Club Officer Updates and Event Confirmations; Other Beagle News

Full Circle

September 11, 2018

Source: Roy Swafford

TOPIC: Defining a Check Area

Q. On a recent cast I was on, this situation happened. We called a line on a rabbit that had entered a roadway where we were standing. The rabbit then turned, ran straight away for approximately 30 yards, and turned into the weeds. Tracking was tough, and when the dogs came out, all dogs missed the line. A couple dogs worked down the lane and opened a couple times, but never progressed the track.

The judge started the progression clock. Before the three minutes expired, a dog opened away from the area where we had seen the rabbit. When the progression time expired, the judge went and looked for a hole where the last dog had opened, that was not near where they had broken down on the roadway. A hole was found. I questioned the judge on how that was right, and was told a check area is not defined, and that you look in the area of the last bark. Was this the right call?

A. No. The cast had a marked line and watched the path of the rabbit for approximately 30 yards. You mention that the dogs came out and a decision was made to not score them because they all missed the line. The dogs then attempted to advance the track, but couldnt, so the progression clock was started.

At this point, the judge was doing everything perfectly. Then a dog came back by the cast and opened in an area clearly away from where the cast visually saw the track break down. Time expires, and the bark away from the check area where the dogs were attempting to advance the track is used as the area to go look for a hole? Why? Simply because a check area isnt defined.

The dogs deserved minus in this situation and a non-defined check area is a moot point. We all know this. Circling points is not even an option due to the majority seeing the rabbit they were running. Any judge or cast member who watches what I just described, and uses that one bark as an end of that track, should not be judging. No rule trumps what you visually see. Its not even an original-rabbit question when you have a missed line and failed progression on a track you have visually watched the rabbit advance up the path.

You are correct in that a check area is not technically defined, but keep in mind that common sense is not defined in the rules either. If you wouldnt have seen what had happened maybe, and thats a big maybe, but really, cmon. This would also be the cast where you might hear the often-used adage it doesnt matter we all get the same! Yes, it does matter. Youre flat out cheating other casts who are scoring this situation correctly and even worse yourself. Everyone has heard me say, Just Score Dogs. This cast worked way too hard not giving them what they deserved.

Topic: Hunting Beagle World Championship

Q. How do I qualify for the World Championship Bench Show?

A. Eligibility: Dog must be permanently registered and qualified for the World Championship or have proof of 50 championship points. Furthermore, any dog that completes 90 minutes of hunt time at World Qualifying Event without being scratched is eligible for the show.

Q. If the dog I entered in the World Championship comes into heat, can I substitute another dog for that dog?

A. Yes, but the dog being used as the substitution must meet the following criteria, as listed in the Hunting Beagle Rulebook under Rule 11 of the Hunting Beagle World Championship on page 57, an individual can substitute a dog that has been entered in the World Championship if the dog has died, come in season, or declared to be ill and not able to participate in the hunt. This illness must be confirmed in writing by a veterinarian. The dog can only be replaced by another dog that is registered in the same registrants name and was also qualified in the current year. The substitution must be made by the advertised deadline to confirm entries. No refunds will be issued after the advertised deadline for any reason.

Q. Do cast winners at this years World Championship need to win their cast with plus points to advance?

A. The 2018 World Championship is part of a pilot program event where all cast winners advance, regardless of score. You will however need a total score of plus points in the first round to earn All-Star Points.

Topic: Club Officer Updates and Event Confirmations

Q. With our club recently electing new officers, is it required to notify UKC of these changes?

A. Yes! An up-to-date Club Officer list is very important, and mandatory to keep up to date with UKC. Our policy only allows those individuals on file at UKC to make any needed changes to scheduled events. Also, it is very important that we are sending the hunt report and club supplies to the correct person and address. Many times, when a call comes in that a club didnt receive their hunt report it is due to an unreported address change or the Corresponding Officer has changed completely.

Preparing second hunt reports are time consuming and costly to say the least. UKC is very understanding and lenient to clubs when this occurs, but clubs who do not report changes can be charged fees for the second report to be mailed. The Field Operations staff works very hard to ensure all clubs have all needed materials to run their events. But all this work is null if the information we have is not valid.

Please, if you are reading this and know your club has had officer changes, please submit an officer update form as soon as possible. This form can be printed from the website, and can be found at https://www.ukcdogs.com/beagle-forms-rules.

Confirming Event Dates
Hunt confirmations are sent out to the clubs corresponding officer, on the average, four months in advance of the clubs held date. I use the term held because until this date is confirmed, this date is just that, held for the club.

All dates must be confirmed no later than two months before that date, and no date will be confirmed under 30 days of the date listed. Being prompt and sending this back to UKC ensures your clubs event will be listed in the Upcoming Events section of the UKC website, https://www.ukcdogs.com/beagle-events-calendar.
All upcoming events are listed in the American Beagler issue the month prior to the clubs event date. Events may be confirmed that miss the magazine deadline; however, clubs would miss out on the free published advertisement provided for the event. I know we live in world of social media and web listings, but there are still folks who rely on the magazine for events to attend.