Spring Informal May 2 & 3, 2026

Hosted by the Minnesota Iron Range Retriever Club
Also known as a Picnic Trial. It’s an opportunity to train in a test environment with thawed dead ducks. There will be HRC Classes and AKC classes both days. Being an informal you may sign up for as many as you wish and if you don’t “Pass” you can still play the rest of the day.
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 Contact Ellis Wojciehowski 218-421-8268 Directions to the Minnesota Iron Range Retriever Club.
Stakes HRC Started and Seasoned Saturday only , Sunday is the Upland Hunt test- Any dog may enter. It is assumed dogs are running competitively. However dogs may run as non compete. See judges for restrictions. Link to the UKC Rule book and description of the running rules. Started, Saturday only- will be single retrieves, the dog may be gently restrained and delivery will be to the area of the handler . Seasoned, Saturday only-will be doubles, dog is required to be steady at the line and deliver to hand. Blinds, walk ups, walk outs and or diversion birds may be utilized. Sunday Informal Upland Hunt Test- Link to Sunday's Upland Hunt Test Information Puppy- Dogs must be under one year of age; i.e., they cannot run a puppy stake on the day they turn one year old. Judges may set up multiple single marks. Derby- Dogs must be under two years of age; i.e., they cannot run a derby stake on the day they turn two years old. Judges may set up single and double marks. Hunter Special- Any dog may enter unless it has previously won two hunters’ special stakes, won two derby stakes, or received a place or JAM in an open stake or a qualifying stake. Judges may set up single and double marks. Judges may utilize blinds, quartering, and trailing. Qualifying- Any dog unless it has previously won two Qualifying stakes or received a place or JAM in an Open stake. Judges may set up triple marks, blinds, and may include an honor. Judges may utilize retired guns. Open- Any dog may enter. Judges may set up triple marks, blinds, and may include an honor. Both visible and retired guns may be used. Judges may utilize poison birds and interrupted marks. Contestants also note: No physical disciplining of dogs or harsh training methods are allowed on the Ben Niemi Trial Grounds during fi eld trials. AKC Rules for field trials AKC Rules for Hunting Tests
There will be an option to purchase lunch at the clubhouse. Also the Mt Iron Diary Queen is just down the road. Order ahead for a quick lunch and treat. Link to Diary Queen