Dealing with Questions and a Lack of Time; Other Beagle News

Full Circle

November 2, 2018

Source: Roy Swafford

Considering we just returned from a very successful World Championship in West Virginia, and the tight time frame we were dealt with to meet magazine deadlines this month, it leaves us with hardly any time to cover a whole lot outside of World Championship coverage. Next month we will be covering the results of the Rules Committee, as it relates to any rule changes coming up for 2019. There will be a couple. We urge everyone who participates in UKC Field Trials to make a mental note of this and watch for those changes addressed next month. We think youll love them! Until then, here are a couple policy type topics from the UKC archives.

Dealing with Questions and a Lack of Time

Q: I have been hunting for a few years in UKC events, and for the most part have really enjoyed myself. Judging dogs in field trials is not always an exact science and hunters are regularly called upon to make judgement calls. Most of the time things go smoothly, but on rare occasions a decision may be disputed. The rulebook clearly outlines the procedures that should be in effect when it comes to resolving any discrepancies in the field. However, there seems to be a continuous uncertainty amongst some handlers as it relates to when a question should be taken back to the Master of Hounds. I was taught that you should never take a question back until after the hunt is over unless the question involves a dog scratching out of the hunt. This makes perfect sense to me. However, depending on who it is, an emotional reaction by the effected handler insists on questioning the call for nothing more than to disrupt the cast simply because they can. Im talking about those questions/situations that are simply frivolous.

Is there a point when a cast can vote to complete the hunt as is and leave all questions to be resolved after the hunt is over even if a dog may be wrongfully put out of the hunt? What is UKCs position on this and should there not be some common sense considered?

A: Common sense? Thats probably something the sport should be using a whole lot more of. This is a great topic and its basically a matter of knowing UKCs position and what precedence has already been set, as it relates to taking questions back to the Master of Hounds prior to the hunt being completed. Lets get with it.
First, all casts are advised to never take a question back to the Master of Hounds until after their hunt is over. If the resolution changes the scoring, the Master of Hounds will change it accordingly. If the situation in question is one that will put a dog out of the hunt, or develops later into a situation that will put a dog out of the hunt, and if it is feasible for the cast to return to the clubhouse to get the questioned answered and still finish their hunt by the deadline, then the cast must make every effort to get the question answered by the Master of Hounds.

A situation that will put a dog out of the hunt is self-explanatory. An example of a situation that would later develop into one that will put a dog out of the hunt would be where a dog is minused 100 points on the first drop, and the situation is questioned. Later in the hunt, this same dog acquires enough additional minus points to put him out. At that point, if it is feasible, the first question should go back to the MOH to be resolved. We use the word feasible, which is iffy at best, when it comes to knowing how much time it is going to take to get everything done. UKC maintains that you need to be pretty darn confident that you have the time available to you before it is worth the risk of nobody getting to finish the hunt. Keep one thing in mind. The Master of Hounds does not have the authority to extend the hunt deadline for any cast just because they came in to get a question answered. The advantage of an extended deadline is only afforded to those who get left alone in a cast and must return to the clubhouse to pick up a non-hunting Judge.

A cast is, in essence, voting to leave the call as is if they decide that, time-wise, it is not feasible to get the questioned answered. However, if there is time, the cast cannot vote to not go back for an answer. If there is simply no time afforded to take care of the question, go back out and finish the hunt, and return before the deadline, then the question should not be taken back until after the hunt is over.

After the hunt is over, the question should still be presented to the Master of Hounds. The cast should be aware that if the Master of Hounds finds in favor of the question, he or she may very well make a ruling that might not have anyone winning the cast, if they find that to be justified. In other words, if the scratch was obviously unjustified and found that the rest of the cast had no justifiable reason to come to that conclusion, dont be disappointed. That goes for the one who questioned it, as well. If the Master of Hounds deemed the question to be unreasonable, whether brought back before or after the hunt, then he or she might report the individual for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Offering to Pay Someone to Quit

Lets say that, prior to our hunting time, I ask you to withdraw your dog, which is leading our high scoring cast, and go home. I have a pretty good idea what you are likely to tell me at that point. Its a dumb request, but not an illegal one. Now, say I offer you $200 to withdraw your hound and go home. What is it now? As far as the registry is concerned, thats a bribe to affect the outcome of the cast. Its not much different than if I offer you money to put some extra points on the scorecard. An offense of this nature is punishable by probation or suspension and should be reported to UKCs Disciplinary Action Committee on a Misconduct Form, which is provided in the hunt packet.

Casting Dogs Where Guide Doesnt Have Permission

Q: Recently, I drew out in a cast where unbeknownst to us (participants) at the time, we turned our dogs loose in an area where our guide did not have permission to hunt. The dogs were all struck in running a rabbit when suddenly a four-wheeler could be heard speeding across the field towards us. Obviously upset, this guy started yelling at us that we do not have permission to be there. He advised us that he called the law and demanded we stayed put until they showed up. Our guide apologized for bringing our cast to this spot and admitted he didnt have permission.

After a few choice words to the guide on our cast, the landowner seemed to have calmed down some. In the meantime, the landowner allowed us to go in and handle our dogs. By the time we got back out to the trucks, the game warden was there waiting on us. Thank goodness, the landowner was gracious enough to let us slide after discussing the situation, and no one was cited for anything. However, this whole ordeal took a long time, and because of it, we could not get our hunt time in before the scheduled deadline to return to the clubhouse. I feel this is an issue that should be addressed and for the most part could be avoided if clubs were a little more concerned with who they assign as guides.

A: For most of us who hunt these dog-gone hounds have, at one time or another, been in a situation where they, unfortunately, sometimes trail or end up where we dont have permission to hunt. However, casting dogs in an area where dogs will likely trail onto property during a trial where the guide doesnt have permission is unacceptable. Its certainly an issue that club officers should be concerned about when assigning guides at their events.

As a handler in a cast, you shouldnt have to worry about whether the guide has permission where he is taking you or, worse yet, casting your dog into a possibly dangerous situation. That responsibility lies on the guide. The last thing anyone wants is getting lectured by an angry landowner and disrupting the hunt. UKC maintains it is the clubs responsibility to assign guides who have permission to hunt where they are taking their casts. Guides who are known to take casts in places where they dont have permission should not be used or even considered. Club or event officials should be notified of any such situations and need to be concerned of any such complaints.

As a guide, it is your responsibility to be considerate for the safety of the handlers and their dogs in your cast. This should go without saying. Asking handlers to cast their dogs where you dont have permission is unacceptable, and you shouldnt be disappointed when your guiding services are no longer needed.

UKC asks all club officers to be concerned with this issue and please address it at your club meetings, and also make sure the guides you assign have permission where they are taking your casts. Understand that placing your event participants in a situation where the guide does not have permission to be can be very frustrating and possibly dangerous when you dont know how a landowner might react when he catches them on his property. Finding out, during the hunt, that your guide does not have permission to be where you are is not good for anyone.