As stated before, Tests 1 & 2 ran from Sunday thru Monday early afternoon.  Both groups were moving to the sites for Tests 3 & 4 by 1 PM Tuesday.  By the time the workers got into their modes and the judges were ready for test dogs it was 2:30 PM.   Tuesday was absolutely gorgeous with high clouds most of the day until late afternoon when it became somewhat muggy.  But when we moved we went to the sites where the land/water tests are being held and that’s the reason for the humidity change.   We are now on the Wateree correctional Institute site and will remain there for the duration.

Test 3:   This is a small irregular shaped pond with a lot of bushes around the perimeter.  There is one large land area that juts out into the water and there is a fair amount of lily pads stretching into the middle of the water.  The test consists of a land blind at approximately 35 yds, a water blind at 90 yds, and a live shot pheasant at 76 yds.  When Steve gave the scenario to the handlers Tuesday afternoon he said that they all had “alligator eyes”.  This is the way it goes:  The handler and dog walk up to a spot about 5 ft from the actual line and a dry pop goes off.  The dog is now sent for the short land blind.  As the dog picks up the bird the handler walks into a “receiving circle” (which is the real line for the rest of the test).  Once the dog is at the handler’s side there is 5 seconds before the gunners shoot the pheasant.  Take the bird from the dog and no it off the flyer.  Next step is to get the water blind and then get the flyer.  This is a real test of a dog’s memory and of handling on blinds.  Most of what the judges saw on Tuesday showed them that these handlers did some great pre-test training.  The test should be completed by group A on Wednesday.

Test 4:    Two ponds, a water channel and land make up this test.  This test consists of a pop & throw onto the point in the long irregular pond, a pop & throw onto grassy area (from behind a tree) and a shot flyer goes to the right of the same tree by a bush and meadow grass.  The first bird is 95 yds from the line and requires an angle entry into the channel and down to the point of land in the pond on the left.  the second bird down is 65 yds  which will be a short swim across  the channel and up onto land.  the flyer goes approximately 85 yds which means another short channel crossing, up onto a land section, back into and across the small right hand pond and up onto land to get the bird.  “this test is showing some meat” is how most of the handlers I talked to described it.  The judges are looking at some great work and they really appreciate the effort all the handlers have put into being prepared for the MN this year.
 

Group A & B will flip/flop tomorrow and hopefully the beautiful 70 degree breezy weather will continue.

Just a small note:  Camden Country Club was the site for the annual Workers Party last night, which was not only a fantastic location but because a storm front moved in we all appreciated being inside.  (This storm POURED rain).  The party was great fun with terrific food (and oysters), a band, dancing, and just relaxing with a great bunch of people.  Thanks to the hospitality crew, Rita French, the band, Woody Thurman (and of course his “Water Blind of Life”), Sims and the bartenders!!
 

Dogs dropped after the second series:

35A, 65A, 75A, 76A, 102A, 129A,     -     24B, 35B, 40B, 43B, 52B, 69B, 74B, 83B, 112B, 123B, 124B, 133B, 139B 140B