Monterey and Rio Vista: a retriever from the bay to the Delta

Monterey, a city of about 30,000 with a median age of 37.5 (Census Bureau), faces the Pacific. The retriever hunt test series that carries the Central Coast name is held a long way inland, and this page explains where.

Three hours, give or take

OpenStreetMap routing measures about 145 miles and about 3.1 hours with no traffic. Add time for real-world conditions. This is a long day each way, and it sits in the long-drive tier.

You would drive to Rio Vista once to drop the dog and once to collect it, plus any handler lesson you choose to add.

A retriever hunt test with the region's name

The Central Coast Hunting Retriever Club of California lists a retriever hunt test at the California Retriever Training Association's Goose Lake grounds in Lost Hills on the 2026 calendar (read October 27, 2026). Lost Hills is in Kern County, but the club carries the Central Coast name.

Retriever tests come in several flavors. The AKC versus HRC comparison explains the difference, and the California hunt test calendar shows how to find current events.

From the first call to the first retrieve

Richard learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti. For a retriever, see the Basic Waterfowl Program page.

1. Phone Richard and describe the dog: breed, age, what it has done around water and birds.
2. Talk about the goal, whether that is a duck-blind partner or a dog for hunt tests.
3. Work out drop-off and pick-up from the Central Coast with him.
4. Return for a handler lesson when it is time to take the dog home.

Season context

California's Balance of State waterfowl season runs October 24, 2026 to January 31, 2027, per CDFW, though your own county's zone may differ, so confirm it on the CDFW zone map. Our 2026-27 seasons page has the details.

Whatever you hunt, the dog's training happens before the opener. The opener readiness guide shows what to check.

What to have ready when you phone

Know the dog's age, its breed, what it retrieves now and whether it has seen live birds. Be ready to say whether you hunt ducks, upland birds or both, and whether hunt tests interest you. Richard picks the plan for each dog, so the more clearly you describe the goal, the more useful the conversation; program lengths and weekly rates are published if you want them in hand first. The how to book training answer walks through the first call.