Bye Dog -- Final Guns For the Night...

... At 8:00 p.m.

JR does the test

JR got both flyers and had a hunt on the left retired bird. For the long island bird he came up on the island outside the mark and bailed across to the shorter left shore, and hunted and then crossed again to the bird.

Cane Found 'Em All...

... After two good flyers, Cane went deep on the left retired and went well right on the island bird but corrected and came up with the bird.

No-Bird for #38 on Long Retired

... Due to waiting six dogs and finishing this evening's work with #43, the re-run will be in the morning.

Stormin Norman, #34

Stormin Norman got the go-bird, worked over to the right-hand flyer, and then had a hunt for the left retired bird before coming up with it. He had a nice island retired mark.

ANNOUNCEMENTS--LAST DOG TONIGHT #43

Also, there will be one test dog run at 6:45 a.m. in the morning.

Hope Pulls It Off...

Dog #33 had two very nice flyers. Her left retired mark was thrown long, and this caused a substantial hunt, but she came up with the bird. For the island bird, Hope put on a hunt up near the shed/pump house building to the right of the mark's holding blind and then worked out and got the bird.

HANDLE on left retired -- Zeus. Now PICKUP on Island Bird

Well, after a quick go-bird and a nice mark on the right-hand flyer, Zeus pulled up in the hay bales en route to the left retired bird and made a few loops there before zooming way right down in the flat and then to the left above the go-bird fall. Pete Goodale handled him to the left retired from there.

Zeus required a handle on the island bird as well; Pete Goodale picked him up.

DOG #28 GETS A RERUN AT THE END--WILL BE TOMORROW

the hen pheasant was found a considerable distance from the fall area of this bird. It dropped in the flat and was found above the crest of the hill. Therefore, the judges have said that #28 will be given a rerun at the end of the test.

Looking for the Right-hand Flyer

When #28 picked up the remaining birds had to be picked up as well. Currently, the right-hand flyer cannot be found and a dog has been transported out there with the Mule...

Handle--PICK UP on right-hand flyer #28

After picking up the go-bird, Canaille commenced to have a big hunt on the right-hand flyer and was in the water and behind the gun on the left shore of the channel and wouldn't commit to the move to the right across the channel and into the fall area of the bird. Lee Jolley began casting her and this turned into a pickup.

Ethel, #27

FC-AFC Vinwood's Don't Look Ethel had a good go-bird, a big hunt on the right-hand flyer, a nice left retired and went left and up the road on the island bird before getting in the water and collecting the island bird for Yvonne Hays.

Ethel on the honor mat

Skeeter Has Four...

He had a hunt on the right-hand flyer around the area of the bird with a quick dip in the channel behind before going back out and recovering it, a quick hunt on the left retired, and a very nice long island retired bird.

Skeeter and Robby Bickley move into the final holding blind

HANDLE for Gauge on Left Retired

With two really nice flyers under his belt, Gauge (#24, FC Westwoods Iron Man and Bruce Ahlers)  handled on the left retired as he started to go out of sight over the hill after a good-sized hunt; this all occurred not far from the fall of the mark. He then went out to get the island bird in clean fashion.

Well, Finally Hook Gets His Chance

... And Windy City's Bent Tail got his go-bird, had a really good right-hand flyer, really clean left retired and then swam, drove the spit and got his island bird, just like handler Charlie Hines planned all along.

Charlie Hines sets up for the test while Jim Powers honors

First Dog After Gun Change...HANDLE on Dog #21

Is Jet with Jim Powers, #21.

He got is go-bird effortlessly and had a right-hand flyer to the right of the road; he hunted inside and then got it. He was over the hill and quickly came back for the left-hand bird, and is currently handling from the tractor lane for the island bird.

Tia HANDLES on the island bird

With two really good flyers under her belt, Tia missed the left retired out of sight and came back quickly to recover it. On her retired island bird, Tia got up left on the hill in the tractor lane and popped, resulting in a handle to the last bird.

Trudi Futhey, #19, got all the birds...

This dog's go-bird was good, and he had a really good mark in the area on the right-hand flyer. Ran past the left retired mark low and went out of sight, reappearing from above the mark to recover it. On the island bird, Trudi ran down the middle of the flat into the water and hunted from the point across the channel to the shore on the left of the mark just short of the island and then crossed over to the island and the bird.

NEXT GUN CHANGE--HAS CHANGED--WILL NOW BE AFTER #20

Magic is Clean

Magic, #18 FC-AFC Foxfires Slight of Hand and Lorna Kolstad, had two good flyers and then went out of sight briefly while rounding up the left retired mark. For his island bird he drove over the point and got up on the island just left of the bird and over to it.

Young Ryan Dewey Explains His Sunburn... Earned Yesterday

... From Left to Right, Scott Dewey, Ryan Dewey and Dave Rorem

HANDLE for Bullet, #2 on left retired HANDLE ON ISLAND BIRD

Bullet had a nice go-bird and then stepped on the right-hand retired mark. His left retired mark resulted in a major hunt that became a handle. He's about to deliver the left-hand bird. Bullet also handled on the retired island bird.

HANDLE for Boo, #17

This was NFC-AFC Hunter Runs BooBoo and Kit Johnston. His go-bird was fine and then he sent for the left retired second. Boo topped the hill and kept going and this required a handle back to the bird. Then he came back and stepped on the right-hand flyer. Boo stayed low all the way to the island bird and got in the water at the end and wound up over at the mark.

Many No-Birds Come In Pairs... Second No-Bird for Dog #9

Oatie Gets His Marks...

... with a very good go-bird, and a long hunt on the right-hand flyer. He ran past the left retired mark and came back to it and on the long island bird, he channeled and then went high... and came down and worked it out.

Long Hunt and HANDLE on Left Retired for Arson

... This was a re-run for #7, FC-CFC LKY's Controlled Burn and Brad Clow. Both of Arson's flyers were fine, and he also had a hunt on the long retired island bird.

Back to a Clean Job...

2010 NAFC Buster got the go-bird, hunted the right flyer in the area, had a clean job on the left retired, and a nice island mark.

Handler Pete Hayes looks on as Buster heads for his last bird. This is Dog #11.

Contest--Naming the Massacre in this Battlefield--

-- What would you suggest?

HANDLE and now PICK UP for Pacer, #10

After getting the go-bird, Pacer went for the right flyer and got in the water, and hooked the guns but never quite got to his fall, hunting more deep of the gun than over where his bird was, when he started to go deep left toward the long station. De Boice began handling immediately and was doing so when asked by the judges to pick up.

Well, Second Time Up (#2, Bullet) And Another No-Bird --- Pheasant Flyer

Re-Run for #115 Up Now...

Go-bird was great, he had a nice right-hand flyer, and went up the hill and then turned left into the left retired mark. On the island bird he split the difference up the middle left, and headed up the hill at the two-track tractor lane, then headed to the right and eventually recovered the long mark.

NO-BIRD FOR #9 on the island bird...

PIRATE HANDLED on the long island bird...

Following three nice marks, Pirate (#8, FC-AFC Land Ahoy and Gary Zellner) went well left for the island bird and required a handle to pick it up last.

NO-BIRD on right flyer-- #7 Arson

Dog #6, Webster, Handling on Right-Hand Flyer... PICK UP

... Currently. She couldn't handle to the bird (#6 AFC The Blueprint and Marion Carey) and finally the Judges instructed the guns to help the dog.

Dog #110 on Re-run

After two excellent flyers, Chase (#110, AFC Coolwater's Storm Chaser and Alex Washburn) had a good area hunt on the left retired. On the island bird, Chase got way left up the middle and then took a right toward the long mark and recovered it.

Dog #2 NO BIRD on Pheasant Flyer

ANNA BROKE ON THE HONOR -- NO-BIRD FOR #115

Anna will honor on lead

DOG #114 HANDLE with other hunts...

Anna had a tough time with this test. After a small go-bird hunt, she had a huge hunt on her right-hand flyer, and then a big hunt on the left retired. For her island bird she got way deep out in the field and had to handle on her last bird.

Dog #113 Handle-- PICK UP

... Since #113 had handled previously, the judges requested that Jerald Wilks pick up #113, FC Counterpoint's Sidekick once he handled here as well.

--Dog #112 On Line--Gun Change Complete

That's Cree and Jerry Younglove  (FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC Adams Acres Muddy Creek)... After the go-bird, he hunted in the channel/water's edge behind the flyer gun, BUT had a very short flyer. Next, Cree pretty much nailed the left retired.

However, for his island bird, he broke left out in the far water and came up driving the hill. After a large and sweeping hunt on the hillside he came back in and recovered the bird.

Gun Change...

... Nancy White and Lily performed bye dog responsibilities so that Martha Russell and Pogo could complete their honor requirement and thus be excused from the line.

Handlers and spectators came up to this difficult test setup from the mat.

Pogo Power

Dog #111, FC-AFC Trumarc's L'il Ms Pogo, nailed both flyers and had a tight loop inside and back to the left retired bird. On the island bird, she drove over the spit and back into the water, landing on the island just inside the bird... she turned left into the mark! Handler Martha Russell loved that one... :)

No-Bird on Dog #110, Handler Wasn't Ready...

... No guns were shot, but the signaling judge thought Alex Washburn had motioned for the guns, but she hadn't. She'll wait six dogs, just like regular no-bird policy.

Handle for Nike, #108...

After the go-bird, Nike (Rockliffs Justdoit) speared the right-hand flyer, had to work some for the left retired and now is en route to the island bird. Nike hunted some in the flat and now handler Paul Foster is casting him from there.

Threatening Skies...

... Continue to roll around us, with occasional rumbles. A light spattering of rain comes and goes... we're lucky thus far on that note.

Third Time Is A Charm...

... to the line for #91, Tyson and Alvin Hatcher. Both flyers were excellent and then Tyson had a hunt on the left retired. He swam down the channel behind the right flyer station and deep and then got out on the point and went on to get the last bird.

TEN Handles Remain in the SIXTY-SIX Dogs Called Back To This Test

... We'll look again, but there are ten handles still in competition within the 66 dogs called back to this Sixth Series, at the onset of this test. They are 18, 38, 45, 73, 78, 92, 96, 106, 112 and 113.

Please note that these are handles PRIOR to the start of this test, and don't include anything that has happened thus far in this test.

DREAMER, #106, HANDLES on the Island Bird

... Going for it third after retrieving both flyers. This is Good Idea's Dream On with handler Ken Neil.

Since Dreamer has already handled in the event, the Judges have excused Dreamer and Ken from further competition.

Handle on the Right Flyer ... PICK UP, Dog #102

Dog #102, Tater (AFC Jamestown's Super Spud and Mark Medford) is currently handling on the right flyer; this after having hunted the area but not coming up with the hen pheasant, and then crossing the channel behind the gun station and hunting in the flat on the left side of the channel. Tater is still not able to come up with the flyer despite repeated casts, and the gun has been asked to help her out.

Grady's Summary...

Grady's go-bird was excellent and he had a nice right-hand flyer. On the left-hand retired he went a bit right and deep and then worked back to the bird. On the island bird he swam the channel and got out left and down and then made one turn to and on peninsula, and then turned right and jumped off to the island and the bird.

Grady Is Off And Running...

... Third time to the line...

Brook... Has the birds

... She got the go-bird and then had a terrific right-hand flyer. Next, Brook went up for the left retired and drilled it. On the island bird, she hunted the peninsula and near the holding blind, and then bailed across to the bird. Good job...

This is dog #100, FC-AFC Citori's Accept No Substitute and handler Michael Moore.

Bright Sun for the Moment...

... Looks fleeting, at best....

Gun Changes for this Test...

... 111 and 32.

Another Re-bird Right Now

HANDLE on Island Bird...

Skatch (#99, Jazztime Bluegoose's Skatch) zipped down to his go-bird and then had a big hunt on his right-hand flyer, mostly right and also near the gunners. On the left retired he ran right and deep and worked his way back to the bird. For the island bird he ran down and got in the channel behind the right flyer station and then got out of the channel; he made a few loops and hunted even with the right-hand flyer station but on the left side of the channel in the flat. As he worked his way in shorter from there, handler Larry Calvert handled him.

Eva Collects Four Birds...

#98, FC-AFC Eva-Ethyl Proby-Weber got the go-bird flyer after a hunt deep and wide. On the right-hand flyer she had a small hunt in the area of the fall. When sent for what appeared to be the left retired she ran in the flat area and committed herself to the island, recovering that bird without much of a hunt. For the left retired she went between the hay bales on the hillside to the crest of the hill and turned left to pick up the bird.

Lanse speaks with Tom Vaughn upon leaving the honor

The Honor Break Means Second No-Bird for #91...

... Alvin Hatcher and Tyson head back to wait six more dogs.

KICKER BROKE ON HONOR...

... Ouch. But here, Kicker looks contrite as handler Judy Powers collects him.

Kicker has all four birds...

Kicker, #97 FC-AFC Badger State Ram Kicker, had an excellent go-bird, was right but had a quick hunt on the right flyer, and then went down in the flat between the left retired mark and the right-hand flyer before going up with a hunt to the left retired mark. On the island bird, Kicker hung up on the point where the guns stand for about five or six passes and then bailed off to the island and recovered the bird.

Jerrylee On The Mat... Lynne Is Smiling!

... Go-bird collected. The right flyer fell left of the road and Jerrylee hunted a bit right of the road and then got it. For the third send, she split the difference between the left and middle birds and then wound up down at the island bird. She finished with aplomb by nailing the left retired bird.

Raindrops Are Falling On Our Heads...

... A few random drops have become a light, steady sprinkle...

OUCH! Second No-Bird For Grady

... On the pheasant (right) flyer...

Two Down... Rain Sprinkling...

... on #93, Buster (FC-AFC Downtown Buster Brown XXXI) and Charles Bearden. Now, he's got the left retired after going up just inside the bird and a little deep, resulting in a short hunt. On the island bird, he came up the front door and checked out the point where the guns stand a time or two, hunted the front of it in the water, and then got the bird! Nice job.

Ruby's Up Now...

... She had a short right-hand flyer and channeled a bit behind the station to recover it with a small hunt, and then had an area hunt on the left retired. Right now she's streaking for the island bird in pretty fine shape, and wow! Had an excellent mark! Handler Don Graves should be pleased with #92, AFC Flyway's Ruby B. Gonia.

Freedom Does Well on Her Re-run...

... She collected the go-bird, had a short hunt on the right flyer, drilled the left retired and had a nice job with a short hunt on the long island bird. She's #80, Watermrk's The Black Pearl, with Chad Costa.

Storm On the Move...

... The rain we're seeing is moving to the east... therefore to our south and southeast behind this test. There is some quiet rumbling thunder in it as well.

No-Bird for Tyson, #91, on the Island Bird

Times For This Test So Far...

... This test is taking 12-18 minutes per dog.

Just Now It's Clouding Up...

... Has been bright and sunny all morning thus far. Suddenly, the clouds have moved in. Forecast is 70% chance of rain and thunderstorms, with showers and storms likely this morning with more storms late afternoon and into the evening. We can see rain to the southwest right now, which is to the right and deep of the right-hand flyer, in the distance.

Next Dog to Line--Dog #88 -- HANDLE -- NOW HELP/PICKUP

... right now. After the drake flyer, handler Steve Bechtel Jr. sent Chad for the left retired second and Chad did very well on it, coming up just left of the bird and into it. He had a smart hunt just deep and also inside for the right-hand flyer. On the island bird, he left the line betwixt and between the line to the island bird and the left station, drove deep and had to handle to it from there... after a big handle, the Judges asked the gunners/thrower to help the dog.

Such a gracious sportsman, Steve Bechtel Jr. has done many things in his lifetime to improve our sport. 

Quick Re-Bird Right Now...

Dusty Hines... Handling on the Left Retired DOUBLE HANDLE now right retired

He's #86, FC-AFC Nick of Time Wild Wind Dusty with Charlie Hines, and he made short work of both flyers. On the left retired he went to the right of the holding blind area and hunted there and around the blind in the cover, and then finally caved in down the hill away from the area, and Charlie handled him back, is still handling at the moment.

Now, Charlie is handling on the right retired.

A Quick Re-Bird is Scheduled After Dog #86...

... He's coming up next.

No-Bird For Grady

... This was on the right-hand flyer.

Chad Baker and Grady in the first holding blind.

Louie and Chuck... HANDLE on island bird.

Following the go-bird, Louie (#83, FC-AFC Candlewood GoldenDaze Louie and handler Chuck Schweikert) hunted his right flyer on the left of the road, while it had landed on the right side of the road, but then got it. When sent third, Louie went up between the left and right retireds and would up with the left mark. Sent again, he split the difference more left and drove deep into the far field. He's now handling toward the island bird.

Kid Klein-Tatum... HANDLE left retired

Dog #82, Phyllo Farms Mischief Maker and handler Claudette Klein got the go-bird, and then made short work of the right-hand flyer. On the left retired, Kid drove hearly up the hill to the retired station before coming hard down the hill toward the right-hand flyer gun area and is now handling back up to that bird. Kid finished the test with a very nice job on the island bird.

No-Bird on Dog #80

... The no-bird occurred on the right-hand flyer... the second bird of the test.

Viggi Is Working... Now a PICKUP

Viggi, #78, AFC Waquoit Bay's Lone Arranger and Len Rentel, got the go-bird. On the right flyer, he channeled behind the gun station, hunted on land left of the channel, crossed a couple of times, came behind the bird, back into the channel, out wide to the right with a quick pop, and kept hunting. The judges asked him to handle to the bird after an extensive hunt. The other two birds will be picked up by the gunners/throwers. There is a boat to assist in such endeavors for the island bird.

Chip ... Gets All Four

Chip, #77, FC-AFC Widgeon's Carbon Chip and handler Tom Hartl, got the go-bird flyer, and then had a nice job on the right-hand flyer. On the left retired he hunted partway up the hill for several loops and then hunted inside and deep of the bird before getting it. On the island bird, Chip got in the channel behind the right flyer station and got out and hunted the hillside deep of that flyer station. This is therefore right of the retired holding blind. Then he made it over to the island for the bird.

WOW!!!! Chessie Power!!!!

Comet just showed everyone how it's done!!!! Comet is #76, Yakity's Shake Rattle 'N' Roll, handled by Linda Harger.

And she did it this way: left flyer, right flyer, left retired with a smart hunt in the area, and the island bird, which she drove pretty straight with a quick check on the point where the guns stand to throw the bird.

This test is kicking off right now...

... With Dog #76.

Again-- Here's a snapshot of this test--it's a quad with two retired, one of which is an island bird, and two flyers. There is also an honor. Both retireds and the right-hand flyer are hen pheasants, and the go-bird flyer on the left of the test is a drake mallard.

Second Test Dog also handles on three...

Three birds of four. This is Barbara Furlano with Wilson.

First Test Dog at 7:30 a.m.

... Handled on three out of four.

Quick rundown of this test--it's a quad with two retired, one of which is an island bird, and two flyers. There is also an honor.

DIRECTIONS to new test site...

Start out the same as the past few days. Right out of HQ, Left just before the bridge, Right on 7th, and stay on it... which turns into Back Rd.

Before you get to Round Butte Rd (the T where you've been turning Right) you will turn Right on Robertson Rd. This is about a mile before Round Butte Rd.

Turn Right and keep coming. After you pass through an intersection, PLEASE START TO SLOW DOWN. The Test Site will be coming up on your left-- AND ROAD DUST IS A PROBLEM CARRYING ONTO THE TEST SITE, WHICH BECOMES MUCH WORSE WHEN PEOPLE SPEED DOWN THE ROAD.

Thank you for your consideration!