Here are our last searches from the Turner Trials.  These were back to back searches that seem fairly simple at first glance. However the catch was, we did not have a walkthough nor did we know the time limit.  So it was a bit surprising when we heard “30 second warning” called after only 15 seconds of searching.  Honestly, I would not have run this search any differently if I had known the time limit.  However, it would have been nice to know just how many grains were left in my hour glass.  When Iona caught odor, I knew it was a crack hide and I knew that she just needed time to source it, while she found the hide right after “time” was called, I am still very proud of her for this search. 

The search area was a big circle.  Ramona recommended running our dogs through the middle of the search area.  However, I feel that this strategy would only work well for this particular set up (where the hide was in the middle).  I prefer to run Iona around the perimeter in a clockwise fashion as I feel it is the most efficient way to cover a search area like this. If you go down the center than you will be slicing the search area like cutting a pizza, but if you go around the edge, she can pick up any odor that is in the center and work it from there. 

Watch Iona work the scent cone from this crack hide, it is almost a perfect wedge!