Tuesday, November 14, 2000 |
Third Finish & Fourth Series
Tuesday arrived clear and chilly with frosty cover. Temperatures were in the 30's with little wind. Once at the test site, the wind rose and switched right to left across to straight downwind. Dog 45 resumed the 8 -9 minute triple about 7 a.m. after a test dog was run. The work appeared a bit better than Monday's , however there were 4 additional pick ups and some handles. The test was completed just before noon and as Judges determined call backs, a long entry water blind from the same area was organized.
Soon call backs arrived leaving 69 dogs in contention. Sixteen had been lost to the first 3 series (70 & 74 were scratches). Those dropped were: 10, 26, 27, 29, 33, 36, 46, 57, 60, 61, 63, 72, 77, 78, 81 and 82. Starting dog for the fourth series was #17.
Soon call backs arrived leaving 69 dogs in contention. Sixteen had been lost to the first 3 series (70 & 74 were scratches). Those dropped were: 10, 26, 27, 29, 33, 36, 46, 57, 60, 61, 63, 72, 77, 78, 81 and 82. Starting dog for the fourth series was #17.
Test 4 From Line
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Test 4 - Close Up To Show Detail
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The line for the blind utilized the pick up mat which lay to the right of the running mat from series 3. To recover the bird, a dead mallard, dogs had to angle back down the hill and into the same pond used for the middle
mark last series. However, the line exited to the left of the gunner's blind then up the hill, across a water filled ditch to where the bird lay - at the base of a bush between two small trees. The distance was about 300 yards and it took 3-4 minutes to complete. For the most part, the wind angled back from right to left. Some dogs tried to return to an old fall while others preferred not to get wet. Early corrections were needed. Once in the water, handlers had to direct their dogs to skim behind the old retired gun blind. Since it was large and thick, dogs could easily go out of sight for a bit of time. Those that did, could hunt the old scent and/or appear deep
behind it well off line. Some drove the hill, ignoring whistles while others failed to hear whistles while in the narrow water filled ditch.
It appeared that they would complete the 4th today and announced call backs would be posted later at Headquarters. It was rumored that the 5th would be a land quad at the Sea Ranch.
As predicted, the fourth was completed by dark. Callbacks came later and 60 dogs were invited to the fifth.
Nine more had been lost. They were: 12, 17, 20, 21, 39, 41, 45, 50 and 62.
The scheduled land quad would contain one retired gun and a flying rooster. Dog 38 would run first.
mark last series. However, the line exited to the left of the gunner's blind then up the hill, across a water filled ditch to where the bird lay - at the base of a bush between two small trees. The distance was about 300 yards and it took 3-4 minutes to complete. For the most part, the wind angled back from right to left. Some dogs tried to return to an old fall while others preferred not to get wet. Early corrections were needed. Once in the water, handlers had to direct their dogs to skim behind the old retired gun blind. Since it was large and thick, dogs could easily go out of sight for a bit of time. Those that did, could hunt the old scent and/or appear deep
behind it well off line. Some drove the hill, ignoring whistles while others failed to hear whistles while in the narrow water filled ditch.
It appeared that they would complete the 4th today and announced call backs would be posted later at Headquarters. It was rumored that the 5th would be a land quad at the Sea Ranch.
As predicted, the fourth was completed by dark. Callbacks came later and 60 dogs were invited to the fifth.
Nine more had been lost. They were: 12, 17, 20, 21, 39, 41, 45, 50 and 62.
The scheduled land quad would contain one retired gun and a flying rooster. Dog 38 would run first.
(L to R) Dennis Bath, Tony Snow & Jim Cope
(L to R) Gary Lockee, Ginger Cope & John McAssey
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Bill Schrader/Stepper (L) - Merry Lake/Klondike
(L) Jan Schrader and Mary Lou Vega
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