This Land Quad with two live birds and two retired guns will surely get the answers the judges are looking for. The right two birds, number one and number two thrown, are very tight and if the wind changes again the dogs will scent the short-retired bird on the way to the right flyer.
Mechanically, having a live-shot hen pheasant thrown last will present many no-birds due to the erratic flight they take. It is likely some handlers will select outside, outside, then the middle two birds in order of retrieve, and some will want the short-retired out of the way before sending for the right flyer. Technically, this is a difficult test due to the use of hen pheasants and the tightness of the middle three marks.
The temperature has risen, so dogs will be getting hot and scenting conditions may decline with the heat. Dog safety has been dealt with by having a bucket of water with ice in it available as they leave the line.
The test is running smoothly, and the judges seem pleased with it. Re-birds and gun changes have gone quickly, but it is going to take 11 to 12 hours to finish the series.
