Tuesday, June 19, 2001 |
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Test 4 - Water Triple
It was clear, cool and breezy with temperatures in the low 50's as early contestants left Headquarters. The fourth series, a water triple with retired gun, was south of the MIR clubhouse, and across the road. Vehicles were quickly parked in the somewhat wet field as the test was forming.
The line faced a grassy field that had a flowing, cattail framed creek winding through it perpendicular to the line .
To the left was a marshy area that ended as the land rolled up to a tree line. To the right, the land above the creek bank was fairly flat, grass covered and expansive. The middle mark was shot first. It was located on the flat, above the creek bank. There a pair of guns shot and threw a dead duck a good distance to the left, across the creek where it landed in the tules about 160 yards from line. To the leftt, across the creek and against the brush/tree line a second set of guns shot and threw a dead duck back to the right, parallel to the brush. It landed in the taller cover about 160 yards away. The third station was deep to the right, and not tight to the middle guns. They shot a flying drake well ridden out to the right, landing in pasture grass 150 yards out. As the dog was sent for it, the left guns retired into the brush/tree line behind them. The order was: middle, left, right flyer. There was also on honor mat to the left of the running line. A variable wind, sometimes quite strong, angled back from left to right across the test. (Early it was a down wind test)
At 7:30, the rising sun cast a glare over the site and judges delayed the test dogs for about 15 minutes. Later, both had hunts on the middle bird, but did not handle. Shortly after 8 a.m., the first running dog, #56 appeared on line and did well. It took roughly eight minutes to complete.
Long and varied flyers caused dogs to "shop" before locating their mark. Later, drag back and blown feathers distracted dogs from their bird. Most handlers tried to pick up the middle mark second, as it was the shortest and possibly the most difficult. Only a few dogs took the true line to it - which was a grueling trek through water (some swimming) hummocks, tules and muck. More, however, opted to cross the narrow stream
a short distance in front of the line, then stay on top the grassy bank, drive past the guns and hunt the field beyond. A few tried to return to the flyer, but most hunted for a while, then worked their way down to the tules to recover the bird. By mid morning the wind had switched just enough to enable dogs to wind the bird while hunting to the deep right of the middle guns. The retired right mark seem to present the least challenge. Dogs would cross the creek, drive the hill and check the tree/brush line. If they were left, the would find the retired guns and hunt up the bird. Those arriving to the right could wind it.
By Mid afternoon, it remained sunny and windy with temperatures in the 70's. Work remained much the same for the balance of the series. About 8 p.m., strorm clouds and lightning appeared on the horizon and there was concern that the test would have to be suspended. However, it held off long enough to run the last few dogs, the final one at 8:45 p.m. Then it hit.
Because of the late finish, call backs will not be available until late today or early tomorrow.( As of 10:15 they are not posted) The fifth series will be held at the MIR clubgrounds . Callbacks later revealed 17 dogs dropped They were:4, 20, 31, 35, 40, 46, 47, 48, 57, 62, 74, 86, 89, 90, 96, 106, and 108. Seventy-five remained for the Fifth Series - a land quad.
The line faced a grassy field that had a flowing, cattail framed creek winding through it perpendicular to the line .
To the left was a marshy area that ended as the land rolled up to a tree line. To the right, the land above the creek bank was fairly flat, grass covered and expansive. The middle mark was shot first. It was located on the flat, above the creek bank. There a pair of guns shot and threw a dead duck a good distance to the left, across the creek where it landed in the tules about 160 yards from line. To the leftt, across the creek and against the brush/tree line a second set of guns shot and threw a dead duck back to the right, parallel to the brush. It landed in the taller cover about 160 yards away. The third station was deep to the right, and not tight to the middle guns. They shot a flying drake well ridden out to the right, landing in pasture grass 150 yards out. As the dog was sent for it, the left guns retired into the brush/tree line behind them. The order was: middle, left, right flyer. There was also on honor mat to the left of the running line. A variable wind, sometimes quite strong, angled back from left to right across the test. (Early it was a down wind test)
At 7:30, the rising sun cast a glare over the site and judges delayed the test dogs for about 15 minutes. Later, both had hunts on the middle bird, but did not handle. Shortly after 8 a.m., the first running dog, #56 appeared on line and did well. It took roughly eight minutes to complete.
Long and varied flyers caused dogs to "shop" before locating their mark. Later, drag back and blown feathers distracted dogs from their bird. Most handlers tried to pick up the middle mark second, as it was the shortest and possibly the most difficult. Only a few dogs took the true line to it - which was a grueling trek through water (some swimming) hummocks, tules and muck. More, however, opted to cross the narrow stream
a short distance in front of the line, then stay on top the grassy bank, drive past the guns and hunt the field beyond. A few tried to return to the flyer, but most hunted for a while, then worked their way down to the tules to recover the bird. By mid morning the wind had switched just enough to enable dogs to wind the bird while hunting to the deep right of the middle guns. The retired right mark seem to present the least challenge. Dogs would cross the creek, drive the hill and check the tree/brush line. If they were left, the would find the retired guns and hunt up the bird. Those arriving to the right could wind it.
By Mid afternoon, it remained sunny and windy with temperatures in the 70's. Work remained much the same for the balance of the series. About 8 p.m., strorm clouds and lightning appeared on the horizon and there was concern that the test would have to be suspended. However, it held off long enough to run the last few dogs, the final one at 8:45 p.m. Then it hit.
Because of the late finish, call backs will not be available until late today or early tomorrow.( As of 10:15 they are not posted) The fifth series will be held at the MIR clubgrounds . Callbacks later revealed 17 dogs dropped They were:4, 20, 31, 35, 40, 46, 47, 48, 57, 62, 74, 86, 89, 90, 96, 106, and 108. Seventy-five remained for the Fifth Series - a land quad.
(L) Lyn Yelton and Elaine Erickson
The Gunner's Lair
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Pros getting a bird's eye view of test 4
(L) Pat Lamantia, Mary Howley and Gary McIllwain
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