Hunt Time Period Change for Youth Events

For the past several years the UKC has allowed organizers the option of holding one or two hour nite hunts at their youth events. It worked well for the most part although it did result in some confusion at times.

All UKC youth event nite hunts are split into two separate age divisions. The younger division is kids ages 5 to 12. For this group some feel two hours of hunting time is simply too long for several different reasons. For some kids it can become a bit strenuous physically. Or, if weariness sets in they tend to lose interest. There’s been several stories told where a youngster leading the cast going into the last drop of the night chose to withdraw for the sake of a little shut eye becoming the desired option.

The older division is kids ages 13 to 17. Most of these older kids are capable of more physically and have no problems with hanging for a two hour hunt. Heck, many of them might hunt from dusk to dawn better than most 40 year olds!

Then there’s those that subscribe to the theory that one-hour hunts are simply a crap shoot. And that a lot more luck plays a part in winning such a cast. Or, some have suggested we allow two hours for the older division and one hour for the younger division. Two different time periods, however, doesn’t seem to be a good option as the two age groups are placed as one.

For the organizers a one-hour hunt might be more attractive in terms of it being easier to solicit guides, judges and hunting grounds. Makes sense so long as we don’t short change the kids and forget they should remain in our best interests when making these decisions.

After consideration and discussions relative to the concerns mentioned we’ve made the decision that a happy medium hunt time period might be the ticket for all youth events per the following. Effective January 1, 2012, all nite hunts at youth events will be 90 minutes. This includes YEP events, State Youth Championships, Breed Association Youth Events and the UKC Youth Nationals. Organizers will no longer have any other time options.


Allen Gingerich
Coonhound Programs Manager
United Kennel Club, Inc.