The test just ran the first dog which was a no bird!  I’m listening to it on the radio and trying to type this narrative at the same time.

      Series 5 is an early morning duck hunt at which you and your dog have arrived just a bit late.  You start a walk-up from the holding blind to the edge of the hill.  As you leave the blind duck calls are going off and they stop when either you or your dog reach the edge.   Of course every good hunter will be sneaking up on this because you just don’t know who is down there making all the racket.  Now that you can see the pond there is a couple of hunters behind a bush on the hill to your right and they shoot a live duck which lands on a land spit out at the base of a dead tree stump.  But the excitement isn’t over yet because, much to your surprise, there are hunters behind another huge bush to your left and out on another land spit.  These guys call and shoot a live bird but it lands in the middle of the stump pond at the far base of some tall brown weedy things.  (Like a water bush)  Now these clowns just didn’t bring their own dog to retrieve their birds so they need you to help.

      The gallery has a spectacular view of the test and there seemed to be a lot of camaraderie going on when I left.  We all expect this test to last several hours yet today, all day tomorrow, and into Sunday morning.  After the last dog runs and the judges finish tallying there will be the Closing Ceremonies when the qualifiers will get their plates and awards will be handed out.

    The next narrative will be on Saturday and will contain some ideas and comments on the test since nothing will change (I presume).  It has been a great day here, both with the weather and the dog work.  Most handlers have settled their nerves and are now enjoying running the tests.  This series will start off with dog #120 in A and #127 in B.