[Ted Shih]

Here are the RMRC Amateur Water Marks from Sunday, courtesy of Pete Hayes and Wayne Dorband

Right bird thrown first. 335 to guns. Probably 350 to bird. Line to mark is over near point over island (blue line shows width of island), through cover, up over ridge, then over second ridge, then into draw, then push up hill. Many dogs got second on face of second ridge and would not drive up the ridge

Middle bird shot second. 225 yards. Line over left point then big swim

Flyer on right.

I had three shots - one with FC/AFC, one with AFC, and one with baby. Could not get it. But had a fun time trying
3 dogs got the birds without handle. 3 dogs handled. 3 dogs picked up

Lots of fun to run

 

[kigiin]

I am new to this forum and retriever handling, but what actual hunting scenario(s) do these long retrieves simulate?

 

[TollerLover]

How long was it taking each dog to run that series? Looks like quite a lot of swimming.

 

[Lady Duck Hunter]

Kigiin, This is from a field trial, where they have to pick a winner, NOT a hunting test. Tests like that really give separation to the field of good dogs and handlers that run those events.

 

[moscowitz]

Ted thanks for posting. Do you have any photos of the water blind and how did you pick up around the horn? Could you consider this an indented or just middle and right a hip pocket. What influence in your opinion did the flyer have on the other guns or was it just to affect memory? What direction was wind? Tell more about what other dogs and handlers did?

 

[Rainmaker]

Thanks, Ted, neat to see that setup & the description. Congrats again on the Qual & Derby too.

 

[Steve Shaver]

I am new to this forum and retriever handling, but what actual hunting scenario(s) do these long retrieves simulate?

None really, but they do show talent and ability far beyond what any dog will need in a hunting situation. To a dog that can do this type of set up any hunting situation would be as easy as a 2 year old kid eating his Cheerios. Any situation a dog may encounter when hunting is here x 10.
It shows marking to the max, good for hunting. It shows perserverance to dig out a tough to find bird to the max, good for hunting. It shows trainability to work as a team with the handler to the max, good for hunting.
So although it does not actually simulate a real life hunting situation it does simulate everything a good hunting retriever needs and then some

 

[Charles C.]

Both memory birds retired?

 

[SCOTT C.]

None really, but they do show talent and ability far beyond what any dog will need in a hunting situation. To a dog that can do this type of set up any hunting situation would be as easy as a 2 year old kid eating his Cheerios. Any situation a dog may encounter when hunting is here x 10.
It shows marking to the max, good for hunting. It shows perserverance to dig out a tough to find bird to the max, good for hunting. It shows trainability to work as a team with the handler to the max, good for hunting.
So although it does not actually simulate a real life hunting situation it does simulate everything a good hunting retriever needs and then some

Great explanation!

 

[Ted Shih]

Both memory birds retired?

Yes, that is why it says "R1" rather than "G1". So retired 1 shot 1st (R1), then retired 2 shot second (R2)

 

[Ted Shih]

15 minute test

 

[captainjack]

Yes, that is why it says "R1" rather than "G1". So retired 1 shot 1st (R1), then retired 2 shot second (R2)

Is there another flyer on the right that is out of the picture? Or is there only the one flyer that you can see on the left.

 

[blake_mhoona]

so here's my question. being fairly new at all this what does one have to do to be elegible to run in an FC or AFC? and would you say on degree of dificulty it is harder than a grand, master, or master national? i understand all the hunt tests on both the akc and ukc side but its the trials i'm having trouble with.

 

[JS]

None really, but they do show talent and ability far beyond what any dog will need in a hunting situation. To a dog that can do this type of set up any hunting situation would be as easy as a 2 year old kid eating his Cheerios. Any situation a dog may encounter when hunting is here x 10.
It shows marking to the max, good for hunting. It shows perserverance to dig out a tough to find bird to the max, good for hunting. It shows trainability to work as a team with the handler to the max, good for hunting.
So although it does not actually simulate a real life hunting situation it does simulate everything a good hunting retriever needs and then some

That's a great answer, Steve!

It's been a long time since a FT looked much like a duck hunt. There are folks who will tell you that "those field trial dogs can't really hunt". That's kinda like saying Michael Jordan couldn't play in a pick-up game down at the Y.

JS

 

[Ted Shih]

Is there another flyer on the right that is out of the picture? Or is there only the one flyer that you can see on the left.

Typo. Flyer on left.

 

[Chris Atkinson]

Thanks Ted,

I love threads like this. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

Chris

 

[John Robinson]

I would love to take a crack at that set-up, very nice test.

John

 

[John Robinson]

That's a great answer, Steve!

It's been a long time since a FT looked much like a duck hunt. There are folks who will tell you that "those field trial dogs can't really hunt". That's kinda like saying Michael Jordan couldn't play in a pick-up game down at the Y.

JS

That's too funny, very true though.

 

[Rnd]

Ted, I,m curious. Of the 9 dogs that ran this did they all try to pick up the birds in the same order? Or did some select a different order after watching some run?? You had 3 dogs try. Did you have the same strategy for your 3rd dog as you did on the 1sr attempt??

Thanks for posting looks like a great set up.

Randy

 

[GulfCoast]

and would you say on degree of dificulty it is harder than a grand, master, or master national? i understand all the hunt tests on both the akc and ukc side but its the trials i'm having trouble with.

Much more difficult. And also dog vs. dog. You don't just have to survive against "par," like a hunt test, you and your dog also have to shoot better than the other golfers, as well.