Test Conditions

The conditions are favorable. The wind is blowing steady out of the West and giving up the placement of the SR one of the key birds in this test.  The sun is shinning bright and the flyer is cooperating with the gunners for an accurate fall. The dog work is reflecting this wind change.  

Puppy Playtime!

 

Charles Beardon, Marshal Extraordinaire!

The Bird Steward's Tent ... Thanks Avery!

The View from the Top!

The cows come home!

The Gunners come in from the field

46. FC-AFC Coolwater's Knockout “Punch” LM, Alex Washburn

Flyer: really long flyer. hunted for a while before coming up with the bird
SR: went to the edge of the brush turned and picked up the bird
RR: came in under the arc and over to the bird
LR: traveled straight and deep of the bird to come back quickly and pick it up

45. FC Bluenorth's Davey Crockett “Davey” LM, Alan Pleasant

Flyer: nice mark
SR: went to edge of the brush then turned toward the holding blind and hunted left to come around pile then to the bird
RR: went out on  the right side of the mounds hunted short then out of sight and finally came back to pick up the bird
LR: got wide right on the way to the area and worked it out nicely

44. Carronade's Esprit De Corps “Cori” LF, Ray Voigt

Flyer: fell at the gunners feet. dog went out and had a great mark on the bird.
SR: went left of the holding blind then behind the pile then turned hunted deep and made it over to the bird.
LR: broke momentum short of the bird and hunted way out to the area to pick up the bird
RR: went up the middle behind the mounds and came up with the bird quick

Workers' Party Tonight at 6:30 pm

The Workers' Party will begin at 6:30 pm this evening; Dinner at 7:30 pm:

Address: 26999 W Fm 1097 Road
Directions:  (Time 9 minutes...distance 6 miles) 
1. 315 Liberty Street, Montgomery, going toward Caroline Street. (Valero/Exxon Gas Station on corner)
2. Continue on Fm 149 Road (Fm-149). Turn left on W Fm 1097 Road. and drive approximately 4.5 miles. Arrive at address on left. The driveway is immediately after the S-curve...look for the signs.

See you there!!

Back To The Line....35. Backwater Smokin Turq “Turq” LM, Kenny Trott

Flyer: small hunt to the bird
SR: went threw the gap and hunted to the left and then over to the bird
RR: nice mark
LR: went way left and deep at to the far trees and worked back to the holding blind then over to the bird

43. FC Forry's Charmed One “Piper” LF, Ed Forry

Flyer: hunt out of the area and finally came back to pick up the bird
SR: went out left of the holding blind and hunted out of sight before finally appearing with the bird.
RR: went out missed it and went deep but correct to pick up the bird.
LR: Ed decided not to send because the dog was too hot so he did the responsible thing and Picked Piper Up. Class act Mr.Forry!

Gun Change

The gunners will change and handlers will be able to view the line. They have been instructed to wear their numbers so the marshal's can determine the next ten handles to run because they get the priority over other handlers due to the fact they must quickly go and prepare to conquer the test.  The gunner change will happen after dog #46 completes the test.

 

 

 

42. NFC Watermark's Running Back “Emmitt” LM, Jim Gonia

Flyer: stomped on it
SR: went in looking for the bird and came up with it quick
LR: straight as an arrow to the bird
RR: carried the right edge of the 3 mounds and smashed it.

41. FC-AFC-CNFC-CNAFC Nightwings Marsh Leader “Guide” LM, Bill Totten

Flyer: drilled it
SR: went out left of the holding blind made a small loop out of sight then after a hunt behind the brush came up with the bird.
RR: went out on the right edge of the mounds and hit the mark hard.
LR: went deep of the holding blind curved back to the bird.

40. NFC-AFC Candlewood's Something Royal “Windy” LF, Ken Neil

Flyer: made quick work of it
SR: went in under arc and smacked it
RR: went out right of the mounds and straight to the bird
LR: ran at the holding blind the whole way out turned to the bird and picked it up

On the Line this Morning...

The Handlers watch the Test Dog run.

Gwen Jones hard at work...

Mark Medford, Steve Yozamp & Lynn Troy

Brad Clow, Tom Vaughn & Steve Karr

Bill Sargenti, Chad Baker & Kippy Stroud-Swingle

The Wind.....

The wind is switching all around at times in our face then straight out of the West (if your Lucky), and turning to the North. Sometimes gusting up to 10 mph then going totally calm which is changeing the test drastically from dog to dog.

39. Lock Five's My Mother's Keeper “Keeper” LF, Andy Attar

Flyer: nice mark
SR: came in looking for the bird went to the brush pile and turned to pick up the bird
LR: went out to the holding blind then hunted deep over by the fence post and got the bird
RR: looked unsure at the line, she was sent and Andy had to Handle Keeper clean to the bird

37. FC-AFC Bayou-Star Beyond Independent “Tia” LF, Danny Farmer

Flyer: straight to the bird
SR: drilled it
LR: went out behind the holding blind and curved over to the bird quick
RR: went out between the holding blinds and Tia had to be Handled to the bird clean

No-Bird 35. Backwater Smokin Turq “Turq” LM, Kenny Trott

Kenny will go back six dogs

34. AFC Skywatch Cowboy “Cowboy” LM, Ray Vreeland

Flyer: stomped it
SR: found the holding blind and swung over to the bird
RR: went in to the right of the bird hunted to the holding blind then over to the bird
LR: great inital line but looked to be going back to RR and Ray Handled clean to the bird.

32. FC 3RS's Carbon Calie “Calie” LF, Bill Eckett

Flyer: drilled it
SR: went out to the holding blind hunted left & behind the brush and came up with the bird.
RR: went out on the right side of the mounds over to the holding blind then to the bird
LR: went out wide right got to the area and made a quick turn to the bird.

31. FC Merlyn IV “Merlyn” LM, Jerry Patopea

Flyer: nice mark
SR: went in left of brush turn toward the middle of brush to pick up the bird quick
LR: stepped on it
RR: went out on the right of the mounds caught the 2nd & 3rd mound straight to the area made a quick loop and picked up the bird.

30. FC-AFC Tru's Little Cruiser “Cruise” LM, John Henninger

Flyer: quick loop then got the bird
SR: went to the holding blind, then traveled deep and left then made it to the holding blind and over to the bird
LR: great mark
RR: just right of the mounds got way right and John had a clean Handle to the bird

Back To The Line.....14. FC Honky Tonk Take It Easy “Tie” LM, Ty Rorem

Flyer: went to the area made a loop and picked up the bird
SR: went to the left end of the brush then found the holding blind and then quickly to the bird.
LR:went over all 3 right mounds turned to the left and hit the bird hard.
RR: went out right of the mounds  over to the holding blind and straight to the duck

Back To The Line...13. FC Drake's Bay Parting Of The Sea “Moses” LM, Wayne Curtis

Flyer: straight to the bird
SR: went left of the holding blind hunted left and then straight to the bird
LR: went wide left then came back to the holding blind and got the bird
RR:went out on the same line as the last bird then looked to be going back to LR and Wayne had a clean Handle over to the bird.

29. FC Madison Hadagun “Madison” LF, Bill Sargenti

Flyer: put on a hunt but came up with the bird
SR: stepped on it
RR: clipped the corner of the mound then hunted the holding blind and then picked up the bird
LR: great inital line which carried her left of the holding blind then to the bird

Another reminder about links...

We have made some updates to the Fifth Series Test Description and added diagrams and a video to help the Blog Followers out there figure out this challenging test.

See the link on the left side column of the blog to access it....

28. FC-AFC Lil Bit's Cote D'Or Pinot Noir “Bart” LM, Alan Pleasant

Flyer: very nice mark
SR:over the left edge of the mound and straight to the bird
RR:went out got deep and right came back to the holding blind and over to the bird.
LR:great inital line got to the holding blind and straight to the bird

Back To The Line......17. FC-AFC Mercy Mercy Mercy Me “Mercy” LF, John Stracka

Flyer: got a long flyer but picked it up clean
SR:went out to the holding blind then straight to the bird.
LR:stepped on it.
RR: went out right of the mounds came back to the holding blind and quickly back down to the bird

A Late Start to this Morning...

It takes a lot of logistical work to put on an event of this size. This morning, the field we were going to use on the Kammerer property was occupied by cattle, so they needed to be rounded up before anyone could set foot in the field. So the trucks lined up and as you can see...we wound our way to the site of the Fifth Series Land Quad.

Just wanted to show you what it takes to get there...

The cows look at the caravan in an indignant manner!

Test Conditions....

The wind is switching more Northwest to West and helping the dogs wind the Short Retired which has certainly been a key mark in this test.

Gun Change..

There will be a gunner change before #28

26. FC Dominator's Autumn Creek Gamble “Betsy” LF, Paul Sletten

Flyer: quick area hunt and to the bird
SR: went out between  the holding blind and brush then traveled deep of the holding blind to work her way back to the bird.
LR: went out at the holding blind and made a nice mark
RR: went out over the mounds and came up with the bird quick

Baseball Cap Wars...

Guess Who  --  AGAIN?!

Let The Games Begin....

How Patriotic!

Jerry Patopea prefers to wear his backwards!

22. FC Yankee Fork Yancy “Yancy” LM, Eric Fangsrud

Flyer: straight to the bird
SR: went to the top of the mound then fell way right and traveled deep of the brush and then took a while to get to the bird.
RR: went out right of the mounds, spinning the wheels to go deep again and put on a sizeable hunt before making his way over to the bird.
LR: went out toward the area of the fall but on the way out broke down and had to be Handled to the area to pick up the bird.

No-Bird 14. FC Honky Tonk Take It Easy “Tie” LM, Ty Rorem

Got a 2nd No-Bird she will go back six

Back To The Line.....13. FC Drake's Bay Parting Of The Sea “Moses” LM, Wayne Curtis

Got his 2nd No-Bird he will go back six dogs

21. FC-AFC Shadows Sweet Something “Sugar” LF, Mark Medford

Flyer: got a short flyer. Sugar went straight to the area and came up with the bird quick
SR: drilled it
RR: went out  right of the mounds, hunted between the blinds and Mark had a quick Handle to the bird.
LR: went out over the first mound then punched out to the area,while hunting the dog turned left of the holding blind and then curved back to pick up the bird

19. FC-AFC Calculated Risk “Chance” LM, Al Arthur

Flyer: straight to the bird.
SR: went out just shy of the brush then turned quick and picked up the bird.
RR: went right of the mounds. looped to holding blind and worked over to the bird.
LR: went out toward the fall area and got near the RR holding blind where Chance would not Handle back to theLR bird and Al had to Pick Up the dog.

No-Bird 17. FC-AFC Mercy Mercy Mercy Me “Mercy” LF, John Stracka

will go back six

16. FC-AFC Bo Ford's Full Bird Colonel “Colonel” LM, Karl Gunzer

Flyer small area hunt and got the bird
SR: out to the brush, circled the brush, then headed over to the holding blind and went deep then got out of sight behind brush and then finally came up with the bird.
RR:went out right of the mounds then over to the holding blind and over to the bird.
LR:very nice mark

15. FC-AFC Bayou Teche Eye On The Ball “Slider” LM, Lauren Hays

Flyer: 3 quick loops then to the bird.
SR: went out over the left edge of the mound circled the brush then got wide left of the holding blind and Lauren had Handle Slider to the bird. 
RR: went out to the holding blind and worked it out quick
LR: had a good mark

No-Bird 14. FC Honky Tonk Take It Easy “Tie” LM, Ty Rorem

will go back six dogs

No-Bird 13. FC Drake's Bay Parting Of The Sea “Moses” LM, Wayne Curtis

he will go back six dogs

12. FC Lubys and Whitewaters Pirates Jewel “Jewel” LF, Ray Voigt

Flyer: 3 fast loops and to the bird
SR: went to the mound short of the brush then headed over to the holding blind then darted out deep left of the brush and Ray tried to Handle but Jewel would not handle out of the holding blind and he was forced to Pick Jewel Up.

9. FC Premier's RSK Powerstroke “Diesel” LM, Alan Pleasant

First Dog to perform the test!!

Flyer: quick area hunt to the bird.
SR: went out at the holding blind couple small loops in the area and to the bird
RR: went out right of the mounds to the holding blind and quickly worked over to the bird.
LR: went out at the holding blind made one loop to the left and then straight to the bird.

8. FC Jazztime Empty Wallet “Cash” LM, Bill Totten

Flyer: got a big throw. Dog marked it nice
SR: went out past the brush over to the holding blind and then hunted deep and left. Bill tried to handle to the area but ended up Picking Up Cash

6. FC Valtor's Hayseed Kid “Kid” LM, Don Remien

Flyer: stepped on it
Short Retired: went in left of the holding blind with a few small loops to the left of the brush pile then over to the bird.
Long Right Retired: went over the right side of the mounds & hunted short then headed to the Long Left Retired where Don then Handled back to the LRR to get the bird.
Long Left Retired: when sent for this bird the dog took a nice line up the middle but came in right of the bird and went way deep where Don had to Handle back to pick up the bird

4. FC-AFC In The Hunt Farm's Executive Sweet “Sweet” LF, Tom

Flyer: few small loops & to the bird
Short Retired: to mound then behind the brush started to go deep and then Tom tried to Handled her back to the area. Then Sweet would not handle from out of the holding blind and had to be Picked Up

MCS Photography -- On The Grounds!

Molly Schlachter, the Official Photographer of the 2012 NRC, and her assistant Laura Owens will be on the grounds for the rest of the week selling the official portrait and action shots they have taken at this event. Please stop by their tent and see how good your dog looks!

Test Dog Series 5

The Test Dogs, Tova's Hunt Em Up Hannah, came to the line at 7:28 am with Handler, Marshall Stone. Hannah picked up the flyer first. She next went for the short retired. Marshall had to handle her to this difficult bird that lands between a mound and a brush pile. Her next retrieve was the middle right retired. She navigated over three mounds and picked this bird up clean. She was a little left on the way out to the left retired, but corrected and picked up the bird clean. Test time was 13 minutes.

Marshall & Hannah

Test Dog Two, Calumet's Hot Texas Soup with Handler Mike Boley came to line at 7:43 am. He had a hunt on the flyer. The short retired bird was next. "Chilli" established a big hunt showing the dangers on this mark. He was able to find the bird without a handle. Next he went for the long right retired. He took a good line and picked up the bird with only a small hunt. Chilli lined up for the long left retired mark and did an excellent job. This quad took him 12 minutes.

Series 5 Land Quad

From the Head Marshal's book

This morning we are facing Southwest standing on top of a large mound overlooking this beautiful pasture that includes many factors.  The wind is lightly blowing with occasional gusts out of the North to Northeast. There is bit of a nip in the air as the sun starts to peak threw the clouds and the current temperature is 48 degrees warming to a high of 66 degrees & sunny skies.  This test is a tight toughie. A dogs stamina and memory power is truly tested here with three well placed retired birds. There is also a mixed bag of game that can always pose a challenge (the Apple vs Lima Beans Factor).  The Flyer Station was moved in about a hundred yards because the Judges felt that it was more effective to the test a little shorter as this station is the only one standing out.

The first bird to be shot is the Long Left Retried (LR) gun throwing a hen pheasant hard angle back right measuring 385 yrds. The next bird to be shot is the Right Retired (RR)gun throwing a hen mallard to the left and pinched to the long mark at 375yrds. The third bird to go down is the Short Right Retired gun (SR) throwing a dead hen pheasant to the right landing in front of a large brush pile that is situated just deep and left of a sizable grass mound measuring at 265 yrds. Then the dog must swing across the test to the far left to pick out the flyer station that is placed on a mound shooting a hen pheasant flyer to the left. The flyer lands at the base or further to left deep of the mound and was moved in closer at 180yrds. 12 to 13 mins a dog to complete the test!!!

Video of guns going off....