Many hunters are confused about the difference between Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett record books. This article will explain the difference between the two systems, what each record book requires for a whitetail deer to qualify as a trophy, and the criteria used to judge trophies taken with a bow and arrow. It will also help you decide which system is better suited for your hunt.
Boone and Crockett’s record book for rifle hunters
In 1932, the Boone and Crockett Club published the first of their world-renowned records books, Records of North American Big Game. Today, these books remain as valuable as ever, and are used to promote hunting throughout the world. In this edition, twelfth in the series, hunters were recognized for their accomplishments of bringing home the biggest trophy bucks in North America.
In order to be listed in Boone and Crockett’s record books, trophies must meet specific criteria. They must meet the Awards minimum and All-time minimum to qualify. Once a trophy meets these minimum criteria, the owner will receive a wall certificate, and their trophy will be included in corresponding records books and magazines. However, there are some categories that have lower score requirements.
In addition to the record books, the Boone and Crockett record book includes entries of other non-typical whitetails. One notable exception is Troy N. Bryant’s record-breaking kill of a typical Oklahoma whitetail at 300 yards in November 2018. The buck was harvested with an arrow from a rifle. It scored 327-7/8 in Boone and Crockett’s records.
Differences between the two systems
One of the biggest differences between the Boone and Crockett Club and Pope and Young Club is how trophies are measured. Boone and Crockett accepts trophies taken with any legal weapon, while Pope and Young will only accept trophies taken with a bow and arrow. While both clubs honor big game hunters, Boone and Crockett awards the highest-scoring trophy for the buck.
The two scoring systems are very similar in most respects, but there are some subtle differences between them. For example, Pope and Young uses a green score to measure an animal’s antlers, while Boone and Crockett’s use a purely numerical score. To qualify for a booner, a buck’s antlers must score at least one hundred and seventy points after deductions.
While the Boone and Crockett Club uses geographic boundaries, the Pope and Young Club uses a scoring system that is similar to that of Boone and Crowe. Both use an official measurer’s manual. Both organizations accept Velvet trophies. Boone and Crockett is the most popular big game club in the world, but it isn’t the only one.
Minimum score for a whitetail deer in each system
The Boone & Crockett Club, which publishes the Records of North American Big Game, is the most commonly used scoring guide for whitetail deer. The organization’s records program dates back to 1890 and is widely used for determining trophy quality. The minimum score for a whitetail deer in the Pope and Young Records is lower than the minimum score for a buck killed with a firearm.
A typical whitetail deer is scored based on its antler length, main beam length, and greatest inside spread between antlers. Non-typical points are added to the gross score, and discrepancies in tine length and beam length are deducted from the gross score. The net score is then determined based on these measurements.
Criteria for judging trophies taken with bow and arrow
Criteria for judging trophies taken by bow and arrow requires hunters to be able to assess the trophy potential of each animal. The old adage that “if it looks big, it probably is” is not accurate in the field. In addition to using standard measurements, hunters must also know the scoring system used by the Boone and Crockett Club. These standards can be a little complicated, but are well worth the effort.
