Big Sky Chapter Clinics
NA & UT AIMS & RULES Clinic
When: May 2 - 3, 2026
Location: Buckhouse Property, 4285 Highway 93 S, Missoula, MT 59804
DESCRIPTION: Attending an Aims & Rules Clinic is an excellent opportunity to better understand the NAVHDA philosophy and system of judging. However, it’s even more critical for those of us who are interested in understanding how dogs are evaluated during testing. The Clinic is classroom heavy with detailed descriptions about the flow of the testing, what the judges are looking for, and how to prepare. Some dog work will be done out in the field and in the water to demonstrate the necessary skills and describe each dog's relationship to the standard. The clinic will be held rain or shine, so please come prepared for any weather. It’s May in Montana which means it could snow or be 80 degrees.
REGISTRATION: $180 each (limit 16). Youth participants can submit to NAVHDA international to have their fee reimbursed. There are two steps to registration. Step #1 is to pay on the Big Sky Chapter website. Step #2 is to fill out the registration form. Check your spam or junk folder if you do not see your Big Sky NAVHDA order confirmation in your inbox.
Registration includes: Breakfast and Lunch both Saturday and Sunday and dinner on Saturday. Saturday evening dinner will be hosted at Buckhouse and all Big Sky NAVHDA members are welcome to attend to chat with Clinic leader and long time NAVHDA member Blaine Carter.
CLINICIAN: Blaine Carter (Maine)
WATER: There is a water well at the Bunkhouse Property that can be used to fill potable water jugs.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Camping at Bunkhouse Property is FREE, but there are NO hookups. Dozens of hotels, motels and fee campsites are within 15 minutes.
Contact Amanda for more details.
AGENDA:
Saturday Morning Natural Ability Classroom Learning
Saturday Afternoon Natural Ability Demonstration
Sunday Morning Gun Dog and Utility Classroom Activities
Sunday Afternoon Gun Dog and Utility Demonstration
Participants will not be handling dogs unless directly coordinated with Amanda, dogs are better left at home for this event. If you need to bring them, please make sure they can be left unattended without distraction from the clinic.
CLINIC SECRETARY:
Amanda Ponti
530-640-4625 (okay to text)
Amandaponti2121@gmail.com
REGISTRATION
NA & UT AIMS & RULES Clinic
Step #1 - Pay for This Clinic Here
Registration via google forms is also necessary.
Step #2 - Fill out this registration form.
Invitational Aims & Rules Clinic
When: June 13-14, 2026
Location: Buckhouse Property, 4285 Highway 93 S, Missoula, MT 59804
DESCRIPTION: Attending an Invitational Aims & Rules Clinic is an excellent opportunity to better understand the NAVHDA philosophy and system of judging. However, it’s even more critical for those of us who have never attended an invitational test! The Invitational Clinic is classroom heavy with detailed descriptions about the testing sequence, what the judges are looking for, and how to best prepare. Some dog work will be done out in the field and in the water to demonstrate the necessary skills and evaluate each dog's relationship to the standard. The clinic will be held rain or shine, so please come prepared for any weather. It’s June in Montana which means it could snow or be 80 degrees.
REGISTRATION: Ticket 1 - invite ONLY with Qualified Dog (limit 10): $250 (Only those registered for the 2026 Invitational in New Mexico) Includes education materials, all birds, free camping, Saturday night BBQ.
Ticket 2 - Auditors (limit 10): $120. Includes educational materials, free camping, Saturday night BBQ.
There are two steps to registration. Step #1 is to pay on the Big Sky Chapter website. Step #2 is to fill out the registration form. Check your spam or junk folder if you do not see your Big Sky NAVHDA order confirmation in your inbox.
CLINICIAN: Tracey Nelson (Nebraska)
FOOD/WATER: Lunches are on your own. We are nearly in town, so there are lots of options available such as Jimmy Johns, Noodle Express, Taco Bell, a great Mexican restaurant called Plaza Azteca and multiple coffee shops. Saturday evening BQQ at Sullivans residents 10 minutes away. There is a water well at the Bunkhouse Property that can be used to fill potable water jugs.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Camping at Bunkhouse Property is FREE, but there are NO hookups. Dozens of hotels, motels and fee campsites are within 15 minutes. Contact Natalie for more details.
AGENDA:
Saturday morning classroom
Saturday afternoon field work and training
Sunday morning classroom
Sunday afternoon water and blind/honor training
CLINIC SECRETARY:
Natalie Sullivan
406-599-7694
natmc12@gmail.com
REGISTRATION
INVITATIONAL Aims & Rules Clinic
Step #1 - Pay for This Clinic Here
Registration via google forms is also necessary.
Step #2 - Fill out this registration form.