NAHRA Members and Friends
The board has been active on several fronts. We are updating the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to remove conflicting language, clarify intent, and bring NAHRA into full compliance with 501(c)(3) nonprofit requirements. We are also updating the rulebook — last revised in 2018 — to incorporate all rule changes adopted since then, correct discrepancies between chapters and sections, improve clarity and consistency throughout, and reorganize the content so that all information about each stake appears in one place.
The rule changes below are driven in part by a concern we want to share openly. Over the last four-plus years, NAHRA has seen a modest but steady decline in membership. More concerning is a significant and accelerating decline in the number of field tests held — down 24% from 2025 to 2026 alone — which has contributed to an overall decline in field test participation of approximately 15% annually. Travel to tests outside a member’s home club has declined even more sharply. AKC and HRC are experiencing similar trends, but their larger memberships give them a buffer we don’t have. The board is actively working on solutions and welcomes your input at response@NAHRA.org.
The NAHRA Board of Directors met on June 24 and approved the following rule changes for adoption in January 2027. Additional detail and rationale for each change are posted in the Announcements section of the NAHRA website.
NAHRA National Invitational — The Invitational will be officially renamed the “NAHRA National Invitational” to better reflect that the event is national in scope.
Senior Stake Renamed to “Master” — To reduce confusion with AKC’s hunt test program and to align stake names with NAHRA titles, the Senior stake will be renamed “Master.” NAHRA titles at this level are Master Hunting Retriever, Grand Master Hunting Retriever, and Grand Master Hunting Retriever Champion.
Hunter Stake — Single Mark Requirements — Updated language sets a maximum distance of 100 yards for the land single mark and 75 yards for the water single mark. Each single mark must originate from a unique point, separate from any other mark in the Hunter test or any combined test. The marks should reflect the length and complexity of an Intermediate test — consistent with the Hunter stake’s purpose as a steppingstone to the next level.
Late Entry Policy — NAHRA has reached an agreement with Hunt Test Secretary, our electronic entry platform, to allow entries to be accepted and processed after a test’s closing date. Beginning in 2027, clubs may choose to accept late entries, set their own late entry deadline, and charge an additional late entry fee. Clubs will post this information in the test premium. Full details will be available on the website. Clubs that choose not to accept late entries will continue to operate under standard closing date rules.
Regional Field Tests — The Master (aka Senior) stake will now be formally part of every Regional Field Test. Additionally, if a region does not host a Regional Field Test, its members may participate in another region’s event to qualify for the NAHRA Hunting Retriever Team.
Upland Orange Band — NAHRA will award an orange band alongside qualifying ribbons for dogs that pass Upland Retriever Program tests.
If you have suggestions for improving or clarifying the rules, please reach out to any member of the Executive Board. You can share feedback on any of the above changes at response@NAHRA.org.
Tight lines and steady dogs,
Phillip Hines, President, North American Hunting Retriever Association
