Changes in Record Books Announced

Boone and Crockett

The Boone and Crockett Club recently voted unanimously to expand the boundary for Shiras’ moose to include the state of Nevada. The distribution of moose in the western United States was updated in 2015 to include northeast Nevada and management through the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has allowed the state’s moose population to continue to expand and grow. The agency has determined that hunter harvest is sustainable and could also provide critical biological information. As a result, NDOW approached the Club about adding moose hunted in Nevada to the organization’s big game records-keeping program.

“We are happy to promote a conservation success story where an iconic western big game species like Shiras’ moose have grown enough in population to support a regulated hunting program,” commented Kyle Lehr, Boone and Crockett Club director of big game records. “Adding Nevada to the boundary for Shiras’ moose celebrates this accomplishment and allows the agency and B&C to gather critical data about the species. Measuring both hunter-harvested or found bull moose antlers creates a data set that shows how management of habitat can support a thriving moose population that can produce mature males.”

Pope and Young

The Pope and Young Club, America’s leading bowhunting organization, has changed the minimum score required for non-typical whitetail deer. In December of 2024 the Board of Directors, at the recommendation of the records committee, agreed to lower the required number of abnormal points (in inches) for non-typical whitetail deer from fifteen inches to ten inches, respectively. Additionally, the Board also agreed to lower the minimum entry score for non-typical whitetail deer from 155 inches to 145.

“When we implemented the fifteen [inches] of abnormal points required twenty-four years ago, many of our members and measurers felt that number may have been too high, especially when compared to our other deer species,” explained Pope and Young Club records chairman Roy Grace. “So, with twenty-four years of additional data to review and analyze, the committee concluded that it was, in fact, too high. The data suggested that ten inches of abnormal points was a more appropriate number, with the minimum score of 145.”

This change took effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and is retroactive. Those trophies already in the records system that meet this criterion will be moved to the appropriate category and the trophy owner(s) notified. New certificates will be available for trophy owners affected by this change via e-mail at no charge. Hunters who would like the office to print and mail a new certificate, can receive one for a minimal cost. This process will take a little time for staff to complete, so please be patient while they complete the request.