| TUESDAY,
DAY 3: Tuesday
morning in McCall was overcast, damp and cool, with heavy
dew and patchy fog. As we approached Cascade, which
is about 25 miles South and 1,000 feet lower, the skies
cleared. The last six dogs were run in partly cloudy
but clearing weather, temperatures in the 50's and little,
if any, breeze. The lone test dog was run at 7:30,
and the test ended about 8:15 AM. The last six dogs
did not fare well, four of them having to handle. Overall,
35 of the 95 dogs handled (37%) and two broke. 83
dogs were called back. Dogs dropped were 7, 16,
30, 40, 46, 47, 49, 53, 83 (scratched due to injury),
89, 96, 103. The judges
moved the line to the blind about 15 yards to the right
of the line to the marks. The blind was
run through the marks on the previous test, with the
line to the blind running behind the brush blind (used
by gunners to retire on center bird in the previous
series), between the center and right hand marks, across
the second channel and deep into the grassy field.
A dead duck was planted by a fence post 293 yards
out. Dog No. 55 started at 9:05 AM.
The steep hill, suction from the
previous marks, and the water angle threw some dogs
from a good initial line. Some early handles were
needed. Dogs were reluctant to enter the far channel,
and some refused casts to do so. The judges had
the area between the first and second bodies of water
scented every 15 dogs. The quality of the work
would vary depending on the wind. While several
hunted the drag back in the far field, a trail quickly
formed to the bird. The test took about six minutes
per dog to complete.
The test concluded at 5:30 pm with
dog #54. Callbacks came later at HQ and 73 dogs
were back for the 5th. Ten were lost, they were:
3,11,20,22,28,34,44,50,61, and 91. The next series
will be land marks, test dog at 7:30 am.
GALLERY COMMENTS :
"A
double double entry blind."
"The
first test where running early was not a severe handicap."
"When
the sun came out, the 'Prairie Peak' umbrella stands
were hot sellers."
"Spectacular
snow caps west of Cascade framed the bowl."
"The
food wagon this year raised the bar."
"Most
dogs did the blind well. Remember when amateurs
struggled on blinds? THANK YOU, TRI-TRONICS!"
"25
of the 83 starters have a handle--30%"
"Waterproof
judges' sheets weren't needed today."
"When
can we view the line?" (Several explanations were
given, approaching instructions for tax forms in complexity.)
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