NORTH AMERICAN GUN DOG ASSOCIATION RULES
Revised September 1, 2024
NOTE: There where no major Rule changes. Just some clarifications. The Rules format has changed slightly to make it easier to find a rule.
North American Gun Dog Association
2024-2025
(A) SAFETY RULES
1. When not in the field hunting, all firearms must be unloaded with the action open.
2. Always treat firearms as if they are loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction; keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot; never point a gun at anything you don’t want to destroy; know your target and what’s beyond it.
3. A participant shall be disqualified for unsafe gun-handling.
a. A negligent or accidental discharge will result in disqualification.
b. Dropping a loaded firearm will result in disqualification.
c. Laying a gun down on the ground will in disqualification. Gun may be handed to scorekeeper during hunt as long as the action is open.
4. Orange vest or cap must be worn by all persons while in and near competition fields (including blinds, buffers and nearby roads).
(B) DOG WELFARE GUIDELINES FOR NAGDA COMPETITORS
1. No loose dogs. Dogs must be on a leash or in a kennel when not running or being aired out.
2. Bitches in Season- A dog in season will be allowed to hunt, however their run time will be after the last male has run. (Example: if the dog in season draws the No.1 slot it will be moved to follow the last male, not necessarily to the last position).
3. Any bitch that has whelped within 14 days prior to a competition will be ineligible to compete.
4. Dogs that have had recent surgery must have a veterinarian written permission release to participate.
5. Any dog that has become hyperthermic (body temperature greater than 104.0) will not be allowed to compete again until the following day.
6. If a dog goes down for any reason, the scorekeeper will pause the clock, the dog has 10 minutes to recover. If the dog recovers, the scorekeeper will resume the timer and the run will proceed. If the dog cannot recover, the dog and handler must leave the field. The field will not be flushed, competition order will continue with the field being planted for the next competitor(s).
7. The Scorekeeper may suspend a run for any dog they feel unfit to compete and notify the grievance committee to make an evaluation of the dog before the run continues.
(C) Competition RULES
1. Ignorance of the rules will not be grounds for protest.
2. No optics allowed by anyone including the use of drones.
3. In case of disqualification, no money will be refunded.
4. Any hunter receiving a disqualification or warning during the current qualifying period will be sent to the BOD for a review which may include penalties that could result in banning from NAGDA events.
5. A contestant may only protest his/her run and no one else’s.
6. Any species of upland bird may be used and will be designated prior to the event.
a. Only the designated birds will be shot, anyone shooting another species of bird during a run will cause the run to end and the hunter will receive a zero score for that run only.
7. All hunters will compete with good ethics and sportsmanship. Poor sportsmanship will result in immediate disqualification and all entry fees will be forfeited.
8. No Alcohol or Illicit drugs, including marijuana may be consumed before or during your run(s).
9. All hunters, scorekeepers, bird planters, photographers or others etc. must sign a liability and promotional release prior to participating, volunteering and/or working at any NAGDA event.
10. All clubs and contestants must be members in good standing with NAGDA in order for scores or events to be sanctioned.
11. 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.
a. Do not sign the scoresheet until a decision on the grievance is decided.
b. The contestant, the scorekeeper and the Grievance Committee will resolve the issue at the end of the run.
12. Host clubs are not allowed to amend NAGDA rules.
13. A club may designate an area where an automatic safety will be called. This can be for hazards such as natural obstructions, dangerous fencing, roads or other unsafe areas communicated to the participants before the start of competition.
a. Should a bird enter this area, the safety will be declared by the scorekeeper and the dog must be called back to the hunter to qualify for full points. The dog must be touched to simulate a retrieve.
b. The bird must be struck by a hunter before the bird enters the declared area to be considered eligible for the automatic safety.
14. Electric collars will be permitted.
a. Only one collar may be worn on a dog and must be on the dog’s neck.
b. No dog will be allowed to hunt with a collar on the flank.
c. Abuse or misuse will result in immediate disqualification.
d. Beeper collars will not be allowed if close field proximity will affect the other contestants.
e. No GPS collars allowed.
15. Communication Devices – Absolutely no cell phones, walkie talkies or any other kind of communication devices can be in the blind or in the field. However certain circumstances will permit the contestant to hand their cell phone to the scorekeeper to carry for them during their run, if on-call for work or for emergency etc.
16. It is the hunter’s responsibility to keep track of the running order. There will be no excuses for not being in the field on time.
17. A field will not be planted until hunter(s) and dog(s) are in the blind and remain there until the field is planted, at which time the scorekeeper will tell the planter to plant the field. Next hunter in Blind – When birds are being set, the next hunter(s) up must be in the blinds with dog, gun and ammunition before previous qualifying run ends. The hunter is to leave the blind and enter the field without contact with outside persons. When your run is over you must exit the field without making any contact with the next contestant in the blind.
18. No running. The hunter must always have one foot on the ground.
a. First running offense will receive a warning.
b. Second offense will be assessed a ten point deduction from the final score.
c. Third offense will be a disqualification of the run.
19. No bird is to be shot unless safely in flight.
20. 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 human(s), dog(s) or property. A safe shot is always the responsibility of the shooter.
a. If a safety is called for any reason, the BIRD CAN’T BE SHOT. If the bird is shot, it will result in an immediate disqualification.
b. An intentional safety is grounds for disqualification.
c. Remember, it is always SAFETY FIRST.
d. Failure to abide by any of these rules will result in immediate disqualification.
e. If a scorekeeper or staff photographer produces a bird full 40 points will be awarded. If a guest produces a bird no points for a find will be awarded however all other points may be pursued.
(D) Technical Rules
1. No gauge larger than 12 will be allowed.
2. No shells larger than 2 ¾ -inch will be allowed for 12 gauge guns.
3. Magnum shells will be allowed in 20 gauge or smaller guns.
4. No shot larger than #6 shot will be allowed.
5. All rounds must be factory made ammunition.
6. All dogs must be leashed immediately after their run.
7. Hunter, dog and scorekeeper must exit field at the closest boundary, even if this takes them further away from the gate or staging areas.
8. All birds and bird parts must be removed from the field. Intentional leaving of birds or bird parts will cause disqualification.
9. If a dog interferes in another field and bumps a bird out of that field, the hunter in that field will get full points (a find, a full retrieve, a bagged bird and have a shell forfeited) for that bird. The hunter can choose to stop the clock until the other dog leaves the field.
a. The offending dog will get a 10 point deduction to their total score for each bird bumped.
10. At no time may a hunter leave the field unless they are assisting a dog over a fence or obstruction to prevent injury. If a shot bird fall over a fence that the dog can’t get through, the hunter may assist the dog over the fence/obstruction and still receive full points for the retrieve. The hunter may also cross the fence to help the dog back.
11. Hunters intentionally cleaning or loading the field for the next run will be disqualified.
12. If a safety is called and the bird lands back in the field. To count as a different bird and/or find, the bird must fly and land a minimum of 50 yards or more from where the safety was called. It can then be hunted and pursued as a different bird, provided the hunter & dog don't go directly to the spot where the bird landed. They must re-establish a hunt and dog work first. If the bird doesn’t fly 50 yards, it can’t be pursued until another bird is bagged or 2 minutes has elapsed.
13. If a bird lands in your field from another field it may be pursued immediately.
14. All birds must be produced within the marked boundaries. The hunter and/or dog cannot hunt purposely out of bounds. If your dog goes out of bounds the scorekeeper will instruct the competitor to get the dog(s) back within the boundaries of the field.
15.If a hunter has engaged a bird and it sails out of bounds the dog can retrieve the bird and the dog can take as much time as it needs to complete the retrieve before the allotted time expires.
16. Scorekeepers will not carry bagged birds but can help put birds in the bag.
17. Club employees, bird planters and scorekeepers 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.
18. In case of disqualification, no money will be refunded.
19. Any hunter receiving 2 disqualifications during the current qualifying period will be sent to the BOD for a review which may include penalties that could result in banning from NAGDA events.
20. 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.
(E) Divisions
There are 3 scoring systems and 11 divisions
Scoring systems:
Flushing
Pointing
Doubles
Divisions:
Single Competitor Flushing Rules:
Amateur Flushing
Amateur Women
Open Flushing
Open Women
Senior Handler
Senior Dog
Youth
Puppy
Single Competitor Pointing Rules:
Amateur Pointing
Open Pointing
Doubles Competitor Rules:
Doubles
Dog - Hunter Classification Rules
1. A dog & hunter constitute a competition pair.
2. A competition pair may compete in only one Single Competitor Division. The hunter must designate which division they will compete in.
3. A competition pair that compete in any Open Division my not compete in any Amateur Division or Senior Handler Division at Nationals.
4. A competition pair formed with a dog that has previously ran in any Open Division and a hunter that has run in any Open Division will be required to compete at the Open Division level. Even if the two have not competed together before.
5. An Open Division hunter may compete in any Amateur Division with a dog that has only run in Amateur Division(s).
6. An Amateur Division hunter may compete in an Amateur Division with a dog that has run in an Open Division if the hunter has never competed in any Open Division.
7. A dog that has competed in Senior Dog will be restricted to running in Senior Dog for all future competitions regardless of hunter pair. If the dog is in the NAGDA Gun Dog Hall of Fame or has been nominated for the Hall of Fame, that dog may only run in Senior Dog.
(F) Flushing Scoring & Rules
Flushing scoring and rules apply to all divisions unless otherwise noted.
1. Each run will be 15 minutes and a 4 bird plant.
2. The hunter will have a total of 8 shells to use during the run.
3. All runs are scored not judged.
a. Finds: 10 points for each bird found. To qualify as a successful find a bird must either:
1. Be trapped/caught by the dog at any time.
2. Be brought into flight, then shot at by the hunter.
3. If the dog is pursuing a bird (holding point, chasing the bird on the ground) a hunter may assist inducing the bird into flight.
4. A bird that takes flight, but not while pursued by the dog, is a wild flush and is still eligible to be harvested, however there will be no points awarded for a find.
5. A bird that refuses to take flight is NOT a non-performer as there are no restrictions on dogs trapping/catching birds.
b. Full Retrieval: 10 points for a full retrieve meeting the following criteria:
1. Hunter must keep one foot stationary until the bird is in hand. Hunter may kneel down but not lay down.
2. A hunter may not use their gun or any object to rake the bird closer to them.
c. Partial Retrieve: 5 points for retrieves where the dog must find, pick up the bird and make an attempt to bring the bird to the hunter.
d. Bagged Birds: 20 points for each bird bagged at the end of the run. Birds that escape the hunter will not be credited.
1. A scorekeeper may request a count of birds in the bag at the end of the hunt to confirm count.
e. Safety: Safeties are intended to keep the hunt safe for all involved but still simulate the harvesting process. A safety call eliminates the shot upon the bird and the bird does not need to be gathered by the dog. The dog will still need to return to the hunter to simulate the retrieve and bagging of the bird. Full points are not automatically awarded when a safety is called.
1. A shell will be forfeited as soon as the safety is called.
2. To qualify for a full retrieval points the hunter must stop moving as if the bird had been shot. Should the hunter continue moving, it will be considered a partial retrieve.
3. The dog must be touched on the head to qualify as a completed retrieval, full or partial.
4. When the hunter touches the head of the dog this will be considered the time the bird was bagged and noted by the scorekeeper to tiebreaker / end of run timings.
5. Should the hunter fail to touch the dog’s head and re-establish a hunt the retrieval and bagged birds points will not be scored.
6. -2 points will be assessed for each safety called at the end of the run.
a. If a scorekeeper or staff member produces a bird, a safety will be declared and followed however the 2 point deduction will not be assessed.
b. Birds that have been shot that entered a declared automatic safety area will follow the return-to-hunter requirements and the 2 point deduction will not be not be assessed.
4. Remaining Time: 2 points for each full minute left. Time is called when the last bird is in hand.
a. If a safety is called on the last bird, time will be called when the dog returns to the hunter and is touches per safety rules.
b. Exact time of completion must be noted for tie breakers, but for points time will be rounded up.
5. Remaining Shells: 10 points for each shell not used as long as a qualified find has been scored.
a. ANY discharge of the gun will cause a shell to be forfeited.
b. All birds bagged will cause a shell to be forfeited, even if the dog traps or catches the bird with no shot fired.
6. No Points - will be scored until the first bird has been legally produced. If no points have been scored. The run will be scored as a zero.
a. Scorekeeper will call time for any of the following:
1. Hunter ceases to hunt without bagging all of the birds. No points for remaining minutes will be added to the score or for remaining shells.
2. Time has expired.
3. Hunter has bagged 4 birds.
4. Hunter has used their limit of shells.
a. Multiple Birds Rising - If a dog flushes a nest and multiple birds rise, you will get credit for the find for every bird you engage. You must remain stationary until all birds engaged are retrieved to get full retrieval points. Otherwise each bird returned will be considered partial retrieves.
7. Tie Breakers will be as follows:
a. Total time in minutes and seconds.
b. Time first bird is bagged.
c. Number of shells remaining after the run.
d. Flip a coin.
8. If a bird enters and lands inside the boundaries of the field, this considered a legal bird and can be pursued immediately.
9. 60 Second Grace Period - a hunter may have an additional 60 seconds to retrieve and bag the bird if the bird was engaged before time ran out. The bird must be in hand within the 60 second finishing time or the points for the retrieve and bagged bird will not be awarded. In order to receive the extra grace period the bird must be in the air prior to time expiring.
(G) YOUTH:
Youth will compete using Flushing Scoring and Rules with the additional qualifications:
1. The youth must not turn 18 years of age prior to the last day of Nationals to compete in the youth division. Once the youth turns 18, they must compete in the appropriate amateur division. If a youth is required to move to Amateur Pointing/Flushing/Women, their youth runs will count towards National Qualifications.
2. All youth must have proof of completion of a hunter safety course.
3. An adult must accompany the youth in the field. The scorekeeper will not qualify as an adult escort.
a. The youth must handle the dog, not the adult. The youth must control the collar at all times.
(H) Senior Dog
Senior Dog will follow Flushing Scoring and Rules with the additional qualifications and addendums:
1. The dog must be a minimum of 10 years old. One of the below items is required for proof of age:
a. Registration Documentation
b. Letter from your Veterinarian stating the dog’s age.
c. Proof the dog has been a NAGDA competitor for at least 9 years
2. A dog can only make 1 run in this Division at Nationals. If the dog has qualified with multiple hunters, only one may run the dog.
3. Qualifying for the National Championship - a hunter and dog pairing must compete at two events in the Senior Dog Division, placing 1st-3rd at one of those events or attend 4 NAGDA events in one year.
4. Any dog that meets the criteria for the Senior Dog Division and was a Top 5 finalist in any Division at the previous Nationals will automatically be invited to compete at Nationals in Senior Dog the following year regardless of who the hunter is. The competition pair must compete in at least two events prior to Nationals.
5. The field size will be smaller whenever possible.
6. At Nationals, this Division will be one-run-and done. The high score will be declared the National Champion.
7. The entry fee will be reduced because they will only run one time at the Nationals.
8. This division counts towards the six-run maximum per hunter at Nationals.
(I) Pointing Scoring & Rules:
Amateur / Open Pointing scoring follows Flushing rules with the following requirements regarding Finds and restrictions for caught birds.
1. 3 Second Point for Finds prerequisite - To qualify as a find for pointing division scoring the dog must go on point and hold steady for 3 seconds.
a. When your dog goes on point you must verbally tell the scorekeeper “Point”. At that time the scorekeeper will start the 3 second count.
b. The dog must not make any advancement towards the pointed bird during the 3 second count.
c. If the dog advances the count will start over.
d. The hunter does not have to stop moving and can verbally whoa the dog if the dog is creeping.
e. A hunter may not signal the dog to start the point either verbally or by collar, the dog must go on point on it’s own. Inducing a point by signal will cause the Find to not be counted.
f. The scorekeeper will announce the completion of a successful 3 second hold. At which time the hunter may move to produce the bird. Taking action on the bird or the bird taking flight before the scorekeeper announces the successful hold will cause the Find to not be counted.
g. To be considered a valid Find the hunter or dog must cause the bird to be produced from the nest. To be considered produced the bird must either:
1. Leave ground and take or attempt to take flight.
2. Moved 15 feet along the ground from the conclusion of the 3 second hold.
h. 10 points for the Find will be awarded for a successfully held 3 second point with bird produced.
2. -15 point Caught Bird penalty: Pointers may not trap or catch the bird unless it has been considered produced as part of a qualified point (in flight or moved 15 feet).
a. Points for the Find will be awarded, a shell will be forfeited and the -15 point penalty will be assessed for each caught bird during final scoring.
b. Caught birds will still be considered a bird in play for Retrieves and Bagged Birds.
c. The hunter must stop moving as soon as the bird is caught to be awarded Full Retrieve points.
3. Multiple Birds Rising - should a dog point multiple birds, provided the 3 second prerequisite is still met, a Find shall be awarded for each bird produced and fired at.
4. Dog on point during retrievals - If the dog should go on point during the retrieval the hunter may break their stationary position to resolve the new bird. The scoring for the retrieval of the first bird will be as follows:
a. Retrieval points will be awarded when the original bird is bagged.
b. If the dog goes on point before acquiring the killed bird, the hunter will be given a partial retrieve.
c. If the dog is returning with the bird and goes on point, the hunter will be given a full retrieve provided there is another bird there. If no bird then it is scored as a partial retrieve.
5. Dead Bird - If the dog goes on point and you find that the bird is dead, you must tell the scorekeeper that the bird is dead. The scorekeeper will stop the clock and inspect the bird.
a. If the bird is cold or still you will not get credit for that bird. The bird shall be removed from the field by the hunter but not counted as a bagged bird or as the 4 birds in play.
b. If the bird is warm, the hunter will get full credit (a find, a full retrieve, a bagged bird and have a shell forfeited)
6. Non-performing birds - an attempt to produce the bird (into flight or move the bird a minimum of 15 feet) must be made. If the bird still does not produce to flight it will be declared as a non-performer and must be removed from the field by the hunter.
a. Non-performing birds will be treated like a safety and all safety rules will be followed.
b. It is the responsibility of the hunter to remove the bird from the field before continuing the hunt. This may be either through bagging the bird or chasing the bird into the buffer area.
7. 60 Second Grace Period - If the dog is on point a 60 second grace will be awarded to produce and harvest the bird for full points. The point must still be held for 3 seconds (even if the count started before time ran out) and there will be no additional time after the bird is produced. The point, engagement, retrieve and bird in hand must be completed within 60 seconds of time expiring.
(J) Puppy:
1. A puppy may only run one time per sanctioned event per hunter. The hunter must designate if the puppy is competing with pointing or flushing scoring before entering the field to hunt. All Singles Division Rules apply.
2. All puppy runs will be scored together regardless of scoring rules used.
3. Any puppy qualifying during the year will run at the National Championship in either Amateur Pointing or Amateur Flushing Divisions.
4. A puppy cannot be over 18 months of age at the time of Nationals.
(K) DOUBLES:
The Doubles Division will follow Flushing Runes and Scoring with the following Changes.
1. The field will use a 6 bird plant.
2. The two hunters have 10 shells total pooled for the hunt (5 shells from each). Shells may be shared by the hunters.
3. Each hunter must shoot at least one shell.
4. The run shall end when either 6 (not 4) birds are harvested or 10 (not 8) shells have been fired.
5. The two hunters and the two dogs are considered a team and not a pair of competition pairs (dog & hunter). Regardless of Hunter-Dog paring in the field, teams may only enter the division once. As long as one of the team members change, a new team may be formed. (Example: the same two hunters may make up a different team as long as they change one of the dog or both dogs with one hunter replaced.)
6. Hunters must stay within 50 yards of each other at all times.
a. If a hunter has to leave the field to retrieve a dog, the other hunter and dog must cease hunting until the other hunter is able to resume hunting.
b. Any birds pointed or flushed during the hunter’s absence will not count. Failure to abide by this rule will cause for immediate disqualification.
7. To qualify as a full retrieve, both hunters must remain stationary once the bird is shot. Otherwise the retrieve will be scored as a partial. The dog can deliver the bird to either hunter to be considered a successful retrieve.
8. Points are awarded for birds produced rather than pointed or flushed. In order to get points for a produced bird, the dog must produce the bird by point or flush within the field boundaries.
9. 60 Second Grace Period - a hunter may have an additional 60 seconds to retrieve and bag the bird if the bird was engaged before time ran out. The bird must be in hand within the 60 second finishing time or the points for retrieve and bagged bird will not be awarded. In order to receive the extra grace period the bird must be in the air prior to time expiring.
(L) NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
1. If a competition pair qualifies for Nationals, the paring that qualified MUST run the dog. No substitute hunter will be allowed.
2. No dog may run in both pointing and flushing at Nationals. A dog may be qualified in both Pointing and Flushing with different pairs going into Nationals. BUT MUST DESIGNATE WHICH DIVISION THEY WILL RUN IN AT THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, POINTING OR FLUSHING.
3. At Nationals Chukars will be used. All Single division runs will have 4 birds (doubles 6 birds) planted for the run. in the single events. It doesn’t matter what birds the hunter qualified on during the year.
4. Host Clubs may use what birds are available during the year.
5. To qualify for the National Championship a pair must either:
a. Compete at two events placing 1st-3rd at one of those events.
b. Compete in 4 NAGDA events in the current qualifying season.
6. If you win the Amateur National Championship the hunter & dog as a team will no longer be able to compete as an amateur in that same division. Any dog & hunter who places in the Top 5 two times at Nationals in the Amateur Division will be required to move up to the Open Division. The Board of Directors reserves the right to deem a participant as a tournament hunter and require them to compete in the Open Division.
7. “Top 5” finalists are automatically invited to compete at Nationals the following year. The hunter and dog must be the same NO substitutions. They must compete in at least two events prior to Nationals.
8. No more than 6 entries will be allowed by any hunter at Nationals. No dog may enter more than 4 times at Nationals. However a host club may use their discretion as to the number of entries by any one person for qualifying events.
9. Qualifying in the Doubles Division - Some circumstances prohibit teams from being able to compete together at the Nationals (example; injury, health condition or treatment, work etc.) Any Doubles team can be formed to compete at Nationals based on the following criteria:
a. Dog & Hunter as a team must have qualified with another Doubles team for that year’s Nationals. All other qualifications criteria apply.
b. The Board of Directors will determine if a new team will be allowed to compete.
10. National awards will be based on number of entries in each division. For example 10 entrants = 5 award placements, 5 entrants = 2 award placements.
Revised September 1, 2024