***Congratulations to Joel Cartwright and Knox, 2024 Utah Region Elimination Trial Champion***
UTAH REGION OF NSTRA
The National Shoot To Retrieve Association (NSTRA) was founded by a group of dedicated bird hunters looking for a way to extend the fun they enjoyed with their bird dogs after the season ended. Field Trials, under hunting conditions, were the answer. Field Trials provide an extended season of sorts, a sportsmanlike environment, and competition with others who enjoy bird dogs. The Association was incorporated in 1978. NSTRA is a non-profit association with service to the members and sportsmanship as its goals.
Most of the members of the Utah Region are bird hunters that love bird dogs and enjoy working with them beyond the regular hunting season. NSTRA trials allow us to get together with others of common interest in a friendly atmosphere to compete with our dogs. Most of us find participation in trials helps us to take our training a little farther and makes our handling a little better. It helps motivate us to get the dogs out more often and keep them in better physical condition.
We would like to extend an invitation to give us a call or attend one of our events. We would be happy to answer any questions we can. If you have a pointing dog you love to hunt over, are proud of, and enjoy friendly competition we would love to have you out to play with us. It really is a great time!
Thanks for stopping by. We hope to talk with you soon.
WHY JOIN NSTRA?
Are you a bird hunter with limited wild bird hunting opportunities? Are you looking for a way to include your entire family in your hunting experience? Do you have a hunting dog that needs to get out more? Are you wanting to learn training tips and techniques? Are you willing to make new friends and enjoy the company of other sportsmen?
NSTRA just may be the place for you!
FAMILY FUN
Our trials are held in family-friendly environments. Many families take advantage of our reduced membership pricing for associate members (spouses and children, 18 yrs of age and under still living at home). We have several young members who run their own dogs. The minimum age to be in the field is 10 years of age. To gun for oneself, you must be 16 years of age and hold a current Hunter's Safety Course card.
NATIONWIDE TRIALS
Over the last 40+ years, NSTRA has developed as an organization that sponsors field trials across the United States and Central Canada. Over 1,000 local field trials are held annually for seasoned competitors and dogs as well as amateurs. Our rules are easy to understand and points are scored for each find and retrieve, ground coverage, obedience and backing. Using this points system, the dog with the most points wins!
MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PERKS
To participate in NSTRA events, you must be a member. Members receive a numbered membership card, a window decal, a patch, and our bi-monthly magazine .
Regular memberships are $75.00 per year
CHAMPIONSHIPS
NSTRA dogs earn points by placing in the top 3 of local trials or the top 4 of National and Regional Championship Trials. For every 18 points (9 of which must be 1st place points) a dog earns another championship. We have an amateur program established in several regions that allows a dog to earn an amateur championship before going on to compete in open trialing.
Regional
Each region holds a championship trial at the end of their trialing season. Qualified dogs are allowed the chance to participate for a regional championship and to qualify for our premier National Dog of the Year Trial.
National
NSTRA holds 5 National Championship Trials annually. Two of these (Trial of Champions and Dog of the Year) are held in our home located at the Conservation Bird Dog Club in Amo, Indiana. The other 3 trials are held elsewhere throughout the United States.
2023 Regional Champion, Annie ; Owned & Handled by Cade Allen
Click here for the
Watch Footage from KSL Outdoors of the 2013 regional elimination trial click here
the footage of the trial is at about the 10-11 minute mark on the video
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