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2020 INVITATIONAL
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EVENT DATES: April 18-25, 2021
EVENT LOCATION: Corning, California |
JUDGES:
Jeff Bundy, West Central Region Ray Shanks, Western Region |
EVENT COVERAGE TEAM: Alice Woodyard (report), Rich Pingatore (drone test diagrams) and Karen Pingatore (photography)
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EVENT NOTES:
Saturday, April 17, 2021: Mandatory Handlers Meeting. Click the button to see the Full Report of the Meeting and important information for this event that was given at the meeting. |
2020 Invitational Test Descriptions & Coverage
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AWARDS CEREMONY
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38 Dogs Qualified at the 2020 Master Amateur Invitational:
2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 (MAR), 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27 (MAH), 28, 29, 30, 31, 36, 40 (MAH), 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48 (MAR), 53, 54 (MAR), 55, 57, 58, 59 (MAR), 69, 71, 72 and 74. *SPECIAL NOTE: MAR = 2 Master Amateur Invitational Qualifications MAH = 3 Master Amateur Invitational Qualifications The awards ceremony commenced at 1:40 p.m. Laura Judd opened the ceremony with a champagne toast to The Judges and Our Dogs. She then thanked the sponsors and other friends of the MAI, expressing special gratitude to the Paskenta Band of the Nomlaki Tribe on whose lands this event has been held, and Brad Henman and his Clear Creek Sports Club crew for letting the 2020 MAI play on those lands. Vicki Christianson, MAI Event Secretary, then read off the names of the 38 talented and fortunate dogs that had earned qualifying scores at the 2020 MAI. Each handler approached the awards table when called and collected an elegant crystal MAI plate, huge orange rosette, bird band, and a 2020 MAI logo decal. Handlers were asked to let Vicki know if this was their dog's second or third Master Amateur pass, in which case the dog was also awarded a special title pin and decal. Two passes earns the MARC Club title of MAR (Master Amateur Retriever) and 3 passes earns the AKC title of MAH (Master Amateur Hunter). After a few groups of friends and training groups stayed around for more photos and socializing everyone dispersed and the 2020 MAI entered the history books. |
SERIES 6 – Humpty Dumpty
Thursday, April 22, 2021:
The work on the 6th was generally solid, particularly on the marks. More teams seemed to have trouble on the single blind than on the marks. After the dog delivered its final bird the judges were usually able to let its handler know at the line whether their dog had qualified and, if not, the reason for the unfortunate outcome.
The final dog completed the 6th Series at 12:45 p.m. The group headed for the Clear Creek clubhouse to await the awards ceremony. Back at the clubhouse the handlers found munchies available as they gathered to sign the 2020 MAI banner, a MARC tradition. The waiting handlers were also invited to raid a stash of remaining MAI logo items. Which they did.
It is a few minutes before noon here and there are eight dogs left to run the 6th series. Average time is about 5 1/2 minutes per dog.
It's Thursday morning and the 6th and final series of the 2020 Master Amateur - which has been held in 2021 due to the pandemic. As the buzzing drone rises overhead to create a permanent record of the test, Judge Jeff Bundy welcomes handlers to the 6th, saying that the judges have had fun and they hope the handlers have too. He cautions that there are some teams who will very need strong work on this test to earn a plate - not everyone will necessarily be getting one. Judge Ray Shanks interjects, "Oh but I think they all should!" and Bundy responds, "Hey, Ray told me to say that."
Dog #40 started the 6th series on Thursday morning. Bitch check was closed by 7:00 am, and the first competing dog ran at 8:31 am.
44 dogs were called back to the 6th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
6 Dogs were dropped: 18, 34, 37, 50, 51 and 64.
The work on the 6th was generally solid, particularly on the marks. More teams seemed to have trouble on the single blind than on the marks. After the dog delivered its final bird the judges were usually able to let its handler know at the line whether their dog had qualified and, if not, the reason for the unfortunate outcome.
The final dog completed the 6th Series at 12:45 p.m. The group headed for the Clear Creek clubhouse to await the awards ceremony. Back at the clubhouse the handlers found munchies available as they gathered to sign the 2020 MAI banner, a MARC tradition. The waiting handlers were also invited to raid a stash of remaining MAI logo items. Which they did.
It is a few minutes before noon here and there are eight dogs left to run the 6th series. Average time is about 5 1/2 minutes per dog.
It's Thursday morning and the 6th and final series of the 2020 Master Amateur - which has been held in 2021 due to the pandemic. As the buzzing drone rises overhead to create a permanent record of the test, Judge Jeff Bundy welcomes handlers to the 6th, saying that the judges have had fun and they hope the handlers have too. He cautions that there are some teams who will very need strong work on this test to earn a plate - not everyone will necessarily be getting one. Judge Ray Shanks interjects, "Oh but I think they all should!" and Bundy responds, "Hey, Ray told me to say that."
Dog #40 started the 6th series on Thursday morning. Bitch check was closed by 7:00 am, and the first competing dog ran at 8:31 am.
44 dogs were called back to the 6th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
6 Dogs were dropped: 18, 34, 37, 50, 51 and 64.
Series 6 Test Description:
The scenario is a pheasant hunt (ducks to be shot). The test is set in an area known as the "rifle range" and consists of rolling hills covered with short grass and dotted with numerous mogul-like grass-covered mounds.
Two brushed up blinds are almost in line with each other, the closer one launches a dead duck to the left in a long arc across a swale containing fresh ATV tracks. This bird lands in short cover on the open hillside. The second, more distant holding blind flights a mallard to the right. It lands among moguls. The third station, well off to the right, flights and shoots another mallard to the left. It also lands among some grassy moguls.
After this triple has been retrieved, a single blind is run. This blind is off the back of the right hand flier station. There will be a diversion shot from that station as the dog returns with its flier, after which the blind will be planted from that station before the dog has arrived at the line.
The scenario is a pheasant hunt (ducks to be shot). The test is set in an area known as the "rifle range" and consists of rolling hills covered with short grass and dotted with numerous mogul-like grass-covered mounds.
Two brushed up blinds are almost in line with each other, the closer one launches a dead duck to the left in a long arc across a swale containing fresh ATV tracks. This bird lands in short cover on the open hillside. The second, more distant holding blind flights a mallard to the right. It lands among moguls. The third station, well off to the right, flights and shoots another mallard to the left. It also lands among some grassy moguls.
After this triple has been retrieved, a single blind is run. This blind is off the back of the right hand flier station. There will be a diversion shot from that station as the dog returns with its flier, after which the blind will be planted from that station before the dog has arrived at the line.
Series 6 Test Dogs:
Gamay ran first. She made quick work of her go bird, the flier on the right. Sent for the dead bird second, she pulled towards its holding blind and then hunted the swale with the ATV tracks, gradually working towards the deeper flier station. Susan handled her back to the fall. When sent for the final flier, Gamay took a line under its arc, then hunted the backside of the flier station and into the swale again, at which point Susan handled her. Gallery assistance was needed to help Susan locate the fall of this bird, demonstrating that handlers need to watch their own falls carefully in case a handle is needed.
Gamay took a somewhat wide line to her blind and then was handled across the line to be in line with the throwing station, and from there to the bird.
Bree ran second. Bree pinned her go bird (flier) and dead bird (on the left). When sent for the flier from the station behind the short station, she crossed left across the ATV tracks in the swale then back to her bird.
On her blind Bree took an initial line somewhat to the right of the line to the bird. She responded to her first two casts by heading more to the right, then spotted the blind marker from a distance and recovered her bird.
Rye ran third. Rye pinned her go bird flier. She was sent for the other flier second, and managed to stay just to the right of its throwing station then headed up the hill to pin this bird. Rye demonstrated - as did the other test dogs - that all three dogs experienced a lot of suction to the left when heading for this bird. Rye was sent for the dead bird third. She had a loose hunt well to the left of it and was handled to the bird.
On her blind, Rue's initial line was somewhat to the left of the holding blind (i.e., towards the flier). She responded quickly to casts to put her on the correct side and back to the blind.
After the test dogs ran, a gunner from this station walked out on the side where the blind would be planted, and headed away from the test, showing the gallery that the rolling terrain in this area falls off quickly just beyond where the blind is planted. Not a good blind to overrun.
The first running dog, # 40, headed to the line at 8:31 a.m. and the 6th Series is underway ...
Gamay ran first. She made quick work of her go bird, the flier on the right. Sent for the dead bird second, she pulled towards its holding blind and then hunted the swale with the ATV tracks, gradually working towards the deeper flier station. Susan handled her back to the fall. When sent for the final flier, Gamay took a line under its arc, then hunted the backside of the flier station and into the swale again, at which point Susan handled her. Gallery assistance was needed to help Susan locate the fall of this bird, demonstrating that handlers need to watch their own falls carefully in case a handle is needed.
Gamay took a somewhat wide line to her blind and then was handled across the line to be in line with the throwing station, and from there to the bird.
Bree ran second. Bree pinned her go bird (flier) and dead bird (on the left). When sent for the flier from the station behind the short station, she crossed left across the ATV tracks in the swale then back to her bird.
On her blind Bree took an initial line somewhat to the right of the line to the bird. She responded to her first two casts by heading more to the right, then spotted the blind marker from a distance and recovered her bird.
Rye ran third. Rye pinned her go bird flier. She was sent for the other flier second, and managed to stay just to the right of its throwing station then headed up the hill to pin this bird. Rye demonstrated - as did the other test dogs - that all three dogs experienced a lot of suction to the left when heading for this bird. Rye was sent for the dead bird third. She had a loose hunt well to the left of it and was handled to the bird.
On her blind, Rue's initial line was somewhat to the left of the holding blind (i.e., towards the flier). She responded quickly to casts to put her on the correct side and back to the blind.
After the test dogs ran, a gunner from this station walked out on the side where the blind would be planted, and headed away from the test, showing the gallery that the rolling terrain in this area falls off quickly just beyond where the blind is planted. Not a good blind to overrun.
The first running dog, # 40, headed to the line at 8:31 a.m. and the 6th Series is underway ...
SERIES 5 – Clubhouse Rendezvous
Wednesday, April 21, 2021:
5TH SERIES COMPLETE –The 5th series is in the books. The final dog to run came off the line at about 5:25 pm. The 6th Series will start tomorrow (Thursday.)
44 dogs were called back to the 6th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
6 Dogs were dropped: 18, 34, 37, 50, 51 and 64.
Dog #26 started the 5th Series at approximately 11:30 am.
Work on the 5th was strong overall although there were quite a few single handles. And although this was the least gallery-friendly of all the series so far, in terms of having a good view of the test, the gallery had a nice shady spot under the trees which surround this pond, known as the “Clubhouse Pond.”
The north wind continued all day, gradually lessening by late afternoon. This wind produced variability in the falls. The crosswind situation affected the work because dogs could wind the middle bird while hunting for the go bird. The middle bird with its obscure fall caused handles also.
The free-roaming chukkar on these grounds caused some stress when a covey wandered into the area of the land blind and added to the control challenge. But the dogs who ran in “covey conditions” for the most part demonstrated admirable control.
50 dogs were called back to the 5th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
2 Dogs were dropped: 35 and 32.
Dog #26 started the 5th Series at approximately 11:30 am.
5TH SERIES COMPLETE –The 5th series is in the books. The final dog to run came off the line at about 5:25 pm. The 6th Series will start tomorrow (Thursday.)
44 dogs were called back to the 6th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
6 Dogs were dropped: 18, 34, 37, 50, 51 and 64.
Dog #26 started the 5th Series at approximately 11:30 am.
Work on the 5th was strong overall although there were quite a few single handles. And although this was the least gallery-friendly of all the series so far, in terms of having a good view of the test, the gallery had a nice shady spot under the trees which surround this pond, known as the “Clubhouse Pond.”
The north wind continued all day, gradually lessening by late afternoon. This wind produced variability in the falls. The crosswind situation affected the work because dogs could wind the middle bird while hunting for the go bird. The middle bird with its obscure fall caused handles also.
The free-roaming chukkar on these grounds caused some stress when a covey wandered into the area of the land blind and added to the control challenge. But the dogs who ran in “covey conditions” for the most part demonstrated admirable control.
50 dogs were called back to the 5th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
2 Dogs were dropped: 35 and 32.
Dog #26 started the 5th Series at approximately 11:30 am.
Series 5 Test Description:
This 5th Series is a water triple with dead ducks. It is a walk-up. After the marks are retrieved there is a double blind, one through water and one on land. Both blinds are hot. This test will take about 7 minutes per dog.
The 5th and 6th Series had to be flip-flopped due to the wind making the test originally planned for today not feasible to run when planned. Therefore the new 5th Series was renamed "Clubhouse Rendezvous" - and the significance of the new name remains unknown at the present time.
Judge Jeff Bundy welcomed the handlers, congratulated those who had made it to the 5th Series, and gave the scenario. You are walking out to your duck hole heading towards a small island when some birds come in, which you shoot. So it's a walk-up.
Your duck hole is located in a shallow running water pond nestled in a grove of Eucalyptus trees. It holds some islands covered with dry grass. The pond is backdropped on two sides by raised berms, one of which has the clubhouse road on it. About 12 mallard decoys are placed in the pond close to the near shore. A spread of handsome full-body goose decoys is located on land on the right side of the pond.
After the test dogs had run traffic control was set up to stop cars from driving on the road when a dog was running.
The walk-up in this test goes around a tree after leaving the holding blind, so as to execute a tight left turn before the dog and handler begin heading towards a stripe of orange spray paint on the ground. By the time the dog arrives near the paint the walk-up bird should have been called for.
The walk-up bird, first bird down, is on the left and is thrown to the right across water. It lands at about 45 yards on or just in front of an island. This throwing station is concealed behind a holding blind that is tucked up against a tree. The second bird down, the middle bird, is thrown to the right and lands at about 42 yards on the back side of a different island. This throwing station is in a holding blind concealed behind trees. The third bird down, the right hand bird, is thrown to the left and arcs across the entire pond to land at about 66 yards on the far shore. This throwing station is also located a holding blind concealed among the trees.
After the marks are retrieved, the right hand blind (land blind) is run first. The line to the blind goes through a corridor of skinny tree trunks and there is a small blind marker. The line to this blind is along a slight side slope with the level land on the left where the goose dekes are grazing and loafing. The land blind is at about 82 yards. This blind is planted from the right and is "hot."
The line to the left hand blind (water blind) goes through the shallow pond, first crossing the island where the walk-up bird has previously landed, then navigating past and across other land and flooded points before arriving on the far shore. It is planted at the base of a tree before the ground rises to reach the road. This blind is marked by an orange tape wrapped around the target tree trunk. It is planted from a holding blind near the road. An orange stripe has been spray painted on the ground about 15 feet to the left of where the dogs are sent from. The judges explain that if a handler need to cross this line to see their dog while handling on the water blind, it is "not good."
This 5th Series is a water triple with dead ducks. It is a walk-up. After the marks are retrieved there is a double blind, one through water and one on land. Both blinds are hot. This test will take about 7 minutes per dog.
The 5th and 6th Series had to be flip-flopped due to the wind making the test originally planned for today not feasible to run when planned. Therefore the new 5th Series was renamed "Clubhouse Rendezvous" - and the significance of the new name remains unknown at the present time.
Judge Jeff Bundy welcomed the handlers, congratulated those who had made it to the 5th Series, and gave the scenario. You are walking out to your duck hole heading towards a small island when some birds come in, which you shoot. So it's a walk-up.
Your duck hole is located in a shallow running water pond nestled in a grove of Eucalyptus trees. It holds some islands covered with dry grass. The pond is backdropped on two sides by raised berms, one of which has the clubhouse road on it. About 12 mallard decoys are placed in the pond close to the near shore. A spread of handsome full-body goose decoys is located on land on the right side of the pond.
After the test dogs had run traffic control was set up to stop cars from driving on the road when a dog was running.
The walk-up in this test goes around a tree after leaving the holding blind, so as to execute a tight left turn before the dog and handler begin heading towards a stripe of orange spray paint on the ground. By the time the dog arrives near the paint the walk-up bird should have been called for.
The walk-up bird, first bird down, is on the left and is thrown to the right across water. It lands at about 45 yards on or just in front of an island. This throwing station is concealed behind a holding blind that is tucked up against a tree. The second bird down, the middle bird, is thrown to the right and lands at about 42 yards on the back side of a different island. This throwing station is in a holding blind concealed behind trees. The third bird down, the right hand bird, is thrown to the left and arcs across the entire pond to land at about 66 yards on the far shore. This throwing station is also located a holding blind concealed among the trees.
After the marks are retrieved, the right hand blind (land blind) is run first. The line to the blind goes through a corridor of skinny tree trunks and there is a small blind marker. The line to this blind is along a slight side slope with the level land on the left where the goose dekes are grazing and loafing. The land blind is at about 82 yards. This blind is planted from the right and is "hot."
The line to the left hand blind (water blind) goes through the shallow pond, first crossing the island where the walk-up bird has previously landed, then navigating past and across other land and flooded points before arriving on the far shore. It is planted at the base of a tree before the ground rises to reach the road. This blind is marked by an orange tape wrapped around the target tree trunk. It is planted from a holding blind near the road. An orange stripe has been spray painted on the ground about 15 feet to the left of where the dogs are sent from. The judges explain that if a handler need to cross this line to see their dog while handling on the water blind, it is "not good."
Series 5 Test Dogs:
Susan and Gamay ran first. Gamay pinned the go bird, and had short hunts on the two memory birds. She showed the handlers that they won't always see their dogs work during hunts. Gamay's land blind went smoothly, taking a good line through the corridor of trees. On her water blind (the water blind) she got to the right which put her out of sight and up on the road. The left-hand casts needed at this point were straight into the strong north wind. Gamay eventually circled off to the right and in towards the island and then was picked up.
Julie and Bree ran second. Bree pinned the go bird. As Bree worked on her second retrieve, the middle bird, she, like Gamay, demonstrated that handlers could expect not to see their dogs during all of a hunt on this bird, since it's likely location would include the area behind the island where the bird had landed. Bree then made a quick retrieve of the walk-up bird on the left. On her land blind her initial line was too far to the left, perhaps influenced by the spread of goose decoys as well as some push off the side hill. A few right hand casts were needed to get Bree to the blind. On her water blind, Bree, like Gamay, wanted to pull off line to the right. Julie's casts put Bree back on line to recover the blind. Bree showed the handlers that if your dog is to the right the line to the blind, all you may see of it will be the splashes as it gallops through the shallow water.
Ed and Rye ran third. Rye pinned his go bird, which had landed with a splash due to the vagaries of throws in strong winds. When sent for the middle bird, Rye punched across the island (and therefore through the fall area) and crossed the pond. Ed handled back to the bird. Rye's line to her left hand bird was somewhat to the right of the fall and her nose located it immediately. Rye took a good initial line through the trees on her land blind, then started pulling to the left and casts to the right were needed. On her water blind it appeared Ed had spotted the perils of allowing a dog to gain the far shore prematurely as he cast several times to counteract its pull. Despite his effort the strong right hand influences on this blind nevertheless pulled Rye that way to a degree.
Susan and Gamay ran first. Gamay pinned the go bird, and had short hunts on the two memory birds. She showed the handlers that they won't always see their dogs work during hunts. Gamay's land blind went smoothly, taking a good line through the corridor of trees. On her water blind (the water blind) she got to the right which put her out of sight and up on the road. The left-hand casts needed at this point were straight into the strong north wind. Gamay eventually circled off to the right and in towards the island and then was picked up.
Julie and Bree ran second. Bree pinned the go bird. As Bree worked on her second retrieve, the middle bird, she, like Gamay, demonstrated that handlers could expect not to see their dogs during all of a hunt on this bird, since it's likely location would include the area behind the island where the bird had landed. Bree then made a quick retrieve of the walk-up bird on the left. On her land blind her initial line was too far to the left, perhaps influenced by the spread of goose decoys as well as some push off the side hill. A few right hand casts were needed to get Bree to the blind. On her water blind, Bree, like Gamay, wanted to pull off line to the right. Julie's casts put Bree back on line to recover the blind. Bree showed the handlers that if your dog is to the right the line to the blind, all you may see of it will be the splashes as it gallops through the shallow water.
Ed and Rye ran third. Rye pinned his go bird, which had landed with a splash due to the vagaries of throws in strong winds. When sent for the middle bird, Rye punched across the island (and therefore through the fall area) and crossed the pond. Ed handled back to the bird. Rye's line to her left hand bird was somewhat to the right of the fall and her nose located it immediately. Rye took a good initial line through the trees on her land blind, then started pulling to the left and casts to the right were needed. On her water blind it appeared Ed had spotted the perils of allowing a dog to gain the far shore prematurely as he cast several times to counteract its pull. Despite his effort the strong right hand influences on this blind nevertheless pulled Rye that way to a degree.
SERIES 4 – Train Station
Wednesday, April 21, 2021:
4TH SERIES COMPLETE – The 4th series is now complete, the last running dog came off the line at 9:10 am.
The crew broke down the equipment quickly to transport it to the site of the new 5th series. The plan for which of the remaining tests to run where, had to be modified today because of the strong north wind. The original plan was to run the 5th series - which has two fliers in it - today and finish with a test at the “clubhouse pond” tomorrow. But now the former 6th series will become the 5th series and vice versa! The parking lot is moving for the 5th series. Callbacks to the 5th have been posted!
50 dogs were called back to the 5th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
2 Dogs were dropped: 35 and 32.
14 dogs are running the this morning to complete this 4th series.
The powerful north wind this morning created a severely crosswind test for the 14 dogs that ran the 4th series this morning. This weather change demonstrated why it is generally better to run a split series on its first day!
The wingers were adjusted as much as possible but even with modifications the middle throw now often fell behind the holding blind and had no arc at all. However, its location was still readily apparent to the dogs with their keen noses.
The last bird down in this test is the longest bird, and it was also the most downwind bird today, with the two shorter memory birds being upwind of the “go bird.” It was not uncommon for a dog that had a hunt on this bird to wind the middle bird on the right, calling for a handle, and these handles were sometimes rugged ones, given the strong wind. Any dog sent for the middle bird before the right hand bird invariably winded the right hand bird and diverted to it. Generally this occurred well before the area of the fall for the middle bird, so the jeopardy for the team in this case was that a dog when sent again for the middle bird could think it had already been there and try not to go there “again.”
Only one handler used “primary selection” to take the birds in order of the wind: right, middle, left.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021:
52 dogs were called back to the 4th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
15 Dogs were dropped: 3, 7, 12, 20, 39, 44, 45, 49, 52, 61, 63, 66, 67, 68 and 70.
Dog #14 will start the 4th Series.
Directions: The venue is moving for the 4th series to a new parking lot. The directions are – turn left at the speed bump where the bitch check has been, then head to your left down a hill to the "big lake."
The earlier schedule for this afternoon's wrap-up has been modified. The last dog to run today will be # 60. They will not finish today.
This afternoon's testing will conclude no later than 3:30 p.m. to give all workers time to deal with equipment and birds, and get to the Workers Party.
Workers Party is in the same location ("Carlino Room") as the Handlers' Meeting on Saturday. Bar opens at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 6 p.m. The logo lime green bandanas being worn by the workers is the entrance ticket. Workers, bring yours!
This test is running about 5-6 minutes per dog. There have been, as expected, quite a few handles. Your reporter has finally decoded the significance of the artificially planted leafy branches in the test. These "groves" are located in the areas of likely dog error, to wit, on the backside of the throwing station for the long left hand bird and short of the road that needs to be crossed to retrieve the middle bird.
The starting dog for Wednesday morning will be dog #62. One test Dog will run at 7:45 am, and then our starting dog #62 will continue the 4th series test at approximately 8:00 am.
4TH SERIES COMPLETE – The 4th series is now complete, the last running dog came off the line at 9:10 am.
The crew broke down the equipment quickly to transport it to the site of the new 5th series. The plan for which of the remaining tests to run where, had to be modified today because of the strong north wind. The original plan was to run the 5th series - which has two fliers in it - today and finish with a test at the “clubhouse pond” tomorrow. But now the former 6th series will become the 5th series and vice versa! The parking lot is moving for the 5th series. Callbacks to the 5th have been posted!
50 dogs were called back to the 5th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
2 Dogs were dropped: 35 and 32.
14 dogs are running the this morning to complete this 4th series.
The powerful north wind this morning created a severely crosswind test for the 14 dogs that ran the 4th series this morning. This weather change demonstrated why it is generally better to run a split series on its first day!
The wingers were adjusted as much as possible but even with modifications the middle throw now often fell behind the holding blind and had no arc at all. However, its location was still readily apparent to the dogs with their keen noses.
The last bird down in this test is the longest bird, and it was also the most downwind bird today, with the two shorter memory birds being upwind of the “go bird.” It was not uncommon for a dog that had a hunt on this bird to wind the middle bird on the right, calling for a handle, and these handles were sometimes rugged ones, given the strong wind. Any dog sent for the middle bird before the right hand bird invariably winded the right hand bird and diverted to it. Generally this occurred well before the area of the fall for the middle bird, so the jeopardy for the team in this case was that a dog when sent again for the middle bird could think it had already been there and try not to go there “again.”
Only one handler used “primary selection” to take the birds in order of the wind: right, middle, left.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021:
52 dogs were called back to the 4th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
15 Dogs were dropped: 3, 7, 12, 20, 39, 44, 45, 49, 52, 61, 63, 66, 67, 68 and 70.
Dog #14 will start the 4th Series.
Directions: The venue is moving for the 4th series to a new parking lot. The directions are – turn left at the speed bump where the bitch check has been, then head to your left down a hill to the "big lake."
The earlier schedule for this afternoon's wrap-up has been modified. The last dog to run today will be # 60. They will not finish today.
This afternoon's testing will conclude no later than 3:30 p.m. to give all workers time to deal with equipment and birds, and get to the Workers Party.
Workers Party is in the same location ("Carlino Room") as the Handlers' Meeting on Saturday. Bar opens at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 6 p.m. The logo lime green bandanas being worn by the workers is the entrance ticket. Workers, bring yours!
This test is running about 5-6 minutes per dog. There have been, as expected, quite a few handles. Your reporter has finally decoded the significance of the artificially planted leafy branches in the test. These "groves" are located in the areas of likely dog error, to wit, on the backside of the throwing station for the long left hand bird and short of the road that needs to be crossed to retrieve the middle bird.
The starting dog for Wednesday morning will be dog #62. One test Dog will run at 7:45 am, and then our starting dog #62 will continue the 4th series test at approximately 8:00 am.
Series 4 Test Description:
Triple marking test with dead ducks, no blind, no honor, dog sits remote for marks. This test is predicted to be a tough one, hence the test name "Train Station" (someone "got taken to the train station," a line from the TV series Yellowstone).
It's a duck hunt and you are hunting out of a blind that is fashioned from a double stack of hay bales set in a square, with an opening at the back for the handler to enter after positioning his dog in front of the hay bales. The dog therefore "sits remote" and the handler stands behind the hay bales while the marks are thrown. After the birds go down, handlers can choose to leave the hay bale blind to send their dog from their side or stay in the blind and send remote. A dog that is confused by a remote send will be considered confused and can be sent again, according to the judges when responding to a gallery question.
A small spread of mallard decoys floats in the shallow water in front of the hay bale blind. The line to the right and middle birds goes through these dekes. Several individual branches - standing up in the air - have been staked into the ground in locations along the line to the middle fall. Are these man-made trees "goal posts" for a perfect line?
The marks go down in this order: Right (thrown to left), middle (thrown to right), left (thrown to right). All marks are winger throws and the launches are preceded by duck calls.
The right hand bird lands in meadow grass a little ways up on shore - this throwing station is hidden by thick tules on the right. The line to this bird is through a fringe of tules. The middle bird lands on the far side of a dirt road - this throwing station is a brushed-up blind. The left hand bird, also thrown from a brushed-up blind, lands in front of a grass-covered mound of dirt surrounded by meadow grass. This is a long mark at 149 yards.
Triple marking test with dead ducks, no blind, no honor, dog sits remote for marks. This test is predicted to be a tough one, hence the test name "Train Station" (someone "got taken to the train station," a line from the TV series Yellowstone).
It's a duck hunt and you are hunting out of a blind that is fashioned from a double stack of hay bales set in a square, with an opening at the back for the handler to enter after positioning his dog in front of the hay bales. The dog therefore "sits remote" and the handler stands behind the hay bales while the marks are thrown. After the birds go down, handlers can choose to leave the hay bale blind to send their dog from their side or stay in the blind and send remote. A dog that is confused by a remote send will be considered confused and can be sent again, according to the judges when responding to a gallery question.
A small spread of mallard decoys floats in the shallow water in front of the hay bale blind. The line to the right and middle birds goes through these dekes. Several individual branches - standing up in the air - have been staked into the ground in locations along the line to the middle fall. Are these man-made trees "goal posts" for a perfect line?
The marks go down in this order: Right (thrown to left), middle (thrown to right), left (thrown to right). All marks are winger throws and the launches are preceded by duck calls.
The right hand bird lands in meadow grass a little ways up on shore - this throwing station is hidden by thick tules on the right. The line to this bird is through a fringe of tules. The middle bird lands on the far side of a dirt road - this throwing station is a brushed-up blind. The left hand bird, also thrown from a brushed-up blind, lands in front of a grass-covered mound of dirt surrounded by meadow grass. This is a long mark at 149 yards.
Series 4 Test Dogs:
Susan and Gamay were the first team to tackle this duck hunt. Susan attempted a remote send ... for which Gamay remained solidly steady. Susan then left the hay bale blind to send from her side and Gamay took off for the bird. Gamay did not carry the angle and the distance needed for the left hand bird and retrieved the middle bird after a short hunt on both sides of its throwing station. Gamay was then sent for the right hand mark, took a wide line farther left than ideal, following up with a hunt farther to the left and approaching the middle station. Gamay popped very briefly and un-popped, then rapidly worked things out to find her bird. When sent again for the left hand bird, Gamay took a line towards its throwing station then worked to the left for a quick retrieve.
Ed and Rye come up next for the duck hunt. Ed did not send remote, electing to leave the hay bale blind and give Rye a line to the go bird on the left. Rye headed for its throwing station, hunted to the "back side" of the station but worked her way to the bird without difficulty. Ed sent Rye for the middle bird second. After leaving on a good line Rye established a hunt somewhat short, then worked back and forth on both sides of the throwing station as she worked her way to the other side of the road to find her bird. On the third retrieve (the bird on the right) Rye took a perfect line through the fringe of tules to pin this bird.
Julie and her replacement test dog, Bree, were the final test dog hunting team to go hunting here. Bree was a handful at first before being convinced to sit remote. Julie, like Ed, elected to leave the hay bale blind and send Bree from her side for the go bird. Bree took a great line to this bird for an accurate mark. She also had a good line to the middle bird, for which she was sent second, but commenced a quartering hunt before crossing the dirt road. She worked her way to the left - towards the fall of the middle bird - and Julie handled. Bree was then sent for the right hand bird, which she pinned.
Susan and Gamay were the first team to tackle this duck hunt. Susan attempted a remote send ... for which Gamay remained solidly steady. Susan then left the hay bale blind to send from her side and Gamay took off for the bird. Gamay did not carry the angle and the distance needed for the left hand bird and retrieved the middle bird after a short hunt on both sides of its throwing station. Gamay was then sent for the right hand mark, took a wide line farther left than ideal, following up with a hunt farther to the left and approaching the middle station. Gamay popped very briefly and un-popped, then rapidly worked things out to find her bird. When sent again for the left hand bird, Gamay took a line towards its throwing station then worked to the left for a quick retrieve.
Ed and Rye come up next for the duck hunt. Ed did not send remote, electing to leave the hay bale blind and give Rye a line to the go bird on the left. Rye headed for its throwing station, hunted to the "back side" of the station but worked her way to the bird without difficulty. Ed sent Rye for the middle bird second. After leaving on a good line Rye established a hunt somewhat short, then worked back and forth on both sides of the throwing station as she worked her way to the other side of the road to find her bird. On the third retrieve (the bird on the right) Rye took a perfect line through the fringe of tules to pin this bird.
Julie and her replacement test dog, Bree, were the final test dog hunting team to go hunting here. Bree was a handful at first before being convinced to sit remote. Julie, like Ed, elected to leave the hay bale blind and send Bree from her side for the go bird. Bree took a great line to this bird for an accurate mark. She also had a good line to the middle bird, for which she was sent second, but commenced a quartering hunt before crossing the dirt road. She worked her way to the left - towards the fall of the middle bird - and Julie handled. Bree was then sent for the right hand bird, which she pinned.
SERIES 3 – Gilligan's Island
Tuesday, April 20, 2021:
3RD SERIES COMPLETE – The 3rd series is now complete with the last running dog #74 coming off the line at 10:51 am.
The crew is quickly setting up for the 4th series to get started today. Judges are hoping to be able to get through all the dogs today by 4 pm, when testing will halt for the workers party. Handlers need to be in the holding blinds and ready to run, no delays, and the shift changes done quickly. Test dogs are expected to start running in 20 minutes, around 11:40 AM.
52 dogs were called back to the 4th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
15 Dogs were dropped: 3, 7, 12, 20, 39, 44, 45, 49, 52, 61, 63, 66, 67, 68 and 70.
The 2020 MAI has an entry of 74. Out of the 74, 45 are bitches. Subtract 1 of the scratches, a bitch (spayed), and we have 44 starting bitches. 22 of these have had proof of spay submitted for them, meaning the ratio of intact to spayed bitches at this event is precisely 50/50. All of the test dogs, Gamay, Piper, Bree and Rye are bitches, and two are also spayed. (Info from Katie Quarles, DVM)
Rick Saal of Phido Photos is here to photograph the 2020 MAI contestants. Rick will be here through Friday. Monday morning he was at the line taking shots as the dogs worked. Monday afternoon he was set up for portraits near the 2nd Series venue after the group moved to the 3rd. This morning, Tuesday, Rick is back at the line, catching the dogs as they work the 3rd Series. Rick advises that he'll be set up for portraits again on Wednesday. And, of course at the awards!
Rick took the people photos illustrating the Saturday Handlers' Meeting. Thanks, Rick!
Phido Photos website: www.phidophoto.com
Email: rick@phidophoto.com
Monday, April 19, 2021:
67 dogs were called back to the 3rd series.
Dogs called back: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
Dogs dropped are: 1, 15, 23, 38 and 65
The last dog to run today was #42. Tuesday morning one test dog will run at 7:45 am, with the first running dog to start at 8:00 am. Dog #43 will start the 3rd series for Tuesday morning, with the additional 30 dogs to complete the test following.
3RD SERIES COMPLETE – The 3rd series is now complete with the last running dog #74 coming off the line at 10:51 am.
The crew is quickly setting up for the 4th series to get started today. Judges are hoping to be able to get through all the dogs today by 4 pm, when testing will halt for the workers party. Handlers need to be in the holding blinds and ready to run, no delays, and the shift changes done quickly. Test dogs are expected to start running in 20 minutes, around 11:40 AM.
52 dogs were called back to the 4th series.
Dogs called back: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 69, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
15 Dogs were dropped: 3, 7, 12, 20, 39, 44, 45, 49, 52, 61, 63, 66, 67, 68 and 70.
The 2020 MAI has an entry of 74. Out of the 74, 45 are bitches. Subtract 1 of the scratches, a bitch (spayed), and we have 44 starting bitches. 22 of these have had proof of spay submitted for them, meaning the ratio of intact to spayed bitches at this event is precisely 50/50. All of the test dogs, Gamay, Piper, Bree and Rye are bitches, and two are also spayed. (Info from Katie Quarles, DVM)
Rick Saal of Phido Photos is here to photograph the 2020 MAI contestants. Rick will be here through Friday. Monday morning he was at the line taking shots as the dogs worked. Monday afternoon he was set up for portraits near the 2nd Series venue after the group moved to the 3rd. This morning, Tuesday, Rick is back at the line, catching the dogs as they work the 3rd Series. Rick advises that he'll be set up for portraits again on Wednesday. And, of course at the awards!
Rick took the people photos illustrating the Saturday Handlers' Meeting. Thanks, Rick!
Phido Photos website: www.phidophoto.com
Email: rick@phidophoto.com
Monday, April 19, 2021:
67 dogs were called back to the 3rd series.
Dogs called back: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
Dogs dropped are: 1, 15, 23, 38 and 65
The last dog to run today was #42. Tuesday morning one test dog will run at 7:45 am, with the first running dog to start at 8:00 am. Dog #43 will start the 3rd series for Tuesday morning, with the additional 30 dogs to complete the test following.
Series 3 Test Description:
"Gilligan’s Island" - land triple with out-of-order flier, land blind and an honor
It appears the Third Series may have been named for the prominent knolls in this part of the grounds.
The scenario is you are on an upland hunt. This is a land test with the line to the right hand bird going through a small amount of splash water, remnant of a small receding pond.
The birds go down: Right, left (flier), middle (go bird). The right hand bird lands on top of a knoll. It is thrown to the left at a slight angle back from a winger hidden by a well-brushed-up holding blind, The second bird is a live mallard flighted to the right from a brushed-up gunning station and shot, landing in tall grass. The line to the flier passes through a spread of full-body goose decoys. The middle station then throws the third bird, which lands in light cover on the far side of a dirt road.
After the marks are retrieved a blind is planted from a second brushed-up station located beyond the middle throwing station. The line to this blind is under the arc of the fall of the middle bird. It angles off a dirt road and drops down a bank into a depression filled with water grass. After the marks and the blind are completed, there is an honor off to the left in a location marked by orange paint on the ground.
No official per-dog running time was available for this report, but the test dogs each took ~ 5 minutes to complete. An announcement was made after part of the field had run that dog # 42 would be the final dog run on Monday afternoon, with the remaining field running on Tuesday.
"Gilligan’s Island" - land triple with out-of-order flier, land blind and an honor
It appears the Third Series may have been named for the prominent knolls in this part of the grounds.
The scenario is you are on an upland hunt. This is a land test with the line to the right hand bird going through a small amount of splash water, remnant of a small receding pond.
The birds go down: Right, left (flier), middle (go bird). The right hand bird lands on top of a knoll. It is thrown to the left at a slight angle back from a winger hidden by a well-brushed-up holding blind, The second bird is a live mallard flighted to the right from a brushed-up gunning station and shot, landing in tall grass. The line to the flier passes through a spread of full-body goose decoys. The middle station then throws the third bird, which lands in light cover on the far side of a dirt road.
After the marks are retrieved a blind is planted from a second brushed-up station located beyond the middle throwing station. The line to this blind is under the arc of the fall of the middle bird. It angles off a dirt road and drops down a bank into a depression filled with water grass. After the marks and the blind are completed, there is an honor off to the left in a location marked by orange paint on the ground.
No official per-dog running time was available for this report, but the test dogs each took ~ 5 minutes to complete. An announcement was made after part of the field had run that dog # 42 would be the final dog run on Monday afternoon, with the remaining field running on Tuesday.
Series 3 Test Dogs:
Susan and Gamay were the first test dog team to tackle this test. They came to the line at 3:40 p.m. Gamay retrieved the marks without incident, but on the blind she left the road early to the right and "squared" down the bank, which put her off line to the right and heading towards the gunning station that had thrown the middle mark. Several casts did not move her sufficiently to the left to remain within view of her handler. She eventually appeared to the right of the middle station, approaching the right hand station and its old fall. Susan brought Gamay back into sight and tried again for the blind, but when the problem recurred Susan picked her up.
Julie and Piper were the second test dog team. After pinning the go bird, Piper was sent for the right hand bird second. She did not climb the knoll but allowed the terrain to push her away from the fall. The terrain and perhaps the blind planter's brushed-up blind - located almost in line with and beyond a throwing station - may have contributed to the extent of Piper's hunt on this bird. When Piper's hunt approached the area of the middle station Julie handled. Several casts were needed to complete the retrieve of the right hand bird. Piper then took an accurate line through the decoy spread to virtually pin the flier. Piper took a good line to the blind, staying on line but needing several whistles at the end, as this team demonstrated that judging the exact depth of the blind might be a challenge.
After the second test dog ran, workers went to the field to adjust the winger that threw the middle mark in order to achieve a longer throw and get the bird into cover. The drone entertained the gallery during this hiatus. Drone operator Rich Pingatore piloted it above the gallery area for a close look at the gathered handlers, who responded by waving enthusiastically.
Ed and Rye were the third test dog team. Rye pinned the go bird (middle bird). She was sent for the flier (left bird) second. She hunted on both sides of the flier station but quickly arrived near the fall. She missed the bird several times in the tall grass although staying in the fall area. The judges commented that the cover in that area was "not as thick as it looks." On her third retrieve (right bird) Rye took a good line straight up the side of the knoll. She worked a bit short of the fall and eventually drifted to the right as she hunted. Ed handled her quickly. On the blind Rye needed a couple of whistles to leave the road. She headed off to the right after leaving the road but was responsive to Ed's casts to move her to the left and completed end of the blind cleanly.
The judges reminded handlers to stay well hydrated in the afternoon heat and that a ride in the 4-wheeler was available for handlers that would have difficulty with the long walk from the parking lot.
Susan and Gamay were the first test dog team to tackle this test. They came to the line at 3:40 p.m. Gamay retrieved the marks without incident, but on the blind she left the road early to the right and "squared" down the bank, which put her off line to the right and heading towards the gunning station that had thrown the middle mark. Several casts did not move her sufficiently to the left to remain within view of her handler. She eventually appeared to the right of the middle station, approaching the right hand station and its old fall. Susan brought Gamay back into sight and tried again for the blind, but when the problem recurred Susan picked her up.
Julie and Piper were the second test dog team. After pinning the go bird, Piper was sent for the right hand bird second. She did not climb the knoll but allowed the terrain to push her away from the fall. The terrain and perhaps the blind planter's brushed-up blind - located almost in line with and beyond a throwing station - may have contributed to the extent of Piper's hunt on this bird. When Piper's hunt approached the area of the middle station Julie handled. Several casts were needed to complete the retrieve of the right hand bird. Piper then took an accurate line through the decoy spread to virtually pin the flier. Piper took a good line to the blind, staying on line but needing several whistles at the end, as this team demonstrated that judging the exact depth of the blind might be a challenge.
After the second test dog ran, workers went to the field to adjust the winger that threw the middle mark in order to achieve a longer throw and get the bird into cover. The drone entertained the gallery during this hiatus. Drone operator Rich Pingatore piloted it above the gallery area for a close look at the gathered handlers, who responded by waving enthusiastically.
Ed and Rye were the third test dog team. Rye pinned the go bird (middle bird). She was sent for the flier (left bird) second. She hunted on both sides of the flier station but quickly arrived near the fall. She missed the bird several times in the tall grass although staying in the fall area. The judges commented that the cover in that area was "not as thick as it looks." On her third retrieve (right bird) Rye took a good line straight up the side of the knoll. She worked a bit short of the fall and eventually drifted to the right as she hunted. Ed handled her quickly. On the blind Rye needed a couple of whistles to leave the road. She headed off to the right after leaving the road but was responsive to Ed's casts to move her to the left and completed end of the blind cleanly.
The judges reminded handlers to stay well hydrated in the afternoon heat and that a ride in the 4-wheeler was available for handlers that would have difficulty with the long walk from the parking lot.
SERIES 2 – Heavy Chevy
Monday, April 19, 2021:
2ND SERIES COMPLETE – The final dog to run the 2nd series was dog # 63, completed testing at 1:40 p.m. 42 dogs ran on Monday, the previous 30 having completed on Sunday. The Third Series is being set up to the north of the First Series, and will be run from the same parking lot. The crew is setting up for the 3rd series to get started today also.
67 dogs were called back to the 3rd series.
Dogs called back: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
Dogs dropped are: 1, 15, 23, 38 and 65
Many dogs had strong work on the Second Series. A few, however, demonstrated that Sunday's three Test Dogs did not find all the ways to get in trouble on the Second Series. The middle mark seemed to give the most trouble, with some dogs hunting short while others went too deep into the meadow that had "nothing in particular to mark off of" while looking for this bird. There were dogs who switched from the middle mark back to the go bird on the right. Due to rough work on the marks a small number of handlers "got the tap" and the blinds were not planted. One dog was asked to pick up for being too close to the culvert, a situation the judges had warned about during the Sunday afternoon scenario for this series.
With afternoon temperatures now in the high 80's, many thanks to the hard-working volunteers who have stepped up run the wingers and plant the blinds on this Series.
Sunday, April 18, 2021:
All 72 dogs were called back to the 2nd series.
Dogs called back are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
No dogs were dropped. (but remember dogs #8 and #56 had been scratches)
The second series will be run on the other side of the road from the first series, requiring no moving of cars. The set-up crew timed the second series at 7 minutes a dog. At this rate it would take ~ 8 hours and 50 minutes to run all 72 dogs on the second series. The judges announced that whatever dog was coming to the line at 7 p.m. would be the last dog to run on Sunday, and remaining dogs would run Monday morning.
The final dog, # 20, to run the second series on Sunday completed at 7:05 p.m. 42 dogs will tackle the second series on Monday.
One test dog will be run at 7:45 a.m. Monday morning. The first running dog will start at 8 a.m.
NOTE: Test dog Piper was substituted for Bree starting in this series, as Piper was getting close to coming into season.
30 dogs ran the second series on Sunday. The field started running at 3:15 pm. This works out to 7.67 minutes per dog. At this rate, the 42 remaining dogs who will run tomorrow should finish around 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.
The third series will also be run out of the same parking lot as has been used for the first and second series.
2ND SERIES COMPLETE – The final dog to run the 2nd series was dog # 63, completed testing at 1:40 p.m. 42 dogs ran on Monday, the previous 30 having completed on Sunday. The Third Series is being set up to the north of the First Series, and will be run from the same parking lot. The crew is setting up for the 3rd series to get started today also.
67 dogs were called back to the 3rd series.
Dogs called back: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
Dogs dropped are: 1, 15, 23, 38 and 65
Many dogs had strong work on the Second Series. A few, however, demonstrated that Sunday's three Test Dogs did not find all the ways to get in trouble on the Second Series. The middle mark seemed to give the most trouble, with some dogs hunting short while others went too deep into the meadow that had "nothing in particular to mark off of" while looking for this bird. There were dogs who switched from the middle mark back to the go bird on the right. Due to rough work on the marks a small number of handlers "got the tap" and the blinds were not planted. One dog was asked to pick up for being too close to the culvert, a situation the judges had warned about during the Sunday afternoon scenario for this series.
With afternoon temperatures now in the high 80's, many thanks to the hard-working volunteers who have stepped up run the wingers and plant the blinds on this Series.
Sunday, April 18, 2021:
All 72 dogs were called back to the 2nd series.
Dogs called back are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
No dogs were dropped. (but remember dogs #8 and #56 had been scratches)
The second series will be run on the other side of the road from the first series, requiring no moving of cars. The set-up crew timed the second series at 7 minutes a dog. At this rate it would take ~ 8 hours and 50 minutes to run all 72 dogs on the second series. The judges announced that whatever dog was coming to the line at 7 p.m. would be the last dog to run on Sunday, and remaining dogs would run Monday morning.
The final dog, # 20, to run the second series on Sunday completed at 7:05 p.m. 42 dogs will tackle the second series on Monday.
One test dog will be run at 7:45 a.m. Monday morning. The first running dog will start at 8 a.m.
NOTE: Test dog Piper was substituted for Bree starting in this series, as Piper was getting close to coming into season.
30 dogs ran the second series on Sunday. The field started running at 3:15 pm. This works out to 7.67 minutes per dog. At this rate, the 42 remaining dogs who will run tomorrow should finish around 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.
The third series will also be run out of the same parking lot as has been used for the first and second series.
Series 2 Description:
"Heavy Chevy" - A Triple marking test with dead ducks. Diversion shot. Double water blind run after the marks.
This test is named for the fact that a junked out car had lain half submerged in this pond for several years before being hauled off.
The Second Series is a triple thrown with three dead ducks. The first and second birds are thrown from well brushed up blinds. They land across water on the other side of the small pond. The last bird down is thrown by a thrower hidden behind a tree and the route to it is land only. There is a diversion shot as the dog returns from the left hand mark. After all marks are retrieved a double water blind is run.
All birds are thrown from wingers and preceded by duck calls. The birds go down: Left, middle, right. Left bird is thrown to the right; the line to this bird crosses an island. Middle bird is thrown to the right; it lands "up and out" in the meadow around the pond. Right bird is thrown to the left; it lands on land near some downed Eucalyptus branches.
After the marks are retrieved there are two water blinds. Handlers are instructed to run the left-hand blind first. The left hand blind is planted at the base of the dam that holds the pond and the line to this blind is past a point. A ribbon hanging from an overhead tree marks this blind. The blind planter is hiding on the far side of the dam.
The right hand blind is tucked into tules at the edge of far shore and is marked by an orange marker. The line to the blind trims past the corner of an island and goes up a slot. This blind is planted from the middle throwing station.
The judges have emphasized the importance of challenging the line to both of the water blinds.
"Heavy Chevy" - A Triple marking test with dead ducks. Diversion shot. Double water blind run after the marks.
This test is named for the fact that a junked out car had lain half submerged in this pond for several years before being hauled off.
The Second Series is a triple thrown with three dead ducks. The first and second birds are thrown from well brushed up blinds. They land across water on the other side of the small pond. The last bird down is thrown by a thrower hidden behind a tree and the route to it is land only. There is a diversion shot as the dog returns from the left hand mark. After all marks are retrieved a double water blind is run.
All birds are thrown from wingers and preceded by duck calls. The birds go down: Left, middle, right. Left bird is thrown to the right; the line to this bird crosses an island. Middle bird is thrown to the right; it lands "up and out" in the meadow around the pond. Right bird is thrown to the left; it lands on land near some downed Eucalyptus branches.
After the marks are retrieved there are two water blinds. Handlers are instructed to run the left-hand blind first. The left hand blind is planted at the base of the dam that holds the pond and the line to this blind is past a point. A ribbon hanging from an overhead tree marks this blind. The blind planter is hiding on the far side of the dam.
The right hand blind is tucked into tules at the edge of far shore and is marked by an orange marker. The line to the blind trims past the corner of an island and goes up a slot. This blind is planted from the middle throwing station.
The judges have emphasized the importance of challenging the line to both of the water blinds.
Test Dogs for Series 2:
Gamay and Susan Bell were the first test dog team. Gamay made three clean retrieves on the triple. Her line to the left blind was off to the right, landing early on the right hand point, from which area she was handled into the scent cone to wind the bird. Gamay was kept on a good line to the right blind but missed the bird in the tules on the shore and would not handle back towards the pond, responding to most come in whistles by running farther away from the pond. Susan used verbal reprimands to get Gamay to the blind.
After Gamay completed the test, the judges advised that her job on the left blind did not acceptably challenge the line and would not have been carried.
The judges then pointed out a culvert emerging from the hillside on the right side of the blind. They advised the handlers that the judges felt the area below the culvert was not safe if a dog were to run into it. They said that if dog was in that area the handler was instructed to pick the dog up to avoid a safety issue and that dogs that got into that that area were not running a passing blind anyway.
Julie and Piper were the second test dog team. Piper made a clean retrieve on the right and left birds. On the middle bird she skirted around the right hand corner of the pond, which took her too high on the hill and deep of the fall. She was handled to the bird, requiring several whistles. On the left blind Piper took a good initial line and stayed on line needing only one whistle to complete the retrieve. On the right blind Piper carried a good line into the slot where the bird was placed, but missed the bird (that was tucked into the tules) on the upwind side and several whistles were needed to convince Piper to come back to the water's edge where the bird was. Her ability to see her handler was impeded by the presence of the gallery.
Ed and Rye were the third test dog team. This team demonstrated the hazards of this test when run in a left-to-right quartering wind. Rye scooped the go bird on the right. After being sent for the middle mark she winded the left hand mark. Ed attempted a handle but Rye retrieved the left hand mark anyway. Rye was sent again for the middle bird but hunted deep. While being handled by Ed, Rye winded - then retrieved - the right blind which had been planted prematurely. On the left blind Rye took an initial line to the left of the blind but was quickly handled onto the correct line for a good job. On the right blind (planted again) Rye took a perfect line up the slot to the bird.
The judges reiterated their earlier observation that dogs in the area of the culvert on the hillside must be picked up by their handlers for safety reasons and because the dog had failed the blind.
Gamay and Susan Bell were the first test dog team. Gamay made three clean retrieves on the triple. Her line to the left blind was off to the right, landing early on the right hand point, from which area she was handled into the scent cone to wind the bird. Gamay was kept on a good line to the right blind but missed the bird in the tules on the shore and would not handle back towards the pond, responding to most come in whistles by running farther away from the pond. Susan used verbal reprimands to get Gamay to the blind.
After Gamay completed the test, the judges advised that her job on the left blind did not acceptably challenge the line and would not have been carried.
The judges then pointed out a culvert emerging from the hillside on the right side of the blind. They advised the handlers that the judges felt the area below the culvert was not safe if a dog were to run into it. They said that if dog was in that area the handler was instructed to pick the dog up to avoid a safety issue and that dogs that got into that that area were not running a passing blind anyway.
Julie and Piper were the second test dog team. Piper made a clean retrieve on the right and left birds. On the middle bird she skirted around the right hand corner of the pond, which took her too high on the hill and deep of the fall. She was handled to the bird, requiring several whistles. On the left blind Piper took a good initial line and stayed on line needing only one whistle to complete the retrieve. On the right blind Piper carried a good line into the slot where the bird was placed, but missed the bird (that was tucked into the tules) on the upwind side and several whistles were needed to convince Piper to come back to the water's edge where the bird was. Her ability to see her handler was impeded by the presence of the gallery.
Ed and Rye were the third test dog team. This team demonstrated the hazards of this test when run in a left-to-right quartering wind. Rye scooped the go bird on the right. After being sent for the middle mark she winded the left hand mark. Ed attempted a handle but Rye retrieved the left hand mark anyway. Rye was sent again for the middle bird but hunted deep. While being handled by Ed, Rye winded - then retrieved - the right blind which had been planted prematurely. On the left blind Rye took an initial line to the left of the blind but was quickly handled onto the correct line for a good job. On the right blind (planted again) Rye took a perfect line up the slot to the bird.
The judges reiterated their earlier observation that dogs in the area of the culvert on the hillside must be picked up by their handlers for safety reasons and because the dog had failed the blind.
SERIES 1 – Wipeout
Sunday, April 18, 2021:
74 dogs entered, 2 dogs scratched (#8 and #56). 72 dogs started the 1st series.
Dog #52 started the 1st series at approximately
1ST SERIES COMPLETE – The last dog for the 1st series ran at 1:30 pm. The crew is setting up for the 2nd series to get started today also.
All 72 dogs were called back to the 2nd series.
Dogs called back are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
No dogs were dropped. (but remember dogs #8 and #56 had been scratches)
74 dogs entered, 2 dogs scratched (#8 and #56). 72 dogs started the 1st series.
Dog #52 started the 1st series at approximately
1ST SERIES COMPLETE – The last dog for the 1st series ran at 1:30 pm. The crew is setting up for the 2nd series to get started today also.
All 72 dogs were called back to the 2nd series.
Dogs called back are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74.
No dogs were dropped. (but remember dogs #8 and #56 had been scratches)
Test 1 Description:
The judges welcomed the handlers to the 1st Series at 8 a.m. (Sunday, April 18, 2021)
This test is called "Wipeout" due to unfortunate set-up worker Bruce Hayes who tipped over his boat during set-up, landing in the pond.
The scenario is: You are hunting and have your dekes (goose silhouettes) already in place. You went to get your dog and are heading back to hunt. A duck flushes out of the pond on your left, heading to the right. You shoot it. It lands in the pond or on a point in the pond at ~ 44 yards. Another duck flushes in front of you launched from left to right, and is shot, landing at ~ 77 yards. Then a third duck circles around, flying to the left, and is shot at ~ 66 yards. This one is a real flyer.
So it's a walk-up with the birds going down left, middle, right. It is a wide test with almost 180 degrees between the first and third birds. All birds are launched from wingers and the launches are preceded by duck calls from the throwing/gunning stations. After delivering all birds (dropped in buckets) there is an honor on the left.
The land terrain is a mix of long green grass, heavy vetch cover, and ATV trails.
This test was estimated at 3.3 minutes during set-up.
Judges took questions. Handlers may use their own handler gun. The MARC line gun will be sanitized between each handler. Handlers may move up to higher ground (recommended by the judges) to watch the dog working the flier but not beyond the ATV trail. This is a game preserve and planted chukars are on the grounds. If your dog flushes one, handle as needed. It will be considered a "free handle" but must be a good quality handle. There will be a second bird bucket at the honor box but if you want to take delivery of your final bird at the running line that is okay too.
The judges welcomed the handlers to the 1st Series at 8 a.m. (Sunday, April 18, 2021)
This test is called "Wipeout" due to unfortunate set-up worker Bruce Hayes who tipped over his boat during set-up, landing in the pond.
The scenario is: You are hunting and have your dekes (goose silhouettes) already in place. You went to get your dog and are heading back to hunt. A duck flushes out of the pond on your left, heading to the right. You shoot it. It lands in the pond or on a point in the pond at ~ 44 yards. Another duck flushes in front of you launched from left to right, and is shot, landing at ~ 77 yards. Then a third duck circles around, flying to the left, and is shot at ~ 66 yards. This one is a real flyer.
So it's a walk-up with the birds going down left, middle, right. It is a wide test with almost 180 degrees between the first and third birds. All birds are launched from wingers and the launches are preceded by duck calls from the throwing/gunning stations. After delivering all birds (dropped in buckets) there is an honor on the left.
The land terrain is a mix of long green grass, heavy vetch cover, and ATV trails.
This test was estimated at 3.3 minutes during set-up.
Judges took questions. Handlers may use their own handler gun. The MARC line gun will be sanitized between each handler. Handlers may move up to higher ground (recommended by the judges) to watch the dog working the flier but not beyond the ATV trail. This is a game preserve and planted chukars are on the grounds. If your dog flushes one, handle as needed. It will be considered a "free handle" but must be a good quality handle. There will be a second bird bucket at the honor box but if you want to take delivery of your final bird at the running line that is okay too.
Test Dogs for Series 1:
The first test dog was Gamay, handled by Susan Bell. On the flier Gamay went out of sight almost immediately, and Susan's comment about visibility led to the judges' recommendation that handlers move forward to higher ground during the retrieve of this bird. On the second bird (pond bird on the left) the spread of goose dekes may have pulled Gamay off her initial line but she quickly corrected and this bird was retrieved without difficulty. On the third bird (long bird up the middle) Gamay appeared influenced by an ATV trail that headed under the arc of this throw. She "wrapped" the throwing station to the left, then worked beyond a band of heavy vetch cover which put her hunt somewhat deep. Her hunt, not all of which was visible, eventually carried her back to a position perilously close to the flier. Susan handled quickly and successfully.
The second test dog was Piper, handled by Julie Cairns. Piper brought back just a wing on the flier, earlier fliers having been shot at close range. Piper - like Gamay - went for the left hand (pond) bird second. Once in the pond Piper turned suddenly and sharply to the right, leading her away from the fall and Julie handled quickly. Piper took a good line to the middle bird, which she retrieved last, and located it quickly without a hunt.
The third test dog was Rye, handled by Ed Ryska. Rye made quick work of the flier (the flier flights were becoming longer). Rye was sent for the middle bird second and, like Piper, headed under the arc and wrapped the throwing station towards the left which pulled her away from the fall. Rye hunted deep on this bird and showed the gallery there is a lot of cover to bounce around in as she worked her way to the bird. Rye's final bird (pond bird) fell in open water where Rye pinned it.
Our three test dogs gave the participants a good picture of some of the influences in this test.
The first test dog was Gamay, handled by Susan Bell. On the flier Gamay went out of sight almost immediately, and Susan's comment about visibility led to the judges' recommendation that handlers move forward to higher ground during the retrieve of this bird. On the second bird (pond bird on the left) the spread of goose dekes may have pulled Gamay off her initial line but she quickly corrected and this bird was retrieved without difficulty. On the third bird (long bird up the middle) Gamay appeared influenced by an ATV trail that headed under the arc of this throw. She "wrapped" the throwing station to the left, then worked beyond a band of heavy vetch cover which put her hunt somewhat deep. Her hunt, not all of which was visible, eventually carried her back to a position perilously close to the flier. Susan handled quickly and successfully.
The second test dog was Piper, handled by Julie Cairns. Piper brought back just a wing on the flier, earlier fliers having been shot at close range. Piper - like Gamay - went for the left hand (pond) bird second. Once in the pond Piper turned suddenly and sharply to the right, leading her away from the fall and Julie handled quickly. Piper took a good line to the middle bird, which she retrieved last, and located it quickly without a hunt.
The third test dog was Rye, handled by Ed Ryska. Rye made quick work of the flier (the flier flights were becoming longer). Rye was sent for the middle bird second and, like Piper, headed under the arc and wrapped the throwing station towards the left which pulled her away from the fall. Rye hunted deep on this bird and showed the gallery there is a lot of cover to bounce around in as she worked her way to the bird. Rye's final bird (pond bird) fell in open water where Rye pinned it.
Our three test dogs gave the participants a good picture of some of the influences in this test.