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Weather plays a part in Nor-Cal Pheasant Championships

By Bill Mays
WON Field Reporter


Corning - Mother Nature played havoc with dogs and hunters as she blew wind and rain for the second year in a row, causing birds to run and "jump wild" for the flushing dog competition at the 9th Annual Nor-Cal pheasant Championships. The event was hosted by Brad Henman of Clear Creek Sports Club, located between Corning and Red Bluff, and is growing every year with new contestants.

High wind and rain tested the Flushing Dog Division and only hunters and well trained and conditioned dogs came out on top. There were many good dogs in the competition along with 2 returning Champions, 2000 Champion Steve Taylor and partner Jim McClosky, and 2001 Champions Scott Jenkins and partner Ed Houghtby.

The Jenkins and Talyor Teams gave a champion style performance, but you need both skill and luck to win these type competitions. So many times the birds planted in the fields will either jump wild or run out of bounds. Jenkins had 2 birds run out of the field, which cost him a chance to win back-to-back titles. Jenkins well trained black lab "Jet" did everything she could to keep the team in competition by displaying her great retrieving abilities by making a great long range retrieve into the out-of-bounds.

Scott Jenkins didn’t return as the champion this year but " kept things in the family," said Jenkins. The winning 2yr. old lab "Monty" is out of Jenkins kennel and a pup from his dog "Jet." Jenkins brother-in-law George Wilson, partnered up with Bill Carroll to win the competition, Wilson has a pup from " Jet "as well who was very close to winning last year. The team chose to use Carroll’s dog this year and see how it would do in first time competition. Carroll and Wilson won with a score of 5 birds, 6 shots 23.04 min.

2nd place honors went to Bob Bolens and Bob Locey who hunted with a dog that just recovered a few weeks earlier from elbow surgery. Their score was 5 birds, 6 shots, 30 min.

3rd place went to Craig Hill and Jason Brogdon, who also fished 3rd in last years Championship. Craig Hill has one of the biggest black labs I’ve seen quite a while and his name fits him, "Moose."

There was a tie for 4th place with Cliff Zibull and Ryan Zibull, tying David Poole and David Corran with a score of 4 birds, 5 shots, 30 min.

In the pointing division Mother Nature smiled upon them, " what a difference a day makes." They had great spring weather, and good damp fields that held good scent for the dogs.

There were many outstanding dogs in the competition and the title could have went to number of teams had "lady luck" showed up. Even with nice weather the birds still wanted to run out of the fields. No one shot all 6 birds, and it made for an exciting finish knowing the team who could get all 6 birds would win.

The Pointing Division did have a returning champion, Dave Jacobson and Don Weatherbee. They won the contest with a 10 yr, old dog-named "Oly," who defended his title with style and speed. Jacobson and Weatherbee had a score of 5 birds, 5 shots, 14.55 min. Last years time score was 6 birds, 6 shots, in 12 min, an average of 2 min. a bird, and the team has not missed a shot in 2 yrs.

Finishes in the pointing division were 2nd place Jeff Baily and Derrek Baily, 3rd place went to James Moore and 4th place Scott Dukes.

This fast growing competition is great fun for hunters and dogs and many gun clubs are using this to close out their season. If you would like to get more information, you can contact Brad Henman at 530-343-3364 or 530-520-9464 or get on the mailing list at 5714 Anita Rd. Chico, CA 95973.


Nor-Cal 2002 Caption #1—Winners— of Flushing Dog Division of the 2002 Nor-Cal Pheasant Championships is left Bill Carroll and partner George Wilson. This was Carroll’s 2 yr old yellow lab "Monty" his first competition, so look out next year!

Nor-Cal 2002 Caption #2—Returning Champion— Dave Jacobson receives the 1st place trophy in the Pointing Dog Div. of the 2002 Nor-Cal Pheasant Championships from host Brad Henman. Jacobson’s german shorthair pointer is 10yrs old and showing he can " still run with the big dogs."

Nor-Cal 2002 Caption #3—On Point—is Scott Dukes Dog Rosie, showing the style that keeps Dukes in the money for the last 2yrs in a row, at the 2002 Nor-Cal Pheasant Championships.

Nor-Cal 2002 Captain #4—On Target—is Henman helping out Scot Dukes as his shooter at the 2002 Nor-Cal Pheasant Championships. You have to be a good shot as well as having good dogs for this type competition.

Nor-Cal 2002 Caption—Setting the Mark—Is Scott Jenkins with his black lab "Jet." Jenkins shows the work and training it takes to be a Nor-Cal Pheasant Champion. Jet is the 2001 Flushing Dog Champion, but lost her crown this year to "Monty" one of her pups.