Mountain Valley Beagle Club Field Trial 11-15-14 (Males)

   Well on the 15 of November I was privileged enough to join my rabbit hunting buddy Brad Haymore who hunts rabbits with a pack of beagles alongside Scott Wilson who was also a great judge. He was being a judge during the event for small males which is classified as 13" and under there were 20 little males and 27 big males which is 15" and under. The dogs were split up into packs to eliminate some before the last pack which is 6 dogs as the Winners Circle. Where the number one dog is determined and watched closely.

   The goal of a field trial is to put your dog or dogs up against other peoples dogs to see whose can track a rabbit faster, who can get the trail back going again and so on. I mainly came along to do this blog post and let more people know about beagle field trials and to learn myself. I came with my camera and go-pro but only had my iPhone 6 Plus to use when I found out I left my battery for one camera and the SD card for another at the house.

   Along with me doing this I got to take part in being the marshal, which is kind of like the lawman for the field trial. I had to shoot a gun for the elimination rounds about midway when the dogs were hot on a trail to show the judges that none of the dogs were gun shy. I also had to pull a dog out of the pack if he was disqualified or such. Oh yeah, I also got to determine which way and area we hunted the dogs for rabbits.

   But I had a blast filling in as marshal for Tim Atkinson who happened to win little males 1st place. It was interesting watching the dogs jump a rabbit and seeing how they follow it with eyes and their noses. Even more fun finding out which dog was going to open on the rabbit when it got in a thick tricky spot for the dogs. I learned a lot about a field trial along with a lot about how beagles track a rabbit and hunt it. I can definitely say I will be back at the next Field Trial granted I am able to get away from the home front or work!

   The little males event was won by Tim Atkinson and the big males was won by Victor who's last name I didn't get to get. Both had great dogs who ran hard and did well. All the dogs ran very well and everyone had a great time! Here's some pics to showcase the event, UNTIL NEXT TIME!

Pre-Measuring the dogs to determine which class they run in.

Mr. Odle with the AKC introducing himself. This was his first time visiting Mountain Valley Beagle Club and he spoke very highly of the place.

Calling out the dogs that are running in which pack for elimination to the winners circle.

Let the drawing begin!

Big males group going to pen 1.

Small dogs in pen 1 getting ready for a hunt.

Everyone preparing for the first pack. Judge Scott Wilson on the right side in the green jacket looking over all the dogs.

The hunt is on!

A member using a tallyho stick to hit brush piles and sticks to jump a rabbit.

Judge Brad Haymore judging the pack of dogs.

Judges Brad Haymore and Scott Harris judging a pack.

Judge Brad Haymore following closely behind the pack of dogs.

Judge Brad Haymore and Scott Wilson judging a pack of dogs.

Judges Brad Haymore and Scott Wilson waiting for which dog is gonna find the rabbit in the pile of tricks!

Judge Scott Wilson in the thick doing what he does best, picking out the best of the best!

A beagle and his owner waiting on their pack to run.

More dogs coming to join the pack, almost time to hunt!

Sniff em out!

On a trail!

The suspense is intense when everyone is waiting for their dog to open up first for more points!

HOT! on a trail.

Judge Scott Wilson judging a pack of dogs. 

Another suspenseful sight waiting to see whose dog opens up first on a hot trail!

Pack of dogs trying to find the trail!

Joyce Trani with her and her husbands small dog looking for show points, she was a wonderfully nice lady with a beautiful dog who managed to get 5th in the show contest. Her and her husband run A & J Kennels.

Delicious lunch served by the wonderful ladies of Mountain Valley Beagle Club.

Small males show contestants. 

Super suspense in the winners circle!

Judges Brad Haymore and Scott Wilson watching very closely in the winners circle to see whose dog will be number one!

Tight pack=good dogs staying on the trail!

Trying to jump a rabbit for the dogs to show there skills.

Preparing the trophies and ribbons for 1-5h place dogs.

Danville Virginia local Tim Atkinson dog Pride took first place int he small dog pack. Tim has been running dogs for years and also used to hunt coon dogs. But now he sticks to beagles and rabbit hunting while hes not doing construction jobs around the Danville, VA area.
CONGRATULATIONS TIM!

Victor with Cotton Tail Kennels got 1st place in big males along with some other places I was unsure at the time of writing this blog post.
CONGRATULATIONS VICTOR!

A man from Ringgold, VA sells rabbit traps for $60 they are well made and work well considering the one on top has a rabbit freshly caught from yesterday. If anyone knows this mans name please email me or comment on this blog post so i can give him proper credit.

Here is me as the marshal of the field trial, I had a blast! Thank you Brad Haymore for bringing me and everyone else for the great times and hospitality.