Series 3 and 4 is a land blind, water blind combination series. The land blind will began at the top of a highly elevated, long slender mound. The mat faces due north and is positioned directly to the south of the mound where Series 1 of the 2016 National Retriever Championship started. The land blind is measuring at roughly 210 yards. The objective for this blind appears to run straight off of the first mound angling the western face of the mound to the dead Rooster Pheasant. The end of the blind is a bit tricky as a little bush marking the bird sits on the northern crest of the 2nd mound where the line to Series 1 began. One quick move and the dog could go disappear quickly.
Once the land blind is complete the handler moves to the east where a mat is place on the eastern side of this large lengthy mound. The water blind starts with the dog and handler east of the land blind on the angle of the side hill. The water blind is a "no see-um" start and intersects the line to the land blind. When the dog reaches the crest of the mound the handlers may walk to the top to handle their dog. However, it was instructed that there is only lateral movement allowed and no forward movement permitted while the handler is handling the dog.
The water blind is measuring a total of 270 yards with majority of the blind being on land approximately 220 yards from the water edge. The dogs must cross over a four-wheeler path that leads to the top of the dam. The line to the blind carries the dogs to the west away from the action of Series 1 Land Triple. As the dog approaches the pond they need to catch a small corner of water just south of the dam. The dead Drake Mallard is sitting on top of the dam indicated with a tiny green bush. Again, if the dog makes any unexpected moves on top of the dam they will go out of sight from the handler. This seems to be the theme for both the land and water blind. Handlers are going to have to aggressively attack these blinds and challenge the line to the blind to be in contention for this 2016 National Retriever Championship. To complete both blinds it is taking between 4 to 4.5 minutes per dog/handler team. Good Luck To All!!!
Land Blind – the bush at the end of the right side of the berm
Water Blind – "no see-um" start
The view of the blind with the blind planter standing at the base of it
