About how many lions are listed in the SCI or Rowland Ward lists? Reason I asked: I killed a 23 3/16" (wet score) lion and my PH said that 23" would make the book. Never having seen "the book," I'm debating whether to seek a listing. Also, how much does this cost?

The internet is your friend. Put "Safari Club International" into your search engine and all your questions will be answered.

1. 1440 Lions in the book
2. 23" minimum
3. $35 for new members first entry
4. You must be a member to enter a trophy
5. I believe your first entry is now free

Thanks, Mike, I guess that means I just shot one of the 1400 largest lions ever measured.

Indy,
You may not be entirely correct to assume that. There is another Book of Records, namely the Rowland Ward Book. Here the minimum score is 24" and the method of measurement is similar to the SCI method, and, I suspect, there are numerous entries in that list that have not appeared in the SCI book.

Jas

FWIW, I have Rowland Ward Records of Big Game Volume II. It covers just about everywhere except Africa and includes North and South America, Europe, and Asia. I have compared several records between SCI, Boone & Crockett, and Rowland Ward. Most Rowland Ward animals do not appear to be listed in the other books. Rowland Ward is also more particular about what constitutes fair game and will not list many animals that SCI will. My impression of SCI is that they will list anything you are willing to pay to get entered without much regard for the type of hunt conducted.

Interestingly, I just saw this on Rowland Ward's website:

"ROPOSED CHANGES TO ROWLAND WARD’S RECORDS OF BIG GAME

In embarking on the most extensive re-evaluation in its history, Rowland Ward is using the services of a number of experts and is also consulting with organizations such as CIC, the Dallas Safari Club and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep who have expressed an interest in working with Rowland Ward on this key initiative. Any other hunting and conservation bodies which have a similar interest are more than welcome to contribute and Rowland Ward looks forward to hearing from you."

There are differences between the two record books.

RW is THE TRUE record book.

SCI is the BRAGGING book

quote:

Originally posted by Indy:
Thanks, Mike, I guess that means I just shot one of the 1400 largest lions ever measured.

Weidmannsheil on your lion Indy, good job!

It is probably more correct to say that your lion would rank in the top 1400 (or so) compared to the lions entered into the SCI book. Many, many hunters enjoy measuring their trophies for comparison, but see no need to enter them into record books.

- mike

mho - Excellent point.

quote:

Originally posted by mho:

quote:

Originally posted by Indy:
Thanks, Mike, I guess that means I just shot one of the 1400 largest lions ever measured.

Weidmannsheil on your lion Indy, good job!

It is probably more correct to say that your lion would rank in the top 1400 (or so) compared to the lions entered into the SCI book. Many, many hunters enjoy measuring their trophies for comparison, but see no need to enter them into record books.

- mike

mho--Yes. And I don't intend to enter mine either.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
There are differences between the two record books.

RW is THE TRUE record book.

SCI is the BRAGGING book

You're 100% Right again!

Yep!!
So my almost mainless Lion that gave us 2 1/2 days of endless fun and pleasure because my scope was off and measured well over 25" green is a trophy? darn, I didn't know that before!
My challenge is the critter, not the book...

Meanwhile SCI still likes Cape Buff with hair between the horns.....

Just to be fair, the RW Buff record is a cow...

I really can't get too worked up about either book, although I have registered animals. I look at it as being about the animal more than the hunter. I do believe that the SCI book is helpful in letting the hunter not get snow jobbed by a somewhat less than scrupulous PH.

Both are just bragging in some sense, Saeed, its just that RW standards to get in are a bit higher, so its a more exclusive bragging group. Otherwise, why have a book? A pamphlet with each world record (only) would suffice, no?

Don't they charge to enter trophies just like SCI? RW is very European in their implied snobbery with the book, SCI is very American in they are inclusive if you have the money to get in the gate....

And if you don't like the book(s) ignore them.

Personally I have never seen the importance of a record book. I have many record book animals from North America and some from Africa and never intend to record any of them. Sure it is nice to see where a trophy stands but be it Rowland or SCI they are all bragging books from what I personally think

As usual, most posters in this thread know nothing of the real valuable use to which the record books are put, and I'm tired of trying to explain it to them.

How right you are, Mike.