COUNTY LIFE
Juice: 220-volts of doggy drive Trainer Joel Moore prepares to take on Hunting Retriever International Grand
Joel Moore and Juice on a cold training morning. (Courtesy photo)
By BARBARA GREEN
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Bowie’s Joel Moore says it takes three things to reach the top at the Hunting Retriever Club International Grand: A good dog, good luck and the stars have to align just right.
He and his dog, Juice, a three and a half year old female Labrador Retriever, hope the heavens will shine on them this week as they compete in part two of the “Grand.” The pair will travel to the international competition in Opelousas, LA, Oct. 6-10 where about 600 dogs are expected.
The 41-year-old Moore says training hunting dogs is a passion sparked when he was in high school, but it was not until after college he got back into the sport and he has been with it the last 15 years.
Moore is assistant fire chief for the City of Bowie Fire Department where he has worked the past 16 and a half years. He grew up in the Boyd area and before becoming a firefighter worked as a journeyman electrician. Moore makes his home outside Bowie with his wife Kathy and a bevy of dogs he says are “like family.”
Moore started training a dog for basic retrieval for him on duck hunts.
“Duck hunting is much more social than other hunting sports. There is lots of talking, joking around and hanging with your buddies. I hunted deer for a long time too, but I found duck hunting more appealing and through the years deer hunting phased out for me,” he explains.
Moore laughs training a hunting dog follow a stereotypical line, “Mine is better than yours.” Everyone wants to have the best dog in the field. Dog training has become a big part of his life and while it is hobby, it could become a business if he ever retires from fire fighting, but for now it is mainly for fun.
“You are taking an animal that will give you everything it possibly can and really you don’t give them much back. Water, food, some affection. They give you all their love, their attention, their devotion. It always amazes me how much an animal will give you. With me they become part of the family,” exclaims Moore.
Read the full feature in your weekend News.
Joel Moore says Juice is all business when it comes to retrieving and her eyes reflect it. (Courtesy photo)
Nocona and Saint Jo High Schools will be sending students to the state University Interscholastic League academics meet in Austin next week.
NHS had two students qualify after contests last weekend. Abby Hill, sophomore, placed first in feature writing and fourth in news writing. This was her first year to compete in journalism. Her first place win sends her to state in feature writing where she will compete on May 14.
Isaac Fulumana, junior, placed first in current events, and this also is his first year to compete. He had the highest score across the state on the regional test.
Fulumana placed third in literary criticism and this is his second year to compete at the state level in this category. He will compete on May 15. The school placed 12th overall out of 50 schools at regionals.
The Saint Jo spelling team are the regional champions and will compete at the state UIL contest. Its members include Maxey Johnson, Francesca Voth, Paola Sanchez and Bailie Nobile. Johnson was second place individual.
Other students competing at the Region 3 academic meet were Layla Polk, fifth place in persuasive speaking and Maxey Johnson, fifth in ready writing. Good luck to all of them.
(Pictured top) Saint Jo’s spelling team of Maxey Johnson, Francesca Voth Paola Sanchez and Bailie Nobile. (Right) Nocona’s Abby Hill and Isaac Fulumana.
Young ladies interested in competing for Miss Jim Bowie Days 2024 are invited to attend a mandatory pre-contest meeting at 4 p.m. May 18 at the Bowie Rodeo Arena (highway side).
This annual contest is open to girls ages 14-21 for Miss Jim Bowie and those 13 and under for Little Miss. An application and contestant photo will be due at that time. There is an application fee of $50 and a sponsorship fee of $100 (name of sponsor will be placed on their sash).
The Miss JBD contest will be on June 28 with horsemanship at 8 a.m. at the arena. A brunch will follow and time will be allotted to change clothes.
Contestants also will be required to ride Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in the grand entry and rodeo; Saturday morning parade at 10:30 a.m. and attend every festivity during the festival.
Queen prizes will be a saddle certificate from Teskey’s, a $500 college scholarship, clothing allowance and more. Little Miss prizes include a saddle certificate from Teskey’s, clothing allowance and more.
For application forms or those with questions may call Rilla Brock, 817-228-6914 or Shalee Rater at 254-979-5780.
With a wet April already in full swing and more storms expected in the coming months, the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District staff is here to provide tips and tricks on creating your very own rainwater harvesting system.
Nearby counties received between 24-28 inches of rain last year, and just a fraction caught from roofs and barns can sustain landscaping, livestock, or family homes.
Rainwater harvesting helps alleviate stress on local groundwater systems, preserves streets and roadways, and can even slash your monthly utility bill. View our recommendations below and consider a harvesting system today.
The district recently named the five finalists for the 2024 grant program for rainwater harvesting system.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
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