TROPHY TALK | 31st Awards and Official Measurer Updates

31ST AWARDS AND OFFICIAL MEASURER UPDATES

31ST BIG GAME AWARDS PROGRAM DEADLINE LOOMS A scorching summer is nearly behind us, a welcome fall is just ahead, and it seems that in the blink of an eye another Awards Program is coming to a close. December 31 is the last day of the 31st Big Game Awards Program entry period, and all entries must be postmarked by or on that date to be included in next year’s banquet in Springfield, Missouri. Even if your entry is not complete, please send all materials that you have before December 31. We need as much information as possible in the system as we begin the process of identifying top trophies and youth invitations.

Planning for the 31st Big Game Awards Program and Judge’s Panel (the latter occurring on April 21-24, 2022) is well under way. Jack Reneau has accepted the invitation to serve as chairman of the Judge’s Panel. Invitations for selected judges will be sent soon, and we are working with Bass Pro Shops to plan the event. As we have done in the past, we encourage all Official Measurers (OM) to attend this triennial event. In addition to celebrating the largest Fair Chase trophies accepted in the last three years, a luncheon for all OMs will be held Friday at the hotel. All in attendance will receive recognition for their service as well as a unique item only available at the event.

SHIPPING TROPHIES

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s will again offer free shipping from any of their U.S. stores to their headquarters in Springfield, Missouri. For trophy owners who receive an invitation and notify us they will attend, we will send them a custom shipping label and inform the store they are coming to drop it off. Trophy owners will need to crate the head securely and get it to the store for shipping once they hear from us. The display is scheduled to open to the public in Springfield on May 1 with the 31st Big Game Awards events occurring July 22-24. We have switched the host hotel this time to the DoubleTree by Hilton Springfield.

OFFICIAL MEASURER CLASSES RESUME

Things are opening up in Montana, which means we were able to host two Official Measurer classes this past June. One class was held here in Missoula, while the other class was a first-of-its kind, immersive conservation course, which proved to be an overwhelming success— the wandering grizzlies viewed safely from the back deck were an added bonus. Held at the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch

The Rasmuson Wildlife Conservation Center houses the education, research, and demonstration programs that take place on B&C's TRM Ranch. The lab is setup for 30 students to work on field-related activities.

JUSTIN SPRING B&C PROFESSIONAL MEMBER

Director of Big Game Records

Photos taken at TRMR by Madison Todd. Photos taken at the Missoula workshop by Micah Reinke.

(TRMR) with the Rocky Mountain Front as the backdrop, the immersive course is designed to offer a deeper dive into the Club as professional members and staff help participants understand where the Club has been and where we’re going. We have a heck of a lot of fun, too. Of course, the class includes scoring certification for those not already certified and serves as a refresher for those already certified. In addition, participants stayed on the ranch or at a local hotel, and they were well-fed throughout the week-long affair. As part of the course, guests were invited to ask

Grizzly bears made an appearance to add to the experience at the ranch.

For the most up-to-date info on the 31st Big Game Awards, visit www.biggameawards.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

In July 2022 Springfield, Missouri will once again play host to thousands of hunters and conservationists as they view the biggest heads, horns, and antlers North America has to offer. And we want you to be part of the action!

Springfield, Missouri - July 22-24, 2022 Bass Pro Shops

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium

ABOVE: Chris Parish of The Peregrine Fund (center), performed a shooting demonstration on lead versus non-lead projectiles. BELOW: Mike Opitz, B&C Records Committee Chairman (right) helping teach Tim Kelly and Jimmy Opitz during the scoring certification.

ABOVE: Official Measurers Scott Easley and Nathanael Watson work together to learn how to score unique categories such as caribou and musk ox (below). BELOW RIGHT: Micah Reinke learns how to score a Rocky Mountain goat.

questions and learn as much as they could. The TRMR’s on-site shooting range allows the Club to invite guests like Chris Parish of The Peregrine Fund, who performed a shooting demonstration on lead versus non-lead projectiles. Dr. Josh Millspaugh discussed the Club’s University Programs as well as some of the research taking place at TRMR. Boone and Crockett Fellow Chris Hansen presented his work on trail camera traps on the ranch and how it pertains to his research. On a tour of the 6,500-acre ranch, attendees learned the unique challenges of ranching in such a wild place, complete with apex predators. Conservation Programs Director Luke Coccoli spoke about the Club's education programs, and Boone and Crockett Ethics Committee Chairman Mark Streissguth led a discussion of technology in hunting and on fair chase. No true immersive course would be complete without a discussion of policy. Boone and Crockett Chief Executive Officer Tony Schoonen presented an overview of the work we are pursuing regarding conservation policy. In addition, lobbyist Greg Schildwachter gave a brief presentation on the current conservation highlights in D.C., followed by a question and answer session. The immersive course also included instruction on how to measure all 38 categories of North American big game the Club currently recognizes. After the testing was complete, Boone and Crockett Club President Jim Arnold spoke, and we were all treated to a celebratory evening with a smoked prime rib dinner. If this class sounds appealing, we’re hosting it again next June. The course is all-inclusive, which includes transportation to and from the Great Falls airport. As of now, cost is $2,000 per student with dormitory housing at the ranch (grizzlies not guaranteed) or $2,500 with individual lodging at the local hotel. Good luck trying to get a better deal than that for a vacation in Montana! We would love to host you at the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch. For more info, contact me at justin@boone-crockett. org or Kyle Lehr at kyle@ boone-crockett.org. Good luck in your fall hunts. We hope to see you in person at the 31st Big Game Awards Program or perhaps out here in Big Sky Country. n

TRMR IMMERSION WORKSHOP DUPUYER, MONTANA - JUNE 1-6, 2021 TOP LEFT TO RIGHT: Mark Streissguth, Justin Spring, Tim Pask, Gordie Flowers, Mike Opitz, HP Giger, Taaffe Caligiuri, Michael White, Paul Hanley, and Tim Kelly. BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT: Richard Spring, Kyle Lehr, Jimmy 'Big Time' Opitz

MISSOULA, MONTANA - JUNE 10-14, 2021 TOP LEFT TO RIGHT: Nathanael Watson, Dustin Mitchell, Chad Byers, Micah Reinke, Scott Mabray, Philip Nelson. MIDDLE LEFT TO RIGHT: Jeremy Dennison, David Stepp, Michael Carroll, Rob Miller, John Johnson, Scott Easley, Jack Reneau, Justin Spring BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT: Brandon Tycz, Michael Stanley, Kyle Lehr

Want to Become an Official Measurer? Fill out the Official Measurer Application at Boone-Crockett.org!

Associate Sign-Up Incentive Program Leader Board

*As of July 13, 2021

CONGRATS TO OUR TOP 10 PRIZE WINNERS!

1. Philip A. Herrnberger – 141 2. Bucky Ihlenfeldt – 138 3. Stanley Zirbel – 126 4. Ken Witt – 104 5. John Bogucki – 46 6. Dale Weddle – 41 7. Robert Wood – 29 8. Jerry E. Lunde – 28 9. Charlie Adams – 23 10. Eric Stanosheck– 19

SEE THE COMPLETE LISTING IN THE COMMUNITIES SECTION AT BOONE-CROCKETT.ORG

Each time an OM signs up a B&C Associate we’ll put a credit by their name.

HERE’S THE BREAKDOWN 3 Associates – $25 off any item in the B&C store 5 Associates – Buck Knife 10 Associates – B&C Boyt sling 25 Associates – OM Wool Vest 50 Associates – SITKA Gear (value up to $350) 75 Associates – YETI cooler and rambler package

(value up to $500)

100 Associates – KIMBER RIFLE 150 Associates – $800 Gift card to BASS PRO SHOPS/CABELAS! 200 Associates – VORTEX OPTICS GEAR! (value up to $1400)

Current Associates! Would you like to give an Official Measurer credit for your renewal? Let them know when it is your time to renew and they will provide their OMID number to include with your renewal so they will receive credit.