B&C Position Statement - Genetic Manipulation of Game

Effective Date: June 6, 2012 - Revised: October 18, 2022

Situational Overview

Genetic manipulation (also known as genetic enhancement or genetic engineering) is being used to produce big game specimens, especially deer and elk, with unnatural and abnormally large antlers and other physical characteristics. Human-selected, genetically-manipulated, game animals comprise an industry in which breeders produce such animals and their semen for game farms and shooting operations that will buy so-called trophy animals regardless of the animal’s origin or circumstance.

Position

The Boone and Crockett Club supports the use of scientifically guided wildlife management techniques used to enhance or restore big game populations or at-risk species to their historical genetic and observable (phenotypic) characteristics as originally determined through their adaptive relationship with their ecosystem of origin. However, the Club condemns non-ecosystem derived selection or alteration of a big game species’ genetic characteristics for the sole purpose of enhancing the commercial value of the animal. Unacceptable practices for such genetic selection or alteration include, but are not limited to, artificial insemination, cloning, in vitro fertilization, genome editing technologies, selective breeding, and translocation of breeding stock. 

The Club is concerned that such rapid and extensive manipulation of the natural characteristics of an animal is a significant departure from the selection processes observed in ecosystem-driven adaptation, and therefore challenges the common understanding of the terms “wild” and “wildlife.” The Club is further concerned about how the artificial selection of commercially valuable traits, such as abnormally large antlers, may inadvertently introduce undesired genetic material that could be detrimental to the health of offspring and future generations by increasing the inclination for other abnormalities or enhancing susceptibility to infectious disease.

The Boone and Crockett Club does not accept or recognize scoring or placement in its big game records book of animals that are the product of highly artificial genetic manipulation.  The Club has not authorized anyone to use its scoring system, name, or logo in connection with these animals, and is strictly opposed to anyone who attempts to legitimize the shooting or hunting of such game by associating this practice with the Boone and Crockett Club.  

Read B&C's position on Deer and Elk Breeding.

Read B&C position on Canned Shoots 

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