I`m trying to get information on trophy animals around the world, but especially Africa.
Different species, subspecies, measuring methods, medal categories and records.
I know there are SCI and Rowland Ward Record Books. But then you have CIC. I made a print-out of medal categories and the measuring system. How does this relate to SCI?
I know Rowland Ward is only for Africa and measure the lenght of the longest horn only.
I tried to get the SCI record book, but it was sold out. How often are theese books updated?

What book do you trust regarding different species and subspecies?
Is for example Rowland Ward right when it combines Limpopo and Cape Bushbuck into South African Bushbuck? Or is there really an Eastern Cape Kudu, or are they all just Southern Greater like Rowland Ward states..?

I mean, number of huntable species and subspecies across Africa, vary a lot if you look at either RW or SCI.

I would just like to know what subspecies I hunt, their distribution and what a trophy should measure to be a representative head.

Thanks for a new great forum, BTW! Beautiful work gentlemen!

Anders,

being a offical measurer for both record books I find the one question you asked, "trust" which book do I trust? Tuff one! really what it boils down to is each species or sub species, you have to take each one, one at a time. EX: I took a Civet a few years ago, SCI has a section, R/W does not. Same goes for Hyena. Talking about the Bushbuck, (SCI) mine is a Limpopo, (RW) it is a Southern African. Each book has it's good points, I don't think it's a matter of trust, they are both excellent books. When I score for clients I do each book, RW has been around for a long time, there scoring system is way different then SCI, which is a good thing, and much harder to make the min. then SCI, by the way they have listings for animals all over the world, not just Africa. I have a caribou, pronghorns, and Whitetail that make R/W. Last issue they had a 2 volume set. (Vol 1- AFRICA Vol 2- Rest of the World) I think they have a new one coming out next year(Every 5 years). SCI has a new one do out at the convention. I just got off the phone with Shawn, at SCI headquarters, the new Africa book will be available there. The 2 other issues will be out next year.
So as for the book who to use or trust, I think both have there places..........................

As for what is a good trophy, well I think that is in the eyes of the hunter, When I went to Africa the first time, my PH asked me what I wanted to shoot, I told him, "Nice looking animals, didn't care if they were record book." But if your looking for "Big", I would use the SCI mins.

Anders,
The SCI Record Book is designed to grant maximum scoring points to the trophy, AND maximize the number of animals that make the book.

RW only counts the longest of the horns; the other might just as well be broken off at the base.

CIC (if I remember correctly) is for European game only, and adds points for subjective factors, such as 'pearling'. CIC is the most difficult IMO to field-judge for.

SCI usually releases their Record Books around the time of the Convention, which is at the end of this month.

George

hey George!

just to let you know, I talked with Shawn at the SCI headquarters in Tucson this am, he said that the Africa Volume will be shipped right to the convention center in Reno, the other two books will be done next year (2006).

I'm not to much up on the CIC scoring system, doesn't it go by weight of antlers not size?

By the way, it's looking real good for our yanks this coming season!

I am curious, after the articles I have read I decided that if I ever get to hunt Buffalo on the Dark Continent I want a hoary old warrior that looks the part of a cunning and worthy adversary. Is it unusual, and frowned up on by the PH, for a client to ask for this rather than a "trophy" animal? Thick, well worn bosses and horns more important than spread/length for example. I read on here or maybe in a magazine about one that had been tracked for a couple of days, was scarred and had a ragged ear etc. and horns well worn. that seemed like what I would prefer personally.

Then again, dreams are just dreams........gotta win that lotto.

Red

Dago Red,

I agree whole heartedly with you! It's what about that species that sets you off!

That's what makes a trophy!

I also agree.. Character is very important. In Namibia this July I shot a pretty old kudu bull. His horns were full of scars and I loved him, even if he measured under 50". My friend, on the other hand, wanted no scars, and was a bit sad when he found some.
I said, it`s not like a zoo.. They live a life out here.

Widowmaker416, I think I`ll have to get both of them then.. You don`t have to be a SCI-member to purchase them?
I have a great plan inside my head. To collect all information on distribution of different species/subspecies, where the 20 or 30 best trophies have been shot, and plot them on a map. That must be a great tool..(??)

GeorgeS, CIC also measure African game. Well, most of the world I think. Their web-site, CIC, doesn`t seem to offer the "red book" and "blue book" for free anymore. Theese books contained information on measuring and medal categories. On African game they have a system pretty much like SCI. Horn lenght, circumference at base, but they seem to include some measurements. Like circumference of the horns halfway up, on some species.
On some antlered game like roebuck, weight or volume of the antlers is a critical measure.