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| Wednesday,
November 10th |
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| Fifth Series - Land Blind, Dry Shot,
Poison Bird |
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| Close
Up of Blind Area |
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It was partly cloudy
and warm with temperatures in the high fifties and
a variable breeze. The test was set up and ready
at 6:45 when the only test dog was called to line. After,
Judges waited a few minutes for the light to improve before
calling the first running dog, #78 to line at 7:18 a.m.
The wind was similar to the previous day , switching left
to right across or behind the line. There were a
few handles, several large hunts and a few incredible
jobs. The fourth was completed about 11:05 when dog 77
was excused from the honor.
A land blind was announced to be held across the dike
in the previous field. It would run from the back end
toward the old line site. The gallery was told to wait
until it was set up to move. Callbacks would be given
at the new site. In a short wile, all were moved and callbacks
announced. 40 dogs remained to test the fifth. Those lost
were: 15, 17, 33, 43, 53, 58, 64, 70, and 78.
The fifth was a land blind run from the back edge of a
dike road. About 75 yards to the left a pair of guns threw
a poison duck to the left. Nearly straight across from
them a second, single gunner was located on the second
of two peninsulas with a boat on dry land in front
of him. He fired a dry shot. The order was: Left, poison
bird; right, dry shot. Judges gave the handler an number
and he was on his own.
At 12:05 the first test dog arrived, followed by
a second at 12.10. Both had numerous whistles. The first
running dog, !#18 appeared at 12:26 p.m.. The bird was
located deep between the two sets of gunners and marked
by a stump like stick about 300+. To recover the duck,
the dog had to angle down the dike, take a small piece
of the pond corner and continue to the land beyond. The
land rolled down, undulated and had two 4' high mounds
at different distances in front of the blind - all of
which could throw a dog off line. Some ping-ponged between
the two guns before clearing them. Some had to be cast
into the water..
They could also get behind the mounds and return to sight
off line. It was difficult to obtain and maintain a good
line. Most early dogs had a good number of whistles. About
1:15, the skies cleared and the wind rose, however, the
work remained about the same.
The test took about 5 mpd and was completed at 3:20
p.m. when dog #13 returned to line.
Later callbacks were posted at HQ. Thirty-eight potential
NFC's remained. Those lost: 55 and 79. The next test is
rumored to be a land Quad and will begin with dog 49 |
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| 77
sending from line
Holding blinds behind
line |
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