Bangomaster Shoot & Retrieve

Rules & Regulations

General Rules

BanGo is open to all breeds of dogs whether they are registered or not.
There is a Junior, Hunter, Open and a Team division in BanGo. See specific rules for each division.
Each division will have 4 hunts per event. The scores for each hunt will be added together.
The event holder decides how and where each hunt will be run. (Example: the hunt maybe on land and the second on water, both hunts on land or both hunts on water, or a land-water combination). Whatever method is used, a minimum of two different physical location are required for the 4 hunts and no marks can be repeated.

Scoring

Each full retrieve is worth 25 points. To collect any points for a retrieve the hunter must have the bird in his/her hand at the end of each retrieve.
Each hit bird is worth 20 points. The score keeper must see the target break in order to collect points for a hit bird. In the event that a target breaks when the bird is launched the hunter will receive full points provided he/she fires a shot at the bird. If the handler does not fire a shot at the bird no points will be given.
Hen birds that are not shot at will be scored at 20 points.

Point Deductions

5 Point Fault Deduction - Helping - Handling, Whistles, Verbal handling before dog makes contact with the bird, throwing rocks, before you shoot, dog moving across the starting line, Hunter moving beyond the stating line. These events will be cumulative.
Bird identification deduction – Randomly a brown bird (Hen) may be launched; Hen cannot be shot at but must to retrieved. Shooting at a Hens carries a 20 point penalty.

Point Awarded

5 points awarded for each unused shell.
3 points will be given for each full minute left over the 10-minute max.

General Rules

Birds do not need to be delivered to hand but the hunter is required to pick the birds up off of the ground in the event that the dog does not deliver to hand. The dog must bring the bird to the mark delivery area. Typically within 3-6 yards of the starting line. Any bird not delivered within this area is a non retrieve.
The dog will retrieve each bird whether the bird is hit or not. Birds must be fired at and every attempt must be made to hit the birds.
Each hunt will have a 10-minute time limit. The clock starts when the first shot is fired and will stop when the last bird retrieved is in hand in each hunt.
The fastest total time will be used as the first tiebreaker; the second tiebreaker will be the fastest time for the first hunt.
Reruns may be given if another dog has gotten loose and interferes with the run. A mechanical malfunction of a launcher may warrant a rerun .
If the bird thrower miss fires and the handler does not get a shootable bird, the score keeper will call a no bird and the clock will stop. The clock will restart when the next shot is fired on the re-launch. If the scorekeeper does not call a no bird the hunter will be required to Shoot.
No one is to load their gun until they are in the easy to shoot position at the line or in the blind and the score keeper is ready to start
Minors between the ages of 12 to 17 are allowed to enter the Junior Division provided that they have a current Hunter Safety Certificate and a parent is present at the line or in the blind.
Dogs can be entered 3 times in each event but cannot enter any Division more than once. (Example: A dog can enter the Hunter, Open and the Team) . The exception to this rule will be in the Junior division where there is no restriction on the dog.
E-Collars are allowed. Excessive pressure with an e-collar (any sound from the dog) will be reason for disqualification. Only the hunter will be allowed to run the transmitter. Any one other then the hunter that runs or uses the collar or transmitter will be reason for disqualification of the dog and hunter.
No other training device except e-collars such as leashes are allowed in the open or team.
Unsafe gun handling will result in disqualification. Safety cannot be taken off until in shooting motion.
The event holder will require that all participants read and sign a liability waiver.
Shell requirements: maximum 2 3/4 inch shell. #6 7.5 shot in steel. Biodegradable only.
Breaking – Dog that goes over the line before a shot if fired(safety issue), is scored a zero on shot and retrieve. Hunter should call back the dog and then send him for the bird. In the case of a break on the first bird of a double, zero is scored on all shots and all retrieves. In the junior or hunter the dog can be put on a stake out line and released with no point deduction.

Junior Division

The Junior division will follow the exact rules as the Hunter division with the exception of the following.

Junior Division is only open to minors from the ages of 12 to 17. In the event that a large number of Junior hunters are at an event, the event holder can split this division by age. This split will be Junior hunters from the ages of 12 to 14 and from the ages of 15 to 17.
Junior hunters must have a Hunter Safety Certificate.
A parent or guardian must accompany the Junior hunter at the line or blind. The parent or guardian may help the Junior hunter with his/her gun. However the Junior hunter must be the one shooting and handling the dog. The parent or guardian can help the Junior hunter with the handling of the dog by verbal instructions only.
There is no restriction on the dog in the Junior division. The dogs can come from any division.
No Championship points will be given to the dogs in the Junior Division.
Absolutely no money pots of any kind are allowed in the Junior Division.
Ribbons will be given to the top four dogs, 1st thru 4th. Also participation ribbons will be given to all Junior Hunters that do not place.
Any training aid may be used such as e-collar or leashes.

Hunter Division

The Hunter division is made up of 1 dog and 1 hunter.
Four hunts per event.
2 birds and retrieves per hunt. Hunter calls for each bird.
4 shells per hunt, 5 points awarded for each unused shell.
Dogs cannot cross the established starting line or leave the blind until the hunter fires a shot or is subject to a deduction.
A 5 point penalty will result if the dog leaves before the hunter fires a shot. However leash, e-collar or releases can be used.
Decoys can be used on land and water.
The event holder can choose to have the participants run from a stationary line or a duck blind or use a walk-up situation, etc. Whatever method is used it must be consistent for each hunter. Methods can change from hunt to hunt.
The Hunter division does not offer a built in money pot. However, the players can create an optional money pot.
The Hunter division is not open to Professional Trainers or Handlers. (The definition of a Professional Trainer or Handler is any person who takes money, wins money or trade for handling or training a dog or dogs)
Placements and ribbons will be awarded to the top 4 dogs.
The event holder may give prizes out to the top dog or dogs, but no money will be given.
Any training aid may be used such as collar or leashes.

Open Division Rules

The Open Division is made up of 1 hunter and 1 dog.
Four hunt per event.
Each hunt will have 2 birds and retrieves. This will be done as 2 true doubles. The hunter is required to shoot the first pair and then have the dog retrieve them. If hunts are combined at this location, then the second pair can be launched. The hunter calls for his birds. Two birds must be in the air at the same time in order to be called a true double. Throwing one bird and shooting it and then throwing another is not a true double.
Each hunter will be allowed 3 shells per hunt. 5 points awarded for each unused shell.
Dogs cannot cross the established starting line or leave the blind until the second bird hits the ground or water.
A 5 point penalty will result if the dog leaves or is sent before the second bird hits the ground or water.
Decoys can be used on land and water.
The event holder can choose to have the participants run from a stationary line or a duck blind or use a walk-up situation etc,. What ever method is used, it must be consistent for each hunter. Methods can change from hunt to hunt.
Dogs and hunters compete for placements and a cash pay out ($20.00 from each entry collected for the Open will be returned in prize money) The pay out will be split between the top 3 dogs in the following manner: 50%-1st place, 30%-2nd place, 20%-3rd place. Ribbons will be awarded to the top 4 dogs.
The event holder may give prizes out to the top dog or dogs.
Only e-collars

Team Division Rules

The Team Division is made up of 2 hunters and 1 dog.
Two hunts per event.
Each hunter gets 3 shells/hunt. 6 shells/team/hunt. 5 points awarded for each unused shell.
Each hunt will have 4 birds and retrieves. True quads will be thrown for this division. The hunter calls for his birds. 4 birds must be in the air at the same time in order to be called a true quad. Throwing one bird and shooting it and then throwing another and so forth is not a true quad. However the quads can be thrown in this manner. Throw a triple with a trailing single or send out an single followed by a triple. Whatever method is used it must be consistent for that hunt. Methods can change from hunt to hunt.
Dogs cannot cross the established starting line or leave the blind until the last bird hits the ground or water. If the dog does so a 5-point penalty will result.
The event holder can choose to have the participants run from a stationary line or a duck blind or use a walk-up situation etc, What ever method is used it must be consistent for each hunter. Methods can change from hunt to hunt.
Decoys can be used on land and water.
Dogs and hunters compete for placements and cash payout ($35.00 from each entry colleted for the Team will be returned in prize money). The pay out will be split between the top 3 dogs in the following manner: 50% - 1st place, 30% - 2nd place, 20% - 3rd place. Ribbons will be awarded to the top four dogs.
The event holder may give prizes out to the top dog or dogs.
Only e-collars.

Qualifying Scores

Qualifying scores are awarded to the top 50 dogs competing in each Division (except the Junior Division) at sanctioned events. Scores are entered into a data base by the dog's name and maintained for that dog's possible qualification for subsequent competition in divisional, state, regional and national events.

First place dogs receive a total score of 250 points. Each place following is scored five points less.

The top 50 dogs are then scored as follows.

1st place 250 points
2nd place 245 points
to....
50th place 5 points

Championship Points & Titles

Dogs running in the BANGO events can earn points towards a Championship title. Placing dogs in the Hunter, Open and Team Division earn points towards a Championship title in the division that they have placed in. 1st place is worth 5 points, 2nd place is worth 3 points, 3rd place is worth 2 points and 4th place is worth 1 point. To become a Bango Hunter Retriever Champion (BHRC) a dog shall earn 20 points in the Hunter Division, 10 of these 20 points must come from two 1st place wins. The other 10 points can accumulate in any manner. To become a Bango Retriever Champion (BRC) a dog shall earn 20 points in the Open Division, 10 of these 20 points must come from two 1st place wins. The other 10 points can accumulate in any manner. To become a Bango Team Retriever Champion (BTRC) a dog shall earn 20 points in the Team Division, 10 of these 20 points must come from two 1st place wins. The other 10 points can accumulate in any manner. Once a dog has earned enough Championship points BANGO will send a Certificate of Championship to the owner of the dog and BANGO will list the dog as a Champion in the appropriate Division.

Events/Entries

There is no limit to the number of hunts that an event holder or club can host during a calendar year. However to ensure a quality hunt event holders can and should limit the number of entries allowed at each hunt. Consideration should be based on equipment on hand, type of hunts that are planned, type of grounds available, time of year, etc.. Event holders are encouraged to host a two day event. This makes it possible to hold two events over one weekend. Event holders cannot schedule more than one hunt on a given day.

All hunters must completely fill out and sign an official BANGO entry form for each event. (The official BANGO entry form can be printed from the website). BANGO will use the dogs AKC, UKC or CKC registration number to keep record of an individual dogs earned points. If a dog is not registered, BANGO will assign it a number after receiving its? first entry. This will become that dog's permanent BANGO event number to be used for all future BANGO events.

Event holders will send all entry forms to BANGO within 15 days after the last day of the scheduled event. Entry forms must be completely filled out and signed for BANGO to record credit for points earned. Incomplete forms will be returned to the event holder for completion. The event holder must clearly mark the entry form for each placing dog with the placement the dog earned.

Entry Fees

The BANGO program is designed to help keep entry fees at a reasonable level as well as consistent throughout the country. The following entry fees have been set by BANGO and will be adhered to by all event holders.

Junior Entry Fee - $45.00
Hunter Entry fee -$ 75.00
Open Entry Fee - $ 85.00
Team Entry Fee - $ 85.00

Net cost of the entry is 12-24% lower based on loyalty points. Volume players cards are available. Season passes, edge Card etc.

Scheduling Events

All event holders must schedule all hunts with BANGO. Event holders shall be required to carry their own liability insurance for each event. Prior to final approval event holders shall send proof of liability insurance to BANGO.