Another point/retrieve and point...

One happy young CPR pup-a day old Fawn just off the edge of the CP A field , The burgers I expertly singed on Sunday and a neat sign!

YES. A big thanks to all that worked hard to put on a great test. You guys did a great job. I was able, for the first time to watch a complete master test both days. Very nice and now know what I need to work on. It will be lots of hard work to get my girl to that level. I have something to work for.

I got to meet some people I have talked to on the phone but have never met. It was a pleasure. Hope everyone made it home safe. I did not think we would ever get home but did last night at 10pm. Now it is time to get back to work and stop having so much fun. Thanks again Iowa folks.

Without a doubt Okoboji showcased the best an APLA hunt test can be; whether that be the Okoboji Game Farm grounds of Doug Dodge; the numberous little technical water ponds; the spring upland with just the right amount of spring grass and some still standing winter cover; great weather, particularly if you like wind; a hunt test chair-Dan and secretary-Jay who had lots of all the volunteer help lined up for 4 flights on Sat and 3 flights on Sun.; good handler/judges sdeminar Friday evening; great food for lunches and the Friday night meal; and the 100 entrants and their families for a wonderful weekend.

Awesome test!  Sounds like everyone made it home safely.

Thanks to Dan and Jay for doing an incredible job despite all the last-second changes.  Not many people know how much hard work goes into a test - hopefully both of you can catch up on your sleep now that it's over.  You both did a great job!

Doug Dodge - what a great place for a test!  You did a great job of grooming your grounds.  The upland cover was perfect for an APLA test.  It was cool to have that much technical water available.  It's nice to have a challenging Master water test without watching the dogs swim 100 yards.  I'd like to make Okoboji Game Farm a regular stop on the APLA test tour   Coal and I are looking forward to coming back next weekend for a couple of shots at some NAHRA ribbons.

Thanks also to the judges, gunners, bird-throwers, blind-planters, marshalls, etc.  The help this past weekend was awesome!  It wasn't easy working all weekend, getting beat up by the wind and heat.

Congrats to everyone who ran dogs this weekend.  For those that didn't pass, stick with it and give it another shot this fall.  For those that passed, start working toward that next pass.  It was cool to have the opportunity to watch the Michigan Mafia dogs up close on Saturday - impressive!

Well,

I just got home and want to get a post up,then watch the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup.

I had the good luck to be on the white truck(co-pilot nonetheless). What a fun weekend,even with the long drive(both ways).
    The biggest thanks for me,goes to KoolDan and Jay Ewen,and the hardest working host I've ever seen Doug Dodge.THE MOST ACCOMMODATING,for sure. Very nice upland fields,I was impressed.
2BD Thanks for the gunning,cooking,pics etc.etc.All that pitched in and tossed birds,planted blinds,brought equipment(?) etc.
 
My big congrats is a bit prejudiced,but at least I'm saying it out front,,,,First to my pilot of the white truck and all those wonderful dogs,,,,100% give them nothing less eh!
Way to go Jon and Banks,what a great upland on Sunday,,,I'm very happy for you Jon,and Banks was impressive in a trying run.Be proud my man.
  I may have been the last guy out there to get a close up look at The Diesel Dawgs run on Sunday(Last dog in our flight and everyone was gone to the other flight,or heading home).I think he got 5 birds in around five minutes.What a show. The Rooster made me very proud as I 've been able to watch him develop from a pup to GMPR.He is special.
   Troytrain I'm sure glad you got to gun on Saturday,it was a blast,and Rosco was what I expected on your run on Sunday,great dog for sure.(next time,leash him up when the judges tell you they have seen enough,maybe a bird or two will be left for the next dog)
 A big thanks to the judges,who are very dedicated and put on some nice tests.Of those I ran under Dan Hove was new to me,and showed me that he really enjoys the dogs and good work,he and Larry were fun in our Saturday upland run,lots of laughs and smiles.You guys were very helpful,and fun,along with that gunner.,,,,,,,I know I haven't thanked all that helped make this test go,but I am now.

  Matt,congrats on your Master pass with Dooley on Sunday.
Way to go Chris and Rain
T.C. Change the sig...Congrats to Coal 

Oh yes and also a big thanks to the sponsors of the Big White Truck (I think I may be part owner of "Labatts Blue"at least I should get some kick back for advertising)                                     
                                                                                  

                                                            Thanks,especially the pilot.  100%,
                                                                                                                   Paco

I'm just getting my bearings back after the 20 hour trip home yesterday and today. What a great weekend!!!

I got to see some special dog and handler teams as well as meet some more great dog folks from the Midwest.  Being such a special weekend, I have a ton of thank you's I'd like to mention.

First and foremost Jay and Dan for putting the whole event together and keeping it running. It was a clinic on how a hunt test should be run.

Thanks to the Dodge family for use of their wonderful property. Next time turn the fan off though. Man was there a lot of wind!

All of the judges but especially those I ran under. Dan, Larry, and Dale. You all made me feel as comfortable as possible and your kind words and advice are very much appreciated, and needed. Thank you.

And of course all of the workers, helpers and gunners. Where else can a guy gun in the morning, and then smoke a stogey while flipping burgers in the afternoon! Truley dedicated people abound in this wonderful organization.

Congratulations to my good friend Troy C for hanging a G on Coal and a MHR early in this testing season. Way to go Troy. Dale, what a treat to watch your dogs run. I hope I can see more of them in future. Congratulations on a really, really great weekend. Gator, Banks and all of the other wonderful dogs I watched, way to go.

Again, thanks to everyone for making a yankee feel so welcomed in your part of the country. Hopefully I'll see a whole bunch of you at the RAW and then again during the fall tests.

Congrats again to everyone that enjoyed a special weekend.

Chris and Rain