| 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.
|
