280 Total Minus & Dogs go Into a Check; Other Beagle News

Full Circle

September 12, 2017

Source: Allen Gingerich

280 Total Minus and Dogs go Into a Check

Q: During the hunt, Dog A has accumulated 280 total minus points. All dogs are struck in on a track that eventually goes into a check. All dogs are awarded 20 minus points. Is Dog A scratched (minused out) at the point when all dogs went into the check, or is he given the opportunity to recover the check and gain that 20 points back?

A: Lets be clear with the fact that a dog that earns a recovery never gets his 20 check-minus-points back. Secondly, Dog A should not technically be scratched at the very moment they went into a check, although it may or may not end up being the case. Let me explain.

Whenever dogs go into a check and are minused 20 points, those minus points are recorded on the scorecard but are considered pending until it is determined what happened with this track. It could be a couple things. It could be a temporary loss, or it might be a track that ended in a hole or a place of refuge. The point is, you need to hold off on making the call to scratch Dog A until you have figured out what happened with this track.

If the track is not recovered in the allotted time to do so, and the track was simply lost it is considered a dead track. That 20 minus (check minus) is replaced with 50 minus for all dogs. That 20 minus should stay on the scorecard but have a line drawn through them. Technically, its a score that is deleted and replaced but should be recorded on the scorecard to show the chain of events. At the point when the track was considered dead is when Dog A is officially scratched from the cast.

If the track is recovered by one of the dogs, then that dog is awarded 20 plus recovery points. Those 20 minus points are not replaced or deleted for the dog that earned the recovery. They became live, so to speak, at the time when the recovery was awarded and are officially scored as minus points for each dog. The dog awarded the recovery would have earned 20 plus points as part of his total score. Dog A would also be scratched at the point when the recovery was awarded.

Its noteworthy to mention a couple more items as it relates to a track being recovered in this situation. Although Dog A has reached the 300 minus points when the check occurred, he would in fact remain eligible for a recovery. And if he does get the recovery, you would award those 20 plus points. Again, record those recovery points on the scorecard to show the chain of events. Secondly, simply because Dog A was officially scratched the moment he was awarded the recovery does not justify giving the recovery to the next dog who harked in behind him. That second dog wasnt the one who earned it so why should he be rewarded for it? Logic doesnt subscribe to that notion. Dog A is now scratched so should you call time and handle him? No, dont call time out. For one, timeout rules dont allow for this situation as a reason to be able to call time out for. Of course, the handler should try to handle the dog as soon as possible but leave him down in consideration of an opportunity when it is the least disruptive to the rest of the cast.

Regardless, the only time those check-minus-points would go away, for any dog, is if it was later determined that the loss (check) was the result of the track having ended in a hole or a place of refuge. In that case those 20 minus points are deleted for all dogs and Dog A would not be scratched. In this case, Dog A would still be in the hunt with his 280-total minus on the card. And this is the sole reason you would hold off on scratching Dog A, at the time when the check was declared.

The following bullet point information is a portion taken of a rules seminar several years ago, that may be used as quick references and reminders for various hunt related items.

UKC Upcoming Events Listings

Listed in American Beagler and on the UKC website.
Q: Which listing is the final authority if event ads or UCE listings do not match?
A: The UCE listing on the UKC website is the final authority and what clubs must go by in the event of inconsistencies.

Hunt Directors
Individuals MUST be knowledgeable and capable of conducting all event procedures (taking entries, draw casts, check scores, award placements, and complete Event Report).
Must stay at clubhouse.
Their dog may be entered and handled by an individual other than the HD.
If qualified, HD may sit on panel.
HD may be used at WQE.

Conditional Entry - $5 Fee
Participants who do not have their Easy Entry Card or Registration Certificate may enter dog as Conditional.
Participant is NOT required to have any copies or proof of registration. They simply give the most accurate information (dog and owner) they can. Dont guess the UKC number.
Conditional Fee to be included with event recording fees.
Entries pending Single Registration are not required to enter as Conditional.

UKC Cell Phone Policy
May be used for time-keeping purposes during the hunt.
Individuals found guilty of any electronic messaging prior to the conclusion of the event with reference to scores, and/or that is deemed to have influenced any cast or handler, are subject to suspension.

Definition of Honor
3 Respect or regard that is given to someone or something.
3 To do what is required by someone or something. To live up to or fulfill the terms.
3 Synonyms: Integrity, honesty, decency, principle.
3 Antonyms: Disregard, disgrace, crookedness, etc.

Selecting Judges
Club officers and the Event Official shall work together in selecting qualified individuals to serve as judges. The judge must have a good understanding of the Official UKC Hunting Beagle Honor Rules and be capable of applying them accordingly. He/She must be trustworthy and know the proper procedures that are to be followed if a question arises. They should also be willing to judge the cast for the duration of the hunt.

Full Circle, continued
What Makes a Good Judge
Knowledge and a good understanding of the rules.
Unbiased. Consistent. Composed. Approachable.
Maintains control of the cast. Doesnt allow handlers to run the cast.
Makes the tough calls without seeking out opinions of cast members.
Refers to rules on scorecard to resolve any rule application debate. If a question arises, makes sure procedures are followed to resolve it. Is not offended when the end result includes a question being noted on the scorecard. Doesnt allow argumentative debates.
Recognizes any handler new to the sport and offers any rule clarifications they may have or need.
Sets the standard for judging a cast without bias towards any dog or handler.
Returns a scorecard that is filled out properly and completely.

Carrying the Bark
Q: Rules call for a dog to be declared struck on or before the third bark, after the first three minutes of the hunt. When it comes to dogs who have opened but are not yet declared struck; at what point are dogs no longer accountable for any previous barks made?
A 1: Whenever time out is called and all dogs are ordered to be leashed simultaneously.
A 2: Whenever a dog(s) is verbally called, as instructed by the judge, to a different area.