Saturday, November 18, 2000

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9th and 10th Series

Although the weather forecast predicted temperatures in the 30's with snow and sleet, thankfully it had not arrived by noon when the 9th completed. The ninth had evolved into a land/water quad with two retired guns instead of the triple which was expected. It was located again at the Sea Ranch, a good distance from the previous site.( Not sure, but starting dog could be #47).

Ninth Series - Land/Water Quad

The first bird down was a dead pheasant. It was thrown to the right and was the longest mark at about 260 yards. It fell deep of an irregular pond. To recover it successfully, dogs would have to remain in the water through a channel past a point and into big water. The second mark was a flyer to the left, closer to line and on a hill. It was also thrown right. The third station, also toward the left, then threw a dead bird to the right which landed very tight to the back of the flyer guns. The last mark was a dead bird thrown to the left only 30 - 40 yards from the handler. As the dog was sent for it the first and third gun stations retired.

Only one dogs stayed in the water for the long retired mark - Prize. Others exited at various distances and many "shopped" for the bird. Some had to handle to it. One or two recovered the deeper, dead bird first. After the short bird, handlers seem to try for the flyer second (with varying success) the one deep behind it next and the long swim , distant pheasant last. The test began around 8 a.m. and  completed near noon.

Callbacks came swiftly and 15 potential champions remained. They are: 7, 13, 25, 34, 35, 37, 43, 47, 48, 54, 69, 73, 76, 79 and 80. Those lost: 24, 31, 66 and 87.  Number 10 is rumored to be a land triple with two shot flyers.

Series 10 - Land Quad - Two Shot Flyers

The tenth was a land quad with one duck flyer, one pheasant flyer two dead pheasants retired.  Right.. short retired by woods. thrown to left  about 150 yds; middle right... duck flyer thrown to right...220 yds;... and on left  is a pheasant flyer thrown to right at about 250 yards. Then between those two.. and not visible on the photo is  a retired at 345 yards... way out there..rolling hills.. low cover...run from on top of hill over where the earlier seventh series had been run.

Long walk to the 10th

Line - Ninth Series