WGAA dogs - trained to succeed – Duck Opening 2013

All across the state of Victoria in the early hours of Saturday 16^th March WGAA members were to be found wading into dark swamps, their dogs at the ready, waiting for duck season 2013 to commence. The following pics have been sent in by members and reflect what was generally a great opening.

Despite the dry weather many areas were holding plentiful ducks and the time, effort and expense put in by members in training their gundog was rewarded many times over by that magic moment when ‘Rover’ performed the perfect retrieve!

The following slide show of members, their dogs and ducks harvested at the opening captures some of the tradition and significance of this important field sport.

Please click HERE and wait for the slideshow to load.

WGAA dogs tune up for Duck Opening

The traditional WGAA Duck Opening Water Practice Day, held on the weekend before duck opening, once again proved a popular event for tuning up before the big day. 50 people and 30 dogs enjoyed the great weather and the opportunity to give their dogs some training over a variety of runs, either challenging or straightforward on both land and water.

L’Epagnuel  Bretons, German Shorthairs, Labradors, Viszlas, German Wirehairs, Springers and Pointers  all eagerly took part. Responsible, sustainable hunting requires that all shot game be retrieved and the handlers in attendance were making certain that their gundogs were ready to fulfil this requirement.

Click HERE and wait for the slideshow to load to see more photos.

Retrieving Trial

The club's next retrieving trial will be held on Sunday 28th April, Intermediate and Advanced stakes.  Details to be announced.

FOR SALE - English Springer Spaniel Pup

English Springer Spaniel Bitch

12 weeks old, liver & white.

Fully vaccinated & micro chipped.

Good working lines.Sire imported from UK.

Contact 0423 183 118

Duck Opening Water Test - Sunday 3rd March

The club will again be running this exciting activity prior to the opening as an invaluable duck season training aid. The venue will be near Bacchus Marsh. This major event kicks off the year and is a great day out with your dogs. For full details contact Kevin on 0407 091 221. New members welcome.

Training Day - February 2013

Our monthly training days recommence on the third Sunday in February - 17th Feb.
Training will continue on the 3rd Sunday of each month at Tullidge Reserve, Melton (Melways ref 337 D10) enter via Collins Rd, Melton and head towards the lake. Training commences at 9am and finishes with a BBQ lunch at around 12 noon. Anyone with a gundog is welcome.
Club member Michael Zandona will be at the Feb training day with dog training equipment to sell, including Camo clothing, hunting vests, bags, whistles etc. Eftpos facility is available, orders can be taken and there is a discount for WGAA members.
Please note - it is a Melton Council requirement that attendees wear their membership name tags.
Please note also that the training day in March is moved to the 4th Sunday, the 24th March, because of the clash with the Duck Season Opening.
For more information contact the Training Officer, Kevin Phelps 0407 091 221.

WGAA (Vic) Retrieving Trial - 30th September 2012

WGAA’s retrieving trials were held on a great property at Nagambie. The property was looking its best, lush and green with plenty of water. Ray Waldron’s help in using this property was much appreciated.

The entry of 55 dogs was certainly a WGAA benchmark.

Well done to all the competitors and congratulations to all the placegetters.

Particular thanks to our three judges – David Blacker, Byron Kendall & Andrew Yeomans, they got the job done and they helped introduce many newcomers to the thrill of retrieving trials.

To the Trial Manager, Barry Kavanagh and to the committee members whose combined efforts ensured that the day was a great success, well done.

To all the helpers stuck on throwers etc a huge thank you on behalf of all competitors.

Onwards and upwards to more and even better retrieving trials in the future - hopefully we can pull off a National later next year.

Results:

Test Stake - 17 entries - Judge David Blacker

1. Peter Attard’s FREEZEPOINT JED LINE ELEY GSP Male
2. Darren Grech’s POINTGOLD LITTLE STEVIE NICKS GSP Female
3. Henry Foster’s FT CH RIPRAP MARKSMAN Pointer Male
4. Kevin Phelps’ REVEIRTER AUS HAMEL Lab Male
5. Nick Guida’s FT CH RIPRAP CASHER (AI) Pointer Female / Sam Heyes’ CONINGSBURGH MADDIE MAY Lab Female (equal 5^th)

Encouragement award:

Bill Morshead’s TOPNOTCH PURPLE GSP Female

Intermediate Stake - 22 entries - Judge Byron Kendall

1. Sam Heyes’ CONINGSBURGH TASHA GIRL Lab Female
2. Wally Mossop’s T CH GOLDNYMPH OBERON NRA Golden Ret Male
3. Luke Warner’s CODY True to type GSP Male
4. Paul Brincat’s GOLLY True to type Lab Male

Encouragement award:

Darren Grech’s POINTGOLD LITTLE STEVIE NICKS GSP Female

Advanced Stake - 13 entries - Judge Andrew Yeomans

1. Michael Calleja’s BRITTINA ASTUTO CONIGIO NFD QND NRD Breton Male
2. Alex Jevric’s BRITTNIKI ELLE Breton Female
3. Alfred Briffa’s QUILLS BIZZIE LIZZIE CD NRD GSP Female

Encouragement award:

Henry Foster’s FT CH RIPRAP MARKSMAN Pointer Male

Open Stake - 6 entries - Judge Byron Kendall

1. Alfred Briffa’s QUILLS BIZZIE LIZZIE CD NRD GSP Female

For more photos please click HERE and wait for the slideshow to load.