You may have heard a story going around about a judge telling a handler in the holding blind to take off his hat. The story goes that the handler, thinking the judge was jerking his chain because the hat was an FSU baseball cap, and that the judge was a Gator fan, fired back at the judge and said, ‘What’s wrong with this hat?’ to which the judge calmly replied ‘It’s not camo’.

The handler, realizing it was not a joke, gulped and explained himself while the judge chuckled to himself. No hard feelings either way. So, said handler dutifully took off his hat and stepped into the bright sunshine with a head full of white, white hair. It’s also said that the folks in the gallery started reaching for their sunglasses. Dogs on the next course over started barking insanely, and a flight of crows turned around and went back where they came from ‘cawing’ like crazy. It was a dazzling display.

The story, although embellished a bit, is true. I was the handler, and I began to hear and see occasional references to the ‘Red Hat’ from time to time.

There has also been some discussion on forums about whether one should be doing their own shooting when running a ‘Started’ dog, with the vast majority holding the opinion that one should not shoot, and should restrain their dog instead.

At the NEFHRC Hunt Test this weekend, I was determined to handle my own weapon. But, on Saturday for the first water marks the line was a mass of very slippery clay mud from two days of steady rain. I could just see myself slipping and landing on my butt, with the gun barrel pointed right at a judge. So, I let discretion get the better part of valor and let the gunner shoot for me.

On Sunday the conditions were much improved, so I walked to the land mark line in a camo hat and did my own shooting. Two steady marks from my dog, and no gun safety violations. Compliments from the judges, Chris Atkinson and Cray Stephenson, and other handlers. So, I happily went back to my vehicle and switched back to my favorite red hat and moved to the location for the watermarks. When the word got around that for the water marks the ‘line’ would be in a boat, I started to get second thoughts again. My dog has never been in and out of a small boat, and certainly never sent to retrieve from a boat.

As I watched the set up for the test I figured out the best way to handle the dog and do my own gunning, but I wasn’t committed yet because I didn’t know how Buddy would react in a boat. But, as we stood in the holding blind, Buddy laid down and gave a big relaxing sigh. ‘I’m all in…’, I said to myself.

Well, I was completely focused on the task, Buddy was a model ‘boat’ dog, so we ran both marks from the boat with no handling issues, and no safety violations. I was so proud of my dog, and myself, that I was hugging him and just floating on cloud nine as a couple of handlers came up to compliment the run.

Suddenly, Cray Stephenson was standing there looking both ways as if we were gonna have a private moment. Then he said, ‘I’m sorry, but we had to fail you…’

Oooooofffff! Kicked right in the stomach! I don’t recall if I asked why, but I’m sure there was giant question mark imprinted on my countenance. Then Cray laughed and said ‘…for the red hat.’ I’d forgotten to take it off, but in that same instant I knew I had been had -it was a joke. So, we all had a big, hearty laugh.

Later I thanked Cray for giving me a new mission in life – to get even for that devious and cruel prank. Then we laughed some more. And Cray said something to the effect that getting even was fair. But, I’m sure Chris Atkinson was the instigator, so he’s on my list too!

So, it was a great weekend, great organization and hospitality, and a ton of fun. Two tests, two ribbons. Three down, and one to go for title, and maybe a new red hat.

What great memories...

Snick

Hey, you in the red hat! This is the "Hunting Stories" forum.

And having posted on it, you're now under obligation to take that poor pup hunting. How ya like them apples?

Hey, Rick. I'm hunting for a title LOL!

BTW - was that an invitation LOL??

quote:

Originally posted by Snicklefritz:
...was that an invitation LOL??

If our hunting were mine to give, Buddy would be invited and could bring you along to drive him.

But the hat stays in the truck.

That's funny. OK, hat stays in the truck.

Ya know Snick, I had a lot of negative things to comment on about this, in my opinion, I told you so post.

But I won't, and I offer my congrats on your success at the HT. Keep up the good work.

Ya know Andy, it wasn't my intent to say I told you so to anyone. But, looking back over my post now, I can see how it could be interpreted that way.

Thank you for being gracious and encouraging. You're a true sportsman.

Apologies to anyone who may have misunderstood.

Snick