2:55 pm - 3:02 pm gun change.
The handlers are now viewing the line again.
The handlers are now viewing the line again.
78 degrees.
Wind NNW 6 MPH.
The gentle breeze from the morning has picked up and become noticeably stronger. The test is now straight downwind. The sky is now continuously overcast and the sun seems to have disappeared for the afternoon, with the dogs now running in a flat light but visibility is still good.
The dogs can not wind the retired bird from a distance with the downwind conditions. The terrain pulls the dogs to the right and with the wind not giving the flyer or the retired bird to the dogs the handles have increased. Dogs needing handles have either over-run the retired bird or have taken a line directly into the hay bale area when sent for the retired bird and have become increasingly confused as they hunt. However some dogs who get into the hay bales manage to work their way over to the bird after a hunt, a testament to how intelligent dogs at this level can be in finding their birds.
