Jojoe
09-01-2008, 08:44 PM
Having had the privledge to help my club put on our annual hunt test this past weekend I had the opportunity to think...
Warning: long post - jump to larger text at bottom to avoid eye strain.
Being stake marshal I had prepared by assembleing as many useful items for test set up / running that i could think of; brush clipper, weed whipper, spade, etc. Among the items was a pair of size 8 hip waders. Day 2 water series required a blind planter that had hip waders - dang bird boys were too large to fit into them so I stepped up...er...in.
Now, as is usual in training groups, I have always taken my turn in the field to throw birds, plant blinds, load winger, etc. So, taking to the field during an official stake, I did not expect to learn what I did...although if I had given it some thought I would have realized it...the differences between us trainers being BBs in training compared to what we ask our young BBs during an official stake is night and day.
The young men and ladies that have filled these important positions in the field so that we may test our dogs really are unsung heros. Are they physically demanding - not usually. Are they mentally demanding - not usually. Are they boring - for these kids that don't know what is really going on, you bet they are!
While waiting for the judges to converse about a dog that had just finished running and before they called 'dog to the line' a BB that I was sharing a blind with had a brief discussion. It became apparent to me that he had never seen a dog run before, and due to the excellent job of concealment he had done for two days, still had not seen a dog run a test. As we sat, a handler was called to the line and I whispered to the BB what was happening as it was happening - we could only hear the event, like a radio play. I saw an understanding enter his eyes. Now that isn't to say it was any less boring...just easier for him to understand and time his actions.
Following the event, while the judges were going over their notes, I took the opportunity to air and swim our young pup that had been in her kennel all afternoon in my truck on the dyke. I asked the three boys if they had ever 'handled' a dog before. None had.
Each of the three boys in turn heeled in, sat, sent and heeled back in my pup - each one having the bumper spat into their hand. The smiles told the entire story. Having just finished the stake and needing to get back to headquarters three mini-marks were all we had time for. These young fellas that worked so hard for us so that we could play had no idea what the game is that we were playing.
Question: what are the other hunt test clubs doing to encourage these eager/hard working young people (bird boys) to get more involved with the sport that we love? Are we not missing a great opportunity here? Paying them is the least that they deserve - but before you consider them WELL paid, put the waders on and crouch behind a blind in the afternoon sun. Then come back the next day to do it again. ;)
BB day to let them handle dogs? Fun day BBQ with 'dog games'? Pre-event training day with dogs and birds? What does your club do...?
Warning: long post - jump to larger text at bottom to avoid eye strain.
Being stake marshal I had prepared by assembleing as many useful items for test set up / running that i could think of; brush clipper, weed whipper, spade, etc. Among the items was a pair of size 8 hip waders. Day 2 water series required a blind planter that had hip waders - dang bird boys were too large to fit into them so I stepped up...er...in.
Now, as is usual in training groups, I have always taken my turn in the field to throw birds, plant blinds, load winger, etc. So, taking to the field during an official stake, I did not expect to learn what I did...although if I had given it some thought I would have realized it...the differences between us trainers being BBs in training compared to what we ask our young BBs during an official stake is night and day.
The young men and ladies that have filled these important positions in the field so that we may test our dogs really are unsung heros. Are they physically demanding - not usually. Are they mentally demanding - not usually. Are they boring - for these kids that don't know what is really going on, you bet they are!
While waiting for the judges to converse about a dog that had just finished running and before they called 'dog to the line' a BB that I was sharing a blind with had a brief discussion. It became apparent to me that he had never seen a dog run before, and due to the excellent job of concealment he had done for two days, still had not seen a dog run a test. As we sat, a handler was called to the line and I whispered to the BB what was happening as it was happening - we could only hear the event, like a radio play. I saw an understanding enter his eyes. Now that isn't to say it was any less boring...just easier for him to understand and time his actions.
Following the event, while the judges were going over their notes, I took the opportunity to air and swim our young pup that had been in her kennel all afternoon in my truck on the dyke. I asked the three boys if they had ever 'handled' a dog before. None had.
Each of the three boys in turn heeled in, sat, sent and heeled back in my pup - each one having the bumper spat into their hand. The smiles told the entire story. Having just finished the stake and needing to get back to headquarters three mini-marks were all we had time for. These young fellas that worked so hard for us so that we could play had no idea what the game is that we were playing.
Question: what are the other hunt test clubs doing to encourage these eager/hard working young people (bird boys) to get more involved with the sport that we love? Are we not missing a great opportunity here? Paying them is the least that they deserve - but before you consider them WELL paid, put the waders on and crouch behind a blind in the afternoon sun. Then come back the next day to do it again. ;)
BB day to let them handle dogs? Fun day BBQ with 'dog games'? Pre-event training day with dogs and birds? What does your club do...?