Opportunities coming up in North Idaho to have big game trophies officially measured

December 23, 2015

The major big game hunting seasons in northern Idaho are over with the exception of some late archery deer hunts. Harvest figures will not be available until February after the mandatory hunter reports are compiled. Hunters are asked to complete reports as soon as possible so that the season summaries can be completed quickly and efficiently. Stories are circulating about a few big trophies that were taken during the fall hunting seasons, and the hunters who took them are excited to have their trophies officially measured. To be officially measured under the Boone and Crockett, Pope and Young (archery only), or Longhunter Society (muzzleloader) scoring systems, all antlers, horns and skulls must first dry at room temperature for a minimum of 60 days. They can be stored in a freezer short term but must be allowed to air dry at room temperature for at least 60 days before being officially scored. A number of local conservation organizations schedule gun and horn shows more than 60 days after most hunting seasons close so that official measuring can be done by certified measurers. Boundary County's Kootenai Valley Sportsman Association has a gun and horn show scheduled for February 5-7 at the Boundary County Fairgrounds in Bonners Ferry. The club encourages hunters to take their best antlers off the wall and enter them in the show. Vendors will display and sell, buy, or trade items. There will be a raffle to win a rifle. The Boundary County show begins Friday, February 5 and runs from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m., and continues on Saturday, February 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., then finishes Sunday, February 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Bonner County Sportsmen's Association (BCSA) will hold their gun and horn show at the Bonner County Fairgrounds near Sandpoint March 4-6. The BCSA show is open Friday March 4 from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m., Saturday March 5 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and Sunday March 6 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.. Antlers, horns and skulls are accepted at this show only through Friday evening so that all have been measured when the trophy area opens on Saturday morning. Special awards and ribbons are given in deer, elk, and moose antler categories; also for cougar, bear and wolf skulls. There are special awards for women and youth hunters. Entries must remain on display until the end of the show. Youth hunters 16 years old and under can enter a contest by bringing in a picture of their first game animal taken by gun, rifle, bow or trapping. Three winners will be determined by a drawing of names from all of the entries. The Post Falls Cabela's store has scheduled a big game measuring event for February 13-14 during store hours. Trophies brought in on these two days will be measured while you check out the mounts displayed in the store. Once measured, trophies can be taken home. The Inland Northwest Wildlife Council will hold their 56th annual Big Horn Adventure Show at the Interstate Fairgrounds in Spokane on March 17-20. Hours are 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. on March 17 and 18, 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on March 19, and 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on March 20. Entries may be brought in Wednesday, March 16 through Friday, March 18 from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. All entries must be left until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 20. Only cleaned and odorless antlers, horns and skulls from wild big game animals may be entered into any of these shows. If you have a trophy that needs to be boiled or otherwise cleaned up to remove foul odors, now is the time to get it done so they are ready when the shows come around and they can be displayed. Measurers certified by the Boone and Crockett Club, Pope and Young Club, and the Longhunter Society will measure hunter-taken animals and picked-up specimens at each of these shows using the scoring system appropriate to the method of take of the trophy. Those that meet the minimums for the method of take are eligible for entry into the respective record books. Measurers will not measure specimens from game farms or high fenced enclosures. Trophies that are not clean and odor free will be turned away at the door because they cannot be displayed at an indoor venue for several days if they stink! In accordance with the policies of the record book organizations, specimens previously measured by an official measurer will not be measured again unless it was clearly not measured correctly or there was a math error. There is not much going on to satisfy the outdoor cravings of local sportsmen in the middle of winter. With these events come opportunities to meet with others of similar interests to re-live the last hunting season and see some of the great trophies that hunters were fortunate to take.