Blast Zone, handled by our amateur friend Thor Kain, hunted with power and serious application, going strong the entire hour at the Ontario Grouse Championship, April 8, 2018. “Strike’s” efforts were rewarded at the 40-minute mark with a scouted woodcock find handled with arresting style and intensity. Conditions during the Championship were challenging for both dogs and handlers. Winter would not let go of its grip as snow flew over and laid on the courses at Marienville, PA–home of the Ontario Grouse Ch. for the last several years. “Strike” was impervious to the conditions. When he did not return from a cast and his bell could not be heard, a scout was dispatched. Several minutes were required to locate him standing on an edge facing out into a weedy field. It then took nearly ten minutes total for the judge to arrive on the scene to witness the find. “Strike” still standing, looking like a bull, on his bird that was flushed with all in order. From here “Strike” continued hunting with application and desire through a variety of pole timber and regrowth to a forward finish. While the spring trial season was abbreviated, “Strike” exhibited consistent excellence winning the Nittany Valley Grouse Trial, being the first call-back in the Grand National Grouse Invitational and then capping the season in the Championship circle at the Ontario. In all these events he was handled by Thor Kain who has worked with “Strike” since he was a pup.