* interesting tidbit about the Ames Plantation! Mr. John Walker Jones, who sold Mr. Hobart Ames the “Cedar Grove” Plantation, was the great-grandfather of Nash Buckingham’s wife.

All the giants of the sport, both men and dogs, traversed this terrain. Jim Avent, Er Shelley, Clyde Morton, Wilson Dunn, John Gardner, My friend John Rex Gates, John Olin, John Baily, Hoyle Eaton, and yes, Nash Buckingham gathered at this place, shared their wisdom, made their name, said a little prayer, made a little money, and had a lot of fun.

Chuck,

Thanks for the confirmation. Your description of Wilson Dunn and his love of bird dogs is consistent with my very fond memory of the couple of hours he spent with us giving a personal tour through the then new Museum. Mr. Dunn and I did speak of "Mr. Buck" during our visit, and for a young guy (at the time!) just getting his feet wet with bird dogs and their history, I was in seventh heaven.

I grew up listening to good Southern story tellers, and I've never tired of listening since those boyhood days. Mr. Dunn sure had some good stories to share.

Thanks again for posting the photos, news, and some of the history that you have here in this thread. I really appreciate it.

There are pictures of Andy Devine at Grand Junction in the museum in Kingman, Arizona.

Bird hunting, bobwhite quail of course, has such a rich heritage in the South. I grew up chasing quail and have so many fond memories of dogs, shotguns and the hunts. Yes, thanks Chuck!

The collecting world and trial world are closely tied. IMHO the upland sport would be nothing without our dogs or our doubles. Walking the field watching dogs work allows all of us to connect to friends, family and God and nothing brings us closer. My love of double guns and Parker's in particular came from my grandfather. He was all to me and at the time of my youth was bigger than life. A lifelong pointer guy he kept a kennel of some of the finest gun and trial dogs ( 72 strong at one time) in the Mid Atlantic area. I cut my teeth on feeding, roading and caring for dogs and horses and was able to work and share in the breaking responsibilities of both when I got a little older. My grandfather shot Parker's and taught me early on that these guns represented quality and the double gun was a gentleman's gun when so many were going the route of the auto or pump. Ames brings us home.

Friend Jamie Daniels with Dominators Rebel Heir crossing the 3 hour mark
3 finds and a finish......Jamie middle

There is a bond between us and our dogs that NO one will understand like a gundog owner. Traci and I have had some wonderful dogs and everyone of them have a special place.

Burke Hendrix with Hendrixs Signature
2nd Brace Ames 2019

For all the Setter guys, here is a pic of "Shadow Oak Bo" at Hoffman after the Nationals
"Bo" was handled by Robin Gates brother of my friend John Rex and son of John Sr. (Lesters Enjoys Wahoo) and won the Nationals 2 years consecutively
in 2013 and 2014
It had been 45+ years since WC Kirk won it with the little Setter fireball
" Johnny Crockett"

45 years later frozen semen has been used by a friend of ours Dale Bush to inseminate a "Shadow Oak Bo" daughter and it made history....... 6 healthy pups and Dale has a male and female that will be joining hopefully the all age circuit.
sire Johnny Crockett .... Dam Shadow Oak Bo (daughter)
Should be fun
Congrats Dale!

Chuck, Well put! Add "the bird" and it's all complete. I love those photos.

Here are Robin Gates handling with Mark McLean scouting and the great setter "Bo"

Dale Bush and Family with a new generation of Johnny Crockett Pups from Shadow Oak Bo