PKC Small Pack Rules
Moderators: Pike Ridge Beagles, Aaron Bartlett
PKC Small Pack Rules
Where can you get a copy of the small pack rules and find out more about possibly having a hunt?
-
Steve Fielder
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2003 5:17 pm
PKC Small Pack Beagle Event Rules
2004/2005 PKC OFFICIAL BEAGLE HUNT RULES (Small Pack)
1. Definitions:
a. Professional Kennel Club, Inc., referred to as PKC, will license all events, keep record of winnings, issue championship degrees, and World Championship and Futurity qualification. PKC will have no responsibility for accounting for and disbursing of proceeds, appointing Judges, or determining winners of events. PKC reserves the right to withhold recognition of winners and may decline to license a club for future events at its sole discretion. PKC reserves the right to appoint a member of PKC management to serve as Hunt Director and/or manage any event it deems necessary.
b. Sponsoring Club: The sponsoring club will be a club, national, breed, or state association licensed by PKC to conduct events. The club will have complete authority to conduct events, determine winners and disburse awards. The club will appoint a certified Hunt Director who will have full authority over the event. The club will rule on all questions concerning an event, including rule interpretation and disciplinary action of members. The National Association and PKC shall have the authority to correct gross errors by clubs at its discretion. A club may be licensed to hold PKC Beagle Events for the annual fee of $75.00. The license period is October 1st to September 30th. The club may be licensed for a single event for $25.00.
c. Guide: The Guide will be a responsible person who is an active rabbit hunter and is able to keep the cast in the best possible hunting grounds. Person shall be able to guide cast without assistance from another individual. Clubs should provide “hunting guides” from the local area if at all possible. If there are not enough hunting guides entered in the event, non-hunting guides will be used. The casting ground should be an area where the cast can compete safely.
2. Participants:
a. Membership requirement: Owners and handlers of dogs participating in PKC Licensed Beagle events must be current members (or be a guest of PKC) in good standing. It is the owner and/or handler's responsibility to know the rules contained herein and to abide by them. The owner and/or handler also agree to accept and abide by the decision of the Judge and the Hunt Director. Handlers only will be responsible for bringing formal questions and appeals to the Hunt Director.
b. Guest Hunters: Guest hunters shall be permitted to enter $10 and $15 Open Events and "Try One" hunts only. A person may enter only three (3) events as a "Guest Hunter" and awards will not count toward any qualification or standing. A club may refuse the entry of a guest hunter at its discretion. Guest hunters may not vote concerning the question to split or to recast for placement. Indicate "Guest" in the places for the PKC number of the dog and the Membership number of the owner and/or handler. Special note: In all Open Events, owner and handler must be current members, and dog must be PKC registered in order for credit to be given.
c. Scorecard Certification: Any cast considered for placement in an event must have the signature of a majority of the cast members certifying it to be accurate. All casts must be completed with at least three (3) members to certify the scorecard. The Hunt Director may sign the card on behalf of a handler if a question is brought before a panel. Hunt Director may also sign on behalf of any handler who has not signed a scorecard due to negligence.
3. Hunt Rules:
a. Rabbit – A rabbit is defined as a Cottontail, Hare, Snowshoe, Swamper, or Jackrabbit but not a tame or domestic rabbit.
b. All casts must hunt a full 60 minutes. Winners Cast will hunt 60 minutes. All members of Winners Cast must agree to split, otherwise Winners Cast will be hunted off.
c. Time deadline for return of scorecards will be posted at the club and on the scorecards before the first cast is drawn. Deadline to be determined at club’s discretion.
d. All casts will consist of no less than three (3) dogs or more than five (5) dogs with the exception of the Final Cast.
e. There must be a minimum of three (3) entries to conduct a hunt.
4. Judges:
a. The PKC Hunt Director at each hunt shall choose the Judges. Judge(s) should have a good knowledge of the sport and the ability to honestly conduct the cast according to PKC rules. The Judge(s) will have complete control of the cast and will make all decisions.
b. Judges must be fair-minded individuals who will show absolutely no favoritism. Any Judge found to have scored any situation to the benefit of any individual or dog shall be subject to disciplinary action.
c. After all Judge's names have been applied to the scorecards, Judges will draw their own casts. Casts will be drawn from all remaining entries placed face down on a table. Judge should draw for a Guide (if needed) and check for multiple entries (dogs owned by the same individual) at the time the card is drawn. Casts will be drawn by Judges in plain view of all.
d. Each cast will meet at predetermined spot on club grounds in order for the Judge to inspect each hound and to meet with the cast guide.
e. Each cast will use color-coded collars in order for the Judge to more easily identify the hounds.
f. Judges should call out scores when possible and at EVERY dead track and timeout.
g. Judges must not judge immediate family members, if at all possible.
h. Neither Judges nor Handlers may encourage hounds.
5. Judgement calls:
a. Judges often have to make difficult calls and the handler's cooperation is a must.
b. It is the Judge's decision only to call a "dead" track, off game, or to award minus points.
c. The Club and PKC will support the Judges as long as they are determined to be fair and are using good judgement.
6. Disciplinary Reports:
Any handler may be reported to the Hunt Director by another cast member, Judge, Guide, or club member for misconduct. The Hunt Director will send a report to PKC with the hunt results. The Misconduct Report will be handled as provided in the National Association by-laws. The issue will be investigated and charges may be brought on others involved as well as the member charged.
7. Dogs:
a. PKC Standards: Any dog entered must be a Beagle meeting PKC standards. It should be trained so as not to hinder other dogs in the cast. All dogs competing must be 15 inches or less when measured at the withers by the Hunt Directors. PKC reserves the right to investigate or inspect any dog that has been challenged concerning whether or not it meets the breed standard.
b. Registration Requirement: The dog must be PKC registered in the true owner’s name. All awards will be presented to the registered owner of the hound.
c. False Registration/Entering: Anyone guilty of falsely registering or falsely entering any dog with wrong papers may be scratched, fined, and/or placed on suspension and/or probation.
d. Veterinarian examination: The handler must allow his or her hound to be examined by a veterinarian, if requested or be permanently suspended.
e. Use of Tracking/Training Collars: A dog may wear a tracking collar during the hunt. It can be used anytime during a time out to return the dog to the cast. A dog may NOT wear an electronic training collar or dummy collar. This rule to be strictly enforced. Abuse of this rule will result in disciplinary action by PKC.
8. Entry Refusal: PKC or a sponsoring Club has the right to refuse entry to any dog or handler. However, no handler will be barred on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, or physical impairment. Any hunter denied entry must be given a hearing if it is requested in writing.
9. Hold Harmless Clause: By entry in a PKC event you agree to hold PKC, PKC National Association, the Club, Judge, Guide, and Hunt Director harmless in the event of accident, error, or misapplication of the rules. Any owner or handler may file a written complaint concerning actions of the sponsoring club. PKC will investigate the complaint and take
necessary action, including but not limited to withholding recognition of winners, and/or refusing to license the club for future events.
10. Alcohol and/or Unprescribed Drugs: Use of alcoholic beverages or unprescribed drugs shall not be permitted on the grounds of, or while participating in a PKC sanctioned event. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or unprescribed drugs will be refused entry.
11. Casting: A deadline will be announced for cast winners to be back to the clubhouse. Any dog not on the grounds to answer roll call will be scratched from the final cast and will receive last place. The scorecard is considered back if it is at the club grounds at the deadline. Hunting time should be completed in its entirety unless all cast members involved receive an equal share of the awards. The hunt director will have the authority to set a time deadline for the final cast to be finished. The winner will be the dog winning the cast at the deadline. In case of a tie that cannot be broken, the money will be split for tied positions. A hunt shall consist of the least number of casts possible, but never less than three (3) dogs or more than five (5) dogs per cast unless it is the final cast. At no time shall more than four (4) hours be allotted to complete a one (1) hour cast.
Example 1: With thirty (30) dogs entered, the hunt director would run six (6) casts of five (5) dogs, resulting in six (6) cast winners. Those six (6) cast winners would be split into two (2) casts of three (3) dogs, which then would result in two (2) cast winners that would be able to either split or run for the money available for first and second place. The remaining places (3, 4, and 5) would be filled using a sequence of the highest scoring second place dog receiving third place, the second highest scoring second place dog receiving fourth place, and the highest scoring third place dog receiving fifth. In places three (3), four (4), and five (5), the money available for payout of those places will be added together and split equally.
Example 2: With one hundred (100) dog entered, the hunt director would run twenty (20) casts of five (5) dogs, resulting in twenty (20) cast winners. Those twenty (20) cast winners would be split into five (5) casts of four (4) dogs, which then would result in five (5) cast winners, making the runoff a five (5) dog event with all dogs eligible to either split the money or hunt it off according to the appropriate PKC Chart of Awards. The intent is to run the least amount of casts with between three (3) and five (5) dogs per cast. It is at the hunt director’s discretion as to how many dogs per cast will be run and how many casts will be run. If at all possible with judges and time available, the final cast should consist of five (5) dogs. After entries have closed and have been tallied, the hunt director will announce the number of casts to be run for that day.
In hunts where there is added money available, only the dogs running in the final cast are eligible to split or run it off for the added purse.
a. Any cast winner failing to return to the clubhouse by the deadline will not be eligible to compete in the final cast. However, he will not be scratched as a cast winner of the first cast and is eligible for placement.
b. In any Final Cast, one (1) hunter may require the cast to be hunted.
c. Any hunter competing in a “Guest” status will be denied a vote concerning re-casting.
12. Points and Scoring: Points are based on strikes, jumps, and checks. No strike or jump points for a rabbit jumped by any other means than by the hounds.
a. Strike Points: Ten (10) strike points will be given to the hound that opens first with three (3) barks. The hound must produce the rabbit within three (3) minutes.
b. Jump Points: Twenty five (25) jump points will be awarded to the dog that flushes and pursues the rabbit from a setup position. A hound that jumps the rabbit with no other dog on the clock for the strike shall receive both jump and strike points.
Example 1: Hound A is on the clock for the strike and Hound B jumps the rabbit. Hound A receives strike points and Hound B gets the jump points.
Example 2: No dog is on the clock. Hound A jumps the rabbit and Hound B sees it and gets out three barks first. Hound A receives both jump and strike points.
c. Check Points: After fifteen (15) seconds have elapsed, a check will be declared. Twenty (20) check points will be given to the hound that picks up the track and moves it out of the check area.
d. Minus Points: Twenty (20) minus points shall be given to a hound for the following reasons: opening but not producing the rabbit within three (3) minutes, backtracking, babbling, and pulling dogs out of the check area. A dog that is on the clock for the strike and that dog quits the track prior to the three minutes shall be minused.
e. Tiebreakers: In case of a tie, tiebreakers will be determined by the dog with the least amount of minus points. If this does not break the tie, then the dog with the most jump points. If this does not break the tie, then the dog with the most check points. If this does not break the tie, then the dog with the most strike points.
13. Scratching Dogs: Dog(s) or handler(s) will be scratched for interfering with another dog's or handler's ability to compete. Dog(s) or handler(s) should be scratched as a last resort. Every effort should be made to allow dogs to compete. Reasons to scratch are as follows:
a. Any hound that has accumulated three separate minuses, no matter the amount of plus points, will be removed from the cast.
b. Sexual Behavior. Females smelling strong enough to attract male dogs, or any dog exhibiting sexual behavior instead of hunting during the progress of the cast may be scratched. If it is not possible to determine which dog is responsible for the behavior, both may be scratched. Any owner/handler found guilty of altering by any means, the scent of a
female may be subject to disciplinary action.
c. Fighting with other dog(s) or biting humans. A dog with his or her hackles up, growling and fussing may be scratched. Judge may issue a warning to the handler of a dog he suspects is causing trouble without scratching the dog. In any subsequent altercation where the aggressive dog is not known, the dog under warning shall be scratched with the
other dog(s) involved being permitted to remain in the cast under warning. No Hander will be allowed to withdraw his dog to avoid being “scratched for fighting.” A dog may be scratched by the Judge only. No dog should be scratched for fighting while under the
control of his handler (on leash, in the truck, etc.) or because of another dog previously scratched or withdrawn but not handled.
Any time a dog is scratched for fighting, the scratch shall remain on the dog's record for one (1) year from the date of the scratch. Any dog scratched three (3) times within any fiscal year will be suspended for life. Dogs that have been scratched two (2) times may be published in PROHOUND or THE RABBIT HUNTER. Any handler may report a fighting dog even if the dog is not caught and scratched. These reports will be taken into consideration should there be a hearing. A Handler has the right to request a hearing before a Hunt Director panel to determine which dogs of the cast are charged with a scratch, through the normal question procedure. Owner or handler may request a hearing by the National Association under the normal appeal process only after the normal question procedure at the club level has been exhausted, and the request for an appeal is received within thirty (30) days of the dog being scratched. An appeal deposit of $100 must be received at the time the written request for the appeal is received. Should the panel rule in favor of the appeal, the deposit will be returned and records changed to reflect the panel's decision. However, should the panel not rule in favor of the appeal, the deposit will be forfeited to PKC.
d. If the Judge is satisfied that a hound or hounds are clearly running game other than rabbit (wild or tame) as described above, the hound will be scratched from that day’s competition. This includes livestock. Any hound scratched for running fox, coyote, or deer three (3) times in one year will be barred from competing for one (1) year.
14. Questions:
a. Proper procedure for question: Any handler has the right to question the scoring of any dog in the cast. Questions must be placed on the card at the time the dog is scored or should be scored or at the first available time. Questions must be submitted to the remaining cast members and resolved by a majority vote. If a handler is unsatisfied with the majority decision, that decision may be appealed to the Hunt Director to be heard after the cast is finished, by placing a deposit of $10. The deposit must be placed with the Judge in the field at the time of the question. The deposit will not be refunded later in the cast if the handler changes his or her mind. However, the handler may choose to drop the question and forfeit the deposit at the end of the cast if it is agreeable with all cast members. Handler may sign an IOU on back of scorecard, which must be paid before the question is heard. No deposit is required when the cast has voted and does not have a majority.
b. Question presentation: A cast should not return to the club house to have a question heard until hunting time is completed, unless the question pertains to a dog or handler being scratched from the cast.
c. Panel Hearing: The Hunt Director will assemble a panel of three (3) qualified people to hear the question. If the panel finds in favor of the question, the deposit will be returned and the scorecard changed to reflect the change. If the panel finds against the question, the deposit will be forfeited to the club.
d. Panel Appeal: Any cast member that believes a panel has made a gross misapplication of a rule, may request an appeal of the panel’s decision, if and only if he or she can quote the specific rule violation to the Hunt Director or PKC representative immediately following the rendering of the panel’s decision, by placing a deposit of $100 with the panel at that time. When and only when an appeals panel overturns the original panel’s decision will the appeal deposit be returned.
15. Good Judgement: These rules are written and intended to identify and reward the hound that hunts, strikes, jumps, and runs a rabbit better than the other hounds in his cast according to the guidelines within these rules. At times it will be necessary to use good judgement rather than a literal interpretation of these rules toward this end. It is within the scope of these rules for the Judge and/or Master of Hounds (panel) to rule on a situation not specifically covered in detail by these rules.
Copyright 2003 – Professional Kennel Club, Inc. All rights reserved.
1. Definitions:
a. Professional Kennel Club, Inc., referred to as PKC, will license all events, keep record of winnings, issue championship degrees, and World Championship and Futurity qualification. PKC will have no responsibility for accounting for and disbursing of proceeds, appointing Judges, or determining winners of events. PKC reserves the right to withhold recognition of winners and may decline to license a club for future events at its sole discretion. PKC reserves the right to appoint a member of PKC management to serve as Hunt Director and/or manage any event it deems necessary.
b. Sponsoring Club: The sponsoring club will be a club, national, breed, or state association licensed by PKC to conduct events. The club will have complete authority to conduct events, determine winners and disburse awards. The club will appoint a certified Hunt Director who will have full authority over the event. The club will rule on all questions concerning an event, including rule interpretation and disciplinary action of members. The National Association and PKC shall have the authority to correct gross errors by clubs at its discretion. A club may be licensed to hold PKC Beagle Events for the annual fee of $75.00. The license period is October 1st to September 30th. The club may be licensed for a single event for $25.00.
c. Guide: The Guide will be a responsible person who is an active rabbit hunter and is able to keep the cast in the best possible hunting grounds. Person shall be able to guide cast without assistance from another individual. Clubs should provide “hunting guides” from the local area if at all possible. If there are not enough hunting guides entered in the event, non-hunting guides will be used. The casting ground should be an area where the cast can compete safely.
2. Participants:
a. Membership requirement: Owners and handlers of dogs participating in PKC Licensed Beagle events must be current members (or be a guest of PKC) in good standing. It is the owner and/or handler's responsibility to know the rules contained herein and to abide by them. The owner and/or handler also agree to accept and abide by the decision of the Judge and the Hunt Director. Handlers only will be responsible for bringing formal questions and appeals to the Hunt Director.
b. Guest Hunters: Guest hunters shall be permitted to enter $10 and $15 Open Events and "Try One" hunts only. A person may enter only three (3) events as a "Guest Hunter" and awards will not count toward any qualification or standing. A club may refuse the entry of a guest hunter at its discretion. Guest hunters may not vote concerning the question to split or to recast for placement. Indicate "Guest" in the places for the PKC number of the dog and the Membership number of the owner and/or handler. Special note: In all Open Events, owner and handler must be current members, and dog must be PKC registered in order for credit to be given.
c. Scorecard Certification: Any cast considered for placement in an event must have the signature of a majority of the cast members certifying it to be accurate. All casts must be completed with at least three (3) members to certify the scorecard. The Hunt Director may sign the card on behalf of a handler if a question is brought before a panel. Hunt Director may also sign on behalf of any handler who has not signed a scorecard due to negligence.
3. Hunt Rules:
a. Rabbit – A rabbit is defined as a Cottontail, Hare, Snowshoe, Swamper, or Jackrabbit but not a tame or domestic rabbit.
b. All casts must hunt a full 60 minutes. Winners Cast will hunt 60 minutes. All members of Winners Cast must agree to split, otherwise Winners Cast will be hunted off.
c. Time deadline for return of scorecards will be posted at the club and on the scorecards before the first cast is drawn. Deadline to be determined at club’s discretion.
d. All casts will consist of no less than three (3) dogs or more than five (5) dogs with the exception of the Final Cast.
e. There must be a minimum of three (3) entries to conduct a hunt.
4. Judges:
a. The PKC Hunt Director at each hunt shall choose the Judges. Judge(s) should have a good knowledge of the sport and the ability to honestly conduct the cast according to PKC rules. The Judge(s) will have complete control of the cast and will make all decisions.
b. Judges must be fair-minded individuals who will show absolutely no favoritism. Any Judge found to have scored any situation to the benefit of any individual or dog shall be subject to disciplinary action.
c. After all Judge's names have been applied to the scorecards, Judges will draw their own casts. Casts will be drawn from all remaining entries placed face down on a table. Judge should draw for a Guide (if needed) and check for multiple entries (dogs owned by the same individual) at the time the card is drawn. Casts will be drawn by Judges in plain view of all.
d. Each cast will meet at predetermined spot on club grounds in order for the Judge to inspect each hound and to meet with the cast guide.
e. Each cast will use color-coded collars in order for the Judge to more easily identify the hounds.
f. Judges should call out scores when possible and at EVERY dead track and timeout.
g. Judges must not judge immediate family members, if at all possible.
h. Neither Judges nor Handlers may encourage hounds.
5. Judgement calls:
a. Judges often have to make difficult calls and the handler's cooperation is a must.
b. It is the Judge's decision only to call a "dead" track, off game, or to award minus points.
c. The Club and PKC will support the Judges as long as they are determined to be fair and are using good judgement.
6. Disciplinary Reports:
Any handler may be reported to the Hunt Director by another cast member, Judge, Guide, or club member for misconduct. The Hunt Director will send a report to PKC with the hunt results. The Misconduct Report will be handled as provided in the National Association by-laws. The issue will be investigated and charges may be brought on others involved as well as the member charged.
7. Dogs:
a. PKC Standards: Any dog entered must be a Beagle meeting PKC standards. It should be trained so as not to hinder other dogs in the cast. All dogs competing must be 15 inches or less when measured at the withers by the Hunt Directors. PKC reserves the right to investigate or inspect any dog that has been challenged concerning whether or not it meets the breed standard.
b. Registration Requirement: The dog must be PKC registered in the true owner’s name. All awards will be presented to the registered owner of the hound.
c. False Registration/Entering: Anyone guilty of falsely registering or falsely entering any dog with wrong papers may be scratched, fined, and/or placed on suspension and/or probation.
d. Veterinarian examination: The handler must allow his or her hound to be examined by a veterinarian, if requested or be permanently suspended.
e. Use of Tracking/Training Collars: A dog may wear a tracking collar during the hunt. It can be used anytime during a time out to return the dog to the cast. A dog may NOT wear an electronic training collar or dummy collar. This rule to be strictly enforced. Abuse of this rule will result in disciplinary action by PKC.
8. Entry Refusal: PKC or a sponsoring Club has the right to refuse entry to any dog or handler. However, no handler will be barred on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, or physical impairment. Any hunter denied entry must be given a hearing if it is requested in writing.
9. Hold Harmless Clause: By entry in a PKC event you agree to hold PKC, PKC National Association, the Club, Judge, Guide, and Hunt Director harmless in the event of accident, error, or misapplication of the rules. Any owner or handler may file a written complaint concerning actions of the sponsoring club. PKC will investigate the complaint and take
necessary action, including but not limited to withholding recognition of winners, and/or refusing to license the club for future events.
10. Alcohol and/or Unprescribed Drugs: Use of alcoholic beverages or unprescribed drugs shall not be permitted on the grounds of, or while participating in a PKC sanctioned event. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or unprescribed drugs will be refused entry.
11. Casting: A deadline will be announced for cast winners to be back to the clubhouse. Any dog not on the grounds to answer roll call will be scratched from the final cast and will receive last place. The scorecard is considered back if it is at the club grounds at the deadline. Hunting time should be completed in its entirety unless all cast members involved receive an equal share of the awards. The hunt director will have the authority to set a time deadline for the final cast to be finished. The winner will be the dog winning the cast at the deadline. In case of a tie that cannot be broken, the money will be split for tied positions. A hunt shall consist of the least number of casts possible, but never less than three (3) dogs or more than five (5) dogs per cast unless it is the final cast. At no time shall more than four (4) hours be allotted to complete a one (1) hour cast.
Example 1: With thirty (30) dogs entered, the hunt director would run six (6) casts of five (5) dogs, resulting in six (6) cast winners. Those six (6) cast winners would be split into two (2) casts of three (3) dogs, which then would result in two (2) cast winners that would be able to either split or run for the money available for first and second place. The remaining places (3, 4, and 5) would be filled using a sequence of the highest scoring second place dog receiving third place, the second highest scoring second place dog receiving fourth place, and the highest scoring third place dog receiving fifth. In places three (3), four (4), and five (5), the money available for payout of those places will be added together and split equally.
Example 2: With one hundred (100) dog entered, the hunt director would run twenty (20) casts of five (5) dogs, resulting in twenty (20) cast winners. Those twenty (20) cast winners would be split into five (5) casts of four (4) dogs, which then would result in five (5) cast winners, making the runoff a five (5) dog event with all dogs eligible to either split the money or hunt it off according to the appropriate PKC Chart of Awards. The intent is to run the least amount of casts with between three (3) and five (5) dogs per cast. It is at the hunt director’s discretion as to how many dogs per cast will be run and how many casts will be run. If at all possible with judges and time available, the final cast should consist of five (5) dogs. After entries have closed and have been tallied, the hunt director will announce the number of casts to be run for that day.
In hunts where there is added money available, only the dogs running in the final cast are eligible to split or run it off for the added purse.
a. Any cast winner failing to return to the clubhouse by the deadline will not be eligible to compete in the final cast. However, he will not be scratched as a cast winner of the first cast and is eligible for placement.
b. In any Final Cast, one (1) hunter may require the cast to be hunted.
c. Any hunter competing in a “Guest” status will be denied a vote concerning re-casting.
12. Points and Scoring: Points are based on strikes, jumps, and checks. No strike or jump points for a rabbit jumped by any other means than by the hounds.
a. Strike Points: Ten (10) strike points will be given to the hound that opens first with three (3) barks. The hound must produce the rabbit within three (3) minutes.
b. Jump Points: Twenty five (25) jump points will be awarded to the dog that flushes and pursues the rabbit from a setup position. A hound that jumps the rabbit with no other dog on the clock for the strike shall receive both jump and strike points.
Example 1: Hound A is on the clock for the strike and Hound B jumps the rabbit. Hound A receives strike points and Hound B gets the jump points.
Example 2: No dog is on the clock. Hound A jumps the rabbit and Hound B sees it and gets out three barks first. Hound A receives both jump and strike points.
c. Check Points: After fifteen (15) seconds have elapsed, a check will be declared. Twenty (20) check points will be given to the hound that picks up the track and moves it out of the check area.
d. Minus Points: Twenty (20) minus points shall be given to a hound for the following reasons: opening but not producing the rabbit within three (3) minutes, backtracking, babbling, and pulling dogs out of the check area. A dog that is on the clock for the strike and that dog quits the track prior to the three minutes shall be minused.
e. Tiebreakers: In case of a tie, tiebreakers will be determined by the dog with the least amount of minus points. If this does not break the tie, then the dog with the most jump points. If this does not break the tie, then the dog with the most check points. If this does not break the tie, then the dog with the most strike points.
13. Scratching Dogs: Dog(s) or handler(s) will be scratched for interfering with another dog's or handler's ability to compete. Dog(s) or handler(s) should be scratched as a last resort. Every effort should be made to allow dogs to compete. Reasons to scratch are as follows:
a. Any hound that has accumulated three separate minuses, no matter the amount of plus points, will be removed from the cast.
b. Sexual Behavior. Females smelling strong enough to attract male dogs, or any dog exhibiting sexual behavior instead of hunting during the progress of the cast may be scratched. If it is not possible to determine which dog is responsible for the behavior, both may be scratched. Any owner/handler found guilty of altering by any means, the scent of a
female may be subject to disciplinary action.
c. Fighting with other dog(s) or biting humans. A dog with his or her hackles up, growling and fussing may be scratched. Judge may issue a warning to the handler of a dog he suspects is causing trouble without scratching the dog. In any subsequent altercation where the aggressive dog is not known, the dog under warning shall be scratched with the
other dog(s) involved being permitted to remain in the cast under warning. No Hander will be allowed to withdraw his dog to avoid being “scratched for fighting.” A dog may be scratched by the Judge only. No dog should be scratched for fighting while under the
control of his handler (on leash, in the truck, etc.) or because of another dog previously scratched or withdrawn but not handled.
Any time a dog is scratched for fighting, the scratch shall remain on the dog's record for one (1) year from the date of the scratch. Any dog scratched three (3) times within any fiscal year will be suspended for life. Dogs that have been scratched two (2) times may be published in PROHOUND or THE RABBIT HUNTER. Any handler may report a fighting dog even if the dog is not caught and scratched. These reports will be taken into consideration should there be a hearing. A Handler has the right to request a hearing before a Hunt Director panel to determine which dogs of the cast are charged with a scratch, through the normal question procedure. Owner or handler may request a hearing by the National Association under the normal appeal process only after the normal question procedure at the club level has been exhausted, and the request for an appeal is received within thirty (30) days of the dog being scratched. An appeal deposit of $100 must be received at the time the written request for the appeal is received. Should the panel rule in favor of the appeal, the deposit will be returned and records changed to reflect the panel's decision. However, should the panel not rule in favor of the appeal, the deposit will be forfeited to PKC.
d. If the Judge is satisfied that a hound or hounds are clearly running game other than rabbit (wild or tame) as described above, the hound will be scratched from that day’s competition. This includes livestock. Any hound scratched for running fox, coyote, or deer three (3) times in one year will be barred from competing for one (1) year.
14. Questions:
a. Proper procedure for question: Any handler has the right to question the scoring of any dog in the cast. Questions must be placed on the card at the time the dog is scored or should be scored or at the first available time. Questions must be submitted to the remaining cast members and resolved by a majority vote. If a handler is unsatisfied with the majority decision, that decision may be appealed to the Hunt Director to be heard after the cast is finished, by placing a deposit of $10. The deposit must be placed with the Judge in the field at the time of the question. The deposit will not be refunded later in the cast if the handler changes his or her mind. However, the handler may choose to drop the question and forfeit the deposit at the end of the cast if it is agreeable with all cast members. Handler may sign an IOU on back of scorecard, which must be paid before the question is heard. No deposit is required when the cast has voted and does not have a majority.
b. Question presentation: A cast should not return to the club house to have a question heard until hunting time is completed, unless the question pertains to a dog or handler being scratched from the cast.
c. Panel Hearing: The Hunt Director will assemble a panel of three (3) qualified people to hear the question. If the panel finds in favor of the question, the deposit will be returned and the scorecard changed to reflect the change. If the panel finds against the question, the deposit will be forfeited to the club.
d. Panel Appeal: Any cast member that believes a panel has made a gross misapplication of a rule, may request an appeal of the panel’s decision, if and only if he or she can quote the specific rule violation to the Hunt Director or PKC representative immediately following the rendering of the panel’s decision, by placing a deposit of $100 with the panel at that time. When and only when an appeals panel overturns the original panel’s decision will the appeal deposit be returned.
15. Good Judgement: These rules are written and intended to identify and reward the hound that hunts, strikes, jumps, and runs a rabbit better than the other hounds in his cast according to the guidelines within these rules. At times it will be necessary to use good judgement rather than a literal interpretation of these rules toward this end. It is within the scope of these rules for the Judge and/or Master of Hounds (panel) to rule on a situation not specifically covered in detail by these rules.
Copyright 2003 – Professional Kennel Club, Inc. All rights reserved.
Steve Fielder
Director, Coonhound Events
American Kennel Club
Director, Coonhound Events
American Kennel Club
-
Bob
7. Dogs:
a. PKC Standards: Any dog entered must be a Beagle meeting PKC standards. It should be trained so as not to hinder other dogs in the cast. All dogs competing must be 15 inches or less when measured at the withers by the Hunt Directors. PKC reserves the right to investigate or inspect any dog that has been challenged concerning whether or not it meets the breed standard.
Where can I find this standard Steve?
a. PKC Standards: Any dog entered must be a Beagle meeting PKC standards. It should be trained so as not to hinder other dogs in the cast. All dogs competing must be 15 inches or less when measured at the withers by the Hunt Directors. PKC reserves the right to investigate or inspect any dog that has been challenged concerning whether or not it meets the breed standard.
Where can I find this standard Steve?