Pat's Perspective -- Red Zone (6th Series Land Blind)

The photo I have shown below focuses on the end of the 6th series land blind at this years National Amateur Championship.  The trouble area is highlighted.  I like to call this the Red Zone.  It is an area of extreme danger. Let me tell you all of the factors that make this Red Zone super challenging. 

First of all you are going right through the fall area of the previous days flyer pheasant.  The line to the blind is very close to the island of trees and 20-30 yds deep of them.  The blind planter and holding blind are left and behind that island.  In order to be downwind of the blind you had to be in a very small corridor.  If you misjudged the depth and gave your dog a come in whistle too soon, many of them took that as permission to hunt and get out of control.  These handlers really had to be on their game to execute good Red Zone handling. 

Red Zone is one of my passions in coaching handlers.  I guess I got it from Rex!