Rules and regulations for the Ultimate Tree Dog League

Ultimate Tree Dog ASSOCIATION, LLC.2026 Official 1 Vs 1 Rules

1.  DEADLINES

1. All deadlines must be enforced

2. No entries will be accepted after UTDL listed entry deadline.  If an entry becomes available do to someone not being able to make it, UTDL or hunt director will go down the waiting list according starting with the first one out.

3. No scorecards will be accepted after the deadline to return to club.  The only exception is if a panel is required to go back out to determine a cast winner.

2. PANELS & JUDGES

1. All 1 Vs 1 hunts are required to have non hunting judges.  The host club is to provide competent judges.  The Judges decision is final. 

2. A hunter can question the judge’s decision anytime.  The hunter must put up $50 per question for a panel to hear it.  If the hunter loses his question, he/she will be suspended for three (3) months from the date of the hunt.

3. STRIKE POINTS

1. First 75 Second 50

2. If a dogs tree is scored and another dog is still out trailing or treeing, the dog recut can only go in for 25 strike points

3. The handler has a 30 second grace period to strike his or her dog.  After the 30 seconds are up, the dog must be struck on or before the third bark.

4. TREE POINTS

1. First Tree 125 Second Tree 75 Third Tree 50 Last Tree 25

2. A handler has 30 seconds to call their dog after Dog A has been tree in order to get second tree.  If Dog B is treed after the first 30 seconds of a called tree, it will receive third tree.  If Dog B is treed after the first minute of a called tree, it will receive last tree.

5. Scoring

1. Plus Points

1. If dogs are struck and treed and coon is seen during the six (6) minute shine time.  Must be seen by Non-hunting Judge.

2. If dog catches coon on ground, plus strike points only.

3. Thermal may be used during shine time to locate a coon, but it must be seen by the naked eye.  Non hunting judges must see the coon.

2. Circle Points

1.  If dog strikes and trees in a place of refuge for a coon.

3. Minus points

1. If off game is seen.Only in youth cast scratchable offense in any other open or pro hunts!!!!!!!

2. If dog is declared treed and leaves.

3. A handler calls the wrong dog . this comes with a warning then a scratchable offense after 2nd time.

4. If none of the declared struck dogs bark within six (6) minutes.

5. When a dog quits track and comes in.

6. When scoring a tree and no coon is seen.

7. If dog comes into a closed tree and coon is seen, strike points minused only.

8. If dog is at a closed tree when cast arrives and hasn’t been treed and coon is seen. It is awarded 25 tree points and both strike and tree will be minused.

9. If a dog goes back to the same tree, 125- tree points will be awarded. Third time is a scratchable offense.

10. A dog, if struck, must bark at least once every six (6) minutes. If six (6) minutes expires, all dogs struck to receive minus strike.

6. Circled Points

1. When a tree is being scored and no game is seen, but a possible place of refuge (hole, nest, or etc.) is confirmed.

2. If dogs are trailing when time is out.

7. Deleted Points

1. If Judge has to call timeout.

2. When a dog is struck after another dog is treed and declared treed at the same location, the strike points will be deleted.

3. When a dog trees on a tree or place of refuge that has already been scored by another dog other than itself.

8. Scratching Offenses

1. Fighting or attempting to fight during hunt  Judge will attempt to determine the aggressor.  If not able to determine, all dogs involved will be scratched.

2. Failing to make an attempt to hunt for six (6) consecutive minutes.

3. Females smelling strong enough to attract dogs. 

4. For use of any device to control a dog during hunt time.

5. For searching tree before shine time starts.

6. Abusing dogs during hunt time.

7. Handler displays unsportsmanlike conduct including spectators.

8. The use of alcohol or related substance.

9. For chasing,catching,or molesting livestock or off game ,EXCEPT YOUTH EVENT THIS OFFENSE IS MINUSED.

10. If dog slick trees 3 consecutive times during hunt time.

11. If dog is handled 3 times on same tree he is scratched the 3rd time.

9. Times

1. Thirty (30) second grace period on cut and recuts.

2. A dog or dogs struck must bark at least once every six (6) minutes or be minused.  It just takes one bark from any dog declared struck to break the six (6).

3. Five (6) minute shine time on tree

4. Two (2) minute stationary on tree

10. Tie Breakers

1. Most plus tree points

2. Most plus strike points

3. Least amount of strike points

4. Most circle tree points

5. Most circle strike points

6. If still a tie, hunt will be extended for one (1) hour or by coin flip to determine a winner.

11. Spectators

1. May only shine tree with approval of all handlers.

2. Spectators are held to the same rules and conduct of handlers.

       12. EXTRA RULES.

1. Leash lock rule after shine time is completed and decision is made dog or dogs have 1 minute to be recut unless dogs are split treed and handler then has the option to release after no later than 1 minute or hold his dog on leash till next tree is scored if the other dog leaves the tree the dog on leash has no longer that 1 minute to be released.

2. When trees are scored out of order dog handled out of order must remain leash locked for no sooner nor later than 10 minutes or till after next dog is scored which ever comes first.

Squirrel rule if squirrel is seen and no coon no refuge tree minused

If squirrel is seen and refuge tree is circled

If squirrel is seen and coon is seen tree is plussed.

CASTS CAN ONLY BE WON BY COMBINED POINTS IN THE POSITIVE OR CIRCLED POINTS WITH NO MINUS DELETED POINTS DO NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON CAST WIN.!!!!!!!!!

Ultimate Tree Dog Association, LLC. reserves the right to turn away and refuse service to anyone.  Ultimate Tree Dog Association, LLC. or the host clubs are NOT responsible for injury, theft, or vandalism.