Illinois’ Field of Dreams
posted in General |by Christie Young
In an era of national uncertainty for state sponsored field trial grounds, an enthusiastic team of Illinois legislators, Department of Natural Resources personnel and field trial groups gathered on September 14th to tour the state’s impressive new offering. Remembering the loss of former Illinois championship grounds in other locations, some said it couldn’t be done. Thanks to an extreme effort, a mutually shared vision and a persistent spirit of cooperation between Illinois legislators, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Field Trial Clubs of Illinois, our gallery beheld the very moving reality of 8.500 raw acres of championship caliber grounds.
These reclaimed mining fields have recently been added to Pyramid State Park in Perry County in southern Illinois, nestled between the communities of Sparta, Percy, Pinckneyville, Steeleville and Cutler. They are the kind of grounds one might expect in the great north. Field trialers were astounded to see this pristine gem in southern Illinois.
At first sight of the area’s vast openness, one realizes why Illinois is called the Prairie State. The topography throughout consists of level to rolling hills with amply scattered objectives in the form of trees, shrubs, hedges, plots of native grass hay, milo, corn and bean crops and distant tree lines in either direction as far as the eye can see. Numerous waterholes lie deep in the hills and threadlike waterways stretch around bends and into the horizon, barely discernible until one is upon them. The dry season has kept cover low and sparse. In their primitive state, these grounds host a generous wild quail population, enough to support a respectable championship right now. Our sizable horseback gallery, trailed by a wagon of spectators and a line of pickups, quickly moved a big covey of some 30 birds.
An air of untouched solitude rests on this land, arousing a deep sense of timelessness. Then one’s thoughts drift to our time honored sport and the realization that the nation’s great trial dogs need to run here. Although a dog has yet to be unleashed, a field trialer is quick to imagine a white speck way out front and the distant remnants of a handler’s song drifting on the wind. The vision was recognized by an old friend of the field trial community, Illinois’ DNR wildlife biologist, Terry Musser, when he first saw the grounds. Terry, who served as guide and lecturer from the tour wagon, will be involved in field trail and hunting planning for the site. The park’s addition is also expected to be one of the premier waterfowl capitals of the Midwest and will host other outdoor activities, but field trialing has officially received priority status. That’s a first for Illinois.
The supreme effort on the part of many individuals to make this happen cannot be overemphasized. Besides Illinois DNR’s Terry Musser and Kirby Cottrel, Director of the Office of Resource Conservation, state legislators unanimously approved the purchase with specific wording giving precedence to field trial use. Key supporters have been Senator James “Pate” Phillip as the main sponsor in the Illinois Senate, along with Senators Weaver, Karis, Donahue, Dudycz, Watson, Karpiel and Petka. In the Illinois House, the main sponsor was Representative Bill Black with help from Representatives Brunsvold and Bost. Their strong commitment to field trials in Illinois serves as an example of significant importance to the national field trial community while the availability of quality field trial grounds diminishes elsewhere.
A primary function of the Field Trial Clubs of Illinois (FTCI), which represents multiple sporting dog breeds and organizations, is to promote and support the sport of field trialing for both in-state and out of state participants. This includes insuring that high quality grounds are available and maintained. To this end, it has worked diligently with legislators, DNR and other interested use groups to obtain precedence for field trials and help carry the project forward. The task required many hours of personal time in planning and meetings where concepts were proposed, debated and solidified.
The work of key FTCI individuals stands out. Director Jim Leiner drafted the plan defining the requirements for optimal field trial grounds which was used by the Senate as a guideline for its resolution. He also serves on the Perry County grounds committee along with directors Jim Batson and Ray Trimble. Special legislative liaison, Joe Noe, with assistance from Mary Jo Trimble and Dennis Spada, worked tirelessly with the state to facilitate the ever vital communications link. The results represent an extraordinary team achievement and covenant between the state and the Field Trial Clubs of Illinois which will carry forward from this administration to the next.
DNR’s conceptual strategy over the next five years includes a covey release program, plantings for additional objectives, feed plots and enhanced quail habitat, well marked courses and strategic low water fords. On the agenda for approval in the next legislative session are a quality field trial headquarters complete with club house, ample parking, barn, horse stalls, paddocks and dog kennels. In the interim, the nearby “Hunt Club” facilites in rural Percy are immediately available for use in conjunction with the new grounds by arrangement with its owner’s, Ron Doering and Jill Cook.
Currently there are two sections to the grounds, known as “Captain” of 4100 acres and “Denmark” of 4400 acres, each representing fifteen continuous miles on either side of the Pyatt blacktop. Each has recently been marked into two three hour courses (or six one hour courses) by the FTCI grounds committee. Conceptual plans for up to 72 evenly spaced quail release sites along the courses, using the most advanced management technology, are being entertained. DNR foresees an eventual offering of a course trio which will include use of the privately owned Hunt Club’s existing three hour tract, expanding the capacity to accommodate three championships simultaneously. Emphasis will be placed upon drawing competitions of the highest regional and national prestige. The grounds are currently in a very primitive state but they are trial worthy. While the complete game plan and ground rules are still in the planning phase, this undertaking, aptly dubbed the Field of Dreams, has the potential to emerge as one of the nation’s premier championship venues.
The Field of Dreams Tour, generously sponsored by Purina and the Field Trail Clubs of Illinois, began with a social hour and light lunch at the Hunt Club. These facilities are completely equipped for field trial use including bi-level clubhouse of rustic appeal. Inside are two lunchrooms, a large banquet room with a massive stone fireplace and a kitchen where Jill Cook creates her celebrated culinary art. Guests made use of the comfortable clubhouse porch which provides a relaxing gathering place for tired field trialers after a grueling day. From there our curious assemblage was guided to the grounds where it encountered the awesome expanse of Captain and Denmark. Late afternoon the jubilant crowd returned to the Hunt Club for a delicious gourmet dinner and ended the day with cocktails and a few hours of pleasant fellowship.
The first trials at Perry County commence this coming fall. Interested championship hosts to date include the Prairie State and Illinois State Brittany, the Red Setter Fall National, the German Pointing Dog National, the Egyptian Open Shooting Dog, Region Five and the All America. For additional information the contacts for the Field Trial Clubs of Illinois are Jim Leitner at 9555 Goodall Road, Alhambra, Illinois 62001 or Neveta Salmons at 529 E. 2200 Street, Liberty, Illinois 62347. Requests for dates must be made in writing at least six months in advance.