YOURS MAY BE BIG ENOUGH

You shot that big monster that has managed to avoid all the hunters for so many years in your favorite woods or grain field. He may be record book material. But, for most record books there is a 90 day waiting period before it can be scored. The time has come to score it.

Among some hunters the hunting for a trophy rack is offensive. To each his own. In defense of record keeping, it does provide a data base for hunters to judge what a mature animal is and what is too young to take.

Specialty record books are becoming a part of the hunting scene.

You scouted the patterns of that big buck throughout the summer, and spend endless hours finding the perfect location of a stand. Many hours were spent in practice with your weapon of choice and the related equipment necessary to take him. Not to mention the hours spent in the rain or cold waiting for a chance to get a shot. Finally, you were successful and you now have a freezer full of tasty venison and a big rack.

It is the big rack that has the attention of many hunters this time of year. The compulsory drying time has usually passed and it is time for the official scoring to take place.

Regardless of whether the scoring is for the archery, firearm or blackpowder record book, it is essentially done in the same manner. Each organization keeping records maintains a list of certified official measurers. These are trained volunteers. Official measurers from the Boone and Crockett Club are allowed to score for the other two books. Those books are the Pope and Young Club for archery and the Longhunter Muzzleloading Big Game Record Book for blackpowder hunters.

Minimum scores for inclusion in the record books vary from one organization to another.

A scoring from is completed by the official measurer; the appropriate forms should be completed and forwarded to the organization that maintains the records.

Scorers can be located by contacting the organization that maintains the records. These can be The Boone & Crockett Club (firearms), Pope & Young Club (archery), The Longhunter Society (muzzleloaders) and Safari Club International (all weapons). Except for Safari Club International one does not have to be a member for a trophy to be entered in the records.

Each of these organizations has a web presence and lists of scorers. Most wildlife agencies also have a list of scorers in their areas.

                                                       Don Gasaway - The Upland Hunter
                                                       http://www.dongasaway.wordpress.com/