New Book Traces, Celebrates History of Elk Hunting

America's premiere big-game hunting historian, Boone and Crockett Club, has announced a new book that traces the evolution of elk hunting and records keeping from the late 1880s through the 1970s. An American Elk Retrospective features hundreds of vintage photos, historic score charts, records correspondence and portraits of some of the most significant elk ever taken.

Readers can revisit legendary elk hunts and trophies such as:

• The famous Dark Canyon bull taken in 1899 by John Plute, which stood for decades as the World’s Record
• Fred Mercer’s typical American elk harvested in Montana during the 1950s that resulted in a Sagamore Hill Award from Boone and Crockett Club
• William D. DeWeese’s non-typical giant taken over 120 years ago in Colorado
• Many other truly outstanding but lesser-known trophies

"An American Elk Retrospective is the result of hunters’ legendary storytelling colliding with over 100 years of records keeping and memorabilia from Boone and Crockett Club,” said Julie Houk, director of publications for the Club. “This is the ultimate history book for elk hunters, conservationists and other enthusiasts with deep fascination for one of the most widely respected and prized big-game animals in North America.”

The book is hardcover with dust jacket, 8 x 10 inches, with 272 pages and over 250 B&W photographs.

Chapters cover the history of elk records keeping, the hunter-led restoration of elk from near extirpation across most of their native range, award-winning elk and other special trophies, and historic figures in elk hunting, conservation and records keeping.

An American Elk Retrospective retails for $34.95 (Boone and Crockett members receive a discount) and is available in stores or directly from the Club. Order at www.boone-crockett.org or by calling 888-840-4868.