Hunting dog trials to be held here

For the fourth year in a row, trainers, owners, and highly skilled hunting dogs from across Texas and surrounding states are expected to travel to the Crooked Tree Ranch in Shackelford County for the Region 7 American Field Trial Clubs of America (AFTCA) Amateur All-Age Championship and the M.G. Perkins Memorial Amateur All Age Derby.

The competition will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Jan. 25.

The Region 7 Championship was held at a Shackelford County ranch for several years, then moved to a different part of the state when the local quail population declined. The field dog trials returned to the Albany area four years ago after more favorable weather allowed the quail to stage a comeback.

Alex Jacocks and Scoot Terrell will judge the 2019 event. John Benoist and Tyson Traw have been selected as the field marshals. Dr. Buck Neil is the trial chairperson and Ray Black is the dog wagon driver.

Entry information can be obtained by email from AFTCA Region 7 secretary Mary Ann Gustafson at redset@austin.utexas.edu.

The regional championship is a qualifying trial for the AFTCA National Amateur Invitational Championship.