Another clear but frosty morning on another good sized pond on the plateau, just 2 miles further than the previous day. As the day progressed the weather was once again warm and sunny.

The retired gun was in deep shadow so the start was delayed to allow for more light to the area. No. 1 guns were 150 yds. across the water standing between the shoreline and a stand of trees. They threw a duck to the right in amongst some fallen fir branches. The guns then retired to a blind in the trees. No. 2 guns were on an low island throwing from left to right with the bird landing about in line with the no. 1 guns. No 3 gun was at 200 yds., far to the right past the end of the pond. The guns were on the shoreline across a small pond, throwing to the right to land on the shoreline.

Series 4 - Water Triple

The line to the "go bird" was along the shoreline over two juniper bushes and across the pond to the bird. The line to no. 2 bird was down a slope of about 15 yds. across about 70 yds. of water and out onto the island just behind the bow of a beached boat. The line to the retired gun was down the same slope into the water across the island about 10 yds to the right of the # 2 bird, across another 40 yards of water to the bird which was about 5 yds. back from the shore. About 30 yds. to the right of the no. 3 bird was an open grass slope which proved most attractive to many dogs which pushed off the # 2 gun.

Series 4 - Water Triple

The retired gun caused lots of problems. Dogs running early had the added disadvantage of deep shadow where the bird was thrown. Some faded to the right, landed and shot up the open hillside and had to be handled. Later dogs had the advantage of better light but many still pushed off the no. 2 bird and ran up the hill with a few finally finding their way back down through the pines to the bird. A breeze arose out of the north but as the day progressed swirled from all directions.

The test was not completed and will continue in the morning. Overall this has proved to be a very difficult test. There are no partial callbacks.

Reported by Stu Mead
Test Descriptions by Sara Harman
Test Drawings by Birgit Juergensen