RULES & GUIDELINES STARTED HUNT TESTS
(*Revised January 1, 2009)

PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY

This hunt test is for Started Hunting Retrievers and Handlers. It duplicates actual hunting conditions throughout the local area. Judges will look for natural ability rather than trained performance. The Started Hunt Test is for young or inexperienced hunting retrievers. The Started Hunting Retriever might not have had the experience of a season of hunting or limited exposure to hunting and/or training. A Started Hunting Retriever should be able to do a simple dove or waterfowl hunt and retrieve game from land and water.

ELIGIBILITY

*A purebred dog of an eligible breed of any age or sex may participate. Any hunting retriever with Championship points in either the Seasoned or Finished categories is not eligible for competition in this category for points. Hunting Retrievers may continue to participate in the Started category even though they have earned all Championship points available towards the UKC Started Hunting Retriever (SHR) title and/or the UKC Hunting Retriever (HR) Championship titles. No hunting retriever may participate in two different hunt categories per licensed hunt. Bitches in heatwill not be allowed on the hunt grounds.

Dogs may participate in this category without being UKC registered. Non-UKC registered dogs participating in the Started 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 Started Hunt will have four tests. Two tests shall be marked water retrieves. Two tests will be marked land retrieves. The Started Hunting Retriever can participate in all four tests regardless of whether or not it passes each test.

HUNTING TESTS

The hunting test must duplicate actual hunting conditions. Practical hunting distances must be used in all Started Hunting Retriever tests. Dead pheasants, pigeons, ducks or other game birds must be used for all hunting tests to gain Championship points. Shot flyers shall not be used in the Started class.

JUDGES

Judges will provide an explanation of each hunting test objective 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 Started Hunt Test Rules and Judge’s Guidelines. Gunners and Bird Boys shall be placed at the Judge’s discretion. There will 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 can 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 Judge’s signal, the hunting retriever is to be released by the Handler, or as otherwise directed by the Judge. The Handler must keep the hunting retriever on lead to and from the retrieving line. A hunting retriever that breaks away and runs into the working area of another hunting retriever may result in disqualification. Handlers are expected to conduct themselves in a manner such that they do not disturb game or the hunt. It is recommended 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 an 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 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 Started Hunting Retriever will be allowed to have a collar, leash or line around its neck to assist in steadiness at the retrieving line.

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 clothing 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.HuntingRetrieverClub.org) will be followed at all HRC licensed events.

TEST RULES

I. The maximum land test distance will not exceed seventy-five (75) yards, but may be less. The maximum water test distance will not exceed sixty (60) yards, but may be less.

II. Hand signals, voice or whistle commands may be utilized by the Handler to encourage the Started Hunting Retriever to perform.

III. The hunting retriever is not required to be steady at the retrieving line. The hunting retriever may be hand held at the retrieving line. If the hunting retriever is hand held, the Handler will not handle the shotgun. The Handler may request the gunner to move a distance away to avoid scaring an inexperienced dog.

IV. The bird must be delivered to the immediate area of the Handler. It is not necessary to deliver to hand. The Judges should define ‘immediate area’ of each specific Test.

V. Testing will consist of only single marks for both land and water.

VI. No double marks, triple marks, or blind retrieves are to be used in the Started Hunt Test.

VII. Only one bird is allowed per mark.

VIII. The hunting retriever can be cast from the retrieving line a maximum of two (2) times. If the hunting retriever is unproductive after a second attempt, the Judge will instruct the Handler to pick up the hunting retriever and that the test is failed. IX. 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 must be used before the birds are thrown. A shot must be fired when the bird is at the top of its arc.

X. The dog must have a clear view of the fall.

XI. On consecutive singles from the same Retrieving line, the line to the falls should not be less than 90 degrees.

XII. Dead birds will be used. It is recommended that game be used that is consistent with the hunting situation in the local area. Shot flyers shall not be used in the Started class.

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

XIV. Judges should advise the Handlers that continuous failure to demonstrate true hunting form and safety with the shotgun 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 grounds 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.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

See Champion Points for more information.

GUIDELINES - JUDGING STARTED HUNT TESTS

This is a test designed to assess the ability of the dog to follow the flight of the shot bird to the area of the fall, and its ability to go directly to the area of the fall, retrieve the bird and return it to the Handler.

The area of the fall shall be left to the Judges discretion in their consideration of the test and cover, based on the terrain and type of game hunted, but the following should be considered:

1. Is there a clear field of vision for the dog to see the mark?

2. Was the dog attentive at the line?

3. Does the dog react to the attention-getting devices?

4. Did the dog proceed directly to the area of the fall?

5. Did the dog hunt the area of the fall?

I. Hand signals, voice and whistle commands may be utilized by the Handler to encourage the Started Hunting Retriever to perform; however, should excessive handling or noise occur, which in the opinion of the Judges would disturb the hunt, then at the Judges discretion, they may declare failure of the test. The dog is being tested for its marking ability, not handling. However, a clean handle is preferable to an extended hunt.

II. A dog is not required to be steady at the Retrieving line; however, it may have a collar, leash or line around its neck or may be hand-held to assist in achieving steadiness. If the Started Handler opts to shoot the shotgun, the dog may not be restrained. A controlled break shall not fail a dog, but shall be marked down. The Judges should evaluate the dog’s temperament as displayed in its spontaneous behavior in order to assess its suitability as a hunting companion. Hyperactivity, wildness, jumping about, barking, excessive disobedience, lethargy or lack of interest are undesirable.

III. The bird must be delivered to the immediate area of the Handler. Delivery to hand is desirable. Consistent failure to deliver or consistent reluctance to deliver can result in failure.

IV. If a Started dog is unproductive after a second attempt, the Judge will instruct the Handler to pick up their dog and that the test is failed.. At this point, the Judges may recommend that the dog be assisted in completing the retrieve with the help of the Bird Boys or Gunners.

V. Gunners and Bird Boys should be inconspicuous in keeping with the hunting situation. At the discretion of the Judges, not more than once in each event the Gunners may be visible in order to simulate specific hunting situations, such as dove hunting. It is the intent of these regulations to provide the dog with adequate opportunity to focus its attention on the area of the fall.