Standards For Trophies

[Guster]

Thanks for the feedback!!!!!!!!!

 

[Diamondhitch]

The PH should have hauled that guy right back to the airport!! A good PH can make a close estimate but they don't have a crystal ball.

A good PH should and from my experience can judge game as well as some can judge native game back home. Having said that a close estimate should be expected, 3/4" is certainly a close estimate.

 

[Diamondhitch]

I know a PH who misjudged a Nyala on the hoof by 3/4 of an inch on the short side. The client pulled a tape measure out of his pocket when he approached the downed animal and measured the horns. To the amazement of the PH the client refused to pay for the animal and threw a fit until the outfitter gave him another Nyala that "measured up".

One of the first things I was taught as a sheep guide was "always keep an inch in your pocket". Simply put tell your hunter 1 inch less than you think for that very reason mentioned. If the animal is 1/2" bigger you are a good guide, 1" you are a hero, 1/4" short and you are an A-hole in the eyes of some. Even from 400+ yards.
Of course over here there is no shopping, you get one tag, once you pull the trigger it is yours no questions asked. (the game warden will have the last word in that argument).

 

[Scott Slough]

"always keep an inch in your pocket".

Words to live by!

 

[Velo Dog]

My same question regarding the use of light rifles on heavy animals raises it's ugly head again here, on the subject of tape measures : "What's the point"? (in agonizing over a millimeter here and a fraction of an inch there)
Seems like that is all so tedious, exhausting and too distracting from the otherwise great and honorable pleasure of hunting.

 

[shuter]

My same question regarding the use of light rifles on heavy animals raises it's ugly head again here, on the subject of tape measures : "What's the point"? (in agonizing over a millimeter here and a fraction of an inch there)
Seems like that is all so tedious, exhausting and too distracting from the otherwise great and honorable pleasure of hunting.

And the more "experienced" we become (not in hunting terms, but in life generally), the more this holds true in so many areas...

 

[caddman]

I believe the question was answered by BRICKBURN.
Any other approach just does not cut it. I personally will pas a 5 year old 60" kudu and harvest a 11 year old 54" that's conservation not a though but rather a fact.
My best

Congratulations, I expect the science does stand behind this approach. This whole subject brings to light an important conversation that a hunter needs to have up front with a PH. I really doubt a PH could come up with a satisfying enough for me to not shoot a 60" Kudu. If ever fortunate enough to see one I expect my trigger finger would be much faster than some on the spot conversation over age or any other factor for that matter. Would definitely need to have that conversation up front, prior to hunting.

You would be pleased to know that I did I take a 12-13yr old Gemsbok. I won't tell you I took it due to its age class but certainly pleased it worked out that way. It's wore down to barely 24" long but the 7 1/4" bases did make it stand out from the rest. Just doing my part for conservation
I hope a really old Leopard shows himself in August. I would like to do my part for conservation again!

 

[caddman]

I know a PH who misjudged a Nyala on the hoof by 3/4 of an inch on the short side. The client pulled a tape measure out of his pocket when he approached the downed animal and measured the horns. To the amazement of the PH the client refused to pay for the animal and threw a fit until the outfitter gave him another Nyala that "measured up".

For me a good representation of a mature animal is what I am after. I know about what both of my Cape Kudu measure but not exactly. I know what I am looking for in my next kudu as well. Part of it for me is the shape of the horns and not so much the length. I like kudu horns that are wider and Nyala horns that flare out at the top instead of going straight up or in. Those are just two examples of what I am looking for.

I believe that any outfitter or PH will try and find you a good example of a trophy for their area. After all if they let you shoot little guys that does not look good for them. Their reputation is on the line.

Before you go, read and study the animals that you plan on hunting. Ask those that have been to that outfitter what kind of trophies that they saw/shot to get an idea what to expect. Lastly leave the tape measure at home and enjoy the hunt.

Couldn't agree more! There is lots of time for numerical measuring long after the hunt is over. More important measurements of success/failure while hunting, and you don't require a tape for them!

 

[Dragan N.]

I think a trophy is s mature post breeding animal whether it be kudu or leopard, thereby fulfilling the very foundation of sustainable utilization by means of trophy hunting.

The largest are not necessarily the right trophy to take from a conservation perspective.

My best always

Jaco,
But how do you reliably judge the difference between a mature animal in its prime and a mature animal past its prime/breeding? Until you actually look at the teeth of the animal, presence or absence of fused sutures on the skull/bones or send a tooth in for aging you can't really be sure of the age just from looking at the animal from afar. Unless of course it is a really old animal that is in really bad shape i.e. severely underweight because it can't eat, or has an other wise "sickly" appearance.

Like say lets use a leopard for an example, how would you tell the difference between a mature in its prime tom leopard vs. a post prime tom?

 

[caddman]

Diddo on the Leopard aging? I would sure like to know.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Similar thread: Leopard Aging Guide: http://www.africahunting.com/threads/leopard-aging-guide.5496/.

 

[caddman]

Thanks Jerome! I guess that's why you get the big bucks

 

[Dragan N.]

Similar thread: Leopard Aging Guide: http://www.africahunting.com/threads/leopard-aging-guide.5496/.

Thanks a lot for the link to the thread! However I tried clicking on the hyperlink to the pdf: Leopard Aging Test and to the Leopard Aging Test Sheet and I got the following message for both AfricaHunting.com- Error The requested page could not be found.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Thanks a lot for the link to the thread! However I tried clicking on the hyperlink to the pdf: Leopard Aging Test and to the Leopard Aging Test Sheet and I got the following message for both AfricaHunting.com- Error The requested page could not be found.

Thx fixed. You can also find them at the bottom of the post as attached documents.