PKC YOUTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP JUDGING GUIDELINES

[Jerry Moll]

First of all, thank you very much for volunteering your time and expertise to judge the youth, we appreciate you! It is very important to give back to our sport and to mentor the future handlers and judges of tomorrow.

Here are a few guidelines that will help you to have a successful and enjoyable hunt.
• Introduce yourself to the youth hunters, their parents and your guide.
• Have your guide explain when/where you will be meeting and hunting.
• Be sure that every youth has a ride. If you need help contact PKC Staff.
• On arrival at the woods, ask the hunters to wait on unloading dogs until you go over some things.
• Explain that the Youth World Championship is conducted under Pro Rules, no voting.
• Inform everyone that this is a one (1) hour hunt, sixty (60) minutes of hunting time.
• Tell parents/spectators that they may stay at the truck or go to the woods.
• Parents/spectators must stay back away from youth and remain quiet during the cast.
• Youth and judge must be able to conduct the cast with no interference.
• Any handler with a parent/spectator interfering with handlers/judge/dogs in any way will be scratched and asked to return to the truck.
• Parents/spectators MAY NOT shine trees.
• Any youth cast member may find and point out a raccoon, but the judge must score it.
• In situations with a very small youth, parent/spectator may assist when leashing dog and tying back off the trees, only.
• After dogs are unloaded, but before releasing, do a tracking system check to be sure collars/handhelds are in compliance with PKC Rules.
• Remind handlers that tracking systems are for the use of the handler and cannot be considered by the judge for scoring situations.
• Encourage any nervous youth to loosen up and have fun.
• Keep the youth up to date on time and scoring as much as possible.
• After making a judgment call, always explain your reasoning to any youth that may be confused.
• Score all dogs that have been declared treed before the hunt is over, even if it cannot change the outcome of the cast.