One Dog, One Hunter, Ten Shells, Five Birds, Thirty Minutes
Profile
In the winter of 1996 a small group of hunters looking for a way to have fun with their hunting dogs in the off season, formed the United States Hunting Dog Association. They envisioned a format in which anyone could participate with their hunting dog. They wanted a way to extend the time they were able to enjoy their sport and add the excitement of competition without excessive restrictions or requirements. They wanted to appeal to average hunters and their dogs. Now of course everyone contends our own dogs are the best, so now perhaps there is a way to find out who really has bragging rights.
The premise is simple; one hunter, one dog, 5 birds, 10 shells and 30 minutes. The dog and hunter are scored on birds in the bag, the dog's pointing, and retrieving abilities on each bird, its overall hunting ability, with bonus points awarded for unused shells and time left. The scoring is done as follows; each bird bagged 10 points, the dog's overall hunting ability from 1-10 points, each bird pointed from 1-10 points, each bird retrieved from 1-10 points, each unused shell 2 points, each minute remaining 2 points. The hunt's high scoring dog wins the hunt and earns money, prizes and points toward a United States Hunting Dog Association Championship title.
A trophy and ribbon are awarded to the winning hunter and dog with ribbons being awarded to the second through fourth place hunters and dogs. a portion of the fee funds the prize money and is awarded as follows; 50% to First, 30% to Second, 20% to Third. A sixteen dog hunt pays $100.00 for first, $60.00 for second and $40.00 for third.
In a USHDA Hunt the dogs do not need to be steady to wing and shot, they will not be picked up for mistakes or errors and quick competent dog work with clean kills and birds in the bag will be rewarded.
We have tried to keep rules and regulations to a minimum and still provide a fair format for competition. We are still growing and evolving and welcome ideas and suggestions. Nothing is yet carved in stone and we are willing to listen to any and all ideas.
I suppose some people must be wondering why we formed the USHDA when NSTRA, NVHDA, NBHA, ABHA AKC, American Field and several others already sponsor many field events. The answer is simple. We wanted a event that would appeal to the average hunter in cost as well as requirements. It seemed to us that none of the others do.
NSTRA while cheap enough just didn't seem fair. Winning or losing is mostly based on the luck of the draw. Two good dogs drawn together will split the field and neither will win. NVDA, NBHA and ABHA, events require hours and hours of training and conditioning. AKC and the American Field hunt tests and field trials need expensive training equipment, not to mention horses, trucks and trailer in addition to the hours of training and conditioning. All of this is much, much more than the average hunter is willing or able to do, or afford. Something new seemed needed. So we decided to come up with a plan that would meet those needs and the USHDA was born.
We think we have come up with a format that will appeal to almost everyone and remember the USHDA is still growing and changing. So don't hesitate to contact us with your suggestions, advice or complaints. Anyone wishing to host their own USHDA sanctioned event feel free to contact us and we'll be glad to share the information.
©2002 USHDA All rights reserved.
