A non-lethal method of cock fighting includes providing each gamecock (12a, 12b) with a garment such as a vest (16a, 16b) or collar (100a, 100b) that at least partially covers the body of the gamecock and carries a sensor (19a-19e, 103-107) at a predetermined location on the garment and a signal transmission device (20). The signal transmission device generates a signal when the sensor is struck by a gamecock. The spurs (12c) of each gamecock are covered with a protective device (60) to prevent the spurs from causing injury during the cock fight and their beaks (12d) are taped shut. A scoring apparatus (26) is provided that is responsive to the signal and includes a visual display that displays a numerical score for each gamecock. The numerical score is based, at least in part, on the number strikes detected by the sensor being struck over a predetermined time period during the cock fight.