Event Rules

20 points for each bagged Pheasant 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

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 bitches in heat permitted on grounds.
4. 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).
5. 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.
6. When birds are being set, the next hunter 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 at all times and will not be permitted to be dropped off in the field.
7. 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.
8. All birds must be pheasants 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).
9. The SINGLES Divisions will consist of one hunter, one dog, 3 pheaants  10 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.
10. There will be 6 shells per hunter in SINGLES.  Qualification run ends and time stops when: (1) maximum "bag" points have been awarded and last bird is in hand  (3 in SINGLE); (2) qualifying time has expired or; (3) if hunter 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. All shells must be factory loads, maximum 6-shot, 2 ¾" and supplied by each hunter.
11. 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 has 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 could not get to flush or shoot.
12. "Retrieve" points (10 pts.) will be awarded when the dog retrieves each bird a minimum of within one (1) step of the hunter. The hunter 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.
13. 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 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.
14. 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.
15. NO organizer or host hunt or preserve club’s staff, stockers, employees, or their kennels will be permitted to compete
16. For non shooter singles, the dog must be under control and flush bird with in gun range in order for flush to count. If gunners miss the bird this will not be held against dog or handler.  So long as the dog and handler has presented a reasonable shot to guns. If the dog flushes the bird out gun range it will not count even if the guns kill the bird.  
17. 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.