I can think of few who would be as well qualified as Chris Atkinson to represent American sportsmen overseas. Not only is Chris a tireless worker and, in many ways, an un-sung hero of the gundog fraternity in the US through RTF and other gundog events, but he is also one of your country's leading duck-callers, indeed a recent member of the judging panel in your National Championships.
What I admire most about Chris Atkinson is his sense of fair play and his ability to defuse a situation in a firm, yet dignified manner. He is someone who can put a viewpoint across without being overbearing while at the same time, speaking from knowledgable perspective.
For all these reasons and for more, I have invited and Chris has accepted my invitation to travel to the National Countrysports Fair in Northern Ireland at the end of May 2007. This game fair is the largest in Ireland and we had the pleasure of hosting a successful US Retriever team in 2004. Chris will be a worthy American follow-on and I know his attendance will be appreciated and his contribution to the event thoroughly enjoyed.
I feel sure that all on RTF will want to wish Chris success for his trip as he comes here to demonstrate to us Irish sportsmen the art-form that US style duck-calling undoubtedly is. Impart information on US gundog training methods as he talks to Irish handlers at the seminars he will speak at during his trip and, as he surely will, dispell some of the myths and misconceptions that exist out there in retriever world!
Chris is freely giving up his time and we are grateful to him for that. Be assured that he will be looked after heartily this side of the Atlantic.
It would be nice to see the many friends of Chris offer their best wishes through RTF as once again, new ground is broken in the world of country sports (hunting) through this medium.
The website of the game fair is www.gamefairireland.com Shortly a page will be added to advise game fair visitors about Chris' visit and their opportunity for meeing with him.
I'll post more information here over the next few weeks.
Have a great time over on the "old sod" Chris -- an obviously worthy choice to represent all of us from this side of the pond -- hope you have a pint of Guiness or two for all your fellow RTFers while in Ireland
Chris, is entering the duck calling competition!!!. How cool, is that!!!!!!!!!!
A group of friends were over for dinner, a couple of nights ago. They were all asking how the great Australian labradors would be compare to the great multiple US dogs. Long suffering quickly replied " stupid question, not the same competition, unless we compete against them, no way of knowing."
Chris, good luck have a great time. I am sure your hosts will be wonderful.
The world is getting smaller, thanks in part to the RTF.
I really appreciate the kind words. I have spoken at length with Marty Newport about his experiences and I have no doubt that this will be a great opportunity. I intend to make the most of it...hopefully I'll bring a little value somewhere.
Ironically, when my son and I competed at the Mississippi Valley Calling Contests last weekend, we ran into Marty Simpson and Stephen Bell of the Stuttgart, AR Chamber (The World Duck Calling Championship Sanctioning body)
I shared with them the news of this upcoming potential trip, and the very real chance that an Irish National Champion delegate may aspire to come to Stuttgart to compete in a future "world's". They were quite open to the idea!
I'm absolutely thrilled by the prospect of meeting Irish sportsmen and sportswomen, shooters, trialers and of course the callers. If this handling thing in the retriever event works out, and I hope it will, I'll have to "forget" some of my traditional American handling stuff, in order to talk the talk with an Irish retriever.
We got Chris' web page posted on the game fair website. He's "on the road" at present and may not have had the opportunity of seeing it yet so I hope he approves.
Word of his visit is already hitting the streets here and I have had my first media call regarding the trip.
I will send you a detailed email right now....gotta type fast before a dinner meeting!
I'm really looking forward to this whole deal.
Brother Nate, Sadly, the Bus-Turd will remain in Mt. Zion. But, Brother Bill will likely hook me up, so it sounds, with an Intermediate - Finished level Irish gundog for some training and familiarization prior to the competitions. Or at least that's an option that we're considering.
I really appreciate all of you guys! Thanks for making RTF what it is!
Chris, #1 Grand daughter told me I would be a great babysitter for 5 year olds. She told me this after I had a slight accident when I took a little too big drink of water.
When I asked her what she meant she said "Just take a big drink of green Cool-Aid and let it run out of your nose! Kids would love it."
It is not essential that Mr Atkinson drinks green beer, Guinness or whiskey when he visits here. Well, not the green beer anyway!
In fact, I will give a solemn promise as his host that I will encourage all who meet him to forgo buying him intoxicating liquor that may hinder his duck-calling skills.
That's not to say he can't buy us the aforementioned falling down liquid!
As the guys who were with us from the US in 2004 will know, the hospitality here is second to none and Chris will be well looked after. We may have to pay export taxes to get him out again but his liver will be all the better for it.
OK Folks, ya'll are all invited to Mr. Dempsy's (remember Horrible Chewing tobacco, don't try it) for an all night coyote hunt.
Well ya really don't hunt them, just turn the dogs loose and let them chase them around while everyone drinks and tells lies. Bout like a **** hunt without having to walk in the dark, spooky, scary woods at night.
Mr. Dempsy charges $5/dog so if you don't bring a dog, I guess it's free unless you want to stay in his HUGE bus that he's built bunks in.
Sounds like a LOT more fun to me than puking in your shoes while waiting to blow a Duck Call in front of a curtain, while the Judges hide behind it.
In fact, I will give a solemn promise as his host that I will encourage all who meet him to forgo buying him intoxicating liquor that may hinder his duck-calling skills.
I've heard his calling gets better when in drinks?????????
And, Chris A. that website, WOW! Kirby & I had no idea we were being judged by such greatness. Maybe if we would have realized, Kirbs wouldn't have barrelled over everyone on the way to the line, kicking over buckets in his wake.... :lol: (Well, it could happen).
Does this mean you are going to buy a new skirt for the occaision?
Go Get 'em regards
Bubba
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