DU Challenge

[Keith Farmer]

The Okefenokee Ducks Unlimited retriever challenge is still on for March 1st, 2008.

This will be a one day event run very similar to a master hunt test type scenario. There will be two series land and water.

There will be a DU banquet at the conclusion of the events.

There will be junior and senior stakes as well for less advanced teams.

There will be folks on hand to help with problems some may be experiencing with training.

There will be a DU Greenwings promotion as well.

All of the information about the event can be found at:

www.duchallenge.com

This is a family style event set to target young folks and the average hunting team.

With issued hunting licenses drastically down in most every state I believe we should be doing everything we can to get the younger generation involved. This is our local effort to do just that. We have some teams consisting of 15 year old handlers with 1 1/2 year old pups running...

Thanks,

KF

[Keith Farmer]

Less than two weeks until the DU event.

We will be having a clay target competition at the event as well...10.00 per round per shooter. 4.00 of every entry will go back to the winner...the remainder will go to Ducks Unlimited and cover the cost of the clays/shells.

We are having a raffle for three guns. One is this gun (O/U two barrel set) for 20.00 per ticket:

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=15&section=products

Finally, Mike Kennedy is providing fresh saltwater fish for a fry Saturday evening. The food is going to be great!

If anyone is interested in attending come on down...

www.duchallenge.com

[Keith Farmer]

The '08 Okefenokee DU Retriever Challenge was a HUGE success!!

We raised several thousand dollars for habitat projects. We had an unbelievable turnout (hundreds showed up) from local folks as well as those who traveled great distances to see the dogs run. In fact, during the water blinds the entire dike section was lined from one side to the other with spectators!

We sold out of food at lunch and dinner. We had tremendous participation in the skeet shooting event and the junior/senior stakes were a hit with the kids.

We made a specific effort to make sure ALL tests were completely visible for the gallery and folks stayed around for the entire event.

Here is a picture of the winner...Frank Farley (with owner John Summerlin and daughter)who handled "Hunter" to a close victory.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p193/odawgs/DUChallengeWinner0001.jpg


2nd place went to Brad Arrington and "Tank" (Patton's Tank Brigade MH) Brad was handling Tank for the very first time in this event!

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p193/odawgs/TankMay07.jpg


Here is my assistant (Hannah-B) for the event...she worked hard helping me and even ran Zak in the junior stake by herself!

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p193/odawgs/DadandHannah08DUChallenge.jpg

Thanks to all those who participated and helped with the event!