I love to hear from all the shooting boys and sometimes girls about the highs and lows of wildfowling, pheasant, pigeon or rabbit shooting and or deer stalking and even tracking. Very few ever put pen to paper. I have found wildfowlers in particular are a very quiet introverted species of man, but once you take the lid off Pandora’s box they open up on this or that shooting trip, with it being difficult at times to get the lid back on. So in love with every part of their sport, especially that which includes their dogs. No true wildfowler would go out without at least one good dog. How many times these boys tell me of amazing retrieves. Just take a look at the long retrieve on the BASC website.
After much arm twisting I was delighted to receive an email from Jason Hayes, a truly dedicated wildfowler from the east coast: “Reflecting on an amazing wildfowling season, shooting in some harsh and testing conditions with fast flowing tides on the Humber estuary, the Wash, and all around the Norfolk coast chasing pink footed geese and decoying the Kent tidal marshes for ducks.
“All of this is only made possible by my awesome team of Chesapeake Bay retrievers – Tide, Timber, Floki and Torvi. These dogs love doing what they were bred for, working in and out of icy waters, retrieving ducks and geese with drive and determination. They are not affected by the temperatures on the coldest days, they just keep working. The perfect wildfowling companions!
“We have completed over seventy wildfowling days so far this season, along with some days pigeon and pheasant shooting and they all love it as much as I do. I couldn’t imagine my shooting life without this superb breed to enjoy it with.”
You might read this and think Jason obviously loves and admires his Chesapeakes, you would not be wrong in thinking he is 100% work minded and never dreams to show any of his dogs. Thankfully his wife Julie is the other side of the coin, not keen on the working side but enjoys to show. Between them they have produced several very nice dogs, strong, athletic keen workers with excellent conformation. Only attending a few shows last year Julie showed Floki – Tideflight Floki winning his third CC at Darlington, a true dual-purpose dog.
With all the glitz, glamour and sequins of the AKC Westminster Show just eight Chesapeakes competed. You do not qualify and enter Westminster as you do for Crufts. You qualify be being a prominent winner, the AKC then may invite you to compete. No invite no show. Not everyone invited will take up the offer, then it is a lottery to fill spaces. For all sorts of reasons some did not compete, one reason which has caused problems is airlines no fly policy. The Chesapeake judge was Mr Richard Powell. BOB going to Cota-MBIS NBISS MBISS GCHG Next Generations Accelerate, owned by Melissa Schumann, Adam Levy, Dana Bleifer DVM, Dr Kathrine Scribner and Dr Trevor Gerardi Miller DC. Bred by Adam Levy, handled by Devon Kipp Levy, Cota then gained a very respectable 2nd in the Sporting Group under judge Mrs Verginia Murray; BOS CH Bohemia’s Just Keep Swimming, owners Josh, Owen & Maren Nachtigall & William Chrzanowski, owner handled this was the only amateur competing against all the other handlers who were professionals.
Tess Newson judged at URC Open Show awarding BOB to Mrs, Ms & Miss Mahon-Hunns, Middleton & Heskins’ Susqudilla Bergelle Big Apple (imp USA); RBOB & BOS Mrs & Mr S & Mrs & Mr J Broomfield & Broomfield, Mahon-Hunns & Newton’s Glaneils Don’t Worry Be Happy.
At Dukeries Open Show Liz Lacey judged Susqudilla Bergelle Big Apple (imp USA) was again BOB; RBOB Pont’s SH CH Oakmarsh Dancing Diva VW. This was a repeat placing of Isle of Ely at the beginning of the month.
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com