We had a great weekend - despite the heat and wind near Boone, CO at an HRC hunt test. Arwen passed a tough Finished test, Tory passed his third Seasoned test, and Jazzy got to run two Started tests and passed both!
Finished test
The Finished test started with a wide-open triple retrieve and a diversion as the dog returned with the last bird. Although it was called a dove hunt, we rarely use any birds except ducks because they hold up better. I've seen pigeons or chukar used on rare occasions, but only for the land retrieves.
After the triple we did a blind retrieve with lots of suction to the nearby dike and to the old falls.
Arwen did fabulously in this series! And I, crack shot that I am, knocked down every bird I shot at.*
Finished, Part two
When all the dogs completed the "dove hunt" land series we moved to the water series with ducks. This series was a mind-bender trying to remember which bird is shot at by which handler and which dog got to retrieve.
It started off with a buddy on the honor bucket as Arwen and I walked down the muddy path. On the way, a duck came sailing in from the left. Both handlers shot at it, but remembering not to shoot in the direction of the other handler! The honor dog picked up that bird while the working dog (Arwen) had to watch.
Once we got settled on a bucket, a duck came in over our right shoulder. Followed quickly by another duck that came in from the left. Both handlers shot at the birds. Arwen picked up the left bird after a long swim, then rooted the right bird out of the reeds.
Somehow with all that "shooting" we put down another bird way off to the left. This set up a blind retrieve. The line to the bird was just off the beach with suction to the shore and to the old fall. With a couple whistles to keep a tight line, Arwen picked up that bird.
Time for a new "hunting buddy." As he came down the path with his dog, we moved to the honor bucket, but this dog was amped! When he came into sight Arwen must have figured she'd need a head start to beat him to HER birds. She took a few steps toward the water during the double, but luckily decided not to go any further. Good dog!
Thanks to judges Erik Brekke and Tim Boies for a fun test!
Seasoned test
Seasoned is a pretty big step up from Started. There are five tests: a walk-up, double land mark, land blind, double water mark, and a water blind. There's also a diversion bird.
Tory did well on the water blind, but needed a handle on the water memory bird (as did most dogs). The walk-up was along the tree line, followed by a double mark with a diversion bird. Then a walk back to the first side of the trees for the land blind. Tory did great on all of it.
The hardest part was the long wait to get through the five tests for all of the dogs.
Thanks to judges Faron Eddy and Bob Moreschini!
Started test
The Started test began on the very muddy shore of a large pond. My friend was one of the first handlers to run the test and it was her first test. She did great, except for not letting go of her dog's collar in time.
Boots stuck in the mud and her dog leaping forward led to a full body splat in the mud. After cleaning up, she went to try again only to be told by a judge that her dog failed. As a judge myself, I disagree with that judge's decision. Started often has beginning level dogs and inexperienced handlers. For the sport to survive, we need to encourage new people. I applaud my friend's courage to try again and to continue running her dog to complete his Started title.
My dog, Jazzy, did great on the water marks, although I teetered a bit in the mud. She also did great on the land marks, but was a little sticky on one bird. However I wasn't too concerned as it was the first time she'd retrieved a pigeon. Before this test she had only retrieved bumpers and ducks.
*Note: We don't use live ammunition in HRC hunt tests. There is an exception for Upland tests which uses live birds. Even in that case only designated shooters have live ammo. Handlers have blanks, but must treat all guns as if they're loaded.
Conclusion
If you haven't been to an HRC hunt test and would like to learn more, check out the Hunting Retriever Club's website. There is also information about local clubs. Check if there's a club near you and see if you can join them on a training day.
Another option is to search for hunt test videos on YouTube. There are quite a few to choose from, plus more videos about AKC hunt tests.
Originally published May 25, 2010.
