We are making some changes for this year to hopefully improve some things. Of course, everything is still on the honour system.
Each week starting Monday, July 1 a clue will be released for dog's and handlers to go search for a hidden hide. The last clue will be released Monday, August 26. All entries need to be received by Sunday, September 1 at 5 pm. Hides will be hidden around HRM (Nova Scotia). They may be inside dog friendly spaces or outside. You can work on your own timeline.
There will be no hunt the week of August 12-18th.
Entries are $40.00 per dog/handler team (second dog for the same handler is $15.00). You are able to enter anytime throughout the contest but if you enter later, you are ineligible for points for closed weeks. Fees will not be pro-rated for later entries.
Payment must be received before June 30 for those starting at the beginning of the summer (later entries will require payment at time of entry)
The odour for all hides will be wintergreen.
Each handler must submit a photo or video of their entry indicating where the hide is (if it is not clear, you can add a written note, but there must be media proof of your dog finding odour).
We will not release the correct location until the hide is out of play (hides will be in play for 7 days). If you have not submitted your entry before the correct location is released, then your entry for that week will not count.
Handler's may enter multiple dogs - but we must see each dog for each entry.
Hides will be planted weekly with the first hide going live on July 1. Hides will be active until the Sunday at 5 pm (unless in a business and the business has other operating hours)
You will need to submit a video or photo of your dog indicating the hide the location.
The final hide will go live August 26.
There will be 8 weeks in total but only 7 will be counted (so an oops for vacation or a missed hide is ok).
There will be a bonus search each week to earn extra points.
Also there will be 2 streams this year- Blind and Known Hides
Blind scavenger hunt participants will find out the location the following Monday morning. Beginner dogs will again have a narrowed down search area in the blind search category
Additionally blind participants can elect to, if they find the search area particularly difficult, ask for specifics on the hide so you can go and be successful (or ask ahead of time), but it will cost you half a point for that week. If you need to switch to the known hide group, you can ask too.
Known hide stream- will be given the location of the hide. You still need to "show your work" and I need to see your dog finding the hide to earn your point.
Everything works on the honour system, and you will only get out of it, what you put into it.
Happy searching 2024!
HAVE FUN!