SSAA Qld United Field and Retrieving Branch Inc

Queensland Club Profile

The SSAA United Field and Retrieving Branch Q73 has helped to keep the sport of retrieving alive in the South East Queensland region since its inception in July 2007. At this time, a small group of gundog enthusiasts approached the SSAA in regard to creating the Working Gundog Association of Australia (WGAA) discipline for Queensland. Help from SSAA National President Bob Green, Queensland President Geoff Jones, Victoria’s Barry Oliver and people within the WGAA brought the club to fruition. Since then, membership has increased fivefold and the sport is experiencing very positive growth in the state.

Retrieving trials involve testing the abilities of a handler and dog in various duck shooting scenarios. Competitions run by the Q73 Branch use Dokken Dead Fowl Trainers to simulate the ‘fallen game’ or ‘despatched duck’. These artificial birds have the advantage of being long-lasting and are more readily accepted by non-hunters. The use of the trainers has been vital in helping the club to attract more people to the sport and creating a healthier attitude towards the SSAA, shooting, and retrieving trials in Queensland.

Competitions are run from March to October each year and the club currently holds around 10 to 12 retrieving trial events during this time at various properties in the south-east of the state. The branch also holds regular training days, where people who are interested in the sport can bring their dogs along for advice on training and competition.

Current President Jim Jeffrey said the club was looking forward to hosting the Inaugural SSAA & WGAA National Retrieving Championship Trial in October this year.

“The SSAA and WGAA National Retrieving Championships is the ideal place to see some highly skilled dog work, and observe dog and handler working together at this high level of competition,” he said.

“People interested in retrieving, gundogs or those that would just like to take a look, are encouraged to come along - as with all our events, spectators are more than welcome.”

For contact information check the state branch list here.
This club profile was published in Australian Shooter September 2010.