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Dave Mirek

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I am running my first HRC test on Saturday. What should I have to bring to the test? Do I need to bring my own gun? Poppers?

How much can I talk to my dog? For instance as we walk to the line can I tell her to heel, can I tell her "good job" when she hits the mark and is making the retrieve? Can I tell her to "Mark" to get her to scan the field?

I am hoping to learn a lot and try to pass at the same time.

Thanks
 
#2 ·
Sadie and Ruby- A gun will be provided for you as will poppers. I cant speak for all judges but talking to your dog and giving encouragement would not be a mark down. I for one like to see handlers do that for a dog at the started level. Heck, if the dog is doing a good job, tell them so. Relax,have fun and welcome to the HRC family,Jack
 
#3 ·
1) Your dog
2) Lanyard with dog whistle and duck call
3) Dog leash
4) Have Lots of FUN!!!! It will be Great!!!

:)
 
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#4 ·
What they said, however, you don;t say what level you will be running. I would guess started, but if you are running seasoned or finished and are a small woman you MAY want to bring your own gun. I see several women at each test who do this because they cannot use a full size 870. If you do this you just have to have the judges approve it for yoou to use at the handlers meeting.
As far as talking goes, talk all you want just don't intimidate the dog or disturb the honor or working dog when you are the other. There are no shots in the field in most HRC test so very common to here handlers saying here to pull their dogs to the next mark if their dogs do not swing with the gun.
Good luck and have fun
 
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#5 ·
Riverdog SC said:
1) Your dog
2) Lanyard with dog whistle and duck call
3) Dog leash
4) Have Lots of FUN!!!! It will be Great!!!

:)
Click to expand...
and anything that will make you feel comfortable for the day in the field....
Chair
Umbrella
cooler with snacks and beverages
water for your dog
crate for the dog
collar
leash
small first aid kit
sun screen
bug spray
Advil
Anti-acids
mint life savers - hides the fear on your breath
gum - tension relief and to hide the fear on your breath

Get the picture? pack like you won't be back for weeks and try to think of everything you could possibly need....then you'll fit in with the rest of us.

Have fun and come back to report on your experience.
 
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#6 ·
Riverdog SC said:
1) Your dog
2) Lanyard with dog whistle and duck call
3) Dog leash
4) Have Lots of FUN!!!! It will be Great!!!

:)
Click to expand...

Funny you say that, the day we ran for our started title at Midlands, which is 5 minutes from home and the reason we were running late, I looked at my wife when we pulled out of the driveway and said, "did you put Nelli in the box?" She said, "no, I thought you did"

After a good laugh, I turned around and went back and picked her up. She was sitting on the porch when we pulled back in with a look that said, "were YOU planning on going and picking up the ducks this morning?"
 
#8 ·
This is the list that I use/stole from someone last year.

Hunt Test Checklist
Absorbers
Allergy medicine
Books/Magazines
Boots
Bug spray/wipes
Bumpers
Camp Chairs
Canine first aid kit
Cash
Cell Phone
Checkcord
Collars & leash
Coolers
Directions
Dog Bowls
Dog Box
Dog Crate Fan
Dog Food
Dog whistles
Drinks & Snacks
Duck call
Flashlight
Gloves
GPS
Hat
Hunting Pants
Hunting Shirts
ipod
Knee boots
Long Johns
Orange Hat (for HRC Upland)
Rain gear
Reservation Confirmation #'s
Rule Book
Slip Lead
Soap/Purell
Sunglasses
Towels
Trash bags
Upland Hunting Vest
Waders
Water Bowl
Water Jug
Waterfowl Jacket
 
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#10 ·
Ken Bora said:
add to those lists above hip boots and an empty mid size cooler and a news paper, to bring training birds home.
Click to expand...

Come on Ken we just had a thread on waders.....never need them :D At least not in Florida ;-)
 
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#11 ·
badbullgator said:
Come on Ken we just had a thread on waders.....never need them :D At least not in Florida ;-)
Click to expand...
Having been to a few tests, maybe the waders ain't for water???:cool:

Just sayin, it can get deep sometimes...........




rk
 
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#13 ·
in started you bring your dog to the line on lead.tou can talk to the dog all through the test. you can and should hold your dog by the collar till released.you can fire the gun yourself if you do that you can't hold your dog and will be judged on gun safety.or they supply a gunner and you just consentrate on your dog,take advantage of all the rules.also the dog dosn't have to deliver to hand just the general area so don't get to hung up on making your dog hold it just get th bird when your dog is close then worry about getting him back to heel. relax and have a good time. and breathe
 
#15 ·
Ken Bora said:
ipod? . . . you have your ipod on your hunt test check list?
Click to expand...
jptheman25 said:
Just following the boy scout creed. I haven't used it yet, but you never know. Sometime there is a lot of sitting around.
Click to expand...

Yes that is true, I have seen it. Never actually tried it yet but hope to someday.
To the folk who do it lots, do you train for it or does it fall under “natural ability”;-)

.
 
#18 ·
M&K's Retrievers said:
Bring cash. Lots of stuff to buy at most tests. Tee shirts, hats, raffle tickets, etc.
Click to expand...
you forgot 'for bribing the judges' and 'paying off the gunners to throw that extra nice drake mallard' ;)

Juli
 
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#19 ·
Ken Bora said:
Yes that is true, I have seen it. Never actually tried it yet but hope to someday.
To the folk who do it lots, do you train for it or does it fall under “natural ability”;-)

.
Click to expand...
It is hard to determine as many seem to have started this at a young age indicating "natural ability" but it very well could be a learned behavior as it seems some have never been taught to lift a finger.;-)
 
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Discussion starter · #20 ·
Thank you everyone, I think that I will basically pack everything I have ever used for training or hunting and bring cash to buy anything that I may not have......

I will be running the test in Kasasville, WI at the Bong Trial Grounds.

My dogs are tournament hunting dogs and have never done anything like this, but I think that the fundamentals and obedience that I have put into them should be a foundation to build on.

Will anyone give me grief for running dogs that are 3 and 6 years old in the Started test? I am hoping to learn the ropes with these dogs so that I am best prepared for training of my next pup who will be running the HRC/AKC Hunt Test programs and not tournaments.

Thanks,
Dave
 
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