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-- scheduling of HTX hunts (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=928467103)

scheduling of HTX hunts

If HTX hunts are both a buddy type hunt and at the same time a way to put a "title" on our hounds I have a few thoughts I am hoping to have discussed and perhaps can change things.

1) If the hound is being judge on its own hunting ability why does it need to be scheduled for a night? Why not allow it to be scheduled for a week. If club A has it tonight and my hound fails I still have the right to hunt at club B the next night, just can't hunt the same night by UKC rules if I am not mistaken.

2) Scheduled hunts may limit the entries to a few dogs because of weather, work schedule, etc. If it is set-up like a buddy hunt it may increase the entries.

3) More work for clubs but if no one wants to judge on a night when someone else is free is there really a foul amongst "buddies".

4) Thoughts concerning those who will not follow rules, nothing is stopping anyone from being dishonest now. :/

So, what are others thoughts? Schedule HTX events for a week rather then a night? Could it bring more members out to support our clubs and spot.

HTX hunts are not really buddy hunts. The idea is to honestly test a single dogs ability. Just so happens without competition it is naturally more layed back type of situation. I get what your saying but why not just have no need to schedule HTX hunts at all. You could just print out the paperwork and do the test whenever you want. Fill it out, pay your money, and send it in. The hard part is finding an evaluator for your hound that you don't often hunt with so there is no bias. It works better in a scheduled club senario because people should be coming from all around to particpate so finding a stranger to evaluate isn't a problem. And a club officer would be present to sign off on the report. It just cuts out a lot of possible doubt about the validity of the test to do it in a formal manner.
On a side note, there used to be registries that required a dog to pass a hunt test with witnesses before the dog could even be registered. Now I think that is a good idea!

I just wish there was more of these around. None of the clubs around me ever have them.

Thanks for your imput

I have talked to Allen and hoping with more imput and thought things may change to accomodate more into a great thing. See we had a hunt scheduled in advance and published per UKC. However, two dogs made it. Could more have made it on another night in the week rather then on Monday night when it was scheduled.

I thought about having "qualified" inspectors but then there would be an added charge involved. How many would be willing to "inspect" a dog for free? How many would be willing to pay more.

I also thought about the no scheduling thing. If it isn't scheduled and advertised it MAY bring more members out to the club on meeting nights to see what is happening and when. It would also involve making a few phone calls or perhaps one to a HUNT CHAIRMAN (new position perhaps for some clubs) who would be the go to person on seeing who is available to hunt/judge. Example: I am the hunt chairman for my club. Dave would like to have a buddy hunt tonight. He calls me to inform me of it. Carl calls to let me know he'd like to go as well. See, yes it puts alot of phone calls on one person but it isn't about me but rather what can I do see this sport and its clubs survive.

BTT