Historic changes and a consolidated group effort led to The Grand National Grouse Championship’s inception in 1943. It was declared when first bred and born that the goal would be 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 would provide an equal number of directors and the location of the championship was to rotate annually. Though each region is unique, in common they all must 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.
Some 500+ miles west of what has historically been the Great Lakes Region’s trial grounds in Meredith Michigan, surrounded by fields of alfalfa and corn, brindled with red barns and Holsteins, stands the Eau Claire County Forest. A bit of a hidden jewel in many ways. Located in west central Wisconsin, it’s south of what’s considered to be the “big woods” and known by many as deer country more than traditional grouse cover. It’s a total of 52,000 acres whose devotion is made up of multiple uses including public recreation, wildlife habitat development and timber production. All of which are the makings for what has come to be considered one of the finest cover dog venues in the sport. The Chippewa Valley Grouse Dog Association calls a portion of it home and began holding grouse and woodcock trials here in 1968. The courses themselves are 56 years’ worth of foot worn paths across scrub oak flats, along aspen cut ridges, over hazel, and through thickets of alder, lining the North Fork of the Eau Claire River. They have all seen their share of changes over time, but the group’s mission has remained the same, “To promote and improve the breeding, training, and hunting of pointing dogs, more specifically for ruffed grouse and woodcock”.
The word Grand by definition means, “impressive in size”. A fitting name for the Championship. This year it will expand its footprint westward and grow to even grander proportions. 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 two states within region 19 are working in union to provide a lasting and memorable experience for all those involved over the week-long event. The Chippewa Valley Grouse Dog Association, Minnesota Grouse Dog Association, and Moose River Grouse Dog Club are no strangers to hosting grouse and woodcock trials and championships. They’ve 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 handlers. The three clubs have also grown accustomed to combining efforts when it comes to the organization and execution of these trials. Challenges faced can be attributed to fickle climate as mother nature proves quite temperamental in these parts. But also due to the overwhelming amount of coordination and backbreaking work it takes to pull something like this off. As is with most if not all field trial organizations, it’s the generosity and sacrifice of the participants, volunteers and their families which provides the much-needed strength and support.
It’s been said that a cord of three strands is not easily broken. In 1943, three regions worked together to form and ultimately uphold what has become the Grand National Grouse Championship. In 2024, it will be a product of three dedicated clubs working collectively with one goal in mind. To promote, perpetuate and preserve the traditions we’ve come to love and pursue. Pointing dogs and king of all the game birds, the ruffed grouse. The opportunity to host this event 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 their hard work and effort towards. For others it will be their first opportunity to lend a hand. For all, it will be a part of history. The intention is not to meet expectations, but to exceed them while honoring a tradition that is so aptly name, “The Grand”.
The Weeks Events include:
- Grand National Grouse Futurity
- Purina Awards Banquet
- Grand National Grouse Championship
- Members Meeting
- Directors Meeting
Jeremy Moore
Owner Boone Hunter
Contributing Writer - Gun Dog Magazine
“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 (taken from “Field Trials; History, Management and Judging Standards”)
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