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FINISHED HUNT TESTS
(*Revised January 1, 2007)
PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY
This hunt test is for Finished hunting retrievers. It duplicates actual hunting conditions found throughout the country. The successful completion of these tests leads to the qualification of a hunting retriever for the title of Hunting Retriever Champion, (HRCH). To pass these hunting tests the Finished Hunting Retriever must accomplish the tasks required with both style and accuracy. Judges will look for natural ability and a trained performance. The Finished Hunting Retriever must respond promptly to either voice or whistle commands and remain steady and under control at all times. The Finished Hunting Retriever should be a pleasure to hunt with under any conditions.
ELIGIBILITY
Any hunting retriever or purebred Gun Dog of any age or sex may participate. This is the next step for hunting retrievers that have earned maximum Championship points in the Started and/or Seasoned Hunt categories. It is not necessary to have earned Championship points in any other Hunt Test category prior to participating in the Finished Hunt Test category. Bitches in heat will not be allowed on the hunt grounds.
Dogs may participate in this category without beingUKC registered. Non-UKC registered dogs participating in the Finished category have 60 days after passing the test to become UKC registered and have their Championship points applied to their record. A fee will be charged by UKC for application of points to a dog’s record if not registered within 60 days.
*DESCRIPTION
The Finished Hunt will have at least four (4) tests. These four tests shall consist of the following: (1) a multiple marked water retrieve, (2) a multiple marked land retrieve (either or both the multiple marked water retrieve or the multiple marked land retrieve must include an honor), (3) a water blind retrieve, and (4) a land blind retrieve. These blinds may or may not be included in one of the required multiple marked retrieves. *Part of the test must include a diversion as the dog returns to the retrieving line from a blind, walk-up or return from a marked retrieve. At the option of the Judges,
the hunt may include an upland game test. If an upland game test is to be run, this option must be announced in the Club’s Premium if one is used. Failure of a hunting retriever to pass any of the hunting tests will not prevent the dog from participating in a subsequent test unless the Handler is unsafe in handling a gun.
HUNTING TESTS
The hunting test must duplicate actual hunting conditions. Practical hunting distances must be used in all Finished Hunt Tests. Dead pheasants, pigeons, ducks or other game birds must be used for all hunting tests, except for shot flyers or upland game tests, to gain Championship points.
JUDGES
The Judges will provide an explanation of each of the hunt tests objectives to the Handlers. Judges will “pass” or “fail” a hunting retriever based on its ability rather than the Handler’s expertise. The Judges must follow the Finished Hunt Test Rules and Judges Guidelines. Gunners and Bird Boys shall be placed at the Judges’ discretion. There must be at least two Judges, one of which must be licensed or AA Licensed if one is an Apprentice Judge. The Judge’s decision is final.
HANDLERS
At the retrieving line, voice or whistle commands may be used to steady the hunting retriever. The Handler shall not intimidate the hunting retriever at the retrieving line. The Handler shall not have any training aid to intimidate the hunting retriever; i.e. whip, prod, cane, quirt, dummy, weighted or shock collars or other similar equipment at the retrieving line. On the Judges signal, the hunting retriever is to be released by the Handler, or as otherwise directed by the Judge. The Handler should bring the hunting retriever to and from the retrieving line off lead. Handlers are expected to conduct themselves in a manner such that they do not disturb game or the Hunt. It is highly encouraged that all Handlers take and pass a province or state certified hunter safety course.
*SHOTGUNS, GUN SAFETY & FIREARM SAFETY POLICY
*Hunting Retriever Club, Inc. adopts the policy of the International Hunter Safety Association (available on the Club CD or www.HuntingRetrieverClub.org). All HRC Judges are required to PROVE safe each firearm used in their Hunt Test. HRC strongly recommends that all participants at a HRC/UKC Licensed event have an approved Hunter Safety Course.
Only authorized guns will be allowed in the test area. Authorized guns are those shotguns inspected and found to be in proper working order and approved for use at the test site(s) by a hunt official(s). All shotguns are assumed to be loaded with live ammunition and must be handled accordingly. The Handler must hold the shotgun in a safe hunting position. During test simulations, when directed by the Judges, the Handler must shoulder the shotgun, aim, track and shoot at the top of the arc of the thrown bird. Mishandling of firearms will result in immediate disqualification of both Handler and hunting retriever. If pump or semi-automatic shotguns are used, a plug must be in the magazine, limiting the gun to a total of three shots.
To minimize the possibility of an accidental discharge of a firearm while handling a dog during a UKC/HRC LICENSED test, Handlers should not be given more poppers, or permitted to load more poppers into the shotgun than are required to complete any given segment of a test (i.e. only one popper prior to shooting the Finished blind, three poppers prior to shooting at the marks, and one prior to shooting at the diversion). More poppers may be provided and/or loaded at a Judge’s discretion if they are required by the logistics of the test. However, gun safety must be a priority consideration at all times.
HUNTING EQUIPMENT
Hunting equipment such as boats, decoys, duck blinds, calls, etc., will be used in these tests. The Finished Hunting Retriever will run without a collar, except where prohibited by local ordinances.
SPECTATORS /GALLERY
Reasonable silence, good manners, and sportsmanlike conduct are required of all spectators. Any spectator interfering with any test will be directed to leave the hunt grounds. Spectators shall not have on white or light colored attire that might interfere with a dog’s performance. No Seasoned dogs that are participating are allowed to watch from the spectator’s section.
*LIGHTNING SAFETY POLICY
The HRC Lightning Safety Policy (available on the Club CD or on the HRC website at www.HuntingRetrieverClub.org) will be followed at all HRC licensed events.
TEST RULES
I. The maximum land test distance will not exceed one hundred-fifty (150) yards, but may be shorter. The maximum water test distance will not exceed one hundred twenty-five (125) yards, but may be shorter. The blind retrieve maximum test distance will not exceed one hundred (100) yards
II. During all hunting tests; hand signals, voice or whistle commands may be utilized by the Handler to encourage the Finished Hunting Retriever. The Finished Hunting Retriever should demonstrate a prompt and precise response to all voice, whistle, and directional commands.
III. The Finished Hunting retriever is required to be steady at the retrieving line. At the retrieving line the dog may be touched to steady, but when the Handler signals “ready”, it may not be touched again. The Finished retriever may be failed for a “controlled break” and may be failed for excessive, consistent creeping. If a Finished retriever leaves the retrieving line before being signaled to do so, it must be stopped and return to heel. Failure to stop and return to heel upon command will be considered an uncontrolled break. During hunting tests, the Finished dog may be placed a reasonable distance from the retrieving line.
IV. The bird must be delivered to hand.
V. Testing will consist of double or triple marks for both water and land. At the Judges discretion, the Finished Hunting Retriever may be required to make retrieves in an established sequence. The Handler cannot point out either the Bird Boy or Gunner’s locations for the Finished Hunting Retriever prior to the bird being thrown.
VI. During the hunting tests, a Finished Hunting Retriever must be required to honor another hunting retriever at or near the retrieving line. When the Finished Hunting Retriever is honoring, its view of the hunting test cannot be obstructed.
VII. During the test, a diversionary bird will be thrown as the hunting retriever returns to the retrieving line. If the hunting retriever switches to the diversionary bird on the return, it shall fail the test.
VIII. The Finished Hunting Retriever can be cast from the retrieving line only once. If the Finished Hunting Retriever is unproductive after the single attempt, the Judge will instruct the Handler to pick up the hunting retriever and that the test is failed.
IX. Lining the blind is not required. The Finished Hunting Retriever should demonstrate the ability to take an initial line toward the blind and a willingness and ability to respond to the commands from the Handler. The Finished Hunting Retriever must stay under control and pick up the bird quickly and efficiently. The judge will not require the retriever to run a predefined route or channel.
X. Gunners and Bird Boys must be inconspicuous and blend in with the local hunting conditions. When Bird Boys and Gunners are hidden, an attention getting shot or shots may be used or a duck or goose call may be used before the birds are thrown. A shot must be fired when the bird is at the top of its arc.
XI. Tests may duplicate a cripple retrieve.
XII. The Upland Game Test shall consist of a simulated walk-up hunt with a subsequent quartering or tracking test. The Finished Hunting Retriever must be steady to wing and shot. Honoring of another hunting retriever is required. During this test the Finished Hunting Retriever will be required to locate and retrieve game, as the Judges shall direct.
XIII. Judges should courteously advise Handlers of desirable dress, if necessary.
XIV. Judges should advise the Handler, if necessary, that continuous failure to demonstrate true hunting form with the shotgun and safety could result in failure of the test or disqualification.
XV. The Judge’s decision is final.
IMMEDIATE FAILURE
The hunting retriever shall immediately fail the test if a Gunner or Bird Boy is required to help or assist in any way. A bird unfit for the table resulting from hard-mouth shall be ground for failing the test. Failure to pass any hunting test will not prevent a hunting retriever from participating in subsequent tests, unless the Handler is unsafe in handling a gun.
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12/24/2008: The Day Before Christmas at UKC By Mark Threlfall (With apologies to Major Henry Livingston, Jr.) T’was the Wednesday before Christmas, The office was busy, People scurrying about, Making everyone dizzy. The front desk was alive, With customers and calls, Melissa was trying, To stay ahead of it all. Magazines looked as festive, As... Read more here. 
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In This Issue of Hunting Retriever Magazine...
"Sometimes You Just Have to Get Wet!
Anne B. Livingston • Nashville, Tennessee
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“She’s going to have to get in,” I overheard my training partners, Paula Harris and Danny May, say as we watched Camden quit on a long water retrieve one April afternoon. I had seen this behavior from Camden before; in her first Boykin Spaniel Society Upland, she failed to complete her Novice and Intermediate water retrieves, and in three separate Started tests, she completed on land and failed on water.
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