Akc hunt tests poll

[Pat Puwal]

We will continue to participate in weekend Master tests whether there is a Master National or not. Been there done that for Master National. Our old male had 35 master passes and we ran him in 3-4 nationals and completed one. These days with almost 700 dogs, it is way too crowded.

[Pam Spears]

Without changing anything, you can already say "this dog has earned XX master passes" if you feel the need to quantify their performance. Saying "xx passes in yy years" might be even more indicative of talent.

I will continue to run in local tests once we earn our MH titles, but I probably won't travel as much.

[John Robinson]

I think Bubba's point, less the slam on some Connecticut guy, is for the most part the same as most of the posters who answered the poll with Yes. That is, that once we reach a certain level, Master Hunter for example, the main reason we continue to run, either regular weekend hunt test, or the National in Bubba's case, is the fun people we meet and the relationships we develop. That is one of the things I like about weekend field trials and when geographically feasable, the once a year Golden Specialty.

John

[paul young]

I run the weekend tests mainly because I like spending time with my people but more than anything to qualify to run the MN. Here's the deal- Alabama was one of the 3 states that I haven't actually spent time in and I wanted to correct that deficiency. The other thing is that if I had stayed home (Halley was too young to qualify and Lilly was too old and deaf) I wouldn't have gotten to see Frank Prendergast, Angie Becker, Mike and Sandy Berube, Trish Jagoda, Jerry Day, Ed & Jane Sullivan, Bruce Halverson and Lisa Demko, Jace and denise Tremontin Alan and Kathy Luthy, Judy Teskey, Dan and Missy Heard, John and Karen Blackbird, Missy Lemoi (Marley's trainer), Dave and Marty KressBuck Shope, Mary Rose ( I got a great new Mary Rose story- buy me some hootch and I'll spill) Jerry & Judy Drum, Pat DeNardo, Randy Ayers, Debra Zeigler, Jackie Thibodeaux (Ed was MIA), Ronnie Lee, Jack Combs, Fay Norwood, Ray Shanks, Dan Kielty, Jack and Cheri Noble, Becky Malphus , Jeff Chestnut, Sam and Jeannie Ferguson, Allan Dillard, Sallie Sullivan ( I'm still working on getting her to adopt me), Aurelia Carter (Sallies DD), Steve Durrance, Eddie adn Alice Rodriguez, Alice Xander, Lyle and Debbie Steinman, Jimmie and Tracy Hughes, Katie and Tom Quarles, Mike O'Bannon, DuWayne Bickle, Jean Fowler, Drew Neubauer, Don Wildes, Gloria Mundell, Laura Judd, Keith Hartley, Chuck Beckman, Larry and Kathy Kimble, Jill Volsch, Fred and Gloria Nusbickel, Misty and Marissa Mello (Marissa is AMAZING!!!) Paul and Dee Lance, John Weller, Randy Price, Tom Dorrah, Steve Raney, Tracy Davis, Carol Reed, Barry Smith, Bill and Pattie Cox, Janet Peters and Ron Saul, Sean Hager and Renee Adsit (Tammie too!!) Don and Saundra Aker, Ed Wojo......ski, Janet Wood and her boy toy Larry, Randall and John Gerbino, Warren Price, Elaine Goodner, Don and Dora Heffelfinger (absolutely the most entertaining couple EVER), Kathy Folsom, Brian Hartfield and Sue too, Frank Durham and Terry Stevens, Dennis Greer, Melissa Sisson, Tim and Pattie Doane, Carolyn and Joe Reinhart, Kevin and Pam Bunnell, Ida Richards (She brought Miss Emma!!).
Didn't sse the whiny little guy from Connecticut though- apparently he would rather stay home and snivel.

Had a GREAT time and if the creek don't rise I'll see most of them and a bunch of new folks in Kansas.

It ain't about titles and breeding- folks it's about US and at the end of the day that's all we got.

Cherished memories regards

Bubba

The "WHINY LITTLE GUY"-(thanks for the laugher!!!!) Don't think anyone has ever called me little before. You, however, may be "small". I don't need to whine, either. Not with the caliber of dogs i've been blessed with.

I prefer to spend my time in the fall salmon fishing, hunting, and judging dogs so that you guys can do your thing together. -Paul

[Kevinismybrother]

Voted yes - but certainly not as many as planned this year trying to qualify. Probably judge more just to see friends.

[new england retrievers]

Bubba..how drunk do I have to get you for info! Lol

[Bubba]

Not to worry- I;m a cheap date

Welcome aboard- keep an eye on that girl- she ain't right. Missed ya this year Paul. Alabama was good fun. Only drawback is that them folks fry EVERYTHING!!! I was afraid to cough for 2 dern weeks.

Ask her about Marissa regards

Bubba

[tracyw]

I answered the poll incorrectly (NO) but don't know how to remove my vote. It should be "YES"... I will get a Master title on each of my dogs with or without the Master National. I might run an additional test or two to see friends but would not run the 6 extra each year just for fun! I still think that the required 6 master tests each year is too many to re-qualify (4 should be plenty). With the new 60 limit that most clubs are jumping on; it is really limiting the clubs that are close by. Hard to enter that far out when you have a young dog and an unknown heat cycle. I hate to scratch and to pay a vet to tell a club she is in heat. (Entering hunt tests 3 - 4 months ahead of the test is not good for me...I don't plan that far ahead!)

[mostlygold]

I have never had an interest in the Grand, Nahra Invitational or the MN. I enjoy training my dog and the challenge of getting titles in multiple venues (including obedience, agility and tracking). Just from a practical standpoint, I can run 8-10 weekend HT for what it would cost me to go to a National event.

Dawn

[new england retrievers]

This is the girl...lol may I ask who this is!
About pauls question. Until someone has run a national I dont think they can really reply. The memories, both bad and good, are ones i would do all over again.