Arkansas Sportsman

Nation's top bird dogs coming to Camp Robinson

The world's finest bird dogs will be in action at the United States Shooting Dog Invitational Championship on Feb. 14-16 at the Camp Robinson Demonstration Area.

This is the most prestigious and exclusive field trial in the country, according to Johnny Taylor of Little Rock. Only the top 12 bird dogs are invited based off their points from 2014. Among the handlers whose dogs will be in the event will be George Tracy and Mike Tracy of Glenville, Pa. They have won 22 of the last 24 top Purina handler-of-the-year awards, Taylor said. He and his wife Joyce host the event on behalf of the Arkansas Amateur Field Trial Association. The AMFTA is the primary user group at Camp Robinson, Taylor said.

"This is the only trial they come to west of the Mississippi," Taylor said. "This is the only opportunity that people might have to see them and their dogs."

The dogs will run for one hour on Feb. 14 and one hour the next day, Taylor said. The top four dogs will run 90 minutes in the final round Feb. 16. One hour doesn't sound like much, but Taylor said it's a more rigorous format than that used in other major field trials.

"In the national championship, the dogs run for three hours for one day only," Taylor said. "In this event, there's a residual effect that builds up over the course of three days. Many people think this format is more difficult than running one time for three hours."

Although quail hunting is a fading tradition in Arkansas, Taylor said it's significant that we host such a prestigious event.

"I'm approaching 74 years old, and I can look anyone in the eye and say I'm proud of being an Arkansan," Taylor said. "It's important to be No. 1 in anything, and the U.S. Championship is regarded by most people in the field trial world as being the No. 1 shooting dog event in the country."

This might be the last time the event is held in Arkansas. The tornado that hit Faulkner County last April destroyed the clubhouse and other structures that were vital to events like this. Also, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is de-emphasizing field trials and dog training as priority uses for Camp Robinson.

"This was once the top field trial venue in the nation, but that has changed," Taylor said. "We may have to move it out of state. There's a private landowner in Mississippi that has let us know we're welcome."

For information on the U.S. Championship, visit usshootingdog.com, or visit U.S. Shooting Dog Invitational Championship on Facebook. Taylor can also be contacted at jtsg44@sbcglobal.net.

Turkey championship

Not only does Stuttgart host the World's Championship Duck Calling Contest, but also the World Championship Turkey Calling Contest.

It will be held Feb. 27-28 at Mack's Prairie Wings and will be hosted by the Arkansas chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

The event will have several contests, including the World Open and Locator, Friction Intermediate and Junior, the Arkansas Friction and the Arkansas State contest. The Arkansas State contest will be held Feb. 27 in the afternoon, followed by a National Wild Turkey Federation banquet. New contests this year will honor owl calling and gobbling.

The World Championship will begin 8 a.m. Feb. 28.

For more information, contact Jim Wells at (870) 853-6077 or e-mail jimw71646@yahoo.com, or call Mack's Prairie Wings at (870) 673-6960.

Anglers fined

BASS levied fines Thursday against Ishama Monroe and Cliff Poche for unsportsmanlike conduct for an altercation between the two that occurred last week during a Bassmaster Open tournament on Lake Tohopekaliga, Fla.

BASS fined Monroe $500 and Poche $250. Both were suspended from participating in Bassmaster Opens in the Southern Division for the rest of 2015.

According to published news reports, the incident started when Poche's boat collided with Monroe's boat in a lock. An argument ensued, then escalated when Monroe tried to board Poche's boat. Monroe and Poche grappled briefly, and both anglers fell into the water.

Both were disqualified from the tournament and Monroe was arrested and charged with battery.

"While conflicts occur frequently in other sports, we hold bass fishing professionals to a higher standard, particularly when the safety of participants is involved,"BASS CEO Bruce Akin said Thursday in a news release. "The penalties imposed under the Angler Code of Conduct agreement are appropriate and fitting in these circumstances."

Sports on 02/01/2015

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