Mystery Operations Event Rules & Scoring

Match Safety Rules

-Firearm safety rules are crucial and non-negotiable. Any breach of these rules will result in immediate disqualification from the match.

1. Always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction.

2. Treat all firearms as if they are loaded.

3. Keep your trigger finger outside the trigger guard and off the trigger until you are ready to fire. If your weapon has a safety, use it.

4. Be certain of your target, your line of fire, and what lies in front of and beyond your target.

5. Do not mix guns and alcohol.

-Competitors are required to demonstrate proficiency in weapon handling skills. While 'run and gun' may be a game, proper weapon handling can mean the difference between life and death. Being proficient entails manipulating your weapon without violating any firearms safety regulations.

-A tourniquet is required for every range officer and competitor, and it is strongly recommended to have additional trauma care supplies.

-In an emergency, provide immediate assistance and call 911. Notify the Match Director, Lead Medic, and declare a ceasefire on all stages. Remain in place and limit radio communication to essential traffic only. Competitors between stages should proceed to the next stage and begin their wait time upon arrival.

-Stay hydrated. It's crucial to begin hydrating several days before the race. Always carry more water than you think you will need.

-If you suspect you're suffering from heat exhaustion or an injury, inform the closest range officer at a stage and wait there for transportation. If you're between stages and can't continue, remain on the course and ask the next passing runner to notify a range officer immediately. As a runner, if you encounter someone who appears to be struggling, make sure to check on them.

-Each individual acts as a safety officer. Should you observe an unsafe situation, shout "ceasefire" to alert others, then promptly address the hazardous behavior.

-Any range officer has the authority to recognize a safety violation and disqualify a participant. Shooters who display recklessness or indiscipline concerning firearm safety, even if they haven't strictly committed a safety violation, may be disqualified at the discretion of the range officers. Similarly, shooters who are at risk of heatstroke or injury may be removed. The match director, having fully vetted and briefed all range officers, will depend on their judgment.

-Staging/wait areas are established for specific reasons. Moving beyond or outside the designated staging/wait area, as determined by the match director or range officers, towards the stage shooting area is deemed a safety violation and will result in match disqualification.

-A flexible 180-degree rule will be enforced. Depending on the terrain and course layout at certain stages, this may be reduced. Range officers will issue a reminder if you approach the limit, but only one warning will be given. Violating the 180-degree rule, or a lesser angle if specified, with your muzzle will result in disqualification from the match. Many stages will feature several shooting positions; if you overshoot them, the Range Officers will instruct you to return. Always be mindful of your muzzle discipline.

-Negligent discharges will result in disqualification from the match.

-Pointing a gun, whether loaded or not, at anyone, including oneself, will result in disqualification from the match.

-Ultimately, it's just a game. Achieving a quick time should never compromise safety. Always consider your actions before carrying them out.

-During the competition, all personnel must limit their movement to the marked course, designated staging/wait areas, and roads leading to stages. Competitors who lose sight of course flagging should immediately return to the last known flagging. The course is elongated; only run to the next flag and avoid running towards distant canopies, flags, or runners. If you only see your footprints and no flags, retrace your steps. Shortcuts are non-existent. The course map may suggest shortcuts, but they are intentionally avoided. Yellow caution tape signifies a prohibited area. Do not cross it.

-During competition, all pistols and rifles must be unloaded. Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCCs) are subject to the same safety clearing procedures as rifles. Competitors must present a clear rifle or PCC to the Range Officers upon arrival at the headquarters and each stage. Additionally, rifles and pistols must be visually inspected for clearance when leaving a stage.

-Pistols must be kept holstered at all times unless directed to load by the range officer or when loading is part of a stage. Do not draw your pistol upon arrival at a stage to show it is clear; this will be apparent when preloading or during the stage itself.

-Arriving at a stage with a loaded rifle or pistol will result in an immediate disqualification from the match. While range officers are available to help shooters confirm that their weapons are clear, the ultimate responsibility lies with the shooters themselves.

-Holsters are required to be safe, providing sufficient retention—either passive or active—to secure the pistol during movement. They must prevent the trigger from being engaged when the firearm is fully seated. Additionally, the holster should be specifically designed for and functional with the pistol used by the competitor. The carry position of the holster should facilitate a draw that does not result in the shooter flagging themselves or others, with chest, cross draw, and appendix carry being prohibited.

-Competitors are permitted to load their rifles and pistols in advance at the range officer's direction, if the stage design allows it. Should the stage design prevent preloading, competitors must load their firearms during the timed segment of the competition.

-Stages may necessitate a type of weapon transition. Diligence must be taken. *Bailout does not have any weapon transitions. Each stage concludes with the clearing of weapons used once the final target has been neutralized.

-Pistols will be cleared by dropping the magazine and neutralizing a high value target (HVT) with the one round remaining in chamber. If missed, competitors may reload pistol by inserting the magazine, chambering a round, dropping magazine, and reengaging. This process MUST be followed until the HVT is neutralized. Don’t miss your HVT’s!

-Similarly, rifles must be unloaded before transitioning to pistol if the stage design deems it necessary.

-Rifle slings are required, as shooters must manage their rifles during certain stages. When unslinging, it is crucial to avoid pointing the rifle at anyone. Rifles should be carried in front with the safety engaged during transitions. Rifles must not be placed on the ground or propped against any object during the stage..

-When placing a rifle/PCC down before the stage, it is crucial to ensure that it is and remains pointed in a safe direction.

-In the event that livestock or wildlife enters the impact zone during a stage, a ceasefire shall be called. The Range Officers will halt the timer. Once the area is clear, the shooter may resume from the point of interruption.

-In Texas, rattlesnakes are common. If you encounter one on the trail, remember there are ample rocks around. Conserve your ammunition; there's no need to create your own shooting range.

Match Admin Rules

-During the stage, all targets must be engaged as per the stage/match requirements.

-Not completing the stage within the Par time results in a DNF (Did Not Finish). Shooters with a DNF will have their target FTNs (Failures to Neutralize) tallied and recorded to earn partial points. Should a shooter miss a stage or deplete their ammunition and be unable to fire, they will incur a DNF along with all the FTNs for that stage.

-Shooters who are having difficulty hitting a target(s) before the stage ends may bypass it to proceed to other targets. Should time permit and it is safe, they may return to engage the missed target(s). Completing the stage under Par without revisiting the target(s) results in a DNF, plus the count of FTNs. High Value Targets cannot be skipped, so it's crucial not to miss them.

-Competitors should fill their magazines and ready their equipment before reaching a stage or during downtime. When it's their turn to shoot, they may only load their weapons if the stage design permits. The designated safe area for loading and unloading weapons is the stage itself.

-When a shooter reaches a stage and observes someone else shooting, they may begin their wait time after presenting a clear rifle/PCC to a Range Officer. It is the responsibility of the shooters to monitor their own wait time and to remain honest.

-After completing a stage and upon the range officer's command, shooters should promptly exit the stage. Collect your gear without administering it; gear administration should be done on your own time, not the range officer's or other competitors.

-The use of steel core penetrating ammunition is strictly forbidden. Possession or use during shooting events will lead to immediate disqualification from the match. The primary example of such ammunition is the M855/SS109 5.56 with a green tip. However, bi-metal thin steel jacketed bullets, such as those made by Wolf, Tula, etc., are permitted.

-Firearms: Mystery Operations organizes events that cater to a variety of firearms. Each event is governed by specific guidelines detailing permissible equipment; please consult the provided information and the event CONOPS for details. While we acknowledge that certain calibers and types of firearms may offer an unfair advantage, we also recognize their inherent disadvantages and affirm that shooter skill is the primary determinant of performance. As an "outlaw" match, Mystery Operations is not bound by the rules of any other competitive shooting authority. All firearms must comply with federal legislation. Any shooting aids and equipment not explicitly mentioned are permitted.

            -At present, the limitations for the Rio Bravo and H.W. Lewis matches are as follows:

                        Rio Bravo: Participants under 13 may use a .22 Long Rifle pistol, while those 13 and older can use pistols ranging from .380 to .44 magnum. For rifles, a .22 Long Rifle is allowed for those under 13, and any centerfire rifle up to 30-06 is permitted for participants 13 and older. Shotguns can be .410 for those under 13 and 20-12 gauge for those 13 and older, with lead bird shot sizes #6 to #8 only.

Jade Helm: The rules are the same as Rio Bravo, excluding shotguns. Additional restrictions include: Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCCs) in .22 Long Rifle are allowed for those under 13, and 9mm to 45 Auto for those 13 and older. PCCs from 30 Carbine to magnum pistol calibers are not allowed for pistol targets but can be used for rifle targets. PCCs permitted for pistol targets can engage both pistol and rifle targets in Battle Buddies, Lone Ranger, or Survivor Scramble events.

Bailout Biathlon: The pistol-only course permits pistols and PCCs in 9mm to 45 Auto. The carbine-only course allows rifle caliber carbines and PCCs in any caliber. The Precision Rifle/Designated Marksman Rifle course is limited to rifles from .223 to .300 PRC. Note that magnum and PRC calibers may be excessive for the PR/DMR course, which is designed to be completed with a 77 grain 5.56 with an 18-inch barrel.

-Range Finders: Questions about distances and target sizes are common. In real-life shooting scenarios, encountering unknown distances and target sizes is typical. Mystery Operations is not bound to recreate realistic stages, yet it recognizes the dynamic nature of real-world shooting. For stages with extreme target distances and sizes, we may release that information. Generally, we design stages to challenge the shooter with the estimation of distance and size. Stages are usually set up to be shot out of sight from those waiting, to ensure fairness. Range finding should be conducted from the course and waiting areas if targets are visible, or while actively shooting the stage. Shooters will not be given time to range targets once called to shoot. Ranging a target while moving from the waiting area to the starting position will result in an immediate stage DNF. Additionally, leaving the designated stage waiting area is grounds for a match DQ. Our goal is to focus on the shooting aspect of the competition, not range finding, and we cannot provide time for each competitor to range targets.

Other Rules:

-Registration fees are non-refundable, except if the event is full and a person from the waitlist can replace you. After the new participant has paid, your cancellation may be refunded, minus the processing fees incurred by Mystery Operations during the initial transaction. Hosting these events is extremely expensive, and the budget cannot be adjusted for individual schedules.

-Minors participating in shooting activities must possess proficient weapon handling skills. Guardians are required to be present at the event to sign the liability waiver on their behalf and are strongly encouraged to accompany their child through the course. However, if a minor demonstrates exceptional competence, guardian supervision may be waived.

-Every ranch has specific rules that must be followed to show respect for the property and its owners.

-Always park thoughtfully; avoid obstructing roads or trapping other vehicles.

-Tent or RV camping is permitted in specified areas. Please be mindful of the operating hours when using a generator.

-Portable toilets will be provided; please use them for any necessary paperwork. RVs are prohibited from discharging brown water on the ranch. Please remove it from the premises.

-Trash cans will be available, police your trash as you go.

-Specific areas of the ranch are designated for staff only. Should an adjacent area or building not be in use for event-related activities, there is no necessity for you to enter.

-At Rio Bravo Ranch, campfires are permitted on the airstrip exclusively in metal pits; ground fires are prohibited. Ashes should be disposed of deep within the brush line, and only ashes should be dumped. Conversely, at the H.W. Lewis Ranch, campfires are banned by the landowner's directive due to the abundance of natural fuel, which presents a high fire risk.

-Cigarette butts must be properly disposed of once fully extinguished.

-While dogs are not encouraged, they are permitted. Owners must leash, crate, and clean up after their dogs, as well as cover any damages. However, dogs are not allowed on the course itself.

-At the event, adherence to all local, state, and federal laws is mandatory. Non-compliance may lead to prosecution and will definitely result in the removal of the offender(s) from the premises.

These rules are currently in place as directed by the match director and the landowners. Please be respectful of the course and property.