BAM Tournament Rules
BOWFISHING ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN, INC (BAM)

NOTE: READ CAREFULLY

1. It is the responsibility of the tournament participants to know and obey state and local fish, game and boating laws.
2. Fish entries must be taken with bow, compound, recurve or long bow and single point arrow only.
3. Release forms must be signed and on record for each participant of a tournament.
4. Registration will close 2 hours after tournament begins.
5. There is no limit on the number of miles that you can travel by boat, unless otherwise notified.
6. All boats will leave from the tournament site—NO TRAILERING.
7. Identification of persons participating is required upon request.
8. Each team will be allowed the use of only one boat during the tournament. If mechanical trouble requires the use of another boat, that boat must be inspected before leaving the tournament site.
9. Tournaments will begin and end at the predetermined times by the sponsoring team.
10. A penalty of one fish per minute will be assessed to any team returning late for up to 30 minutes, with the largest fish by weight being the first penalty fish. The penalized team will remove penalty fish. Any teams not reported in by 30 minutes after the end of a tournament will be disqualified.
11. When arriving at the tournament PLEASE register in as soon as possible.
12. Scouting is only permitted during daylight hours within 72 hours prior to a tournament. No bows in the boat and no night scouting during this period.
13. No bait or chumming of fish.
14. Only rough fish are legal. Eligible species of fish will be announced at the pre tournament meeting.
15. Suspected transferring of fish between teams will result in disqualification of all teams involved.
16. No unsportsmanlike conduct will be tolerated.
17. The decision of tournament officials will be FINAL.
18. A formal protest fee in the amount of $50.00 must be made to officials and posted one hour prior to the awards ceremony.
19. Failure to comply with tournament rules will result in disqualification and entry fee WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.
20. All participants must check out upon leaving the tournament early.
21. Tournament hosts and sponsors are not responsible for accidents or lost property.
22. NO AUTOMATIC REFUNDS OF ENTRY FEES. Fees or any portion of fees refunded will be the decision of tournament officials and will be based on reason of cancellation.
23. All airboats or fan motors must have a suitable shroud protecting the fan blades.
24. Open Class: $25.00 per person, no limit to the number of members per boat. Pay back is allocated to the top 5 places, (40%, 25%, 15%, 10%, 10%). Fish count is based on total legal fish per boat. Participants 16 years and younger are free, no limit.
25. Sportsmen’s Class: $10.00 per person, no limit to the number of members per boat. Payback is from first to last place. Fish count is based on the total legal fish per boat. Participants 16 years and younger are free, no limit.
26. Big Fish Pot: $5.00 per person – Everyone on the team must be registered for the big fish pot in order for any one member to win. 80% payback.
27. No nets, or gigs will be allowed in the boat-- NO EXCEPTIONS. Gaff hooks with a single hook and less than 4 feet in length may be used in landing fish.
28. The awards for tournaments will be presented at an awards ceremony as soon as possible after check in closes. Awards will be given according to the BAM schedule. 90% pay back of registration fees per class. Paying first through last place in Sportsman’s Class, also the top five in the Open Class.
29. Any substitution of team members once the tournament is underway is not permitted.
30. Open Class points fish shall be; Biggest Fish by weight = 10 points, Longest Gar by length = 10 points, Biggest Dogfish (Bowfin) by weight = 10 points.
31. Tie Breakers for points fish and big fish shall be determined by the 2nd, 3rd, and so forth till a winner is determined between the teams, be weight or length depending on the same species of fish.

Helpful Hints:

Carry Tournament Rules                           Don't litter
Carry local/state game laws                       Take time to make friends
Avoid confrontation                                  Always be helpful
Be courteous to everyone                         Always be careful-think safety!