Can A Hunt Director Serve On a Panel? Other Beagle News
Full Circle
September 15, 2016
Source: Allen Gingerich
#1 Unwritten Rule
Q: What is the number one unwritten rule in the UKC rulebook?
A: Whether it’s Hunting Beagle, Performance Pack, Large Pack, Small Pack, Fast Track, Split Track, or Hackie Sack, if it’s a competition the number one unwritten rule is READ THE RULEBOOK! You might be surprised what you might learn.
We find that a lot of times hunters get their education on rules via clubhouse chatter or their hunting buddies. That’s all good and dandy provided the information is accurate. Unfortunately, sometimes it is not. For whatever reason, a lot of hunters do not take the time to read the rulebook. In the field when a rule debate comes up, how many times do you see the judge turn the scorecard over and read the specific rule that applies to the situation at hand? Probably not many. The matter typically goes to a quick vote, followed by someone placing a question mark on the card to take back to the Master of Hounds.
Personally, I keep several different rulebooks in my briefcase to read through periodically during spare time when traveling. You might be surprised, even after twelve years of being directly associated with rules, how many times that I’ll read things I may have forgotten about.
Partial Circles and Calling Holes When Track Blows Up
Situation. I have been to many UKC Hunting Beagle events and know the rules very well. I was on a cast a couple of weeks ago with three other handlers. The other three individuals on the cast were continually scoring rabbits on tracks that the dogs did not completely circle. Also, every time a track blew up, they said the rabbit was in a hole without even looking for a hole. I didn’t say anything because I was already out of the hunt anyway. I just thought you might want to know the names of these people.
Response. I heard a good quote one time, it went something like this, “If you go along with someone lying or cheating, you are lying and cheating yourself.” The whole Hunting Beagle system is run by a set of rules called the “Honor Rules”. The whole system depends on the honesty of the people participating in the hunts. It depends on all of the people! Everyone knows that there are people out there who are not honest. It takes the honest people to keep the hunts honest. If you go along with something dishonest for any reason, you are being dishonest too.
Barking at or Baying at Off Game Meets Requirement of “Running”
Q: I was on a cast and we heard a dog “baying” at something in the woods. The cast proceeded down to the woods to see what the dog was baying at. When we got there, the dog was baying at a raccoon. The raccoon was just sitting there like it was sick and would not run and would not climb a tree. The judge of the cast scratched the dog for running off game. The owner of the dog questioned the call because he said the dog did not “run” the raccoon, as it just stood still. What should have been done?
A: Scratch the dog. Questioning that call is either being unreasonable or over-thinking the rule. If a dog barks on any animal other than a rabbit, they are scratched. If they are barking at it, they are considered, by UKC’s position, running it.
Cast Winner Failed to Sign the Scorecard
Q: There are two Hunting Beagle Champion casts. Both of the casts had a plus point cast winner. The owner of the dog that had high score in the winning cast forgot to sign the scorecard, and the dog was scratched. Should the plus point cast winner from other cast get the win in this hunt?
A: Not necessarily. If the cast winner is scratched for any reason, it does not necessarily mean that the rest of the cast is scratched. In this situation, the cast winner must be scratched for not signing the scorecard. That makes the second place dog in the cast the cast winner, assuming that they signed the scorecard. Their score is what should be considered for placement in the event. If that score is higher than the other cast’s, then they would be the winner.
Can A Hunt Director Serve On a Panel?
Q: With the option for clubs to utilize a Hunt Director instead of the traditional Master of Hounds, may the Hunt Director sit on a panel if a question comes in?
A: Yes, as long as the HD meets the requirements provided for Panel Responsibilities under MOH/HD Guidelines in your rulebook. Those requirements are that the three individuals selected to sit on a panel:
1) Must be current on all running rules and policies;
2) Must be knowledgeable, honest and impartial;
3) Must remain totally objective in concerns to cast members and dogs on the cast in question; and
4) Does not have a dog in contention to place in the event.
Master of Hounds and Bench Show Apprenticeship Information
Master of Hounds Apprenticeship - The following pertains to an individual serving as an apprentice at a UKC Licensed Beagle Hunt.
• The rules for an apprentice are the same as they apply to the Master of Hounds.
• The apprentice must remain at the club headquarters at all times.
• A dog owned by the apprentice may not be entered in the hunt.
• Any decision made regarding questions that come back is made by the Master of Hounds and not the apprentice.
• Even though the individual passed their Master of Hounds Test, they are subjected to the approval of the three licensed officials whom they served their apprenticeship under.
Bench Show Judge Apprentice. The following pertains to an individual serving as an apprentice at a UKC Licensed Bench Show.
• Their dogs may not be entered in the show. Their dogs may not be entered by a handler.
• A dog owned or handled by their immediate family may not be entered. A dog they house, regardless of ownership, may not be entered. Immediate family is defined as: husband, wife, father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter. Reference of this definition can be found in the section of the rulebook under Responsibilities of the Bench Show Judge.
• While the apprentice should be involved in a hands-on manner, they shall not be called upon to make any final decisions when it comes to selecting the winner of any class. The licensed judge does that.
• Even though the individual passed their bench show judges test, they are subjected to the approval of the three licensed judges whom they served their apprenticeship under.
Apprenticeship Forms. At the conclusion of the event, the apprentice fills out their portion of the apprenticeship form (name, address, etc.), and hands it to the licensed judge. The licensed judge fills out their portion, including comments, concerns, and approval or not. The event official is responsible for mailing the form to UKC. The official should not give the completed form back to the apprentice. This policy allows the licensed official to report an honest evaluation of the apprentice that is kept confidential. In other words, it’s a private matter between the official and the UKC to assure the individual is qualified before issuing a license.