Policies of the B&C Big Game Records Program

Altered Trophies

Trophies that have been tampered with to gain an advantage obviously are not eligible for entry into the record books. Examples of trophy tampering include the deliberate removal of abnormal points from typical racks or the addition of artificial or real antler or horn material to increase a trophy’s score.

Antler Buyers

The Records Committee has discussed the role played by Measurers in dealing with antler buying and selling. When performing the duties of an Official Measurer or an Associate Measurer, the individual is a representative of the Boone and Crockett Club/Pope and Young Club and not of local clubs or individuals. Increased activity in the buying and selling of antlers has led to the potential for problems to arise as a result of these transactions as it relates to the role of a Measurer. As a general guideline, Measurers score trophies for the hunter or the owner who intends to enter the trophy in B&C/P&Y records. Measuring trophies for purposes of establishing commercial value for dealers is to be avoided.

B&C/P&Y Gross, Net, Entry, Green, Final Scores

B&C/P&Y net score is referred to in publications as the final score. Trophies are listed and ranked in B&C/P&Y publications by the respective club’s final score. Prior to required verification by either B&C/P&Y staff or certified judge’s panels, scores completed by Official measurers within the specified official measurement criteria (60 day drying period complete, completed by an Official Measurer, etc.) are referred to as an entry score. B&C/P&Y do list gross scores for informational purposes. The gross score for antlered animals is the typical frame without deductions for lack of symmetry, plus the total of the lengths of all the abnormal points, plus the total inside spread. The gross score for horned and tusked animals is the total of the left and right sides without deductions for lack of symmetry.  A green score is a score completed prior to the required 60 day drying period. Green scores are not official scores and do not have any effect on future scores or rules preventing trophies from being scored numerous times.

Baiting

Trophies taken with the aid of bait are eligible for entry in both Clubs’ Awards programs and listing in the record books so long as the practice is legal in the state or province where the trophy was taken.

Broken Skull Plate Policy

Boone and Crockett Club may accept trophies with broken (not sawn) skull plates. Trophies with broken skulls are considered on a case-by-case basis if original spread measurements can be satisfactorily determined for all categories. Sawn skull plates are not eligible for entry in B&C/P&Y. Pope and Young Club will accept horned trophies with fractured skulls that fit together perfectly. Pope and Young will not accept broken skull trophies in antlered categories where the inside spread is factored into the score

Cable Usage

A flexible steel cable with alligator clip is approved for measuring lengths of antlers and points only. It is not approved for taking circumference measurements or for measuring horn lengths. The only exception is that a cable may be used to determine horn length on muskox.

Charging for Measuring

Measurers volunteer their time and talents to officially score trophies for either Club’s Awards program. This service is provided to the public free of charge, regardless of whether or not a trophy meets the minimum scores established by the respective Club. Measurers who reportedly charge are simply asked to refrain from such activity or to resign from their positions. There are many reasons why this policy was implemented. However, the most significant reason is the fact that the Club does not want Measurers put in a position that compromises their integrity in any way. Measurers could feel obligated to “find” an inch or so for trophies scoring near the minimums if paid by trophy owners for their services. Measurers can be reimbursed by trophy owners for incidental expenses such as photo reproduction, postage, mileage, meals, lodging, etc. when incurred in the performance of their official duties.

Clean Skulls – Bears, Cats, and Muskox

All bear, cat, and muskox skulls must be cleaned of all adherent flesh, fat and membrane before they can be officially measured. There is a popular misconception among trophy owners and even some Measurers that only the contact points of bear and cat skulls must be cleaned to perform an official measurement. This is incorrect, as all skulls must be completely cleaned of all non-osseous materials before they can be officially measured. A properly cleaned skull is ready for public display. Prior to measurement, muskox skulls must be cleaned, removing all flesh and cartilage. It is important that all soft connective tissue be removed between the horns at the top of the skull. This is required so the edge of horn can be identified on both inside edges of the boss.

Creation of New Categories

New categories are considered by B&C’s/P&Y’s Records committees only when the following conditions are met: There are extensive geographical areas where the proposed category occurs; the animals occur in good number; suitable boundaries can be drawn; the game department(s) managing the proposed category are in favor of setting up such a new category; and scientific evidence supports the new category.

Custer State Park Eligibility

Bison, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, and pronghorn trophies taken from within the boundaries of Custer State Park, South Dakota, are eligible for entry in Boone and Crockett Club. Pope and Young does not accept trophies from Custer State Park.  

Damaged and/or Repaired Trophies

Trophies that have been damaged may be brought to the attention of the Records Committee by Measurers for consideration for inclusion in the Club’s Awards Programs and record books. If the Committee, or its appointed representatives, such as the B&C/P&Y records department director or a Judges Panel, agrees that the broken parts belong to the trophy and can be repositioned in their original configuration to enable an accurate measurement, the damaged trophy material can be included in the measurements and subsequently repaired. Submission of trophies with verifiable and damaged parts for examination by the Records Committee or a Judges Panel shall be at the expense of the owner.

Entry materials for damaged trophies described above must include additional close-up photographs. One photo should be a close-up of the damaged portion of the horn, antler, or tusk with the broken trophy material held in place. The second close-up photograph should show the broken portion of the trophy separated from the main body of the trophy material by approximately an eighth of an inch. These photographs will be used by the records department staff to rule on whether the broken-off piece can be added into the score. Hunters or Measurers who have a question about damaged trophies should contact the records department at the respective Club’s headquarters for further instructions.

Trophies that have been repaired can be accepted by the Records Committee if the owner or the Measurer identifies the repair, and if the repair is made with original horn or antler material. The Records Committee reserves the right to reject any repaired trophy.

Entry materials for repaired trophies must include close-up photographs of the repair.

Cat and bear skulls are also prone to being damaged. Some damage occurs naturally when bears are sparring with each other. More frequently, however, skulls are damaged when trophies are shot in the head or when someone inadvertently saws off a portion of the posterior end of a bear skull, including the sagittal crest. If the removed portion of the skull is available, and it has not been reattached, its length can possibly be included in the skull length measurement if it can be positively proven that the removed portion belongs to the skull being scored. For this to be determined, the skull and any detached pieces must be shipped to B&C/P&Y headquarters after giving advance notice. The trophy owner will be responsible for shipping and insurance costs both ways. The Records Committee reserves the right to disallow any of the damaged and removed portions of the skull from the final score.

Older deer racks often have a varnish coating. Such antlers can be scored, as long as there are no pockets or spots of thick varnish that affect measurements. Excess varnish that may affect measurements must be removed by the trophy owner before the trophy can be officially measured.

Depredation Permits

Trophies taken with depredation permits under Fair-Chase hunting conditions may be eligible for entry as determined by the Records Committee on a case-by-case basis. A trophy taken with a depredation permit must include a brief narrative that includes the details of the hunt with the other entry materials.

DNA Classification of Trophy Deer

Trophy owners can now challenge a trophy deer’s classification for entry in Boone and Crockett or Pope and Young’s Records programs. For example, a trophy owner who has taken a deer east of the mule deer/Columbia blacktail deer boundary that they believes is a pure Columbia blacktail deer can submit DNA material collected by a B&C approved representative for analysis. If the test proves that the trophy is a Columbia blacktail, both organizations will accept it in the Columbia blacktail deer category if all other entry requirements are met, even though it was taken within the mule deer boundary. Trophy owners with deer of unknown origin or incomplete verifiable harvest information may also submit a DNA sample collected by a B&C approved representative for DNA analysis. Such DNA analyses are done at the expense of the trophy owner. B&C may also challenge the classification of entries to see if they are properly classified or if they are hybrids. Such DNA analyses are done at the expense of B&C. 

Drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

Trophies taken with the use of drones/UAVs, including using them for scouting, are not eligible for entry in Boone and Crockett/Pope and Young Club’s Awards programs.

Drying Period

Official measurements cannot be taken until the antlers, horns, skulls, or tusks have air-dried at habitable room temperature for at least 60 days after the animal was killed. If the trophy has been frozen prior to cleaning, the 60-day drying period begins once the trophy is thawed and any boiling or submerging of the trophy in degreasing liquid is complete. The drying process for trophies that have been boiled or freeze-dried starts the day they are removed from the boiling pot and cleaned or freeze-dried, respectively.

Anything done to alter the normal drying process, such as placing a board or “Rack Jack” between the antlers to inhibit or affect shrinkage, is reason for automatic disqualification of a trophy from entry in B&C/P&Y.

In the case of picked-up trophies, the 60-day drying period also applies. Once the trophy is found, it must be kept at a habitable room temperature for the required 60 days. Trophy owners must submit a narrative for picked-up trophies or trophies of unknown origin to substantiate the date of find/pickup ensuring the 60-day drying period has been met prior to measurement. The narrative should include all the details the owner knows about that trophy.

Entry Disqualification

As keeper of the Records of North American Big Game and Archery Records of North American Big Game, both clubs have the inherent responsibility to maintain the integrity of their records. On occasion, the validity of some entries is questioned. The Records Committee treats such questions as serious matters. If, upon completion of the Club’s investigation, it is found that the trophy was fraudulently entered, the matter is taken to the Records Committee. The Records Committee reviews each case individually and depending on the circumstances of the infraction may reject the current entry, all previous entries taken or owned by the person who attempted to fraudulently enter, and/or banning any future submission from the hunter/owner.

Fake Antlers and Horns

Effective January 1, 1990, the Boone and Crockett/Pope and Young Club’s Records of North American Big Game Committee established specific guidelines to aid in detecting the attempt of an unscrupulous individual to enter a fake set of antlers or horns in the Clubs’ Awards Programs. Should there be any doubt in a Measurer’s mind about the authenticity of a set of antlers or horns, they should first contact the appropriate Club’s records office and be prepared to implement the following verification process.

After obtaining the trophy owner’s permission, obtain a material sample by means of drilling a 1/16-inch diameter hole on the backside of the right antler or horn, near the base. The hole should be drilled just deep enough to go through the outer surface and into the under-surface, providing a sample to be examined for proof of natural material. The sample is placed in a plastic bag and submitted along with the completed and signed score chart directly to the records office.

If the records office determines that the material removed from the antler or horn is artificial, or if the trophy owner denies the Measurer permission to drill the antler or horn, the trophy in question will be disqualified from entry into the Awards Programs. Final acceptability in such a case will be made by the records office and will document the existence of the fake set and the individual(s) attempting such deception.

If there should be any doubt about previously measured and/or accepted trophies in this matter, or questions on the part of Measurers regarding procedures and intent, please contact the records office at once and before implementing this procedure.

First Nation and Métis Peoples

Trophies taken in Canada by First Nation and Métis peoples must be taken in accordance with all provincial/territorial hunting regulations and in compliance with B&C’s/P&Y’s rules of Fair Chase to be eligible for entry in B&C/P&Y.

Freak Trophies

Every once in a while, a hunter takes a trophy that can only be identified as a freak. That is, one or both antlers may not have a discernible main beam or any normal points on one or both antlers, and cannot be scored using B&C’s scoring system. Such trophies are not eligible for entry in B&C’s/P&Y’s Records program, but will be reviewed by the Records Committee on a case by case basis.

Handicapped Hunter Trophy Eligibility

Trophies taken by qualified handicapped hunters under circumstances that would otherwise be deemed unfair chase by Boone and Crockett’s Entry Affidavit may be eligible for entry in B&C’s Records Program so long as the trophy was taken in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of the country, state/province or tribal area.

Horn Preparation

Subsequent to kill of animal and prior to the official measurement of the animal, no external or internal application of oil, waxes, varnishes or any other compound will be permitted. This does not prevent the usage of minimal bonding material to attach clean horn sheaths of pronghorn, sheep, goat, bison, and muskox to the horn cores, or the use of a light cleaning product (e.g., Pledge) to clean the trophy.

Hybrids/Intergrades

While category crosses are rare, their skull or antlers must be measured for the category with the higher minimum score. If such a cross is suspected, contact the records office for instruction as how to obtain additional information for positive identification.

Internet Trophy Sales

The information used to advertise big game trophies for sale on internet sites is frequently misleading and fraudulent. Unofficial B&C/P&Y scores, claims of “new B&C/P&Y World’s Records,” and unauthorized reproductions of the Club’s copyrighted score charts are commonly used. Such blatant statements as, “You can have your own B&C/P&Y trophy in the record book if you buy this one because it hasn’t been accepted by B&C/P&Y” have been seen. As the Clubs are concerned with protecting their names and copyright, as well as innocent buyers from unscrupulous sellers, Measurers are asked to forward such information to B&C/P&Y headquarters at:

Boone and Crockett Club
250 Station Dr.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-1888
[email protected]

Pope and Yong Club
PO Box 548
Chatfield, MN 55923
(507) 867-4144
[email protected]

Location of Kill

Every effort is made by the Clubs to ensure that the location of kill data for trophies listed in the record books and Fair Chase magazine are accurate and correct. Space is provided on both the score chart and the Hunter, Guide and Hunt Information form (Fair Chase Affidavit for P&Y) to include this data for each entry.

Please keep in mind that we are looking for the following information when completing the blanks provided for the location of kill information. For trophies taken in the Lower 48 states, we need the county and state (e.g., Lawrence Co., PA) where the trophy was taken (or found). If the county is unknown, we need to know the state where it was taken.

For trophies taken in Canada and Alaska, we need the name of the nearest geographic feature (e.g., Post River, Alaska; Glacier Lake, British Columbia; Cataract Creek, Alberta) that can be found on a map or in a geographic atlas of place names for that state or province. The Club has a small library of geographic atlases and topographic maps used to ensure that the name of a geographic location is a nationally accepted name (not simply a local name) and that it is properly spelled.

At times we have problems collecting geographic information from hunters in Canada and Alaska. For example, a whitetail buck taken in an agricultural area in the prairie provinces may be a hundred miles from the nearest geographic feature. However, while we shy away from using the names of towns (since most animals are not actually killed in a town—only near it), we will use a town name if no other location of kill information is available.

If there is more than one geographic feature that could be listed for a trophy, use the feature closest to the kill site. For example, Divide Lake is a better location of kill for a mountain caribou than the Mackenzie Mountains that cover thousands of square miles. Similarly, it is not very useful to list a location of kill for a whitetail deer as Lake Winnipeg since it stretches for hundreds of miles through the heart of Manitoba. For trophies taken in Mexico, list the state it was taken in.

If the location of kill or find is not known, the location should be listed as unknown. As an unknown location of kill is unacceptable for trophies separated from subspecies by boundaries, such trophies are not eligible for entry in B&C/P&Y. For example, an elk trophy from Washington state cannot be accepted in the Roosevelt’s elk category with an unknown location of kill since we must be able to verify that it came from an area where Roosevelt’s elk are located.

Although it is rare that we ask an individual to pinpoint the exact location of kill on a map, we may need this information for categories of big game separated by boundaries, especially if the trophy was taken near the boundary. Such information from a trophy owner remains confidential.

Method of Harvest

Boone and Crockett Club emphasizes the trophy instead of the hunter or owner and accepts trophies harvested with any equipment legal in the state or province where the hunt has taken place. Pope and Young Club only accepts trophies taken with a bow meeting their entry requirements.

The Club also accepts trophies that are picked up (e.g., winter kills, road kills, etc.) and trophies of unknown origin (e.g., garage sales, taxidermists, attics, etc.). Trophies accepted with unknown locations of harvest are eligible only if they are for a category without a boundary.

Multi-Antlered Cervids

Deer, elk, caribou, and moose with three or more antlers arising from separate pedicles are now eligible for entry in B&C’s/P&Y’s Records program. The lengths of the additional antlers, as well as any points on those antlers, are to be recorded in either the right or left antler abnormal point boxes, whichever is closest to the extra antler(s). If an extra antler is dead center between the two normal antlers, its length can be recorded in the abnormal point boxes for either antler. This policy is retroactive.

Painted Bear and Cat Skulls

All bear and cat skulls entered in either records programs must be completely free of paint at the time of measuring. This ensures that precise and correct length and width measurements can be taken and that the skull being measured is real bone. It should be noted that scraping the paint from the points of contact for measuring is an ineligible practice. This policy is not intended to prevent skulls with minor artwork or distinguishing taxidermy marks from being entered.

Party Hunting

Party hunting is a practice whereby one hunter tags an animal they killed with the tag of another person in their hunting party. Although this practice is illegal in most states and provinces, it is allowed in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, and two Canadian provinces, Manitoba, and Ontario.

The Club accepts all hunter-taken trophies where party hunting is legal, so long as the animal is taken in Fair Chase. However, the hunter’s name will only be listed in B&C publications for trophies killed by the hunter and tagged with the hunter’s own tag(s). The hunter’s name will be recorded as PARTY TAKEN for trophies tagged with the tag of another person. A copy of the license/tag for each hunter must be included with the entry materials, regardless of whose tag was used to tag the animal. These changes are retroactive.

Some states/provinces issue a single license to multiple hunters. For example, Maine moose licenses are issued to a hunter and sub-permitee. The license is filled when either of the hunters gets a moose. In such cases, all hunters can be listed in the book as hunters and/or owners.

Picked-Up Trophies (Boone and Crockett Only)

Trophies in the record book with hunter listed as picked up, include specimens that were found dead by hunters or hikers, and animals that have died from natural or unnatural causes, such as old age, severe winters, falls, car accidents, lightning, fence entanglements, drowning accidents, etc. Picked-up trophies also include animals that were illegally taken but are now held in trust for the public by game and fish departments. In the latter case, the poacher’s name will not be listed in the book to avoid giving them credit for the kill. Picked-up trophies are an integral part of the Club’s records-keeping activities. The fact that they were not taken by a hunter is irrelevant because the Club recognizes the trophy, and because they give a more complete picture of the successes of conservation efforts.

Proxy Hunting

Trophies taken with a proxy hunting license issued by a state, province, territory, or tribal council that permits an individual to take an animal for another person are not eligible for entry in either Club’s Awards Programs and/or listing in the record books. This rule does not apply to youth hunters (under 18) where states allow the transfer or use of an adult’s tag to introduce the youths to hunting.

Rackulator®

The Rackulator is a commercial, electronic scoring device that is not an approved tool for scoring B&C trophies. Measurers are prohibited from using the Rackulator to score trophies submitted for entry in B&C’s/P&Y’s Awards program. The primary scoring tools are still the traditional quarter-inch-wide flexible steel tape, the steel cable with alligator clip, and the folding carpenter’s ruler.

Remove Trophy from Records Program

Trophy owners who wish to remove their trophy from B&C’s/P&Y’s Records program and record books for any reason can only do so in writing. A telephone call is not acceptable. Trophy owners must submit either a letter or email to the records office expressing their wishes. The entry fee in such cases will be forfeited.

Score Shopping

The Records Committee clearly does not condone “shopping for higher scores.” To prevent this, every Measurer should ask each trophy owner requesting their services if the trophy was previously officially measured. If it has been officially measured, the Measurer must refuse to repeat the process.

We’re all human, and mistakes can occur. However, when a trophy owner suspects a mistake has been made, he should first talk it over with the Measurer.

If, after the trophy owner discusses their concerns with the Measurer, they still have questions about the scoring, the owner should contact B&C’s/P&Y’s records office. The Club will then review the score chart and entry materials to see if there is a reason to have the trophy rechecked or rescored. If the concerns cannot be resolved in the records office, they will be forwarded to the Records Committee for review and a final interpretation.

If necessary, the trophy owner has the final option to ship their trophy to B&C’s/P&Y’s headquarters for verification of its measurement and final score. The trophy owner is responsible for all expenses incurred for shipping the trophy to and from B&C’s/P&Y’s headquarters, including insurance. The Club’s staff will take excellent care of the trophy while it is in their possession and will repack it for the return shipment as carefully as it was packed when shipped to B&C/P&Y. Trophy owners exercising this option should contact the records office before they ship their trophy and should understand that the score arrived at by the records office is final.

Under no circumstances should the trophy owner ever ask a different Measurer to rescore their trophy without prior approval from the records office as only the records office can approve a remeasurement.

Scoring Live Animals

Measurers should never score the antlers or horns of live animals restrained by any method, including, but not limited to, squeeze chutes or drugs. The only exceptions to this policy are those animals in legitimate research projects at institutions of higher learning such as universities and colleges.

Shed Antlers/Split Skulls

Shed antlers and trophies whose skull plates have been sawn in half are not eligible for entry in the Club’s Awards Programs and/or record books, regardless of how well they have been restored. Similarly, trophies with antlers that have been pegged for removal and easy transportation cannot be scored for entry in B&C/P&Y. This is because the inside spread (greatest spread on moose), which is an integral part of the final score of antlered trophies, cannot be accurately determined in either case. If a Measurer suspects that a set of antlers they are measuring is comprised of a set of shed antlers or split within the mount, they should contact the respective Club’s headquarters for instructions on x-raying that trophy. A Measurer must be present at the time x-rays are taken to take immediate possession of them and forward them to B&C/P&Y headquarters. All x-rays are taken and mailed to B&C or P&Y headquarters at the expense of the trophy owner. This policy applies to trophy specimens of all deer, caribou, moose, and elk, as well as pronghorn.

Trophies with skull plates that have been shattered or split by shooting, dropping, etc., are eligible for entry so long as the pieces fit perfectly back together. Pope and Young does not accept broken or split skull on antlered species. Such trophies can only be scored by members of the Club’s Records Committee or its designated representatives.

Silencers/Sound Suppressors

Trophies taken with the use of sound suppressors in states and provinces where they are legal are eligible for entry in B&C.

Stags or "Cactus Bucks"

Antler development is both triggered and stopped by testosterone increases. Injuries, disease, or genetic conditions can cause antler development issues in mature males. This can vary from full castration to underdevelopment of testicles as is commonly seen on Alaska’s Kodiak Island Sitka blacktail deer showing bilateral cryptorchidism. Each situation has varying effects, but for the purpose of Boone and Crockett Records Program eligibility, antlered specimens that exhibit traits that suggest antler development variation cannot be compared to those antlers developed under typical conditions; therefore, they are not eligible for entry. Traits that the committee will consider outside normal conditions when analyzing eligibility include: a rack exhibiting full or nearly full velvet long after the herd in the area commonly sheds, noticeable underdeveloped testicles, evidence that the deer has not shed antlers each year, and/or extreme abnormal antler development. In some cases, extreme abnormal development may trigger the freak trophy policy if the animal lacks easily identifiable beams and typical points. The final determination of stag status will be left to the committee and the results of its research if the specimen’s status is called into question. Pope and Young Club accepts stags in their velvet category (See Velvet Policy).

Subsistence Licenses

In general, trophies taken with a subsistence license/permit are acceptable for entry in the Club’s Awards Programs and listing in the record books so long as they meet all the Club’s entry requirements, including all aspects of Fair Chase.

Tracking Dogs to Recover Wounded Game

Wounded trophies recovered with trained tracking dogs in states and provinces where the use of tracking dogs is legal for recovering wounded game are eligible for listing in B&C. Pope and Young allows the use of one leashed tracking dog under control of the handler for recovering wounded game within 48 hours of the animal being wounded in states and provinces where legal.

Trail Cameras Usage

The use of any technology that delivers real-time location data (including photos) to target or guide a hunter to any species or animal in a manner that elicits an immediate (real-time) response by the hunter is not permitted.

Transfer of Trophy Ownership

Trophies listed in Boone and Crockett Club’s record books are frequently gifted, bought, and sold. When this happens, B&C wants to keep track of the new owner and list them in all future record books. In order to transfer ownership of a trophy listed in B&C’s record books, the previous or new owner needs to provide B&C in writing with the name and contact information of the new owner, as well as a copy of the bill of sale, letter of sale, auction receipt, etc., before the new owner can be listed in future record books. The transfer of ownership cannot be done with just a phone call.

Trophies Official Measurers Cannot Score

Official Measurers cannot score their own trophies or trophies where they may have a perceived or real conflict of interest.

Trophies Taken on Reservations

Trophies taken on tribal/communal lands in line with an established game management plan, taken in full compliance with tribal/communal laws or regulations regarding such hunting, and with possession of the required hunting license where applicable, and taken in full compliance with the Boone and Crockett Club’s/Pope and Young Club’s rules of Fair Chase, will be fully accepted as entries for both awards and publication in the record books.

Trophies Taken Prior to 1887

Many trophies are not officially measured until several years after they were taken. Essentially, there is no time limit for submitting trophies that exceed the All-time minimum scores for entry in the record books. Trophies taken prior to 1887, the year the B&C Club was founded, are considered on a case-by-case basis. The date a trophy is received, however, determines which Awards Program it is entered in and the minimum scores for entry.

Trophies Taken with Air Guns

Trophies taken with the use of air guns in states and provinces where they are legal are eligible for entry in B&C.

Trophy Rank During an Awards Program

Trophy rankings are included in every B&C/P&Y record book. However, many trophy owners wish to know how well their trophy ranks as soon as it is accepted and before it is listed in a B&C/P&Y record book. The only way to determine this is to purchase access to Trophy Search on the Club’s website where state and world rankings are updated daily as new trophies are accepted. For more information on Big Game Records LIVE and to purchase access to it, call 1-888-840-4868.

Unknown Hunter-Taken Trophies

Trophies listed with hunter “unknown” in Boone and Crockett’s record books are those animals about which little to nothing at all is known. Frequently they are specimens that were purchased at auctions or from taxidermists, found in garbage cans and landfills and a variety of other sources including yard or estate sales. It should be noted that trophies of unknown origin are excluded from entry in the record book if they come from an area delineated by a boundary. For example, a Columbia blacktail deer of unknown origin is not acceptable because specimens must come from a certain geographic area defined by a boundary to be included in the record book. Mule deer of unknown origin are eligible for entry in B&C.

Unknown hunter-taken trophies are an integral part of the Club’s records-keeping activities. Even though we don’t know who took these trophies, or where and when they were taken, they do give us a more complete picture of the category in which they appear.

Velvet Antlers (Boone and Crockett Club)

The Boone and Crockett Club does not accept antlers in velvet for entry into the Awards Programs and/or record books unless the velvet is removed before official measurements are made. Remnants of velvet are permissible as long as they do not affect any measurements.

Velvet Antlers (Pope and Young Club)

The Pope and Young Club will accept antlers in velvet for entry and are ranked in their own velvet trophy category for each category of antlered game. To be eligible for acceptance in the P&Y Records Program in the velvet category, the specimen’s antlers must be covered in velvet.  The Club realizes that minimal rub spots and antler tips may have minor portions of naturally missing velvet, which will be permissible providing the antlers are predominantly still covered in velvet.  Any antlered species that is questionable as to whether or not it qualifies for the velvet category will be reviewed by the P&Y Records Committee, the Director of Records, and ultimately decided by the Records Chairman.   If a trophy has ANY measurement that is affected by velvet, and does not qualify for the velvet category, the trophy owner must remove the velvet from the affected area of measurement in order for it to be accepted into the records program under the hard antlered category.

Zoo/Captive Animals

Antlers, horns, skulls, and tusks of zoo-raised and/or captive animals are not eligible for entry into the Awards Programs and/or listing in Boone and Crockett Club’s record books.

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