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| STARTED: Started dogs do two single marked retrieves on land and two on water. The maximum distance for the retrieves is 75 yards on land and 60 yards on water. Started dogs can be restrained at the line and do not have to deliver to hand. The handler has the option of handling the gun or allowing a gunner to do the shooting. SEASONED: Seasoned dogs are required to do a double marked retrieve and a blind retrieve on land and water. A diversion bird will be used in conjunction with one set of marks, and there will be a walkup, tracking or quartering test. Land marks must not exceed 100 yards and water marks 75 yards. The maximum distance for blinds is 40 yards. The dog must be steady and deliver to hand. The handler must handle and fire the gun in all tests. Only poppers (blanks) are fired, and the handler will be judged on gun safety. FINISHED: Finished dogs are expected to be steady, deliver to hand, and honor a working dog. There will be multiple marks to be retrieved on land and water with at least one diversion bird. The test will include a blind retrieve on land and water, plus a walk-up, tracking or quartering tests. Land marks must not exceed 150 yards and water 125 yards. The maximum distance for blinds is 100 yards. The handler will handle will handle and fire the gun in all tests. Only poppers (blanks) will be used, and the handler will be judged on gun safety. With the successful completion of the test, the dog is awarded points toward a title. The successful completion of a started test earns 5 points, seasoned test gets 10 points, and a finished test is 15 points and a grand test is worth 40 big points. |
| To earn the title of Hunting Retriever, a dog must achieve 40 points, Hunting Retriever Champion is awarded when a dog achieves 100 points, Grand Hunting Retriever Champion title requires 200 points after the title Hunting Retriever Champion is earned. Of these 300 points, 80 points must e achieved by passing two grand tests. In all tests, the dogs are not scored against each other. Instead,dogs are judged individually against a standard pass/fail basis. Using tests designed to stimulate actual hunting situations, judges evaluate each dog on those qualities desired in a hunting retriever. The dog will be judged on marking, nose, hunting desire, control and hunting style. The friendliness you see at our events is genuine. We encourage retriever owners to attend one of our monthly get togethers, and see for your self if our club has something to offer you. If you like to run, watch or talk retrievers, you'll find lots of company. If you would like more information on Illinois River HRC or would like to know the schedule of events, please contact: |
| The annual club dues are $25.00, and all members must also belong to the Hunter Retriever Club, Inc., The national organization which publishes a high quality, bi-monthly magazine, Hunting Retriever. All dogs competing for points must be registered with the United Kennel Club, Inc. Our club holds training days scheduled as the level of member's interest dictates except during those months when hunting season is at full swing. Business meetings are scheduled as needed but at least annually. The Club hosts a registered licensed event (a "hunt") annually the first weekend in June and has the annual awards banquet in March. The HRC program offers three levels of testing for retrievers at alllicensed events: Started, Seasoned and Finished. All tests are designed to simulate actual hunting conditions. Ducks, pheasants, pigeons or other game birds are used for all tests. There is no age limit for dogs at any level. A general description of the requirements at each level is as follows: |
| The Illinois River HRC is a group of hunters and their dogs from Central Illinois who meet from time to time for a training session, fun trial or licensed test. Our club is family oriented, and all events are planned to include the whole family. We take our dog training seriously but with a relaxed attitude. We welcome all United Kennel Club hunting breeds capable of retrieving on land and water. Training days and licensed events are held at Banner Marsh Conservation Area between Banner and Kingston Mines on Route 24. Our objective is to help folks achieve the desired level of training for their hunting retriever. Gun safety is a priority at all of our events and the humane treatment of animals is demanded. |