When I started writing this column, I felt like I had a pretty good idea of how it would unfold. This was my year, my chance to share and show the value and importance of honoring history and tradition as it relates to training and hunting with our dogs. “You do things the old way” is an accusation I’ve worn so long; I started believing it myself. However, I might not be quite as traditional as I was originally led to believe. In fact, I’m guilty of being personally involved in modern day “change” to historically traditional events. I now realize that for various reasons, traditions unavoidably evolve, and no matter how stubborn I want to be, historical change is often for the better.
This turned into a history project, and my questions led me to a man named Dave Fletcher, who provided me with the resources to better understand the past. At the age of 90, he generously shared with me his 60+ years of experience in what became both a passion and profession. The images and many of the specific details I came across are directly from the official reports from the most prestigious cover dog events of their time. Mr. Fletcher helped me realize just how valuable keeping sound, accurate records can be to the field trialing community—past, present, and maybe most importantly, for the future.
The first bird dog field trial in the United States was held in 1874 near Memphis, Tennessee, and over the last 150 years they’ve seen continuous transformation. My interest lies in the cover dogs, those that showcase themselves in the woods to judges. They’re the only group who, since inception and still today, run solely on wild birds. The first American grouse trial took place in 1913 at Indian Creek, Pennsylvania. Entries grew in ensuing years, and momentum gained as the trial location moved throughout Pennsylvania. It later took on the name of, “The National Grouse Championship,” and for decades was touted as the most prestigious Cover Dog event.
Cover dog field trials have a long and beautiful history. The National Grouse Championship in Pennsylvania At the same time, grouse dog clubs in other areas of the country continued to form and grow their own trial bases. Some were elevated to Championship status in both Michigan and the New England states.
In 1927, the “New England Bird Dog Championship” formed; that same year, Michigan held the “All American Grouse Championship.” Field trialers share a level of pridefulness, and these clubs of younger vintage continued to unsuccessfully challenge Pennsylvania for accepted notoriety. Another attempt by the Michigan group was made in 1940 when they held what they called the “United States Grouse Championship,” but the National Grouse Championship, which was held perennially in Pennsylvania, remained on top as both the eldest and most renowned.
Pennsylvania may have worn the crown, but they were also plagued by controversy and cited for wearing a veil of contempt and bias. In all the years, not one pointer had been named National Grouse Champion, and never had anyone from outside of Pennsylvania won the event. In 1942, the Pennsylvania Club National Grouse Championship was run by a man named Edgar Mckean. A rival from another popular Pennsylvania trial named Sam Light solicited the group to expand their board to 10 members made up of five from Pennsylvania, three from Michigan, and two from New England. When the proposal was rejected, Light did not take the news lightly. Sam took action.
The Grand National Grouse Championship was a proud event for the areas that hosted it. The Cleveland Conference and The Grand National Grouse Championship In 1943, The American Field published an in-depth featured article unpacking the organizational efforts of what ultimately came to be known as, “The Grand National Grouse Championship .” It included the full meeting minutes taken by H.J Boulton, Secretary Pro Tem. The article led off with this:
“At a truly remarkable session held in the Hotel Statler at Cleveland O., on Saturday, August 21, the Grand National Grouse Championship Club, Inc., was formally launched... That August 21 meeting will go down as a bright page in grouse dog annals. Sam R. Light of Punxsutawney, PA., provided the inspiration and genius for the organization meeting, abetted by John M. Hadaway of Flint, MI and leading personalities in the New England area, as well as other superb sportsmen in the Pennsylvania and Michigan regions, not to forget about neighboring states. ”
Many of those in attendance had never met in person, though few, if any, were not known to the others by reputations. They were some of the most influential participants and supporters of grouse trials in the country. A group who collectively changed the direction of Cover Dog Field Trialing forever. Like so much of history, the story you hear or read depends heavily on the source. It may never be known, all the exact reasons why that group of men gathered August 21, 1943, but by all accounts, the end results were unanimous.
“There were 33 men present, and, to my way of thinking, it was one of the most remarkable gatherings—if not the most remarkable—that it has been my privilege to attend. I was amazed that 33 men, many of them from distant points, could be gotten together in the midst of a great war in the middle of August on a matter of this kind, and without question it was the most earnest and best-behaved group of men that I have ever sat in with for an extended conference. ” -Lee White, Chairman of the Cleveland Meeting.
Historic change and a consolidated group effort led to The Grand National Grouse Championship’s inception. “The Grand,” as it’s often referred to, declared when first bred and born that the goal was to advocate for a true national championship, free from regional influence and bias. From those intentions came three representative groups to be known as the Great Lakes, Mid Atlantic, and Northeast regions. Each region provided an equal number of directors, and the location of the championship was rotated annually. Though each region is unique, in common they all had to have choice habitat, fitting numbers of ruffed grouse, and be able to amass and determine true championship quality, wild bird dogs. For more than 80 years, that vision and those traditions have been held true to form.
The Grand National Grouse Championship of Today The three regions were formed (Great Lakes, Mid Atlantic, and Northeast regions) to uphold what has become the Grand National Grouse Championship. The founding group recognized that breaking tradition is worth the risk if it meant betterment of the sport. The current group recognizes that changes to tradition today can still be worthwhile if it means growing involvement and inclusion.
This November, after years of discussion, it expands the footprint westward, growing to even grander proportions by running on Wisconsin soil for the first time in its 81-year history. It will be hosted under unique circumstances: Three independent grouse dog clubs from Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Chippewa Valley Grouse Dog Association, Minnesota Grouse Dog Association, and Moose River Grouse Dog Club, are working in unison to provide a lasting and memorable experience for all those involved in the week-long event.
No strangers to hosting grouse and woodcock trials and championships, the groups have long been known for whittling some of the most abundant, arduous, and well-thought-out courses that test and challenge even the most ambitious, experienced bird finders and their handlers. The three clubs have also grown accustomed to combining efforts when it comes to the organization and execution of these trials.
“Grouse trials are distinctive events. The ruffed grouse is a truly remarkable game bird, praised to the skies by all familiar with its exquisite sporting qualities. Grouse dog enthusiasts bow to none in the thrills they take from their exciting, colorful bird dog competitions...the Grand National Grouse Championship is rated the premier event in the realm of ruffed grouse trials. ” -William F. Brown (Field Trials; History, Management and Judging Standards)
The opportunity to host this event in my home state, and west of the Great Lakes for the first time, is both an honor and a privilege. For some members, it’s something they have long dedicated years of hard work and effort towards. For others, like me, it will be an opportunity to lend a hand. I’ve been given the chance to serve as reporter, a responsibility I now understand much clearer the importance of. For all of us, it will be a part of history, and the intention is not to meet expectations, but to exceed them, while honoring a tradition that is so aptly named “Grand.”
