The MN Chapter of NAVHDA ran its 39th Annual Pheasant Championship on June 24th at the Major Avenue Hunt Club near Glencoe, MN. The day began with a cool 56, reaching a high of 64 with sunny skies in the morning giving way to overcast skies and gusty winds by late morning.
The cover in the both fields was about knee-high, but open enough that walking was fairly easy and the dogs could move through it easily and be kept in sight. This year found more standing water in low spots in each field that provided some additional retrieving drama.
The conditions seemed favorable for most dogs to find birds, with 5 finds by 4 teams. Mike and Colton Busse, running Sarge, posted a respectable score of 121 points with 5 birds. Given team Busse’s recent dominance (with Sarge) in the event (1st place in 2014, 1st place in 2015, and 2nd place in 2016), many felt that the Busses were well positioned to win the event. However, in the last brace of the day, Pete Aplikowski and Roger Schmatz, with Ike, bagged 6 birds with 8 shots to edge out Mike and take 1st place. Their performance earned $404.25 in prize money.
Mike and Colton Busse, with Sarge, did manage to hold on to 2nd place, earning $173.25 in prize money.
As is customary, the first 6 places each received a handsome, solid walnut plaque, and teams placing 3rd through 11th made selections from the prize table for their efforts.
At this year’s event, 72 pheasants were released for 11 teams and 42 birds were harvested. This is a 3.8 bird average per team, which is a significant increase over last year when the average was 2.1 birds per team. 2011, with 4.9 birds per team, remains the highwater mark for harvest ratio at our Pheasant Championship on the Major Avenue grounds.
Thanks to all who entered their dogs in our Chapter fund-raiser. We earned a small profit for the chapter with 11 entries. Given the recent robust growth in Chapter membership, we are exploring ways to promote the Pheasant Championship to our newer members.
In addition, thanks are in order to Myra Martin of Major Avenue Hunt Club for allowing us access to these excellent grounds and club house. She offered a delicious lunch of brats, potato salad, beans, chips, and a cold beverage for a nominal fee. This is the 24th consecutive year this contest has been held on these grounds.
Special thanks to all the workers who volunteered their time to make this event possible. A drawing was held for the workers for a $50 Gander Mountain gift card. Chris Buller, who planted birds, was the lucky winner.
Finally, thanks to chapter members who made generous contributions to the prize table.
Scorekeeper/Field Marshall and Driver: Jason McKinzie
| Bird planters: | Wayne Starkson | Judges: | Steve Bany |
| Wolfie Smith | Diane Koetz | ||
| Russ Koetz | Chris Petro | ||
| Chris Buller | Terry Petro |
Results of the Running
| Place | Handler / Partner | Dog | Breed | Age |
| First | Pete Aplikowski / Roger Schmatz | Ike | PP | 4 |
| Second | Mike Busse / Colton Busse | Sarge | GS | 5 |
| Third | Brian Karr / Jacob Goergen | Gauge | VI | 10 |
| Fourth | Bryan Thomas / Ben Adams | Cutter | GS | 8 |
| Fifth | Mike Busse / Colton Busse | Riley | GS | 1 |
| Sixth | Bryce Adams / Ben Adams | Riley | PT | 9 |