[Tobias]

This past weekend when I was running the qual with Smarty, I debated whether to put my black jacket on for the land blind. I watched almost every dog before us to struggle at about the midway point to see the handler. The sun being directly behind the handler (up higher in the sky - mid morning) and the dog being downhill, looking uphill into the sun. I opted not to wear black because I wasn't sure there would be much difference and I didn't want her to get confused with the dark clothes the judges, bird steward and /marshall were also wearing (they were all sitting down). And also, the visibility issue seemed only to be at this one section of the blind....

As it happened she did exactly the same as the rest of the dogs, not seeing me well. She heard my 'back' command and went the way she thought she should go (previous cast had been right back, so I believe she anticipated being asked to change direction and went left (when she needed a right)..... Next cast I made sure to really take my time and let her focus on me for quite a bit and she took the cast, I believe the rest of the way to the blind.

I thought it was an interesting situation and also interesting that no handlers wore black.

 

[EdA]

Surely someone tried this one

 

[captain2560]

Juli, if you are on a ridge with the dog lower than you, and your background is sky, light blue and white clouds, I would wear black. If your background is brush or trees I would not. I know a guy who swore that dogs saw florescent green like the jacket pictured above better than white with trees or brush as a background.

 

[paul young]

If the handler is skylined, Black is a good choice. Particularly if there's white puffy clouds.

 

[drunkenpoacher]

Surely someone tried this one
View attachment 92570

Have you tried it out yet Doc?

 

[EdA]

Have you tried it out yet Doc?

I have alternated it with white. I wore the green when I did three big water blinds one day last week when I was sky lighted. Both dogs turned without hesitation the correct way on every cast. Still a work in progress and not sure I’m ready for the ribbing likely to ensue at the FT. My last trial until fall (probably) is this coming weekend so I’ll not make my debut yet.

 

[drunkenpoacher]

not sure I’m ready for the ribbing likely to ensue at the FT.

I'll admit that I put some thought into it.

 

[EdA]

I'll admit that I put some thought into it.

Who knows, maybe I will be a trend setter and other folks will start handling in high visibility chartreuse. 😳
The L.L. Bean version fits well and seems well made.

 

[Tobias]

thanks all.

Brooks - I believe for part of, if not most of the time, the handler had the hillside behind them - but perhaps just their legs and not their upper bodies..?? The skyline thing is what made me think to wear black, however, as it certainly was affecting the dogs at some point... either sunlight, (back light), or skyline... I should have walked down the hill and looked up at the line after the trial....

I watched several dogs get in trouble when they took the wrong cast and end up both downhill and I believe the scent from the bird planter was affecting them that direction also --- saw lots of noses in the air the last 1/3 of the blind. I did not want to get into that battle with Smarty, so tried very hard to keep her more on line and slightly to the right. She still ended up left of the line by the time we got to that last cast because of the sight issue.

I think the bright yellow is a great idea.... I was driving the highway near a school and there was a bright yellow/chartreuse colored sign an also one of the blaze orange... as well as the white speed limit sign... of the three, the yellow stood out the soonest (furthest away).

 

[testdog]

I have never worn in trial handling (black gloves , and appropreite movement while casting better for me) , I do have reversiable white and black (judges gift) handlers jacket. I have seen black handlers jacket used often with success, very early and very late in day, especailly MT CA and OR, hilly with light brown or rock back feature on line. I have seen acouple times where it was a negative outcome, with low dark green hilly foliage or tullies (green) back features on line (spring).

 

[drunkenpoacher]

maybe I will be a trend setter

There is no maybe about it.

The sun being directly behind the handler

In a perfect world judges will avoid this.

At a recent trial in Texas an amateur stake was delayed close to an hour because of it.
Doc was there (not wearing chartreuse though).

 

[crackerd]

Surely someone tried this one
View attachment 92570

No, but if you want to be really bold, I'll float you one of these in the fall - "For the cause," couple of 'em in fact

MG

 

[crackerd]

Or speaking of green, we could get you tailored up like one of our'n, Built by 'Bama, paid (handsomely) by Iggles, that fashion, financial ($255M), feminism (all-ladies advisory team) and perseverance avatar Mr. Jalen Hurts -

MG

 

[Tobias]

There is no maybe about it.


In a perfect world judges will avoid this.

At a recent trial in Texas an amateur stake was delayed close to an hour because of it.
Doc was there (not wearing chartreuse though).

That would be ideal, but it is what it is. , It was a good blind I thought, for a Q level dog - several factors to keep in mind when running a dog. I had the opportunity to run a similar one in the same field a few months ago - different dog and different stake, (and hunt test, so much shorter) - so I was aware of some of the hazards on the back end of the blind.

 

[EdA]

Or speaking of green, we could get you tailored up like one of our'n, Built by 'Bama, paid (handsomely) by Iggles, that fashion, financial ($255M), feminism (all-ladies advisory team) and perseverance avatar Mr. Jalen Hurts -

View attachment 92574

MG

🤮

 

[Nick Toti]

This past weekend when I was running the qual with Smarty, I debated whether to put my black jacket on for the land blind. I watched almost every dog before us to struggle at about the midway point to see the handler. The sun being directly behind the handler (up higher in the sky - mid morning) and the dog being downhill, looking uphill into the sun. I opted not to wear black because I wasn't sure there would be much difference and I didn't want her to get confused with the dark clothes the judges, bird steward and /marshall were also wearing (they were all sitting down). And also, the visibility issue seemed only to be at this one section of the blind....

As it happened she did exactly the same as the rest of the dogs, not seeing me well. She heard my 'back' command and went the way she thought she should go (previous cast had been right back, so I believe she anticipated being asked to change direction and went left (when she needed a right)..... Next cast I made sure to really take my time and let her focus on me for quite a bit and she took the cast, I believe the rest of the way to the blind.

I thought it was an interesting situation and also interesting that no handlers wore black.

This weekend we encountered a water blind down in a valley looking back up towards a bright sky/morning sun. Only saw 1 handler(pro) come out with black coat. I think it would have definitely benefited the early running dogs. I didn't wear black bc my dog is only used to me wearing white, I was afraid she would turn around not see "me" in black. I wouldn't mind adding this tool into my box, just need to add it into my training regimen before.

 

[Dave Kress]

I generally am in black after the water blind but sometimes after the 1st or2nd.

 

[Dave Kress]

Congrats Tobias !!!!!

 

[Tobias]

Congrats Tobias !!!!!

thanks Dave!

 

[labsforme]

I usually wear black as a sign of mourning after I mess up the water blind AGAIN.