Result: Northeastern Grouse and Woodcock Championship

Location: Frankfort, Maine

Post Date: Nov 5, 2026

Submitted By: Russell Ogilvie

Northeastern Grouse and Woodcock Championship. Bill McFadden (owner) with Champion Chasehill Wicked Wilma, John Stogitis handler, Mike Flewelling (owner/handler) with runner-up Sunkhaze Vera Masardis. Standing Judges Kevin Lahoda and Jamie Leitch.

The 2026 version of the Northeast Grouse and Woodcock Championship kicked off at 7:30am on Friday, September 25. A wet spring followed by a extremely dry summer had made it tough on the grouse and woodcock broods across the state. Even with multiple birds seen on all the courses while preparing for the trial, all it takes is a little heat to make them vanish and cause even good bird dogs to struggle. Even under these circumstances, the great dogs tend to rise above and get it done. That was what occurred on the 6th brace of the championship. Chasehill Wicked Wilma, owned by Bill McFadden and handled by John Stolgitis took home the blue ribbon. Running at the end of the first day, Wilma tore it up on the powerline course. For the first 20 minutes she floated on the edge of the bell, only coming within sight to check and cross the tote road to hunt the adjacent cover. The action of the brace came at 21:00. Wilma came in from the right and as we turned the corner to enter the woods, she slammed on point just off the edge of the course. Her brace mate, Ruff Country Simply Ginger (Weik) came up from behind to honor for everyone to see. Stolgitis moved forward and a pair of woodcock lifted on each side of Wilma with all in order. Dogs were watered and sent on. Wilma, who had an impressive fall so far for owner Bill McFadden, had already been named Champion of the North American Woodcock, New York Grouse and as RU in the New England Grouse (she did not run in the Northern New England Woodcock), showed everyone why she has been top dog. While it was obvious that she was in peak shape, being worked in the hills of northern New Hampshire all summer on wild birds, she showed something that not all dogs have. The heart to keep going and push forth through conditions that would stymie other dogs. With good dogs to come, it was without a doubt in the judge's mind that they had the standard going into the second day.

The runner-up, Sunkhaze Veira Masardis owned and handled by Mike Flewelling came out of the 5th brace. Veira, a litter mate to Wilma, showed us the same heart and drive as her sister with just a little more independence. Veira was braced with Deb's Brio (Kennedy) on the Beaver Hole course. Action started quickly as Brio stopped at 3:00 just to the right of the course. However, when the woodcock took flight, so did Brio ending her day. Viera had the course to herself and she used it. Often reaching out to the edge of the bell in the thick cover. After moving past the beaver pond, Viera's bell fell silent but to pinpoint her would be a challenge. The scout was sent to the left of the course while Flewelling checked the corner of the beaver pond without success. As Flewelling and the judge headed to the left of the course, Veira tinkled her bell just enough to indicate her location to the scout. With judges in tow, the search was successful as Viera was spotted in an alder run next to a swale bog. With a head crank and a poker straight tail, a grouse blew out as Flewelling went to his dog. Viera, with the same heart and desire as her sister, handled the rest of the course with gusto.

After the days running, the judges and handlers were treated to a surf and turf meal that was fit for a king. While the summer-like conditions are tough on a dog, it wasn't tough for everyone to sit around the table and talk about the current day's running and stories of yore. This also gave us time to thank Purina and Greg Blair for their generous sponsorship to the championship and to all sport dogs alike. The work that the club has done to create and maintain over the years is a sign of the love of the sport. As most know, the grounds are publicly owned by the town has graciously supported our trial year after year. We could not ask for a better partner. To our handlers and owners. Thank you for adding our trial to your schedule. We appreciate everyone that comes and try to make it as enjoyable as possible from start to finish. The club, owners, and handlers want to thank our judges for not only their time on the ground but also in the seat. Jamie Leitch from Vermont and Kevin Lahoda from Maryland took days out of their lives to come help us out and watch good dogs run. Both are seasoned judges and trial competitors which is ideal for a well run trial.

The Highlights
Brace #2 Chasehill Posion Ivy (PF) handled by Stolgitis had a woodcock find at 2:00 just off the path on the left for everyone to see. Ivy, who is a dog that will be in the edge of the bell and will find birds can be a challenge to find on point at times. This was one of those days when a fine ground race and a find in the books was cut short with the call for the tracker after failed attempt to locate her on point.

Brace #3 Sunkhaze Orange Gerri (PF/Flewelling) had the first run on the Powerline. Gerri had a sold run but a little short at times. Gerri had a stop to flush at the corner turning into the woods. She then carded woodcock finds at (32:00) and (43:00).

Brace #4 Paucek's Up For Adventure (ESF/London/Dubriske) had a stop in the fir to the right of the course. Dubriske, handling Ellie for London, walk to the dog and tapped her on. Ellie took a few steps forward and stopped again. Dubriske walked in front and a grouse blew out the other side of the island with all in order. Ellie ran hard but faded toward the end in the heat.
Mohawk Mill Fired Up and Higby Arcade had impressive run on the second day in the hot and dry conditions. If either dog had a bird, the judged would have had much more to talk about.
Until next year. Happy hunting!

Frankfort, Me., September 25
Judges: Kevin Lahoda and Jamie Leitch
NORTHEASTERN GROUSE AND WOODCOCK CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 13 Pointers, 9 Setters and 1 Irish Setter
Winner-CHASEHILL WICKED WILMA, F1698454, pointer female, by Panola Bacon-Chasehill Little Izzy. Harley D. McClung, owner; John Stolgitis, handler.
Runner-Up-SUNKHAZE VERA MASARDIS, F1699121, pointer female, by Panola Bacon-Chasehill Little Izzy. Mike Flewelling, owner and handler.