Monday, November 14, 2016

Super Skies



Ravenna Sunrise – Photo by Ken Neil

Photo by Ken Neil






End Of The Day

We concluded the series for the evening at 5:30 pm. There are roughly 19 dogs left to run Series 2 tomorrow.

Dog # 15 will be the first running dog.

Test dog at 6:30 am

Running dog at 7:00 am

Good Luck To All! 

A Summary of Series 2 Land and Water Triple

Pat Burns speaks to Al Arthur of Sandhill Kennels about some pitfalls of the Series 2 Land and Water Triple.



Handle 13. FC Rough Creek's Liberty Bell, "Bella", LF, Scott Harp

Flyer: two tight turns and had her bird.

LR: took off from the mat kicking up dirt, continue to drive past the 2nd mound to the holding blind and over to the bird.

MR: entered the pond exited veering right, got deep and right before the dog was Handled to the bird.

12. FC-AFC Tucked Away At River's Edge, "Tucker", LM, Alex Abraham

Flyer: Pinned it!

MR: straight to the bird.

LR: into the pond thru the water veering left into another piece of water. ran toward the holding blind made a few circles around the blind then had the bird.




11. AFC Cold Black Jack, "Jack", LM, Paul Sletten

Flyer: Smacked it!

MR: entered the pond, went left of the mound to the area to scoop up his bird.

LR: started off the mat on a true line to the bird,by the first mound the dog faded a bit toward the MR, running thru the fall area of the MR, continuing on across the road to step on the bird.

No-Bird 10. FC Clearwater's Viking Legend, "Grant", LM, Eric Fangsrud

No Bird middle bird.

Rerun 4. NFC-AFC Keeno's Gizmo CC, "Gizmo", LM, Al Arthur

Flyer: drilled it!

MR: entered the pond over the mound and to the bird.

LR: left of the first mound fading to the right of the second mound est a hunt deep and right of the blind, worked over to the blind making a few circles around the holding blind before taking a left to the bird.

Handle 9. FC LJ's Renaissance Queen, "Bess", LF, Kenny Trott

Flyer: a couple tight passes and had her bird.

LR: went left of the first mound made a loop near the area of the MR, continued on to the holding blind made a few circles around the holding blind then had the bird.

MR: ran past the bird on the left and was Handled to the bird.

8. FC Field of Dreams Ranger's Jesse James, "Jesse", LM, Alan Pleasant

Flyer: Smacked it!

MR: went to the right edge of the second mound went up on the mound then down to the bird.

LR: ran straight to the holding blind made a few loops at the blind and then had the bird.

7. FC-AFC McKinley First Ascender-Hudson, "Hudson", LM, Wayne Curtis

Flyer: Pinned it!

MR: over the mound and to the bird.

LR: traveled a path left of the mound veering to the right when crossing the road made a pass to the right then to the left and had his bird.

6. FC Cajun Country Crystal, "Crystal", LF, Ryan Brasseaux

Flyer: Hammered it!

MR: over the mound to step on the bird.

LR: entered the pond traveled a path just left of the mounds, over the road to the holding blind to turn and stomp on the bird.

5. FC Jet Black's Supersonic Boom, "Sonic", LM, Ray Voigt

Flyer: Front-footed it!

MR: over the mound and to the bird.

LR: took a wide left path to the area and then put his nose on the bird.

No-Bird 4. NFC-AFC Keeno's Gizmo CC, "Gizmo", LM, Al Arthur

No-Bird Flyer

3. Ironweed Polished Black Jem, "Opal", LF, David Smith

Flyer: Smacked it!

MR: enter the pond over the mound and to the bird.

LR: held a great line to the holding blind circled the holding blind. then went deep and right staying wide and right of the fall before working over to the left to make the retrieve

Handle 2. FC-AFC Sundog's Maximum Pursuit, "Max", LM, John Henninger

Flyer: Stepped on it!

LR: took off from the mat veering to the left of the test, crossing over the road past the holding blind and hunted his way into the bird.

MR: went deep and was Handled to the bird.

97. FC-AFC Bob and Ed's Excellent Adventure, "Chef", LM, Ed Krueger

Flyer: Smashed it!

MR: over the right edge of the mound then a quick turn to the left to grab the bird.

LR: chalk-lined to the holding blind and then put his front foot on it to complete the retrieve

96. FC-AFC Ruff Rivers Oasis On The Plains, "Colby", LF, Clint Avant

Flyer: Smacked it!

MR: went over the right side of the mound and directly to the bird.

LR: stayed just left of the test holding a perfect line all the way to the area and put her nose on it.

95. FC-AFC-CFC-CAFC Pekisko's Ironman, "Rusty", LM, Sharon van der Lee

Flyer: Hammered it!

MR: put his front foot on it!

LR: traveled a path veering wide and left of the test, reached the holding blind made a few tight circles and then to the bird.

94. FC-AFC JJ of Red Rock, "JJ", LM, Bill Totten

Flyer: Stomped it!

MR: got to the right of the mound then circled and had his bird.

LR: took off the mat left of the test, ran over the road to the holding blind circled the mound to the right then made a quick move to the left and had his bird.

93. FC Primerose's What I Am, "Edie", LF, Chris Ledford

Flyer: Smacked it!

MR: Front-Footed it!

LR: ran at the holding blind, then circled the holding blind a couple times to come up with the bird.

92. NFC Trumarc's Dot Come, "Dottie", LF, Danny Farmer

Flyer: Stomped on it!

MR: chalk-lined to the bird!

LR: ran straight to the holding blind, then took a hard right made a pass to the right then to the left and had the bird for a clean retrieve.

ReRun Handle 85. FC-AFC Watermark's BB Standing Ovation, "Bravo", LM, Greg Bartlett

Flyer: straight to the bird.

MR: entered the pond over the mound and to the bird.

LR: took off on a true path at the bird, began to fade to the right near the road, crossed over the road still veering to the right, got deep and began to work his way over to the area then the dog popped and was Handled to the bird to complete the retrieve.



ReRun 84. FC Watsons Rigem N Getem, "Riggs", LM, Jim Gonia

Flyer: Drilled it!

MR: Pinned it!

LR: took a path wide and to the left of the test catching several pieces of water en route to the bird, then put his front foot on it to complete Series 2 Land and Water Triple.

91. FC-AFC Cropper's Fire in the Hole, "Deep", LM, Alan Pleasant

Flyer: made a few loops and then a scoop and had the bird.

MR: traveled a path veering to the right of the test, got wide right of the second mound deep in the field made a couple passes deep before hunting up the bird.

LR: ran over the 2nd mound, over the road took a hard left after the road to the holding blind then est a hunt to the right of the blind before making the move left to snatch up his bird.

90. FC-AFC Lock Five's Got Her Blue Genes On, "Baby", LF, Ray Voigt

Flyer: hammered it!

MR: went left over the mound and put her nose on it!

LR: drove to the 3rd mound went over the top to the holding blind, made a couple passes near the holding blind and hunted it out quickly.

89. FC-AFC Windy City's Mighty Mouse, "Mickey", LM, Charlie Hines

came to the line at 2:41 pm

Flyer: put up a small hunt to retrieve his bird.

MR: went left of the 1st mound, right of the second mound ran to the road made two passes near the road before hunt inward to the area to retrieve the bird.

LR: Smacked it!

87. FC Racin' in the Rough, "Nitro", LM, Ed Forry

Flyer: drilled it!

MR: straight to the bird.

LR: went just left of the first mound then started to fade to the right as he approached the road, he reached the trees deep into the field, made several passes in that away before breaking the hunt pattern to work his way to the bird.

Handled 86. Fly Me to the Moon, "Shiner", LM, Tim Milligan

Flyer: straight to the bird.

MR: went left of the 1st mound right of the 2nd mound, then left to snatch up the bird.

LR: traveled a path left of mounds 1and 2 est a hunt shallow of the fall, then the dog was quickly Handle to the bird 

No-Bird 85. FC-AFC Watermark's BB Standing Ovation, "Bravo", LM, Greg Bartlett

No-Bird Flyer

Conditions Report

By mid afternoon, the wind has picked up and seems to be almost from left to right across the test.

No Bird 84. FC Watsons Rigem N Getem, "Riggs", LM, Jim Gonia

"Riggs" had a no bird flyer

83. FC-AFC Bluenorth's Rock Hard Ten MH, "Ten", LM, Al Arthur

Flyer: Nice!

MR: Into the water; passed left of mounds one and two and went straight to the bird

LR: Into the water, left of the mounds 1, 2 and 3; Crossed road and went way right and deep of holding blind; went all the way out to the trees and back to the blind and the bird

82. FC Duke's Bayou Babe, "Babe", LF, Charlie Moody

Flyer: Long bird in the water – Great!

MR: Thru water over the right side of the second mound; turned left to the bird

LR: Thru water left of mounds; 1-2 & 3 – across the road to the blind. Went very deep into the water then came all the way back to the bird

81. FC Manny B Manny, "Manny", LM, Jerry Patopea

Flyer: Long Bird – Good Job!

MR: Thru the water left of the first mound; heading very wide right and to the road; turned back and came all the way back into the bird

LR: Thru water left of the first mound into the second water; back right over the second mound; turned back before the road, then went over the road and all the way out to the trees – the very wide right.



Rerun 73. FC-AFC Valtor's Hayseed Kid, "Kid", LM, Breck Howard

Flyer: Nice Mark!

MR: Into the water, past first mound on left – over left half of mound 2 and straight to the bird

LR: Thru the water; left of mound 1, right of mounds 2 & 3; across the road, wide right; continued deep and right, way deep; back to the road; farther away from the bird; all the way back to the bird

80. FC Drake's Bay Flip Wilson, "Wilson", LM, Ty Rorem

Flyer: Went straight to the area and ran over the top of the bird; quick turn and got it

MR: Left of the first mound and right of the second; hunted and turned right off the third mound, then quickly across to the bird

LR: Thru the water left of the mounds 1, 2 & 3; Crossed the road wide right, got deep, turned back to the blind and worked it out

79. FC Hyfly'n Turbo Jet, "Turbo", LM, Ray Voigt

Flyer: Good

MR: Left of first mound, then right of second mound; loop on the right, then turned between mound 2 and 3 and got his bird

LR: Into the water, wide left past the mounds, 1, 2, & 3; actually over the third mound. Got deep after passing the holding blind; Ran deep right, then came back to the blind and out to the mark

Gun Change at 1:30 pm


78. FC-AFC Bayou Teche Brees, "Brees", LM, Ryan Brasseaux

Flyer: Good job!

MR: Went to far right of mound for the middle bird; hunted area on the right before going left to the bird

LR: Took left line straight down; crossed road to the blind and went right and back to the bird

77. FC-AFC Contrails Sky Queen, "Reina", LF, David Opseth

Flyer: Straight to the bird, quick turn and snatched it up

MR: Into the water, then down the left side of the mounds … straight to the bird

LR: Down the left and then over the top of the second mound going right; crossed road and got very wide and deep right. worked back to the blind, then way right and deep again – worked it out

76. FC-AFC Watermark's The Black Pearl, "Freedom", LF, Luann Pleasant

Flyer: Good!

MR: Down to the second mound; one big loop on the right side, then turned; left to the opposite side and the bird

LR: Down left side to cross road, then around the blind; worked his way left and out to the bird – nice!

No Bird 73. FC-AFC Valtor's Hayseed Kid, "Kid", LM, Breck Howard

No Bird Flyer

72. FC Horsetooth's Center Ice, "Stanley", LM, Kenny Trott

Flyer: Stomped on it!

MR: straight to the bird.

LR: made a b-line for the holding blind got a bit deep but quickly recovered into the area to make a clean retrieve.

Handle 71. FC Maple Creek's Spirit Warrior, "Levi", LM, Wayne Curtis

Flyer: good mark!

MR: made a loop just short of the mound, then made a move to the left of the mound and had the bird.

LR: took off of the mat wide and left of the test, the dog entered a pond very deep of the test then the dog was Handled to the bird.

70. FC-AFC-CFC Laird's Cynful Wisdom, "Wiley", LF, Dave Smith

Flyer: tiny hunt to get the bird.

MR: straight to the bird

LR: made a b-line to the holding blind, got deep of the fall, hunting deep and shallow before coming up with the bird.


69. FC Worth-It's Temptin Fate, "Karma", LF, Al Arthur

Flyer: Front-Footed it!

LR: wide left of the test, started to veer right once she crossed over the road, got deep of the mark but hunted her way to the area to complete the retrieve.

MR: went over the mound, made a few loops deep and right of the mound before making a move to the left to snatch up the bird.

Pat's Perspective



I am sitting here with talking my good friends Chris Ledford and Ray Voigt about today’s 2nd series water marks. Chris has run one dog on this test and Ray has run two dogs. After looking at the drone video that I shared with you, both Chris and Ray’s comments make a lot of sense. The discussion has revolved around the long retired gun. They both feel that the crosswind is largely affecting the dog’s hunt pattern as well as their route. It’s enough wind to push the dogs, but not enough for them to wind the bird. You can never underestimate the challenge of smelling a pheasant after retrieving a flyer duck. Once the dog has achieved the fall area, they are prone to hunting downwind. This is resulting in some substantial hunts behind the gun station. Once again, there are some prominent hay bales to the right and downwind of the long retired gun. That area has proven to be the demise of more than one of today’s competitors. As always the conditions will change throughout the day and we will keep you posted. More to come …

68. FC-AFC Lock Five's My Mother's Keeper, "Keeper", LF, Jamie Woodson

Flyer: a loop and a scoop for a great mark!

LR: took of from the mat angling the field to the left, got to the road and began making a move to the right to go deep of the holding blind then quickly hunted into the area to make the retrieve.

MR: went over the right side of the mound, made a few loops there before turning to the left and getting her bird.

67. FC Watermark's Ramrod, "Rowdy", LM, Clint Avant

Flyer: Pounce on it!

MR: went over the right side of the mound and over to the bird.

LR: traveled a path at the holding blind, drove past the holding blind veering to the right.The dog got very deep of the area before eventually making way into the area to complete the retrieve.

66. FC-AFC Good Idea's Texas Scratch, "Rosie", LF, Ken Neil

Flyer: Smacked it!

MR: over the mound and to the bird.

LR: went under the arc of the MR, made a few loops wide and right of the area before finally making move to the left to retrieve her bird.

Handle 65. FC Steadfast's Wild Child, "Monroe", LM, Steve Blythe

Flyer: Put his nose on it!

LR: took off hard running fast, got past the MR to reach the holding blind of the LR to then turn left and snatch up the bird.

MR: just missed the bird on the right and kept going, the dog was then Handled to the bird to complete the test.

64. FC-AFC Straight to the Heart-Dagger, "Dagger", LM, Alan Pleasant

Flyer: Stabbed it!

MR: straight to the bird to put his front foot on it!

LR: took off of the mat to the left of the test gradually fading to the right crossing the road still fading to the right est a hunt to the right of the holding blind before making way over to the area to retrieve the bird.

63. NAFC-FC Coolwater's Hawkeye Legend, "Legend", LM, Alex Washburn

Flyer: put his nose on it!

MR: went over the right-side of the mound reaching the holding blind then turned to the left and had the bird.

LR took off the mat veering to the right, crossed over the road heading to the right, the dog went out of sight for a moment to then reappear in the area retrieving his bird.

62. FC-AFC Dottie McFizz, "Dot", LF, Ray Voigt

Flyer: straight to the bird.

MR: hammered it!

LR: took an accurate path to the mark, crossed the road and took a hard right, got a bit deep and right where she made a couple loops before moving over to the left to retrieve the bird.

61. FC Trumarc's Gratuity, "Tippy", LF, Danny Farmer

Flyer: Nailed it!

MR: Drilled it!

LR: ran thru the arc of the MR reaching the holding blind, went a bit deep before turning into the fall area to retrieve the bird.

Pick Up 60. FC-AFC Whitewater Bams Taste of Juice, "Zest", LF, Eloy Garcia

Flyer: Pounded it!

MR: drove to the ranch road put the brakes on and turned around to grab the bird.

LR: took a path wide and left, the dog reached the holding blind and began to come in, a handle was attempted and then the dog was Picked Up from the test before completion.

59. FC Road Warriors Dieter Brock, "Deets", LM, Dave Rorem

Flyer: made a few loops and a scoop of the bird.

MR: drove the field to the 3rd mound before turning inward toward the 2nd mound to then get his bird.

LR: traveled wide and left of the test to put his nose on the bird.

Handle 58. FC-AFC Beaverdam's What You Need, "Matty", LF, Ed Forry

Flyer: made a pass on the point before getting the bird.

LR: the dog caught a piece of water en route to LR between the 2nd and 3rd mound, traveled over the road, driving deep to the trees, the dog then disappeared and reappeared circling the holding blind before finding the bird.

MR: took off the mat wide and right, made it to the road and was Handled to the bird to complete Series 2 Land Water Triple

Gun Change

And they're OFF........ thru the field they go, delivering fresh workers and birds.