GHFF Fox Hunt Raises Money For Sportsmen’s Rights

Above: Bobby Can Fly was the top male on the bench, and the top female went to Smokey Mountain Hope, owned by Billy Clark and Dewayne Clark. Below: Best in Show at the GHFF benefit hunt went to Bobby Can Fly, owned by Bobby Parker. Also in the picture is GHFF President Reggie Dickey (left).

The Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation (GHFF) held its sixth-annual benefit hunt Aug. 5-6 at the United Fox Pen in Swainsboro.

Over the past three years, this hunt has grown tremendously. This year the GHFF hosted its largest hunt yet, with 180 dogs. Without Ronnie McMillan, pen owner, and his two assistants, Larry Bundrum and Sonny Cerny, this event would not be possible.

All proceeds from the hunt went toward the GHFF Legislative Action Committee (LAC) fund. This fund helps keep lobbyist William Woodall in Atlanta during the legislative session. William keeps the organization informed of all issues brought up by other organizations, such as PETA and HSUS, that could have a negative effect on the future of hunting and fishing.

The bench show was held Friday evening. The judge was Kenny Williams, and the ringmaster was Reggie Dickey. After a tough decision, Bobby Parker showing Bobby Can Fly was crowned winner of the male bench show. For the female bench show, Smokey Mountain Hope, owned by Billy and Dewayne Clark, took home first place.

Top dog in the GHFF one-day benefit fox hunt was P.S. Delania, owned by Promise Land Kennels.

On the morning of Aug. 6, the dogs were turned out in the fox pen by 6 a.m., and 33 volunteer judges spent approximately five hours judging dogs while they were running. The top dog from the hunt was P.S. Delania, owned by Promise Land Kennels. Following in second place was Wilson’s Whiteside, owned by Bobby Wilson and Hugh Phillips.

“This event would not be possible without the hard work of Newton Fiveash, Andy Bedgood and Jake and Ellen Patrick,” said Reggie Dickey, president of GHFF.

The GHFF was founded in September 2003 when hunters and fishermen from across the state held a rally in Blackshear with nearly 5,000 people in attendance. GHFF has now formed local chapters across the state. The organization looks to preserve and protect some old hunting traditions and to implement new changes to improve hunting and fishing.

For more information on GHFF and their efforts to help Georgia hunters and anglers, visit their website at www.gh-ff.org.