Hydee's First Search

The tests are over, SAR gear is packed and the call comes in:
2030 30APR2009 Lost AT Hiker, Staging Buena Vista Overlook 0700 01MAY2009

After a semi-restless and anxious night, our day begins at 0330 for daily dog chores and quick breakfast. On the road by 0400 for the 3 hour drive to the staging area/command post. We arrive on scene to see the largest multi-agency SAR response to date that I have participated in since moving to VA. Briefings are completed and tasks are assigned. Hydee's task, hasty search to clear two creek drainages.



Two things we have learned after moving down to VA, whenever the Blue Ridge Mountains are in the search area, there are no such things as a quick, easy hasty tasks and 10 foot contour intervals.

After the return trip home, hot shower and hot meal, it's recovery time!



Good news, hiker was found walking out by fire fighters many miles south of the initial search area.

Hydee's Final Two Tests

Tests that remain are the Obedience Test and a little thing called the 160 Acre Long Multiple. The accumulation of all skills used in previous tests, multiple lost subjects and a 160 acres of forest. To make things interesting, the first three hours were worked in steady rain and the first sector included another group wandering around to set up a land navigation exercise. After three hours in the rain everything was wet so here is a photo from a much nicer day

Hydee Knocks Out Four More Tests

Hydee has been knocking out tests left and right, day and night. First was Agility. Then came the Hasty Search Trail Test. This test involved a single lost subject somewhere along a mile or so trail.



The Light Brush Test has a single lost subject in a sector of approximately 40 acres.



Once the light brush is done, then there must be a Dense Brush Test. This test also involves a single subject but the sector has areas of dense brush that must be navigated through and searched and the subject is usually in one of the last areas of thick nasty stuff!



Here we are after the test.



Now that Hydee shows she can work during the day, the next is to do it all under the darkness of night. During this test a single subject is again lost in a 40 acre sector and you can never have enough glow sticks.

Hydee Starts Search Dog Testing

A little over a month after surgery to remove her spleen, Hydee has bounced back to start our testing journey. The first test, Open Field, evaluates the basic skills of both handler and dog. Hydee passed her Open Field test today.

Newest Member of the Team

After starting to hunt several years ago, the addition of a versatile hunting dog to the team was only natural. The search for the best breed choice resulted in the Deutsch Drahthaar. Here is the newest and youngest member of the team: Savvy (aka Janka Vom Jaegergeist)


The Drahthaar is a passionate hunting dog with industry and endurance, calm by nature, friendly in relations.

End of the Whitetail Season

Kit bagged this Iowa buck, shot it out of self-defense as this one practically ran him over.

This season's population was way down from years past. The last two pheasants in the county managed to cross our path.
The 2008-2009 whitetail season has come to an end. We were successful in Iowa this year. Bad weather put an early stop to PA flintlock, couldn't make the trip up to the cabin. Looking forward to 2009-2010.