Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
It was a tough night Saturday, but Scott Engle persevered and emerged as the 2006 AKC World Champion.
In a nerve-wracking contest that saw his hound twice threatened by a 15-minute violation for not hunting in stormy conditions, Gabby, the 4-year-old Treeing Walker owned by longtime coon hunter Russ Bellar of Peru, managed to hang on to 25-plus points and seal the win.
Engle received a $25,000 check for the win in addition to sponsorship prizes from Black Gold Dog Food, Tri-tronics, Wildlife Materials, Nite Lite Company, Kelley's K Lights, American Cooner, Owens Dog Boxes, SunBurst Saturn and Galaxie Genetics.
The event was held on the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds where the AKC held its world hunt event. Kosciusko County Sportsmens and Farmers Conservation Club of Silver Lake was the host club.
Winning Reserve World Champion was Jay Hyde of Rochester with Maniac Jr. No. 3, a 23-month-old Treeing Walker male. Maniac is owned by Clarence Whitaker of Kansas City, Kan. Maniac earned prizes from Black Gold Dog Food and Valley Creek Hunting Supply. Hyde earned the $12,000 second-place prize.
Third place went to Rick Hendrickson Jr. hunting Schlemme's Trimble Creek Ghost, a 6-year-old Treeing Walker male co-owned by Tim Shultz of Etna Green. Hendrickson took home the $6,000 prize.
The fourth-place winner in a tough loss was Vannie Griggs of Morgantown, with Nothing Fancy, a 3-year-old Treeing Walker female. Fancy was caught by a one-hour violation when she trailed into a slough and couldn't be retrieved in time. Fancy was leading the hunt with 100 plus at the time.
