Midwest Tri-State Chukar Championship Series – Event #1

Saturday, April 11th | Sioux Falls NAVHDA Training Grounds

We’re excited to kick off the 2026 Midwest Tri-State Chukar Championship Series!

This is not a NAVHDA test — it’s a competitive but fun, realistic hunting-style event designed to reward good dog work, marksmanship, and efficiency. Our goal is birds, camaraderie, and a great day in the field.

E-collars are allowed.
We encourage you to hunt your dog like you would during pheasant season — steady, efficient, and controlled.

This event is Event #1 of a 3‑Event Championship Series, where dogs accumulate points toward a season title.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, April 11th
• Location: NAVHDA Training Grounds – Sioux Falls
• Start Time: 7:00 AM
• End Time: 5:30 PM
• Entry Fee: $125 per dog
• Dog Slots: 30 total (first come, first served)

Championship Series Format (2026 Season)

This year we are expanding to a 3‑event championship series.

• Dogs earn Championship Points based on placement at each event.
• Best 2 of 3 finishes count toward the season title.
• Dogs must compete in at least two events to qualify for a championship award.
• Open and Puppy divisions accumulate points separately.

Standings will be posted after each event.

Competition Format (Per Event)

We will run two divisions:

• Open Class – Adult pointing breeds
• Puppy Class – Pointing breeds under 16 months at first event

Each dog may harvest a maximum of 4 birds.

Run Ends When:

• 4 birds are harvested, or
• 20 minutes expires

Birds missed by a previous dog remain in play.

You are not required to take one bird per field — if your dog finds and harvests four in the first field, your run is complete.

Official Scoring Categories

Categories:

• Established point (minimum 2 seconds)
• Retrieve within one step of handler
• Birds harvested (maximum 4)
• Unused time (efficiency matters)

Score Multipliers

• Points ×75
• Retrieves ×25
• Birds Harvested ×200
• Unused Minutes ×60
• Unused Seconds ×1

Efficiency and clean dog work are heavily rewarded.

Series Bonus Points

In addition to placement points, dogs may earn bonus championship points for:

• Highest single score over the 3 events (per division): +1 point
• Clean Retrieve Card (4 retrieves): +1 point
• 4 shots/ 4 birds (no scooping): +1 point

Bonus points apply to championship standings, not raw event scores.

Bird Handling Notes

If a dog catches or scoops a bird, judges will handle the situation according to event rules and scoring standards. Dogs are expected to establish point prior to flush to earn full point credit.

Handler Requirements

• You may not observe bird planting for your dog or the three dogs preceding you.
• Judges’ decisions are final.
• Safe gun handling and sportsmanship are required at all times.

Awards

At event for each division:

• 1st place trophies

At the final event for each division:

• Series Champion - Traveling Trophy
• Their picture on the Homepage slideshow the following year
• Dog Bowl with Championship Lettering for each division
• $250
• Bragging rights for the 2027 season

Season-long consistency will determine the champions.

Specialty awards:

• The Jekyll & Hyde Award (Largest Gap between low and high score)
• First strike award (Shortest time to first productive point)

Lunch Included

We’ll be grilling at the grounds:

• Free for competitors and bird planters
• $10 for spectators and guests