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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

Sanctioned Trial Search:

an informal trial that is sanctioned by the AKC, but no championship points are awarded.

Scavengers Search:

Animals which feed off other animals for sustenance. Scavengers are different from predators because they only feed off the dead carcass of another animal.

School Search:

Running a dog on a mark or blind that it has run in the past. "Yes, I’d like to do this mark as a double, but, let’s school the memory bird first."

Scouting Search:

Spending time all year long to find out the deers’ activities, where they are spending time. Becoming familiar with how they act and what they do all the time in different seasons lets the hunter find out where the big bucks are.

Scrapes Search:

Pawed ground that bucks urinate in to let females know he wants to breed.

Sebaceous gland Search:

One of the building blocks of all glands. It releases lipids which are used to carry scents.

Secondary Selection Search:

When the handler decides which bird will be picked up next. They may not follow the order in which they were thrown. This is used mostly in Field Trials but is a useful tool for any retriever.

Semi- automatic Search:

This type of gun fires one shell, ejects it’s casing and chambers the next shell with each squeeze of the trigger. It may jam or malfunction easily.

Series Search:

These are the tests given at a retriever trial. All dogs would compete in the first series. If the dog f ails the series, they are eliminated. Any dog that completes the work satisfactorily would be called back to the second series, etc.

Serving jig Search:

Tool used to wrap center serving.

SH Search:

Senior Hunter. An AKC title hunt test title used as a suffix. The Senior Hunt Test consists of one land blind; one water blind; one double land mark; one double water mark; a walkup; a diversion shot and/ or mark and an honor For a title, a dog must receive 4 qualifying scores at a licensed or member test if the dog already has a junior hunter title. Otherwise, a dog must receive 5 qualifying scores if they do not already have a junior hunter title.

Shelf Search:

The part of the riser that is cut out and where the arrow rests.

Shining Search:

At night, when a deer stares at a bright light, its eye will appear to glow. This phenomenon is called shining. Shining occurs because the deer’s eyes are composed of two membranes. During shining, light reflects off one of these layers, called the tapetum lucidum. This reflection is the glow.

Shoot-through rest Search:

Shooters using release aids use shoot-through rests. These feature two prongs holding the arrow shaft. when the arrow releases, the cock vane fly’s through the two prongs.

Shopping Search:

The retriever picks up and drops various bumpers at the pile during yard work, “deciding” which one he wants to pick up. This is a form of avoidance and can be controlled by reinforcing the “fetch” command or giving a “here” with a nick on the e-collar.

Signposting Search:

Signposting is the same as a rub. Antlers are rubbed against branches to help clean away velvet, and also to declare readiness for the competition of breeding season.

Single Search:

Only one bird is to be retrieved in this type of marking test.

Sire Search:

The puppy’s father

Sit Search:

The dog is taught to put his rear end on the ground. A reward-based method is to pull gently up on the lead, applying steady pressure. You may need to gently touch the dog’s rear or the back of his “knees.” Once sitting, tell the dog “good” and reward with treat, if desired. The dog is taught to sit for longer and longer periods of time and cannot move from the sit command until released.

Sitka Blacktail Search:

A sub-species of blacktail deer that lives from British Columbia northward to Alaska. These deer closely resemble whitetails.

Snap shooting Search:

This is a type of shooting from close range in thick cover, usually when there is no time to aim.

Snort Search:

Air forced through the nostrils results in a loud, airy noise.

Socialization Search:

Social interaction prepares a puppy for more serious training later on. Important skills are learned during this time period such as how to approach another dog, what is acceptable with other dogs, what other breeds look like, and how to behave around other people. It is important to expose the puppy to as many different situations as possible ie: going to the pet store, meeting children in the park, etc. All of these activities are done under a controlled and watchful situation. It is important for the puppy to be handled by as many people as possible. This will brining out confidence in your puppy that it will need for later hunting, tests or trials.

Solstice Search:

The position of the sun over the Tropic of Capricorn and/or the Tropic of Cancer. This occurs the first of summer and winter.

Sparring Search:

The method by which bucks establish their dominance heirarchy. Sparring occurs during the prerut, when buck’s antlers are hard and strong. When sparring, two bucks will approach each other with their head low, and then lock antlers. They then push each other until one breaks free and succumbs to the other. Sparring is also used for bucks to estimate the size of their antlers.

Specifist Search:

Deer have narrow snouts, allowing them to be choosy when eating. They feed on specific vegetation.

Spine Search:

Refers to the strength of the arrow shat and its ability to resist bending and to recover after bending or experiencing archer's paradox.

Spinning Search:

This is a form of popping but the dog completes a full rotation in route to a fall but continues on to the retrieve. Poorly timed corrections when de-popping a dog can make spinning worse.

Spur Search:

A large nail that protrudes through the legs of most male game bird species. Spurs can determine the age of the animals.

SR - Started Retriever Search:

A NAHRA title used before the dog’s name. The purpose of the Started Hunting Retriever Field Test is to bring started dogs along as hunters. Desire and cooperation with the handler are important factors. In the Started category, instinct is more in evidence than obedience. The dog should show signs of trying to behave, understanding basic commands, as well as the ability to perform basic marked retrieves. A dog receiving a Qualifying score in the Started testing category at a Licensed NAHRA Field Test shall be credited with two and one half (2.S) points toward the title Started Hunting Retriever (SR). The title Started Hunting Retriever (SR) will be issued to the owner of a dog acquiring ten (10) points in the Started testing category at Licensed NAHRA Hunting Retriever Field Test.

Stabilizer Search:

Placed on a bow for the purpose of reducing torque and shock after releasing the arrow. Also, it helps level out the bow and hold it steady prior to releasing.

Stampede Search:

All the bison in a herd running in one direction simultaneously.

Stand hunting Search:

Setting up a stand high above the deers’ heads, usually in a tree.

Started Hunting Retriever (SHR) Search:

A United Kennel Club/Hunting Retriever club title used as a prefix, before the name. A started hunting retriever should be able to perform a simple dove or waterfowl hunt, retriever both from land and water. This test is for inexperienced or young retrievers where the judges look for natural ability rather than trained performance. Consists of four tests, two tests shall be marked water retrievers (singles) and two will be marked land retrieves (singles). Distances rarely exceed 75 yards on land and 50 yards on water. Awarded to a dog that has earned 10 pts. and passed four started tests. A maximum of 10 Championship points can be earned in this category towards a higher title.

Staunch Search:

A staunch dog is one that holds point until the bird takes wing. In other words, it doesn't flush the bird for you.

Steady Search:

The term used to describe when a dog sees a bird or birds fall while remaining in the position commanded by the handler. A steady dog should remain steady until commanded to do otherwise by the handler. Usually, a steady dog, commanded to do otherwise is told to complete the retrieve with a "go" command.

Steady to Shot Search:

A steady dog holds even after you shoot.

Steady to Wing Search:

A steady dog holds even after the bird flushes.

Sticking Search:

A very slow release of a bird, to the point you’ll question whether or not the dog will give up the bird.

Still hunt Search:

Moving extremely slowly, stopping often to sneak up on deer.

Strap on stand Search:

A portable stand large enough to hold a hunter’s weight, strapped to a tree trunk high in the air.

Strut Search:

Part of the courtship behavior to signal the male wants to mate with the female. The male walks near the female with some tail feathers fanned, others dragging on the ground. As he walk like this, he emits a low pitched noise.

Style Search:

A dog’s manner of working. An attractive, exciting dog to watch is said to have style. It is desirable to be fast, eager with a quick pick-up, good water entry.

Sudoriferous Search:

One of two glands (the other is the sebaceous gland) which is the building block of all other glands. The sudoriferous gland is a tubular sweat gland located just below the deer’s skin. This gland is responsible for most of the chemical communication.

Sustained lead Search:

A type of shooting used for high flying birds such as doves or pigeons.

Swim-by Search:

A drill for teaching control around the water. The handler requires the dog to take a “more-water” return to enforce water/shoreline discipline.

Swing through Search:

A type of shooting that is the most common. It is used for mid range crossing shots in relatively little cover.

Switch Search:

A dog is sent to mark, establishes a hunt, then leaves that area and establishes a hunt in the area of another fall.