Anyone can register to learn how to officially measure game animals via online streaming technology.
Ever wanted to know exactly how to measure a set of antlers or horns, and find out how your harvests stack up to the biggest and best in the world? It might be time to break out your measuring tape.
The Safari Club International Record Book team is launching a unique, first-of-its-kind online seminar to help members of the hunting community learn the ins and outs of the SCI measuring process.
The Virtual Official Measuring Course will be held on Dec. 14, 2019 via a sophisticated online teleconferencing software. It's $125 for SCI members and $150 for non-members.
According to SCI, "All attendees will be able to interact with Measuring Coordinator Gilbert Aguilar during the live seminar and will be certified as Official Measurers at the end of the course."
"Using the technology offered by Zoom meeting software, we can bring the Official Measuring Course to more people and enable them to receive the measuring training in the comfort of their own homes," said Gabe Paz, Director of Record Book & World Hunting Awards. "We were approached by the Kansas City Chapter with a request to do a seminar online. That idea evolved into the Virtual Measuring Seminar."
Even though "trophy animals" can take many forms (and sizes) in the world of hunting, a documented record book of the largest and most prominent harvested big game animals has genuine benefits.
In fact, a recent article in the peer-reviewed Journal of Mammalogy determined that trophy record programs like the SCI Record Book (as well as those produced by the Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young clubs) can hold significant scientific value and help the overall wildlife conservation efforts of big game species.
Factors like population trends, habitat conditions, age- and sex-biases in harvests, and even climate impact can be interpreted through record book data, and show that record book entries "can provide a useful resource for assessing long-term changes in phenotypic changes in ungulates."
As Dr. Christopher Comer, SCI Foundation Director of Conservation put it, "SCI members can rest assured that their record book entries not only provide a tangible memento of a unique outdoor experience, but that maintenance of those records also contributes to long-term conservation of these species."
The official SCI record book dates back to 1971, and since then online score sheets, measuring kits, and entry forms have become mainstays. But only now will there be an online version of the measuring course offered, taught by a master measurer and
If you would like to attend, the organization suggests contacting Gilbert Aguilar at 520-798-4923 or at [email protected], or Mike Hagen at 816-985-5190. Once you're registered for the course, full instructions, links to the virtual Zoom meeting rooms, and specific log in information will be provided by SCI.
AS our hunting heritage continues to evolve and change, it's these consistent measuring processes and resulting record books that help us understand where we've come from, and where we're going. That's about as valuable as it gets.
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