Man, I grilled a steak, boiled up some corn on the cob, poured some cheap wine, and sat by the pool debating whether to read Inc Mag, Fortune, or the SCI Awards issue. I chose the SCI option, cracked it open, and spotted the Africa Major Awards category.

I was pleasantly suprised that SCI gave a guy who shot a kudu the award...but wait, it wasn't a kudu, it was a HUGE mountain nyala. Holy Cow,as Harry Carey used to say in Chitown. Our own Moja's pic appears with said animal.

Congratulations. I am not into record book stuff, but I do enjoy seeing others trophies as well as reading about the backgrounds of those who think "Earth First: we'll hunt the rest of the planets later."

IMHO it was an award well deserved. Congrats Moja, what a fantastic hunt!

Really?

The SCI magazine is usually entertaining. Pursuits of exotic game in far away locations make a good read. But that particular issue was so full of hot air. It hit the old recycle bin in record time.

I never have supported tape measure hunting as promoted by SCI, and never will. It's all about a bunch of stadium size egos patting each other on the back. A double black diamond, circle the pinnacle while wearing platinum award.

No thanks.

Hot air or not, congratulations to Marc!

quote:

Originally posted by Jack D Bold:
Really? The SCI magazine is usually entertaining. Pursuits of exotic game in far away locations make a good read. But that particular issue was so full of hot air. It hit the old recycle bin in record time. I never have supported tape measure hunting as promoted by SCI, and never will. It's all about a bunch of stadium size egos patting each other on the back. A double black diamond, circle the pinnacle while wearing platinum award. No thanks.

Chill out, Jack. The post was not an endorsement of the SCI awards system so much as it was a 'pat on the back' from AZWriter and Moja's friends here on AR for a spectacular trophy - one that any of us would be proud to have taken.

Marc is a damn nice person and one of the premier hunters out there today. He is a fine ambassador of our sport. A mountain nyala like Marc's is no accident, but rather the result of timing, research, hard work, relentless effort, fine shooting, and not a small amount of luck. I think it's fantastic that one of our own did so well, and for SCI to publish photos for most of us to enjoy.

Unfortunately, not all of us are members of SCI, so Moja: Any chance you could post a couple of photos on here so that everyone can see them?

Hey! I got a notice from SCI that I had entered enough trophies to qualify for a "Copper" level award. I obviously as you might have guessed was thrilled but declined the $125 contribution to get my name written down someplace.

I honestly don't know why folks get so warped out of shape about the records. If you don't want to participate don't. If you want to jump right in whole hog that's great too or just have fun with it. Personally I have fun with the record book stuff and I like to see how my trophies compare but I do not plan my hunts around the awards program.

BTW: Mr. Watts I'm green with jealousy. What a fantastic trophy.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Hey! I got a notice from SCI that I had entered enough trophies to qualify for a "Copper" level award. I obviously as you might have guessed was thrilled but declined the $125 contribution to get my name written down someplace.

Mark

Saw the same thing in todays mail. It went right into the trash can. I Thought it was a joke to pay that kind of cash for that!

Oh, and Marc, congratulations on a great Mt. Nyala, you earned it!

Thanks for the kind words AAZ and everybody. I have not seen the issue. I'm in upstate New York for the next seven days, hanging out with my son. His 12-year-old baseball team is competing for the national title in Cooperstown. Man there are alot of deer up here!

Anyone who wants to post the photos from the magazine, please do so. (I can do a lot of things on the Internet, but haven't ever posted a photo to this forum.)

I just took delivery of that Mt. Nyala mounted lifesize, in my trophy room. When I look at it guys, I'm still in awe. It does look like a kudu that has one twist.

I know how some of you feel about the tape measure, but let me say this. When you walk up to a dead animal and can see with your own eyes that it's a superior specimen, that its horns extend beyond anything you've seen of its species and then you see the PH and trackers (who look at these things everyday for a living) shaking their heads and trembling in disbelief...then you have to put a tape measure on it.

Thanks again for the nice comments. I share the accomplishment of taking the Mt. Nyala with Jason Roussos and his trackers. We all shared the same vision that an nyala of these standards existed, and then we went out and made it happen. Thank you KPete for noting the research involved in this undertaking. It's nice when it happens the way you drew it up on the chalkboard.

quote:

Originally posted by Jack D Bold:
The SCI magazine is usually entertaining. Pursuits of exotic game in far away locations make a good read. But that particular issue..............hit the old recycle bin in record time.

Agreed. Never the less congrats to Marc!!!

Brett

An outstanding trophy is always nice.... well done on taking it buddy!

Congratulations on a fantastic trophy.

Marc,

Congratulations on high standards and keep up the good work for all of us.
Superb trophy.


Mike

Marc,
I to would like to extend my congratulations. You really do deserve recognition for your hunting and shooting ablitiy and most important your personal drive with regards to our sport.
Even though I'm also a bit challenged in picture posting ability, I'm going to try and learn. I'd sure like to see pictures of your trophy room.
Also I'm with Mark Young and I think his veiw is healthy regarding "Book Hunting".