Are there specific criteria for record-breaking bucks in Pope & Young?

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for record-breaking status in Pope & Young, a whitetail deer must be taken with a bow and arrow, and the hunter must be a member of the organization. The deer must also be a native to the United States or Canada, and the hunter must have a valid license for the state or province where the animal was taken. Additionally, the deer must be a mature buck with a minimum of four points on one antler.

Measurement Requirements

To qualify for a record, the deer must meet specific measurement requirements. The main beam length must be at least 24 inches, with at least one point measuring 12 inches or longer. The overall circumference of the main beam must be at least 4.5 inches, and the inside spread of the antlers must be at least 17.5 inches. The deer must also have a minimum of four points on one antler, with the largest point measuring at least 10 inches.

Measuring and Certification

After a deer is harvested, it must be taken to a qualified measurer within a certain timeframe, usually within 24-48 hours. The measurer will use a standardized tape measure to take precise measurements of the deer’s antlers, following the Boone and Crockett Club’s scoring system. The measurer will then submit the measurements to Pope & Young for review and certification. If the deer meets the minimum requirements, it will be entered into the Pope & Young record book, and the hunter will be recognized as a record holder.