The Hunt Test Judges Seminars- Special 2 Day Program
(Participants may choose to attend one or both days) 
Saturday June 21, 2008 9:00 AM - AKC Hunt Test Judge Seminar Class
Seminar held at Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm, Yaphank, NY
and/or  Sunday June 22, 2008 8:00 AM- Hands-On In the Field Practical 
Peconic Headwaters Management Area (Otis Pike Preserve) Calverton, NY
For more information call: Guy Fornuto: 631-979-0873 or email fornut@aol.com
Deadlines: Reservations by May 23, 2008 and payment to Guy Fornuto by May 30, 2008.
Mail check made payable to LIGRC to Guy Fornuto, 693 Meadow Road, Smithtown NY 11787
Pricing: Saturday's Seminar $35.00; includes lunch and beverages.
Sunday's Seminar $25.00 per person running a dog, $15.00 per person not running a dog; includes lunch.
Directions: Saturday: LIE Exit 67 South 1/4 mile, turn into Cornell Cooperative Extension. Park in main parking area and follow signs to Seminar Building.
Sunday: LIE Exit 69 North follow signs to dog training area.

     We have prepared this special 2-day program to offer both classroom learning on Saturday with practical "on site" experience on Sunday. Each participant will take the  "classroom training" from Saturday to design and construct an actual test on Sunday. Participants will review and evaluate their layouts, score dogs and learn from experts how to make their tests bring out the retriever in the dog. Attendees will also have an opportunity to run their dogs as part of this practical seminar. 

From the AKC Website:
     AKC Retriever Hunting Tests were designed to give the dog owner a good, basic hunting dog and provide a place to run and compete. Here the dog is not competing against the other entries, but against a "standard." This "standard" was established by AKC as a means of judging good hunting retrievers and is modified periodically as and when needed.

     Dogs are judged in three divisions; Junior, Senior, and Master. The Junior dog is judged only on marked retrieves, no blinds and the dog need not be steady, but may be held. This is generally the beginning level for most people. Senior is the next step and here the dog in addition to marked retrieves must also be able to deal with relatively easy blind retrieves, honoring another dog's retrieve, and be steady. Master is the top level and here the dog is required to retrieve difficult marking situations such as three or more birds down prior to being sent to retrieve and be able to honor another dog's retrieve. The dog in general must exhibit those qualities which must be expected in a truly finished and experienced hunting retriever.

     All test levels should be designed to simulate, as nearly as possible, true hunting situations and natural hazards, obstacles, numerous decoys. Hunting equipment and implements should be used to help with this effort. While at the same time the judges must keep in mind that in a hunting "test," we are testing dogs not "hunting." This is quite important as everything that happens while hunting does not necessarily make for a good Hunting Test.