SECTION XI: Match Procedures

A. Requirements For Match Sanction

1. To qualify for a sanctioned match, the hosting organization must first apply to the State Director, National Director, or any Executive Director of IHMSA. Upon being awarded the match, a match package consisting of the required materials, will be sent to the sponsoring organization.

2. Upon completion of the match, a sanction fee for each registered entry, including re-entries, together with a copy of the Match Recap Sheet, must be sent to IHMSA Headquarters within 30 days. Sanction fees are US $1.00 per registered entry. Said reports and sanction fees should be mailed to: 

For Affiliated Nations, such reports and sanction fees are to be sent to the National Director within 30 days. If a club discounts its entry fees for Junior competitors by an amount of 50% or more, the US $1.00 sanction fee is waived for Junior entries.

3. Any organization hosting sanctioned matches that fails to adhere to IHMSA rules may have their sanction withdrawn by the Executive Committee. In the event of sanction being withdrawn, the affected organization shall, upon written request to the Secretary / Treasurer, be able to have the decision to withdraw sanction reviewed by the Board of Directors.

B. Range Layout/Target Set-Up

1. A silhouette range consists of a firing line and four different target lines, one for each of the four animals (chicken, pig, turkey, ram). Distances from the firing point to each bank of targets shall be:

a) Big Bore (+/- 5 meters)

IHMSA will sanction matches held at ranges that have a maximum distance of 200 yards due to range construction. This is permitted, provided that all match announcements state that the 200 meter rams will be fired at 200 yards.

b) Small Bore (.22) / Field Pistol (+/- 2 meters/yards)

All Small Bore (.22) and Field Pistol targets must be set by the same unit of measure (meters or yards). The unit of measure shall be posted at the match and stated in all match announcements.

c) Air Pistol (+/- 6 inches)

2. A silhouette range may be set up on an existing high power range. If desired, it can be placed in a natural setting such as a ravine or canyon. Trees and brush need not be removed, and variation in height above and below the firing line is allowed and desirable.

3. Improvements such as paved firing line, firing line cover, or dirt berms behind the targets are optional, unless required for safety considerations.

4. Target stands are to be flat and level.

5. Targets shall be set in banks of five animals each (five chickens, five pigs, etc.) The recommended distance between each animal is the width of that animal.

6. Targets for all types of IHMSA competition shall be set with the rear edge of the target's foot/feet flush with the rear edge of its target stand, except Big Bore rams.

7. Each Big Bore ram target shall be set so that its center of gravity is no more than one inch from its topple point. To accomplish this, the ram should be carefully moved backward on its stand, with the feet overhanging the backside of the stand until the topple point is achieved. It may then be moved forward to achieve stability, but not more than one inch forward of the topple point. It is recommended that this final resting place be marked by spraying paint around the feet. so that the target may be placed in the same position each time it is reset. If the target is not stable at the one inch forward set, because of wind conditions, it should be clamped or fastened in position. At no time may a regulation ram target be set 'full footed", shimmed, etc. to prevent it from failing due to wind conditions.

Optional ram topple rule: A Big Bore ram target will be legally set if 3/4 inch is removed from the rear of both feet of a regulation IHMSA ram target and the target is set full foot with the rear of the feet flush with the rear edge of a level steel stand.

8. Targets will normally be painted with flat black paint. At a range where the background prevents adequate target visibility with black paint, the sponsoring club shall have the option to use other colors to improve visibility.

9. Once a match is started, target color shall not be changed.

C. Sighter Targets / Sighter Shots

1. Sighter targets are mandatory at all IHMSA championship matches. There is to be a minimum of one target at each distance for each type of competition offered.

2. Sighter targets, or sighter shots, are allowed at the Match Director's option at non-championship matches.

3. When used, sighter targets shall be of the official size and shape for the type of competition, set at the same distances, with approximately the same background as the equivalent match targets.

4. Competitors will be allowed five sighter shots for each category in which they are competing. The five shots must be taken during a normal, two-minute, match firing period. Competitors will have the option of shooting at the sighter targets of their choice.

5. No practice will be allowed before or during any sanctioned match other than the five sighter shots which are allowed.

D. Handgun Certification

1. Handguns must be weighed, checked, and certified before shooting for score. No competitor may win an award with an uncertified handgun.

2. Only one handgun per category may be certified. The same handgun, barrel, grips, sights, etc. shall be used throughout a particular course of fire. (Exception: See Section XI-G-5)

3. The Match Director shall appoint one or more persons to certify handguns in accordance with these rules. In the interest of safety, said person(s) shall be experienced handgun silhouette competitors, or persons with the required knowledge.

4. When a competitor's handgun is checked during registration, internal inspection of Production handguns is not mandatory unless there is reason to believe it does not comply with Production handgun rules. In such cases, the competitor may be requested to disassemble the handgun to the extent necessary to permit visual inspection by a jury.

5. A jury should be composed of the Match Director, the individual responsible for handgun certification, any senior IHMSA officials who may be present, or other persons with the required knowledge.

6. Only the competitor, or a person he designates, shall disassemble, remove, or replace any parts of the handgun. Upon inspection, the jury shall retire and discuss the matter. The jury may also request information from other knowledgeable persons to assist in making their decision. A majority vote by the jury shall be final. If the handgun does not comply with IHMSA rules, the competitor's entry with that handgun will not be accepted.

7. If a competitor refuses to comply with Section XI-D-4, above, the handgun in question will not be permitted for use in any Production category.

8. At State, Regional, National, or International championships, the match sponsor, upon request of the State, Regional, or National Director, may require first, second, and third place competitors to submit their handguns for inspection by a jury as previously described. This should be accomplished as soon after the conclusion of competition as is practical.

E. Match Commands

1. There are four commands to be given by the Range Officer (i.e., the individual responsible for calling the line) at an IHMSA match. To ensure uniformity and avoid confusion on the part of the competitors, these commands should be used consistently by Range Officers at all IHMSA-sanctioned matches:

a) "Shooters to the line" - Given when the range is safe, to alert competitors to ready themselves on the firing line. Handguns shall not be handled at this time. Unloaded handguns shall be in a safe and stable position on the firing line, visible to the Line Safety Officer, with the muzzle pointing down range, and action open.

b) "Load" - Given at the start of a 30 second period in which the competitor prepares to shoot, including (but not limited) to adjusting/blackening sights, dry firing, and loading. Competitors shall not handle their handguns until the "Load" command has been given.

c) "Fire" - Given at the conclusion of the 30 second loading period, it signifies the start of the two minute period to fire five shots.

d) "Cease fire.., make your guns safe" - Given at the end of the two minute firing period, When given, competitors must immediately cease firing, unload their handguns, and put them in a safe and stable condition (i.e., unloaded, visible, muzzle pointing downrange, action open). If a competitor encounters any difficulty or delay in doing so, he must notify the Range Officer immediately. Any shot fired after the beginning of the "Cease Fire" command, or audible signal if used, is a lost shot and should be called as such by the Range Officer.

F. Scoring

1. Targets shall be shot in sequence, left to right, one shot fired at each target.

2. Scorecards shall be marked as follows (assuming the competitor has fired a shot at the correct target):

a) An "X" is marked in the appropriate box on the scorecard if the target is knocked from its stand as the result of the shot.

b) An "O" is marked in the appropriate box on the scorecard if the target is still standing on its stand after the shot.

3. If a target is knocked down out of sequence, it is scored as "O", as is the intended target. The maximum penalty shall be two targets.

4. "Turning" a target on its stand, without knocking it off the stand, will be scored as an "O".

5. A ricochet hit which knocks down the correct target will be scored as an "X".

6. When there are wind conditions requiring the targets to be fastened (clamped/bolted/etc.) to the stand(s), one or more in each bank, all hits on the target shall be scored as "X"s. In championship matches, if one target in a bank must be fastened, all targets at that distance must be fastened and hits will be counted as "X"s. Standard target setting and scoring procedures are to be resumed, immediately, when wind conditions allow.

7. If either foot of any pig or ram target is completely off its stand, but resting on the ground (or any other obstruction) so as to prevent the target from falling, the hit will be scored as an "X", even if the target is still standing with the other foot still on the stand.

Otherwise (except as provided in Section XI-F-6, above) in no case shall a hit target be scored as an 'X" unless it is knocked down and/or off its stand as a result of the shot fired by the competitor at that target.

8. If a target should be knocked down by another competitor or blown down by wind before being fired at by the competitor. the remaining targets shall be fired at in order, left to right. If the competitor has one or more of his five shots remaining after firing at each of the available targets, he should return to the left end of his bank of targets and fire his remaining shots at the targets still standing. If no targets are available in his bank and shots remain, he may fire at available targets on an adjacent bank or request an "alibi". (See Section XI-G, below)

9. Whenever it becomes necessary for a competitor to shoot a five-shot string in other than standard fashion (i.e., targets being engaged in sequence, left to right), the competitor should alert the scorer to ensure that the shots will be scored correctly. All scoring differences must be resolved immediately, before either the competitor commences another string of fire at the same bank of targets, or the competitor or scorer leave the firing line.

10. The total number of "X"s for each five-shot string shall be entered on the competitor's scorecard. The totals for each five-shot string shall be totaled to determine the competitor's score which shall be entered on the scorecard.

11. In the case of identical total scores fired by one or more competitors in a particular type and category of competition, "reverse animal count" shall first be used to resolve ties. Reverse animal count consists of first comparing the total ram target scores: the competitor having the highest ram count is the winner. If a ram count is equal, the same procedure will be used for turkeys and, if necessary, pigs in order to determine the winner. Competitors who still remain tied shall compete in a shoot-off to determine the winner. (See Section XI-H, below). At the Match Director's option, all numeric ties (regardless of "reverse animal count") may be required to be resolved by a shoot off.

12. At all IHMSA-sanctioned matches, the scorer shall be any person other than the competitor. The competitor's coach/spotter or an adjacent competitor/spotter shall mark the "X" and "O" entries on the scorecard. The score shall be certified by another adjacent shooter/spotter who shall then sign or initial the scorecard in the appropriate box at the completion of each five-shot string. The competitor shall sign or initial the scorecard in the same manner. It is the scorer's responsibility to ensure that:

a) The correct entries are made on the scorecard.

b) The competitor observes the rules and time limits.

c) The competitor fires no more than five shots per string.

d) When strong winds exist, the targets are observed closely to distinguish between targets knocked down by hits and those knocked down by the wind.

13. If a competitor is found to have signed an incorrect scorecard, that score will be disqualified. An "incorrect scorecard" is defined as one on which the number of targets scored as "X"s are not in agreement with the number of targets for which the competitor should be credited in accordance with the above rules. The entry will not be counted for any purpose, nor will the competitor be allowed to shoot a re-entry score in the type and category of competition for which he was disqualified.

G. Alibis

1. An alibi is permitted in an IHMSA-sanctioned match only when a target is not available because it fell without being shot down by the competitor.

2. If another target is still standing in the competitor's bank, it must be used for the alibi shot within the same five-shot firing period. If not, and a target is available on an adjacent bank, it may be used for the alibi shot within the same firing string, or in a separate alibi string, at the competitor's option. If there is confusion about whether targets on an adjacent bank are 'available', or have not yet been fired on, the competitor is not required to shoot the alibi during that five-shot string.

3. If enough targets are not available to complete the five-shot string on the competitor's bank or adjacent banks, the competitor's entire bank shall be reset and the alibi targets will be shot in the standard left-to-right sequence, regardless of which targets caused the alibi.

4. If alibi shots are to be taken in a separate firing period, the competitor will be given a 30 second loading period and a firing period of 24 seconds per alibi shot to complete the five-shot string.

5. Handgun malfunctions or faulty ammunition shall not be cause for an alibi or the allowance of extra firing time. Should a handgun fail to function during a match, another handgun which complies with the rules for the applicable type and category of competition may be substituted to complete the match. This rule does not imply that competitors may use more than one handgun to complete an entry in one type/category of competition. It is only intended to provide relief to a competitor whose primary handgun has been damaged or broken. The Match Director or Line Officer must examine, approve, and authorize the use of the substitute handgun. Under no circumstances shall the malfunction of a competitor's handgun or ammunition be allowed to delay the progress of a match. Targets not fired on due to equipment failure or malfunction are judged lost targets and cannot be shot as an alibi.

H. Shoot-offs

1. The Match Director has the option to decide how to break all tie scores. The tie break option must be listed in a match program or posted at the range prior to the match. If not listed or posted, reverse animal count shall be used. (See Section XI-F-11, above).

2. At all State, Regional. National, and International Championship matches, first place in all categories and classes, including championship titles, must be decided by shoot-offs, in the event of tie scores. Other places may be decided by reverse animal count or shoot-offs, at the Match Director's option.

3. Shoot-off targets for all championship matches must be visible, steel, standard IHMSA silhouette-shaped targets of chickens, pigs, turkeys, or rams. Targets may be of any size and my be set in any combination of shapes and size. Target color must be the same as the targets used in the match. Standard scoring procedures shall be used. (See Section XI-F)

4. At all other matches, the Match Director may use any visible shoot-off targets capable of being knocked off the target stand. Shoot-off targets may be of a different color than that used in the match.

5. Shoot-off targets may be set at any distance, out to a maximum of the actual distance used to set the match ram targets. (200 meters/yards for Big Bore, 100 meters/yards for Small Bore and Field Pistol, and 18 meters/yards for Air Pistol).

6. Shoot-offs shall be fired in five-shot strings, on banks of five targets for each competitor at the distance(s) agreed upon. Standard loading, firing, and scoring procedures shall be used.

7. Competitors must use the same handgun used in the original course of fire.

8. A "sudden death" shoot-off format is not allowed.

I. Awards/Trophies/Prizes

1. The match sponsor shall schedule all classes for the type and category of competition being held, and give at least one award in each class if a properly classified competitor completes the course of fire. (Exception: See Section VII-A-1 Note)

2. No match will be sanctioned by IHMSA where the value of any prize, merchandise, or cash award to be competed for, exceeds twice the value of the entry fee paid by the competitor, Trophy value is not included, although this rule does apply to any merchandise, prize, or cash which is awarded in lieu of a trophy.

3. All donated or bonus prizes, without exception, are to be awarded in a manner whereby all competitors in the match are eligible on an equal basis. One chance per competitor, not entry, is recommended.

J. Protests

1. All rule interpretations and protests will be handled by a jury appointed by the tournament director or Match Director. The jury should be composed of any senior IHMSA officials who are present. The decisions of said jury, in all instances, shall be final.

2. All protests must be submitted to the Match Director in writing, accompanied by a fee of US $10.00, within one hour of any alleged violation. Should the jury rule in favor of the protesting party, the fee shall be returned to that person. Should the jury rule in favor of the protested party, the fee will be awarded to that person.

3. Any handgun not previously inspected by a jury may be protested by another competitor. However, no competitor shall be interrupted during the course of fire. After completion of firing, the protested competitor will be requested to make his handgun ready for inspection by a jury. (See Section XI-D)

4. International Championship Protest Rules:

a) A member of the IHMSA Board of Directors will be appointed Protest Committee Chairperson for an International Championship. That person will be responsible for selecting a 5 to 7 person Jury, preferably composed of State or Match Directors, to handle protests at that International Championship. The Chairperson will also accept protests and submit them to the Jury within a reasonable time period.

b) Official IHMSA Protest/Outcome Forms will be used to document a protest, the Jury's decision, Jury member's names and IHMSA numbers. When the Jury has reached its decision, the Form will be given to one of the elected IHMSA officers. At that point, the protester and the alleged violator will be advised of the decision by one of the elected officers.

c) A protest must provide the specific information upon which it is based.

d) Both the protester and the alleged violator may appear before the Jury to present their cases, proof, and/or witnesses testimony.

e) Protests regarding EQUIPMENT, ILLEGAL POSITIONS, ETC. will remain subject to standard protest rules and must be submitted within one hour of the alleged violation. (See Section XI-J-2)

f) Protests of SCORES must be submitted within twenty-four hours of the alleged violation.

g) All protests/complaints will be brought to a conclusion prior to the awards ceremony. No protests/complaints will be accepted after the awards ceremony

K. Championship Matches

1. Bids for State, Regional, and National Championships must be submitted to the respective State, Regional, or National Director.

2. To host a State, Regional, or National Championship, a club must have successfully held three prior IHMSA-sanctioned matches.

3. With the approval of the State, Regional, or National Director, any club sponsoring a championship has the option of holding a closed tournament, open only to bona fide residents of the State, Region, or Nation. Any closed tournament must be so listed in the printed program and the Championship Match Schedule in the IHMSA News for USA matches.

4. Experienced Line Officers must be furnished by the host club at all championship matches.

5. It is recommended that scorekeepers be furnished by the host club at all championship matches.

6. Category and aggregate titles will be awarded only to competitors who are considered to be residents of their respective State, Region, or Nation. When competitors move into a new State, Region or Nation, they will be considered a resident in the new location after a period of thirty days. With the approval of the relevant State and Regional Directors, a competitor may declare resident status in an adjoining State. If the adjoining State is in another Region, the competitor will then be considered a resident of the Region. Such competitors must reapply to the State and Regional Directors to return resident status to the State or Region of legal residency. For championship matches, a competitor may only claim resident status in one State, Region, or Nation in a calendar year.

7. To participate in any championship match, a competitor must be classified in all types/categories in which he intends to compete.

8. A competitor must complete a minimum of three entries in non-championship matches with 12 months prior to entering any championship. The entries may be completed at one match or several matches. Re-entry scores shall count toward championship qualification. With respect to this requirement, Big Bore, Small Bore (.22), Field Pistol and Air Pistol competition shall be considered separately. Entries may be any category, or combination of categories. The following entries may also be counted for championship qualification:

a) Entries completed in NRA-sanctioned matches by IHMSA members who reside in the USA.

b) Entries completed in non-affiliated Nations by IHMSA members who reside in those non-affiliated Nations.

9. The International Championship match shall be under the jurisdiction of the IHMSA Executive Committee. The IHMSA Executive Committee shall administer match entries and fees, and select trophies and prizes. The hosting club, as selected by the Executive Committee, shall furnish the range, targets, and coordinating activities.

10. At the International Championships, only one trophy per person per category will be awarded. No trophy will be awarded for first place in the class of a category champion.

L. Optional Competition

1. At the match sponsor's option, special awards may be made for competition including, but not limited to the following: High Lady, High Junior, High Senior, Cast Bullet, and Team events.

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