The philosophy of the Hunting Retriever Club, (HRC) is "To test the Retriever in true to life hunting situations, and to evaluate them as useful Hunting companions". The purpose of the Hunting Retriever Club, Inc. (HRC) is to provide the most realistic hunting situations for both the Hunter and his/her Hunting Retriever. Keep this philosophy in mind when you set out to create an HRC approved, UKC recognized Club. We, the HRC and the UKC, desire Clubs that strive to improve and enhance the natural hunting abilities of the Hunting Retriever.

The following policies and procedures will be used in the process of formation, and eventual approval of new HRC Clubs. You should read the information provided carefully and completely.

The following are items that will need to be accomplished:

2. Elect/or Appoint a minimum of three different persons to your Executive Committee. (All must be members of HRC, Inc.) In cases where more than one person that resides in a household, (a spouse or child) is accepting an office, that membership must be a family membership. HRC recommends that you elect four officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The position of Secretary & Treasurer may be combined. Complete addresses (not just a P. O. Box) must be supplied so UPS packages can be sent.

Clubs that are now, or become affiliated with another group or association are ADVISED that it is in the best interest of the new HRC Associated Club to elect a separate slate of officers. Separate bank accounts should also be established.

The President of your Club will automatically become a voting member of the HRC Board of Directors, which meets the 2^nd weekend in June for the Board of Directors annual meeting. HRC is affiliated with UKC as our registry. HRC is a non-profit organization owned and governed by its members through the Board of Directors and the elected Executive Committee.

4. Complete and adopt the enclosed Associated Club Constitution & By-Laws governing the Club OR incorporate the following statement in your existing governing documents.

Your Club's Constitution or By-Laws must be submitted to HRC for approval.

The following statements must be a part of your Club's Constitution and By-Laws:

a) "All HRC and UKC rules and policies will be followed at all UKC licensed, HRC Hunts sponsored by this Club.  HRC Club Officers must be members in good standing with HRC, Inc.

We recommend that you contact your local Governmental Corporation Office for information as to how to make your Club a Non-Profit Corporation, and get appropriate legal advice also. There are advantages provided to Non-Profit Corporations, which may include reducing the liability of your Club Officers. The cost is usually minimal, $10.00 to $25.00 per year.

Clubs' Constitution and By-Laws must be signed by at least three elected Officers of your Club indicating their office.

6. Keep the ORIGINAL Constitution & By-Laws for your Club. Submit the following to the HRC Administrative Secretary (Claudene C. Christopher, P. O. Box 3179, Big Spring, TX 79721 / (432) 267-1659):

a) The completed HRC Associated Club Application Form

b) The Club application fee of $25.00 (make checks payable to Hunting Retriever Club, Inc.)

c) Officer’s HRC membership applications and fees, IF they are not already HRC, Inc. Members.

d) A COPY of the Club Constitution and By-Laws

Upon approval of your Club's application and the Constitution & By-Laws by HRC and UKC, you will be mailed a letter of Approval of the Club and a Club Charter.

Once you have received notification of the approval of your new Club, contact your Field Representative (listed at www.HuntingRetrieverClub.org).  Your Field Representative will assist you in scheduling your required Preliminary Hunt. A Field Representative or HRC Executive Officer must attend your Preliminary Hunt, so scheduling a date with him/her is of utmost importance.

All new Hunting Retriever Clubs must have a Preliminary Hunt to demonstrate that the members understand and comply with HRC and UKC rules and policies. It also provides an opportunity for an HRC Field Representative or Executive Officer to attend and provide an appraisal report to HRC & UKC upon which to base approval of the new Club to host UKC Licensed events. Championship points earned at Preliminary Hunts DO count toward titles.

HRC’s Administrative Secretary licenses and approves all HRC Judges.

A New Club is allowed to ‘Grandfather’ a Judge in Started and a Judge in Seasoned. The Judges must apprentice at the Preliminary Hunt. These two Judges become AA Licensed Judges after successful Apprenticeship at the Preliminary Hunt, thus providing a Judge’s pool for the new Club. See the Judges qualifications in the Rulebook.

The New Club will provide the HRC Administrative Secretary (AdminSecretary@H-R-C.org) / Fax: (269) 267-1650) the names and information on those selected to become Grandfather Judges for their Club so that they can be approved for judging at the Preliminary Hunt.

It is recommended that you obtain a Liability Insurance Policy in the Club's name as soon as possible. Many State or local Field Trial Associations or Sportsmen's Groups offer group Insurance policies. 

There are many important factors in determining the location of your hunt grounds. Some are as follows.

1) Is the location accessible in all weather conditions?

2) Is there plenty of room so that you are able to run hunt tests simultaneously: (You don't want to have any overlap of the tests).

3) Is there enough ground cover to make the tests real and run the test in a reasonable manner?

4) Is there an adequate amount of both land and water areas?

5) Do you have enough room for spectators to watch and park while not interfering with the Hunt?

All hunting tests should be at least far enough apart so that one test does not distract another. REALISM must be retained to simulate as nearly as possible, actual hunting conditions.

Safety of dogs, handlers, Judges, bird technicians and gallery are of utmost importance in the HRC Program. Remember and practice good Gun Safety.

OTHER INFORMATION - The following are policies that have been initiated by HRC and/or UKC, adopted by the Board of Directors or established by a Running Rules Committee review, and apply to all HRC events.

1. HRC Hunts must be conducted in a sportsmanlike manner. Remember HRC was "Created by Hunters for Hunters", so good sportsmanship is the standard. All State and local laws will be followed.
2. Live birds, EXCEPT for shot flyers in Regular Hunt Tests and/or birds for Upland Hunts, are prohibited. Game used for the Hunt test should reflect the type of hunting being simulated, i.e. ducks for water tests, pigeons for simulated dove hunts and Chukar, quail and/or pheasant for Upland Tests, etc. All Local, State and Federal laws must be followed.
3. Financial assistance in the form of a loan of up to $500, may be available (if funds are available) to new Clubs for their Preliminary Hunt upon written request to the Executive Committee. Direct these inquiries to the HRC Treasurer.
4. Upon request if funds are available, HRC may assist a new Club with the Judges meals, lodging and travel expenses for their first two Hunts. These funds are available only for those expenses that exceed $60 for each Judge. Application for this assistance must be made in writing to the HRC Treasurer for each Hunt and will be limited to $150 for each event.
5. A Club may hold as many Hunts per year as it wants, as long as all other requirements for Licensing are met and there is not a conflict with another Club within a 200-mile radius. Contact UKC HRC Field Operations, (269) 343-9020 / Loretta Wylie lwylie@ukcdogs.com)  for scheduling your Preliminary and Licensed Hunts. Clubs should hold at least one Hunt per year to remain on the approved Club list.
6. Clubs must limit the number of entries per handler to a maximum of 8. A Club may be more restrictive if it chooses.
7. The established fees per dog, must be forwarded to the HRC Treasurer and UKC with a postmark of within 15 business days of all Licensed Hunts.
8. An optional Puppy test (not licensed) may be run for young/inexperienced dogs. Non-Licensed events shall not delay the Licensed events. It is encouraged that you have a Puppy test as this a good way for new members and very young dogs to participate and win a ribbon. There are no written guidelines for a Puppy Test; however, your Field Representative or other knowledgeable person can give you simple guidelines.
9. The practice of using callbacks (defined as running dogs in contention ahead of dogs not in contention) is not allowed. The Running Rules Preamble states that: "Hunting Retrievers will be able to compete in all tests at each level of competition without being eliminated".
10. Non-UKC Registered dogs are allowed to participate in Upland, Started, Seasoned or Finished, however, the dog must be registered within 60 days of the test in order to be awarded any Championship Points earned, AND there is an additional entry fee of $3 per non-UKC registered dogs participating.

Non-HRC Members dogs may participate in HRC events, however an additional $5 fee will be charged for entries whose owners are not members of HRC – this applies to each dog entered for each event under a non-HRC member owner. This DOES NOT APPLY to the Started category entries. There are no fees to HRC for a Preliminary Hunt, but at a Regular Licensed Hunt, $2.50 of the $5 non member fees are sent to HRC along with the appropriate per dog fee and $2.50 of the $5 is retained by the Club.

All entries will be treated fairly and equally in every respect throughout all tests regardless of their pass or fail status. i.e. Entries that are judged to have failed prior to completion of any remaining tests will not be prevented from participating in any subsequent tests, nor will running order be affected by such a judgment. Judges must continue to judge every dog's performance, all throws and birds will be of equal quality, and every effort shall be made to ensure that participants are treated exactly the same as if they were still in contention.

In unavoidable situations such as might occur with severe storms and hunt disruptions that are beyond human control, it is understood that strict adherence may not always be possible. In such circumstances, the Hunt Committee and Judges may (by unanimous vote) permit the use of alternate or "callback" procedures to allow participation in an event that could not otherwise be completed. In such situations, the Judges will explain the situation to the gallery and handlers, and the Hunt Secretary will note on the HRC & UKC Hunt Report forms which tests were affected with a short description of the problem. Every reasonable effort must be made to provide all dogs that may have their tests delayed, in favor of those dogs that are still in contention, with an opportunity to complete their tests.