Barn Hunt
Details
Where: 131 CW Galloway Road, Jonesborough, TN (This is a 15 minute drive on a main road/highway from the host hotel).
When: Both Oct 4th and 5Th 2026.
What: Two all level Barn Hunt sanctioned trials each day (including a round of Crazy8s each day). This includes Instinct, Novice, Open, Senior, Masters A, and Masters B, for a total of FOUR trials over the two days.
Judge: Penny Lane
Chair to Contact with Questions: Email Courtney Bouthiller
Entries Open to Samoyeds: 7/1/26
Samoyeds may be best known for their gorgeous white coats and signature “Sammy smile,” but beneath all that fluff lies a clever, determined hunter. Historically Samoyeds developed strong scenting instincts and a natural curiosity — two key traits for success in Barn Hunt.
Whether your Samoyed is a well-oiled rat finding machine with a RATCHX+, or this will be your dogs very first time trying out the sport at the instinct or novice level, we welcome everyone in our Samoyed community to come out and enjoy partaking in Samoyeds using their nose in amazing ways!
How To Enter
Step 1
BHA Registration Number
As a fully sanctioned BHA trial, all dogs entered MUST have a BHA registration number to enter the trial. These numbers must be acquired directly through BHA. They can take a few days to process, so apply for them in advance of the trial opening date. The current cost to receive a dog’s BHA number is $32 currently which includes the dog’s lifetime membership for BHA, access to the BHA trail/Dog portal, and ability to apply for BHA sanctioned trails. This fee is set and collected by BHA, not the SCA national.
Step 2
Entering the Trial
Closer to the trial opening, the full premium listing for the trial will be made available here. It will include the link to the online secretary platform to make your dog’s trial entries. The only dogs who can enter two levels for the same trial are dogs who are entered in Instinct level, who may also enter Novice level if they desire as well. Dogs entered at any level may also add Crazy8s runs to their entry. Remember, there are four trials taking place during our national (two full trials a day!), and each trial requires an additional entry be checked-off on the online entry form. To guarantee your dog’s space in the trail, we recommend entering early when the trial is only open to Samoyeds first!
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog has never done this before, should I even bother entering them?
YESSS! While it is ideal to have some practice with your dog before coming to the trial, success in the lower levels of the sport are not contingent on prior practice. Many dogs with zero prior experience do earn Instinct titles, and even Novice titles. The Instinct level just requires the dog to select the correct rat tube from a cradle of three tubes. The Novice level requires finding one tube-rat hidden in the hay area, getting up on top of a hay bale, and going through a short straight haybale tunnel.
If you don’t have access to a practice facility, it is a good idea to have a solid “Up” command (to get them on top of a bale), and a “Tunnel” command if entering Novice. Both of these commands are very easy to teach at home before the trial (don’t have an agility tunnel or hay bales at home? Create a tunnel with couch cushions, or the coffee table and a blanket!). It is also important to read the rules ahead of time available on the BHA website to familiarize yourself with what you can and can not do as a handler in the ring (for example: dogs run fully naked, leash/collar must be dropped, no treats in the ring, no touching your dog in the ring once the run starts, etc.).
I’ve never seen this done, can I come watch?
YES!!! Whether you enter a dog or not, you are invited to come witness the magic that is a Samoyed hot on the trail of a rat. The trials will be running in a modified reverse order, this means our most highly titled Barn Hunt dogs at the top levels of the sport will be running their turns first thing in the morning prior to lower levels. Crazsy8s is also a very fun event to watch in the middle of the trial order, it’s a timed 8 hunt rat search that’s often very high energy!
Is this right for my dog?
If your dog has ever caught wildlife (or tried to!) in your home or yard, the answer is likely yes! The ring will contain you, your dog, the judge, and a rat wrangler. If your dog is not people friendly/neutral, this is not a sport for your dog. Dogs also sit in trial ‘blinds’ a few feet away from other dogs and their handlers while waiting for their turn. Dogs must be able to handle not engaging negatively with the other dogs in the blind with them.
Do you need help?
Yes, please! There are many roles that need volunteers (for the whole day, or even in short single blind capacities). Please get in contact with me to talk specifics of joining our core Barn Hunt trial crew! We also appreciate day of help as needed!
What am I supposed to enter for levels again?
If you are brand new to the sport, you can enter your dog in Instinct and/or Novice. The Instinct level just requires the dog to select the correct rat tube from a cradle of three tubes. The Novice level requires finding one tube-rat hidden in the hay area, getting up on top of a hay bale, and going through a short straight haybale tunnel. The Instinct level title is given after one successful qualification run at the Instinct level. The Novice title requires three Qs at that level. Novice level dogs can enter Instinct in the same trial.
Will there be prizes?
Of course! There will be tons of opportunities to go home with a memento of your day playing Barn Hunt with us! See the Premium for prize details.