NAVHDA-Sanctioned Tests: The Greatland Chapter typically conducts NAVHDA-sanctioned Tests in August. These included Natural Ability Tests, Utility Preparatory Tests and Utility Tests. This year's tests (2010) will be conducted on 6-8 August (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Applications for the 2010 tests are still being accepted , using the official NAVHDA Forms. Please note that the completed form and the accompanying registration number and other information should be mailed to the Test Secretary, Judy Deaver, and not to NAVHDA International.

Directions to Test Sites

On each Test day, handlers will meet at Falcon Ridge Shooting Grounds for the Judges' Briefing and announcement of running order. All field events (search, tracking, etc.) will be conducted at Falcon Ridge fields. Water events are conducted at Carpenter Lake and Dead Moose Pond.

Test Applications

Applications for the 2010 Tests are being accepted by the Greatland Chapter, but only one NA slot is currently available. You may apply for other slots as a standby, in the event that one or more dogs are withdrawn prior to August. The test fees are higher than in previous years, but are necessary in order for the Chapter to break even on the overall cost of running these tests.

Fees are as follows:

(Greatland Charter Members subtract $5)

Applications for tests must be made using the standard NAVHDA Test Entry form found on the NAVHDA web site at NAVHDA Forms. Please print and complete the form, then mail with the necessary supporting paperwork, along with your entry fee, to the Test Secretary:

Judy Deaver

4752 Mills Drive

Anchorage, AK 99508

or to

Roger Hull

10140 Kasilof Blvd

Anchorage, AK 99507

Make checks payable to:

"Greatland NAVHDA"

For questions, call 907-346-6279 or 907-337-6286 (evenings and weekends). You may also eMail questions to Judy Deaver or to Roger Hull.

The slots for each type of test will be filled in the order that completed applications are received. To be considered complete, the application must include payment and registration information for the dog. You may request a specific date, which will be honored to the extent possible. There are limits on the number and mix of tests the chapter may conduct on a single day that may require a change in the day of your test.

Running order is determined by the Senior Judge on the morning of each day's test.

Applications will be accepted and processed on the basis of postmark date.

Commitment

Entry fees for the August tests are non-refundable!

The chapter has received enough entries to make holding these tests economically viable. We have a full slate of dogs each day needed to make it work. A full slate for each day is 8-10 NA dogs, or 5-6 UT dogs, or a mixture based on NAVHDA criteria for maximum test sizes.

We have made the commitment to NAVHDA, requested that judges be assigned, paid the test fee to NAVHDA, and begun planning the logistics. For that reason, we cannot (and will not) accept cancelations or refund entry fees without a paid replacement. While we understand a handler's desire to recover the entry fee if a dog dies, gets ill or injured, or simply isn't ready to run the test for whatever reason, the money won't be there to make a refund. The Chapter officers would have to pay the difference out of pocket, since we do not have the  cash reserves that larger, more active chapters typically do.

If you know you want to run your dog in a test, or think you might want to, please register and pay the fee. We'll accept entries until we fill up three days with the max number of dogs.

Remember that you can run a dog in more than one test. It isn't uncommon at all to run the same dog on two days of a 2 or 3-day set of tests. Doing that might increase your chances of getting a higher Prize, and it will certainly help us make the numbers we need to run the tests in the first place.

Test Site and Accommodations

Site map is shown above. A list of local accommodations will be mailed to accepted applicants.

Snacks and drinks will be available on site.

This is Alaska. Vets are a given. Doctors are optional. Dress for the weather and expect rain.

Waiting List

A waiting list will be maintained, if needed. Fees for dogs on the waiting list that are not accommodated will be refunded in full. It is suggested that wait-listed dogs show up on site, ready to test, on each test day.

One owner may enter several dogs, and may place additional dogs on the waiting list if the tests are full.

Test Procedures

Details on the NAVHDA Tests may be found on the NAVHDA web site

Female dogs in season will be run at the end of each event.

UPT and UT handlers must wear orange. Anyone in the field when live ammunition is being used (gunners, gallery, judges, etc.) must also wear orange.

Refunds and Substitutions

There is no refund for a withdrawals unless a replacement dog (same or different handler) is registered and fully paid. The replacement dog must not have been previously registered.

Please note: The chapter incurs significant expense in conducting these tests, and the only revenue used to offset the expense are the entry fees. Once the judges travel to Alaska, the expenses have been incurred and the chapter must field the maximum number of dogs each day. We do offer wait list opportunities for dogs if we exceed the maximum number of entries for a specific day. However, it is entirely possible that handlers may not travel to the test site if they could not be assured of a slot. In that case, refunding a fee for a late cancellation, no-show or withdrawal would jeopardize the chapter's planned revenue goal.

There will be no refund of a test fee for a no-show of for a cancellation if the decision has been made to run the tests. This includes withdrawal because of injury or illness involving the dog or the handler.

A dog may be substituted for a dog already registered by the same owner.

Apprentice Judges

Apprentice Judges interested in participating in these tests please contact the Test Secretary to discuss the availability of slots.

Hunting, fishing and sightseeing

Come early or stick around after the test and make your trip even more worthwhile.

The upland bird season in Alaska opens on 10 August.

The salmon and trout fishing season will be in full swing.

Check the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau web site, or any of a wide variety of Alaska-related web sites or guide books for information on activities around Alaska in August. Greatland Chapter members would be glad to help point you in the right direction for sightseeing, flightseeing, or other pursuits.

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