Field Trials

Field trials are organized events, contests, demonstrations, or trials of dogs, whether or not prizes or awards of any kind are offered, and where dogs may be used to locate, pursue, or retrieve wildlife.

Field trials are permitted only on designated department areas, except field trials using running dogs pursuing racoon may be conducted on additional areas greater than 1,000 acres, where appropriate. 

A Field Trial Special Use Permit issued by the area manager is required. Unless otherwise provided on the Field Trial Special Use Permit, field trials are permitted from September 1 through the Monday closest to March 31. During field trials, wildlife (except beavers, black bears, deer, elk, mink, muskrats, river otters, and turkeys) may be chased by dogs under control but may be pursued and taken only during the open seasons and only by persons possessing a valid hunting permit, except during game bird field trials when designated shooters may shoot only legally obtained and captive-reared quail, pheasants, exotic partridges, and mallard ducks. 

Field trial types and locations may be further restricted on each designated area. 

To obtain a Field Trial Special Use Permit, search MDC Local Contacts for the county of interest and contact the MDC Public Land Management (Area Management) staff member listed.