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Clothing.... The HRC rulebook says, "Hunting clothes must be worn by Judges, Hunt Marshals, Gunners, Bird Boys, and Handlers. Hunting clothes worn must be harmonious with the hunting environment, such as camo in waterfowl and dove hunting, white clothing if snow goose hunting." The following discussion comes from a mid-winter conference call between the field reps, reported in the February - March, 2005 Judges Corner in Hunting Retriever magazine: Clothing at the Hunts: It was the unanimous opinion of the
regional reps that most handlers and hunt test participants should wear
clothing. There were some
exceptions mentioned. Wait a minute while I check my notes on that… I’m
kidding, but seriously, the subject of “hunting clothes” and appropriate
attire at hunts was discussed. There seems to be some confusion in
the ranks by both judges and handlers regarding acceptable dress at our hunt
tests. I have personally witnessed
the following just this past fall at various hunt tests:
1) judges in blue jeans, 2) judges who indicated that camo from the waist
up was all they required, and they didn’t care what the handlers had on from
the waist down, 3) judges who never mentioned appropriate attire, 4) handlers in
blue jeans, 5) handlers who didn’t seem to care what they had on and 6) hunt
marshals and other hunt committee members who obviously said nothing to these
judges or handlers about appropriate clothing. It was agreed that first and foremost,
judges and hunt test officials and other participants should set a good example
for handlers by wearing appropriate clothing.
Thankfully, most do. If we
have any doubts about the fashion statement we should be making at a hunt, we
need look no farther than page 7 of our rulebook; Clothing, to find out what is
appropriate to wear. “Judges,
Hunt Marshals, Gunners, Bird Boys, and Handlers must wear hunting clothes.
Hunting clothes worn must be harmonious with the hunting environment,
such as camo in waterfowl and dove hunting, white clothing if snow goose
hunting”. I’ve looked
everywhere, and for the life of me I can’t find any portion of the rulebook
that says we need only be half-attired in appropriate clothing.
And by the way, don’t try telling the judge, “I hunt in blue
jeans”. The judge sets the tone
for what is appropriate hunting attire as respects the hunt site, the test
environment and hunting scenario. “Hunting
clothes”, and “harmonious” are really the operable words here.
If a handler had on for instance, olive drab or brown pants that blended
nicely into the background and vegetation at the site, the judge might declare
that acceptable. How can one be
sure they are always appropriately dressed for the hunt?
Wear camo! David Cooper uses
a great analogy when addressing the issue of hunt test clothing.
He says take a look in the pits at a NASCAR event.
Everyone dresses in team colors or some other type of official clothing.
They all look like they belong at….well, a NASCAR event!
Dress appropriately and in the spirit of testing which is consistent with
a day of hunting. It’s really
that simple. Some of you will no doubt want to write and ask me about handlers that wear Cornfield Camo to the flooded timber hunt, and then change into New Breakup for the afternoon cornfield test. I will of course refer you back to the word “harmonious”. By the way, judges should always remember to advise handlers of appropriate dress for the test in the handlers meeting. |
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The Judges Corner - copyright
2006 All Rights Reserved Last modified: February 18, 2008 |