Rules For Participation

These Rules are incorporated by reference into, and must be read in conjunction with, the Montgomery Mystery Hunt Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. In the event of any conflict, the Terms of Service shall control.

Event Changes, Interruptions & Force Majeure

Pencil and Stone Marketing reserves the right to delay, modify, pause, suspend, or cancel any Hunt, clue release, prize, or event due to safety concerns, weather conditions, legal requirements, technical issues, public safety concerns, government orders, infrastructure failures, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Organizer shall not be liable for delays or cancellations resulting from events outside its control (“Force Majeure”).

Clue Interpretation

Clues are intentionally designed to be open to interpretation and require reasoning and problem-solving. Organizer is not responsible for misinterpretation of clues or assumptions made by participants.

All Organizer determinations regarding clue intent, interpretation, and correctness are final.

Team Participation

Participants may choose to play individually or as part of a team. However, only one registered participant may claim the prize per Hunt unless otherwise stated.

Technology & Communications

Organizer is not responsible for delays or failures in message delivery due to carrier issues, device limitations, internet access, software errors, automation failures, or technical disruptions.

All Hunt content, systems, communications, clues, artwork, branding, and mechanics remain the exclusive intellectual property of Pencil and Stone Marketing.

Public Conduct

Participants are expected to conduct themselves respectfully in public spaces, sponsor locations, and online. Any behavior that reflects negatively on the Hunt, Organizer, sponsors, or the community may result in immediate disqualification.

Organizer does not monitor or mediate disputes between participants.

1. Eligibility and Participation

• Participants must be 18 years of age or older to participate independently.
• Participants under the age of 18 may participate only with the supervision and consent of a parent or legal guardian.
• Participation is voluntary and at your own risk.
• Only individuals who are officially registered through the Hunt’s website at www.montgomerymysteryhunt.com are eligible to participate, win prizes, or claim rewards.
• Individuals who are not registered through the official website are not eligible, regardless of discovery.

By choosing to participate, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Pencil and Stone Marketing, its owners, employees, contractors, sponsors, and affiliates from any and all claims, damages, injuries, losses, liabilities, or expenses (including attorney fees) arising out of or related to your participation in the Hunt.

2. Skill-Based Game Disclaimer

• The Montgomery Mystery Hunt is a game of skill and logic, not a game of chance.
• Winners are determined based on participants’ ability to correctly solve clues, riddles, puzzles, and challenges using reasoning, observation, and problem-solving skills.
• Chance plays no role in determining the outcome of the Hunt.
• No random drawings, lotteries, or chance-based selections are used to determine winners.

Photography, Video & Media Release

By participating in the Montgomery Mystery Hunt, participants acknowledge and agree that Pencil and Stone Marketing may photograph, record, or otherwise capture images, video, and audio of the Hunt, including participants, locations, and activities, for promotional, marketing, and documentation purposes.

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Photos or video taken during gameplay
• Footage of prize discovery or celebration
• Interviews or reactions related to the Hunt
• Content captured at public locations or sponsor locations

Participants grant Pencil and Stone Marketing a royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, display, and distribute such images or recordings for promotional, marketing, advertising, website, social media, and other lawful purposes, without compensation or prior approval.

Participants acknowledge that:

• Media may be used in current or future Hunt promotions
• Content may appear on websites, social media, advertising, or other promotional materials
• No ownership or approval rights are granted to participants over such content

If a participant does not wish to appear in promotional content, they must notify the Organizer in advance and make reasonable efforts to avoid recorded areas. However, participation in public locations may result in incidental capture, which does not constitute a violation of this policy.

Harassment, Stalking & System Misuse Policy

The following behaviors are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate and permanent disqualification:

• Stalking, surveilling, or monitoring any participant, sponsor, business owner, staff member, or Organizer
• Harassment, intimidation, coercion, or unwanted contact
• Attempting to obtain information through deception, pressure, or manipulation
• Following or waiting near individuals connected to the Hunt

Organizer may cooperate with law enforcement where appropriate.

System Misuse & Technical Exploitation

• Any attempt to hack, probe, manipulate, scrape, reverse-engineer, or otherwise interfere with the Hunt’s website, databases, messaging systems, forms, automation, or online platforms is strictly prohibited.
• Attempts to exploit source code, hidden files, URLs, metadata, scripts, APIs, or backend systems to gain an advantage will result in immediate disqualification.
• No clues, answers, or prize locations are hidden in website code, metadata, URLs, or backend systems. Attempts to search for such information are unnecessary and prohibited.
• Using bots, scripts, automation tools, or unauthorized third-party software to gain an advantage is prohibited.
• Participants are expected to rely only on officially released clues and communications provided through approved Hunt channels.

Any participant found engaging in stalking, harassment, system misuse, or technical exploitation will be permanently disqualified, forfeit any prize or reward, and may be reported to appropriate authorities if applicable.

3. Geographic Boundaries & Search Area

• The Montgomery Mystery Hunt takes place exclusively within Montgomery County, Texas.
• The official treasure token may be hidden only in publicly accessible locations within Montgomery County, Texas.
• The token will never be hidden on private property.
• Participants must not trespass, cross fences, enter restricted areas, or access any location not open to the general public.

4. Assumption of Risk & Limitation of Liability

Participation in the Hunt involves real-world exploration and may include walking, travel, visiting public locations, and interacting with environments that carry inherent risks.

Participants acknowledge and voluntarily assume all risks, including but not limited to:

• Personal injury
• Property damage
• Accidents
• Environmental hazards
• Interactions with other participants or members of the public

Pencil and Stone Marketing is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, damage, or harm of any kind that may occur before, during, or after participation.

Participants are solely responsible for their own safety and preparation, including:

• Transportation
• Appropriate clothing, hydration, and awareness
• Compliance with all laws, posted rules, and location policies

6. Search Conduct & Environmental Responsibility

Participants must respect the environment and community spaces. Locations must be left as found (or better). Wildlife must not be disturbed. Littering or damage may result in disqualification.

7. Emergency Services and Costs

Participants are solely responsible for any costs related to:

• Emergency response
• Medical treatment
• Ambulance or rescue services
• Evacuation or recovery services

Pencil and Stone Marketing assumes no responsibility for emergency services required as a result of participation.

8. Multiple Participants & Prize Claims

The Hunt is won by the first eligible, registered participant to legally obtain the official Treasure Token in compliance with all rules and laws.

All Organizer decisions regarding eligibility, verification, and enforcement are final and binding.

9. Prize Claim, Token Exchange & Tax Responsibility

The prize is awarded only in exchange for the official treasure token designated for that specific Hunt.

To claim a prize, the finder must:

• Be registered on www.montgomerymysteryhunt.com prior to discovery
• Legally obtain physical possession of the official treasure token and take a photo for verification showing the finder and token at the final hiding spot
• Contact Pencil and Stone Marketing within a reasonable timeframe after discovery
• Provide reasonable verification upon request

Upon verification, Pencil and Stone Marketing will exchange the official treasure token for the prize money advertised for that Hunt. Prize amounts are limited to the value advertised and are not transferable, negotiable, or substitutable. Failure to present the official treasure token will result in forfeiture of the prize, regardless of discovery claims. The finder is solely responsible for any and all taxes, reporting requirements, or fees associated with receipt of the prize.

10. Sponsors, Offers & Side Quests

Sponsor participation may include discounts, offers, prizes, side quests, or optional challenges. Sponsor offers are optional and subject to availability.

Pencil and Stone Marketing does not guarantee and assumes no responsibility or liability for the fulfillment, availability, quality, timing, or redemption of any sponsor-provided offers, prizes, discounts, or rewards. Sponsors are solely responsible for their respective offers.

Any disputes related to sponsor fulfillment are strictly between the participant and the sponsor.

11. Privacy & Communications

• Participant information is used solely for Hunt communications, gameplay, and prize coordination.
• We do not sell participant information.
• Limited information may be shared with sponsors only if necessary to fulfill a prize or offer.
• Participants may opt out of communications at any time.

13. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

The Montgomery Mystery Hunt is governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Any legal action arising from participation must be brought exclusively in state or federal courts located in Montgomery County, Texas. The Hunt is void where prohibited by law.

14. Modification of Rules

Organizer reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Hunt or these rules at any time to ensure safety, fairness, or legal compliance.