Hunt Test/Bird dog Questions

My mom and I went to a hunt test this afternoon just to
watch. I learned that I know nothing about REAL bird dogs or hunting at all . It
was really neat to see these dogs work today! The club hosting the event (under
UKC sanction) was the Great Lakes Hunting Retriever Club. Is anyone on here a
member of this? Heard of it?


I understand that hunt tests are different than field trials,
but what exactly makes them different?


If anyone would like to add any info about bird hunting, I’d
be interested in hearing it. I’ve never really followed the bird dog world
because I can’t shoot a gun, but in looking at the dog training involved, I
think this would be a fun thing. (Not for Connor….he’s a ball dog, not a bird
dog!! )

I would be more than happy to take you out bird hunting with me. However, it would mean a long drive to GR. What is it a whole hour?

Yeah it takes around an hour or so to get over/up there. If you're serious, then I'll soooo take you up on that offer! I'd love to see how a dog really works in the field.....with commentary .

Any day you would like to go except Sunday morning, Tuesday and Thursday. You have until the end of April so let me know. Also, I have a gun you should be able to shoot pretty well so I will bring it along.

We are getting into this too. We went to a hunt test to talk to people about lab breeders last fall and we were hooked. We took Teddi to a Golden WC test just to hang out and to see how she would react to guns.We are going to our first training day in a couple weeks.

We were given dead birds to bring home from the WC test. We were floored how birdy Belle is. Teddi was not comfortable picking up "feathers", but man can she mark. Since getting Quinn who does it all, Teddi would not be shown up, she now picks up feathers.

We can't wait for the training day. It will be at Omega Farms near Lansing. It is hosted my Marshbanks Golden Retriever club of which we are joining. I also got a notice of an HRC of MI traning day, another club we joined. I have benn away and can't open the flyer on my phone. Hope we can go.

Ann

I ran two of my curlies at that test all weekend, nice weather, great grounds, great club. It was an upland test put on by HRC(UKC). They host both upland and waterfowl type retriever tests.
http://www.hrc-ukc.com/
The biggest difference between hunt tests and field trials is that HTs are passing a predetermined standard, theoretically all dogs could walk away with ribbons whereas FTs are competitive, the tasks become more complex and difficult to provide 4-6 placements. With HTs, you pass the test enough times to get a title, FTs, you beat enough dogs and get placements to get the titles.
You do not need to shoot to be behind a birddog, if you have a well trained bird finder, getting someone to shoot behind them is usually not a problem.
Good luck,
Sarah

Were you the only one there with Curlies? I watched one CCR work briefly (I was sitting by the fire). Maybe that was you? Anyway, yes, it was a really fun event and it definitely opened my eyes!

I was the only one that had curlies entered. There was one other curly there watching on Sunday for a brief time. My boys had a good weekend, they passed 7 out of 8 times, very good for the limited amount of training we put in to this test, but they pulled it off.

I run my springers in both hunting tests and field trials. It is so much fun to watch the dogs do what they were bred to do. In hunt tests the dogs compete against s standard, in field trisl they compete against each other. Also, in flushing spaniel hunt tests the dogs are run singly, but in field trials they are run in a brace (i.e., two dogs run the field at the same time and must honor each other's flush/retrieve). Also, in hunt tests there are three levels -- Junior, Senior and Master. In field trials you earn the title of Field Champion or Amateur Field Champion.

Hey Annie, just wanted to let you know there's a UKC TAN (natural ability test) May 8th, which is for pointing dogs if you're interested in that at all. I should be running Ozzy in it if I get my entry in on time : )

Here's a link to the info:
http://www.ukcdogs.com/Upcoming.nsf/ByMonth/CD32D6666124A9BC8525760A0056B466?OpenDocument

Yeah I'll definitely plan on being there to watch! Do I have to wear orange?

I don't know?? I'l probably wear pink But I'll ask someone here at UKC what is TAN appropriate wear LOL!

Haha okay because my mom and I showed up to the upland event with normal clothes and we had to borrow vests so that we could get close enough to the field to watch! lol

Those are rules for a Type L....I asked Kellam here at UKC and he said you don't have to wear orange in TAN. I double checked the TAN rules and it doesn't say anything about what you have to wear.

No offense meant by this but I personally would NEVER run in a trial Liberated birds or not TAN or full out upland with out wearing Orange. One of our best friends who owns and runs a preserve just got shot the other day by hunters on HIS preserve. He has pellets inbeded in his jawbone, shoulder and hands and will need surgeries to get them out. ANYTIME guns are involved when hunting upland you should wear orange. I am honestly very disappointing that UKC wouldn't make that a requirement.

I agree! I have been hit a few time already this year by a few pellets while guiding! Miraculously my dogs have not been hit yet. Hopefully they will stay safe during the pheasants forever youth hunt this weekend! It is very surprising that you would not be required to wear orange. If you don't wear orange may I suggest Hot Pink or safety vest green.

Well with the TAN they are shooting BLANKS, usually with a cap gun, so I think I'll be ok. I'm pretty sure that's why there are no requirements as to orange gear.

I understand the reasoning behind it Sara. I just feel that if an organization is going to promote hunting trials and testing of hunting dogs they also should promote the proper attire for a person who would take that dog out hunting. Once again just my opinion. Blanks or not I just personally feel it is a better example for the organization to set to have everyone where orange. Either way I hope you guys have a blast! :-)

I 100% agree with Beth, handlers should wear orange at an upland event out of safety and professionalism in all venues. If you are going to watch upland training or a test for the first time, you should always bring some orange to wear just in case.

Hi everyone,
Saw your conversation about the upcoming TAN (hosted by UHWVA) and I wanted to make sure those attending know that Colonial Farms REQUIRES anyone on the field (judge, handlers and spectators??) to wear orange. We will have some items available to borrow if you do not own any.

Hope to see you there~
Lisa
UHWVA Secretary

Lisa-
My concern wasn't with your club and how it was hosting but just the general rules overall. Thank you for choosing a location that does require the orange though. We do not have any dogs ready to run in TAN this year but hopefully next year we can join you guys! Have a great time!

Beth,
I understand what your concerns are and agree that the UKC should make the rule apply to all field events. I just wanted to be sure people that are planning on attending as spectators only (those entered will get an email with the rules) knew this info also.

Beth and all, having been a hunter my entire life, I agree with your position but only in part. First UKC events do not us live fire shells.
All shells that are loaded for both the upland trial and the regaular retriever trials are BLANKS. In general the gun is handled by one person, and that person is simply simualting a shot for the dog, essentially using a popper or a blank. Second in waterfowl hunting one does not usually wear hunter orange, and similarly in the retriever trials you are NOT to wear orange, rather full camoflauge is the attire required.

If there were live fire required as there is at the RGS trials, then orange is and should be required, but when no live fire is intended or expected, then hunter orange may be unnecessary.

Agree that hunter orange or as some call it safety orange is a necessity for live fire, but when only blanks are fired and no actual shooting is going on, then the necessity of having everyone dressed up like traffic cones decreases dramatically.

SKY Sr. wrote:If there were live fire required as there is at the RGS trials, then orange is and should be required, but when no live fire is intended or expected, then hunter orange may be unnecessary.

This was more of a question of promoting proper attire as if you were in the field hunting, plus, even with "blanks" or poppers, one still shouldn't be pointing it in the direction that someone is standing.