History of Current Situation

In summer of 2001 interim guidelines were published by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service stating that field trials were not a valid use of lands purchased or maintained by Pittman Robertson funds. Pittman Robertson funds are federal funds from taxes on Ammunition, Firearms, and Licenses.
In August of 2001 after considerable efforts by Field Trialers, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and congressional hearings investigating U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife issued a memo stating that;
- First, the Service has withdrawn the Interim Guidelines- Field Trials on Federal Aid Funded Lands, effective August 16, 2001
- Second, the Service has concluded that there is adequate guidance in Federal Regulation and the Service Manual to assure appropriate types and levels of field trial use of lands purchased, developed, or maintained with Federal Aid grants. Therefore, the Service will not develop a draft policy specific to field trials. As we have concluded that no specific policy is needed, there will be no Federal Register notice regarding field trial policy.
On August 3, 2001, Mike Budzik the then current chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, issued a memo to Kris LaMontagne, Chief, Division of Federal Aid, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. this letter stated that the Ohio Division Of wildlife in summary feels that Field Trials are a valid use of lands purchased or maintained by Federal grants and that federal guidelines are not necessary.
On February 15, 2002 Mike Budzik issued an internal memo to division heads within the Ohio Division of Wildlife stating plans to close the Field trial grounds of Indian Creek and Killdeer plains. The reason stated was the previously withdrawn U.S. Fish and Wildlife guidelines.
- This memo described plans to acquire properties to replace the grounds being eliminated.
- Field Trialers are described as constituents that we intend work with and address their needs.
- The memo states "The Division of wildlife has had a 50+ year relationship with field trials and views them as an activity closely related to the sport of hunting..
During our normal semi annual meetings with the State to set dates, The February 15, 2002 Mike Budzik memo was not mentioned. The issues of Federal intervention at Killdeer Plains and Indian Creek was discussed as a potential future problem but we were told nothing had been decided.
June 29, 2007 A Memo was issued by Robert Bryant, Chief, Division of Federal Assistance, Fish and Wildlife Service. This memo addressed to Mr. Sean Logan Director Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
- This memo addressed;
  - A verbal agreement between Mike Budzik and U.S. Fish and Wildlife documented May 22, 2002 that stated that the intensive management and mowing as well as the infrastructures associated with field trials at Killdeer Plains and Indian Creek wildlife areas were to cease on or before May 22, 2007.
  - States that the use of Killdeer Plains as a field trial area conflicts with its intended purpose as a grassland focus area.
- Again this memo described an verbal agreement reached May 22, 2002 between the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to end field trials on these areas, however in our regular semi annual meetings we were not informed of this agreement. In fact it was hidden from us!
On June 25, 2007 Dave Risley, Executive Administrator, Wildlife Management and Research, Ohio Division of Wildlife. issued a "Status of field Trials on State-Owned wildlife Areas in Ohio" Memo
- This memo gives the Division of Wildlife's overview of the situation and describes the previous agreements between the State and U.S. fish and Wildlife that had been hidden from the field trial groups in Ohio.
- This memo also defines that Field Trials will end on Killdeer Plains and Indian Creek Wildlife areas after April 30, 2008.

The Division of wildlife did not formally notify the Associated Bird Dog Clubs of Ohio, which has been the official interface between the bird dog clubs and the Division of wildlife. This situation was learned about by one of our members spending time with a area manager at a wildlife area. When were they going to tell us that they were in effect kicking us off the grounds with no notice?
The Chief of the Division of wildlife has informed several ranking officials that alternative grounds have been offered but not agreed to by the Associated Bird dog Clubs. These grounds were not State owned grounds, they offered us nothing. The grounds that were offered, are owned by AEP and when the representative from AEP learned what we need and what we currently use at Killdeer or Indian Creek they stated that the AEP grounds "Are not a viable long term solution"
If Killdeer is supposed to be a Grassland Focus Area, why have they made no moves to plant native grasses, instead they are building more wetlands, which is obviously not Grassland or conductive to upland game.
Why are we the only state or area under the Federal microscope?

*** Feb 6 2008 Updates ***

On November 15th, 2007 a meeting was facilitated by US Sportsmen's Alliance between representatives of the Associated Bird Dog Clubs of Ohio (Tom Honedcker, Ron Zook and Randy Hopkins), Tony Celebrezze, Deputy Director Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Dave Graham, Chief Ohio Division of Wildlife. Also attending at the request of the Associated Bird Dog Clubs of Ohio was Dr. Mark Pinkerton, an active field trialer and a member of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
- US Sportsmen's Alliance after investigation agreed to assist field trialers with issue.
- The results of the meeting were that the Ohio Division of Wildlife claimed the push was coming from the feds, Dr. Mark Pinkerton's initial phone calls did not back this up. After the meeting the Feds basically fell in line with the statements that Field Trials needed to go, but with no real justification.
- Tony Celebrezze seemed interested in assisting us, Dave Graham however stated he had no problem with field trials in general, but he felt they were doing irrevocable ecological damage to Killdeer and Indian Creek and thought they should not be held there. However he stated that if the Feds backed off he would also. No alternative sites were discussed. The perceived damage being done was not further defined.
- Conversations have continued between Tom Honecker and Tony Celebrezze, The request was made by Celebrezze that the Feds give the state a quote on purchasing the federal interest in the field trial areas on both grounds, as of yet the Feds have not responded.
- Further conversations between Tom Honecker and US Sportsmen's Alliance along with the grass roots letter writing campaign have identified 2 politicians that might be open to helping us if they receive enough interest from voters they are listed on the "What can you do" page.
- An individual field trialer wrote letters to the Federal office of US Fish and Wildlife and the regional office in MN, he received responses so they are acknowleding the situation . Multiple individuals need to write as concerned citizens to keep the pressure up. This is also defined on the "What can you do" page.
- In either late Feb or early March we will hold a meeting of the Associated Bird Dog Clubs of Ohio to further update everyone. In the mean time please keep writing.

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