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I took have had the good fortune of co-judging with many good and Varied judges when I was not a 8 pt judge - Randy Whitiker, Judy Powers, Gary McIlwain, Sam Milton, Ed Aycock, Tim Coluson, and of course our own Keith. Also have marshalled for some good ones that have taught me alot - Bob Kennon, Rick Van Bergen, Pat Martin, Ray Veerland, Ken Payne, Tony Snow, etc the list is almost endless.
The single most important thing - Time Management!!! Don't waste it. Practice good mechanics getting dogs to the line, running them and getting them off line.
The First series is the most important test you will do in the whole trial. It sets the tone and shape of the trial. It gives you as a judge control of the trial so that you are not back on your heels playing catchup. I like to look over the water - kinda figure out a waterblind, confirm in my mind that the same piece of water will do for water marks, then I spend the rest of the day on Land Marks. Go over our options and try to pick a test that will work best for 1) Answers 2) Mechanics.
Divide the duties - I like to switch handling birds or signaling for birds every 20 birds.
Settle issues before the first dog runs - When to re-heel, No-birds for every mark, vocalization, cadence, use of mat, rotation.
I like to use a white towel to signal and I have a particular way of signaling.
Start with my arm straight by my side with the towel folded in my hand (no flapping ends). Keeping my arm straight, I smoothly raise it to a straight over head position, then smoothly lower it. I have found that over the years - most bird boys see this motion right away, it involves NO frantic waving which could distract dog, and it helps with cadence - one thousand and one up - one thousand and two down. Wait tell the bird settles - turn and face the next mark and repeat. I like to give PLENTY of time between marks.
I took have had the good fortune of co-judging with many good and Varied judges when I was not a 8 pt judge - Randy Whitiker, Judy Powers, Gary McIlwain, Sam Milton, Ed Aycock, Tim Coluson, and of course our own Keith. Also have marshalled for some good ones that have taught me alot - Bob Kennon, Rick Van Bergen, Pat Martin, Ray Veerland, Ken Payne, Tony Snow, etc the list is almost endless.
The single most important thing - Time Management!!! Don't waste it. Practice good mechanics getting dogs to the line, running them and getting them off line.
The First series is the most important test you will do in the whole trial. It sets the tone and shape of the trial. It gives you as a judge control of the trial so that you are not back on your heels playing catchup. I like to look over the water - kinda figure out a waterblind, confirm in my mind that the same piece of water will do for water marks, then I spend the rest of the day on Land Marks. Go over our options and try to pick a test that will work best for 1) Answers 2) Mechanics.
Divide the duties - I like to switch handling birds or signaling for birds every 20 birds.
Settle issues before the first dog runs - When to re-heel, No-birds for every mark, vocalization, cadence, use of mat, rotation.
I like to use a white towel to signal and I have a particular way of signaling.
Start with my arm straight by my side with the towel folded in my hand (no flapping ends). Keeping my arm straight, I smoothly raise it to a straight over head position, then smoothly lower it. I have found that over the years - most bird boys see this motion right away, it involves NO frantic waving which could distract dog, and it helps with cadence - one thousand and one up - one thousand and two down. Wait tell the bird settles - turn and face the next mark and repeat. I like to give PLENTY of time between marks.
