to place first if he was to overtake Berg for the Series Championship. He would face stiff competition as the overall Series High Point Pointer; Joker would see his first action with Randy Strelow in this Event. Newcomer Wolfie Smith brought his Wirehaired Griffon, Tobie to the battle as well and looked to upset these two veterans. In the end, Steeno and Mondtal captured the Championship with an impressive victory over the field. Strelow and Joker came home in the Runner-up and third place positions while Smith and Tobie placed fifth. With this win,
Steeno and Mondtal earned the M.U.G.S. Masters Pointer Championship ahead of Berg’s Rowdy who tied with Strelow for the Runner-up spot in the overall point’s race.
The Top Gun Amateur Flusher Event was full with nearly twenty entries (19). Jon Dayton (Belle) held a slight points lead heading into the day’s competition over Mike Peterson and his bird finding (and retrieving) machine, Daisy. These two teams and good friends have traded placements and pleasant barbs since we began back in November and each would need to be dealt with to win this day. Several new members entered and many looked exceptionally good as they competed. Mickey Smith, a long time Caribou Gun Club member and owner of some fine British Labs was one of these and he and his Lab Duke nearly pulled off the upset as they finished in the Runner-up position. Dayton and Belle would finish just behind these two while Mike Peterson rode Daisy to the Amateur victory. Once again, Peterson needed Daisy to bail him out, this time making a retrieve that required her to cross a road and a plowed field in search of the bird that was gently tickled by Peterson. Dayton, having witnessed this type of heroics by Daisy in the past, stood open mouthed at his Suburban and wondered if she would ever tire of saving Peterson. His third place finish was enough to allow him and Belle to hold onto their Series Points lead and capture the year’s Amateur Flusher Championship title. Peterson (Daisy) finished Runner-up while Stickler and Lefty ended up third.
Not to be outdone, the Top Gun Amateur Pointer Event saw many new faces and respectable entries on Saturday, too. Corey Thorp got things underway with his GSP, Jack and they put together a fine score that was high enough to earn them the third place spot. Keith Hass, who has had an awfully impressive rookie campaign this year, brought his good friend Trevor Heins’ EP, Jetta to the field and turned the day’s second highest score in this event for the Runner-up placement. The day’s Championship would be garnered by Wolfie Smith and Tobie, his exceptional Wirehaired Griff. These two have spent countless hours honing the skills that they would utilize to capture this Event. On the third bird, Smith’s gun jammed after the shot. Tobie made the retrieve then stood stoic for some time as he watched Smith fix the jam in his Ithaca pump. The problem solved, Smith released Tobie and a short time later, pointed their fourth bird which was swiftly dropped and retrieved back to the waiting hand of Smith. It was an excellent display of field work and patience and their efforts were justly rewarded with the Championship.
Tim Kruse and his Lab Jet Jr. partnered with proven competitor, Shannon Brown to capture the Double Flusher Main Event. These two, Kruse and Jet, secured the Flusher Dog of the Year Championship with their victory. They faced a strong field of competitors that included Max Wroten (Baxter), Shannon Brown (Hunter), Keith Hass (Major) and Trevor Heins (Ruby). Wroten (Baxter) would pair with Roger Haglund to take the Runner-up position and Luke Welch to bring home third in this Event.
On Sunday, the competitor’s were greeted by beaming sunshine and warmer temperatures in which to conduct the Top Gun Main Event Run-offs. Shannon Brown and his well trained Lab Hunter had the hole shot in the Flusher Division and they put up a respectable score that would eventually land them in the top four. Hass and Major were next and got off to a quick start bagging the first bird in just under a minute. This high powered Lab put all of the birds in the air but Hass was unable to get them all bagged and ran full time. Wroten and Baxter were next and they too got things underway in fast order with a bird bagged in ninety-seven seconds. When time was called their score would be 5,665 and they would be the new leaders. Trevor Heins and Ruby followed them and they too produced a score of 5,665. Yet they had bagged their first bird thirty-eight seconds quicker than Max and Baxter; thus, they now held the lead. Several others took their shots and came up short of Heins and Ruby until finally, Wroten and Baxter took the overall lead and Championship with a score of 5,776. It was pretty impressive and reflective of the field consistency to see a tie for the Runner-up spot (5,665) and the eventual fourth place finisher (Brown/Hunter) just seventeen seconds behind these two at 5,648.
The Top Gun Pointer Main Event was equally exciting and close as members battled for the day’s top placement. Steeno and Mondtal went out first and posted a respectable score of 5,352 in the prairie grass field located on the clubs southwest perimeter. Brad O’Connell and his English Setter Sonny went next and were riding high after their fine showing at Whispering Emerald Ridge in Menomonie the previous weekend.
This twosome raised the bar even higher with a score of 5,674 and would head back to the club rightfully confident. Eventual Series Point Champion, Randy Strelow and Joker went next but could do no better than a 4,200. Strelow, ever the self critic provided the commentary for those that wanted to hear it, explaining how he again had let Joker down by pulling him off of the “money bird”.
Ross Kroells then took his GWP, Rosie out and posted a score of 5,668, just eight seconds behind O’Connell and Sunny’s earlier entry. Several others failed to post any real threatening scores as conditions seemed to sour in the middle of the day. That was until Steeno took out Kleinen, his seasoned female GWP and posted the day’s best TGME score of 5,788. O’Connell (Sunny) and Kroells (Rosie) slipped back to second and third respectively.
This concluded what has been an overwhelmingly successful first season of competition for the Midwest Upland Gundog Series. Not only did we crown the weekend’s Champions but we awarded over $6,000 in cash and prizes to our Series High Point competitors in each respective Event. I could not have imagined the year going better than it did and have many to thank for the wonderful experience we shared the past few months.
Thanks to all of those that chose to take time away from others to be with us. Whether you set, scored, marshaled, competed or watched, your participation is appreciated and valued. To the host clubs and their members and staff – thanks for allowing us the opportunity to share your property and amenities, without your support and effort none of this would have been possible. To our sponsors and suppliers, you made all of this possible and worthwhile – we pledge our support and patronage.
It is my hope that you’ll continue to rely on us for consistent competitions that afford you equal opportunity to showcase yours and your dog’s abilities as you compete in the grand sport of upland hunting. I congratulate all of you who participated and found enjoyment afield with your companion. There are many platforms of which you are able to compete; I am genuinely grateful that you chose M.U.G.S. and hopeful that you enjoyed the experience as much as I have.
As always, I wish you my best and look forward to seeing you again. Listed below are the Training Dates with Sonny Pieakarz, The M.U.G.S. Open Championship and 2008 –‘09 Season. It is not all inclusive but very close; I hope that you are able to attend some, if not all.
Good hunting and good times,
Dave Northamer
Midwest Upland Gundog Series - "The Sportsman's Choice"
952.836.8254
daven@uplandgundogseries.com
2008 - 2009 Official Competition Schedule
May 3 - 4, 2008
M.U.G.S. Open Championship (Top Gun Main Event Flusher and Pointer only)
Caribou Gun Club
Le Sueur, MN 56058
Non-point, cash Payback competition $200 entry ½ or $100 goes into the pot, limit to two dogs/competitor/Division
May 17 - 18, 2008
Training Day with Sonny Piekarz
Caribou Gun Club
Le Sueur, MN 56058
Non-competition event that is exclusively available to M.U.G.S. members
September 20 - 21, 2008
Ol' Fall Classic
Caribou Gun Club
Le Sueur, MN 56058
Points, cash payback and trophy competition
All Events (Top Gun Main Event, Amateur Event, Puppy Event and Masters Event)
November 23, 2008
Minnesota Open
Caribou Gun Club
Le Sueur, MN 56058
Points, cash payback and trophy competition
All Events (Top Gun Main Event, Amateur Event, Puppy Event and Masters Event)
December 6 - 7, 2008
Wisconsin Open (Pro/Pro & Am/Am)
CoyLand Creek Game Preserve
Frederick, WI 54837
Points, cash payback and trophy competition
Team Event for both "PROS" and "AMS"
Each team will consist of two people and two dogs. Each competitor will conduct a Top Gun entry with their dog and their partner's dog (4 Top Gun entries) and they will also have a Double's entry with one of these dogs (pre-determined). The highest total combined score in each Division for these four entries will be declared the winner. Each Event (Top Gun/Doubles) will have a Champion as well so that all entries will matter.
January 17 - 18, 2009
Chukar Classic
Caribou Gun Club
Le Sueur, MN 56058
Points, cash payback and trophy competition
All Events (Top Gun Main Event, Amateur Event, Puppy Event and Masters Event)
February 8, 2009
The Jewel
Whispering Emerald Ridge Game Farm
Menomonie, WI 54751
Points, cash payback and trophy competition
All Events (Top Gun Main Event, Amateur Event, Puppy Event and Masters Event)
February 21 - 22, 2009
Voss Cup
Caribou Gun Club Le Sueur, MN 56058
Non-point Match Play format, cash and trophy competition
March 8, 2009
Riot on the Ridge
Pheasant Ridge Game Farm Ogilvie, MN 56358
Points, cash payback and trophy competition
All Events (Top Gun Main Event, Amateur Event, Puppy Event and Masters Event)
March 21 - 22, 2009
Midwest Upland Gundog Series Championship
Caribou Gun Club
Le Sueur, MN 56058
Points, cash payback and trophy competition
All Events (Top Gun Main Event, Amateur Event, Puppy Event and Masters Event)
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