Record Number of B&C Trophies on Display

The Boone and Crockett Club is projecting to see the most trophies in its history to be put on public exhibit during its 29th Big Game Awards this summer in Springfield, Missouri.

"In over 68 years of hosting these triennial Awards events this will be the most trophies we've ever had participate," said Justin Spring, the Club's Director of Big Game Records. 

One of North America's longest-running celebrations of big-game conservation and management, the Boone and Crockett Club 29th Big Game Awards events and banquets are scheduled for July 14-16, 2016, but a viewing of these exceptional animals will be on public display from May 2 to July 31.

Every three years, the Club invites the trophy owners of the top five trophies from 36 categories of native North American big game taken in fair chase to send their trophies to be honored at this event. It also invites all young sportsmen and sportswomen who were 16 years old and younger when they took a record book animal to send their trophies. The result will be the largest display of the best of the best. Over 150 mounts are expected.

"We're excited about the overall participation and number of trophies, but what is even more impressive is the historical significance of these trophies," Spring explained.

Expected to be on hand are three confirmed and one potential new World's Records. These top entries include two Alaska-Yukon moose, a bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. In the moose category, the World's Record was broken twice in the last three years, and the new #2 moose will be on display as well. This same three-year period also saw an astounding 17 new state records, four for black bear alone, including Wyoming, Nevada, New Jersey and Oklahoma. Most of these extraordinary specimens will be on display as well.

The trophy exhibit will be hosted at the new America's Wildlife Museum & Aquarium adjacent to the Bass Pro Shops flagship store in Springfield. 

"This is an opportunity for the public to appreciate big game trophies for what they really are, symbols of the success of America's conservation system," said Club President Morrie Stevens. "The trophies on display are a result of sustainable-use conservation and verification that science-informed programs are working to ensure wildlife for future generations. Trophies of this caliber being taken today simply would not exist otherwise."

In addition to the trophy exhibition, visitors will have a chance to enjoy a world-class museum and aquarium dedicated to the American sportsman; an auction featuring hunts in top trophy regions across the continent and evening awards banquets and presentations.

Boone and Crockett Club began a system of recording trophies in 1906 as a way of detailing species once headed for extinction. Today, trophy data reflect population health and habitat quality. Biologists compare and contrast records to improve local management strategies as well as state and federal wildlife polices.

More information on the Boone and Crockett Club 29th Big Game Awards is available at www.biggameawards.com.