Tuesday, September 17th
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As promised by the weatherman, on Tuesday there were cooler temperatures and cloudy skies. A blustery wind was coming out of the northwest. Temperatures in the morning were 8 degrees Celsius and only rose to 13 degrees by noon. Eleven dogs remained to run the first and second series. Similar work was seen to yesterday, even with the slight wind change. In total there were 2 pick ups on the land blind and 2 more pick ups and 13 dogs that handled on the second series along with numerous hooked guns and loose hunts. Call-backs were announced swiftly after the test was completed. Eight dogs had been dropped from the first and second series combination. They were 10, 14, 18, 34, 50, 56, 67 and 81.
Test 3 - Water Blind
The caravan moved over to a large pond located in a pasture, about 4 miles away. A water blind awaited the handlers. The blind was located on a float board, 188 yards from the line. The dogs were required to run along the shoreline, along a bank of bulrushes and then enter the water as the land curved around to the right. Two gunners sat silently at that point. Decoys were placed strategically in the pond and there was great suction to the right. The blind planters sat in a boat across the water on the far shore also to the right. The first test dog completed the blind with several whistles to get in the water, but was fine after that. The second test dog got in the water, but was pulled over by the decoys to the right and would not handle away from them. A third test dog was ran, again with a lot of whistles on the land, but it got the blind. The test commenced with dog 21. The test was taking about 6 minutes per dog. Early work suggested that initial line was extremely difficult with some entering the water too early and others being drawn too far to the right.
Later on, conditions improved as the wind died. More dogs were entering the water properly and carrying out to the blind. The test concluded at about 7:30. Four dogs were dropped – 22, 30, 33 and 61. 66 dogs remain to start the water marks tomorrow. The first running dog will be number 39.
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Charles Dygos and Randy Nisleit in Holding Blinds |
Gallery - Test 3 |
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