Friday, November 15, 2002 |
Dawn came slowly. It had rained most of the evening and more light showers were possible for the morning. Temperatures were in the upper 30's to low 40's. Only one test dog would be run prior to resuming test 7. The rain ceased before the first test dog , however it was too dark at 6:45 and the team ran at 7 a.m. with the first competing dog #72 at 7:30.
The cold air, gray, and big water discouraged dogs from taking a direct line to the far bird across the lake. Most ran around the bank, some well into the woods , then winded the bird once on the far side and recovered it. A few took a beautiful line to it and that took courage on the dog's part. It appeared that once a trail formed to it, others trailed their way to the bird.
The middle mark was well positioned and it caused some hunting. One or two winded the far bird drag back trail and had to be handled.
The flyer could be deceiving when it fell in the creek bed or beyond it. Several long hunts ensued and one handled.
There was also an honor to the left of the running dog and none broke on it
Series 7 finished at 10:20 a.m. and a move was made to the site of test 4 for a water blind. Call backs listed 27 dogs still in contention. Those dropped were: 15, 19, 21, 35, 57, 75, and 80. Seven had been lost.
It took some time for the caravan to arrive as several vehicles became mired in the mud at the old site and had to be pulled out. The water blind was ready to go when judges arrived and the test dogs were called to line at about 11 a.m.
The cold air, gray, and big water discouraged dogs from taking a direct line to the far bird across the lake. Most ran around the bank, some well into the woods , then winded the bird once on the far side and recovered it. A few took a beautiful line to it and that took courage on the dog's part. It appeared that once a trail formed to it, others trailed their way to the bird.
The middle mark was well positioned and it caused some hunting. One or two winded the far bird drag back trail and had to be handled.
The flyer could be deceiving when it fell in the creek bed or beyond it. Several long hunts ensued and one handled.
There was also an honor to the left of the running dog and none broke on it
Series 7 finished at 10:20 a.m. and a move was made to the site of test 4 for a water blind. Call backs listed 27 dogs still in contention. Those dropped were: 15, 19, 21, 35, 57, 75, and 80. Seven had been lost.
It took some time for the caravan to arrive as several vehicles became mired in the mud at the old site and had to be pulled out. The water blind was ready to go when judges arrived and the test dogs were called to line at about 11 a.m.
Test 8 - Water Blind Close Up
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Test 8 - Actual distance
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The duck was about 365 yds deep, placed up on the side hill of a dike. There was a long land entry and the line was between the forth series point and island and continued back to the shore beyond. On the left bank hill, a gunner station just sat. - no shot or bird.( The first dog was run with a poison bird from that station, but judges decided not to use it) The handler was told he could move up to the road to handle laterally between two red ribbons once the dog entered the water. The test lasted nearly 10 minutes and began with dog 51 at 11:20.
Wind, the old marks and prospect of cold water attracted dogs to either and/or both shores. Some dogs that preferred to seek the shore were reluctant to leave it and there were cast/whistle refusals. The line went over the point where the left middle guns had stood and dogs were required to cross it. Some had difficulty there and a one or two disappeared behind it.
Because of the distance and time factor, judges used an ATV to meet the handler and dog at the gunner station. By 2:50, the test was completed when dog #20 returned. An announcement was made that callbacks would appear later that night at HQ.
Callbacks arrved about supper time and 18 potential NFC's remained. They were: 3, 5, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 34, 41, 42, 45, 51, 52, 62, 65, 69, 79, and 89. Those lost were:9, 20, 44, 59, 60, 72, 78, 81, and 86.
Test #9 , probably watermarks will run a test dog at 6:45, first running dog, #13, not before 7:15 a.m.
Wind, the old marks and prospect of cold water attracted dogs to either and/or both shores. Some dogs that preferred to seek the shore were reluctant to leave it and there were cast/whistle refusals. The line went over the point where the left middle guns had stood and dogs were required to cross it. Some had difficulty there and a one or two disappeared behind it.
Because of the distance and time factor, judges used an ATV to meet the handler and dog at the gunner station. By 2:50, the test was completed when dog #20 returned. An announcement was made that callbacks would appear later that night at HQ.
Callbacks arrved about supper time and 18 potential NFC's remained. They were: 3, 5, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 34, 41, 42, 45, 51, 52, 62, 65, 69, 79, and 89. Those lost were:9, 20, 44, 59, 60, 72, 78, 81, and 86.
Test #9 , probably watermarks will run a test dog at 6:45, first running dog, #13, not before 7:15 a.m.
(L) Jerry Younglove, Judy Powers and Rich Dresser
Test 8 from the penthouse "suite"
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(L) Joe Broyles and F. Lee Jolley
Outdoor Life crew interviewing Joe Harp
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