SCI Membership and Measurement Awards - Worth it?

[RLP]

Would love to hear members comments about SCI membership and Measurement Awards. For context I have completed two African safaris and will be participating in more in the future.

Pros and Cons welcome.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Hunt anything]

Membership is well worth it, SCI is battling for hunters and conservation.

I don’t have any animals measured, I just want a good quality experience, a few extra inches meals absolutely nothing to me. I do have a friend that is obsessed with record book animals. Neither is right or wrong just difference in opinion.
My 2cents

 

[wesheltonj]

Here my opinion of the SCI Record Book. (1) It's just a dick measuring contest (2) three categories -Bronze, Silver and Gold. Bronze is really a good animal nothing specular. Gold on the other hand is a great animal. Silver comes up short of great. (3) just a way for revenue for SCI. All that said, I have many animals in SCI Record Book. If it was me, I would allow all animals regardless of score to be listed so that hunters can see what the average animals found in that area.

My Opinion of Rowland Ward. (1) Another dick measuring contest. (2) takes only exceptional animals (3) the most prestigious (4) somewhat difficult to find an official scorer. That said I have several animals listed there too.

 

[samson7x]

I joined and had my buffalo measured. It seemed wide and the taxidermist owner was an official scorer so I figured why not. I received a plaque which is cool and will look neat on my pedestal when I get it finished.

I'm certainly not after inches on hunts, focusing on the experience and I've never had anything officially scored until now.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Hunters need people in the states and D.C. educating legislators and fighting the anti-s, so I belong. As far as measurement and records, just the top three of each species would be of interest. The rest, I agree with @wesheltonj.

 

[RLD]

I joined SCI just to support conservation and hunting access. For me the record books are not a consideration.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I joined and became a measurer because we had a client who wanted his wife's muley scored for a silver medal plaque. Then he stiffed us. Personally, I think the plaques are cheesy. I would have removed the medal and made another plaque for it.

As far as credibility ... This is my first elk. It misses Boone & Crockett by just under 4 points. For SCI it would score well up in gold medal! What does a raghorn score? Bronze?

 

[Doug3006]

Membership is well worth it to me. SCI does good work in keeping our sport legal. Members receive a decent magazine plus a monthly newsletter. We can also attend the annual convention in Nashville, which is my favorite mini-vacation of the year!

The Record Book is more of a mixed bag. I suppose it’s useful as a reference guide. You can see which areas and outfits are producing trophy animals you might be after. I believe there is too much emphasis on putting animals in the book. I’ve met hunters whose only objective is shoot animals that make the top 20 or whatever. I think they’re missing the point. I’ve also seen outfitters who advertise record-book guaranteed animals. I can only imagine the hunting conditions. The measurement methods are also problematic. A 45 inch, soft-horned buffalo makes the cut, but isn’t even a mature specimen.

The awards….World Diamond Platinum Inner Circle for Star-Bellied Sneetches…is rather silly.

 

[Milo]

Records books are all a dick measuring contest, but is there any harm in entering if you wish?

I've entered 2 animals in B&C. They measure better than I do.

 

[RLP]

Membership is well worth it, SCI is battling for hunters and conservation.

I don’t have any animals measured, I just want a good quality experience, a few extra inches meals absolutely nothing to me. I do have a friend that is obsessed with record book animals. Neither is right or wrong just difference in opinion.
My 2cents

"few extra inches means absolutely nothing" my wife would disagree lol

 

[Hunt anything]

"few extra inches means absolutely nothing" my wife would disagree lol

Well… there is that!

 

[30.06king]

Every hunter who regards him / herself a committed hunter should belong to and support at least some organisation representing hunters concerns, rights and contributions to wildlife conservation. Many such organisations abound but measured on a worldwide scale I believe SCI does this best. I am a member of a handful of hunter groups but SCI is the only organisation of which I am a proud life member. I know that without SCI perhaps most, or many, of the hunting opportunities available today worldwide just wouldn't exist and any permitted hunting elsewhere would be under immense pressure of closure. Today's hunters only enjoy the hunting opportunities we have due to ( mainly IMHO ) SCI fighting tooth and nail for recognition of huntings contribution to wildlife preservation and the distribution of economic benefit in the lands where organised hunting occurs.
I actually wish the SCI message, purpose and contributions were better appreciated because SCI should have many more members than they actually do. Even within my own small country I know of hunters affluent enough to enjoy occasional overseas hunts who belong to no hunter organisation at all, which is disgraceful IMO. Some people need to spend a little more time thinking through why they can enjoy such great hunting and the great abundance of ever improving hunting tools and accessories, and give support appropriately.
So yeah, if you call yourself a hunter then be proud of that status and join an organisation that stands for what you believe. Join SCI.
I have a handful of entries in the SCI Record Book. Got them entered to serve the interests of others, i.e. outfitters and guides who thought the entries worthwhile. I declined an invitation to apply for some award for one entry as baubles don't excite me but acknowledge the Record Book definitely has a place of value, if only of a historical nature.
Sorry if my comments read more like a rant.

 

[crackerman]

Join SCI! I care so much I joined the local chapters Board of Directors.

As far as the measuring, my 3 year membership gets me 3 free entries, my impala should make Bronze and is a fun footnote to my first trip not any sort of real accomplishment to me.

 

[RLP]

Every hunter who regards him / herself a committed hunter should belong to and support at least some organisation representing hunters concerns, rights and contributions to wildlife conservation. Many such organisations abound but measured on a worldwide scale I believe SCI does this best. I am a member of a handful of hunter groups but SCI is the only organisation of which I am a proud life member. I know that without SCI perhaps most, or many, of the hunting opportunities available today worldwide just wouldn't exist and any permitted hunting elsewhere would be under immense pressure of closure. Today's hunters only enjoy the hunting opportunities we have due to ( mainly IMHO ) SCI fighting tooth and nail for recognition of huntings contribution to wildlife preservation and the distribution of economic benefit in the lands where organised hunting occurs.
I actually wish the SCI message, purpose and contributions were better appreciated because SCI should have many more members than they actually do. Even within my own small country I know of hunters affluent enough to enjoy occasional overseas hunts who belong to no hunter organisation at all, which is disgraceful IMO. Some people need to spend a little more time thinking through why they can enjoy such great hunting and the great abundance of ever improving hunting tools and accessories, and give support appropriately.
So yeah, if you call yourself a hunter then be proud of that status and join an organisation that stands for what you believe. Join SCI.
I have a handful of entries in the SCI Record Book. Got them entered to serve the interests of others, i.e. outfitters and guides who thought the entries worthwhile. I declined an invitation to apply for some award for one entry as baubles don't excite me but acknowledge the Record Book definitely has a place of value, if only of a historical nature.
Sorry if my comments read more like a rant.

Thank you, really appreciate your perspective.

 

[Fixfire]

1. I have a home in Nashville so I joined in anticipation of the convention relocating. Of course thats been a great success!!
2. My three Safaris were booked and/or finalized at the convention. Call me naive, but the SCI community is a loud microphone and advocates (as does AH) for only the most reputable outfitters.
3. Not concerned about the awards but think the “slams” are a great checklist for the goal oriented among us.

 

[BruceS]

Would love to hear members comments about SCI membership and Measurement Awards. For context I have completed two African safaris and will be participating in more in the future.

Pros and Cons welcome.

Thank you in advance.

Membership is definitely worth cost. The annual convention is always great fun. As for record book recognition, that is up to you. Back in the early 80's, I listed several animals primarily to help get my safari operator recognition.

 

[coreydb]

Join SCI to help protect the future of hunting and conservation. I have many trophies but none worth measuring for a plaque. I guess if you're a serious trophy hunter with $$$$$ to spend, It'd be nice to know where the animal stands...

 

[kpoynter]

100% Join SCI….you won’t regret it and you should come to Nashville for the Convention

Measurements? To each their own…but the majority opinion is don’t bother.
It is at least a benchmark to give you relativity
I have shot a couple of top 10 type animals and never have registered anything…
I used to kind of want to complete some of the slams or whatever. It does allow for some goal setting or at least envisioning the type of safaris and countries and areas one would need to hunt in order to complete.