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2021 INVITATIONALFLIGHT AJUDGES:
Mike Akeroyd Alan Bruhin |
2021 Invitational Test Descriptions & Coverage – Flight A
AWARDS CEREMONY
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45 Dogs Completed All Six Series and Qualified at the
2021 Master Amateur Invitational- FLIGHT A: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 59, 60, 64, 66, 67, 68, 70, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 87, 91, 92, 93. (Right Top Photo) Event Secretary Gloria Nusbickel with the help of Vickie Christienson get everything set to give out Flight A Crystal Plates and Ribbons. (photo by Kelley Hall) (Right Botton Photo) Flight A - Celebrating MARC’s 5th Anniversary (photo by Kelley Hall) 
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SERIES 6 – "Fifty Shades of Disobey"
Thursday, May 20, 2021:
Flight A plans to finish this series today and present the well-earned “2021 MAI Crystal Plate” to all those in this flight that have qualified.
Series 6 Test Description:
MAI Flight A Series 6
SFMRG Area 3 – Beaver Pond
Water Triple with a Flyer, a Land Blind and a Water Blind
Test Name by the Judges: “Fifty Shades of Disobey”
The judges selected another beautiful area of the Beaver Pond to run the final series of the 2021 Master Amateur Invitational for Flight A. This Water Triple with Flyer and two blinds (one water and one land) is right in the middle of Area 3. This morning started with temperatures in the mid 50s and by midday, it had reached 86 degrees. The dew point remains low keeping the humidity unseasonably low for this area.
The handler and dog take their place very close to the edge of the bank. After having 59 re-heels over the course of the first 5 series, the judges believe “if the dog creeps on this test, they will tumble into the water and that will be considered a break”. With 29 dogs remaining to run, one dog “tumbled.”
The flyer station is located across the channel to the left. The line to the flyer is into the water, down the short channel to an angle out and then another 30 yards on land to the flyer. The flyer is being shot to the left landing approximately 83 yards from the line. The second and third bird thrown is a “mom and pop” (two birds being thrown in the opposite direction from the same gun station). The gun station is located directly in front of the line across a channel. “Mom,” the middle bird, is thrown to the left and lands at 35 yards on the peninsula elbow in heavy cover. “Pop,” the go-bird, is thrown to the right and lands on the backside of the peninsula in the water with a splash. It lands 28 yards from the line. After returning from the right hand bird, dogs are evenly selecting between the flyer and middle bird to pick up second.
No matter what order they decide on, a diversion shot is given as the dog returns from the middle bird. The judges have instructed the handlers to run the water blind and then the land blind. The line to the water blind is nearly the same as the line to the flyer – just slightly to the right and under the arc. The blind is being placed at the base of a pine tree at 92 yards.
To run the land blind, the handler steps a couple feet to the left, away from the water’s edge. This land blind, the final bird for the dog to retrieve in this Master Amateur Invitational, is being placed 67 yards from the line. Medium tall grass covers the ground between the line and the bird.
This test is averaging 9 minutes per dog.
Flight A plans to finish this series today and present the well-earned “2021 MAI Crystal Plate” to all those in this flight that have qualified.
Series 6 Test Description:
MAI Flight A Series 6
SFMRG Area 3 – Beaver Pond
Water Triple with a Flyer, a Land Blind and a Water Blind
Test Name by the Judges: “Fifty Shades of Disobey”
The judges selected another beautiful area of the Beaver Pond to run the final series of the 2021 Master Amateur Invitational for Flight A. This Water Triple with Flyer and two blinds (one water and one land) is right in the middle of Area 3. This morning started with temperatures in the mid 50s and by midday, it had reached 86 degrees. The dew point remains low keeping the humidity unseasonably low for this area.
The handler and dog take their place very close to the edge of the bank. After having 59 re-heels over the course of the first 5 series, the judges believe “if the dog creeps on this test, they will tumble into the water and that will be considered a break”. With 29 dogs remaining to run, one dog “tumbled.”
The flyer station is located across the channel to the left. The line to the flyer is into the water, down the short channel to an angle out and then another 30 yards on land to the flyer. The flyer is being shot to the left landing approximately 83 yards from the line. The second and third bird thrown is a “mom and pop” (two birds being thrown in the opposite direction from the same gun station). The gun station is located directly in front of the line across a channel. “Mom,” the middle bird, is thrown to the left and lands at 35 yards on the peninsula elbow in heavy cover. “Pop,” the go-bird, is thrown to the right and lands on the backside of the peninsula in the water with a splash. It lands 28 yards from the line. After returning from the right hand bird, dogs are evenly selecting between the flyer and middle bird to pick up second.
No matter what order they decide on, a diversion shot is given as the dog returns from the middle bird. The judges have instructed the handlers to run the water blind and then the land blind. The line to the water blind is nearly the same as the line to the flyer – just slightly to the right and under the arc. The blind is being placed at the base of a pine tree at 92 yards.
To run the land blind, the handler steps a couple feet to the left, away from the water’s edge. This land blind, the final bird for the dog to retrieve in this Master Amateur Invitational, is being placed 67 yards from the line. Medium tall grass covers the ground between the line and the bird.
This test is averaging 9 minutes per dog.
Series 5 Dog Work:
This was Day Jordan’s first time entering an Invitational. With dog #40, “Nelly,” at his side, he made his way to the line to pick up these last five ducks. Over the course of the past five days, Nelly, a black Labrador, who will turn 8 next month, has already retrieved 15 marks without a handle, 4 blinds and a diversion mark. Nelly sat nicely to watch all three birds to the ground. Day released her and she was back with the go-bird in no time. Nelly selected to pick up the flyer second. Day may have been a little quick in sending Nelly. When Nelly arrived at the area of the fall she made one loop, then a bigger loop and on the start of the third loop Day blew the whistle and cast Nelly to put her on the flyer. This was a very smart and timely handle on Day’s part. Nelly had no issue quickly finding her middle bird on the elbow of the peninsula. Day’s whistles on the water blind were very well-timed as he challenged the line. On the land blind, Nelly crossed the line to the blind three times. Day gave a right back, left back and then a final right back to put Nelly on her duck.
This was Day Jordan’s first time entering an Invitational. With dog #40, “Nelly,” at his side, he made his way to the line to pick up these last five ducks. Over the course of the past five days, Nelly, a black Labrador, who will turn 8 next month, has already retrieved 15 marks without a handle, 4 blinds and a diversion mark. Nelly sat nicely to watch all three birds to the ground. Day released her and she was back with the go-bird in no time. Nelly selected to pick up the flyer second. Day may have been a little quick in sending Nelly. When Nelly arrived at the area of the fall she made one loop, then a bigger loop and on the start of the third loop Day blew the whistle and cast Nelly to put her on the flyer. This was a very smart and timely handle on Day’s part. Nelly had no issue quickly finding her middle bird on the elbow of the peninsula. Day’s whistles on the water blind were very well-timed as he challenged the line. On the land blind, Nelly crossed the line to the blind three times. Day gave a right back, left back and then a final right back to put Nelly on her duck.
SERIES 5 – "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"
Wednesday, May 19, 2021:
There where 47 dogs called back to the sixth series: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 59, 60, 64, 66, 67, 68, 70, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 87, 91, 92, 93
11 dogs were not called back to the last series: 3, 8, 16, 23, 31, 62, 63, 65, 74, 84 and 85.
The 6th series will start with Dog #12 Thursday morning.
Flight A Series 6, Test dog at 7:45 am stating with dog #12.
Flight A being a full series ahead of Flight B, elected to wait until this morning to set up all the gun stations, blind planting stations and holding blinds for this Fifth Series. The judges have placed the line near the big dam at the far end of Area 3 – Beaver Pond.
Series 5 Test Description:
MAI Flight A Series 5
SFMRG Area 3 – Beaver Pond
Water Triple with Land Blind and Water Blind
Test Name by the Judges: “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
The handlers sit on a bucket looking northwest with a beautiful view of the entire Beaver Pond property in front. When handler and dog are settled, the handler blows a duck call to start the test. The middle gun station, located across a channel returns a duck call, then throws a bird slight angle back to the right. The proper line, 71 yards to this mark, is an angle entry, an angle across the channel and then an angle out to the bird. The second gun station is located across the same channel to the left. This bird is thrown angle back left into cover. The line to this bird is a square entry and a square exit up onto the land with approximately 32 yards to get the duck. The total distance to this bird from the line is 72 yards. The third gun station is located to the handlers right at 24 yards. This bird is being thrown left into the pond.
After the dog picks up all three marks, it is the handler’s choice to pick up the land or water blind first. If the handler is required to re-heel the dog, they must do so while remaining seated. Once the judge releases the handler, they may remain sitting or they can stand to send the dog. This test is averaging 6 minutes per dog.
There where 47 dogs called back to the sixth series: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 59, 60, 64, 66, 67, 68, 70, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 87, 91, 92, 93
11 dogs were not called back to the last series: 3, 8, 16, 23, 31, 62, 63, 65, 74, 84 and 85.
The 6th series will start with Dog #12 Thursday morning.
Flight A Series 6, Test dog at 7:45 am stating with dog #12.
Flight A being a full series ahead of Flight B, elected to wait until this morning to set up all the gun stations, blind planting stations and holding blinds for this Fifth Series. The judges have placed the line near the big dam at the far end of Area 3 – Beaver Pond.
Series 5 Test Description:
MAI Flight A Series 5
SFMRG Area 3 – Beaver Pond
Water Triple with Land Blind and Water Blind
Test Name by the Judges: “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
The handlers sit on a bucket looking northwest with a beautiful view of the entire Beaver Pond property in front. When handler and dog are settled, the handler blows a duck call to start the test. The middle gun station, located across a channel returns a duck call, then throws a bird slight angle back to the right. The proper line, 71 yards to this mark, is an angle entry, an angle across the channel and then an angle out to the bird. The second gun station is located across the same channel to the left. This bird is thrown angle back left into cover. The line to this bird is a square entry and a square exit up onto the land with approximately 32 yards to get the duck. The total distance to this bird from the line is 72 yards. The third gun station is located to the handlers right at 24 yards. This bird is being thrown left into the pond.
After the dog picks up all three marks, it is the handler’s choice to pick up the land or water blind first. If the handler is required to re-heel the dog, they must do so while remaining seated. Once the judge releases the handler, they may remain sitting or they can stand to send the dog. This test is averaging 6 minutes per dog.
Series 5 Dog Work:
Dog # 93, “Rider,” with handler Sara Willett came to the line where Sara blew her duck call to start the test. Rider watched all three birds to the ground. Rider quickly retrieved the very short go bird with a big splash upon entering the water. The second bird Rider picked up was the middle bird. Rider made one small loop shy of the area of the fall and then a second loop a little deeper to get the duck. Rider had no trouble remembering the left hand bird, snatching it up for a quick return to Sara.
Sara elected to complete the land blind first. Rider, a 6-year-old male black Labrador lined the land blind, Sara blew a safety whistle at the very end just to ensure he did not overrun it and hit the water. Sara and Rider finished the test with a challenging water blind. The front half of this blind is a shoreline blind to the left, the back half is a shoreline blind to the right. In preparing for this blind, Sara knew how far off the shoreline to keep Rider, knowing when she blew the whistle that Rider was going to turn left. Sara’s whistles were timely; she had nice control of Rider all the way to the end of blind.
David Murphy and dog #1, “Radley,” completed this entire test with ease. Radley, a 5-year-old female black Labrador came very close to front footing all the marks. David selected to run the water blind first and Radley stayed on a direct line to the bird down the shoreline on the front half. David had a couple whistles on the back half, keeping Radley tight to the line. Three perfectly timed whistles from David on the land blind and Radley picked up her duck. After having to handle Radley on a mark in the last series, David took a much needed big deep breath as Radley made her way back from the land blind.
Dog # 93, “Rider,” with handler Sara Willett came to the line where Sara blew her duck call to start the test. Rider watched all three birds to the ground. Rider quickly retrieved the very short go bird with a big splash upon entering the water. The second bird Rider picked up was the middle bird. Rider made one small loop shy of the area of the fall and then a second loop a little deeper to get the duck. Rider had no trouble remembering the left hand bird, snatching it up for a quick return to Sara.
Sara elected to complete the land blind first. Rider, a 6-year-old male black Labrador lined the land blind, Sara blew a safety whistle at the very end just to ensure he did not overrun it and hit the water. Sara and Rider finished the test with a challenging water blind. The front half of this blind is a shoreline blind to the left, the back half is a shoreline blind to the right. In preparing for this blind, Sara knew how far off the shoreline to keep Rider, knowing when she blew the whistle that Rider was going to turn left. Sara’s whistles were timely; she had nice control of Rider all the way to the end of blind.
David Murphy and dog #1, “Radley,” completed this entire test with ease. Radley, a 5-year-old female black Labrador came very close to front footing all the marks. David selected to run the water blind first and Radley stayed on a direct line to the bird down the shoreline on the front half. David had a couple whistles on the back half, keeping Radley tight to the line. Three perfectly timed whistles from David on the land blind and Radley picked up her duck. After having to handle Radley on a mark in the last series, David took a much needed big deep breath as Radley made her way back from the land blind.
SERIES 4 – "Boogie, Did You Do This?"
Tuesday, May 18, 2021:
There were 58 dogs called back to the Fifth Series: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 74, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 91, 92 and 93.
Four dogs were dropped: 4, 32, 42 and 58.
Wednesday Morning - Flight A bitch check at series 4 at 7:30am. Test Dogs for Series 5 will be run at 8:45 am! Flight A 5th Series starting dog #92 @ 9:00am. Go to the main entrance to get to the 5th series, follow the signs!
At 4:00 pm Tuesday, both Flights A and B secured for the evening so that folks had time to get prepared for the traditional mid-week Workers’ Party. Flight A finished running all dogs in Series 4 and Flight B finished running all dogs in Series 3.
Series 4 Test Description:
MAI Flight A, Series 4
SFMRG Area 3 – Beaver Pond
Land/Water Triple with an Honor and Diversion Bird
Test Name by the Judges: “Boogie, Did You Do This?”
Tuesday, May 18th 2021
Flight A, Fourth Series has moved to Area 3 – Beaver Pond of the SFMRG. The Beaver Pond area is always first to be reserved by members of the SFMRG. It’s a very challenging piece of property when training for hunting tests or field trials.
The judges selected to run from the east end of the pond “above the little dam.”
Handlers come out of the holding blind walking east. The judges signal for the right hand bird which is thrown to the right and lands on a small island. A winger is used to help with the accuracy. Ideally the bird is landing on the island, but when there is a little more wind, the bird has been landing in the water near the island. The left hand bird is thrown next into the edge of high grass cover landing at 82 yards. The flyer station is well concealed behind a mound and very large constructed bush. The flyer is shot last to the left landing approximately 135 yards from the line. As the dog returns from the second retrieve, a diversion bird is shot into the pond from the area of the walk-up line landing approximately 15 yards into the pond.
There were 58 dogs called back to the Fifth Series: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 74, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 91, 92 and 93.
Four dogs were dropped: 4, 32, 42 and 58.
Wednesday Morning - Flight A bitch check at series 4 at 7:30am. Test Dogs for Series 5 will be run at 8:45 am! Flight A 5th Series starting dog #92 @ 9:00am. Go to the main entrance to get to the 5th series, follow the signs!
At 4:00 pm Tuesday, both Flights A and B secured for the evening so that folks had time to get prepared for the traditional mid-week Workers’ Party. Flight A finished running all dogs in Series 4 and Flight B finished running all dogs in Series 3.
Series 4 Test Description:
MAI Flight A, Series 4
SFMRG Area 3 – Beaver Pond
Land/Water Triple with an Honor and Diversion Bird
Test Name by the Judges: “Boogie, Did You Do This?”
Tuesday, May 18th 2021
Flight A, Fourth Series has moved to Area 3 – Beaver Pond of the SFMRG. The Beaver Pond area is always first to be reserved by members of the SFMRG. It’s a very challenging piece of property when training for hunting tests or field trials.
The judges selected to run from the east end of the pond “above the little dam.”
Handlers come out of the holding blind walking east. The judges signal for the right hand bird which is thrown to the right and lands on a small island. A winger is used to help with the accuracy. Ideally the bird is landing on the island, but when there is a little more wind, the bird has been landing in the water near the island. The left hand bird is thrown next into the edge of high grass cover landing at 82 yards. The flyer station is well concealed behind a mound and very large constructed bush. The flyer is shot last to the left landing approximately 135 yards from the line. As the dog returns from the second retrieve, a diversion bird is shot into the pond from the area of the walk-up line landing approximately 15 yards into the pond.
Series 4 Dog Work:
There are various combinations in which handlers and dogs are selecting to pick up the marks. Kevin McGinnis with dog #39, “Caza,” a 9-year-old male black Labrador made this Fourth Series look very easy. Caza ran a straight line to get his flyer. By the time he returned to Kevin, the right hand bird had drifted 20 yards across the pond. This was no trouble for Caza … he quickly picked out his duck before leaving the line and made the retrieve. On his way back, the diversion bird was thrown which didn’t faze Caza at all. Kevin selected to pick-up the left hand bird prior to the diversion and Caza complied. Kevin pulled him a little right working him out to the bird from the gun station for a better line to the mark. Again Caza listened well to his handler accepting direction with ease. Caza went straight to the right hand bird and then picked up the diversion clean.
Dog #44, “Hitch,” a 8-year-old male black Labrador with handler Joseph Harper picked up all the marks in the same order as Kevin and Caza. Hitch took a perfect line to retrieve his flyer. The island bird landed just shy of the island and drifted into the island. Hitch quickly hunted the shore where the gun station was located and then crossed to the island to retrieve his bird. Hitch picked up the left mark and diversion bird with no problem.
There are various combinations in which handlers and dogs are selecting to pick up the marks. Kevin McGinnis with dog #39, “Caza,” a 9-year-old male black Labrador made this Fourth Series look very easy. Caza ran a straight line to get his flyer. By the time he returned to Kevin, the right hand bird had drifted 20 yards across the pond. This was no trouble for Caza … he quickly picked out his duck before leaving the line and made the retrieve. On his way back, the diversion bird was thrown which didn’t faze Caza at all. Kevin selected to pick-up the left hand bird prior to the diversion and Caza complied. Kevin pulled him a little right working him out to the bird from the gun station for a better line to the mark. Again Caza listened well to his handler accepting direction with ease. Caza went straight to the right hand bird and then picked up the diversion clean.
Dog #44, “Hitch,” a 8-year-old male black Labrador with handler Joseph Harper picked up all the marks in the same order as Kevin and Caza. Hitch took a perfect line to retrieve his flyer. The island bird landed just shy of the island and drifted into the island. Hitch quickly hunted the shore where the gun station was located and then crossed to the island to retrieve his bird. Hitch picked up the left mark and diversion bird with no problem.
SERIES 3 – "Nightmare on Blind Street"
Tuesday, May 18, 2021:
There were 62 dogs called back to the Fourth Series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 74, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 91, 92 and 93.
Fourteen dogs were dropped: 18, 27, 34, 48, 53, 56, 57, 69, 73, 75, 80, 88, 89 and 94.
So far, we have had beautiful mornings and this morning is no different! 55 degrees, with a slight breeze from the east and 87% humidity.
Monday, May 17, 2021:
Series 3 started today with dog #60.
The last dog to run Monday evening at 7:00 pm was dog # 36. There are 16 dogs to run Tuesday morning to finish this series. Dog # 42 will be the first dog to run after one Test dog at 7:15 am.
Series 3 Test Description:
MAI Flight A, Series 3
SFMRG Area 1 – North Field
Land/Water Triple with a Water Blind and an Honor
Test Name by the Judges: “Nightmare on Blind Street”
Monday, May 17th - Tuesday, May 18th 2021
On this Land/Water Triple with Water Blind and Honor the dogs are coming to the “Duck Blind” (that the judges have constructed using 2021 5th Anniversary MARC holding blinds) and they are very excited. Before starting the Third Series, the judges gave the scenario that today is January 20th, it’s early morning and the temperature is 20 degrees. The working dog and handler will look out the left side of the duck blind while the Honor dog and handler will look out the right side opening. The judges explained that three marks will fall starting on the right with a bird being thrown directly at the duck blind landing on land 34 yards away in very tall heavy cover near the corner of the pond. The second mark is the middle mark which is being thrown to the right landing in a cove of very thick duckweed (Lemnoideae is a subfamily of flowering aquatic plants, known as duckweeds, water lentils, or water lenses. They float on or just beneath the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of fresh water or wetlands). The third bird is to the left of the duck blind being thrown left along the edge of the pond in tall thick cover; this cover includes cattails and several other native weeds and grasses. The middle mark in the water and the left hand mark are both landing approximately 35 yards from the line. After all three marks have been delivered to the handler, a water blind (the judges did emphasize water blind) is to be retrieved. The blind is down the shore of a point to the left of the right hand mark, 50 yards from the line.
There were 62 dogs called back to the Fourth Series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 74, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 91, 92 and 93.
Fourteen dogs were dropped: 18, 27, 34, 48, 53, 56, 57, 69, 73, 75, 80, 88, 89 and 94.
So far, we have had beautiful mornings and this morning is no different! 55 degrees, with a slight breeze from the east and 87% humidity.
Monday, May 17, 2021:
Series 3 started today with dog #60.
The last dog to run Monday evening at 7:00 pm was dog # 36. There are 16 dogs to run Tuesday morning to finish this series. Dog # 42 will be the first dog to run after one Test dog at 7:15 am.
Series 3 Test Description:
MAI Flight A, Series 3
SFMRG Area 1 – North Field
Land/Water Triple with a Water Blind and an Honor
Test Name by the Judges: “Nightmare on Blind Street”
Monday, May 17th - Tuesday, May 18th 2021
On this Land/Water Triple with Water Blind and Honor the dogs are coming to the “Duck Blind” (that the judges have constructed using 2021 5th Anniversary MARC holding blinds) and they are very excited. Before starting the Third Series, the judges gave the scenario that today is January 20th, it’s early morning and the temperature is 20 degrees. The working dog and handler will look out the left side of the duck blind while the Honor dog and handler will look out the right side opening. The judges explained that three marks will fall starting on the right with a bird being thrown directly at the duck blind landing on land 34 yards away in very tall heavy cover near the corner of the pond. The second mark is the middle mark which is being thrown to the right landing in a cove of very thick duckweed (Lemnoideae is a subfamily of flowering aquatic plants, known as duckweeds, water lentils, or water lenses. They float on or just beneath the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of fresh water or wetlands). The third bird is to the left of the duck blind being thrown left along the edge of the pond in tall thick cover; this cover includes cattails and several other native weeds and grasses. The middle mark in the water and the left hand mark are both landing approximately 35 yards from the line. After all three marks have been delivered to the handler, a water blind (the judges did emphasize water blind) is to be retrieved. The blind is down the shore of a point to the left of the right hand mark, 50 yards from the line.
Series 3 Dog Work:
Most all dogs are very quickly picking up the left and middle duck. The right hand mark is causing hunts resulting from the bird being thrown directly in which makes it more difficult for a dog to mark. For those dogs establishing a hunt on the right hand bird, small hunts are being conducted on both side of the gun station, but the dogs are working it out to find the bird quickly. There is duckweed along the shoreline enroute to the blind, but it’s not thick enough for a path to be established to the blind. This test moves quickly; it’s only five minutes from the time the handler and dog enters the duck blind to departing after honoring.
Cary Alsobrook and dog # 32, “Gunner,” a 5-year-old male black Labrador entered the left side of the duck blind. Gunner watched his marks land and Cary released his hunting companion to retrieve the left hand mark and then the middle mark. To come up with the right hand mark, Gunner hunted both the left and right side of the Gun Station and then did a small loop into and out of the corner of the pond and then back up onto land to retrieve his bird. After Cary received the duck from Gunner upon returning from the right hand bird, Cary moved to the designated location just a bit closer to the water’s edge to run the blind. Gunner’s initial line was outside so Cary gave a quick whistle then a right straight-up back cast to try to get Gunner back on line. Gunner took more cast which sent him heading to shore. Cary blew two more whistles, giving a left cast after each whistle to keep Gunner off the shore until he reached the bird.
After receiving a no-bird and going back 3, dog # 31, “Chencho,” an 11-year-old black Labrador and handler Tim Williams came into the duck blind for a second time. By the time all three marks had landed, Chencho was several feet out in front of Tim at an unsafe distance so the judge instructed Tim to re-heel. After Tim worked to get Chencho back to the heel position, Tim released his hunting companion to retrieve the left, then middle, and then right hand bird. Chencho excellently marked all three ducks. Tim moved down the hill closer to the water to run the blind. Chencho’s initial line was “fat” requiring Tim to blow a quick whistle and give a right cast. Chencho took too much; Tim was a bit late on the next whistle causing his dog to get very close to shore. Several left over casts – with verbal – were given to try to keep Chencho in the water to the end of the blind. As dog # 31 returned, Tim moved into the duck blind to receive the bird.
This water blind had an angle entry beginning, water middle and angle exit end, the blind planter placed the bird next to a very small bush near the water’s edge. Several handlers had a difficult time keeping the dog in the water until the end of the blind.
Most all dogs are very quickly picking up the left and middle duck. The right hand mark is causing hunts resulting from the bird being thrown directly in which makes it more difficult for a dog to mark. For those dogs establishing a hunt on the right hand bird, small hunts are being conducted on both side of the gun station, but the dogs are working it out to find the bird quickly. There is duckweed along the shoreline enroute to the blind, but it’s not thick enough for a path to be established to the blind. This test moves quickly; it’s only five minutes from the time the handler and dog enters the duck blind to departing after honoring.
Cary Alsobrook and dog # 32, “Gunner,” a 5-year-old male black Labrador entered the left side of the duck blind. Gunner watched his marks land and Cary released his hunting companion to retrieve the left hand mark and then the middle mark. To come up with the right hand mark, Gunner hunted both the left and right side of the Gun Station and then did a small loop into and out of the corner of the pond and then back up onto land to retrieve his bird. After Cary received the duck from Gunner upon returning from the right hand bird, Cary moved to the designated location just a bit closer to the water’s edge to run the blind. Gunner’s initial line was outside so Cary gave a quick whistle then a right straight-up back cast to try to get Gunner back on line. Gunner took more cast which sent him heading to shore. Cary blew two more whistles, giving a left cast after each whistle to keep Gunner off the shore until he reached the bird.
After receiving a no-bird and going back 3, dog # 31, “Chencho,” an 11-year-old black Labrador and handler Tim Williams came into the duck blind for a second time. By the time all three marks had landed, Chencho was several feet out in front of Tim at an unsafe distance so the judge instructed Tim to re-heel. After Tim worked to get Chencho back to the heel position, Tim released his hunting companion to retrieve the left, then middle, and then right hand bird. Chencho excellently marked all three ducks. Tim moved down the hill closer to the water to run the blind. Chencho’s initial line was “fat” requiring Tim to blow a quick whistle and give a right cast. Chencho took too much; Tim was a bit late on the next whistle causing his dog to get very close to shore. Several left over casts – with verbal – were given to try to keep Chencho in the water to the end of the blind. As dog # 31 returned, Tim moved into the duck blind to receive the bird.
This water blind had an angle entry beginning, water middle and angle exit end, the blind planter placed the bird next to a very small bush near the water’s edge. Several handlers had a difficult time keeping the dog in the water until the end of the blind.
SERIES 2 – "Raiders of the Lost Mark"
Monday, May 17, 2021:
There were 76 dogs called back to the Third Series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93 and 94.
Ten dogs were dropped: 10, 11, 17, 19, 25, 41, 47, 61, 71 and 86.
The Third Series will start with dog #60 this afternoon. (Monday, May 17, 2021)
Series 2 Test Description:
MAI Flight A, Series 2
SFMRG Area 1 – North Field
Land Walk-up Triple, with an Out-of-order Flyer and a Land Blind
Test Name by the Judges: “Raiders of the Lost Mark”
Sunday, May 16th - Monday, May 17th 2021
From the holding blind, the handler and dog approach the hunting area walking to the north. To their left, a walk-up bird is thrown to the right. The gun station is hidden behind a constructed bush that is behind a large cover patch of lespedeza. It lands 33 yards from the line in cut grass behind a separate and smaller cover patch of lespedeza. The second bird is an out-of-order flyer on the right side of the field. It lands at 82 yards slightly downhill and just short of heavy cover and a cove of water. A very large constructed bush also conceals the flyer station. The middle bird is thrown to the left landing at 133 yards. Two broken down staggered hay bales frame this go-bird nicely. As the dog is returning from retrieving its last bird, the judges ask a blind planter to plant the blind. The line to the blind is through the large patch of lespedeza, which is under the arc and tight to the gun station of the walk-up bird. The blind is being placed to the right of a broken down hay bale. The distance from the running line to the blind is 67 yards.
There were 76 dogs called back to the Third Series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93 and 94.
Ten dogs were dropped: 10, 11, 17, 19, 25, 41, 47, 61, 71 and 86.
The Third Series will start with dog #60 this afternoon. (Monday, May 17, 2021)
Series 2 Test Description:
MAI Flight A, Series 2
SFMRG Area 1 – North Field
Land Walk-up Triple, with an Out-of-order Flyer and a Land Blind
Test Name by the Judges: “Raiders of the Lost Mark”
Sunday, May 16th - Monday, May 17th 2021
From the holding blind, the handler and dog approach the hunting area walking to the north. To their left, a walk-up bird is thrown to the right. The gun station is hidden behind a constructed bush that is behind a large cover patch of lespedeza. It lands 33 yards from the line in cut grass behind a separate and smaller cover patch of lespedeza. The second bird is an out-of-order flyer on the right side of the field. It lands at 82 yards slightly downhill and just short of heavy cover and a cove of water. A very large constructed bush also conceals the flyer station. The middle bird is thrown to the left landing at 133 yards. Two broken down staggered hay bales frame this go-bird nicely. As the dog is returning from retrieving its last bird, the judges ask a blind planter to plant the blind. The line to the blind is through the large patch of lespedeza, which is under the arc and tight to the gun station of the walk-up bird. The blind is being placed to the right of a broken down hay bale. The distance from the running line to the blind is 67 yards.
Series 2 Dog Work:
For the Second Series of Flight A, judges Alan Bruhin and Mike Akeroyd moved towards the South East corner of SFMRG Area 1 – North Field to set up a Walk-up Triple with an Out-of-order Flyer and Land Blind. Eighty-six dogs had started the Second Series on Sunday afternoon, with dog #44 running first and the day concluded with dog #85 just before 7:00 pm.
Today (Monday) the air is unseasonably dry for Southeast Virginia. It turns out that the formation of dew is linked to the amount of cloudiness – it was overcast yesterday afternoon and last night. And the dew point here last night was 42˚F – this area hardly ever gets below 50˚F, so there was no dew on the ground this morning. The humidity is about 49% today, which is also very low for this area.
This morning at 7:45 am, as Flight A test dogs were running, the temperature was 57 degrees and warming up quickly. The location of the test in the North Field has no areas of shade on sunny days.
After both test dogs ran this morning, Jack Belicka and dog #86, “Flash,” an 8 year old male Golden Retriever, were ready to run. Flash heeled next to Jack and stayed next to him to watch his birds land. When the handler was released, Jack sent Flash. Flash had a beautiful line to the middle, long bird to make a quick retrieve and return. Flash selected to retrieve the flyer second. His line to the flyer was just a touch left; he made a small loop left and then to his bird. After Flash returned, Jack gave him a couple seconds to settle in before giving Flash an “easy bird” and sending him softly. Flash snuck around the corner end of the cover to retrieve his bird.
By the time Flash was back from that mark, the blind planter had placed the blind and was tucked back in the walk-up bird station. Jack lined Flash up and sent him.
Flash took a line into the cover of lespedeza and left of the walk-up gun station. Jack had to blow several whistles with right casts, but he got Flash to the bird.
As the handler of dog #87 helped with bitch check this morning, Doug Duncan with dog #88 “Flip,” a 7-year-old male black Labrador ran second. A very excited Flip got well out ahead of Doug on the walk-up and was asked to re-heel. Once Doug got Flip back in position he released Flip to retrieve the long middle bird. Flip made a couple of loops in the area of the fall prior to finding his bird. On his return, Doug was hoping to pick up the short left-hand bird second but Flip’s mind was set on getting the flyer. When Doug released Flip for the flyer, he knew exactly where to go to get his bird. Flip also had a very nice retrieve to pick up the short left hand duck. Again by the time the dog returned from the last mark the blind planter had placed the bird and was tucked back into the gun station. Doug took his time lining Flip up before releasing him. Two whistles past the walk-up bird fall area to get him to the bird.
The field of dogs is almost evenly divided in which bird to pick up second. Only a few handlers have secondary selected to pick up the short bird prior to getting the flyer.
Upon returning from the go bird, the field of dogs is almost evenly divided in which bird to pick up second. Only a few handlers have secondary selected to pick up the short bird prior to getting the flyer.
For the Second Series of Flight A, judges Alan Bruhin and Mike Akeroyd moved towards the South East corner of SFMRG Area 1 – North Field to set up a Walk-up Triple with an Out-of-order Flyer and Land Blind. Eighty-six dogs had started the Second Series on Sunday afternoon, with dog #44 running first and the day concluded with dog #85 just before 7:00 pm.
Today (Monday) the air is unseasonably dry for Southeast Virginia. It turns out that the formation of dew is linked to the amount of cloudiness – it was overcast yesterday afternoon and last night. And the dew point here last night was 42˚F – this area hardly ever gets below 50˚F, so there was no dew on the ground this morning. The humidity is about 49% today, which is also very low for this area.
This morning at 7:45 am, as Flight A test dogs were running, the temperature was 57 degrees and warming up quickly. The location of the test in the North Field has no areas of shade on sunny days.
After both test dogs ran this morning, Jack Belicka and dog #86, “Flash,” an 8 year old male Golden Retriever, were ready to run. Flash heeled next to Jack and stayed next to him to watch his birds land. When the handler was released, Jack sent Flash. Flash had a beautiful line to the middle, long bird to make a quick retrieve and return. Flash selected to retrieve the flyer second. His line to the flyer was just a touch left; he made a small loop left and then to his bird. After Flash returned, Jack gave him a couple seconds to settle in before giving Flash an “easy bird” and sending him softly. Flash snuck around the corner end of the cover to retrieve his bird.
By the time Flash was back from that mark, the blind planter had placed the blind and was tucked back in the walk-up bird station. Jack lined Flash up and sent him.
Flash took a line into the cover of lespedeza and left of the walk-up gun station. Jack had to blow several whistles with right casts, but he got Flash to the bird.
As the handler of dog #87 helped with bitch check this morning, Doug Duncan with dog #88 “Flip,” a 7-year-old male black Labrador ran second. A very excited Flip got well out ahead of Doug on the walk-up and was asked to re-heel. Once Doug got Flip back in position he released Flip to retrieve the long middle bird. Flip made a couple of loops in the area of the fall prior to finding his bird. On his return, Doug was hoping to pick up the short left-hand bird second but Flip’s mind was set on getting the flyer. When Doug released Flip for the flyer, he knew exactly where to go to get his bird. Flip also had a very nice retrieve to pick up the short left hand duck. Again by the time the dog returned from the last mark the blind planter had placed the bird and was tucked back into the gun station. Doug took his time lining Flip up before releasing him. Two whistles past the walk-up bird fall area to get him to the bird.
The field of dogs is almost evenly divided in which bird to pick up second. Only a few handlers have secondary selected to pick up the short bird prior to getting the flyer.
Upon returning from the go bird, the field of dogs is almost evenly divided in which bird to pick up second. Only a few handlers have secondary selected to pick up the short bird prior to getting the flyer.
SERIES 1 – "Good Luck Hunting"
Sunday, May 16, 2021:
There were 86 dogs called back to the Second Series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93, and 94.
The two dogs that were dropped, both broke and were picked up: 26 and 38.
Just a reminder that the dogs that scratched in Flight A were: 9, 20, 43, 76, 90 and 95.
Per the rotation, dog #44 was to start the next series.
Both Flight A and Flight B completed the First Series, and started the Second Series today. (Sunday)
Tomorrow (Monday) morning Flight A will start with Dog #86.
Flight B will start with Dog #60.
Both flights will start at 8:00 am, Test Dog at 7:45 am and Bitch check 7:00 am.
95 Dogs Entered in Flight A
88 Dogs Started the First Series
Dogs that scratched in Flight A were: 9, 20, 43, 76, 90 and 95
Dog #72 moved to Flight B
Series 1 Test Description:
MAI Flight A, Series 1
SFMRG Area 1 – North Field
Land Triple, Flyer with an Honor
Test Name by the Judges: “Good Luck Hunting”
Sunday, May 16th 2021
This morning, all Flight A handlers arrived Area 1 – the North Field of the Steve Ferguson Memorial Retriever Grounds (SFMRG). A buzz of excitement filled the calm air as handlers prepared to run the First Series of this long awaited 5th Annual Master Amateur Invitational. Today’s First Series was a land triple with a live flyer and an honor. Mallard ducks will be used on all six series for both flights. Handler and dog come to the line settling just to the right of the judges. The first bird was the left-hand live flyer shot to the left at approximately 85 yards. The flyer station was well hidden by a large Maple tree. There is a cover patch of lespedeza (also known as Japanese clover, a summer annual legume that is a problematic weed in grass or turf areas) in the area of the fall. The middle bird station is brushed with large leafy branches, ten yards deep of a broken down hay bale surrounded by tall green grass. This bird was thrown to the right at 47 yards. The third bird was the right bird thrown left angle back at 81 yards. The grass throughout the field is 8 to 11 inches tall. Eleven Avery 3-D goose decoys lay scattered across the field. After the dogs completed the test, there is an honor to the left of the judges.
There were 86 dogs called back to the Second Series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93, and 94.
The two dogs that were dropped, both broke and were picked up: 26 and 38.
Just a reminder that the dogs that scratched in Flight A were: 9, 20, 43, 76, 90 and 95.
Per the rotation, dog #44 was to start the next series.
Both Flight A and Flight B completed the First Series, and started the Second Series today. (Sunday)
Tomorrow (Monday) morning Flight A will start with Dog #86.
Flight B will start with Dog #60.
Both flights will start at 8:00 am, Test Dog at 7:45 am and Bitch check 7:00 am.
95 Dogs Entered in Flight A
88 Dogs Started the First Series
Dogs that scratched in Flight A were: 9, 20, 43, 76, 90 and 95
Dog #72 moved to Flight B
Series 1 Test Description:
MAI Flight A, Series 1
SFMRG Area 1 – North Field
Land Triple, Flyer with an Honor
Test Name by the Judges: “Good Luck Hunting”
Sunday, May 16th 2021
This morning, all Flight A handlers arrived Area 1 – the North Field of the Steve Ferguson Memorial Retriever Grounds (SFMRG). A buzz of excitement filled the calm air as handlers prepared to run the First Series of this long awaited 5th Annual Master Amateur Invitational. Today’s First Series was a land triple with a live flyer and an honor. Mallard ducks will be used on all six series for both flights. Handler and dog come to the line settling just to the right of the judges. The first bird was the left-hand live flyer shot to the left at approximately 85 yards. The flyer station was well hidden by a large Maple tree. There is a cover patch of lespedeza (also known as Japanese clover, a summer annual legume that is a problematic weed in grass or turf areas) in the area of the fall. The middle bird station is brushed with large leafy branches, ten yards deep of a broken down hay bale surrounded by tall green grass. This bird was thrown to the right at 47 yards. The third bird was the right bird thrown left angle back at 81 yards. The grass throughout the field is 8 to 11 inches tall. Eleven Avery 3-D goose decoys lay scattered across the field. After the dogs completed the test, there is an honor to the left of the judges.
Series 1 Dog Work:
Scott Baker wearing Avery bib #28 and “Brennan” started this series with a solid performance. Brennan sat nicely to the left of his handler watching all three birds land. Brennan, a five-year-old male Golden Retriever quickly departed the line when released by Scott going straight to the flyer for the retrieve. Next he went for the right hand bird on a line just to the left of the bird, made the retrieve and returned. Brennan had a nice line to the middle short bird over running it just a bit then working back to find his bird.
Cindy Tulpa wearing Avery bib #34 and “Stone” also had a very nice first series. This is not Stone’s first showing at a National event. Stone, a 6-year-old male yellow Labrador, is an MNR and has 26 Master passes. Cindy heeled a very excited Stone to the line; she settled him and called for the birds. Stone left the line in a hurry when released by Cindy making two very tight loops to retrieve the right-hand bird. Next, Stone had a line directly to the flyer for the retrieve. Cindy slowed down to give Stone an opportunity to look into the short middle bird before sending him; a small quick loop and Stone was on his way back. Cindy received the bird in the honor box.
Scott Baker wearing Avery bib #28 and “Brennan” started this series with a solid performance. Brennan sat nicely to the left of his handler watching all three birds land. Brennan, a five-year-old male Golden Retriever quickly departed the line when released by Scott going straight to the flyer for the retrieve. Next he went for the right hand bird on a line just to the left of the bird, made the retrieve and returned. Brennan had a nice line to the middle short bird over running it just a bit then working back to find his bird.
Cindy Tulpa wearing Avery bib #34 and “Stone” also had a very nice first series. This is not Stone’s first showing at a National event. Stone, a 6-year-old male yellow Labrador, is an MNR and has 26 Master passes. Cindy heeled a very excited Stone to the line; she settled him and called for the birds. Stone left the line in a hurry when released by Cindy making two very tight loops to retrieve the right-hand bird. Next, Stone had a line directly to the flyer for the retrieve. Cindy slowed down to give Stone an opportunity to look into the short middle bird before sending him; a small quick loop and Stone was on his way back. Cindy received the bird in the honor box.