Field Awareness - AKC Canine Health Foundation

As much as we love this sport and our dogs even more, it is important to see potential hazards in the fields we run our dogs in.

Please click the link below for an article featured on the AKC Canine Health Foundation web page about "Field Awareness."

http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/field-awareness.html

We also encourage you to support the Canine Health Foundation by donating.

Together with your generous donations you all have made on EntryExpress.net we have raised over $40,300! We sincerely thank you all for your generosity!

55. FC-AFC LOCK FIVE'S GOT HER BLUE GENES ON, "Baby" LF, Ray Voigt

Baby and Ray got to the line at 12:43 pm.

Flyer - Great Job.

Middle - Going out right of the hay bales, Baby went down the levee out to the blind and got a little deep. Taking three big loops, she worked her way back to her bird.

Left - Great angle out to the fall area, she got deep but quickly worked her way back for her bird.

Pick Up - 53. FC FLY ME TO THE MOON, "Shiner" LM, Tim Milligan

Shiner and Tim came to the line at 12:35 pm.

Flyer - Shiner hunted very deep of the fall area looking in the heavy cover. He had to be handled back to the fall area. Still having problems, he worked it out and got his bird.

Middle - Went out right of the bales and out to the fall area where a took a few turns and got his pheasant.

Left - Into the pond and crossed it going to the fall area. Shiner went through the fall area then went on into the cover. The handler was blowing the "come in" whistles but Shiner was out of sight. Picked up

52. FC HOLLAND CLIFFS RED LABEL, "Ruger" LM, Alan Pleasant

Ruger and Alan came to the line at 12:26 pm.

Flyer - Nice

Middle - Great angle right of the bales, going through the pond and over the levee then to the fall area, Ruger got deep and hunted with several loops before he found his bird.

Left - He crossed the road and went trough the bales and across the pond. Out to the trees, taking the left side following the tree line deep, Ruger got out of sight for a bit. He came out from the far end of the field, back to the fall area and his bird.

51. FC SHOTGUN HARRY, "Harry" LM, Al Arthur

Harry and Al came to the line at 12:22 pm.

Flyer - Very nice job.

Middle - Wide right with a good angle just past the holding blind. Harry turned left and came into the fall area for his bird.

Left - Nice line to the fall area, he came in just right and got deep. He made a few turns and got his bird.

50. AFC WHITEWATER SHAQ N BAMS BOUNCIN PITA, "Bounce" LF, Cindie Little

Bounce and Cindie came to the line at 12:15 pm.

Flyer - Perfect!

Middle - Going out right of the bales and over the levee, Bounce took a loop short, but the went back around holding blind with the guns then out to her bird.

Left - Through the bales into the pond, Bounce went down the right side of the tree line, arrived deep, she came out on the left in the correct field. She worked it out and got her bird.

49. FC-AFC LEICA SABERTOOTH, "Tiger" LM, Dave Rorem

Tiger and Dave came to the line at 12:10 pm.

Flyer - Tiger got out to fall area and quickly found his bird.

Middle - Going out right of the bales and down the levee, right of the guns, he went left behind the guns to the fall area and the bird.

Left - Great angle from the mat to the pond. He went wide left then down towards the end. Tiger quickly adjusted to come back for his bird.

Test 4 - Mid Test Evaluation

We are nearing the midway point of the Fourth Series. The anticipated rains have held off but you can feel the temperature is dropping by the hour.

This test continues to be a challenge with all the birds presenting their share of difficulty.

The flyer duck is shot in a field of heavy cover with cut strips.

The middle retired gun can be difficult if the dog runs the dam and continues up the hill. He can end up behind the gunners and hunting deep and wide right.

The line to the left retired has hay bales placed to deflect the dog from his line. Then they have a pond to angle through. Squaring out of the pond can put the dog back at the middle retired gun. A nice angle out and you are in the area. Avoiding the water can throw the dog far left and into a hunt pattern deep and wide of the mark.

These birds are well placed and the lines to them are scattered with challenges.

48. FC-AFC SUNDOG'S MAXIMUM PURSUIT, "Max" LM, John Henninger

Max and John came to the line for their 4th Series.

Flyer - Very nice line and a quick retrieve.

Middle - Going out right of the hay bales and over the levee, Max went straight to his bird.

Left - He went left of the bales and into the pond. Getting out he went to the fall area a little deep but a quick turn put him on the bird.

Handled - 47. FC-AFC STRAIGHT TO THE HEART-DAGGER, "Dagger" LM, Johnny Armstrong

Dagger and Johnny came to the line at 11:57 am.

Flyer - Hunted deep and deep left before finding his bird.

Middle - Took a right line, right of the bales and over the levee to the right side of the blind. Dagger moved left into the fall area and got his bird.

Left - Going through the bales and into the pond, Dagger got out and went to the right side of the trees. Had to be handled back to the left side of the trees and deeper to get his bird.

Monday Weather Forecast – Rain, Rain – GO AWAY!

See that little blue dot? That's where the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area is located … right between show showers to the north and rain showers to the south. We are hoping the weatherman got it wrong, but...

The skies are cloudy and the temps are currently at 44 degrees (feels like 41) but will be dropping as the afternoon continues on. We have a wind coming from NNE at 6 mph. Showers are on their way with 40% chance of rain starting after noon sometime.

46. FC TRUMARC'S COMEDIENNE, "Wanda" LF, Danny Farmer

Wanda and Danny came to the line at 11:52 am.

Flyer - Nice Job on this flyer.

Middle - Going out to the right side of the holding blind, Wanda swung left behind the guns to the fall area and quickly found her bird.

Left - Left of bales and across the pond on a nice angle, Wanda came out to the fall area and got her bird.

45. FC-CFC SWEETIE'S EASY RIDER, "Ford" LM, Jim Gonia

Ford and Jim came to the line at 11:47 am.

Flyer - Ford went out to the are and quickly got his bird.

Middle - Going out right of the bales and through the right edge of the pond, he stayed in front of the guns out to the fall area. He made a few turns and got his bird.

Left - Angling wide left but Ford squared the pond and went through the field into the cover. Getting to the end of the field, he hunted his back into his bird.

4th Series - Gun Change - Update

Our first gun change of the 4th Series - Water Triple happened at 11:34 am.

Our first running dog #7 came to the line at 7:04 am. We have about 3.5 hours and 31 dogs have completed this 4th series.

Here is what has been going on....

Handles: 10 - 13 - 26 - 30 - 37 - 43
Pick Up: 9 -20 -22 - 31 - 39
Broke: 17
Recall / Field Issue: 26
No Bird: 8(2x) - 14 - 19
Rerun: 8(2x) - 14 - 19 - 26

Here is a quick look at what the afternoon weather is going to be.

Handle - 42. FC TROUBLESOME RIBEYE MEDIUM RARE, "Pink" LF, Chris Ledford

Pink and Chris came to the line at 11:29 am.

Flyer - Tight hunt and Pink has her bird.

Middle - Straight out and back with her bird.

Left - Pink crossed the pond wide left and went deep and had to be handled to get her bird.

41. FC RED CEDAR'S WIDE RECEIVER, "Driver" LM, Wayne Curtis

Driver and Wayne came to the line at 11:18 am.

Flyer - Driver has a tight hunt but comes up with the bird.

Middle - Going out along the dam and up the backside of the gunners, Driver makes the turn to come in on his bird.

Left - Past the bales and through the pond, he comes out at the base of the trees. He turns right and begins a hunt pattern that will bring him to his bird.

Can Never Say It Enough - Thank You Sponsors!

To All of Our Generous 2018
National Open Blog Sponsors!!

Our OFFICIAL Sponsors:

Our Additional Blog Sponsors:

40. FC GOOD LUCK CHARLIE, "Charlie" LF, Paul Sletten

Charlie and Paul came to the line for their 4th Series.

Flyer - A brief hunt and got her bird.

Middle - Going over the dam to the area of the fall, Charlie makes easy work of finding this bird.

Left - Through the pond with a nice angle exit from the water that put her in good position. She had a hunt deep of the area but Charlie was back in on her bird.

Pick Up - 39. FC-AFC LUCKY TIMES, "Lucky" LM, Drew Clendaniel

Lucky and Drew came to the line at 11:00 am.

Flyer - Lucky had a quick recovery of his flyer.

Left - Through the pond and up to the area of the middle retired fall area. A couple of passes by the base of the trees, then Lucky started to work in the cover. He arrived at the left retired to be pick up bird.

Handled - 37. FC-AFC SKYWATCH SHERIFF, "Sheriff" LM, Ray Vreeland

Sheriff and Ray came to the line at 10:53 am.

Flyer - Very good mark on his flyer.

Middle - Going out along the dam and up the hill, Sheriff arrived behind the gunners to put up a hunt before moving over to the front side of them to come up with his bird.

Left - Through the water and squaring the exit, Sheriff headed back to the area of the middle retired, but a quick handle brought him back to this bird.

36. FC MOSSY RIVER'S SPLIT INFINITIVES, "Drifter" LF, Jane Patopea

Drifter and Jane came to the line at 10:44 am.

Flyer - Out and back with her bird.

Middle - Drifter ran below the dam and arrived at the area of the fall behind the gunners. A quick adjustment and she was headed back in with her bird.

Left - Through the pond with a great angle coming out put Drifter on her bird.

35. D & S'S PETIT CAJIN NOIR, "Zoe" LF, Mark Smith

Zoe with her handler Mark Smith came to the line at 10:29 am.

Flyer - Zoe goes to the area of the fall, but puts up an extended hunt to find her bird.

Middle - Going over the dam and hunting deep, Zoe comes back into the area of the fall for her bird.

Left - She went through the pond and up to the area for her bird.

34. FC WILSON'S DUCKFARM GATOR-MAN, "Gator" LM, Clint Avant

Gator and Clint came to the line at 10:29 am.

Flyer - A quick recovery to pick up this bird.

Left - Going through the bales and the pond, Gator went up to the trees and turned left in front of them and got his bird.

Middle - His line takes him below the dam and up the hillside. Hunting behind the gunners for an extended hunt before coming into the bird.

Handlers In The Fourth Series

Here is a look of the talented handlers running in the Fourth Series also with the dog number(s) they are handling.

Who is your favorite dog and handler team?

Amateur Handlers

Andy Kahn - 81

Bill Fruehling - 8

Cindie Little - 50
Delma Hazzard - 22

Drew Clendaniel - 39

Jim Cope - 98

Jim Smith - 13

John Caire - 103

Johnny Armstrong - 47

Judy Rasmuson - 30

Leon Stepanian - 12

Mark Medford - 72

Ray Vreeland - 37

Rich Pingatore - 78

Robby Bickley - 60

Sharon van der Lee - 99

Pro Handlers

Al Arthur - 10 - 31 - 51 - 92 - 105

Alan Pleasant - 11 - 32 - 52 - 74 - 93

Bobby Smith - 56

Buck Shope - 73

Charlie Moody - 20

Chris Ledford - 42 - 62 - 102

Clint Avant - 7 - 34 - 59 - 82

Danny Farmer - 5 - 26 - 46 - 66 - 87

Dave Rorem - 9 - 29 - 49 - 69 - 90
Dave Smith - 80

Greg Bartlett - 14 - 64

Jane Patopea - 36

Jerry Patopea - 101

Jim Gonia - 45 - 96

John Henninger - 19 - 48 - 86

Kenny Trott - 63 - 97

Lauren Hays Curtis - 27

Marcy Wright - 33

Mark Smith - 35 - 84

Mike Taylor - 24 - 76

Misty Melo - 25 - 77 - 100

Paul Sletten - 6 - 23 - 40 - 75 - 91

Ray Voigt - 3 - 55 - 79

Scott Harp - 15 - 61

Tim Milligan - 53 - 104

Wayne Curtis - 17 - 41 - 95 - 106

Test 4 – Aerial Diagram

Aerial diagram of Test 4 courtesy of Grounds Chair David Colwell

Updated Look At The Dogs Starting The 4th Series

Here is an updated look at the dogs who are starting the fourth series 2018 National Retriever Club Championship.

Oldest Dog Starting the 4th

#24 FC-AFC Valtor's Hayseed Kid, “Kid” 12/16/2006

Youngest Dog Starting the 4th

#37 FC-AFC Skywatch Sheriff, “Sheriff” 2/20/2015

National Titled Dogs Starting the 4th

#10 – 2015 - NFC-AFC Keeno's Gizmo “Gizmo”

#90 – 2018 - NAFC-FC Steadfast's Bachelor Special, “Croc”

#106 – 2017 - NAFC-FC Mulligan Off The Rainy "T", “Mully”

International Titled Dogs Starting the 4th

#45 FC-CFC Sweetie's Easy Rider, “Ford”

#91 FC-AFC-CFC Alexus - Pursuit Of Perfection, “Lexi”

#99 FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC Pekisko's Ironman, “Rusty”

How the rest are titled 

4 (5 entered) Dogs without titles

2 (3 entered) Dogs with only an AFC title

37 (44 entered) Dogs with only a FC title

37 (49 entered) Dogs with both FC & AFC title

All Labradors of Different Color and Sex

All 83 (106 entered) entered dogs are Labrador Retrievers

32 (39 entered) of them are Females - 30 (35 entered) Black; 0 (1 entered) Chocolate; 2 (3 entered) Yellow

51 (67 entered) of them are Males - 46 (61 entered) Black; 1 Chocolate; 4 (5 entered) Yellow

Retriever News/Purina Top Dogs Starting the 4th

2017 Retriever News Top Open Dog & Purina Outstanding Open Field Trial Retriever

#64 FC Magic Trick's Zuma, “Zuma”

2017 Purina Outstanding Amateur Field Trial Retriever 

#60 FC-AFC Hockley Creek's Switch Hitter, “Mickey”

2016 Retriever News Top Derby Dog & Purina Outstanding Derby Field Trial Retriever 

#32 FC-AFC Flawless Execution - FLEX QAA, “Flex”

2015 Retriever News Top Derby Dog & Purina Outstanding Derby Field Trial Retriever 

#74 FC Seaside's Gorgeous George, “Clooney”

Litter Mates Starting the 4th

FC-AFC Wood River's Franchise ex FC-AFC Oakdale Whitewater Devil Dog MH

Breeder: Howard Niemi       Whelping Date: 4/10/11

#50 AFC Whitewater Shaq N Bams Bouncin Pita

#101 FC Whitewater Risky Gambler

NAFC-FC Cody Cut A Lean Grade ex AFC Jamestown's Super Spud

Breeder: Mark Medford   Whelping Date: 11/15/11

#56 FC-AFC Joy Comes With The Morning

#20 FC Riverwatch Yukon Gold

NFC-AFC Clubmead's Road Warrior ex Candlewoods Worldwide Hoodoo

Breeder: Scott Jones     Whelping Date: 11/18/11

#19 FC-AFC Chopper's Final Approach

#34 FC Wilson's Duckfarm Gator-Man

NFC-AFC Fresh Squeezed Juice ex FC-AFC Hardscrabble Carbunnation  

Breeder: Judy Rasmuson                              Whelping Date: 2/11/12

#3 FC-AFC Dottie McFizz

#30 FC-AFC Nina McFizz               

FC-AFC Lanes Lets Get Ready To Rumble ex Sonshine's Hush Sweet Charlet          

Breeder: Carole Robison    Whelping Date 11/3/12

#35 D & S's Petit Cajin Noir

#66 FC MCS Henry

FC-AFC Bayou Teche Eye On The Ball ex FC-AFC Ride Sally Ride III             

Breeder: Jay Chesshir     Whelping Date: 12/7/12

#6 Eleanor Lives In A Dream

#23 FC Mitimat's Respect The Girl

FC-AFC Candlewoods Life Is A Highway ex FC-AFC Maple Creek's Mattie Mae    

Breeders: David & Kara McMahan    Whelping Date: 2/12/13

#12 FC Coal Delivery's Black Betty

#13 FC-AFC Doc's Mesa Boogie

33. FC ELMINGO'S FLIP YOUR LID, "Libby" LF, Marcy Wright

Libby and Marcy came to the line for the Fourth Series at 10:20 am.

Flyer - Stepped on her Bird!

Left - Over the dam and to the area of the fall for the Middle Retired bird where she put up a hunt deep and worked herself around the backside of the trees to bring this left retired bird in.

Middle - Libby's line to the field was below the dam and up the hill. She worked through the cover to come into the field for her bird.

32. FC-AFC FLAWLESS EXECUTION - FLEX QAA, "Flex" LM, Alan Pleasant

Flex and Alan came to the line at 10:15 am.

Flyer - Flex went into the cover and came back with the bird.

Middle - He went over the dam and up to the area of the fall. A couple of quick loops and he is headed back with his bird.

Left - Going through the pond, Flex went right up to the area of the fall and heads back with his bird.

Handled - Rerun - 26. FC TRULUCK'S GOIN' JESSIE, "Jessie" LF, Danny Farmer

Jessie and Danny came back to the line for their rerun at 10:02 am.

Flyer - After and extended hunt, Jessie is handled to her bird.

Left - She went over the dam to the area of the fall for the Middle Retired, where the previous dog (Doc) hunted along the tree area. However, she worked over to the Left Retired to get her bird.

Middle - Back over the dam to arrive behind the gunners for a quick turn to her bird.

Pick Up - 31. FC DOCTOR CABERNET JUST IN CASE, "Doc" LM, Al Arthur

Doc and Al came to the line at Al came to the line to run their 4th series.

Flyer - Doc hunted the area of the fall to come back with the bird.

Middle - He crossed the dam and up to the area of the fall for a quick return with his bird.

Left - Taking the path through the left end of the pond, Doc ducked into the cover left of the fall area. He arrived to the trees where the gunners retire. He hunt right but close to the tree then left. Doc ended up having to be picked up.

Handled - 30. FC-AFC NINA MCFIZZ, "Nina" LF, Judy Rasmuson

Nina and Judy came to the line at for their 4th Series.

Flyer - Working the area with an extended hunt pattern, Nina is handled to her flyer.

Middle - Running across the dam and bending into the area of the fall, Nina grabs her bird.

Left - Straight to the bird for a quick retrieve.

29. FC-AFC 3R'S MR T SMOKEN JOE, "Smokie" LM, Dave Rorem

Smokie and Dave came to the line for the 4th Series.

Flyer - After an extended hunt, Smokie came back with his bird.

Middle - He went through the pond and to the area of the fall. Taking a few loops and he is headed back with his bird.

Left - Going through the bales and a splash through the pond, Smokie went to his bird and brought it back.

Rerun - 14. FC TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES II, "Hope" LF, Greg Bartlett

Hope and Greg came to the line at 9:28 am.

Flyer - Hope had a controlled hunt of the area and came back with her bird.

Middle - She went past the bales, over the dam and hunted behind the gunners then worked her way to the bird.

Left - She passed the bales and went through the pond. She methodically worked out her bird.

27. FC-AFC BAYOU TECHE SWING FOR THE FENCE, "Foxx" LM, Lauren Hays Curtis

Foxx and Lauren came to the line at 9:11 am.

Flyer - Foxx went out and came back with the bird.

Middle - He drove to the area going over the dam which threw him in a small hunt behind the gunners. He corrected himself and went into the correct area for his bird.

Left - Foxx went through the water coming to the field along the right side of the trees. Working around the back of the trees, he came out to the area left of the guns for his bird.

Qualified But Did Not Enter

The 2018 National Retriever Club had a total of 118 dogs qualify to compete in this year's Championship. The qualification year is between the end of last years event in Boston, GA (November 19, 2017) through November 4, 2018.

Having 106 dogs to enter the event, here is the list of the 12 dogs that qualified but did not enter. Great Job to all that qualified for the 2018 National Retriever Club Championship.

FC-AFC COLONIAL'S HUBBA BUBBA, LM

Owners: Michael & Johanna (Duwaldt) Coutu, Harrisville, RI

FC-AFC CONTRAILS SKY QUEEN, LF

Owner: Dave Opseth, Etlan, VA

FIELD OF DREAMS ALL BETS ARE ON, LF

Owner: Brad LaFave, Black Creek, WI

FC-AFC FLYWAY'S LONG TALL SALLY, LF

Owners: Don & Helen Graves, Lake Almanor, CA

FC GRANITE PEAK'S GOTTA HANKERIN' FOR TROUBLE, LM

Owners: Mary & Marty Peterson, West Richland, WA

FC-AFC HIGH PEAK REBEL RIDGE'S OUTLAW, LF

Owners: Samantha Thompson & Justin Aimone, Stroudsburg, PA

FC HILLTOP'S HIGH SOCIETY LADY GA GA, LF

Owners: Carma Futhey & Sylvia McClure, Park City, MT

FC-AFC KIRKWOOD'S BLUE GRADE LADY, LF

Owner: Casey Adams, Cottonwood, AZ

MAGICLABS' ABE IS THE ONE, LM

Owner: Glenn Norton, Saskatchewan, AB

CNAFC-CFC PILKINGTONS RUBY BLUES DAY, LF

Owner: Ken Crosby, McDonalds Corner, ON

FC-AFC RUFF RIVERS OASIS ON THE PLAINS, LF

Owner: Northrup Larson, Centerview, MO

FC-CNFC-CAFC TAYLORLAB'S SWEET CHEEKS, LF

Owners: Gary & Sue Taylor, Saskatoon, SK

Field Issue - 26. FC TRULUCK'S GOIN' JESSIE, "Jessie" LF, Danny Farmer

Danny was asked to recall Jessie and will have a rerun the 6th dog back.

25. FC PEPPERJACK'S MARSH SURFER, "Dude" LM, Misty Melo

Dude and Misty came to the line at 9:09 am.

Flyer - Quick couple of passes in the cover and Dude came back with his bird.

Middle - Running along the pond dam, Dude arrived at the backside of the gunners, turned and grabbed the bird.

Left - Dude went through the bales and splashed into the pond. Getting up and out to the area making a terrific mark.

Rerun - 19. FC-AFC CHOPPER'S FINAL APPROACH, "Billie" LF, John Henninger

Billie and John came to the line at 8:54 am.

Flyer - Nice Job!

Middle - Billie went straight to the area of the fall and got her bird.

Left - She went out left of the bales, crossed the pond and got just past the guns. She worked her way to get her bird.

24. FC-AFC VALTOR'S HAYSEED KID, "Kid" LM, Mike Taylor

Kid and Mike came to the line at 8:46 am.

Flyer - Small tight area hunt and got his bird.

Left - Kid went out right of the bales and right of the pond. He crossed into the fall area of the middle retired but kept going. Into the trees and deep he came out on the left side of the trees and worked his way to get this bird.

Middle - Wide right going out, he came up on the terrace deep right of the guns. Kid worked deep left of the guns back to the fall area then to his bird.

23. FC MITIMAT'S RESPECT THE GIRL, "Reatha" LF, Paul Sletten

Reatha and Paul came to the line at 8:40 am.

Flyer - Straight to this Bird!

Left - Reatha went through the bales, crossed the pond and going to the end of the trees, she hunted the field briefly then got her bird.

Middle - Going out wide right, then she came in on the right of the retired guns. She moved behind the guns and then to the fall area and got her bird.

Rerun - No Bird - Rerun - 8. FC-AFC WOOD RIVER'S MR BIG, "George" LM, Bill Fruehling

George and Bill came to the line at 8:33 am.

Flyer - Had another no bird on the thrown bird, he came straight back to the line for the rerun.
________________________________________________________________________________

Flyer - Very Nice Job.

Middle - George went out right of the bales and to his bird.

Left - He went out through the bales and into the pond, exiting and continuing into the front edge of the trees, he went down then out to his bird.

Pick Up - 22. AFC PINETREE'S PARTY GIRL, "Snookie" LF, Delma Hazzard

Snookie came to the line at 8:25 am.

Flyer - Nice Job!

Middle - Snookie went out to the right of the hay bales, getting very wide right and deep, she started hunting the tree line where the guns retired the day before. She had to be handled to the bird and just could not get it and ended up being picked up.

Pick Up - 20. FC RIVERWATCH YUKON GOLD, "Tater" LF, Charlie Moody

Tater and Charlie came to the line at 8:16 am.

Flyer - Out to the area - had to find in the heavy cover.

Middle - Tater went out right of the hay bales, through the pond and straight to the fall area then to her bird.

Left - She went out left of the bales, continued left of the pond and down the left side of the field. Hunting deep and out of sight, Tater had to be picked up.

No Bird - 19. FC-AFC CHOPPER'S FINAL APPROACH, "Billie" LF, John Henninger

Billie and John came to the line and got a no bird. They will go back 5 spots and have their rerun in the 6th spot back.

Broke - 17. FC-AFC MCKINLEY FIRST ASCENDER-HUDSON, "Hudson" LM, Wayne Curtis

Hudson and Wayne came to the line at 8:10 am.

Hudson broke on the Flyer.

15. GEMSTONE'S SKYY BLUE, "Skyy" LM, Scott Harp

Skyy and Scott came to the line at 8:02 am.

Flyer - Skyy got out to the area deep. He took a few turns to find his bird.

Middle - Wide right coming in behind the guns. Skyy worked his way left to get his bird.

Left - He went through the bales and into the pond. Getting out to the area, he missed the bird and got deep. He went up and down the trees and got his bird.

No Bird - 14. FC TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES II, "Hope" LF, Greg Bartlett

Hope and Greg received a no bird. They will be placed back 5 spots and will have their rerun in the 6th spot back.

Handle - 13. FC-AFC DOC'S MESA BOOGIE, "Mesa" LF, Jim Smith

Mesa and Jim came to the line at 7:53 am.

Flyer - Straight to her bird.

Middle - Mesa went out right of the hay bales and into the pond. She cut left to the fall area, making one loop she got her bird.

Left - She got through the bales and into the pond. Going left and right she got back out of the pond on the entry side. Getting confused, she had to be handled to get her bird.

12. FC COAL DELIVERY'S BLACK BETTY, "Betty" LF, Leon Stepanian

Betty and Leon came to the line at 7:45 am.

Flyer - Out to the fall area and worked it out.

Middle - Betty went through the hay bales and across the water. In front of the guns, she worked quickly out to get her bird.

Left - She went out left of the bales, through the pond and had an extended hunt but got her bird.

11. FC TIDEWATER'S LET HIM ROLL, "Tank" LM, Alan Pleasant

Tank and Alan came to the line at 7:37 am.

Flyer - Excellent hunt.

Middle - Tank went out to the right of the bales and right of the water. Getting out right of the holding blind, he worked his way back in left of the fall area and then went to his bird.

Left - Going left of the hay bale, Tank was on a nice line. He went wide left into the cover and got deep. He worked his back up the tree line and out to get his bird.

Handled - 10. NFC-AFC KEENO'S GIZMO, "Gizmo" LM, Al Arthur

Gizmo and Al came to the line at 7:28 am.

Flyer - Gizmo went straight to the bird.

Middle - He went right of the bales, got wide right of the retired guns. Got around the back and then out to the fall area and to the bird.

Left - He went out through the bales and into the pond. On a right angle back towards the area of the middle bird. Gizmo had to be handled to get this bird.

Pick Up - 9. FC ROAD WARRIORS DIETER BROCK, "Deets" LM, Dave Rorem

Deets and Dave came to the line at for their 4th test.

Flyer - Deets came in deep of the bird but worked his way back to it.

Middle - He went right of the bales out right of the retired guns. He got deep right and worked his way back to the bird.

Left - He went out through the hay bales and cross the pond. Getting wide right and had to be handled away from the middle gun fall area and to the left. Deets got picked up on bird.

No Bird - 8. FC-AFC WOOD RIVER'S MR BIG, "George" LM, Bill Fruehling

The flyer ran, so George will go back 12 dogs for a rerun.

7. FC MEADOW WOODS WHISPERING WILLOW, "Willow" LF, Clint Avant

Willow and Clint came to the line at 7:04 am.

Flyer - Willow had a straight line to the bird.

Middle - She went cross the road right of the bales. She got behind the retired guns and hunted deep of the fall area, and worked her way back to the bird.

Left - Willow got left of the hay bales on a line towards the guns. She got into the cover deep and worked back to the guns and out to the bird.

Test Dog 2 – 4th Series – Watermarks Coal-Fired Folson Train, LM – “Cash”

"Cash" with handler Cynean Bartlett came to the line at 6:52 am.

Flyer - Cash went out to the area in front of the guns. He worked a tight area and got his bird.

Middle - He went right of the hay bales and angled left to the guns. He got behind guns and the bird.

Left - He went through the bales and the left side of the pond. Cash quickly found the guns and turned left to scoop up his bird.

Test Dog 1 – 4th Series – FC Tall Oak’s Repeat, LF – “Peat”

"Peat" with owner/handler John Brunjes came to the line at 6:42 am

Flyer – Peat missed her bird in the heavy cover. Gunners helped to call her in, she worked the area hard, and got her bird

Middle Right – Right of the bales, into the pond, squared it and found the guns, worked her way back to the bird with help.

Left Retired - Problem looking and had the gunners attract the dog with a fake throw. Peat went through the bales into the water, across the field and out to the fall area then the bird.

Series Four – Water Triple

Our temps today are at 41 degrees with a feels-like temp of 38 degrees. It is overcast and promises rain. Today we have a triple. The area is the Siren Field for those who know the area and is down the road from where the First Series was held.

The mat faces south and sits atop a mound. The wind is negligible but a light north northeast.
The test should take 6 minutes to complete, though the test dogs took a bit longer.
As you look out from the line, beginning from the left you will see a field dotted with hay bales and the pond lies beyond them.

The left hand three gunners are 275 yards out and at the base of the trees. They will fire twice and throw a rooster pheasant to the left. It will land in or near tall cover. They will retire into the trees when the dog is sent for the flyer.

The middle gun is two people that are 260 yards out and will throw a hen pheasant after two shots are fired. They will also retire.

The Flyer station on the right sits at the base of the power line towers The hen duck is shot left into thick cover.

The order of guns is left to right. The two controlled birds will retire when the dog leaves to pick up the flyer.

Fourth Series Water Triple with Two Retired and a Flyer

Left  Retired – 275 yards

Middle Retired – 260 yards

Flyer – 115 yards

Thanks to Official Artist Jean Wu for this sketch of the Fourth Series