There is only one cast - at 50 yards....an angle back of 60+ yards past the "gunners".
                                      note: Gunny has run this drill three times (two casts 2nd & 3rd).
 

Definitive Casting Drill #4 (3rd time)      July 10, 2010

                                       note: If it says only one cast........that's the final goal (plus style).
                                        note: Remote wingers and stickmen form the gunner stations.
                                                note: There are 7 different teaching drills plus a proof.
                                       The exception was drill #1 (no stickmen.....just a "Ghilly shrub")

                                                        
                                                                     Definitive Casting Drill #5                         July 21, 2010
                              
                                      note: Gunny could smell and see the mallard mark. Two more
                                           casts after the first off the mark had him safely to the pile.
                                           The initial stop on this sequence was about 40 yards out.                                    
                                                                   He really wanted the mallard.  
                                     note: It has been a week since last running any Definitive Casting.  

                            On June 22nd, Gunny repeated this drill with the casting point at 60 yards.
                             This set of drills began over three weeks ago. He has not run it every day.
                                   Integrating the drill into the total training regime maintains balance. 
                                             Gunny is being given ample time to assimilate the skill. 

                             The total concept of this set of drills is beginning to take shape. Gunny
                             knows the routine. When released to go for the second mark today, he did
                             not go "wide open". His body language was "this is the one where I will be
                             stopped and cast off the duck". He took a perfect cast after the whistle sit
                             at 60 yards..............right to the pile. However, just as he appeared ready to
                             fetch a bumper, he turned toward the mallard mark. It was as if he were
                             thinking "let's see if he means it". A quick whistle and "No!' stopped him
                             and he turned around and calmly picked up a bumper.

                             It was an "Ok, I just thought I'd give it a try" type of action. After the bumper
                             was delivered, Gunny "fogged" to the delayed mallard mark as fast as I've
                             ever seen him go to a mark.

                             It was kind of refreshing and exhilarating to observe what was going
                             through his mind. He's learned to be patient with the order of retrieves,
                             "eventually it's mine" is the perfect description of the expectation taught
                             by this set of drills. Learning has been fun for Gunny, and his attitude is
                             developing a healthy character to it.    

                             After about two more runs of Definitive Casting Drill #5a with the stopping
                             point progressively closer to the AOF, Gunny will be ready for the last step.
                      
                              note: So far, this drill has been moved to provide seven different "looks".

                              update: July 30th....recent heavy rains have totally flooded this training
                                  area.......the finish of the last step has been delayed.  We are in no rush
                                  to finish. Besides, the hunt tests this weekend will be fun, too. 
                              update: August 17th....flood waters have finally dropped, but Gunny has
                                  been busy running hunt tests........passed four AKC Juniors in a row and
                                  August 15th passed his first HRC Seasoned hunt test in Indiana.  He has
                                  two more Seasoned test this weekend at the WISILL/Badger State HRC
                                  tests.  Then it is only nine days until hunting season starts.  Duck camp
                                  "prep" and scouting will eat those days up quickly. 
                              
                                  The Definitive Casting conclusion will not happen until next spring.