GUN DOG JUDGING RULES

1. “Point” must be called by handler before a judge can score a credible find.

2. Only pointed birds shall be shot.

3. No birds shall be shot on the ground, except at the judge's request.

4. With dog on point, when brace time has expired, handler/gunner shall have one minute to complete the flush and retrieve. Dog shall not be allowed to relocate.

5. No credit shall be given for the pointing of dead birds. "Point', “kill”, and “retrieve” credit shall be given for only one bird per find.

6. When two dogs are found on point or actually pointing the same bird at the same time, each will be awarded ten (10) points for find and ten (10) points for the retrieve.

7. Bird out of bounds must be pointed with the dog standing inbound to receive credit for the find and/or retrieve.

8. A dog must retrieve a bird to within three (3) feet of its handler who shall remain in the same area, before full credit (20 points) can be given for the retrieve.

9. If a bird is found by dog and picked up but not fully retrieved to within three (3) feet 0' handler, then a partial retrieve will be awarded with five points.

10. A dog which “backs" his brace mate on “point” will be awarded fifteen points. However, a dog is only allowed to back one time per brace. Therefore, any back after the first back will not be awarded any points.

11. A dog must back and not interfere with his brace mate while on “point" However, if interference occurs, then the dog pointing will receive full credit for the find, kill, and retrieve. Find=20pts. Kill=3pts. Retrieve=20pts.

12. The backing dog must be held by his handler upon the request of the pointing dog's handler or judge However, if the shooter has not produced a bird within 2 minutes after the backing dog has backed, the pointing dog must be relocated.

13. When the handler of the pointing dog asks the judge to relocate, the handler of the backing dog must hold his dog for one (1) minute or until the judge released the backing dog. When the backing dog is released by the judge then “all game” is fair for either dog.

14. A dog which continually interferes with the other dog of its brace will be warned by the judge one time and then asked to be “picked up" if interference continues. At this time, a bye dog will be selected by the field marshal and will run the remaining time left of the brace.

15. A marked bird is a judge's decision. This bird has been flushed by judge, dog, etc., and cannot be pointed for three (3) minutes in order to receive points for a find.

16. When the judge announces 'time is up" for the brace. the handlers shall put leads On their dogs and take shortest route Out of bird field. This will enable the next brace to start on time.

17. ONLY PHYSICALLY DISABLED and/or UNDERAGE handlers will be allowed to use a gunner for flushing and shooting of birds. Otherwise, a handler will act as the gunner. Gunners shall walk a reasonable distance behind the handler and can do nothing except flush and shoot birds. (Handler must designate Gunner" when entering trial.)

18. A judge to the best of his/her ability will not allow for a bird to be scored upon more than one time during a brace. Also, the judge will monitor the dog's ground race not to allow a dog to spend more than 8 minutes in any five acres of the bird field.

19. Gunner must attempt to flush pointed birds to receive credit for the find. However, birds that cannot fly may be thrown in air to get a kill and/or retrieve. The judge must see that the bird is alive before the gunner can receive any points. The gunner has the two options:

(1) Throw bird in air. Shoot bird for kill. Then allow dog to retrieve.

(2) Throw bird in air. Shoot gun in air. Then allow dog to retrieve live bird.



20. If a gunner is unable to shoot a bird for danger of hitting other individuals, and/or animals, he must call a “SAFETY”. In the judge's opinion, if this is a legitimate safety then an automatic (3) points for the kill and (20) points for the retrieve will be awarded.

21. Gun safety is expected and enforced! (Ex. “No handler or gunner is allowed to run in the field at any time.")

22. The judge's decision is FINAL on all judgment calls.

23. The use of training aids such as electric devices, weighted collars are prohibited.