With the end of most big game seasons upon us, I wanted to share a little perspective on Record Books.
The purpose, in part, of keeping big game records (SCI, B&C, P&Y, NMLRA, etc.) is to keep track of historical record and honor mature animals of various species. The intent is to honor the animal; not so much the hunter. Sure, we'd all like to display the official record book entry certificate and own the bragging rights to such animals. Nothing wrong with that unless the means to that end involves illegal or unethical behavior. We've all seen the fallout of such morons who, driven by greed and fame, fell from grace within the hunting industry. And they fell hard, as they should.
There are a ton of hunters out there who are masters at their game, yet they and their animals hide from public view like a rooster pheasant holding tight in a fence row. Then, every year or so, a rack of giant proportions surfaces somewhere and in some cases has literally rewritten the top spot in the books. Many times the hunter has passed but the rack lives on to tell a story of notable importance. This is good and can help keep memories alive for generations.
One situation that occurs quite often is a hunter shoots a "big" animal, then quickly finds somebody - anybody who knows more than they do - to measure it. Then the hunter tracks down an official measurer to get it officially measured. They go into the whole deal thinking they have a 170" blacktail, a 400" bull, a 200" muley...or whatever, only to find out that their buddy was way off. Call it ground shrink or what you will but the hunter is upset that his buck or bull of a lifetime isn't as "big" as everyone thought. Interestingly enough, they tend to not believe the measurer's scoring over that of someone who has not been formally trained. Granted, it's not rocket science, but there are specific methods to measure skulls, horns, and antlers correctly. I know of a few huge animals that likely won't get recognized in the Records Program out of spite, which I find sad. Not that everyone should enter qualifying animals - that is simply a personal choice. But when someone who intended to, then opts out because they don't agree with the final score, it sours the whole significance and intent. They feel jipped and the animal gets no place in history - a lose-lose situation, in my opinion.
Something to think about, I suppose. Record Books can be good and bad in many ways. They have served as a historical testament to modern hunting and conservation benefits to America's wildlife. And they have promoted a dark side of people in the form of greed. I hope everyone who hunts ethically is presented with the opportunity to enter an animal in the books. At the very least, you've had a great day in the woods and secured memories to last a lifetime.
