Handle at a Hunt test

I know nothing about hunt tests except what I've read on RTF. Is it correct that in a marking test you are allowed to handle and still get called back?

If you can, is it a common thing or rarely done?

It is fairly common, but it has been my experience that it should be a clean handle and the dog needs to show that he at least marked the bird well enough to be near the area of the fall. I handle it just as if I were hunting, I don't want my dog hunting all over the place if I can see he's close to the bird but not coming up with it I handle.

John

Yes,,, Not all handles are created equal. I've even seen dogs handled on the marks called back in a field trial. Go figure??

Angie

John,
Hunt tests are against a standard where you need overall avg of 7 with minimum of 5 in each category. So yes, a handle can allow you to still achieve that pass or callbavk

Are you typically only allowed one handle in a given test. For example, you had to handle on the land series, therefore you may not be able to on the water series (if needed)?

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Originally Posted by Angie B

Yes,,, Not all handles are created equal. I've even seen dogs handled on the marks called back in a field trial. Go figure??

Angie

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I've seen dogs handle and place...

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Originally Posted by Mastercaster

Are you typically only allowed one handle in a given test. For example, you had to handle on the land series, therefore you may not be able to on the water series (if needed)?

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Not always the case. Sometimes two handles if good quick handles. Sometimes not one if not quick and clean.

Quick and clean is the key.Most of the hunt test in 10 plus years of running though very few were passed.

I think the other thing to consider is the notion of handling "IN" the area of the fall, versus handling "TO" the fall.

It's been written and said that "not all handles are created equally".

Another passage written in some rulebooks is "A crisp handle is preferable to a long hunt".

I think that, much is within the judges' interpretation. I think a good set of judges will evaluate the overall situation and not come into it with too many preconceived notions.

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Originally Posted by Chris Atkinson

Another passage written in some rulebooks is "A crisp handle is preferable to a long hunt".

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Chris

Any idea which rule book says that ??????

Thank you