Written by Chuck McCall at the request of Bob McCall

As I stood in the holding blind of the 5th series at the 2002 Louisiana Cajun Grand, my mind drifted back to the hundreds of hunts that I had made with my Dad, Bob McCall, and my Grandad.  I realized that this is what HRC is all about.  Family, hunting traditions, and a great dog to make the hunt that much more enjoyable.

Buck was a product of the breeding of my dog, GRHRCH Hutch's Touch of Dakota Gold and Mr. Harold Benoit's HRCH Cracklin Rosie a.k.a. "Dolly".   Dakota's first all-black litter.   My Grandad had just given up driving due to his failing eyesight at nearly 90 years of age, and I offered him Buck to keep him occupied and young at heart.  At first he refused, saying he would rather wait for a yellow pup, but after seeing Buck for the first time at 6 weeks, he couldn't turn him down.

Buck's first year was spent lying at my Grandad's feet and having his belly rubbed.  Buck was a natural retriever though, and at 10 months I took him and ran him in Started, and Grandad was able to watch him run for the only time in a hunt test.  I can't begin to tell you how proud he was of those first ribbons.

When Buck was 2 years old, Grandad's  health became such that he was unable to take care of an 80 pound lab.  I brought him to the kennel and began his formal training.  My dad has always been my training partner and best friend, and I realized after a few months of training, Buck would be a perfect hunting partner for my dad.  Buck is very willing, a good marker, but most of all very calm and level-headed at the line.

Over the past 2 1/2 years, Buck became Dad's dog as my Grandad's health deteriorated.  Dad ran him as he got his Hunting Retriever and Hunting Retriever Champion titles.  I was fortunate to be able to run him as he passed the Canada Grand and the Louisiana Grand in succession to achieve his title.

No one deserves a Grand Hunting Retriever Champion more than my Dad.  He has spent endless hours helping me; loading wingers, keeping kennels clean, keeping dogs quiet, and loading poppers.  He has also been there with financial assistance whenever it was needed.  I'm very proud of him and very proud of Buck for this tremendous accomplishment.

This Grand Hunting Retriever Champion title could not have been achieved without the tremendous help of the Big Anderson Training Group:  Ron Anderson, Scott Arceneaux, Dad,  Dennis Weber, John Pritchett, JB Esnard, Kevin Donaldson, Mike Chamberlain.  Thanks also to Keith Clement for his help at the Louisiana Grand.  Our training group now has 19 grand passes.  The hard work is paying off.

A special thanks to the Amite River HRC for its continued support.  Also thanks to Mr. Benoit for the breeding of Dakota and Dolly producing this Grand Pup.

And finally thanks to my Dad and my Grandad for getting me involved in hunting and dogs.  My Grandad no longer understands the significance of a Grand Hunting Retriever Champion, but something tells me in his eyes, Buck always was one anyway..