This is Part II of our earlier post The AKC Senior Hunt Test For Retrievers–Part I.  This post covers Scoring, UKC Seasoned Hunt Tests and Costs.

Scoring

Overall scoring for any AKC Hunt Test is pass fail, but the judges are actually scoring certain requirements.  I won’t get into the details, but this is from the AKC Hunt Test Rule Book:

The Judges shall score the dogs on (a) their natural abilities, including their Marking (memory), Style, Perseverance/courage/hunting and (b) to relatively greater degrees in Senior and Master Hunting Tests, their Trainability as evidenced in steadiness, control, response and delivery.

Certain things can earn you a lower score or a score of zero on the required elements.  Examples are:

• Creeping or breaking at the line (one controlled break is OK, uncontrolled or more than one will be scored a zero)
• Failing to deliver the bird to hand (would score a zero)
• Having to send the dog to retrieve more than once (sometimes it is allowed in the case of confusion as specified in the Rule Book)
• Too much hunting for a mark
• “Switching” to an old fall or for a diversion bird or going back to where a blind was planted (would be scored a zero)
• You can handle to a mark (but too much would draw a low score or maybe even a zero)
• Leaving a mark without retrieving it (scored a zero)
• Stopping the hunt (scored a zero)
• Returns to the handler without the bird (scored a zero)
• Failing to honor the work of another dog
• Failing to give up the bird (scored a zero)
• Chewing up the bird (scored a zero)
• Excessive noise at the line or while retrieving (scored a zero)
• Failure to enter water, go through mud, or grass, etc. (scored a zero)
• Failure to take casts while handling

If both judges give a zero on something then it is no longer possible for the dog to receive a qualifying score.  If a dog receives a zero on any item during the morning series then it is not called back for the afternoon series and the test is over for that day.

UKC (United Kennel Club)/HRC (Hunting Retriever Club) Seasoned Test 

The Seasoned Hunt Test is similar to the Senior Hunt Test.  From the UKC site:

It duplicates actual hunting conditions throughout the local area. Judges will look for style and natural ability and evidence that the Seasoned Hunting Retriever exhibits a reasonable degree of control.

The basic elements are similar to the AKC Senior Hunt Test.  There is a land and a water double, land and water blind, walk up and diversion.  The distances however, are shorter than in the AKC Senior Hunt Test.  From the UKC Rules:

I.   The maximum land test distance will not exceed one hundred (100) yards, but may be shorter. The maximum water test distance will not exceed seventy-five (75) yards, but may be shorter. The land blind retrieve maximum test distance will not exceed sixty (60) yards, but may be shorter. The water blind retrieve maximum test distance will not exceed sixty (60) yards, but may be shorter.

 

Some of the differences from the AKC Senior Hunt Test are as follows:

• Dogs are brought to the line on lead
• Handlers must wear camouflage
• Handlers must aim and shoot a popper gun (Senior Test this is usually done in the field, handlers just point an unloaded or wooden gun)
• They do not use any shot flyers
• Around here they use ducks, but I have talked to people who have run tests in other parts of the country where they used pigeons (ducks, pigeons and pheasants are allowed)
• The rules allow 2 casts from the line before the dog is given a failing score
• For the blind retrieves, the handler is to fire a popper gun in the direction of where the blind has been planted (this is not done in a Senior Test)
• Many times the test is set up to require the handler to send the dog while seated on a bucket or in a boat
• The Seasoned Test stresses the natural hunting ability of the dog, so there is more leeway for hunting marks and handles to blinds
• Obedience is really stressed, so line manners and steadiness are a must
• The method to earn a title is different from the AKC because the UKC awards points for passes and the title is earned after the requisite points are earned  (I will admit to not quite understanding the whole thing, but I believe the 2 brown dawgs will each need to pass the Seasoned test three times to earn their titles since they have each earned their Started Titles)

It is possible to be failed immediately during a Seasoned Test.  From the Rule Book: 

IMMEDIATE FAILURE

The Seasoned 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 uses a gun in an unsafe manner.

The benefit to finishing a test even when it is not possible to earn a qualifying score is that it offers an opportunity to discover areas which need more training.  However, there are times when the handler may not want to continue a test.  For example, if the dog eats the bird, most handlers would probably pick up their dog.

Costs

As a general rule the entry fee for a Senior Hunt Test is $65 and a Seasoned Hunt Test is $50-55.  Many tests are run on private land so there is the cost to lease the land.  Some tests are run on state game areas and that requires the cost of the permit.  There are also the costs of birds, poppers, insurance, workers (if paid), judges (nominal fee), refreshments for judges and workers and for the lucky ones who pass, the cost of a ribbon.  Putting on a test takes a lot of planning and effort for the Clubs who host them.  The 2 brown dawgs are grateful for all of their efforts, because without them there would be no tests to run.

Related Articles

• The AKC Senior Hunt Test for Retrievers – Part 1 (2browndawgs.com)