NORTHEAST REGIONAL CHUKAR CHALLENGE HUNTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

RULES & REGULATIONS

Warriors Mark Wingshooting Lodge & Kennels
Phone: (814) 378-8380; Fax: (814) 378-8381
E-Mail: wmsp@warriorsmark.com

• 20 points for each bagged chukar in hand

• 15 points for each "find" (flushed or pointed)

• 10 points for each retrieve within one (1) step of hunter(s)

• 5 points for each remaining loaded shell

• 1 point for each full 20 seconds under the allocated qualifying time limit; time stops when last bird is in the hunter’s hand

• 490 max. pts. for TEAM Divisions, 360 max. pts. for SINGLE Divisions, and 245 max. pts. for PUPPY Divisions

• Tie scores will be broken 1st by retrieving points; 2^nd by remaining shell points; and 3^rd by lowest qualifying time.

1. NO RUNNING with a gun; grounds for disqualification.

2. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; NO competitor or hunter will be permitted to qualify if they have consumed any alcoholic beverage.

3. No collars of any type will be permitted on any dog while qualifying.

4. NO bitches in heat permitted on grounds.

5. All dogs must be kept on lead and away from qualifying areas until time to qualify. Spectators will not be permitted near qualifying blinds and must be in designated areas during qualifying runs. All hunters or competitors are required to wear at least 250 square inches of blaze orange to include a hat (State Law).

6. All GUNS must be kept cased and unloaded until at the starting line. All dogs must be heeled and on lead to and from the fields. Any dog determined by the judge to be "out of control" will be subject to disqualification.

7. Qualifying days and times will be assigned in the order the entries are received. This will permit early entries to choose from a larger pool of qualifying days and times. The DEADLINE is the Saturday, one week before the event is run. ALL entry fees must be paid before deadline to secure qualifying days and times. Entries received after the deadline will be placed in time slots at the discretion of the host club.

8. All hunters must register at the registration desk at least 60 minutes before qualifying run. Team Captain will pick up field assignments.

9. When birds are being set, the next hunter(s) up must be behind blinds before previous qualifying run begins. Any team/hunter not in blind will be disqualified. All birds must be carried by the hunter(s) at all times and will not be permitted to be dropped off in the field.

10. Field Judges will accompany all teams into the field. Team Captain must sign score sheet before leaving the field. Any disagreements must be worked out before leaving the field. There will be unforeseen situations arising, but ALL decisions by Field Judges or Head Marshall are FINAL – NO APPEALS.

11. All birds must be chukars and shot in the air, unless caught by the dog. This is the only way birds may be counted for qualification. Hunters cannot pick up already dead birds and count them toward qualification. In the case where a bird is trapped by the dog, the bird is counted and a shell is forfeited (pointing breeds catching a bird will result in a 3-point penalty).

12. There are two classes per TEAM, SINGLE, and PUPPY Divisions: Flushing and Pointing. The TEAM Divisions will consist of two hunters, one dog, and 30 minutes to qualify. The SINGLES Divisions will consist of one hunter, one dog, and 20 minutes to qualify. The PUPPY Divisions will consist of one hunter, one dog under 18 months, and 15 minutes to qualify. Maximum of two entries per dog for each division. Dogs may only compete in one class, Flushing or Pointing, in any division.

13. There will be 16 shells (8 per hunter, not interchangeable) in TEAM Divisions, 12 shells per hunter in SINGLE and 8 shells per hunter in PUPPY. Qualification run ends and time stops when: (1) maximum "bag" points have been awarded and last bird is in hand (8 in TEAM Divisions, 6 in SINGLE, 4 in PUPPY); (2) qualifying time has expired or; (3) if hunter(s) are out of shells and maximum "find" points have been awarded, the run will end and score will show the maximum time. "WILD" (not acted on by dog) flushes are not counted as a qualifying bird, unless acted upon by hunter(s). All shells must be factory loads, maximum 5-shot, 2 ¾" and supplied by each team.

14. POINTER’S RULES: A Pointing Breed dog cannot be "whoa" to a "find." A dog must establish a point first to be awarded "find" points. "Whoa" can be used to prevent "creeping." A Pointing Breed dog cannot catch or trap a bird. If the dog moves in on a bird and flushes or catches the bird before the hunter(s) has (have) a chance to flush the bird, NO "find" points will be awarded. There will be a three-(3) point penalty accessed for each bird caught or trapped by a Pointer, that the hunter(s) could not get to flush or shoot.

15. "Retrieve" points (10 pts.) will be awarded when the dog retrieves each bird a minimum of within one (1) step of the hunter(s). The hunter(s) cannot move toward the dog once the bird has been shot. Moving backwards or laterally is permitted. A violation will result in NO retrieve points.

16. Field Judges will explain boundaries before qualifying run begins. Ribbon or other markers will mark your field’s boundaries. NO team member is permitted to pursue or shoot outside the boundaries. Hunter(s) can shoot over the boundaries, if standing inside the boundary markers. The dog can retrieve a bird outside the boundaries, but not within the boundaries of another qualifying field. Team members must be inside the markers and the finished retrieve made to within the boundary markers.

17. In the event a "SAFETY" is called due to an obstruction, such as a judge in the field, the bird is scored in full and a shell is forfeited (hunters must have a remaining shell to forfeit in order for a safety bird to be counted). If the hunter shoots after a safety is called, the team is subject to disqualification.

18. NO organizer or host hunt or preserve club’s staff, stockers, employees, or their kennels will be permitted to compete.

19. For any further clarification or questions about any of the rules, refer to the master rulebook. A rulebook will be at Registration and with each Field Judge and the Head Marshall.

20. Safety and sportsmanlike conduct are first priorities. This Hunting Dog Championship is designed to be competitive and fun. The event objectives are "good" dog work, "good" marksmanship, a bit of luck, and lots of fun.

GOOD LUCK!!!