GSCO is a very small convention. It’s nice in that it’s more personable and easier to visit with friends and outfitters but its drastically, and that’s an understatement, smaller than SCI or DSC. It’s not quite been the same since Dennis passed.
Ok, one more time, yes there are a tiny few who chase awards to the point it is annoying. If it were not for SCI, Convention, and its recordbook there are scores of species and hunting destinations that the average hunter would never know about. The record book is a collection of data that preserves what animals were taken and where. I personally dont think we should just shoot them all, eat them, and move on. I find it much more respectful to the animal and the management to memorialize the animal and its life.Conservation and herd management should be part of every hunter’s dna. Just because B&C is encouraging the harvest of animals in their prime, should SCI get a free pass? In my experience, Europeans are much more focused on game management than North Americans. They are keen to shoot cull animals past their prime. I respect their approach. I have very little respect for a frenetic attempt to fill the bakkie with species just to qualify for that next SCI award. That may qualify as hunting in some folk’s book, it doesn’t in mine.
No but I have been to the Wild Sheep Convention in Reno. It is a lot of fun and a different crowd there. It is just hard for me to go because I attend SCI for the full week plus make an appearance at DSC so another convention is tough to schedule.Can we expand on this and add in the GSCO Hunter & Outfitter Convention? I have only been to a few SCI events, back when they were in Vegas. I have not been to DSC and while Texas isn't too far from California, getting my wife to go to Vegas is pretty easy and she can have fun in the casinos while I am at the event.
Anybody been to the Grand Slam Club convention? How does that compare to SCI? I am planning on attending this coming January. I suspect they may focus more on North America, but they do have the international slams for sheep and goats that hopefully will bring some people offering show specials I might find interesting.
Ok, one more time, yes there are a tiny few who chase awards to the point it is annoying. If it were not for SCI, Convention, and its recordbook there are scores of species and hunting destinations that the average hunter would never know about. The record book is a collection of data that preserves what animals were taken and where. I personally dont think we should just shoot them all, eat them, and move on. I find it much more respectful to the animal and the management to memorialize the animal and its life.
Most hunters that level these kind of accusations at other hunters for their choice of hunts actually cant afford those hunts and thus it is easier to criticize. If I hear one more hillbilly tell me "I'd never shoot a lion" I am going to puke!
I am a game rancher, so dont get me started on game management. We will be here all day!
Regards,
I am a life member of SCI and DSC. The problem with SCI is they can not afford to get rid of the circles and slams. I don't personally know anyone who likes those awards (Circle and Slams). But SCI earns too much money off those programs. Other measuring books, Roland Ward, Boone and Crockett, CIC all require large animals to make the book. Whereas SCI have Silver and Bronze animals that would never make any of the other books for all for the sole purpose of producing income for SCI (IMO). And I fully admit that I am a hypocrite in that I have Silver and Bronze animals in SCI Record Book.Philip,
Just to be clear, I support SCI and am a member. I think they do tremendous work in DC and in conservation in general. However, like any person or organization, they are not perfect. IMO, they could improve their impact tremendously if they would take a long hard look at their awards program and systems of measurement. Well respected folks, Kevin Robertson for one, have offered them advice, to which they don't appear to be open. Enough said.
Bill
While they don't have a record book, doesn't GSCO have something similar where you can submit animals that are below the record book level for the purpose of tracking your slam?I am a life member of SCI and DSC. The problem with SCI is they can not afford to get rid of the circles and slams. I don't personally know anyone who likes those awards (Circle and Slams). But SCI earns too much money off those programs. Other measuring books, Roland Ward, Boone and Crockett, CIC all require large animals to make the book. Whereas SCI have Silver and Bronze animals that would never make any of the other books for all for the sole purpose of producing income for SCI (IMO). And I fully admit that I am a hypocrite in that I have Silver and Bronze animals in SCI Record Book.
Certainly that can be debated and there are already new options available for taking older animals. Its called the Methuselah award.Philip,
Just to be clear, I support SCI and am a member. I think they do tremendous work in DC and in conservation in general. However, like any person or organization, they are not perfect. IMO, they could improve their impact tremendously if they would take a long hard look at their awards program and systems of measurement. Well respected folks, Kevin Robertson for one, have offered them advice, to which they don't appear to be open. Enough said.
Bill
Here is just one example from yesterday on another hunting web site:Awards, slams, circles, record books, etc. perpetuates the awareness, appreciation, and pursuit of these animals - which ultimately leads to their conservation. While not everyone’s cup-of-tea, I don’t see any negatives. I agree with the jealousy aspect of criticism - or at least extreme nit picking.
Never understood why anyone would want to kill an elephant or a giraffe. The sheer cost indicates it's more of an exhibition of one's money and bragging rights rather than feeding the natives.
Bill,Philip,
This discussion reminds me of our current political climate. The majority of people think certain politicians are all good or all evil, whereas the truth always lies somewhere in between. I supported Trump as President, but recognized him as a deeply flawed individual who, in spite of good advisors and policies, could not control his personal behavior.
Likewise, I see SCI as a beneficial organization with some deep flaws I would like to see corrected. If you see them as perfect, so be it, we will just have to respectfully disagree.
And yes, I will keep grinding. No improvement will be made if members don’t speak up.
Bill