Wisconsin Championship Hunting Series

2013-2014 Rules & Regulations

During the 2013-2014 WCHS season, event rules will be run according to the National Bird Dog Circuit.

2012-2013 Rules & Regulations
last updated: 8/17/2012

The rules of the Wisconsin Championship Hunting Series are listed below. Rule updates are highlighted in orange for you convenience.

• The Wisconsin Championship Hunting Series (WCHS) consists of four regular season Challenges, three Championships, and the Wisconsin State Invitational at the end of the season. All tournaments, with the exception of the Championship events, will be organized and run under the Premier Bird Hunting Tournaments (PBHT) of Wisconsin, Inc., a 501(c)4 non-profit organization that serves to promote upland bird hunting. The following events will be a part of the WCHS.
  • Labor Day Chukar Challenge (WCHS Championship and BDC Declared Major)
    September 1-2, 2012
    Woods and Meadow Hunting Preserve, Warrens
  • North Central Wisconsin Chukar Challenge (WCHS Challenge)
    December 8-9, 2012
    Little Hills Hunting Preserve, Gilman
  • Eastern Wisconsin Chukar Challenge (WCHS Challenge)
    January 5-6, 2013
    Hunters Point Hunt Club, Brownsville
  • Southeastern Wisconsin Chukar Challenge (WCHS Challenge)
    January 19-20, 2013
    Wern Valley Sportsmen's Club, Waukesha
  • Top Gun Championships (WCHS Championship and BDC Super Major)
    February 1-3, 2013
    Blonhaven Hunt Club, Orfordville
  • Northern Wisconsin Hungarian Championships (WCHS Championship)
    February 16, 2013
    Coyland Creek Game Preserve, Siren
  • Southwestern Wisconsin Chukar Challenge (WCHS Challenge)
    March 2-3, 2013
    Rush Creek Sportsmen's Club, Spring Green
  • The Wisconsin State Invitational
    April 13-14, 2013
    Woods & Meadow Hunting Preserve, Warrens
• Event Types -
  • Challenges are regular season events that will allow you to build points toward the prestigious Dog of the Year and Overall High Point Dog awards, as well as your Wisconsin State Invitational qualification.  The Double, Open, and Puppy divisions will run on Saturday, and Single on Sunday.
  • Championships will allow you to build points toward your Wisconsin State Invitational qualification.  Rules and scoring may vary at Championship events. All details will be determined by their event organizers. Please visit the links below for more details.
    • Labor Day Chukar Challenge
      
    • Top Gun Championships
      
    • Northern Wisconsin Hungarian Championships
      
  • The Wisconsin State Invitational is a season-end event meant to serve as a showdown for the main divisions, and more importantly show appreciation to the players who have supported the Series. Dog of the Year and Overall High Point Dog award winners are honored at the Wisconsin State Invitational.
• Divisions -
  • There are eight divisions, divided by flusher and pointer including Double, Open, Puppy, and Single. These divisions will be held at all regular season Challenges and the Wisconsin State Invitational.
  • There will be one competitor and one bird dog in the Open and Single divisions, and two competitors and one bird dog in the Puppy and Double divisions.
• Puppy Status Definition. A dog competing in the Puppy division must be 24 months of age or younger as of the first regular Series event for that season (i.e., Chukar Challenge and/or Championship). Definition also found under "Dogs" section.
• Entry Limitations -
  
  • Double division - A competitor may enter up to four times per event. A dog may enter up to two times per event. "A" and "B" fields may be available and competitors/entries will be distributed accordingly.
  • Open division - A competitor may enter up to four times per event. A dog may enter up to four times per event. A competitor and dog team may enter up to two times. An "A" and "B" field will be available and competitors/entries will be distributed accordingly.
  • Puppy division - A competitor may enter up to four times per event. A dog may enter up to two times per event.
  • Single division - A competitor may enter up to four times per event. A dog may enter up to four times per event. A competitor and dog team may enter up to two times. "A" and "B" fields will be available and competitors/entries will be distributed accordingly.
  • The Wisconsin State Invitational entry limitations will be determined based on qualifications.
• Entry Fees -
  • All entry costs include general run cost (club/field usage, birds, traveling bird setters, scorekeepers, trophies, etc.) and payback.  BDC sanctioning is optional.
  • Challenge entry fees are listed below. All entry costs include the following: general run cost (club/field usage, birds, traveling bird setters, scorekeepers, trophies, etc.), $10.00 toward Dog of the Year (for Double, Puppy, and Single only), and payback.  BDC sanctioning is an optional $15.00 per entry.
    • Double division - $152.00
    • Open division - $98.00
    • Puppy division - $98.00
    • Single division - $128.00
  • The Wisconsin State Invitational entry fees are yet to be determined.
• Payback -
  • Challenges
    • Double - $20.00/run
    • Single - $20.00/run
  • The Wisconsin State Invitational payback is yet to be determined.
  • The Dog of the Year payback, $10.00 per entry, is included in the entry fee for the Double and Single divisions at all Challenge events only.
  • All money collected for each division stays with that division.
• Prizes -
  • Seasonal Trophies or individual event plaques will be awarded to the top two places for all divisions in each regular season Challenge.
  • Trophies/plaques will be awarded to the top two places for all divisions at the Wisconsin State Invitational.
  • Trophies will be awarded to the top two places for all Double, Open, Puppy, and Single Dog of the Year divisions (see Dog of the Year).
  • A traveling trophy will be awarded to the Overall High Point Dog (see Overall High Point Dog).
  • Each event may have additional sponsor money/prizes to be used for additional payback, door prizes, participation prizes, or novelty prizes.

• Please try to have all entries with the hunter(s) and dog name(s) called in on Wednesday, prior to the start of an event.  This will be considered the event deadline.
• At Challenges, the Double, Open, and Puppy divisions will take place on Saturday, and Single on Sunday.
• There are a limited number of entries available per division per day per event. Furthermore, divisions will take place at events if there is a minimum of six entries.
• Run times will be randomly drawn with special attention given to proper spacing in order to give a dog rest between runs.
• Once run times have been established, no changes may be made unless an emergency should arise (i.e., in heat dog, extenuating personal circumstance) or scheduling conflict has been made by the event organizers.
• Runs/entries scratched after the posting of the run order on the Wisconsin Series website will incur a $50.00 charge per run/entry.  This is due to planned event fixed costs. (Run orders are posted the Thursday or Friday before each event.) Players with outstanding charges will not be allowed to sign up for an event until payment is received.
• Entries may be added after the event deadline if run times are available and no conflicts will be created.

• All competitors must arrive at the host club, check in, and give full payment at least 30 minutes prior to their first run.
• Competitors may be escorted to their field or asked to report to a staging area. If so, arrive at the host club or staging area 10 minutes prior to the run. Otherwise, competitors must arrive at the field check-in area 10 minutes prior to the run.
• Competitors will not be allowed to watch the run preceding nor the stocking of their run.
• Guns may be 12 gauge or smaller, no shells over 2 3/4”. No shot larger than #5.

• Dog owners (not the WCHS, PBHT of Wisconsin, host clubs, event employees and volunteers, and Series and event sponsors) assume 100% liability for actions of their dogs.
• Dogs shall be leashed at all times other than during runs or while in a designated exercise area.
• All dogs will be entered in the division that is the standard for the breed. Pointing labs must be declared as pointing at the start of the WCHS season and will be expected to complete the entire season according to the declaration.
• For Challenge events, dogs in heat will not be accepted for entry unless placed last in the day.  For Championship and Wisconsin State Invitational events, dogs in heat may not be allowed to enter.
• A dog competing in the Puppy division must be 24 months of age or younger as of the first regular Series event for that season (i.e., Chukar Challenge and/or Championship).

• Good sportsmanship is required at all times.
  • Competitors, spectators, and their vehicles may be limited to designated areas only.
  • Competitors must not communicate with the spectators while in the field.
• Firearm safety -
  • Hunters (not the WCHS, PBHT of Wisconsin, host clubs, event employees and volunteers, and Series and event sponsors) are responsible for the safe use of firearms at all times.
  • Guns will remain cased at all times, except during runs.
  • Competitors must wear blaze orange clothing.
  • Eye protection is strongly recommended for all competitors and spectators in or near competition fields for your own safety. Hunters and spectators (not the WCHS, PBHT of Wisconsin, host clubs, event employees and volunteers, and Series and event sponsors) assume 100% liability for injury.
  • Hunters may not run with firearms, loaded or unloaded, at any time. NO EXCEPTIONS! Teams will be given one warning for running, after which, at the scorekeeper’s discretion, a 3-point penalty will be assessed on the second infraction. The third occurrence will result in disqualification. Scorekeepers may regulate the speed at which hunters may walk as field conditions may dictate. Not running means one foot on the ground at all times.
• Harvesting birds -
  • All competitors are responsible for maintaining a positive public image. Harvested birds shall either be deposited in designated collection areas or transported to and from fields in a concealed manner. If birds are field dressed, all remains must be disposed of in proper containers.
• Competitors may be disqualified from a run, event, or the entire series due to delinquent behavior. Examples of delinquent behavior are listed below. The effect of disqualification on other teams shall be considered luck of the draw.
  • careless use of firearms
  • abusing a dog
  • abusing event officials and/or employees
  • dishonest play/failure to obey rules
  • shooting any bird on the ground
  • stomping or “drop kicking” birds
  • improper disposal of harvested birds/remains
  • shooting more than the allowed limit of birds
  • an out of control dog that is out of bounds
  • failure to arrive on-time thus avoiding scheduled run time (exception: the delay was due to delays in another competition field directly affecting that competitor)

• At Challenge events, all sets in the Double division will be six chukar partridge and Open, Puppy, and Single will be four chukar.
• Birds will be randomly set no closer than 50 feet from the edge of the competition field. The distance of the closest and the farthest birds from the starting gate will be the same for all competitors.
• First run of the day in all divisions will receive 1 extra bird per field.
• Fields will not be stocked without an on deck competitor(s).
• Any bird leaving the field after stockers have left the field shall be considered luck of the draw and will not be replaced.
• Birds accidentally released from crates or by stockers that land in bounds shall be considered part of the “set”.
• Birds entering the field from out of bounds during the run shall be legal game and considered luck of the draw.
• In the event a bird is bumped out of the field by a stocker, an additional bird will be planted to replace the bumped bird. Replacement birds will be set as quickly as possible in the approximate location of the bumped bird.
• If the run begins before the scorekeeper is notified of bumped bird(s) out of the field, the run shall stand as scored, and a re-run will not be allowed.

• Electronic training collars will be permitted in all divisions. Abusive use of training collars may result in disqualification.
• Boundaries -
  • Hunters and dogs may go out of bounds at the scorekeeper’s discretion provided they stay on club property and will not be permitted to hunt in other competitor’s fields.
  • In the case of two-competitor divisions, birds may be found and retrieved with full credit for find and bird, but hunters cannot shoot their guns while out of bounds.
  • In the case of one-competitor divisions and with the scorekeeper's permission, birds pointed out of bounds may be flushed, shot, and retrieved to in bounds for retrieve points.
  • Retrieve points shall be awarded only if the dog brings the bird back to the hunter in bounds. In the case of the last bird, the clock does not stop until the retrieve is received in bounds.
  • Any bird flushed out of bounds that is shot from in bounds is a legal bird.
• Shells are not interchangeable between hunters. Once the total amount of shells allotted for the run have been used, the run shall stop and full time shall be assessed. The hunter(s) must leash the dog and leave the field immediately. The effect of the run finishing early on the next run(s) shall be considered luck of the draw.
• Find points -
  • Flushers
    • 15 points shall be awarded when, in the scorekeeper’s opinion, the bird was trapped or caused to take flight by any action of the dog or by a hunter in close proximity to a dog making game. Flush points will not be awarded to a hunter who purposefully flushes/produces birds for dogs.
  • Pointers
    • 15 points shall be awarded, when, in the scorekeeper’s opinion, the dog establishes point (fixed feet) for five seconds and a bird is flushed by a competitor or flushes on its own. If, in the scorekeeper's opinion, the dog advances by way of taking a step(s) before the five seconds have been counted, the five second count may be restarted when the dog again establishes point.
    • 10 points shall be deducted, when, in the scorekeeper's opinion, the dog "traps" or "catches" the bird after a 15 point find has been awarded. A "trapped" or "caught" bird is considered a bird in the dog's mouth, even if the dog releases the bird allowing the competitor to shoot the bird.
    • A “whoa” or other command to point a bird found by competitors, but not by the dog, is not a find.
    • In the scorekeeper's opinion, if the competitor makes a honest attempt to gently foot flush the bird three times and it does not fly, it can be considered a non-performing bird with no penalty.
  • The maximum number of finds shall not exceed the number of birds in the set.
• Retrieves/Partial Retrieves
  • 12 points will be awarded for each full retrieve up to the established quota.
  • 8 points will be awarded for each partial retrieve. A partial retrieve is defined as the dog finding and picking up the bird, and making an attempt to bring the bird to the handler.
  • To receive full retrieve points, a competitor, and his/her partner, must keep one foot stationary after a bird is shot, or once the dog is released to retrieve.
  • A competitor may kneel down but not lay down to retrieve a bird.
  • A competitor may not physically assist a dog (outside the one-step distance limit) in a retrieve and receive full points.
  • Objects thrown to direct a dog toward a downed bird shall be limited to objects naturally found in that particular field (i.e. snow, dirt, small stones, etc).
  • A competitor may not use any objects (a stick, gun, jacket, etc.) to reach a bird dropped past the single-step distance limit.
  • If the time limit has elapsed and a bird has been shot, the hunter has a thirty second grace period to complete the retrieve. If the retrieve is not completed within the allotted time limit, no points will be awarded for a bagged bird or a retrieve.
  • In the event of a shot bird dropped or crash lands in another competitor’s field, the retrieve will be allowed at the scorekeeper’s discretion.
  • If a pointing dog goes on point or a flushing dog gets birdie while making a retrieve, the dog handler and shooter may move to flush the second bird with no penalty on the first bird. However, he must use the second flush as a stationary position for both birds, and if no bird is produced (seen by the scorekeepers) the first bird can be scored as no more than a partial retrieve.
• If a bird cannot be presented to a judge at the end of a run, zero points will be awarded for the bagged bird with one exception: an awarded safety shot.  For example, birds in trees, on vehicles, crossing roads, etc. will not be considered bagged birds under any circumstances.
• A gun malfunction by either teammate shall be considered bad luck. It is the option of the individual to get another gun, and the hunter cannot appoint someone else to leave or enter the field in his/her place. The remaining gun may be shared.
• Should an errant dog from another field enter the legal field after the clock has started, all birds flushed out of the field shall be scored in full at the time of the flush. In the event a bird flushed out of the legal field is the last bird for that run, the clock shall stop and a 2-point penalty shall be assessed. If the errant dog flushes more birds that what would end the run, those birds will be replaced on the next run that day. If an errant dog enters the field before the clock starts, only those birds flushed out of the field shall be replaced.
• Should a scorekeeper cause a bird to flush during the course of the run, the bird shall be scored as a “Safety Bird” (see Calling a Safety) and all points shall be awarded in full with a shell taken from the competitor. If a competitor shoots at a bird flushed by a scorekeeper, the safety is “off”, and points shall be awarded as earned. Note: If the dog was not making game at the time of the flush, and a shot is fired, find points shall not be awarded.
• Birds must show life at the beginning of the find to be scored in any way.
• In situations not specifically covered under the rules, the scorekeeper will be allowed to use common sense to arrive at a decision. Scorekeeper's decisions can be appealed to the Field Marshal(s) only after the run has been completed. The Field Marshal(s) shall have the final say in all Series matter or rules, written or not written.
• A competitor may not follow himself into the field. If a competitor must run back to back, and the first run does not harvest all the bird(s), any bird(s) left from the set must be removed from the field prior to the second run.
• Rules and scoring may vary at Championship events.

• In the event of an obstruction resulting in a safety, the appropriate points shall be awarded for all birds, including the final bird as determined by the scorekeeper. In the case of a final bird safety, the clock will not stop until the dog is leashed.
• A safety may be requested in the event of an obstruction, such as a scorekeeper, dog, vehicle, spectator, paved roadway, or building.
• Hunters intentionally flushing birds toward obstructions shall be disqualified.
• Safety points cannot be awarded on a partner.
• A safety may be awarded even though only one member of the team is in a position to shoot at the bird. Should the other member of the team be, in the scorekeeper’s opinion, in a position for a clear shot and fail to do so, the request for safety shall be void.
• If at any time prior to or following the request for safety, the subject bird has been shot at, the safety is off.
• A bird for which a safety has been awarded shall be scored as appropriate and a shell forfeited by the hunter that requested a safety.
• In the event of a bird being shot at and turning toward an obstruction after being missed, it shall be considered luck of the draw.
• In the event of a request for safety where the dog has failed to establish a find, safety points shall be awarded in full less the points for the find.
• If a flush involves multiple birds flying towards an obstruction, the maximum of two birds shall be allowed as safety birds.
• If a safety bird flies back into the field where the safety was granted, the player may attempt to harvest the safety bird again as long as the player has acted on another bird prior to attempting to reharvest the safety bird.
• All other safety requirements must apply.

• Immediately following the clock being stopped or time expiring, guns will be unloaded and the dog brought to leash.
• Competitors will use the least intrusive route leaving the field so as not to disturb any remaining birds. If any birds are bumped out of the field from the time the run is over until the bird stockers plant the next run, those birds shall be replaced, in addition to the set.
• Competitors must be able to produce the “birds bagged” at the end of the run. In the event bird(s) are missing from the bag, and time allows, the competitors will be returned to the field gate and the clock will resume to find or bag missing or other bird(s).
• Competitors must review the score, penalties, or other information on the score sheet. The competitor will then sign the score sheet in the appropriate space. Information on the signed score sheet shall be considered final.
• Scorekeeper's decisions can be appealed to the Field Marshal(s) only after the run has been completed. The decision of the Field Marshal(s) to support, overturn, order a re-run, or any other considerations shall be final.

• Scoring in all divisions shall be:
  • Find - 15 points
  • Caught Bird (pointing only) - 10 point deduction
  • Shells Remaining - 10 points
  • Full Retrieve - 12 points
  • Partial Retrieve - 8 points
  • Bird in Bag - 30 points
  • Penalty Points - 3 point deduction (Penalty points may be issued for bird explosion, competitor running, etc.)
  • Remaining Time - 3 points per minute and 0.05 points per second (Clock stops when the last bird in hand, with the exception a final bird safety.)
• Amateur, Hunter, Powder Puff, Puppy, and Single division runs will last 15 minutes. The Double division runs will last 20 minutes.
• Amateur, Power Puff, and Single division competitors will be allowed 8 shells per run. Hunter division competitors will be allowed 10 shells per run. Double division competitors will be allowed 12 shells per run, 6 shells per competitor. Puppy division competitors will be allowed 8 shells per run, 4 shells per competitor.
• Rules and scoring may vary at Championship events.

• Competitors must be members of the WCHS in order to register their dog(s) for Dog of the Year honors.
• Raw score system used.
• All regular season Challenge event scores will be tracked by the WCHS throughout the season. After the last tournament, each dog's best five scores will be totaled.  This will be the DOY score.
• Only two scores from each regular season Challenge event per division may be used toward DOY standings.
• In the event of a tie for DOY the tiebreaker shall be the top sixth score, then seventh score, etc. between the two or more dogs involved in the tie in all head to head competitions throughout the Series regular season Challenge events.
• Trophies will be awarded to the top two places, flushing and pointing, in the Double, Open, Puppy, and Single divisions.
• Prize money, equal to $10.00 per run, will be collected from entry fees at all Challenges in the Double and Single divisions. This money will be divided 65%-35% to the top two places, flushing and pointing, in the Double and Single divisions.

• Competitors must be members of the WCHS in order to register their dog(s) for Overall High Point Dog honors.
• Raw score system used.  Points equivalent to ten seconds per bird will be added to all pointing breed scores since pointing divisions have a five second point rule per bird.
• All regular season Challenge event scores will be tracked by the WCHS throughout the season. After the last tournament, the scores for each dog in the Double and Single divisions will be totaled.  This will be the Overall High Point Dog score.
• The top two scores from each regular season Challenge event per division (Double and Single only) may be used toward Overall High Point Dog standings.
• A traveling trophy will be given to the Overall High Point Dog winner. This trophy must be returned on or before the last regular season Challenge in order to prepare it for the new award winner.

• In order to qualify for the Wisconsin State Invitational in the Double division, a dog and competitor must have earned 1000 points over the season and participated in a regular season Challenge event in the Double division. Points are equal to run/entry scores.  Points can be earned at Challenges and Championships.
• In order to qualify for the Wisconsin State Invitational in the Single division, a dog and competitor must have earned 750 points over the season and participated in a regular season Challenge event in the Single division.  Points are equal to run/entry scores.  Points can be earned at Challenges and Championships.
• In order to qualify for the Wisconsin State Invitational in the Open and Puppy divisions a dog and competitor must have earned one score. Open division dogs and competitors may be invited to participate in the Single and Double Divisions if they have earned 750 points over the season in the Open division. Puppy division dogs and competitors may be invited to participate in the Single and Double Divisions.
• To compete at the Wisconsin Sate Invitational, you must be a WCHS member.
• DOY and Overall High Point Dog awards will be presented at the Wisconsin State Invitational Player Appreciation Banquet.

• Scoring will be under WCHS rules.
• The BDC sanctioning fee is optional.  The sanctioning fee is $15.00 per run. The BDC sanctioning fee is not included in the WCHS entry fee.
• Competitors must be current BDC members for their score to be recorded by the BDC. Memberships may be obtained at http://www.nbdca.com/.
• There will be no separate BDC certificates awarded.

• Two WCHS players and Craig Steinbach will be appointed to serve as Field Marshal(s) at each host club. The Field Marshal(s) shall have the final say in all appeals. Furthermore, four WCHS Board members may be appointed to serve on a Ruling Committee. These individuals will serve as consultants in the case of an appeal.
• The Field Marshal(s) is the only individual(s) authorized to make appeal rulings in support of or in opposition to any appeal, may order re-runs, or make any other consideration.
• The Field Marshal(s) are also authorized to make interpretations in rules and to act, for any other reason deemed necessary, to maintain the peace and harmony of an event, including disqualification of any run or competitor from an event.
• If a competitor repeatedly fails to follow the competition rules or acts in any manner that may warrant further disciplinary action, the Field Marshal(s) may ban the competitor from current and/or future WCHS events.

• The WCHS Board shall consist of a BDC representative, field manager, and Craig and Teri Steinbach.
• The WCHS Board members may be asked to act as Field Marshal or members of a Ruling Committee.
• The WCHS Board members may be asked to assist with Series tournament details such as ATV use, field set-up, etc.
• The WCHS Board members will communicate with fellow competitors, fielding any comments, concerns, or questions. These comments, concerns, or questions may be brought to the attention of the WCHS Board.
• The WCHS Board members will serve to promote the WCHS and participation in the WCHS.
• The WCHS Board has the authority to add or revise WCHS rules or operations at any time. These changes may go into effect immediately.
• WCHS members (see WCHS Membership) will elect individuals to the WCHS Board prior to each season by vote.
• The make-up and duties of the WCHS Board may be subject to change.

• The WCHS Membership will provide the following benefits.
  • Tracking Wisconsin State Invitational Qualification Points
  • Tracking Dog of the Year Points
  • Tracking Overall High Point Dog Points
  • Wisconsin Series Voting Power
  • Organized Voice with the National Bird Dog Circuit
  • Access to Series Financial Information
  • Membership Gift
• At the start of each WCHS season, competitors will be asked obtain their WCHS Membership. The WCHS Membership runs from September 1 to August 31. A single membership is $25.00 per season and a family membership (for you, your spouse, and children age 12-18) is $40.00 per season.
• The benefits to and duties of the WCHS Member may be subject to change.

• Event staff, scorekeepers, or bird stockers will not be allowed to compete in a division that they have judged or stocked. No preserve operator or employee will be allowed to compete in any Amateur division in the WCHS.
• Host club escorts or staff will return score sheets from the field to the check in area(s).
• If there are two fields per division and the dog is running twice the dog shall run in each field once.
• Individual and team sponsor promotional displays are limited to competitor clothing, vehicles, and trailers. Vehicles and trailers with sponsor promotional displays must remain in the regular designated parking and travel areas. Displays other than those mentioned above may be permitted at the discretion of the WCHS for a marketing fee determined by that WCHS.

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The WCHS is always open to and welcomes your comments, questions, and concerns. Please direct them to Craig or Teri Steinbach at (715) 577-5683 (cellular) or (715) 669-3303 (office), or any of the WCHS Board members.

The WCHS Board of Directors reserves the right to make changes to the above information at any time.