DOG WELFARE GUIDELINES FOR NAGDA COMPETITORS

1.      The scorekeepers may excuse any dog which they feel is unfit to compete.

2.      Bitches in season will be allowed to participate in a run only after all the other dogs and bitches not in season have run.

3.      Dogs that have had recent surgery must have a veterinarian written permission release to participate.

4.      Any dog that has had an episode of exercise induced collapse or hypoglycemia (has become ataxic or recumbent) shall not be allowed to compete again until the following day.

5.      Any dog that has become hyperthermic (body temperature greater than 104.0 F) will not be allowed to compete again until the following day.

6.      Any bitch that has whelped within 14 days prior to a competition will be ineligible to compete.

The most important rule is to have fun!

1.       Ignorance of the rules will not be grounds for protest.

2.       All hunters will compete with good ethics and sportsmanship. Poor sportsmanship will result in immediate disqualification and all entry fees will be forfeited.

3.       Alcohol or drugs may not be consumed before or during your run(s). Automatic disqualification will result.

4.       All hunters, judges, scorekeepers, bird planters, etc. must sign a liability and promotional release prior to running or working in any NAGDA event.

5.       All clubs and contestants must be members in good standing with NAGDA in order for scores or events to be sanctioned.

6.       The decisions of all scorekeepers are final.

7.       A contestant may only protest his/her score and no one else's.

8.       Arguing with the scorekeeper will not be tolerated! If you have a discrepancy, your time and issue will be noted and the run will continue. The contestant, the scorekeeper and the Field Marshall will resolve the issue at the end of the run. The person or persons who will be the Field Marshall will be named prior to each event.

9.       Host clubs have the right to amend rules for certain regulations or hazards as long as they are clearly posted prior to the event.

10.   If you win the National Championship the Handler & Dog as a team will no longer be able to compete as an amateur in that same division. Any dog & handler as a team who places in the top 5 two times at Nationals in the Amateur Division will be required to move up to the Open Division. Any handler who competes in multiple sanctioning bodies, may be required to compete in the Open Division as per the NAGDA Board of Directors. The Board of Directors reserves the right to deem a participant as a tournament hunter.

11.   No more than 5 runs will be allowed by any hunter or handler at Nationals. However, a host club may use their own discression as to the number of entries by any one person.

12.   Any bitch in season will run last or in a separate field.

13.   Electric collars will be permitted, however electric collars with GPS will not be allowed. Abuse or misuse will result in immediate disqualification. Beeper collars will not be allowed if close field proximity will affect other contestants.

14.   It is the hunter's responsibility to keep track of when they are running. There will be no excuses for not being in the blind on time. A field will not be planted until hunter(s) and dog(s) are in the blind and remain there until field is planted, at which time the scorekeeper will tell the planter to plant the field. Failure to abide by this rule will mean immediate disqualification. (Combined old rules 25, 26, & 46)

15.   All runs will be drawn for possession, 30 minutes before the event starts. The only exceptions are if the same dog is to be run, back to back, or the hunter will be in another field at the same time, at which their name will go back into the hat and another name drawn.

16.   Orange vest or cap must be worn during competition.

17.   The hunter or the scorekeeper may call a safety, but the final decision will be up to the scorekeeper. Safety is called for any unsafe condition involving injury to man, dog or property. A safe shot is always the responsibility of the shooter. If a safety is called for possible injury to a dog and the shooter shoots but no injury occurs then the safety is off and points will be awarded accordingly. If safety is called due to possible injury to man or property and the shooter shoots, it will result in a disqualification. Remember, it is always safety first.

18.   NO Running. The hunter will receive one warning. A ten point deduction will be assessed for the second warning. A third warning will be disqualification of the run.

19.   No bird is to be shot unless safely in flight. Failure to abide by this rule could lead to disqualification.

DIVISIONS
Youth - Amateur Pointing & Flushing - Open Pointing & Flushing
Seniors - Doubles - Women - Puppy

21.   Youth:

a.       One hunter, ages 12-17, and a guardian. Age 17 by April 30th.

b.       A parent or guardian must accompany the youth in each run until they turn 18.

c.       It will be a 20 minute run and a 4 bird plant.

d.       The hunter will have a total of 8 shells to use during the run.

e.       Age brackets will be divided into two brackets with a minimum of 8 hunters in either age bracket.

Singles/Senior: Pointing & Flushing:

a.       A dog can only run one time, per division, in any singles division and the handler must designate whether it will compete in the open or amateur division. A dog and handler may progress from amateur to the open but thereafter that same dog and handler may not compete in an amateur division.

b.       A dog may compete in the open division with one handler and an amateur division with another handler.

c.       It will be a 20 minute run and a 4 bird plant.

d.       The hunter will have a total of 8 shells to use during the run.

e.       Pointer must hold point for 5 seconds for point to be awarded any score.

Doubles:

a.       In Doubles Division, the two handlers and the two dogs are considered a team and can only enter that division once. As long as one of the team members changes, a new team may be formed. (Example: The same two handlers may make up a different team as long as they change one of the dogs or visa versa.)

b.       In the Doubles Division, the handlers must stay within a maximum of 50 yards of each other at all times. If a handler has to leave the field to retrieve a dog or a bird, the other handler and dog must cease hunting until his/her partner is able to resume hunting. Any birds pointed or flushed during the hunters absence will not count. Failure to abide by this rule will be cause for immediate disqualification.

c.       In the Doubles Division, points are awarded for birds produced rather than pointed or flushed. In order to get the points for a produced bird, the dog must produce the bird by point or flush.

d.       It will be a 20 minute run and a 6 bird plant.

e.       In the Doubles Division two hunters have 10 shells (5 shells each). Each hunter must shoot at least one shell. Shells may then be shared by the hunters.

Puppy as Applicable:

a.       A puppy may run only one time per sanctioned event and the handler must designate if the puppy is a pointer or flusher before entering the field to hunt. (All Single Division Rules apply)

b.       Any puppy qualifying during the year will run at the National Championship as an amateur pointing or flushing.

c.       A puppy can not be over 18 months of age.

d.       It will be a 20 minute run and a 3 bird plant.

e.       The hunter will have a total of 6 shells to use during the run.

                                             New Divisions:

                                             Shooting Dog Stakes

                                             Open Pointing Division

a.       Dog must hold all points a minimum of 5 seconds.

b.       No points will be scored for a retrieve.

c.       Any species of upland bird may be used.

d.       On a “covey rise”, correctly pointed multiple birds may be taken and applicable points will be duly counted.

e.       Birds not pointed, (bumped or flushed) will not be eligible to be shot. If flushed by a human other than the hunter, a safety will be called and duly scored. If by the hunter or his dog and the bird relocates in that field. They can be hunted and pointed as normal. If the bird flies out of the field, it becomes a lost bird.

f.         All other rules for Open Pointing will apply if not mentioned above.

                                            Doubles Pointing Division

a.       The dog not finding the bird must “honor or back” the pointing dog. In the case of a retriever type dog, his “honor or back” can be either a point or sit behind the pointing dog. He must hold that point until the pointing dog is released.

b.       Two hunters and two dogs, 20 minute run, 6 birds and 10 shells.

c.       If not mentioned in the Shooting Dog Stakes for Open Pointing or Doubles Pointing rules, the rules for Regular Doubles will apply.     

22.   An amateur handler may compete in amateur division with one dog and the open division with another.

SCORING

23.   An automatic safety will be called if a scorekeeper, cameraman or other observer produces a bird. The total points awarded will be fifteen and the hunter may decline at that time. No shell will be forfeited.

24.   If a dog points and multiple birds rise on the flush at a single location, points for one find are given. The hunter may elect to shoot the correct number of birds needed and could receive all other points if the dog performs the correct dog work. The dog cannot tell if it is flushing or pointing multiple birds, only that there is a bird at that location. If a dog re-establishes a point or a flush after a bird is shot and it is at the first location, then they will be given points for another flush or point if another bird is produced.

25.   A shell will be forfeited for each bagged bird.

26.   All runs are scored not judged.

10 points - for a point in the pointing division. (Must hold point for a minimum of 5 seconds.)
5 points - for a caught bird in all pointing divisions.
10 points - for a flushed bird in all flushing divisions.
20 points - for a bagged bird in all divisions.
10 points - for a full retrieve. Hunter must keep one foot stationary until the bird is in hand. Hunter may kneel down but not lie down. If time has elapsed and a bird has been shot, the hunter has a 60 second grace period to complete the retrieve. If the retrieve is not completed within the allotted time no points will be given for a bagged bird or the retrieve. If the dog has a bird in its mouth at the end of the first 30 seconds of the grace period points will stand for points and flushes.
5 points - for a partial retrieve. The dog must find, pick up the bird, and make an attempt to bring the bird to the handler.
2 point - for each full minute left. Time is called when the last bird is in hand.
10 points - for each shell not used as long as points have been scored.
No points - will be scored until the first bird has been legally produced. (pointed or flushed, depending on division.) If no points have been scored, the run is scored as a zero.
If safety is called one shell must be discarded and there will be a two point deduction on final score.
Hunter may not use gun as a tool to rake bird closer to them.

27.   Tie breakers will be as follows:

1.       Time when first bird is bagged.

2.       Number of shells remaining after the run.

3.       Time it took to complete the run.
Time of less than one full minute is recorded (for use in breaking ties) but not rounded up to the next minute; no points are given for partial minutes.

1.      Flip of a coin.

28.   All scorecards must be read and signed before being turned in. If the hunter has a protest, he or she should not sign the scorecard.

29.   If a bird enters and lands inside the boundaries of the field, this bird is considered a legal bird and can be pursued immediately.

30.   Scorekeeper will call time for any of the following:

1.  Hunter ceases to hunt.

2. Time has expired.

3.  The hunter has all birds.

4.  The hunter has used their limit of shells.

5.  An infraction of any other rule, which would cause the end of the run.

TECHNICAL RULES

31.   A hunter will receive a warning for an apparent intentional safety. A second warning will mean disqualification.

32.   No shells larger than 2 ¾ -inch will be allowed for 12 gauge guns. Magnum shells will be allowed in 20 gauge or smaller guns. No shot larger than #6 shot will be allowed. At the National Championship, all rounds must be factory made ammunition.

33.   All dogs must be leashed immediately after their run. Hunter, dog and scorekeeper must exit field at the closest boundary.

34.   All birds and bird parts must be removed from the field. Intentional leaving of birds or bird parts will cause disqualification.

35.   If a dog interferes in another field, the hunter in that field will have the option of a rerun or may continue the run. If the hunter continues to hunt, a rerun will NOT be awarded.

36.   If a shot bird falls over a fence that the dog can't get through, the hunter may assist the dog over the fence and still receive full points for the retrieve. The hunter may also cross the fence to help the dog back.

37.   Hunters intentionally cleaning or loading the field for the next run will be disqualified.

38.   All fields are to be clearly marked.

39.   All birds must be produced within the marked boundaries.

40.   Scorekeepers will not carry bagged birds, but can help put birds in the bag.

41.   Scorekeepers may not compete in the same division they are scorekeeping.

42.   Club employees may compete in all events at their club. They must wait a minimum of 2 runs before competing in a field they have been a scorekeeper or planted birds in.

43.   In case of disqualification, no money will be refunded.

44.   Any hunter receiving 2 disqualifications in a twelve month period will be banned for life from the NAGDA.

45.   The Board of Directors may amend rules at any time. Rule changes will be sent to all host clubs after a change has been made with an explanation why the change was made.

NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

46.   If a dog qualifies for Nationals, the same handler that qualified that dog MUST run the dog. No substitute handler will be allowed.

47.   A dog may be qualified in pointing and flushing during the year. BUT MUST DESIGNATE WHICH DIVISION THEY WILL RUN IN AT THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, POINTING OR FLUSHING. No dog may run in both pointing and flushing at Nationals.

48.   At Nationals, all Single runs will have 2 pheasants and 2 chukars in the single events. And all Double runs will have 3 pheasants and 3 chukars. It does not matter what birds the hunter qualified on during the year. Host Clubs may use what birds are available during the year.

49.   Qualifying for National Championship, a Hunter and Dog must compete at two events, placing 1st - 3rd at one of those events.

50.  "Top 5" finalists are automatically invited to compete at Nationals the following year. The handler and dog must be the same NO substitutions. They must compete in at least two events prior to Nationals.