Site Rules

King’s Arrow Ranch is a private property. The Autocrats, Autocrat designee, or site owner has the right to refuse or deny admission without cause or reason of any kind. Infraction of the established rules may result in curtailment of activities and/or expulsion from site without refund of fees. The Autocrats are the final arbiter of grievances and issues not specifically covered here.

This is not a comprehensive list of site rules. Many of the rules and standards may be found in the various department SOP’s. A “common sense” approach to rules and code of conduct will be applied to areas not specifically addressed in this document.

Lost Medallions will not be replaced. Check with Lost and Found at The Watch. Troll has a procedure to allow you access to the site and site functions in the event of a lost badge. Bring your Troll receipt. Registration and attendance is tacit agreement that you will follow site rules.

  • All federal, state, and local laws apply on site.
  • Breaking mundane law = calling mundane authorities.
  • No fighter’s card = no combat-related activities.
  • No fireworks.
  • No firearms.
  • No cannons.

Participants will be required to make an attempt at pre-17th century clothing.

Speed limit on site is 5 MPH and will be enforced. Speeding and being a hazard to pedestrians may be grounds for ejection from the event.
There is no smoking in any of the public buildings or public event tents on site. There is a 30 foot no smoking rule to the entrances to these venues. Move to an area that does not infringe on the comfort of others, well away from the main activities of the day. Be conscious of the drift of your smoke. Police your butts. At all times, remember, courtesy to all in your smoking. Private camps, private encampment buildings, and activities organized, and hosted by private individuals, and/or groups are not subject to this Policy, unless they occur in public buildings or public event tents.
The Swimming pool is closed for the duration of the war. No swimming allowed on site.

ANIMALS:

There are many types of animals on site included, but not limited to, horses, greyhounds, birds of prey, and service dogs. It is understood by registering and coming onto site that you are aware of the animals on site and accept all liability of interactions with the animals. Service dogs are allowed on site. Other animals that a person may regard as a “service animal” (cats, snakes, goats, etc) will not be allowed on site and will be considered “pets.” Pets are not allowed at Gulf Wars. However, animals used for education purposes may be allowed with specific provisos and limitations with the express permission of Animal Control and the Autocrats.

SUPPLIES:

The site owner has opened a camp store in the Main Hall. Food, water, ice, firewood, and other necessities are available. The local towns offer a wider selection of stores and restaurants.

GAS POWERED EQUIPMENT:

No gas powered scooters, private golf carts, or other modern personal conveyances (bikes, skateboards, gas scooters) are allowed. Electric scooters/power chairs used for special needs are allowed and encouraged for our members with special needs.

WATER DISPOSAL:

Pour away from tents and encampments.

ALCOHOL/ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES:

The legal drinking age in Mississippi is 21. Observe the law. Anyone serving/giving alcohol to a minor will be expelled from site. PERIOD! Ignorance is no excuse. Alcohol will not be served by anyone to anyone not possessing a government-issued photo ID or other acceptable proof of age anywhere on the Gulf Wars site. If you choose to violate this, you do so under your own cognizance. We will not cover for you.

ENTRY POLICY:

The medallion issued at Troll is your receipt for the event and must be visibly worn at all times. Participants must show their medallions to re-enter site or you may be required to pay to enter site. You will be issued a car tag which must be displayed clearly on our dashboard. Without a car tag, you will not be allowed to re-enter site.

CHILDREN:

Per Gleann Abhann Kingdom Law: Children should not be left unattended at events. Children under the age of 12 must be within the sight or voice range of a designated responsible person at least 15-years-old at all times. Failure to do so may result in sanctions ranging from expulsion from site to notification of mundane authorities, depending on circumstances.

GOLF CARTS:

Golf carts are for use of staff. “Borrowing” golf carts is unacceptable and will be dealt with appropriately, up to and including expulsion from site. The only golf carts allowed on site will be those directly in use by war staff or camp staff. If you see a golf cart being operated in an unsafe manner, please notify The Watch.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:

Do not leave hazardous materials of ANY sort behind. This includes propane bottles (full or empty), auto/marine batteries, or similar materials. The site owner does not have the resources to dispose of these types of materials safely.

MERCHANT:

Merchants should see the Merchantcrat for any merchanting details. Sales (merchandise or services) are prohibited outside the designated merchanting areas.  The site owner does not allow trenching in the merchanting area, as it is used year round for other activities. There are more restrictive fire rules.  Please see the merchant application for additional rules governing the merchant area.

PUNCTUALITY:

Punctuality is essential due to the full nature of the schedule. If you are late for a function, it is up to the individual(s) running the event as to whether latecomers are allowed. Please be punctual.

SHOWERS:

If you plan to bring your own shower, it MUST operate with a water reservoir system to accomodate the water pressure requirements. If you erect a shower that does not operate with a reservoir system, you will be instructed to take it down. Failure to do so may result in eviction from site.

TRESPASSING:

Trespassing is against the law and is a punishable offense. Gate crashing or sneaking onto site is Trespassing. Anyone caught trespassing or aiding in the act of gate crashing will not be allowed to remain on site. It is recognized that there are some personal lands adjacent to the site where private camps are located. A strict “honor system” will be adhered to for the purpose of admission to site.

It is agreed that everyone coming onto site from these adjacent lots will be registered and hold site medallions. Should a camp allow individuals to enter the site without being properly registered, punitive measures may be taken. It is also understood that these land-holders will “police” their own to make sure all site rules are enforced and carry sufficient insurance to cover liability and damage claims.

RULE OF THUMB:

If its dangerous, don’t do it!

LAND

Please see the Land page for land rules click here:
https://www.gulfwars.org/site-info/land/

DAY PAVILIONS:

Please see the Land page for land rules click here:
https://www.gulfwars.org/site-info/land/

GARBAGE:

Do not keep trash in your camp. It will attract unwanted insects and animals. There will be trash trailers and dumpsters with regular pick-ups. Please put your trash in the trailers daily. Police your site before leaving the war and deposit trash in dumpsters. Remember our SCA tradition of leaving a site cleaner than we found it.

FIRE SAFETY:

King’s Arrow Ranch is in a pine forest. The follow rules must be followed carefully:

  • No ground fires. Fire pits are allowed with appropriate precautions and due regard for safety.
  • No open flames in tents.
  • No bowl-type tiki torches allowed. Only torches with screw-on tops are permitted.
  • Tiki torches must be staked in a firm and stable fashion. Knocking over a burning torch can cause extreme injury and property damage.
  • Tiki torches may not be placed in hay bales.

Find Mistress Seraphina, the Merchantcrat, and tell her “Safety First” for a prize while supplies last.

  • Do not leave torches, candles, or campfires unattended.
  • No flammable liquids may be thrown on fires.
  • All camps must have at least two fire suppression methods, such as water, fire extinguishers, buckets of sand, fire flaps, etc. The department of
  • Emergency Preparedness is authorized to check all camps for fire safety and investigate all infractions.
  • There must be 10 feet between fire pits and tents.
  • All tents must be spaced 3 feet apart as a fire break.
  • Camps must be separated by at least 10 feet.

In the event of a fire, use extinguishers and immediately contact The Watch.
Watch patrols are authorized to enter empty camps and extinguish open or unattended flames.

There are a lot of brush piles and loose tree limbs on site. You are welcome to burn these. If you move brush or wood to your camp but do not use it, return it to where you found it. Please share as there is plenty even if you have to walk a bit further to get it.

Should site management or Autocrat staff determine that further restrictions are necessary, for any reason, such further restrictions shall be announced and enforced.

No fire spinning, spitting fire using chemical agents, nor any other other fire-related performances such as fire twirlers, jugglers, swallowers, etc. are permitted on site. These activities are inherently dangerous and have been forbidden at the Society level.

VEHICLE REGULATIONS:
  • Display your contact information on your vehicle parking pass. It will alleviate a lot of headaches if there is a problem.
  • There will be a 3-hour limit place on vehicle for unloading when setting up camp.
  • Cars should park in the parking lots in such a way as to not restrict acces or endanger other vehicles.
  • Do not block access to the handicapped access parking.
  • Cars driving in camping areas after dark must drive with their headlights on.
  • You must display your handicap plate or hangtag for the state in which you are registerd to receive a Gulf Wars handicap parking slip.
LOCK YOUR VEHICLE!

We are not responsible for your goods. If your vehicle is blocking traffic or another vehicle, causing a hazard, or parked in blatant disregard of the parking policy, a MARGINAL effort will be made to locate the owner, time permitting. Otherwise, the vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense. If your parking pass is not displayed in a visible manner with all contact information legibly completed, we will not be able to find you and your vehicle will be towed.

WATER and ELECTRICITY:

Faucet locations are scattered throughout the site. Do not block access to the faucets or electrical outlets. In the camping area, access to electricity is restricted to those who have made prior arrangements with the site owner. In the Merchant area, arrangements must be made with the Merchantcrat. Violators will be unplugged. Repeat offenders will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including ejection from the site.

CAUTION:

If you use electrical extension cords, they must be rated for outdoor use.
Water hoses and electrical cords must be buried at least an inch under ground cover. Failure to comply with using a Y connector or burying them may result in confiscation.

Policy and Procedures for Drone Use at Gulf Wars, 2020

A drone is defined by the FAA as, “An unmanned aircraft system (UAS), sometimes called a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot onboard – instead, the UAS is controlled from an operator on the ground. (Drone Defined Public Law 112-93 Section 331 (8))
Be aware that the FAA does regulate the flying of drones within the United States and it is your responsibility as the pilot and the owner of the drone to understand and abide by the rules. Any questions regarding the FAA rules should be submitted to the FAA.
In order to ensure the safety of all guests at Gulf Wars, drones are not all allowed on the property except by commercial media with the expressed written permission of the Gulf Wars Media Coordinator.
Commercial media representatives may submit a written request to the Gulf Wars Media Coordinator at (media@gulfwars.org) for review and approval by January 28, 2022.

The following will need to be included within the written submittal:

  • Name of the Media company requesting
  • Name of the pilot operating the drone
  • Owner of the drone
  • Type of aircraft (Quad Copter, Helicopter, Airplane, etc.) and make, model, and color
  • Time(s) the drone will be in operation
  • Location(s) the drone will be operated
  • Copy of the Drones registration with the FAA
  • If the drone weighs more than 55 lbs., the pilot must provide a copy of an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate.

Further:

  • The pilot must comply with all FAA regulations.
  • Drones MUST NOT be flown over or near any emergency occurring on site.
  • The pilot and owner must be aware of FAA Airspace Restrictions and respect privacy. Drones are restricted from use in any camping area, but request may be made for flyovers of public areas namely, battlefields, court, marketplace, and roads. Please see the Gulf Wars Media Coordinator for a listing of all approved locations.
  • Any drone pilot or owner of a drone violating any FAA rules or regulations or the rules laid out in this Policy & Procedure for Drone Use at Gulf Wars will be immediately reported to the FAA for action and removed from site without a refund.
  • Anyone not having written permission from Gulf Wars Media Coordinator who flies a drone on site may be removed by the Autocrats of Gulf Wars or the Kingdom Seneschal without a refund.
  • Please note, the drone (owner/operator) is liable for any and all damages to persons, property, and any litigation arising from the use of drones or UASs operating on Gulf Wars property.