First dog and first hunt test.

[BlaineT]

So if you have any advice please let me know.

Have a GREAT time, meet lots of people, and relax! I haven't been doing the test game ALL that long but I guarantee you it's pretty much messed me up pretty bad! (in a good way). Talk about the worst addiction Ive ever had.

Good luck. Like Captain jack said, be training and working on distances much greater than the max, with more cover and factors than they will generally throw at you. Make sure OB is TIGHT and have fun. You always want your dog to be UNDERwhelmed on test days. But there are a lot of things you will see, hear, and put your dog in situations that are hard to mimic in training.

[bruce]

Well i am going to the Big D hunt test down in Tennessee Colony this weekend and cant wait. This is my first dog and this is my first test. I am pretty confident that he will pass but i was wondering if anyone could give me some examples of what to expect. I know the rule book says they can have marks out to like 70 yards on land and 60 yards on water but wasnt sure if they allways go to that distance. So if you have any advice please let me know.

You'll be on the Best Grounds in Texas ... absolutely beautiful ... you have some great Judges who have stood in the Started Holding blind ... I doubt you see maximum distance bit won't know until day of so train for it ... be sure your pup is reliable with feathers ... In HRC Started delivery is to the "Area" p\of the handler, be sure to ask what that means if the judges don't say, if not made available ask for a bird to introduce your pup to freshly euthanized ducks [we use CO2 and sometimes the dogs react differently ... take your time from the blind to the line ... you'll be on lead and able to demand obedience...no one’s holding a stopwatch ... slow down ... breath and have a good time ... hope to see ya there ... I'll be judging Seasoned both days and hopefully enjoying the Party ... look me up if you get a chance ... take a look at the upper level tests to get an idea of what’s going on, don’t be shy if you have any questions ask, one things dog folks give freely is advice weather they use it is another matter … welcome to the sport ... build a great memory for the rest of your career ...

[th3_specialist]

I went to a test a couple weeks ago and i was glad i didnt run out there. Cactus everywhere. People were having to pull thorns and stuff out of there dogs legs and feet after every run. I couldnt believe it. So i really hope the grounds are better than that. We did let him mess with a duck the other day and he had no problem with the feathers so that i am thankful for cause it was his first time to see a duck. I really think that he will do well and the guy that is helping me said that if we fail it will be because of me not my dog. He is the one that told me that he thought my dog was ready so i decided to listen to him. But either way i guess i cant complain either way for a dog that only cost me the gas from burleson to corsicana.....

[shawn shannon]

I would suggest going out and buying the most expensive duck call. Put a lot of snuff in your mouth. Blow all of it into your duck call. Get some very expensive camo. I heard your judges will be judging half of your score on your camo fashion. You must wear face paint to the line, don't forget that, very critical!!!
Eat a bunch of greasy food the night before too.
You're going to be fine you freak!!!!!!!!!!

[shawn shannon]

And look at the picture of that force fetched pup! Very nice!

[Lonnie Spann]

Just go and try to have fun. Don't be surprised when the dog that comes out of your truck acts like a maniac that you just picked up at the pound.

Lonster

[PamK]

Make sure to go and meet Bruce at Seasoned. He has helped me a lot.

[th3_specialist]

I would suggest going out and buying the most expensive duck call. Put a lot of snuff in your mouth. Blow all of it into your duck call. Get some very expensive camo. I heard your judges will be judging half of your score on your camo fashion. You must wear face paint to the line, don't forget that, very critical!!!
Eat a bunch of greasy food the night before too.
You're going to be fine you freak!!!!!!!!!!

Well about the duck call i know a feller that has this really pretty wooden call that sounds awesome. His son told me i could use it but that it only works right if you have a dip in your lip. Just left academy and went and bought camo so that is covered. Facepaint well these ducks are already dead i hope so i dont think they will fly away if they see me.
Thanks guys i needed a laugh today.....this has to be the longest week ever for me.

[bruce]

OK so you'll be the guy in new camo with a brown dog and trying to knock a dip out of Shawns call ... I'll find ya ... the site with the cactus is in West Texas and it is waht it is ... dosn't take dogs long to figure out where it comes from but recomend you carry tweezers with you anywhere west of Dallas ... have fun and bring your rain coat and rubber boots for Saturday Morning ... ~.25 inch of rain winds NNE 5 - 8 ...

[th3_specialist]

lol yep that will be me. not very hard to spot anyway lol.....i got to laughing about the deal with the camo cause i told me wife that my camo had to match so i went and bought all new camo, well everything but a jacket cause i didnt think that i would need it but i think i will be ok i dont mind getting a little wet. Almost had to go buy a new pair of boots cause i couldnt find mine at the house but i called a guy that i took deer hunting last year and he had them at his house. 1 year later lol.