Spring Upland Hunt Test Informal May 3, 2026
Also known as a Picnic Trial. Being an informal you may sign up for as many classes as you wish and if you don’t “Pass” you can still play the rest of the day.
Remember to wear blaze orange for the Upland Test Sunday.
Saturday events will be Started and Seasoned Hunt Tests and you should try to wear hunting camouflage.
All dogs are eligible. They do not have to be registered with the UKC or AKC. All breeds are welcome. Please no dogs in heat.
Cost will be $20 per entry.
Sign up at the MIRRC Clublubhouse, approximately 8-8:30 and the events will start around 9.
5029 Hwy 7, Mt Iron MN 55768
Directions to the Minnesota Iron Range Retriever Club.
Upland Hunt Test Description MIRRC InformalMay 3, 2026
Pigeons will be the game used for this informal. Otherwise, it is most common to use Chukars or Pheasants during sanctioned HRC events.Handlers, judges, and gunners are required to wear blaze orange outer garments such as a hat, vest, shirt, and/or jacket. The Upland Hunt Test consists of a simulated walk-up, an honor, and a quartering test including steady to flush. The Quartering portion of the test is commonly performed after the Walk-up and Honor are completed. For the walk up, a dead bird launched by a winger will be used. On the walk-up, judges will look for a dog that walks attentively at heel and does not require loud commands to stay in position. It is not necessary for the dog to sit when the bird is flushed, but it should not leave the line before being commanded to do so. While an Upland dog is honoring, its view of the hunting test cannot be obstructed. While quartering, the dog hunts in a radius of 10-30 yards to the front of the handler. The dog does not need to run a pattern but should show a natural ability to hunt the cover and be under control. Hand, voice, or whistle commands are acceptable, but a judge markdown may occur, or the test failed if the dog is directed by the handler for every change of direction and to every patch of cover.A natural flush is preferred, but today we will be using pop up/launcher boxes to ‘flush/release’ the live birds out in the field. The Upland hunting dog must display the ability to be steady to wing and shot. The handler must shoot the gun/popper before the gunners may kill the bird. Two birds will be presented to ‘flush’ during the quartering test. After the flush is made, the dog should come to a stop on its own or on command by the handler. It is not required for the dog to sit but the dog needs to be within a reasonable distance to allow the handler and the gunners a safe and clear shot. Please refer to the Official UKC/HRC Policy and Running Rules for Hunting Retriever Tests (pages 73-75). hrc_rulebook_-_updated_1-26.pdf
Thank you for joining us today. Enjoy your hunt!Arrowhead HRC
Pigeons will be the game used for this informal. Otherwise, it is most common to use Chukars or Pheasants during sanctioned HRC events.Handlers, judges, and gunners are required to wear blaze orange outer garments such as a hat, vest, shirt, and/or jacket. The Upland Hunt Test consists of a simulated walk-up, an honor, and a quartering test including steady to flush. The Quartering portion of the test is commonly performed after the Walk-up and Honor are completed. For the walk up, a dead bird launched by a winger will be used. On the walk-up, judges will look for a dog that walks attentively at heel and does not require loud commands to stay in position. It is not necessary for the dog to sit when the bird is flushed, but it should not leave the line before being commanded to do so. While an Upland dog is honoring, its view of the hunting test cannot be obstructed. While quartering, the dog hunts in a radius of 10-30 yards to the front of the handler. The dog does not need to run a pattern but should show a natural ability to hunt the cover and be under control. Hand, voice, or whistle commands are acceptable, but a judge markdown may occur, or the test failed if the dog is directed by the handler for every change of direction and to every patch of cover.A natural flush is preferred, but today we will be using pop up/launcher boxes to ‘flush/release’ the live birds out in the field. The Upland hunting dog must display the ability to be steady to wing and shot. The handler must shoot the gun/popper before the gunners may kill the bird. Two birds will be presented to ‘flush’ during the quartering test. After the flush is made, the dog should come to a stop on its own or on command by the handler. It is not required for the dog to sit but the dog needs to be within a reasonable distance to allow the handler and the gunners a safe and clear shot. Please refer to the Official UKC/HRC Policy and Running Rules for Hunting Retriever Tests (pages 73-75). hrc_rulebook_-_updated_1-26.pdf
Thank you for joining us today. Enjoy your hunt!Arrowhead HRC
No lunch will be served onsite. However the Mt Iron Diary Queen is just down the road. Order ahead for a quick lunch and treat.
Link to Diary Queen
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