Lee and Bill's Training Day 2

April/22/2009
Summary only available when permalinks are enabled.
Second day of "training" and did I get a wake-up call. Our birdboys were John Blackbird and Rick Greer- both previous Master National Judges. Talk about pressure! We also had Marty Thompson from the Friday Flyer group with us.

Our first set-up was on a tank covered with cut cattails. The dogs did not want to get into the cattails, so this was a real test of perseverance.  The first mark was parallel to the shore across 35 feet of water, the bird landed behind the bank into another piece of water. The second bird was across the open water about 40 yards through a mess of cut cattails. 60 yards under trees in an open field, the last mark to be picked up was approximately 80 yards through 2 different groups of  those darned cut cattails - approximately 10 yards across each. Then, of course, a combination water/land blind - a thread the needle blind between five trees, an opening approximately 3 feet wide. This was Rick Greer's donation to the first set-up.  He likes tough blinds! Believe it or not, Jack let me run Blackie and Ray (Tarheel dogs). At the end of this set-up, the Tarheels were slightly ahead of the Lone Star dogs.

We then moved to an open field to run a land double with a poison bird blind. Jack had not let me eat lunch and my stomach created a diversion. Jack showed me the test while I was attempting to make sandwiches.  The set-up consisted of a 100 yard mark parallel to the edge of a woods - this being the poison bird.  The blind was run under the arch of this poison bird, approximately 70 yards deeper than the mark. Upon returning from the blind, another bird was thrown parallel to a tree line perpendicular to the first mark, approximately 70 yards. This was now our Go bird.

When I took Blackie to the line, not being prepared, my whistle was under my shirt.  When Blackie started on the blind, his first cast was too late - he was already at the poison bird (whistle still in shirt). Needless to say, Tarheels down due to gross handler error!

Probably learned some great lessons today.  John Blackbird advised that as he takes the dogs off the truck, he has his whistle in his mouth. I will try to make that a new habit. He also reminded me that as long as I'm in the holding blind, I can ask as many questions as needed.

Another great day in Giddings!  Can't wait for tomorrow.