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Hunting Glossary

HuntingNet.com has comprised a database of many of these phrases and their definitions to help you gain a better understand of hunting terminology.

The hunting world is filled with a variety of different terms and phrases that may mean one thing to a seasoned veteran but make no sense whatsoever to someone who is just starting out.

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Search Results

Habitat Search:

The type of environment that supports deer and all its activities.

Hand Shy Search:

Fear of the handler’s hand, usually seen when the handler lowers his hand in position prior to sending the dog or confirming the dog’s line to a fall. This is a manmade problem.

Hand Signals Search:

A series of hand/arm motions used to indicate to the dog which way you desire it go.

Handler Search:

The person releasing the dog to make a retrieve.

Handling Search:

Working a dog on a blind retrieve or stopping a dog and handling him on a mark if he needs direction to help locate the bird.

Hard Mouth Search:

The action said to occur when a dog uses too much force in picking up or holding a bird. This action renders the bird unfit for human consumption and is a major problem. A bird should be carried gently without injuring it. A common pharse is that the bird should be delivered “table ready” with the rib cage still intact.

Heel Search:

The old definition meant to “walk by my side.” Trainers for hunt tests and field trials now use it to make a dog back up when forging ahead such as when doing to line at a test or trial.

Heeling Stick Search:

A riding crop or other item carried and used on the dog to remind it of its proper place. This is not used to abuse the dog, rather provide a gentle, but firm, reminder of the place.

Helical Search:

The angle at which vanes or feathers may be set. This angle causes the arrow to twist, making for a faster, more accurate shot.

Helical Search:

Refers to the way fletching is laid on an arrow. Rather than straight, helical fletching curves slightly around the arrow shaft.

Hen Search:

Full grown adult female game bird. Pheasants, turkeys, etc.

Herbivore Search:

Animals that subsist exclusively on vegetation.

Here Search:

This obedience command means to come directly to me.

Hidden Gun Search:

A mark thrown by a BB when the BB is totally concealed from the dogs view. The dog hears a shot or call and sees the item to be retrieved thrown by does not see a BB.

Hierarchy Search:

A system within groups of animals that has definite ranks and places for each individual, with one being at the top and the rest lower in order as the levels descend.

Hinge Search:

This type of gun opens when you push a lever at the back of the receiver after firing. Commonly comes with single or double barreled shotguns.

Hold Search:

A command used during conditioned retrieving by some to insure that the dog knows that he must hold, in his mouth, any object placed there.

Holding Bird Search:

The only spot in the world your dog can lose its mind and you can’t do a thing about it. ;-) A blind or series of blinds erected prior to the "line" in an effort to keep dogs and handlers available to run the test.

Home range Search:

The area a deer lives in throughout its life,containing everything a deer needs to survive- food, concealment, etc.

Honor Search:

One dog remains steady at the handler’s side when another dog works. This typically occurs after the running dog completes picking up his marks. The dog cannot interfere with the running dog. A cold honor means that a dog must first sit steady prior to being worked himself.

Hooking Search:

Bison use their horns to stab each other in the side.

Horns Search:

Horns are permanent growths unlike annually shed antlers. They are composed of keratin, the same material as hair and fingernails.

HR - Hunting Retriever Search:

A United Kennel Club/Hunting Retriever club title used as a prefix, before the name. This title is achieved upon attaining 40 Championship points. Ten Championship points are awarded per UKC Licensed Hunt test. This test is for a dog with a couple of seasons of hunting experience. The judges look for steadiness on line, delivery to hand, style, natural ability and a reasonable degree of control. Consists of five tests, a doubled-marked water retrieve; a double-marked land retrieve; a walk-up, tracking or quartering test; a blind land retrieve and a blind water retrieve. Distances rarely exceed 100 yards on land, 75 yards on water, and 50 yards on blinds. Steadiness at the point of origin and delivery to hand is required. Each pass earns 10 points towards the HR title.

HRC 500/1000 Clubs Search:

These are recognition programs within the HRC that recognized dogs and owners for achieving 500 and/or 1000 UCK Champion points in the HRC Hunt Test & Upland Hunt programs.

HRCH - Hunting Retriever Champion (Finished) Search:

A United Kennel Club/Hunting Retriever club title used as a prefix, before the name. This title is achieved upon attaining 100 championship points. Fifteen Championship points are awarded per UKC Licensed Hunt test. The judges look for style and accuracy coupled with natural ability and a trained performance. A retriever who competes in this area must respond promptly to voice or whistle commands and remain steady and under control at all times. They should be “a pleasure to hunt with under any conditions.” Consists of at least four tests, a multiple-marked water retrieve; a multiple-marked land retrieve; (either the land or water marks must include an honor and a diversion retrieve); a blind land retrieve and a blind water retrieve. The judges can, as an option, include an upland game test.

Hunt Test Search:

A non-competitive event for working dogs in which the dogs are judged against a standard rather than being tested against each other. It is a simulated bird hunt designed to evaluate a dogs abilities as a hunting companion. In the United States, the AKC, UKC/HRC, and NAHRA hold hunt tests.

Hunting Retriever Club Search:

The United Kennel Club puts on one of the most realistic hunt test programs in the country in affiliation with the Hunting Retriever Club, Inc. HRC utilizes actual hunting situations including distances, cover and terrain. Tests dogs against a written standard instead of against each other. As a handler, you will be required to hold, aim and discharge a shotgun loaded with blank popper shells in the intermediate and advanced levels. Can earn a Started (SHR), Seasoned (HR) and Finished (HRCH) hunt test title as well has Upland Hunter (UH). By completing the Grand, a retrieve can earn the Grand Hunting Retriever Champion (GRHRCH). All UKC/HRC titles are used as a prefix, before the name of the dog.

Hybrid Search:

Animals from different species or related subspecies who mate. The resulting baby has a mixture of characteristics from both parents, sometimes becoming a lesser adapted animal.