03/29/2022
CHUKAR CHALLENGE 2022
Marshtown Hunting Preserve is pleased to host an exciting event April 16th and 17th. A Chukar Challenge is an upland bird hunting competition, offering the chance to work your dog on planted birds and compete against other hunters. This is open to amateur owners only.
Our goal for this event is to foster opportunity for upland hunting enthusiasts to showcase their dogs in a fun and competitive format similar to hunts at a preserve. Events like this allow our dogs to engage in what truly drives them at the core, their desire to pursue birds. Furthermore, it brings together men, women and youth who share a love for bird dogs and upland hunting.
EVENT DATE: April 16th and 17th starting at 8am. Running order will be posted on Facebook
LOCATION: Marshtown Hunting Preserve; 362 Edgewater Farm lane, Dover DE 19901 302-528-1203
MEALS: Food and drinks will be available for purchase
COST: $75.00
EVENT OVERVIEW
This is a two day shooting event where hunters and dog compete to find, point, shoot and retrieve 4 Chukar within a marked field. Time limit of each hunt is not to exceed 20 minutes. Entries are limited to 56 dogs over both days.
EVENT RULES
Competitors are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of safety while in the field and follow these event guidelines:
• They leave the gate at a brisk pace without running.
• Their dogs find birds inbounds.
• Pointing breeds hold for at least 30 seconds until the hunter gently forces the bird to take flight.
• They shoot birds with clean shots.
• Their dogs fully retrieve birds back to area where the shot was taken,
• Retrieve to hand not required.
• They call time with the allotted number of birds and when the last bird is in hand, and dog is under control.
• They immediately leash their dog and leave the field.
• If an additional bird is harvested, the lowest scored bird will be dropped.
1. Electronic Collars are permitted in this event.
2. Competitors are not allowed to run a check cord or leash on their dog during the competition run.
3. Birds are not to be released or set within close proximity of a boundary. Every effort will be made to assure that released birds remain in the field prior to a brace beginning. Any bird(s) witnessed leaving the field while the field is being set by either the bird setter or scorekeeper will be immediately replaced, if discovered.
4. All dogs must be heeled and on lead to and from the fields. Any dog determined by the judge to be "out of control" will be subject to disqualification. Handlers should carry water for dogs
5. All hunters must check in at the registration desk at least 60 minutes before run time.
6. The next hunter(s) up must be in the staging area behind the blind before the previous run’s birds are being stocked. Any team/hunter not in the staging area will lose 10 points. The dog may be brought to the staging area any time during the previous run.
7. All birds must be carried by the hunter(s) at all times and will not be permitted to be dropped off in the field. Bird cleaning will be available for $3.00.
8. A bird that does not flush or fly may be considered a “Non-Productive Bird or Safety” at the judge’s agreement and will count for full credit and a shell is forfeited. Only one Non-Productive bird will be called per run.
9. There will be a limit of 10 shells per hunter. All shells must be factory loads, maximum 6-shot, 2 ¾" and supplied by each participant and no larger than 12 gauge.
10. A Pointing Breed dog cannot be "whoaed" to a "find." A dog must establish a point first to be awarded "find" points. "Whoa" can be used to prevent "creeping." A Pointing Breed dog cannot catch or trap a bird. If the dog moves in on a bird and flushes or catches the bird without pointing, NO "find" points will be awarded. There will be a five-(5) point penalty accessed for each bird caught or trapped by a Pointer that the hunter did not have the opportunity to flush or shoot. If the chukar runs after the dog has established point and dog resets or makes bird fly no penalty will occur.
11. Full "Retrieve" points will be awarded when the dog retrieves each bird a minimum of within one (1) step of the hunter(s). The hunter(s) cannot move toward the dog once the bird has been shot. Moving backwards or laterally is permitted. A violation will result in NO retrieve points. Partial “Retrieve” points will be awarded if the dog brings the bird to at least half the distance back to the handler.
12. Competitors may not run a bitch in season.
EVENT CONDUCT
All competitors and those affiliated with a competitor agree to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike and socially responsible manner
All competitors agree to respect and support the decisions or rulings
All competitors agree not to use alcohol or any other controlled substance (unless prescribed by a physician) prior to or while competing.
Parking is limited to designated areas. A marshal will be located at the office to direct hunters. Vehicles are only permitted on course no more than one hour before assigned running time.
RULES OF SAFETY
A safe shot is always the RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SHOOTER.
Liability waivers are to be completed for all participants.
Blaze orange vests and/or caps must be worn during competition.
It is the recommendation of Marshtown that all competitors and event personnel take all precautionary measures to protect themselves when they are in close proximity to a competition field or a place where shooting is conducted.
Running during competition is NEVER allowed.
Safety is always the responsibility of the shooter and will always be respected. A scorekeeper or hunter may call a safety at any time. In the event a "SAFETY" is called due to an obstruction, such as a judge in the field, the bird is scored in full and a shell is forfeited (hunters must have a remaining shell to forfeit in order for a safety bird to be counted). If the hunter shoots after a safety is called, the team is subject to disqualification.
All GUNS must be kept unloaded until at the starting line and handled safely at all times. Gunners will not shoulder guns until bird is in the air. Guns should be carried muzzle up in the field
No birds may be shot while on the ground.
No bird is to be shot in flight unless it is safe to do so. The guidelines for safe shooting are determined as follows:
1. The bird must be rising and at a safe distance from the dog.
2. The bird must be clear of all personnel, structural property up to and including temporary structures, permanent buildings, vehicles (occupied or unoccupied), roads or traversed paths and all other hazards that present potential liability consequences to the shooter.
3. The skyline should be clearly visible to the shooter (below the bird) prior to taking the shot.
REGISTRATION
Email [email protected] or call 302-528-1203 with hunters and dog name along with Contact number and email. Running order will be posted on Marshtown Hunting Preserves page. Payments can be made via PayPal at the email above. Entries can also be mailed to the preserve address. Registration deadline will be noon on April 13h 2022.
Ribbons will be awarded for the top five finishers each day with a $50 gift certificate to Tractor Supply on behalf of our Sponsor Purina. A cash prize of $500 will be awarded to the overall first place winner and $200 for. Reserve Champion
