Saturday, June 23, 2001 |
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Test 10 - Land Quad with 3 shot flyers and 2 retired guns
It was probably a restless night for the remaining contestants wondering what today would bring while the ones already run speculating about the call backs. Saturday arrived on schedule with temperatures in the mid 50's, clear skies and a light wind. Sunny, hot weather was forecast for the final day.
At 7 a.m., the site was ready for the final 13 contestants. work was very similar to the previous day. A few dogs had hunts and one or two handles before the test was completed about 11 a.m. Callbacks were given on site and those still in contention were organized into a caravan for the 11 mile ride to Buhl, site of test 10. There were 15 potential NAFC's to run the 10th. They were: 7, 13, 28, 29, 44, 54, 56, 60, 65, 72, 73, 84, 87, 95, and 110. Those lost included: 8, 15, 16, 22, 36, 43, 49, 68, 75, 91 and 93,.
It took a while to organize and move the caravan, however the tenth site was ready well before contestants and judges arrived. It was a land quad with two shot flyers and two retired guns. The line faced a swampy bog surrounded by rolling hills and a high wooded knoll near the middle of the old cattail, and fallen tree swamp. A ditch paralleled the line (unseen) about 1/2 way to the center knoll. Beyond, the land rose to undulating hills covered with pasture type grass - fairly thick and high.
Four sets of guns were positioned around the swamp. The far left one was quite deep. They shot a flying rooster, well ridden out to the right. It fell in the grass 350 yds from line. A second set to their right were on top the high knoll. They threw a dead duck to the left that landed in the bog below them about 175 yds out. To their right and quite deep on the far hillside, another set shot a flying rooster well ridden out to the left. It fell in light green grass near the bottom of the hill 275 yards away. The last set was to the near right of the line on the right side of a channel that divided the bog for a grassy flat. They shot a flying duck flat to the left. It landed in the marshy, thick cover 80 yards from line. (Distances subject to verification later) The order was around the clock, left to right. When the dog was sent for the right flyer, the center knoll and left guns retired to bushes near them. It took at least 10 minutes to complete.
As soon as the contestants were parked, test dogs were called to the line. When the first one handled on 3 of the 4 marks, the mood became somber. However, when the second one recovered all without handling, attitudes brightened considerably! The first dog #72 arrived on line at 2:30 p.m. Contestants picked up the right flyer then took either the retired knoll bird or the right/middle flyer. The far left one was always last.
Dogs had to fight their way through the tangled, mucky bog for all 4 birds and it became a test of courage, stamina and desire. It was easy to get lost on all birds and varied flyer falls did not help. Dogs had to have a pretty good idea where the birds fell and be able to skillfully hunt them up. A number of dogs hunted one or more falls and there a handle or two and, unfortunately, one pick up.
By 5:30 p.m., the 2001 stake became history when dog # 60 returned with her last bird. (Photos will follow later.) The crowd caravaned back to the clubhouse for the awards. There, committees were thanked, the finalists introduced and the winner announced. Jim and Judy Powers (Jim handling) had won with FC AFC Candlewoods Ramblin Man ! Hugs, handshakes and congrats followed. Jim and Judy then announced party at HQ to celebrate.
At 7 a.m., the site was ready for the final 13 contestants. work was very similar to the previous day. A few dogs had hunts and one or two handles before the test was completed about 11 a.m. Callbacks were given on site and those still in contention were organized into a caravan for the 11 mile ride to Buhl, site of test 10. There were 15 potential NAFC's to run the 10th. They were: 7, 13, 28, 29, 44, 54, 56, 60, 65, 72, 73, 84, 87, 95, and 110. Those lost included: 8, 15, 16, 22, 36, 43, 49, 68, 75, 91 and 93,.
It took a while to organize and move the caravan, however the tenth site was ready well before contestants and judges arrived. It was a land quad with two shot flyers and two retired guns. The line faced a swampy bog surrounded by rolling hills and a high wooded knoll near the middle of the old cattail, and fallen tree swamp. A ditch paralleled the line (unseen) about 1/2 way to the center knoll. Beyond, the land rose to undulating hills covered with pasture type grass - fairly thick and high.
Four sets of guns were positioned around the swamp. The far left one was quite deep. They shot a flying rooster, well ridden out to the right. It fell in the grass 350 yds from line. A second set to their right were on top the high knoll. They threw a dead duck to the left that landed in the bog below them about 175 yds out. To their right and quite deep on the far hillside, another set shot a flying rooster well ridden out to the left. It fell in light green grass near the bottom of the hill 275 yards away. The last set was to the near right of the line on the right side of a channel that divided the bog for a grassy flat. They shot a flying duck flat to the left. It landed in the marshy, thick cover 80 yards from line. (Distances subject to verification later) The order was around the clock, left to right. When the dog was sent for the right flyer, the center knoll and left guns retired to bushes near them. It took at least 10 minutes to complete.
As soon as the contestants were parked, test dogs were called to the line. When the first one handled on 3 of the 4 marks, the mood became somber. However, when the second one recovered all without handling, attitudes brightened considerably! The first dog #72 arrived on line at 2:30 p.m. Contestants picked up the right flyer then took either the retired knoll bird or the right/middle flyer. The far left one was always last.
Dogs had to fight their way through the tangled, mucky bog for all 4 birds and it became a test of courage, stamina and desire. It was easy to get lost on all birds and varied flyer falls did not help. Dogs had to have a pretty good idea where the birds fell and be able to skillfully hunt them up. A number of dogs hunted one or more falls and there a handle or two and, unfortunately, one pick up.
By 5:30 p.m., the 2001 stake became history when dog # 60 returned with her last bird. (Photos will follow later.) The crowd caravaned back to the clubhouse for the awards. There, committees were thanked, the finalists introduced and the winner announced. Jim and Judy Powers (Jim handling) had won with FC AFC Candlewoods Ramblin Man ! Hugs, handshakes and congrats followed. Jim and Judy then announced party at HQ to celebrate.
Purina Reps: (L to R) Bob West,
Kurt Sundquist and Steve Remspecker 
10th Series line w/ Sandi McCourt and "Honor"
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Photographer Ken Andrews "doing his thing"
Eukenuba Rep, Roy Pelton
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