Over the course of their friendship they developed a love of hunting and dogs. In the mid-80's, they began trial hunting with their coonhounds. In 1989, Bernie's parents, Chuck and Dorothy Birkenholz, opened the Big Rock Hunting Preserve on their home farm located a few miles North of Gilman, Wisconsin. When Big Rock began hosting trial hunting tournaments, Craig and Bernie decided to give this game a try with their Buddy, English springer spaniel, and Whiskey, German shorthaired pointer, dogs, respectively. Buddy and Whiskey (pictured to the right), who have since passed, will be remembered forever; not only for their loving and fun personalities, but for their tournament hunting accomplishments.

These events offered the stepping-stones for entering in the Wisconsin Championship Hunting Series in 1993. Together, Craig and Bernie were awarded the 1993 W.C.H.S. Puppy Pointer of the Year with Whiskey, 1994 Puppy Flusher of the Year with Buddy, and 1994 Open Pointer of the Year with Whiskey. The rest is history.

In 2000, Craig and Bernie decided to form Team Fly-n-Gun. Together the team has captured

15 Super Major Championships
and
46 Super Major Champion Top 5's

as of the Bird Dog Challenge season close 2005. Wow!

Today Bernie and Craig are still close friends who continue to support one another in the dog world. Bernie, along with his wife Lila and family, are now focusing on the breeding of quality German shorthaired pointers at their kennel Big Rock Von Kennels. Craig has decided to gear his focus toward training, as well as the campaigning of client dogs.

With the new focus of Team Fly-n-Gun, close friend Dick Hynes has come on board has the teams primary gunner in the competition field. He is an outstanding shot, offering a great competitive edge. Dick is pictured in action getting a retrieve in his Bird Dog Challenge Super Major Championship Pointer victory run.