GRAND HUNT TESTS
*Revised January 1, 2009

PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY

This hunt test is for Hunting Retriever Champions (HRCH). It duplicates actual hunting conditions found throughout the country. The successful completion of two of these Grand tests valued at 40 points each or (80 points) along with an accumulation of 120 additional points after earning the Hunting Retriever Champion Title for a total of 300 points, will qualify a Hunting Retriever Champion for the UKC title of Grand Hunting Retriever Champion (GRHRCH).

Additional points may be earned by passing either Upland tests with a maximum of 40 points allowed toward your Grand title, or by continuing to obtain points by running additional Finished tests.

This title is evidence that the hunting retriever has demonstrated versatility and excellence in performing under hunting conditions, ranging from various waterfowl environments found in costal marshes, inland waterways, flood timber, or western prairies, to upland game conditions while hunting Upland birds such as pheasant, grouse, chukar, or doves. The Grand Hunting Retriever is expected to be steady, under control at all times and demonstrate an eager and prompt response to all commands with style and precision. The Grand Hunting Retriever Champion should represent the best of the breed.

ELIGIBILITY

Any Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH) is eligible to participate. Bitches in heat will not be allowed on the hunt grounds.

CONDUCT OF TESTS

All International Grand Hunt Tests will be conducted by the Hunting Retriever Club, Inc. International Grand Hunt Committee at selected host HRC Club locations.

JUDGES

The Judges will give an explanation of each test objective to each Handler. This may be done by gathering all Handlers and issuing instructions before the test commences, or by individually briefing each Handler before signaling ready, or by designating this duty to the Hunt Marshal or Grand Committee person. It is the responsibility of the Judges to be familiar with the Judges Guidelines and Grand Test Rules and to conform to these standards. The nature of the tests and placement of bird Boys and Gunners shall be at the sole discretion of the Judges. There will be two AA Licensed Finished Judges per test series. The Judge’s decision is final.

DESCRIPTION

The semiannual International Grand Hunts will be scheduled for five (5) days, but due to unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather, the tests may take longer to complete. The Grand Hunt Committee will make every effort to have the Hunt completed in (5) days. The Grand Hunt committee will have the power to vary the number of Judges, divide the entry field and run test series simultaneously, and schedule the sequencing of each series accordingly.

The International Grand Hunt will consist of five (5) series of tests. The five series of tests shall consist of the following: Two (2) land series tests consisting of multiple marked land retrieves (either or both of these land series must include an honor and a diversion retrieve). Both land series tests must also include a blind retrieve.

There shall also be two (2) water series tests consisting of multiple marked water retrieves (either or both of these water series must include an honor and a diversion retrieve). Both water series tests must also include a blind retrieve.

The fifth and final test shall consist of an upland game and quartering test series. Failure of the hunting retriever to pass any of the five series tests will prevent it from participating in any subsequent series test.

HUNTING TESTS

The International Grand Hunt tests must duplicate actual hunting conditions. Practical hunting distances must be used in all Grand Hunt Tests, as defined under Test Rule #1. Dead pheasants, pigeons, ducks or other game birds must be used for all hunting tests, expect for shot flyers and Upland Game Tests.

CALL BACKS AND JUDGES SHEETS REVIEWS

The Grand Hunt also differs from all other Hunting Retriever Club events in that there is a required cut after each test. With the large number of entries and the time constraints of the Grand, it is impossible to have the Judges open their Judges sheets and talk in depth with the handlers after each test. Therefore, the handlers of retrievers that do not pass may receive a brief review of their Judges sheets after each test. Members of the Grand Hunt Committee will conduct reviews.

The Grand Hunt Marshal or a Grand Hunt Committee Member will announce callbacks after each test.

Handlers choosing to review their Judges sheets will be able to immediately after the callbacks are announced.

Handlers choosing to review their Judges sheets are to inform the Grand Hunt Marshal who will prepare a list for the review according to the running order number in the program.

Handlers missing their scheduled Judges sheets review must wait until the conclusion of the Grand to review their Judges sheets.

Only the Handler may review the Judges sheets. Reviews are limited to (3) minutes and will be timed by the Grand Hunt Marshal.

Handlers are encouraged to consult with the Grand Hunt Committee if there is any doubt why the retriever failed. The possibility of error does exist due to the amount of data that must be transferred from the Judges sheets to the Judge’s score sheets and then to the Computer Program.

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. No Handler shall possess any training aid or equipment that could intimidate the hunting retriever in any manner. Training aids include, but are not limited to whip, prod, cane and quirt. On the Judges’ signal, the hunting retriever is to be released by the Handler, or perform as otherwise directed by the Judges. The Handler should bring the hunting retriever to and from the retrieving line, off lead. Handlers are expected to conduct themselves in a realistic hunting manner and should display true hunting form. It is highly encouraged that all Handlers take and pass a province or state certified hunter safety course.

SHOTGUNS, GUN SAFETY & HRC 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. More poppers may be provided and/or loaded at Judges 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, numerous decoys, duck blinds and calls will be used in these tests. The Grand 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 apparel that might interfere with a dog’s performance. No 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.Hunting RetrieverClub.org) will be followed at all HRC licensed events.

TEST RULES

I. The land maximum test distance will not exceed two hundred (200) yards, but may be shorter. The water maximum test distance will not exceed one hundred-fifty (150) yards, but may be shorter. The blind retrieve maximum test distance for both land and water shall not exceed one hundred-fifty (150) yards.

II. The Grand Hunting Retriever should demonstrate a prompt and precise response to all voice, whistle, and directional commands given by the Handler. In this hunt category, no unnecessary or excessive signals or commands should be needed to assist in the process of retrieving.

III. The Grand Hunting Retriever is required to be steady at the retrieving line. At the retrieving line, the hunting retriever may NOT be touched to steady. After signaling “ready”, the Handler will be able to quietly, and in a non-intimidating manner, continue to talk to the dog. Excessive verbal commands will be judged as lack of control and may be grounds for failure.

IV. The Grand Hunting Retriever will be failed for a “controlled break” and may be failed for excessive, consistent creeping. During hunting tests, the retriever may be placed a reasonable distance from the retrieving line.

V. Testing will consist of triple marks for both land and water. A quad or delayed quad is permissible in this hunt if it duplicates actual hunting conditions. At the Judges discretion, the order of retrieves will be required in an established sequence. The Handler cannot point out either the Bird Boys or Gunners location for the hunting retriever prior to the birds being thrown.

VI. During the marking tests, the retriever must be required to honor another hunting retriever at or near the retrieving line. When the hunting retriever is honoring, its view of the hunting test cannot be obstructed.

VII. During the test, a diversionary bird may be thrown as the hunting retriever is cast from or returns to the retrieving line. If the hunting retriever switches to the diversionary bird used on the return, it shall fail the test. If a diversionary bird is used during the initial cast from the retrieving line, retrieval of the diversionary bird first will not itself constitute a switch.

VIII. The hunting retriever can be cast from the retrieving line only once. If the hunting retriever is unproductive after one attempt, the Judges will instruct the Handler to pick up the hunting retriever and inform the Handler that the test is failed.

IX. Gunners and Bird Boys must be inconspicuous and blend in the local hunting environment. When Bird Boys and Gunners are hidden, an attention getting shot or shots may be fired, or a duck or goose call may be used before the birds are thrown. A shot must be fired at the bird when it is at the top of its arc.

X. Testing may duplicate a cripple retrieve.

XI. The Upland Game Test shall consist of a simulated walk-up hunt and a quartering test. A tracking test may be included, but it is not mandatory. Quartering is a mandatory task that must be completed in conjunction with this test. The hunting retriever must be steady to wing and shot. Honoring of another hunting retriever is required. During this test, the hunting retriever will be required to retrieve and locate game, as the Judges shall direct.

XII. Judges should courteously advise Handlers of desirable dress, if necessary.

XIII. Judges should advise the Handler, if necessary, that continuous failure to demonstrate true hunting form with the shotgun and safety can result in failure of the test or disqualification.

XIV. The Judge’s decision is final.

IMMEDIATE FAILURE

The hunting retriever shall immediately fail the test if a Bird Boy or Gunner is required to assist in any way. A bird unfit for the table resulting from hardmouth, shall be grounds for failing the test. A controlled break is ground for immediate failure. Unsafe handling of a firearm is grounds for immediate disqualification.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

See Championship Points for more information.