Submitted by Brooks McMullin
Photos courtesy of Dennis Voigt

TEST 2 - LAND BLIND

Series 2

In contrast to the rains of the first day Tuesday started off with a light fog and blue sky.  By the time set-up was completed the sun had burned of the fog and a hot sunny day began.  The second series was a 276 yard land blind between the centre and right hand marks of the previous test.  Blind planters in white jackets were positioned to the left of first test’s right hand mark.  Most dogs got the bird without too much difficulty.  Dog number 15 was picked up and the remaining 42 dogs were called back to the third series.

TEST 3 - WATER TRIPLE

Series 3

The third series, a water triple with the center gun station directly to the north, involved short swims and two retired guns.  The first bird, the center gun, retired behind cattails after a duck was thrown (114 yards) to the left across a foot-bridged channel.  The second gun at the right hand station threw a pheasant toward the running line (at 92 yards).  The go-bird, the longest bird (186 yards), was thrown from left to right in an alfalfa field and then the gunners retired behind a blind.  Most dogs primary selected the right hand mark, taking the middle bird next and the long go-bird last.  Difficulties occurred on the right hand mark where the dogs hunted above the shore in the heavy cover along the dike road.  The wind, coming from the south (behind), seemed to push some of the dogs of their line to the middle retired gun causing them to hunt on the right of the channel before making their way to the bird. The long hot day in the sun was completed at approximately 8:30.  Dogs 7, 13, 16, 23, 31,33 and 47 were dropped leaving 35 dogs to move on to the next series, a water blind which will start with dog 49 Wednesday morning.

Early Bird Gallery	Setting Up Test 3