Trophy Game Records of the World Scoring System

Click on the following links to skip to the section you want.

Record Keeping Philosophies

Before a discussion is begun entertaining the philosophies dealing with the keeping of trophy records, it seems elementary to first examine the very nature of the word "trophy", its origin and true meaning. "Trophy" is the Anglicization of the Greek term tropion. The precise meaning of this word is "a monument of the hunt", neither quality non quantity implied. Under this definition then, "trophy" is defined as that part of the animal retained by the hunter as a memento of the hunt. For the purposes of record keeping under the Burkett philosophy, trophies are more strictly defined in the traditional sense as antlers, horns, tusks, skins and skulls of the non-adorned species.

At some point in the early evolution of man, tribal members undoubtedly began to retain "trophies" from their kills as symbols of their hunting prowess. Logically, these trophies were probably the parts of the animal that could not be eaten or otherwise put to good use, that is, the antlers, horns and tusks. With certainty, this practice through the generations became a tradition, the tradition that remains today.

As civilization advanced to the point where the instruments of paper and pen were available to record the events of history, the earliest forms of trophy records keeping found their beginning. In many of the earliest writings about the lives of men, it is often reported that one individual or another killed a "stag" with so many points, or a lion, or a boar, that is weighed so many stones. These were the earliest forms of trophy evaluation and recordation. Finally, it was conceived that these trophy records should be compiled into tabular form and in the later part of the 19th century; several of these "record books" were published. With the concept of compiling and publishing records came an equal number of records keeping philosophies. All were different and varied in complexity from the very simple to the very complicated. Some were relatively objective, others were highly subjective. All systems, though, had two things in common: each addressed the question of relative trophy size and none addressed the biological facts relative to the trophy itself.

To date, literally thousands of philosophies have been developed and are used today. Hardly a town in any major hunting area in the world is without its local "big buck" contest. Of all these philosophies, none are sciences except the Burkett system of trophy evaluation which uses the science of TROPAEOLOGY. When Tropaeology, the science that deals with the measurement of game trophies, began to evolve, a whole new philosophy of trophy game record keeping evolved with it. As is the case with all true sciences, a new vocabulary with strict definitions was established, instruments were developed that were peculiar to trophy evaluation, and an entirely new set of criteria was founded to evaluate all game trophies. In short, Tropaeology is a very logical, scientific and totally objective approach to a very complex problem. The result is a UNIVERSAL STANDARD on which to base the evaluation of all game trophies and the relative accomplishments of the hunter who collected them. What then makes this system so different, so advanced, and so superior to all others? Three main points set it apart from all other systems. First, the system of trophy evaluation is universal in all aspects. Secondly, because the actual system that is used in trophy evaluation is based on scientific research, it is entirely objective. Thirdly, the science of Tropaeology is administered by a very elite group of individuals known as TROPAEOLOGISTS. These individuals are trained in a formal classroom program and they must successfully complete a prescribed course of study.

All antlers, horns and tusks in one form or another are composed of combinations of cylinders and cones. This system is based on geometrically calculating the volume of the antler, horn or tusk. The measurements used in these calculations determine the most accurate possible score for any antlered, horned or tusked trophy animal. In this system, each animal is measured on its own merits with no deductions for lack of symmetry, and is given full credit for the trophy status it has attained. The TGR system gives credit where credit is due.

Back To The Top

Measurements

The TGR record keeping system is based upon the metric or decimal system of measurement. The TGR uses mathematical formulas to determine Typical and Extra-Typical classes. All measurements are recorded in centimeters and tenths of centimeters. TGR believes this is an inherently more accurate system than those based upon inches or feet. By measuring to tenths of centimeters we are able to determine a more precise measurement.

Unlike other scoring systems, TGR believes there is much more to scoring an animal than just symmetry and spread. The basic founding principle of the system is that an animal should be given full credit for what it has produced.

Back To The Top

Score Sheets

Score Sheets Entries in Trophy Game Records of the World are made by way of a score sheet which is to be accompanied by an entry fee of $40.00 and one or more field photos. The field photo(s) will clearly show all angles of the trophy animal. These will be used to support the species designation. Score sheets will not be processed until all items required are received. The Trophy Game Records scoring year is considered from March 1 through the last day of February of the following year. All score sheets must be submitted to the EWA/TGR office by the end of February to be considered for the annual competition.

In order for a score sheet to be processed, all blanks must be completed. If the information is not available, or if the outfitter, hunter, or guide, does not wish to divulge where the animal was taken, write N/A in the blank. The name of the Ranch, Preserve, or Public Hunting Area should be filled in properly. These ranchers/producers need to be given credit for the animals they work so hard and long to produce. If an animal came from ABC ranch, do not show it coming from XYZ ranch. This is falsification and subject to rejection. Also, the name of the animal needs to be as accurate as possible. For example: "Elk" is not specific enough. The TGR needs to know if it is "Rocky Mountain Elk", "Roosevelt Elk". Similarly, Oryx needs to be shown as "Gemsbok", "Scimitar-Horned", "Beisa", etc.; Bear should be listed, "Black Bear", "Brown Bear", "Grizzly", and so on. A score sheet is reviewed by TGR Committee members who will verify its validity. Any dispute, with all supporting data must be presented to the TGR Committee for review at its next meeting. Failure to do so will result in the loss of right of appeal. If a score sheet is rejected for any reason the entrant will be notified of the committee's decision. The entrant may appeal the decision and appear before the TGR committee for this purpose. If it is determined that unethical practices are involved, the committee may take action against any or all parties including, but not limited to, censure, expulsion, and/or criminal charges if they are so warranted. If a score sheet is rejected by the TGR Committee for any reason, the entry fee will not be refunded.

Back To The Top

METHODS OF COLLECTION

Method of collection is defined as the means by which an animal is harvested. In the TGR system, animals collected in the same manner compete within their own classification (i.e. Modern Arms compete with Modern Arms; Handgun with Handgun; Primitive Arms with Primitive Arms; Archery with Archery).

Archery includes compound bows, recurve bows, and long bows. (Note: Any animal that is hunted with a bow and fatally wounded can be dispatched by means of a modern firearm.)

Crossbow is defined as a powerful weapon composed of a bow fixed crosswise on a wooden or synthetic stock with grooves on the stock to direct the projectile, and fired by a trigger mechanism. It can be equipped with fixed or telescopic sights.

Delayed Entry includes any trophy harvested in a prior year and never entered.

Incidental Acquisition includes any trophy acquired through any means other than hunting in any of the preceding categories. (Found in the field, bought at a garage sale, won in a poker game, etc.)

In-Line Muzzle Loader is defined as a firearm designed to use black powder or black powder equivalent as a propellant, uses a lead round ball, conical lead bullet or sabotted bullets as projectiles, utilizes an internal ignition system, and loads from the muzzle. Open and optical sights are approved. The distinguishing characteristic is that they must load from the muzzle or the barrel and have an internal ignition system action to be considered for this category.

Handgun includes any hand held firearm with a barrel less than 16 inches in length. Examples of some of the designs are the revolver, single shot, and semi-automatics. The caliber is also immaterial.

Modern Arms is defined as all metallic cartridge-firing rifles, whether they are bolt action, lever action, semi-automatic, drop block, rolling block, etc. These rifles utilize a self-contained metallic cartridge as a means of loading a round of ammunition. There is no distinction made between smokeless powders and black powder or black powder substitutes, historical time frame of the rifle's design or type of projectile utilized (i.e. lead vs. jacketed). The caliber is also immaterial when inclusion in the records is being considered.

Primitive Arms is defined as a firearm designed to use black powder or black powder equivalent as a propellant, uses a lead round ball, conical lead bullet or sabotted bullets as projectiles and utilizes a matchlock, flintlock, or percussion cap lock and loads from the muzzle. Open and optical sights are approved. The distinguishing characteristic is that they must load from the muzzle or the barrel and have an external flint or percussion cap action to be considered for this category.

Primitive Handgun is defined as a firearm with a barrel 16 inches or less and is loaded from the muzzle or front of the cylinder with black powder or black powder equivalent as a propellant, uses a round ball, conical lead bullet, or sabotted bullet as a projectile. The ignition system will be matchlock, flintlock, or percussion cap. There will be no shoulder stock attached.

Back To The Top

HUNTING AWARDS

Award plaques are presented annually to hunters with entries in the top 5 of each species, Typical and Extra-Typical, and each method of collection. Animals must be harvested and scored in the twelve-month period March 1 to February 28 to be eligible for annual awards. These awards are presented at the Annual Awards Banquet, which is usually held in July.

All TGR major hunting award recipients are selected on a point system and other criterion established by the Technical Committee. The top scoring animal entry for each species under each weapon category will be awarded 5 points; second place, 4 points; third place, 3 points; fourth place, 2 points; and fifth place, 1 point. A hunter must have at least 15 points to be considered for a hunting award.

North American Hunter of the Year includes only animals indigenous to and taken on the North American continent and hunted in areas in which they are native. The hunter's weapon choice is not considered in this category.

Safari Hunter of the Year includes only animals indigenous to and taken on the African continent and hunted in areas to which they are native. The hunter's weapon choice is not considered in this category.

International Hunter of the Year includes only animals taken on any and all continents except North America or Africa. The hunter's weapon choice is not considered in this category. Exotic Hunter of the Year includes only animals taken in areas in which they are not indigenous (Introduced game). The hunter's weapon choice is not considered in this category.

James "Crow" Carrico Memorial Award will be given annually to a special youth hunter, because of their disadvantages, that has demonstrated determination, extreme willingness for and devotion to the sport of hunting.

Sportsman of the Year is awarded to the top hunter, huntress, youth hunter or youth huntress with the highest total of accumulated points regardless of category.

Hunter of the Year is awarded to the top scoring hunter and shall include all animals taken. The hunter's weapon choice is not considered in this category.

Huntress of the Year is awarded to the top scoring lady hunter and shall include all animals taken. The huntress' weapon choice is not considered in this category.

Jason McCullen Memorial Youth Hunter of the Year (17 yr. or younger) is awarded to the top hunter 17 years of age or younger at the time of collection. The youth category does require proof of age by copy of the hunter's birth certificate with the first score sheet submitted. This information remains on file and need not be filed with each score sheet. The hunter's weapon choice is not considered in this category.

Amanda Graham Youth Huntress of the Year (17 yr. or younger) is awarded to the top huntress 17 years of age or younger at the time of collection. The youth category does require proof of age by copy of the hunter's birth certificate with the first score sheet submitted. This information remains on file and need not be filed with each score sheet. The hunter's weapon choice is not considered in this category.

Ranch of the Year is awarded to the ranch with the highest number of points.

Outfitter of the Year is awarded to the outfitter with the highest number of points.

Guide of the Year is awarded to the guide with the highest number of points.

Tropaeologist of the Year is awarded to the tropaeologist who scored and submitted the most score sheets.

Awards are also presented to the top scoring hunter or huntress in each of the methods of collection, excluding Incidental Acquisition and Delayed Entry.

Back To The Top

TROPHY CLASSES

Trophy class is simply a standard of Relative Trophy Quality. The arbitrary levels that have been established by some record keeping authorities have not been indicative of relative trophy quality. In some cases the requirements have been either so high that it is nearly impossible for a trophy to be recognized for inclusion, so complicated that only a very special conformation will meet the minimum standard, or so low that anybody willing to pay can be in the book!

The world record animal in each species category is designed as DIAMOND. In the GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE categories there are minimum scores that have been established for each medal. For information regarding GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE minimum scores, see the Scoring Parameters.

Click here for Scoring Parameters (pdf file)

REMEMBER: FEBRUARY 28 is the end of the Competition Year. COMPLETE entries must be received by or postmarked by this date in order to be processed.

Back To The Top