Official Rules & Regulations
All dogs must be
registered with the National Kennel Club
in order to Hunt in an Upland Classic Event
AMATEUR DIVISION
Amateur Division will be 1 hunter, and 1 dog, on a
20 minute time limit with a 3 bird set of any
mixture, totaling 3. There will be an Amateur Finals
at the National Finals Event; you must stay an
Amateur for the full year to qualify for the finals.
If at any time in the year your Amateur dog runs in
an open event, it will no longer be considered an
Amateur.
Amateur Dogs can not be older
than 3 years of age for the start of a new year
(February 1st). The dog can turn 3 during the
year and still finish the year in the Amateur
Division, but the start of the next year (February
1st) the dog must go to the open class.
Fees:
The fees will be $60.00 for a quail run, $70.00 for
a chuckar run, $80.00 for a pheasant run, and $70.00
for a mixture of any three birds. There will be no
paybacks in the Amateur Division, plaques, ribbons
or certificates will be awarded for the top three
winners. Pointing Amateurs and Flushing Amateurs
will not run against each other. They may use the
same field, but are two divisions.
Championship Points:
Championship points will be awarded for wins, just
like the open and doubles divisions (5 pts for a
win, 3 pts for a second, and 1 pt. for a third) for
a total of 20 points, with at least 2 of these wins.
We allow the Amateurs to bring in up to 10 pts from
other associations, toward their championships.
These points must be verified by the association
that they have been won in. In the case that you
bring in points you must have at least 1 win in the
remainder of your Championship points.
Back to top
ROOKIE DIVISION
This is for those who have never played the
Tournament Game and would like to see if not only
their dogs can compete, but if they can compete too.
It will be a one run event with fees being $60.00
for a Quail run, $70.00 for a Chukar run and $80.00
for a Pheasant run; 3 birds on each.
$5.00
from each run will be sent to NKC for keeping track
of the runs.
Each person will be allowed 4 runs total in
the Rookie Division and then will have to move on to
the Amateur or the Open Divisions.
There will be no Membership or registration
required to enter the Rookie Division.
There will be no money payouts or plaques
awarded for this event.
The rules will be the same as the Singles Division
and there will be Pointing and Flushing Singles in
each.
YOUTH DIVISION
There will be no age limit on the
dog in this division, but it can not have run in the
open or doubles division in NUCS or any other
organization.
The dog is allowed to run if he has
participated in the Amateur Division.
The age limit on the Youth is 15
years of age on February 1st; they can turn 15
during the year and still compete in the Youth
Division until February 1st of the next year.
They must have a Hunter Education Card to
compete.
They will run in the same fields as the
regular Amateurs do and under the same format and
rules, but will be competing against other youth
only.
This will carry thru to the National Finals where
they will compete with the Amateur dogs but will
only be against youth.
Prizes or Scholarships will be awarded for
the winner at the Nationals.
They must compete in at least 4 events to
qualify for the Nationals, and a parent can not take
the dog to a trial and run for the youth to qualify
if for the Nationals.
Back
to top
HIGH POINT DOG
In the Pointing & Flushing
Singles & Amateur Division we will award 2 points to
the last place dog increasing by 2 points each
placement. The points will be based on the 6 highest
scores through the qualifying year. The National
Finals score will be added to the total score for
the High Point Dog of the year.
To win the high Point Dog, there must be at
least one 1st place win.
In the case of a dog being
entered in an event 2 times: The highest placement
will be awarded points for High Point Dog. The lower
placement stands, but no points will be awarded for
High Point Dog.
Example:
5 dogs in the event; the 4th and 1st place dog is
the same dog, points will go like this—5th place 2
pts, 4th place 0 pts, 3rd place 6 pts, 2nd place 8
pts, 1st place 10 pts.
Back to
top
DOUBLES:
Official Rules & Regulations
1. All Dogs:
The competition consists of two divisions, flusher
and pointer. Dogs, regardless of ability, shall be
placed in the division which is standard for the
breed. During the run, dogs may not be restrained
for any reason that gives them an unfair advantage.
Dogs must be leashed at all times prior to and
immediately following runs. Dogs must be leashed
immediately when time expires, no scoring can take
place after time expires. Dogs in heat entries will
be accepted only if placed at the end of the day. If
a dog flushes a bird in another competitor’s field,
full points will be awarded to the team in that
field. The dog may be retrieved only with the
permission of the judge in the invaded field.
Injuries to dogs will be considered bad luck, and
the owner’s responsibility. Electronic collars and
beeper collars are allowed, no check cords. Dogs may
have up to two entries per competition, but must be
signed up for both runs prior to the start of the
competition. No refunds will be given to second runs
paid for but not used.
Pointing Dogs
Additional Rules:
a.
You can not give a command to
bring your dog to a point. If the dog makes physical
contact with a bird before the point is made, there
will not be points awarded for a point on that bird.
b.Two (2)
bonus points will be awarded for each bird shot. No
bonus points will be awarded for a "shot bird" on a
Safety.
You will be awarded
full points less
the shot bird bonus. There will be no
more than the standard set for the event awarded.
Birds that are caught or trapped will not be awarded
the bonus points. You may not take the bird from a
dog and throw it up and shoot, for the bonus point,
once the bird is in your hand you are no longer
eligible for the bonus point. Birds that are shot
at, but not hit well, and the dog retrieves it, will
be awarded the bonus points.
This is for Singles and Doubles Pointing only!!
2. Competitors:
Teams consist of two hunters and one dog in the
Flushing Division; two hunters and two dogs in the
Pointing Division. Hunters must remain within 30
yards of one another at all times. Shells will be
limited to one less than the standard bird set per
hunter. Standard bird sets will be 6 birds in
combination, depending on the tournament. Time limit
for each event will be 30 minutes. Teams must
register at the club house prior to their first run
each day. All birds must be carried by the hunters
and not dropped in the field. Birds will be counted
in the field at the end of each run to ensure
correct count. Competitors will be placed in order
of draw. Requests for day will be considered.
3. Disqualification:
Teams may be disqualified for the following:
Shooting a bird on the ground, shooting more than
the allowed limit, shooting a non-designated
species, unsafe or reckless use of a firearm, being
under the influence of alcohol or drugs, abusing the
officials, excessive use of electronic collars,
mistreatment of a dog, poor sportsmanship,
restraining a pointing dog while its on point, a dog
completely out of control, stomping birds on the
ground, running in the field, or communicating with
spectators while in the field.
4. Guns:
All guns must be 12 gauge or smaller. No shells over
2 3/4 inch. A gun malfunction shall be considered
bad luck. It is the option of the hunter to get
another gun, but they cannot appoint someone else to
enter the field in their place. Shells may not be
given or shared with a partner. In the instance
where a team runs out of its allotted shells the
hunt will be immediately ended and scored as it,
with the remaining time being forfeited and no
credit given.
5. Safety:
Hunters are responsible for safe use of firearms at
all times and are required to wear at least one
article of orange clothing. A safety may be
requested in the event of an obstruction such as a
judge, vehicle, or building. A bird for which a
safety has been awarded shall be scored in full and
a shell forfeited. A requested safety may be denied
for the following reasons: In the judges opinion,
one team member has a clear shot and fails to take
it, the bird was shot at before or after the safety
was requested, or the bird relocates in bounds. If a
competitor calls a safety on a bird and that bird
relocates in bounds, only the dog work will be
awarded points (for the point and flush).
If the bird leaves the boundaries of the
field, full points less the short bird will be
awarded.
If your dog or dogs lose contact with the bird, you
can score another point or flush on the same bird.
If the judges has any question on the bird
relocating inbounds full points will be awarded.
6. Stocking:
Teams must remain in blind while their field is
being stocked. Failure to do so will result in a
disqualification. Fields will not be stocked without
an on-deck team. All birds will be handled by wings
or legs and set by hand into cover. Any birds
leaving or entering fields after stockers have left
the field will be considered luck of the draw. No
birds will be replaced. If a bird is flushed from
the field after the run is over by a judge or
competitor, that bird must be replaced in the same
area it was moved from.
7. Birds left in the
field:
First run in a field will have 2 more birds than the
standard placed in field. All birds left in the
field will be considered luck of the draw.
8. Out of bounds:
Dogs can be sent out of bounds. Birds may be located
by the dog out of bounds and full credit will be
given for bird work done by the dog out of bounds.
Retrieves count only if bird is brought back to
hunters in bounds. Hunters in the flushing division
may go out of bounds only to assist in a retrieve.
In the pointing division, one of the hunters may
leave the field boundaries, but only to attempt to
flush a pointed bird or to pick up a dead bird being
pointed by the dog. In this instance the hunter
leaving the boundaries must leave his or her firearm
in bounds. The bird resulting from a bird
pointed/flushed out of bounds can only be shot by
the hunter/hunters that remain in bounds.
9. Spectators:
Spectators shall be limited to designated areas
only. No vehicle will be allowed in the area other
than those absolutely necessary. Spectators are not
allowed to communicate with competitors in any way.
Communication between competitors and spectators
will be considered poor sportsmanship and be reason
for disqualification.
10. Judges:
In any situation not specifically covered under the
rules, the judge will be allowed to use common sense
to arrive at a decision. Judges' decisions are
final, no appeals will be heard.
11. No run rule:
Hunters may not run
at any time. The hunter will be asked to slow down
by the judge, the next time is a Disqualification.
12. Ties:
Ties for money placement, all funds awarded for that
placement will be split between dogs if it is for
their first or highest placement. A dog can only
place in the money bracket twice. Tiebreakers will
be decided according to the time remaining and then
the time the first bird is retrieved to hand.
13. Weather:
In the case of bad weather, such as lightning, hail,
etc. all runs will be pulled from the fields until
it is safe to return. If your run is interrupted,
you will start up again with the time that was
remaining when you first stopped. If a run is
questionable to finish due to darkness, it does not
start and will run the next morning. If the run has
started and it is unable to be finished, the run
will begin with the time that was remaining from the
previous day and will continue with the number of
birds that were bagged. No additional birds will be
planted at the start of the run.
14. Scoring:
Clock stops only when the last bird is in hand. Time
remaining will be rounded up or down to the nearest
minute. If seconds are 30 or more, you round up; 29
or lower you round down. No more finds, qualified
points, birds, or retrieves shall be scored than
then number of birds in the standard set. No scoring
shall be awarded after time expires. No scoring
shall be awarded for work on non-designated species.
Birds must be palatable. Birds destroyed by dog or
hunter shall be assessed a 10 point penalty. In the
case of a multiple find, flush, point or covey rise,
scoring will be for the actual number of bird finds,
qualified points, retrieves, etc.. Once the handler
signs his /her name to the official score sheet
after the run, there will be absolutely no changes
made to the scoring. All disputes in scoring must be
resolved prior to the handler and the judge signing
the score sheet.
15. Birds:
a.
A bird bumped by a judge or cameraman that comes
down in bounds will be hunted as if the bird flew on
its own. If a bird bumped by a judge or cameraman
that goes out of bounds, full points will be
awarded.
b. If a dead bird is
found in the field and is still warm, the judge will
award full points. If the bird is found dead and is
cold, no points will be awarded. All birds found
dead MUST be inspected by the judge.
c.
If on the way to or from a retrieve a
dog goes on point, the hunter may leave his first
spot to go to the dog, flush and shoot the second
bird. The dog can retrieve both birds for full
points. But if there is no bird produced at the
second spot he will be awarded a partial retrieve
for the first bird.
Pointing Dogs
- Backs
-
Dog must hold back for three
(3) seconds and cannot be given a command to
come to a stop. Once the Back has been
established, the dog can reset or move. The bird
has to be produced for the Back to count, and
10 points will be awarded for
each Back, with a total of six (6) per run.
-
Handlers must be within 30
yards of each other. This rule will be enforced
much more than with One Dog Doubles. The handler
can handle a dog in for the Back, but cannot
give a command, by voice or by hand, to stop the
dog. Collars cannot be used to stop the dog for
the Back. Once the dog has come to a stop, the
collar can be used to enforce the Back,
but only after the dog has stopped.
-
Each dog can enter two (2)
times, but does not have to enter with the same
dog or teammate.
-
All other Doubles rules
apply.
Entry Fee:
$160.00 per team with six (6) bird set.
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Flushers:
Birds in bag: 25 points
Find: 15 points
Full Retrieve: 15 points
Partial
Retrieve: 5 points
Shells remaining: 10
points
Minutes remaining: 3 points
Seconds remaining: Tie Breaker
Time
bagged 1st bird: Tie Breaker
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Pointers:
Birds in bag:
25 points
Full Retrieve: 15 points
Partial Retrieve: 5 points
Qualified
Point: 15 points
Qualified
Back:
10 points
Shells remaining: 10
points
Minutes remaining: 3 points
Seconds remaining: Tie Breaker
Time
bagged 1st bird: Tie Breaker
Ea. Bird
Shot: 2 Point
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Entry Deadline:
Friday prior to the start of each event. Cash
payback to top finishers, amounts depend on number
of entrants. To maintain the quality that our
competitors expect, entries are restricted to first
sixty entries received in each division.
Entry fee is $160 per
team. Non
Money Hunt is $100 per team.
Back to top
SINGLES: Official Rules & Regulations
1. All Dogs:
The competition consists of two divisions, flusher
and pointer. Dogs, regardless of ability, shall be
placed in the division which is standard for the
breed. During the run, dogs may not be restrained
for any reason that gives them an unfair advantage.
Dogs must be leashed at all times prior to and
immediately following runs. Dogs must be leashed
immediately when time expires, no scoring can take
place after time expires. Dogs in heat entries will
be accepted only if placed at the end of the day. If
a dog flushes a bird in another competitor’s field,
full points will be awarded to the hunter in that
field. The dog may be retrieved only with the
permission of the judge in the invaded field.
Injuries to dogs will be considered bad luck, and
the owner’s responsibility. Electronic collars and
beeper collars are allowed; no check cords. Each dog
may have two qualifying runs, but only 1 finals run.
They must be signed up for both runs prior to the
start of the competition. No refunds will be given
to second runs paid for but not used.
Pointing Dogs Additional Rules:
a.
You can not give a command
to bring your dog to a point. If the dog makes
physical contact with a bird before the point is
made, there will not be points awarded for a point
on that bird.
b. Two (2)
bonus points will be awarded for each bird shot. No
bonus points will be awarded for a "shot bird" on a
Safety.
You will be awarded
full points less
the shot bird bonus. There will be no
more than the standard set for the event awarded.
Birds that are caught or trapped will not be awarded
the bonus points. You may not take the bird from a
dog and throw it up and shoot, for the bonus point,
once the bird is in your hand you are no longer
eligible for the bonus point. Birds that are shot
at, but not hit well, and the dog retrieves it, will
be awarded the bonus points.
This is for Singles and Doubles Pointing only!!
2. Competitors:
Teams consist of one hunter and one dog. Shells will
be limited to 3 more than the standard bird set.
Standard bird sets will be 3 pheasants, 3 chuckar or
3 quail, or a mixture of these 3, depending on the
tournament. Time limit for each event will be 20
minutes. Hunters must register at the club house
prior to their first run each day. All birds must be
carried by the hunter and not dropped in the field.
Birds will be counted in the field at the end of
each run to ensure correct count. Competitors will
be placed in order of draw. Request for day will be
considered.
3.
Disqualification:
A hunter may be disqualified for the following:
shooting a bird on the ground; shooting more than
the allowed limit; shooting a non-designated
species; unsafe or reckless use of a firearm; being
under the influence of alcohol or drugs; abusing the
officials; excessive use of electronic collars;
mistreatment of a dog; poor sportsmanship;
restraining a pointing dog while it's on point; a
dog completely out of control; stomping birds on the
ground, running in the field, or communicating with
spectators while in the field.
4. Guns:
All guns must be 12 gauge or smaller. No shells over
2 3/4 inch. A gun malfunction shall be considered
bad luck. It is the option of the hunter to get
another gun, but they cannot appoint someone else to
enter the field in their place. Shells may not be
given or shared with a partner. In the instance
where a hunter runs out of his/her allotted shells
the hunt will be immediately ended and scored as is,
with the remaining time being forfeited and no
credit given.
5. Safety:
Hunters are responsible for safe use of firearms at
all times and are required to wear at least one
article of orange clothing. A safety may be
requested in the event of an obstruction such as a
judge, vehicle, or building. A bird for which a
safety has been awarded shall be scored in full and
a shell forfeited. A requested safety may be denied
for the following reasons: in the judges opinion a
hunter has a clear shot and fails to take it; the
bird was shot at before or after the safety was
requested; or the bird relocated in bounds.
If a competitor calls a safety on a bird and that
bird relocates in bounds, only the dog work will be
awarded points (for the point and flush).
If the bird leaves the boundaries of the
field, full points less the short bird will be
awarded.
If your dog or dogs lose contact with the bird, you
can score another point or flush on the same bird.
If the judges has any question on the bird
relocating inbounds full points will be awarded
6. Stocking:
Hunters must remain in blind while their field is
being stocked. Failure to do so will result in a
disqualification. Fields will not be stocked without
an on-deck team. All birds will be handled by wings
or legs and set by hand into cover. Any birds
leaving or entering fields after stockers have left
the field will be considered luck of the draw. No
birds will be replanted.
If a bird is flushed from the field after the run is
over by a judge or competitor, that bird must be
replaced in the same area it was moved from.
7.
Birds left in the field:
First run in a field will have
1 more bird than the standard placed in field. All
birds left in the field will be considered luck of
the draw as fields will not be flushed after each
run.
8.
Out of bounds: Dogs can be sent out
of bounds. Birds may be located by the dog out of
bounds and full credit will be given for bird work
done by the dog out of bounds. Retrieves count only
if bird is brought back to the hunter in bounds.
Hunters in the flushing division may only go out of
bounds to assist in a retrieve. If a dog goes out of
bounds and points a bird, the dog may flush the bird
only after pointing for 3 seconds, so the hunter may
remain in bounds and shoot the bird. Judge must see
the bird to award points or flush.
If a hunter leaves the boundaries he/she must
leave his or her firearm in bounds. A bird resulting
from a bird pointed/flushed out of bounds can only
be shot by a hunter who is in bounds.
9. Spectators:
Spectators shall be limited to designated
areas only. No vehicles will be allowed in the area
other than those absolutely necessary. Spectators
are not allowed to communicate with competitors in
any way. Communication between competitors and
spectators will be considered poor sportsmanship and
be reason for disqualification.
10. Judges: In any
situation not specifically covered under the rules,
the judge will be allowed to use common sense to
arrive at a decision. Judges' decisions are final,
no appeals will be heard.
11. No run rule: Hunters may not run
at any time. The hunter will be asked to slow down
by the judge, the next time is a disqualification.
12. Ties:
Ties for money placement, all funds awarded for that
placement will be split between dogs if it is for
their first or highest placement. A dog can only
place in the money bracket once. Tiebreakers will be
decided according to the time remaining and then the
time the first bird is retrieved to hand.
13.
Weather:
In the case of bad weather, such as lightning, hail,
etc. all runs will be pulled from the fields until
it is safe to return. If your run is interrupted,
you will start up again with the time that was
remaining when you first stopped. If a run is
questionable to finish due to darkness, it should
not be started and will be run the next morning. If
the run has started and it is unable to be finished,
the run will begin with the time that was remaining
from the previous day and will continue with the
number of birds that were bagged. No additional
birds will be planted at the start of the run.
14.
Scoring:
Clock stops only when the last bird is in hand. Time
remaining will be rounded up or down to the nearest
minute. If seconds are 30 or more, you round up; 29
or lower you round down. No more finds, qualified
points, birds, or retrieves shall be scored than the
number of birds in the standard set. No scoring
shall be awarded after time expires. No scoring
shall be awarded for work on non-designated species.
Birds must be palatable. Birds destroyed by dog or
hunter shall be assessed a 10 point penalty. In the
case of a multiple find, flush, point or covey rise,
scoring will be limited to 3 birds, finds, qualified
points, retrieves, etc. Top qualifying score &
championship round score will be added together to
determine winner. Once the handler signs his name to
the official score sheet after the run, there will
be absolutely no changes made to the scoring. All
disputes in scoring must be resolved prior to the
handler and the judge signing the score sheet.
15. Birds:
a.
A bird bumped by a judge or cameraman that comes
down in bounds will be hunted as if the bird flew on
its own. If a bird bumped by a judge or cameraman
that goes out of bounds, full points will be
awarded.
b. If a dead bird is found in
the field and is still warm, the judge will award
full points. If the bird is found dead and is cold,
no points will be awarded. All birds found dead MUST
be inspected by the judge.
c.
If on the way to or from a retrieve a
dog goes on point, the hunter may leave his first
spot to go to the dog, flush and shoot the second
bird. The dog can retrieve both birds for full
points. But if there is no bird produced at the
second spot he will be awarded a partial retrieve
for the first bird.
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Flushers:
Birds in
bag: 25 points
Find: 15 points
Full
Retrieve: 15 points
Partial Retrieve: 5
points
Shells remaining: 10 points
Minutes remaining: 3 points
Seconds
remaining: Tie Breaker
Time bagged 1st
bird: Tie Breaker
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Pointers:
Birds in
bag: 25 points
Full Retrieve: 15 points
Partial Retrieve: 5 points
Qualified
Point: 15 points
Shells remaining: 10
points
Minutes remaining: 3 points
Seconds remaining: Tie Breaker
Time
bagged 1st bird: Tie Breaker
Ea. Bird
Shot: 2 Point
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Entry Deadline:
Friday prior to the
start of each event. Cash payback to top finishers,
amounts depend on number of entrants. To maintain
the quality that our competitors expect, entries are
restricted to first sixty entries received in each
division.
Back to top
Official
Definitions
Bird in bag:
25 points will be awarded for each bird, up to the
number of birds in the standard set, that is bagged
during the run and in possession at the time of the
in the field count at the end of each run. Any birds
bagged but not in possession
during the in the field count will be considered
lost, and therefore, points will not be awarded. If
time remains on the clock, hunters will be given an
opportunity to “fill their limit”.
Find: In the flushing division,
a find will be awarded when the dog traps, catches
or in the judges opinion causes a bird to take
flight. In the case of a trap or catch, a shell will
be forfeited, this applies to both divisions.
Full Retrieve: To
receive credit for a full retrieve, the hunter must
remain stationary after the shot. They will be
allowed one pivot foot but must not advance or
retreat. Retrieves must be within a pivot foot step
and can be picked up off of the ground or taken from
the dog's mouth. Hunters may kneel down to accept
the retrieve but may not lie down. Once the hunter
moves for any reason, a full retrieve can no longer
be awarded.
Partial Retrieve:
A partial retrieve will be awarded when
a full retrieve can not be awarded and the dog finds
the bird, picks it up and makes an attempt to bring
it to the handler.
Qualified
Point: To be awarded a qualified point
the dog must hold point for a minimum of 3 seconds,
determined by the judge only. Also, the point must
result in a bird that takes flight, unless in the
judge’s opinion the bird is deemed unable to fly.
After the 3 second minimum has been met, the handler
must attempt to flush the bird, ahead of the dog,
before the dog will be awarded any points. The key
is, the bird must be produced to the air for the
gun.
Back to top
Entry Fees
NUCS Membership: $25.00 per
person/per year
1 free trial run w/out a
membership. Fee must be paid by dog owner to have
any additional runs that year.
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Entry Fee:
$90.00 per
Quail run
$100.00 for
Chuckar run
$110.00 for
Pheasant run
$100.00
for mixture
$60.00 for Championship Round
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Non Money Hunts:
$60.00 for Quail
$70.00 for Chuckar
$80.00 for Pheasant
$70.00 for mixture
$40.00 for championship Round
|
Send
entry fee and form to the Club holding the event.
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