​Created February 1st 2026, Announced March 28th 2026 By Missouri Blood Tracker Association 

​

This test has been designed and approved by the Missouri Blood Trackers Association board of directors as a sufficient test of the tracking team as a whole in very real world scenarios. We are striving for the total team. This test will assess every aspect of training and knowledge of a team’s ability. The board's qualifications to determine such a test will be listed below.

General Guidelines

The handler will be in charge of the track as they would in a real world track. They may ask the followers to mark spots of blood or interest. They cannot have assistance from anyone in determining the line, finding blood or objects, etc.

The test will be on-lead only and the handler must remain at a reasonable distance from the dog so as to not “steer” the dog. 

In order to achieve the Missouri Master title, a team must pass the test twice. There is no limit on how many times a test may be taken. A team that fails the test must wait a minimum of 30 days to test again, with only 2 failures being allowed in a 1 year span. There is no minimum on how soon a passing team can take their second test.

Each judge must be approved by the MBTA Board of Directors.The same judge is allowed to test each team.

Only the judge is allowed to lay and run the line. 

A fee may be assessed by the individual judge to cover expenses, not to exceed $50.00

All breeds of dogs and ages are eligible to test.

Everything that falls outside of the written rules of the test is up to the discretion of the supervising judge and/or the MBTA Board. In the event that the handler questions anything taking place inside test parameters, the MBTA Board will make a determination. Any grievance will be submitted to the MBTA Board in writing within 30 days of the test.  

Brady Hessington- UBT Judge, UBT 1 & 2 certified, professional dog trainer

Josh Ross- UBT Judge, UBT1, 2 & 3 certified

Tom Monehan- UBT Judge, UBT1, 2 & 3 certified

Kayla Ross- Graduated College with a degree as a Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor

Missouri Master Test Rules and Parameters

Approximately 24 hours old. With no less than 22, and no more than 26

800-1000 yards- Will be given 3 advanced checks drawn at random(1 from each category, taken from the list below) by an MBTA board member that is not the testing judge. Board members will not know who the testee is until after the drawing. Replacement advanced checks can be drawn if the original advanced checks are not possible in the testing area(i.e no pond on property)

Directional Challenge 

           - Scent pool, (no more than 20 yards, that can be made by walking using a spiral or star)

           - Back track( no more than 20 yards, and cannot cross itself)

           - Scent Break (Tracking shoes must come off and no blood is laid, maximum 15 yards)

           - No definite hit site (must be started within 15 yards of the hit site)

Surface challenge-

- Gravel or pavement road ( walk directly across or no more than 10 yards deviation on   any road)

          - Dirt or very short grass field ( at least 20 yards, no more than 40)

          - Fence crossing(where dog has to be lifted over or go around) 

          - Flowing creek crossing( greater than 6 ft, no more than 15 ft. not to be above muck     

            boots

         - Pond ( no greater than 75 yards from where the deer enters to exits). 

Distraction

        - 5 minute forced restart by judge to simulate property line wait

        - Deer parts, consisting of a single hoof, single hide or tail on or within 5 ft of the track.      

          (not to be put within 10 yards of a turn)     

        - A dead animal drag across the line. (Perpendicular across the line. Animal to be left   -     

          approximately 10 yards off of the trail. Animals must be native to the area.)

3. At least 3 90’s

4. At least two types of terrain

    Woods, fields, open hardwoods, scrub brush, crp, bottomlands, crops etc.

5. 3 oz blood, including the start and finish

6. Verified hooves. Must be verified by the testing judge.( test line must be a minimum of 20 yards with the use of a certified dog)

7. Must pass twice- this is to mitigate the possibility of a “fluke”. A team that can pass twice will have proof of their capabilities.

8. Obedience/ Temperament portion- 

At the judges direction the handler will give the following commands. Sit, recall( at a distance of 10 yards from the downstay), walk/heel (a loose leash at your side)l, 2 minute downstay.

Temperament- non aggressive towards people or other dogs. Within close proximity and non reactive.  A proven friendly dog will be walked within 5 yards of the test dog. Dogs are allowed to react and get excited, but cannot act aggressively in any manner towards the other dog. We are not testing for excitability and reactiveness, we are testing for aggression. Allowed to be handled by the judge for a minimum of 3 minutes. The judge is NOT trying to elicit an aggressive response. The Judge is not to demonstrate dominance behaviors( hugging neck, leaning over the dog, etc).

At the end of the track, and once the dog has possession of the hide, the judge will walk no closer than 2 feet from the dog. The handler will then take the hide from the dog, and hand it to the judge. The judge will hold the hide for 15-30 sec and then hand it back to the dog. During this time, the dog cannot show any form of aggression(lip curl, teeth, growling, lunging, or hackles raised) If the dog tries to take the hide from the handler or the judge, but responds to a command to disengage, this is acceptable. The dog must remain calm and submissive. 

9. A written or verbal test will be administered from a preapproved list of questions provided by the MBTA Board of Directors. No more than 20 general questions about tracking, training, obedience, K9 health, and local/state guidelines (if from a different state guidelines can be used from the testor’s locality. A total of 4 wrong answers is acceptable. Any more will be an automatic failure. In the event the testing judge uses a fewer number of questions, the allowable wrong answers will be in the ratio of 1 out of 5. If the number is over 5 the judge will round up. (Example: If the number of questions is 18 the number allowable is 4 wrong answers. This test will only be administered one time out of the two tests.

10. Verifiable 5 years of tracking experience for the public. This allows for ample time behind the dog and to develop as a team. Only the tracker has to have had 5 years of experience, not both the tracker and the dog.  5 verifiable tracks from each season with photo documentation will be supplied if requested. Once a tracker has passed the MMT, every dog after that will be allowed to be tested at the handler's discretion. The designation of Master Tracker will stay with the tracker. However with each new dog, the title of Master Tracking Team will have to be acquired.

11. Has to have passed a UBT2 test. The MMT is not affiliated with UBT testing, however, if a team cannot pass a UBT 2 then they will not be able to pass the MMT

12. The dog must show interest/drive/desire/commitment- a dog must show a natural desire to hunt, actively search and pursue the line. 

The dog and handler must demonstrate a clear connection.

Must not be stressed, overly skittish or fearful. This shows that the dog lacks confidence and is not suitable for a Missouri Master Title.

Automatic Disqualifications:

• Any form of aggression towards the handler, judge, apprentice, followers, or other animals. It is up to the judges discretion if the dog has shown aggression.

• The use of an e-collar. An e-collar is allowed to be on the dog during testing ( for emergency use), but cannot be used for any commands.

• If the judge determines that the team has failed in more than one area and does not believe the team to be qualified for the Missouri Master Title

• Failure to acquire the line. 

• If the handler is disrespectful

• More than one callback

• More than 5 handler restarts 

• Violence or inflicting strong punishment towards your dog. Not to be confused with mild corrections.

• Failure to progress the line during a non advanced checks for more than 10 min

• Failure to advance an advanced checks for more than 15 min

MMT Pass/ Fail Parameters

This test is based on a check system. If a team receives 5 or more checks in the tracking portion, that is considered a fail. If a team receives 2 or more checks in the obedience portion, that is considered a fail. Any checks in the Temperament portion is an automatic fail.

Track Checks

• Lack of Drive

• Excessive “crittering”

• Excessive “ flushing/treeing” behavior 

• Lack of start procedure/ instructions to hunter ( this is to be treated as if team was on a real track)

• More than 3 restarts in entire track or more than 2 restarts in same spot

• Failure to progress on a non-advanced check for more than 5 min

• Failure to progress an advanced check for more than 10 min

• Failure to maintain line discipline 

• Excessive talking to the dog by the handler

• Not having water for your dog on the track 

• Unprofessionalism by the team

• “ Trapping” , “ Pushing” or “ Joysticking”, (can be counted as 2 checks if it is done 3 or more times.)

• Not having all of your tracking gear with you and ready

• Failure to maintain a reasonable distance from your dog.

• Failure to maintain positive control of your dog. ( dog gets past 25 yards with lack of recall, consistently being farther than 10 feet from your lead)

• Dog does not indicate the article at the end of the track

• Not mitigating health risk for the dog on the track 

If a live game animal is jumped, the team will be given an additional 5 min to reset. In all scenarios the judge will have discretion to add no more than 10 min to the track.

This test is more than just a line test, it is a complete evaluation of a team, and is in no way meant to discriminate against tracking teams. It determines not only the ability, but the overall work ethic, drive, temperament, professionalism and safety. This test was designed to simulate a very real world scenario and to be extremely fair to any team testing. 

If you would like to sign up for the Master Tracker Test please email Mobloodtrackers@gmail.com