Zone Information; Other Coonhound News

Coonhound Advisor

October 9, 2017

Source: Allen Gingerich

ZONE INFORMATION
The following notes and reminders pertain to the Zone Semifinals being held on September 15 and 16, 2017.

Deadlines. Only those dogs that qualified via a Regional Qualifying Event (RQE), and were entered by the deadline of September 2, 2017, are eligible to hunt in the World Championship. The deadline to confirm an entry at all zone locations is 5 p.m. local time on both Friday and Saturday nights. The deadline to return scorecards will be determined and announced at the event.

Confirming your entry. Your entry must be confirmed, at the event location, on both Friday and saturday night prior to the posted deadline. The owner or handler must present the dogs
Easy Entry™ Card or Registration Certificate to confirm their entry. If the owner/handler is not in receipt of the required form of entry (Easy Entry™ Card or Registration Certificate), they may confirm their entry as Conditional, with a $5 fee. It is not necessary to present your Confirmation Form to the entry takers at the event. Note: The UKC Field Rep (MOH) will not take personal phone calls to confirm an entry as Conditional for a handler who may be running late. The entry would need to be confirmed by someone else and the handler must be present when their cast is called out or the dog will be scratched.

Females in season. Another dog that is qualified and registered to the same owner may be substituted for a female that comes in season. Otherwise, the owner must notify UKC prior to the event date in order to be eligible for a refund. A female that comes in season on the Friday of the event must be inspected, confirmed, and noted as such by the Master of Hounds. This must be done prior to casts going to the woods on Friday
night in order for a refund to be issued.

Veterans Casts. There will not be any Veterans Casts at any Zone events.

Spectators. Spectators are not allowed on any cast at the Zones.

Back-up handlers. Each handler is allowed to have one backup handler. The handler shall advise the entry taker who their back-up handler is and should be noted on the scorecard. If the back-up handler has not been noted; the judge should simply write their name on the scorecard at the start of the hunt. A back-up handler may not become involved in any part of scoring procedures. They will not have a voice in voting procedures. A back-up handler is not required to go to the woods; he or she may stay at the vehicle. Allowing back-up handlers to shine trees is a decision made by the cast at the beginning of the hunt per Rule 10 (b).

Judges. Only qualified Hunting Judges are to be used. All judges will be pre-selected and approved by the event official. The Hunting Judge must be at least 18 years of age and possess the experience, knowledge and integrity to perform the duties required. The event official will, at their discretion, have the authority to assign a non-hunting judge to any cast deemed necessary.

Posting Zone Scores. Friday night scores will be posted at the event and on the UKC website. Saturday night scores will not be posted at the event or on the UKC website until all casts have returned, or the deadline to return scorecards has expired.

Appeals. The Appeal procedure is not in affect for any part of a zone event. The Master of Hounds (UKC Field Reps) decision will be final in all situations. The Master of Hounds may, at their discretion, contact UKCs Senior Director of Hunting Events to discuss the situation prior to rendering a decision. The Master of Hounds is not required to contact UKC per a handlers request in the event the Field Rep deems it unnecessary.

Placements. All dogs must hunt two hours on both Friday and Saturday night to be considered for placement in the event. If a dog is scratched, withdrawn for any reason, or minuses out on Friday night it will not be eligible to hunt on Saturday night. The number of dogs advancing from each zone will be based on a percentage of the total number of entries overall. The number advancing from each zone will be announced prior to the calling of casts at each zone by the Master of Hounds. Any two-night Cast Winners will place in accordance to combined highest scores followed by single cast win high scores.

Championship points/Wins Awarded. Any Nite Champion dogs advancing to the Finals will receive a Nite Champion win. Any Registered dog placing first sixth, and advancing to the Finals, will be awarded a First-Place win and 40 Championship points. Any Registered dogs placing seventh or beyond, and advancing to the Finals, will be awarded a Third Place win and 30 Championship points. Any cast winners not advancing to the Finals will not receive any Championship points or wins.

Awards at the Zones. All Zone Placement Awards and giveaways will be presented to the owner or handler on Thursday at the World Championship Finals when they confirm their entry. The deadline to confirm an entry at the Finals is 5 p.m. local time on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Elberton, Georgia. Handler shall have dog in hand when they confirm the entry at the Finals.

QUICK REFERENCE ITEMS
UKC upcoming events listings
Are listed in Coonhound Bloodlines and 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 not be used at Regional Qualifying Events.

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 is included with event recording fees.
Single Registration Pending entries are not required to enter as Conditional.

Veterans Cast Rule Change
For handlers age 55 and older only.
Must have minimum of three veteran handlers in the category. Otherwise, no Veterans Cast for that category.
Not available at Slams, RQEs or any advanced entry events. UKC Cell phone policy Revised
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, is subject to suspension.

Unwritten Rules
Q: What is the #1 unwritten rule for nite hunters? A: Read the rulebook.
Q: What is the #1 most abused unwritten rule? A: Not reading it. READ IT!

Definition of honor

• Respect or regard that is given to someone or something.
• To do what is required by someone or something. To live up to or fulfill the terms.
• Synonyms: Integrity, honesty, decency, principle.
• Antonyms: Disregard, disgrace, crookedness, etc.
• The set of rules by which dogs are judged in UKC nite hunts is named appropriately and listed under OFFICIAL NITE HUNT HONOR RULES.

What Qualities Make for a Great Judge?
1. Knowledge and a good understanding of the rules.
2. Unbiased. Consistent. Composed. Approachable.
3. Maintains control of the cast. Doesnt allow handlers to run the cast.
4. Makes the tough calls without seeking out opinions of cast members.
5. Refers to rules on scorecard to resolve any rule application debates. If a question arises, makes sure procedures are followed to resolve it. Is not offended if the end result includes a question being noted on the scorecard. Doesnt allow argumentative debates.
6. Practices preventative judging.
7. Recognizes any handler new to the sport and makes them feel welcome. Offers advice and any rule clarifications they may need.
8. Sets the standard for judging a cast without bias towards any dog or handler.
9. Returns a scorecard that is filled out properly and completed.
10. The list could go on.