Flushing Rules
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Rule 1; Definitions: Sec 1: Acted On: Acted on is when a handler fires his gun at a bird for the purpose of bagging it. Sec 2: Bagged Bird: A bagged bird is a bird that has been shot or trapped, retrieved and in the possession of the handler or the judge. If a bird escapes from a competitor’s control and is no longer in his / her possession during the brace; it is no longer considered ‘bagged’. If on the third bird the clock will be restarted and the competitor must either find and replace this bird back in his/her bag while the clock is running and find, harvest and retrieve an additional bird to meet the requirement of the event or until the allocated time has elapsed; whichever comes first. Sec 3: Designated Shooter (DS): A Designated Shooter is a person Designated or Approved by the Field Marshal, Trial Host or Trial Committee to shoot for a handler. Designated Shooter may not assist handler in any way. The Designated Shooter’s sole purpose is to shoot for the handler. Sec 4: Designated Walker (DW): A Designated Walker is a person Designated or Approved by the Field Marshal or Trial Committee to walk for an injured or physically challenged handler. Sec 5: Field Marshal: A field Marshal is a person appointed by the trial committee or host to oversee a particular field(s). A Field Marshal has the authority to make rulings on changing of running order and to oversee the overall proceedings of the field he/she has been assigned too. Also, should ensure that no birds are bumped from the field while the bird planter is planting the field. Sec 6: Illegal Dog: Is a dog that enters into a field in which the dog is not assigned too. Sec 7: Ineligible Dog: Is a dog that does not meet the registration requirements of the UFTA By-laws or that has been suspended from UFTA events, or that is running under an assumed name. EFFECT: Immediate disqualification of the dog and handler. Sec 8: Interference:Any dog or person not assigned to the field in which the run is taking place enters into that field and distracts the legal dog in any way. Or flushes a bird from the field, or in the judgment of the judge, hinders the legal dog in any way will be considered interference. Sec 9: Perfect sequence is worth forty (50) total points and consists of a flush, one shot, a full retrieve, and a bagged bird. A partial sequence is a total of anything less than (50) forty points. Sec 10: Re-runs: A re-run is an aborted run, which is to be started over. Sec 11: Retrieves: There are two kinds of retrieves, a full retrieve and a partial retrieve. Sec 14: Time Limit: A UFTA field trial will be run with a Twenty (20) minute time limit for the singles division (both Open Shooting Flushing Dog and Amateur Shooting Flushing Dog). Sec 15: Trapped Bird(s): A bird is trapped when a dog places it in its mouth and has enough control to retrieve it to the competitor. A bird can be in or out of its nest for this to occur. The competitor must not move after the dog has the bird in his mouth until the retrieve is complete for full retrieve points. Sec 16: Trial Grounds: The field trial grounds are 7-12 acre fields with mown or fixed boundaries with either fence or flags or some other approved markings to clearly mark out of bounds areas. Trial grounds may be larger if approved in advance by the Board of Directors or State Director. Sec 17: Walking: The definition of walking is a handler, designated walker or designated shooter having at least one foot on the ground at all times while competing. The cadence of the walk should be heel - toe, heel - toe Sec 18: Player Conduct: All competitors and those affiliated with a competitor agree to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike and socially responsible manner. Competitors will not engage in behavior that damages the image of the UFTA. All competitors agree to refrain from behavior or language that might be perceived as threatening or offensive. Competitors will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with another teammate, judge, competitor, sponsor, attendee or UFTA representative at anytime. All competitors agree not to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health or safety of themselves, another competitor, spectator, attendee, UFTA representative, host or dog at any time. All competitors agree to respect and support the decisions or rulings as administrated by an official, host, marshal or other UFTA representative. All competitors understand that they are financially responsible for all fees and costs associated with competing and being a member of the UFTA. All competitors agree that they are required to be punctual and on time for posted brace times in order to maintain the schedule of a competition. All competitors agree not to use alcohol or other controlled substance unless prescribed by a physician prior to or while competing. All competitors agree that they will abide by the definition and expectations of Player Conduct as it is outlined above. Failure to do so will be subject to immediate disciplinary action up to and including the following: · Verbal warning General - The Field Trial Note: During competition, at no time can any handler, DW, or DS in any division use any communication devices which includes but is not limited to; cell phones, radios, transmitters, flags, signs, etc. This will be considered un-sportsmanlike conduct and grounds for immediate disqualification. Sec 1: Open Shooting Flushing Dog division is open to any flushing dog and consists of one handler and one dog. The Open Shooting Flushing Dog Division will compete in two (2) twenty (20) minute runs. The two scores will be added at the end of the trial for one total score. The total score of the two runs will determine the order of finish. The Open Shooting Flushing Dog Division will be a three (3) Bird Run unless otherwise approved by the Board of directors prior to the start of the trial. EXCEPTION: more than one hunter may be in the field if the handler is utilizing the Designated Walker or the Designated Shooter. All rules and penalties of the Designated Shooter and Designated Walker apply. Sec 2: Amateur Shooting Flushing Dog Division (CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE) is open to any flushing dog that has not turned three (3) before January 1st of the current year. This division is run with one dog and one handler for twenty (20) minute time limit. This division runs only one time. EXCEPTION: more than one hunter may be in the field if the handler is utilizing the Designated Walker or the Designated Shooter. All rules and penalties of the Designated Shooter and Designated Walker apply. Sec 3: A dog can compete only one time per division per trial. However, the dog may compete in more than one division per trial. Sec 4: Scheduling of run times will be determined by a witnessed blind draw. No competitor should run back to back braces. Sec 5: All fields must be flushed each morning prior to the event by dogs that are not scheduled to compete in that field during the event whether its one or two days Sec 6: Lack of knowledge of the rules will not be grounds for protest. Any situation not covered in this rule book will be considered bad luck for the competitor. Manipulating the rules in a way they were not intended will not be tolerated. Sec 7: The field trial grounds are 7-12 acre fields unless larger fields are approved by the State Representative or Board of directors that are clearly marked with fixed or mown boundaries. Fence, flags, paint can mark boundaries or mown strips or any other method approved by the UFTA Board of directors. Sec 8: Any female dog in season must be run last. Handler must make the trial committee or field marshal aware of this. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of the dog. Females in heat may be subject to a bitch check to verify heat status. Sec 9: Trial Chairman, his/her immediate family or employees may compete in their own trials. Sec 10: Trial committee members may compete for the cash and prizes, as well as the trophies and the points. Sec 11: All dogs must be registered with a traceable pedigree. (Proof must be made available on request) Sec 13: A field trial must be set at least 21 days in advance to be recognized as an official trial. Sec 14: An Open field trial consisting of Open Flushing Division only must have 6 entries 48 hrs in advance of the trial to be sanctioned as an official trial. If the trial also has a sanctioned Pointing Division then there is a 4 dog minimum on the number of Flushing dogs required to have the flushing scores sanctioned. Sec 15: In any trial, a handler can run at least THREE (3) dogs, but otherwise no more than 10% which would allow four dogs in a 35+ dog trial. A maximum of four (4) dogs will be allowed no matter how many dogs are in the division. NOTE: This applies to each division and not the amount of dogs entered into the whole trial. Sec 16: All Dogs must be kept in gun range to the competitor during their run. Gun range is defined as within 60 yards of the handler. 10 points will be deducted for dogs trapping or pointing out of range. Safety A GOOD, SAFE SHOOT IS ALWAYS the responsibility of the shooter. Failure to display safe shooting or gun handling practices while competing in a UFTA event is grounds for immediate disqualification. This is left solely up to the judgment of the judge, trial host, field marshal or trial committee Sec 1: No bird in flight may be shot unless it is safe to do so. A safety shall be called for ANY unsafe shooting condition involving potential injury to any person, dog, or personal property. Sec 2: The handler or judge may call a safety. The final decision as to whether the safety will be allowed will be left up to the judge’s discretion. NOTE: It is possible though NOT LIKLEY for two or more safeties to be awarded if multiple flushes occur and there is no safe shot on any bird. See FLUSHES – Sec: 2 for more information. Sec 3: Running by any handler, designated shooter or designated walker is prohibited during the field trial. It is the handler’s responsibility to control his/her designated shooter or designated walker from running. EFFECT: The first warning assessed to the handler; zero (0) points will be deducted. For the second warning to the handler a five (5)-point deduction will be assessed. For the third warning, the handler WILL BE DIS-QUALIFIED Sec 4: A handler will be awarded a safety if the judge or cameraman flushes a bird out of the field. If the bird stays in the field the handler can immediately hunt the bird but will not be awarded the safety from the 1st flush Sec 5: For a third bird safety (or quota ending bird) the time stops when the handler, judge or designated shooter calls safety and the dog is either leashed or the competitor has physical control of the dog (by the collar) Sec 6: As long as the handler or designated shooter has a shell in his/her gun, a safety can still be awarded Sec 7: Handler Safety a) No bird is to be shot on the ground. b) Blaze Orange Vest; Cap, or Coat must be worn during the trial. All scorecards must be signed by the handler and by the judge. Scorecards are FINAL and the only additions/changes that can be made to the scorecard once signed is for a mathematical error, or a judge giving a handler credit for something that the dog did not earn. If the handler should have a protest, the handler SHOULD NOT sign the scorecard until a final decision has been reached by the trial committee or field marshal, following the protest. A handler refusing to sign a scorecard after a final decision has been reached by the trial committee or the field marshal shall receive (0) zero points Sec 1: (0) No points will be awarded unless a bird is produced (bird seen by the judge) If a handler gets no bird work in the allotted time limit, his final score shall be (0) zero. Sec 2: (2) two points will be awarded for each minute under the time limit. Time is called when the last bird is in hand. Sec 3: (1) one bonus point will be awarded for each shot bird Sec 4: (10) ten points will be awarded for a bird flushed in flight or trapped bird Sec 5: (5) five points will be awarded for each partial retrieve Sec 6: (10) ten points will be awarded for each full retrieve. A handler only gets credit for one (1) retrieve per bird Sec 7: (10) ten points will be awarded for each shell not used (up to a maximum of 2 shells per bird used) Sec 8: A shell will be counted as used (10 point deduction) if the handler doesn't shoot but still bags a bird (trap or safety) Sec 9: A shell will be counted as used (10 point deduction) for each time the handler shoots. (shells used) EXCEPTION: When the judge instructs the handler or DS to take a bird out. Sec 10: (20) twenty points will be awarded for each bagged bird Sec 11: In certain safety violations, the Judge can deduct Penalty points. Sec 12: A bird may be scored on only one time during the run. If handler shoots a shell while trying to score on the same bird twice the judge will deduct ten (10) points for each time the handler shoots. Sec 13: Zero (0) points will be awarded for a cold, dead bird retrieved from out of bounds. Sec 14: A perfect sequence will be awarded for a whole dead bird that is retrieved in bounds. Sec 15: Zero (0) points will be awarded for any bird shot with an illegal shell. Sec 16: Ties for first, second, third and beyond will be broken as follows: a) For first place ties, the trial host has two options: 1 (which is highly recommended by the UFTA if time and birds are permitting). First place ties will be determined by a sudden death "ONE BIRD" run off. All tied contestants will draw a number or flip a coin to determine who runs first (the winner of the coin flip or draw has the option to go first, second or wherever depending on the number of dogs that are tied). All contestants will go to the blind and will be called out one at a time for their respective runs. While the first handler is making his/her run, all other handlers, designated shooters and designated walkers must remain in the blind. All birds planted for the "Sudden Death One Bird" run off shall be planted in a close proximity to the same exact spot. The dog with the highest One Bird Sequence Score wins. If two or more handlers are still tied after the one “ONE BIRD” run off, the handler that ran the quickest time will be the winner. See Sec. 13 b) below for details. If further ties persist, see Sec 13, c) & d) below for details b) Time used based on seconds will be used as the first tiebreaker (open division will have both runs times totaled) example: 12 minutes 30 seconds beats 12 minutes and 31 seconds) Number of unused shells will be used as the second tiebreaker d) Number of full retrieves will be used as the third tiebreaker. Shells Sec 1: Ten(10) points will be awarded for each unused shell. Each competitor will be allowed two (2) shells per bird. Sec 2: If no points have been scored for the dog or competitor then no points will be awarded for unused shells Sec 3: One shell will be used for each trapped bird or safety Birds The UFTA highly recommends planting One (1) extra bird for the first run (example-on a 3-bird plant, put out 4 birds for the first run) in any single event. The birds must not be planted closer than 30 feet of any boundary line. Sec 1: A bagged bird must be in-bounds when flushed. If the bird flies out-of-bounds after being flushed from in-bounds, and the dog can flush the bird again, the bird can be shot by the competitor as long as the bird is the same one originally produced in-bounds and the competitor is in-bounds Sec 2: If a bird enters into the field of its own accord, this bird is then considered a legal bird. Sec 3: If a bird is unintentionally pushed into the field by an out-of-bounds dog or if a hunter leaves the field to retrieve an out of bounds dog and accidentally flushes a bird back into the field. That bird becomes a "Marked Bird" and the handler has two options. a) The handler may go directly to the bird and take a six-point deduction. Sec 6: The whole bird must be completely out of bounds before the bird cannot be scored on. If the bird is standing on or directly above an out of bounds stake, fence or line, that bird is considered to be IN BOUNDS. Sec 7: Dead Birds are a safety and shall be scored as a perfect sequence. The bird must be a whole bird and in-bounds. Sec 8: If after attempting to flush the bird to flight the dog catches the bird after or before the bird leaves its nest, the bird is considered a trapped bird and full points for the flush and retrieve will be given. Sec 9: It is considered un-sportsmanlike for a handler to refrain from calling a dog in from out-of-bounds in hopes of flushing a bird into the field. Sec 10: Handler or Designated Shooter may not intentionally mutilate a bird. For any bird that is mutilated whether judged intentional or not, the handler or DS must completely pick up all remaining parts of the bird to the judges satisfaction while the clock is running. NOTE:Intentional mutilation could be considered grounds for disqualification Sec 11: Handlers intentionally cleaning or loading the field by leaving live or dead birds will be automatically disqualified Sec 12: In all UFTA field trials the bird planters must wear gloves that are free of any scent other than that of the birds Sec 13: The Judge must wear a vest or have a means of carrying all shot or dead birds for that run. The judge may carry all shot or bagged birds if the handler desires Sec 14: A handler may not use any objects to assist him/her to reach a dropped bird other than the one step and his arms length to pick up the bird. Sec 15: A handler may not lie down to reach a dropped bird. A partial retrieve will be scored if the dog has completed all necessary phases of the partial retrieve rule. Sec 16: If the twenty minute time limit has expired and a bird has been shot, the handler has a thirty (30) second grace period to complete the retrieve. If the retrieve is not completed within the thirty (30) second grace period, no (0) points will be awarded for neither the bagged bird nor the retrieve. Sec 17: After the dog has flushed/moved 4 birds that have been bagged or left the field the run will end and the time will be considered full time. Flushes Sec 1: Ten (10) points will be awarded for each flushed bird up to the predetermined quota Sec 2: If a dog flushed multiple birds, flushed bird points will be awarded for only the number of flushes for each shot and bagged bird. Extra shells used will still be counted for un-bagged birds Sec 3: If a bird is trapped, ten (10) points will be awarded in place of the flush and a shell must be used Retrieves/Partial Retrieves Once a bird has been "Acted on" which means shot at OR the bird has been trapped by the dog; the handler must keep one foot stationary at all times to be awarded a full retrieve. The foot that is stationary is a pivot foot and the handler may use this pivot foot to pivot in any direction. In order for the dog to be awarded a full retrieve must bring the bird back to within one step of the stationary pivot foot. If the handler drags his/her pivot foot or moves that pivot foot in ANY manner prior to securing the bird from the dog, or prior to the dog bringing the bird back to within the one step; the handler cannot receive points for a full retrieve. Sec 1: Ten (10) points will be awarded for each full retrieve up to but not exceeding the established quota of birds. The dog must retrieve the bird to the handler, (if using a designated shooter) the DS must step behind the handler immediately upon shooting the bird. Sec 2: Five (5) points will be awarded for each partial retrieve. A partial retrieve is defined as a dog not marking the bird and / or not making an attempt to bring the bird back to the competitor within his/her pivot foot. Once the bird has been acted on (shot at) or the bird has been trapped by the dog all participants must remain stationary. EXCEPTION: 1) The designated shooter must immediately step behind the handler. Sec 3: A competitor must keep one (1) foot stationary after the bird is shot, or once the dog has the bird in his mouth. Sec 4: If a shot bird falls behind an obstruction that the dog cannot pass safely over or through, the handler may help the dog over the fence and back and receive full points for the retrieval if the dog brings the bird back to within one step of the handler. Once the handler helps the dog over the fence the handler must now remain stationary until the dog retrieves the bird to within one step of the new position. NOTE: The handler is allowed one step from this new position; however the pivot foot must remain stationary. Sec 5: If the dog flushes another bird during a retrieve in bounds. The handler or designated shooter may move to shoot the second bird with no penalty on the first bird. However, he/she must use the second shooting spot as the stationary position for both birds. If no bird is produced the second shooting spot is still the stationary position for the first retrieve and the handler will be awarded a full retrieve provided the dog completes the retrieve to this new position. Sec 6: The dog may not bring the bird to the designated walker. This will be scored as a partial retrieve if the handler cannot get the dog to retrieve to him/her or designated shooter. Sec 7: A handler may kneel down but MAY NOT lie down to retrieve a bird. Sec 8: A handler MAY NOT lay his gun on the ground during a retrieve. EFFECT: 1st offense the handler or shooter gets a warning. 2nd offense the handler is penalized five (5) points, and third offense the handler is disqualified for this particular run Sec 9: The handler MAY NOT physically assist the dog other than the one step limit during the retrieve and still receive 10 points for the retrieve. EXCEPTION: The handler may take Golf balls, empty hulls or other safe objects to throw in order to help the dog mark a fallen bird(s). REFER TO RETRIEVES/PARTIAL RETRIEVES: Sec 4 for impassable obstructions. Sec 10: ABSOULUTLEY NO LIVE SHELLS OF ANY KIND MAY BE THROWN to assist a dog in the retrieval of a bird. EFFECT: An immediate 5-point deduction will be assessed for each shell thrown. Sec 11: The handler may lift the dog over or through an obstruction such as a fence (electric or otherwise), hedgerow, or any barrier that is impassable by the dog with no deduction in points. However, this new position where the handler assisted the dog is now the position where the handler must adhere to all Rules set forth in Retrieves/Partial Retrieves. Sec 12: No more than one (1) retrieve may be scored on each bird. Sec 13: Zero (0) points will be awarded for a cold, dead bird retrieved from out of bounds Sec 14: If a fence is used to divide fields and a handler or designated shooter shoots a bird the judge must witness the bird had fallen dead in order for the handler or designated shooter to set the dog over the fence to attempt to make the retrieve in the field on the other side of the fence. Once the handler or designated shooter helps the dog over the fence the handler must now remain stationary until the dog retrieves the bird to within one step of the new position. Sec 15: If the dog flushes another bird during a retrieve in bounds. The handler or designated shooter may move to shoot the second bird with no penalty on the first bird. However, he/she must use the second shooting spot as the stationary position for both birds. If no bird is produced the second shooting spot is still the stationary position for the first retrieve and the handler will be awarded a full retrieve provided the dog completes the retrieve to this new position. Sec 16: Trees and bushes that are inside the boundaries are considered to be in bounds if the trunk of the tree is on the boundary or inside the boundary (over hanging limbs that are outside the boundary are considered in bounds if the trunk of the tree is in bounds. Over hanging limbs that are in bounds from a tree that is out of bounds are considered in bounds. An acted on bird that lands in or lodges in a tree can be shot again with the penalty of ten (10) points for the additional shell. If the handler or designated shooter must move in order to shoot the bird again a partial retrieve will be scored if the dog makes a retrieve. If the judge witness that the bird had fallen dead in an in or out of bounds tree/object and a retrieve is impossible the handler will receive full points for the bagged bird. If the bird remains alive, the competitor must shoot the bird and if it falls out of the tree, the dog must retrieve the bird to the competitor to receive full retrieve points or the competitor may elect to take a partial retrieve. If the bird dies in the tree but fails to fall to the ground, full retrieve points will be awarded. If a shot bird lands in a tree out of bounds as witnessed by a judge and he/she can determine that the bird is not dead while remaining in the field of competition, the bird avoided being harvested and the hunt should continue. If the judge, under the same circumstances, determines that the bird is dead, full points shall be awarded. Time NOTE: During Any UFTA Field Trial, the time will be stopped only at the judge’s discretion. Sec 1: The judge will record Time used in minutes and seconds. Un-used time is calculated for additional points. Example: For a run of 12 min. 15 seconds the unused time is 8 minutes giving the handler 16 points for the un-used time (previous example was for a 20 minute time limit). The recording of the seconds if merely for tie breaking purposes Sec 2: Time will be called by the scorekeeper for any of the following: a) The hunter ceases to hunt (no points will be awarded for the un-used time). b) The Time Limit has expired. Sec 5: Time stops when the handler has bagged the established quota of birds and the last bird is in hand. Sec 6: Time stops when the handler designated shooter or judge calls safety and that particular bird will give the handler his/her established quota and the dog is on leash or the competitor has physical control of the dog (by the collar). Sec 7: The run is over and the handler must leash his/her dog. Sec 8: The dog and/or handler have 30 seconds after the time limit has expired to retrieve, partially retrieve or to find a downed bird. NOTE: To receive full points for the retrieve the handler must adhere to all Rules concerning Retrieves. Refer to Retrieves/Partial Retrieves. The handler may elect to simply pick up the bird and lose his/her retrieval points in order to bag the bird prior to the 30- second grace period expiring. Dog Handler Sec 1: It is each handler’s responsibility to be in the blind on time. The decision on how many handlers are to be in the blind is left up to the trial committee. Sec 2: No electric training collars, combination collars, check cords or any other training device will be allowed during the trial Sec 3: The dog’s regular collar must not have any kind of prongs. Sec 4: The handler may not use any outside assistance whatsoever while competing in the trial. This includes help from the gallery prior to or during the run, the Designated Shooter or the Designated Walker. UFTA events are designed for one handler and his/her dog to locate and bag game with their own abilities. EXCEPTION: The handler may use an ATV, Golf Cart or other means of transportation if the handler is physically challenged. Sec 5: Any participant in a UFTA trial event is required to sign a waiver and release agreement before participating in the trial. This includes among others, handlers, designated shooters, designated walkers, field marshals, judges and bird planters. EFFECT: Sec 1-5: Immediate Disqualification Sec 6: If a conflict occurs with starting times or fields, the next handler in rotation will be moved up, and the trial shall continue. The UFTA will try to make every attempt to make sure that this does not happen. The handler who had the conflict will move back into the regular rotation as soon as possible. NOTE: Moving ANY handler around in rotation is not grounds for protest. Handlers intentionally stalling to keep from moving back into rotation will be considered un-sportsman like conduct, and the handler may be disqualified. Sec 7: A Physically challenged or injured handler may use an ATV, Golf Cart or other means of transportation. The trial committee should be made aware of this at least 24hrs a head of the scheduled start time of the trial. The contestant must provide a designated walker (DW) (and must be approved by the field marshal or trial committee). The handler must follow along behind the DW at a walking pace. The DW may be another contestant provided the contestant has no more runs in that field on that day, or the DW may be a Designated Shooter. NOTE: The trial committee or trial host IS NOT responsible for providing an ATV, Golf Cart or other mode of Transportation. However, the trial committee or trial host DOES RESERVE THE RIGHT to approve or to not approve a particular mode of transportation. Physically challenged competitors in their own best interest need to contact the trial committee or host prior to the start of the trial to get their particular mode of transportation approved. Sec 8: Handlers under the age of eighteen may participate in a UFTA trial as long as the following conditions are met: NO EXCEPTIONS: Sec 11: Any handler that gets disqualified for any reason, that trial DOES NOT count towards his/her qualification into the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Designated Shooter (DS) Sec 1: A designated shooter (DS) is a person that is assigned or approved by the field marshal, trial host or trial committee for the sole purpose of shooting for a handler. Sec 2: Handlers under the age of eighteen may be a DS as long as conditions for a youth hunter have been met. Sec 3: The DS may not assist the handler in anyway other than to carry the gun and shoot for the handler EFFECT: If the DS assists the handler in any way, the judge will score the sequence as a Zero (0) and the bird if still alive will not be score able for the remainder of the time limit. Sec 4: The handler and DS must walk together Designated Walker (DW) Sec 1: A Designated Walker (DW) is a person that is assigned or approved by the field marshal or trial committee for the purpose of walking for an injured or physically challenged handler. The injured or physically challenged handler may ride in golf cart, ATV or similar mode of transportation approved by the field marshal or trial committee. The Handler must follow behind the Designated Walker (DW) at all times and may guide the DW in any means necessary, as long as the DW and the Handler adhere to the official Rule Book of the UFTA. Sec 2: The DW will carry the gun while the handler rides along behind in an ATV or oter vehicle approved by the trial committee or field marshal. Sec 3: The DW must walk at all times as defined in DEFINITIONS EFFECT: The first warning assessed to the handler; zero (0) points will be deducted. For the second warning to the handler a five (5)-point deduction will be assessed. For the third warning, the handler WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Sec 4: The DW will stop walking when the dog is attempting to flush a bird and wait for the handler to dismount his/ her ATV or other vehicle. The DW will give the handler the gun when it is safe to do so. The DW will then remain with the judge until the sequence is complete and the handler moves on to the next bird or the Time Limit has expired Sec 5: The DW will not assist the handler in ANY WAY other than to walk and carry the gun for the handler EFFECT: For giving assistance to the handler: No points will be awarded for the sequence and if the bird is dead or alive, will not be score able for the remainder of the time limit. Sec 6: Handlers under the age of eighteen may be a DS as long as conditions for a youth hunter have been met. Re-runs Sec 1: A re-run is an aborted run that will start over. The field will be replanted with the number of birds removed since the beginning of the original run. A reasonable rest period will be granted prior to the re-run. The rest period will be no less than 5 minutes and no more than 15 minutes. NOTE: If the handler chooses not to take the rest period and chooses to continue immediately, this will not be grounds for protest once the handler proceeds with the re-run. Sec 2: If the handler chooses a re-run, he/she must remain in the blind while the replacement birds are being planted. Sec 3: If ANY dog other than the dog competing in the assigned field, interferes in the field with the competing dog; the handler will have the option of a re-run or to continue the run already started. If the handler continues the run in progress, a re-run will not be allowed. EXAMPLES OF INTERFERENCE: Any dog or person not assigned to the field in which the run is taking place enters into that field and distracts the legal dog in any way. Or flushes a bird from the field, or hinders the legal dog in any way will be considered interference. Sec 4: A re-run may be awarded for various safety reasons such as but not limited to lightning, darkness or any other incidents that the field marshal or trial committee deems necessary. Sec 5: A re- run may be awarded for any inconsistencies in scoring or bird quota. Or for a judges error in applying the rules of the UFTA that puts the handler at a disadvantage Judges Sec 1: All Judges must be certified and registered by each State Representative or duly appointed official Sec 2: Judges must be certified by the UFTA or appointed official. Certification is complete once the judge has passed the UFTA OFFICIAL TEST, and has co-judged (with a certified judge) 2 separate runs in the Flushing Singles Division Sec 3: Judges and Field Trial Committee's have the authority to rule on situations not specifically covered by the rules if The National Rules Interpreter cannot be reached. Sec 4: The Judge must wear a vest or have a means of carrying all shot or dead birds for that run. The judge will carry all shot or bagged birds Sec 5: Judges MAY NOT compete in the field in which they are judging until their respective runs in that field are completed for that day. Sec 6: Judges may use ATV's, Golf Carts, or other means of transportation or they may choose to walk. The decision will be left solely up to the judge. UFTA Flushing Doubles 01/02/09 All scoring and playing rules are the same as Flushing Singles except for the following: