Upcoming Hunt Test Schedule  

(Click Pictures to Enlarge)

What is involved in a Junior Hunt Test

A Junior Hunt Test is a test of your dog's instinct first and abilities second. The Junior Hunt Test dog needs to do a number of things to pass - they need to run, they need to look for and find birds, they need to hold a point for a short time, and they need to be "trainable".

One thing that you need to know is that the judges that we have selected are very friendly and helpful. Let them know that you are a beginner and that this is your first time out, and they will do everything they can to help you. They need to run. A pointing dog needs to be able to find birds. Very few birds are found next to their human, so they do need to get out in front and search a larger area than the area you'll be walking in, so they need to be able to run. They need to search logical places where a bird might be, like bushes and deep clumps of grass, not simply dawdle around, but this is easy as our setters tend to check everything out rather naturally. The first portion of the test will involve what is called a back-course. This is an area where there are not any birds planted, so the judge will be able to concentrate on how your dog runs and how they look
for birds.

They need to look for and find birds. Of course our objective is to find birds. The Hunt Tests that we will be holding will make this easier by having something known as a bird-field. A bird-field is one to five acres marked off with the birds being planted in this area only. There are normally 3 birds planted per brace (pair of dogs running at the same time), plus you have any unfound birds from earlier braces. The first brace normally has the field "seeded", that is, more birds than the three are put out for the first brace. You can help your dog find the birds by using the wind, but your dog will need to find a bird from within this area.

Once your dog finds the bird, they need to point it, and hold the point for a short time. The rule-book says that the dog needs to hold the point until you are within "shotgun range" from the bird, however what this means will vary from judge to judge. When you see your dog go on point you will need to hurry over to where they are. Don't run, but unless you're really sure of your dog, don't mosey. Once you get to where your dog is pointing, you will need to search around in the bush or grass that they are pointing at to find the bird and make it fly (flush it). Most judges don't mind if you pick up the bird and toss it up into the air, but you should ask first. After you flush the bird, you need to shoot off your starter pistol. This tests the dog's tolerance to guns. I have found that if you shoot the pistol when your dog is very excited by the bird flying or when your dog is chasing after the bird that your dog will have no reaction to the shot. Please DO NOT shoot off the gun next to your dog's ear - the noise is loud and this will certainly cause an adverse reaction. If you do not have a starter pistol, Sue O. has two and will have them at the main scoring table. You may check out a pistol to use for your brace. The last thing that your dog will be tested on is their "trainability". This is a general catch-all phrase for the ability to stay with you, to come when called, and to somewhat listen to you. You don't need to be able to call your dog off of a hard chase (and I normally don't even try), You will need to get your dog back at the end of the brace, so you will need to have your dog come when you call and they aren't busy chasing a bird.
 
How is a Hunt Test organized? A Hunt Test is organized in three levels of skill and training. The Master dogs are the best of the best. They hunt at all times, can find birds, point them, then will wait after the bird is shot and they are sent to go and retrieve the birds. We will run Master first thing in the morning. The Senior dogs are a little less skilled than the Master dogs, but they are still wonderful to watch. Our Senior dogs will be running after the Master Dogs.The Junior Dog are the first level of skill. Age is not a consideration - Wendy Czarnecki put a Junior Hunter title on a 13 year-old dog to prove that the dog still had the desire. The Junior Dogs will be the majority of our dogs run, and will be the final test run. Please notice that you will not receive a specific time that you will run. When all the entries are received the Hunt Test Secretary will draw three orders: an order for the Master Dogs, an order for the Senior Dogs, and an order for Junior Dogs. Master and Senior Dog braces take about 40 minutes, and Junior Dog braces take about 30 minutes, however things may go faster or slower than anticipated, so no specific time is given to anyone. You will also notice that the running order is drawn in the week prior to the Hunt Test. This means that the only time you will be notified is if you DO NOT make it into the test - otherwise you should know that you are in the test. You might want to plan to come out and spend the whole day watching the dogs run.
 
When you first arrive? When you arrive at a hunt test, you will need to check out things. Find out what brace you are in and what brace is currently running. This will give you a little idea of how much time you have before you are up. Find out where the bird field is and watch it for a few braces. See the kind of cover that the bird-planters are using to plant the birds. Check out the wind direction (you'll also need to check this when you're running and enter  the bird-field). Remember that your dog will find the birds with their nose, so it is best to be down-wind of the bird. If the breeze is at your back when you enter the bird-field, it will help you more to go to the far end of the bird-field and walk across, using the wind to help your dog. Check out also where the water at the start of the bird-field is. Running is hot work, so you will want to have your dog go into the water trough to cool off a little and to get a drink prior to starting the next warm phase of work. Watch a few braces. Notice what the handlers that find birds are doing. You'll learn a lot just by asking questions of anyone near the bird-field or of any of us working. One neat thing is that a vast majority of the field-folks are very friendly and will answer any question and help you as much as possible.
 

What do you need? Clothes: You'll be out in the field, so be prepared for anything. Make sure to carry light clothes and a hat in case of heat, but also bring a jacket to protect you during the chill of the morning. Do remember that this is Washington, so it could be blowing or raining, and carry emergency clothes just in case the weather conditions change. You might also want to carry a spare change of clothes for afterwards. Shoes: You will be walking on rough terrain, so you want to have boots that will protect your ankles and feet. Water: Running can be hot work. Your dog will typically cover ten times the area you cover (or more). Bring water for your dog and a canteen or such to give your dog water if they become thirsty. There will be a water tank at the start of the course and at the start of the bird-field - use them. Make sure that you dunk your dog into these water tanks - the water will really cool the dog off and help the dog run better. Sense of wonderment: Realize that your dog is showing you that he can do what he was bred for. Enjoy and savor the sight of the dogs working at what they know and love. In my opinion there is nothing prettier than the sight of the dogs working in the field, and nothing more stunning than the sight of a dog going from full run into a point in a split second. You'll see more beautiful pictures than you could imagine in the time you're in the field with your dog, if you'll just let yourself see and enjoy them.

For more information regarding Hunt Test and Field Work, Please e-mail us at: info@irishsetterclubofseattle.com