Newsletter

In 2006 our club has decided not to have any UKC licensed trials. We are taking a break for a year and doing some reorganizing. Instead we are thinking about having a couple of new style trials that will be run in a new format that are unlicensed. The trials will run something like this. A handler can register as many hounds as he likes. The packs will be split up in 4 or more dogs per cast. A judge or judges will be assigned to watch each pack of dogs for a period not yet determined. The judge will have final say in what dog or dogs he thinks performed best as overall gun dogs. The judge may select more then one dog to advance to the next round or winners pack. The next pack of dogs will be ran and judged the same. When a winners pack is formed it will also be judged accordingly and 1st-3rd. place will be awarded prizes not yet determined. Dogs will be judged on hunt, running style, line control, handling, and any other aspects related to actual hunting situations. Handlers will accompany judge or judges and may be asked questions by the judge. These hunts may be advertised in the American Beagler as buddy hunts not licensed trials. Details are not finalized as of yet. We are hoping to have fun hunts and are trying this as a trial basis. There will be no Hound of the year contest for 2006.