The Big Sniff

Official NACSW™

NW3/NW3 Trials

May 8-9, 2021

TRIAL LOCATION: Camp Lincoln, 67 Ball Road, Kingston, NH 03848

It is not appropriate to contact or visit the trial location prior to the trial date, nor should training take place on trial grounds once an event is approved/announced. Our locations are real life search environments where people work, go to school, etc. Pre-trial contact or visits risk the host losing the opportunity to use the location again in the future.

Trial Host:
The Big Sniff, LLC – Maggie Pate

NW3: Saturday, May 8, 2021

NW3: Sunday, May 9, 2021

Volunteer Sign Up

NW3 Wait List

Certifying Official: Michele Ellertson

Judges: Gail McCarthy & Chris Lakey

Entry Cost

NW3: $200.00 per dog and handler team

Number of Entries

NW3: 30 entries

The entry limits for the NW3 have been reduced to 30 due to the current Covid-19 group gathering restrictions in New Hampshire.

One dog per handler per level.

NACSW is requiring that all attendees adhere to social distancing - maintaining 6’ of distance - at all trials until further notice even if your jurisdiction has relaxed their requirements or recommendations. Social Distancing requirements at an event are MANDATORY. There is no option to mutually consent to be closer together than 6’. Please be respectful that your proximity or request for proximity may make others uncomfortable.

Please review the document COVID-19 Event Guidelines that is located in Google docs and was emailed to the membership on 5/8/2020.

Travel Quarantine Guidance

In addition to those guidelines the following changes and guidelines are in effect for this trial due to COVID-19.

Domestic travel within the U.S. outside of New England no longer requires quarantine upon return to NH, although people are recommended to still follow CDC’s travel guidance, including wearing a well-fitted face mask while traveling, practicing social distancing, getting tested 3-5 days after travel (with a molecular or PCR-based test), and limiting public interactions after travel (even if not required to quarantine).
Travelers/visitors to AND residents of NH need to self-quarantine for 10 days after the last date of any international travel (except for essential travel to/from Canada*), or travel on a cruise ship. Essential critical infrastructure employees should follow guidelines outlined in the NH DPHS Employer Travel, Screening, and Exclusion Guidance.
For a complete, detailed list of travel restrictions please see: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/travel-guidance.pdf
All attendees (competitors and volunteers) will be required to bring and wear face masks at all times unless in your vehicle.
Competitors are asked to remain in their vehicles as much as possible.
Competitors are asked to bring their own face masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.
Spectators or additional people will not be allowed.
No sharing of food, potluck, or socializing in parking lot is permitted (even if chairs are 6’ away from each other).

If there are any changes or updates that information will be included in your final details information that will be emailed 1-2 weeks before the trial weekend.

TRIAL ENTRY INFORMATION

Trial Entry Open and Closing

The draw period for the trial will open on March 23, 2021 at 12:00PM EST. Entries will be awarded by random draw of all entries received between March 23, 2021 and March 25, 2021 at 12:00PM EST.
Trial entry will close at the end of the draw if the trial and wait list are deemed full. If the trial and wait list are not full, the trial will remain open for entries until they are deemed full or on the closing date which is 12:00PM EST on April 17, 2021.
We will not be taking payment until you are given a space in the trial. If you are given a space in the trial, you will receive information on how to submit payment. You will then have 48 hours to complete your payment to confirm your space in the trial.

Entry Method

All entries will be on-line via the link provided to the NACSW™ trial entry form. Paper and phone entries will not be accepted. Completing the form is not a guarantee of entry. There will be a separate confirmation from mpate5@comcast.net to let you know if your entry has been given a space in the trial.

Entry Requirements & Selection

A Qualified Entry is one that meets all the following criteria:

Complete the on-line trial entry during the draw period listed above.
The Handler is a NACSW™ member for the 2020-2021 membership year (8/1/2020- 7/31/2021).
The Dog is registered with the NACSW™.
Dogs participating in a trial must be at least one year of age.
The Dog has achieved the ORT title (passed all 3 odors) and prior title level at least 14 days before the trial opens for entries. This applies to all levels effective April 1, 2021.
Qualified entry for NW3 – Dog has earned a NW2 title and has not yet earned the NW3 Elite title level.

Trial spaces will be determined in the following manner:

Spaces will be awarded by a random draw of all Qualified Entries received during the draw period listed above.
In the event that you are having technical difficulties with the entry system, please email trialentry@nacsw.net prior to the end of the draw period.
No dog will be given a space in more than one trial of the same level at a single event.

You may enter multiple dogs for entry in the draw. However, only one dog/handler per title level will be accepted into the trial. Entry will go to the dog selected in the draw – you may not swap to an alternate dog. If multiple dogs are selected in the draw, you may select which dog you wish to enter. Once a dog has been entered as a second dog/handler entry, you may not swap handlers after the draw to change the entry to a first dog/handler unless the trial is not full. Second dog/handler entries on the alternate day may be accepted after all first dog/handler entries received by March 30,2021.

If a trial level is not full after the draw of Qualified Entries, then there will be a Secondary Draw of any entries received that did not meet the ORT or title requirements. These entries will be accepted pending completion of the requirements. Note: dogs must earn the appropriate ORT and prior title level at least 3 days prior to the trial date to be eligible to compete. If the required title or ORT is earned less than 14 days prior to the event, it is the competitor’s responsibility to notify the host that the requirement has been completed.
After all entries received during the draw period are processed, if the trial level is still not full, entries will continue to be accepted in the order they are received through the closing date or when entries fill.
For Exhibit Only Dogs (FEO): Dogs running FEO are not eligible to receive titles or earn placement ribbons. FEO results will not be included in the posted trial results.

If space remains after all qualified entries are accommodated on March 31, 2021, then we will offer spaces for those who wish to run a dog For Exhibition Only (FEO). Second dog/handler FEO entries on the same day will be offered spaces after April 17, 2021.

The trial host of an event has the right to refuse entry of any competitor or dog for just cause as approved by the National Trial Committee. Just cause includes lack of adherence to NACSW™ rules and guidelines and the policies outlined in each event entry premium.
Some trial entries may be given priority entry based on contributions to the organization and the trial process.

You will be notified via e-mail of the results of the random draw by 5:00PM EST March 30, 2021.

If you have a spam blocker on your email account, please configure it to allow email from mpate5@comcast.net in order to ensure delivery of confirmation and information about this trial.

You will then have 48 hours to mail your payment to confirm your space in the trial. Trial payments are payable to Payable by check to: The Big Sniff, LLC

Mail to: Maggie Pate, 20 Hollow Oak Drive, Sandown, NH 03873

A waiting list for alternates will be started as soon as entries fill.

Alternates will be contacted when a space opens.

Depending on last minute trial logistics, we may opt to not fill all canceled spaces.

NACSW™ reserves the right to cancel a trial if minimum entry numbers are not met.

Be sure you read and understand the guidelines for this trial before entering. By submitting a registration for this NACSW™ Trial, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and accept the policies and liability information of NACSW™.

CANCELLATION POLICY

The following cancellation policy applies:

For cancellation of entries on or before 12:00PM EST April 17, 2021 – Full refund minus $35 processing fee. No refund if space cannot be filled or is not filled by host.

For cancellation of entries after 12:00PM EST April 17, 2021 - no refund will be issued
COVID RELATED CANCELLATIONS:

o If the trial is approved to be held and competitors withdraw for personal concerns, the above cancellation policy will be followed.

o If the trial is cancelled due to NACSW, federal/local/state government, or facility changes in protocol, entry fees will be refunded less applicable realized costs and processing fees.

o You must meet all eligibility criteria on the day of the trial to participate. This includes any state or locally imposed quarantines that are announced. Exceptions will not be made.

If you earn the title for the level you are entering after the refund period has ended then you must contact the trial host at mpate5@comcast.net within 48 hours of earning your title and at least 72 hours before the trial you are registered for to let them know you are no longer eligible. If you contact the host within 48 hours of titling and at least 72 hours before their trial and (1) they are unable to fill your space then you won't be given a refund but will be allowed to keep your space in the trial and run your dog FEO or (2) they are able to fill your space then a refund will be issued minus the processing fee listed in the cancellation policy. If you fail to contact the host within 48 hours of earning your title and at least 72 hours before the trial you are registered for then you will forfeit your space, you will not be allowed to run as FEO, and no refund will be issued.

Entry fees shall not be refunded if a dog or handler is absent, disqualified, or excused by the NACSW™ official or judge.

This cancellation and refund policy applies to competitors that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.

If the trial cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the trial organizers, then the trial host will make their best effort to provide partial refunds after recouping their expenses.

LOCATION DETAILS

Trial Conditions

Modeled after real-life detection work, NACSW™ trials are held in many different locations, with a variety of terrain, under varying weather conditions. Dogs and handlers need to be able to safely negotiate a variety of surfaces, including, but not limited to, tile, linoleum, carpeting, gravel, asphalt, uneven surfaces, and slippery footing. Handlers should be prepared to deal with a variety of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain and snow. Trials frequently require covering extensive distances to get to and from the parking area to each of the search areas and generally require that this be done across natural, uneven surfaces. Handlers should be prepared for the physical demands and must be able to navigate the terrain with their dog accordingly. Participants should expect to spend most of the day outside or in their vehicles as there are rarely indoor crating options at trials. Please be prepared for you and your canine partner to deal with all these varying environmental challenges. Handlers should familiarize themselves with potential regional risks and health concerns that may affect themselves or their dogs. Handlers agree that they are entering this trial at their own risk.

Site Specific Conditions

This trial is located at a YMCA Camp. The parking, some of the search areas and walkways may be dirt, gravel, leaves and grass. Dog and handler teams need to be able to safely negotiate a variety of surfaces, including, but not limited to tile, lenoleum, carpeting, gravel asphalt, uneven surfaces, stairways, steep inclines/declines and slippery footing. Participants should expect to spend most of the day in their vehicles, as there is no indoor crating option available at this trial. Handlers should be prepared for the physical demands and must be able to navigate the terrain with their dog accordingly. Handlers also should be prepared to deal with a variety of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow and wind. This is spring in New England. There will be bugs.

Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, the expected search areas, parking, and pathways to the search areas may be modified at the last minute.

Reactive Dog Parking

There will be reactive dog parking at this trial for those who wish to park in this area, however the parking is tight and there will not be separate potty areas or warm up boxes. Please notify mpate5@comcast.net if you will need a spot here.