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Think you've got a big-game trophy animal?
Here's how to get it scored and entered into the
record books |
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January 6, 2016 |
by Phil Cooper and Roger Phillips
Idaho Fish and Game
Most big-game hunts are over and stories are
circulating about some big trophies that were
taken during the fall hunting seasons, including
a possible state-record moose.
Many hunters are excited to have their trophies
officially measured, but others are unaware of
the scoring system for antlers, horns, and
skulls of big game animals, unsure how to get
them measured, and what to do with the scores.
To be officially measured under rules of the
Boone and Crockett Club (animals taken with
modern firearms), Pope and Young (archery), or
Longhunter Society (muzzleloader), all antlers,
horns and skulls must dry at room temperature
for a minimum of 60 days. They can be stored in
a freezer short term, but must also air dry for
at least 60 days. All antlers, horns and skulls
should also be cleaned and odorless if they are
to be scored.
Boone and Crockett Club has a list of measurers
in Idaho on its website at
http://www.boone-crockett.org/. Look for "Find
an Official Measurer" under the "Big Game
Records" tab. (Direct link:
http://www.boone-crockett.org/bgRecords/records_omlist.asp?area=bgRecords).
You can find more measurers at
http://pope-young.org/. Some Fish and Game
employees are official measurers, so you can
also call your regional Fish and Game office to
see if any are available.
Certified measurers will use the scoring system
appropriate for the animal. Those that meet the
minimums for the method of take are eligible for
entry into the respective record books. Record
books include all-time, and largest animals from
recent years.
Boone and Crockett Club, Pope and Young, and
Longhorn Society will not enter into their
records any animals taken from game farms or
high-fenced enclosures. All animals entered also
must be taken lawfully under fair-chase
conditions to be considered for the record
books.
Questions and answers about measuring
animals:
Q: Does Idaho also compile
big-game records?
A: Yes. Fish and Game
recognizes wild, big-game animals taken in
Idaho. The records are updated annually in May,
and are listed on Fish and Game's website. The
minimum scores for entry are the same for
archery, rifle, muzzleloader and "pick-up"
entries. To enter a trophy into the Idaho
records you must submit an application by April
1, along with a copy of the complete, official
score sheet signed by the measurer. To get a
form, go to
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ and
look for "Big Game" and "Records" under the
Hunting tab. (Direct link:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/lookupBgRecords.cfm).
There is no fee to enter an animal into the
Idaho record books.
Q: Is scoring based solely on
size?
A: In terms of skulls, yes. But
with antlers, size and symmetry are combined to
derive a score. Deer and elk are ranked under
two categories: typical and non-typical, so
antlers with excessive points are ranked
separately from typical ones.
Q: Does it cost to have
antlers, horns, etc. measured?
A: No, not to be measured, but
there is a fee if you want to enter them for
consideration into Boone and Crocket, Pope and
Young, or Longhorn Society record books.
Q: Is measuring and scoring
animals just an ego thing?
A: No. Hunters take obvious
pride in collecting trophy-sized animals, but
having them measured and recorded also provides
a yardstick for the health of big game herds in
Idaho and nationally and a long-term database
that shows where trophy-sized animals originate. |
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