Southeast Michigan Chapter
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
Field/Safety Rules
General Training Day Rules
- All dogs must be under control (either leashed or at heel) until you are in your designated training field.
- All dogs are to be leashed or crated while in the parking lot.
- Anyone entering the training fields must be wearing hunter orange.
- Shooting live ammunition is not allowed near the parking lot or the lower puppy field.
- Only hinged frame (break-open) shotguns of conventional gauge are allowed to be used during training and tests.
- Only members of the SEMI chapter are allowed to shoot during training days.
- Only members of the SEMI chapter are allowed to order and/or pick up birds.
- No vehicles are allowed in the field at any time other than on test days or due to an emergency.
- Guest members are allowed to participate during 1 training day w/o membership, but shooting is not permitted. Guest must also sign a NAVHDA waiver before entering any of the fields.
- All guns may only be loaded at the designated training field and must be unloaded before leaving that field.
- Start and end your training session per your scheduled time slot.
- The person whose name is on the sign-up sheet must be present at the field (no holding spots for others).
- Clean-up after your dog(s) when near the pavilion and the mowed area in front of the outhouse.
Safety Practices / Rules
- Always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction.
- Be certain of your target, your line of fire and what lies beyond your target.
- Keep your trigger finger outside the guard and off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
- Do not shoot towards Cooley Lake Road (Barn Course) or Duck Lake Road (Sod Farm).
- Do not shoot when a person or dog is front of your line of fire.
- Avoid shooting when a dog has broke or is in motion.
- Avoid taking low flying or non-flying birds.
- Handlers are responsible to make their gunner(s) aware of their training intentions and taking safe shots only.
- Always keep the gun on safe until you intend to shoot.
- When in doubt, don’t shoot!