2012 Official Rules

OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS

ORGANIZATION OF THE CANADIAN NATIONAL SPORTING CLAYS ASSOCIATION

The CANADIAN NATIONAL SPORTING CLAYS ASSOCIATION, (CNSCA) was formed in May of 2010 to promote sporting clays in CANADA.

The CNSCA is a nonprofit organization operated by and for its members. The primary objective of the CNSCA is to promote the growth of sporting clays in a way that is beneficial to all who enjoy and participate in the game. The CNSCA is guided by a Board of Directors comprised of range owners, and both competitive and recreational shooters.

The following is an informative summary of the organization of the CNSCA. The Official Canadian National Sporting Clays Rules govern the shooting of registered targets, the conduct of shooters and the duties of shoot management. The CNSCA has the responsibility for the formulation, regulation and enforcement of these sporting clays rules. These rules are contained in this booklet.

The CNSCA executive reserves the right to make alterations in, or amendments to these rules at any time, whenever it deems it to be in the best interest of the CNSCA and its members.

GENERAL INFORMATION

A. PURPOSE OF CNSCA

The purpose of the CNSCA is to promote and govern the sport of sporting clays throughout Canada. The CNSCA is dedicated to the development of the sport at all levels of participation. We vow to create an atmosphere of healthy and safe competition and meaningful fellowship within its membership.

B. MEMBERSHIP

Membership is available at $25.00, payable at full amount. Application for membership may be made at any registered shoot by filling out an application or by registering online at www.CNSCA.ca under “members”. Annual dues may be assessed from time to time.

C. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors is comprised of CNSCA members - range owners, and shooters. Their primary function is to promote and guide the association.

I - CLASSIFICATION

A. 2012 CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURES

There are seven classes that a shooter can classify into:

MASTERS - AA - A - B - C – D - E.

MASTERS 77.00% and above     10%                              AA - 71.80 – 76.99          15%

Classifications are subject to change throughout the year dependant on scores posted at registered shoots and primarily prior to any Provincial Championship.

To determine your assigned class:

a: A shooter who has never shot any registered CNSCA clay targets will be assigned a class by their current known ability, or Class C whichever is greater.

b: A shooter from another sporting clays organization, (ie. NSCA) will shoot their earned class.

c: A shooter who has shot registered targets in any clay target organization other than a Sporting Clays Association will be assigned into Class C or one class lower than their highest class attained in that clay target organization whichever is greater.

d: A shooter will have a rolling average based on starting the season by applying the last calendar years average to 400 targets then adding the current year targets and then re-averaging.

B. RULES OF CONDUCT OF CNSCA SHOOTER

Each member will be furnished a copy of these Official CNSCA rules by mail and/or on the CNSCA web site, with the understanding that the member will read and understand each rule. Members are strongly encouraged to know these rules and abide by them, both for their own benefit and for the benefit of other shooters and safety.

By entering the competition, every person agrees to accept all official decisions and to abide by these rules.

Failure to accurately record scores or the falsification of scores, can lead to suspension from the CNSCA.

Pets are not allowed on the course while a shoot is in progress.

Coaching of an individual in the station during a registered shoot is not permitted.

C. SPECIAL CLASSES

A shooter's eligibility for special classes which are based on age will be determined by their age on January 1 of the shooting year.

Special classes may be offered in:

Lady

Sub-Junior: Ages 12 to 14.

Junior:     Ages 15 to 18

Veteran:   Ages 60 to 66

Super-Vet   Age 67 and over.

See Sec. V. D, #2, #3 & #4

At registered CNSCA shoots Lady, Junior and Sub-Junior shooters shall be given a reduction of 1/2 of the entry fee which will be covered by the CNSCA.

D. CONCURRENT EVENTS

These are events which are offered in concurrence with the seven (7) classes of shooters (MASTERS, AA, A, B, C, D, E) that allow the participating shooters to compete and receive prizes or awards in these separate events in addition to their class. These events are based on age (Sub-Junior, Junior, Veteran and Super-Vet) or gender (Lady).

All CNSCA Registered shoots must offer all Concurrent Events and offer some type of award. A shooter winning an award in class will be eliminated from winning an award in a concurrent event.

E. TOURNAMENTS

Only clubs affiliated with CNSCA shall be eligible to conduct registered shoots. See Section V on regulations for holding registered shoots.

Types of Tournaments:

Registered Shoot- A shoot where targets shot by CNSCA members must be registered. Membership in CNSCA is mandatory for both club and shooters.

Non-Registered Shoot- A shoot where none of the targets are CNSCA registered. Non-members may participate. There are no membership restrictions to receiving awards, purses or prizes.

Registered/Fun Shoot- A shoot where targets shot by CNSCA members must be registered, non-members may participate. The CNSCA strongly suggest that these fun shoots be run utilizing Lewis Class for awards.

Provincial Tournament - An annual registered shoot held within the Province. ASCA membership is mandatory. See Sec. V, E for further requirements.

II. SAFETY SECTION

1. GENERAL

2. ALCOHOL POLICY

It is the policy of the CNSCA that no alcoholic beverages are to be consumed by participants before or during a shoot. Any participant who consumes alcoholic beverages prior to or during a shoot will be disqualified from further participation in the shoot including shoot offs to break ties.

III. DEFINITION OF TERMS

A. SHOOT PROMOTER

Individual(s)or entity that provide the facilities and organization of the competition. Shoot Promoters may also act as Shoot Officials.

B. SHOOT OFFICIALS

Individual(s)appointed by the Shoot Promoter and responsible for course layout, target selection, and appointment of Field Judges. Shoot Officials shall be responsible for both layout and testing of the course for safety. Shoot Officials are responsible for ensuring that competitors are not allowed to test or preview the course prior to the competition.

C. CHIEF REFEREE

Person who may be appointed by the shoot management who is responsible for the general supervision over all other referees or field judges at a tournament, and who shall be present throughout the shoot competition.

D. FIELD JUDGE

Person of known ability assigned by the Shoot Officials to score targets and enforce the rules.

E. STATION

A shooting position from which one or more targets are attempted.

F. REPORT PAIR

Two sequential targets where the second target is launched at the sound of the gun firing at the first target. Targets may be launched from one or more traps.

In the case of ‘Report Pairs’, where the first target is a good (fair) target and the second target is not a good target for whatever reason, the first target shall be ruled as an established hit or miss and the shooter shall be presented with another pair of targets. The shooter must again attempt the first target but only the second target shall be scored on this presentation.

G. FOLLOWING PAIR

Two sequential targets where the second target is launched at the officials discretion after the first target. Targets may be launched from one or more traps. Two good targets must be presented for a score to be established.

H. SIMULTANEOUS PAIR

Two targets launched simultaneously. Targets may be launched from one or more traps. Two good targets must be presented for a score to be established.

IV. EQUIPMENT

A. TARGETS

Targets thrown in any event may include any or all of the following:

B. SHOTGUNS

C. AMMUNITION

.410            ½

However any load up to 1 1/8 oz. may be used in any gauge during 12 gauge events.

D. THE COURSE

2. Targets will be propelled by, and launched from, any of a number of commercially produced, modified, or handmade devices that will propel an approved target in a manner to approach the characteristics (in the opinion of the Shoot Officials) of a game bird or animal typically taken by a sporting shotgun.

V. REGULATIONS FOR REGISTERED SHOOTS

A. CHEQUES - PAYMENTS - OVERPAYMENTS

Anyone who presents a cheque at any shoot that is returned for insufficient funds, or other causes, may not compete in any registered shoot until full payment, plus penalty, has been made to the individual or club to which it was presented. Any club receiving such a cheque shall report name and address of the shooter issuing the cheque to the CNSCA.

Any competitor at a registered shoot who, through error, has been overpaid on any purse, added money, optional or other prize money and who is notified of the overpayment by registered mail, must return the overpayment by registered mail within fifteen days. Failure to do so shall result in that shooter being barred from all registered shoots until repayment is made.

B. CLUB QUALIFICATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Only clubs affiliated with CNSCA shall be eligible to conduct registered shoots.

IT SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CLUB HOLDING A REGISTERED SHOOT TO CHECK THE MEMBERS LIST, PROVIDED BY THE ASCA, OF ALL PARTICIPANTS AND ENFORCE THIS RULE.

3. 1. Shoot officials shall determine the number of

targets to be shot on a course. (see III,B for definition)

C. SHOOT OFFS

In all registered CNSCA tournaments, all ties shall be shot off unless otherwise specified by shoot management.

When a shoot off is conducted to break a tie, the shoot officials will set the shoot off course and will advise all participants in the shoot off how the shoot off will proceed. When all participants in the shoot off understand the shoot off procedure and agree to its format then the shoot off will proceed. Shooting order will be determined by a lottery draw among the shoot off participants.

Targets are to be set as pairs and will be crossing, one left to right and one right to left. A minimum of five pair to be attempted.

D. INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

E. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS for PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

An individual must be a bonafide resident (permanent abode) of the province to be eligible for provincial championships or to shoot as a provincial team member. Where Residency is in question, a Health Care Card shall be the only acceptable proof. A resident shooter must have shot a minimum of 300 CNSCA registered targets in the current year prior to the Provincial Tournament to qualify for awards, moneys or prizes at the Provincial Tournament. A resident shooter who does not qualify by this criteria will be entered into "Masters" class and may only qualify for awards, moneys, or prizes in that class.

A prize for out of province shooters may be offered by shoot management.

F. PROVINCIAL and CANADIAN ALL STAR CRITERIA

To have attempted a minimum of 700 registered targets in any combination at a minimum of two different clubs.

G. DISQUALIFICATION AND EXPULSION

1. The shoot management shall upon proper evidence:

4. 1. 2.

H. OFFICIAL SCORES

I. REGISTERED SHOOT REPORTS

J. PRE-SHOOTING A COURSE

Pre-shooting of all or any portion of a course set for a registered shoot is not permitted. Any shooter who pre-shoots all or any part of the course set for a registered shoot may shoot in the event but will not be eligible for prizes and will not have their score recorded.

VI. CONDUCT OF THE SHOOT

A. SHOOTING ORDER

Contestants shall proceed through the course and competition in one of the following formats:

NOTE: SQADDING AT PROVINCIALS. Squads of participants in the various Provincial Shoots will be determined on a random basis by the shoot officials. Pre-set squads are not permitted.

squad after they have begun will be scored as "lost." The Shoot Officials shall have the right to provide for make up targets if sufficient justification can be presented. Make up targets are provided solely at the discretion of the Shoot Officials.

1. In squads of shooters, rotation of shooting order is permitted between stations. Rotation may be formatted by Shoot Officials, to be followed by all squads. If not prescribed by Shoot Officials, order will be determined by the shooters.

B. ATTEMPTING TARGETS

Targets will be presented for attempt at each station in one or more of the following formats.

The target will be scored "hit" or "dead" if successfully attempted on either shot.

3.Multiple Target/Two Shots:- Two hits or dead birds maximum.

4.Timed Reloads. Targets presented with set time periods for the shooter to reload prior to the presentation of the subsequent targets are permitted. Five seconds is the normal reload time but other intervals may be used at the discretion of the Shoot Official(s).

VII. RULES FOR THE SHOOTER

A. GUN MOUNT & POSITION

The CNSCA has approved the “free gun mount” rule. This rule allows the shooter to start with a low gun or a pre-mounted gun when calling for a target.

B. CALL FOR TARGET

The normal call by the shooter is “pull” at which time the target can be launched immediately or delayed up to 3 seconds.

C. SHOOTER'S RESPONSIBILITY

1. It will be the responsibility of each shooter to be familiar with these rules. Ignorance of the rules will not be a cause to "re-attempt" targets lost because of rule violations.

2. It is the sole responsibility of the shooter to begin any event, station, and/or field with sufficient equipment, including safety equipment and ammunition. Failure to do so, which in the opinion of the Field Judges will delay the shoot, will result in the loss of all targets as required to keep the shoot moving. Make up targets will be provided only at the discretion of the Shoot Official(s).

VIII. SCORING

IX. MALFUNCTIONS

A. GUNS AND AMMO

The shooter shall be allowed a combined total of three malfunctions per day attributed to either the shooter’s gun or ammo. Targets not attempted due to the fourth or further malfunctions shall be scored as "lost." Targets not attempted on the three allowed malfunctions shall be treated as "no birds."

1. 1.    GUN MALFUNCTIONS

option to use another gun, if one is available, or he/she may drop out of competition until the gun is repaired. The shooter must however finish the event during the allotted schedule shooting time.

unable to fire because of the following. Examples include but are not limited to:

6. 2.    AMMO MALFUNCTIONS

3. TARGET MALFUNCTION

5. In the case of ‘Report Pairs’, where the first target is a good (fair) target and the second target is not a good target for whatever reason, the first target shall be ruled as an established hit or miss and the shooter shall be presented with another pair of targets. The shooter must again attempt the first target but only the second target shall be scored on this presentation.

X. PROTESTS