5th Annual Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge on Saturday, September 19, at Rolfe Beagle Club in Johnsonburg

.: If you ever hunted with a bird dog in NC PA, you likely ran into Phil Fitch somewhere in a pheasant field or a woodcock covert. In memory of Phil Fitch, a consummate bird dog man, on Saturday, September 19, the Rolfe Beagle Club will host the 5th Annual Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Only 24 registrants will be accepted. The Rolfe Beagle Club is located at 1016 Long Level Road, Johnsonburg, Pa., in Elk County.

Phil Fitch was a special member of the Rolfe Beagle Club and in the bird dog community of northcentral Pennsylvania. Phil enjoyed raising, training, and hunting his sporting dogs. “We’re happy to once again offer this event in memory of Phil for his love of dogs and the training grounds we’re lucky to have here,” said Jack Hackley, organizer for the event.

Phil never missed a bird dog challenge at the Rolfe Beagle Club. Phil was instrumental in turning the club and grounds into a first-class facility to train bird dogs at the Rolfe Beagle Club.

This year’s Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge will be special as the club will also be celebrating its 80th year in 2026 as a dog training club.

Scott Mix of Mix’s Game Birds, www.mixgamebirds.com, out of Kane will furnish the chukars.

All dog handlers wanting to register their dog(s) and have questions, should contact Ron Guidas at ronguidas@gmail.com, or dog handlers can register directly at the Rolfe Beagle Club, 1016 Long Level Road, Johnsonburg, Pa., 15845.

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Photo – Phil Fitch (on right) with his dog Amos at September 2021 bird dog challenge at the Rolfe Beagle Club, the last event Phil entered his dog before his untimely death.