1. They will hand you the gun when you leave the holding blind or when you arrive at the line. Don't point gun at judges or spectators. Gun will not be loaded but act as if it were.

2. Gun in right hand, dog on slipcord on your left. You need to be able to release the dog with one hand. I used a 4' piece of leash webbing with a knot at one end and the leash ssnap a the other-leash snap in palm of hand, strap around dog's neck, knot between my first and second fingers. Release dog by spreading fingers to let knot loose but hold on to the snap. Put lead in your pocket (not around your neck) as soon as dog leaves as some judgeswill interpret it as a training device.

3. If they ask you to shoulder gun put stock in your arm pit and point it with your hand, keeping your left hand free. In any case have the gun pointing out towards the fall while you are at line and this can help the dog. After dog is sent they may take gun from you or they may ask you to hold it for both marks.

4. If you have to hold gun for both marks, you need to take the bird with your left hand. I like to reach over Wicket's head. Practice this-in essence you have to be able to do any or all the jobs with your left hand. You need to train a good give as you are in an awkward position.

5. You could be asked to do a walk-up and/or a sit. On a walk-up it would be nice if the dog sat when the call went off, and scanned the field for the fall, but you can gently ask him to sit. For the sit, you settle yourself on a barrel with your dog at your side on his slipcord. Have the gun in your right hand by its middle with the stock on the ground and the barrel pointing out into the field (not at the judges)...you can give the gun a little shrug to let the judges know you are ready.

6. Situations may arise where you want to work the dog on your right and do gun work with your left hand-practice this too. Examples are situations where you can shield the dog's eyes from the sun if he is on your right, or where your presence there may afford some barrier to bank running.

7. Judges will explain exactly what they want to see and how to do it before test starts-be sure to be there to hear this, ask questions, and see gun proceedures illustrated with test dog. It is always your choice which side to run your dog on.

8. Make yourself a dummy gun out of a 2X2 piece of wood or a discarded BB gun. Practice all of above until it is easy.

9. Note that in Senior Hunter you will always be given a gun so get it done right while you are in Junior