| Sunday began with temps in the 40's
and a light rain. The first site was located at the Sea
Ranch, about 5-10 minutes from HQ. Cloudy skies delayed
dawn and the first test dog ran about 7:15, a half hour
later than announced. The test was a wide spread land
double with a retired gun and a blind run from on top
a hill. Terrain was rolling pasture with some rain filled
ruts and depressions.
The first mark was deep to the left of the line, about
200+ yards. It was a dead hen pheasant thrown angled
back to the right where it fell into a patch of medium
cover. The down wind fall was well placed as it lay
at the end of a stand of trees with a 3-4 slope behind
it. The flyer was then shot on the far right,
nearly straight out from the line. It was also a hen
pheasant thrown left and landed about 185 yards away
in mixed pasture grass. As the dog was sent, the left
guns retired to a blind The blind lay deep to
the right of the flyer guns at the edge of a tree line.
It, too was a dead hen pheasant at least 250 (?) yards
away. The line was not tight to the guns, but went though
a set of small trees to the right.
Early dogs had poor lighting conditions and there were
several handles although the first dog did well. Terrain
deflected dogs from their way to the marks. The left,
retired mark could only be winded fro the deep left
most of the day. A number of dogs broke right and drove
the pasture hill instead and there was a good deal of
hunting on that mark. A small rise behind the fall and
down wind conditions added to the difficulty. As usual,
mixed flyer falls and challenging terrain also produced
hunts and a handle or two. Sporadically, the rain would
cease and there would be a bright, nearly sunny period
(short). Dog work improved somewhat with better lighting
conditions and scent build up.
Because of poor light early and late, the combined
test could not be completed on Sunday. The series was
suspended at 5:13 after dog 52 ran; nine dogs remained
to finish Monday morning. Number 53 would be first to
run and no partial call backs would be given.
Callbacks will be given immediately after the series
is completed. The third test will be a water triple
with two retired guns and will consist of two dead pheasants
and a flyer duck . It will be held on the Judd Little
ranch and will begin with dog #83. |