2023 HRC Rulebook and Correction Notice
May 30, 2023
Email: huntingops@ukcdogs.com
This notice was originally posted on December 15th. It was last updated on May 30, 2023.
HRC members have received a 2023 rulebook with their December/January issue.
After the rulebook was printed and mailed, the HRC rules committee was made aware of necessary corrections to the printed version. This notice explaining the corrections is to be considered an official notice and must be used in conjunction with the printed rulebook.
Page 14 - Gun Safety and Firearms Policy Section
The following text does not appear in the print version and will be added to the digital version:
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 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 the judges discretion if they are required by the logistics of the test. However, gun safety must be a priority consideration at all times.
Page 20 - Seasoned. Section: A. #3.
A change was made in the digital version: "Started" was corrected to "Seasoned" in this sentence.
Page 21 - Finished
Wording of the third line changed to "A licensed Seasoned Judge..."
Page 25 Guidelines for Judges
#1 - Changed to: "A regular hunt test must have a minimum of two judges or a maximum of three per flight, per category."
Page 30 - Eligibility section
In the printed version, there are 2 Eligibility paragraphs here. Only the second paragaph should appear. In the digital version, the first paragraph in this section has been removed.
"A purebred dog............not be allowed on the hunt grounds."
Page 30 - Eligibility section
Dogs may participate in any category without being UKC registered. Non-UKC registered dogs participating in any category have sixty (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 dogs record if not registered within sixty (60) days.
Page 31 - Started Hunt Test section
The following section does not appear in the printed version and has been added to the digital version:
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 heat will not be allowed on the hunt grounds.
Page 31 - Seasoned Hunt Test section
The following section does not appear in the printed version and has been added to the digital version:
ELIGIBILITY
Any purebred dog of an eligible breed of any age or sex may participate. This is the next step for hunting retrievers that have earned the maximum championship points in the Started hunt test category. It is not necessary to have earned championship points in the Started hunt test category before participating in the Seasoned hunt test category. Hunting retrievers with championship points earned in the Finished hunt test category may not be entered for points in the Seasoned hunt test category. No hunting retriever may participate in two different hunt tests per licensed hunt. Bitches in heat will not be allowed on the hunt grounds.
Page 31/32 - Finished Hunt Test section
The following section does not appear in the printed version and has been added to the digital version:
ELIGIBILITY
A purebred dog of an eligible breed of any age or sex may participate. This is the next step for hunting retrievers that have earned maximum championship points in the Started and/or Seasoned hunt categories. It is not necessary to have earned championship points in any other hunt test category prior to participating in the Finished hunt test category. Bitches in heat will not be allowed on the hunt grounds.
Correction Notice to Page 64
On the bottom of page 64, Section V, the line that reads: "A dry shot popper shall be fired by the handler in the direction of the blind while the dog is at heel immediately prior to the dog's running the blind retrieve. The intent is to encourage the dog to run the blind," was in included error.
The line should have been omitted from print. This Running Rule change was approved by the BOD in 2022 for the 2023 official rulebook. Participants must disregard the above section in the printed version. The digital version of the rulebook shows all pages correctly.
We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
For the most current version of the rulebook, please always reference the PDF document, available 24/7 on the UKC website.
Guided by the belief that dogs make a difference by being the best partner a human can have in the field, on the job, or in a competition event, UKC is a community for people and dogs to pursue excellence together. Founded in 1898, UKC has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of Dogs That Do More, and their owners, by providing essential resources to help owners and breeders make informed decisions. The dog-human bond is celebrated through family-friendly programs highlighting the instincts and heritage of purebred and mixed-breed dogs alike at over 18,000 licensed events annually.