SCI Record Book / Award Nomination Question

[TEXASHUNTER]

Hello guys.

I'm new to african hunting. Going on my 1st safari In May of '24; I typically hunt North American game and I'm very familiar with B&C scoring, rules etc. I've joined SCI and look forward to learning more about the same for african plains game and dangerous game though i had a question as many have stated trophies obtained by hunting concessions in RSA would not qualify for the record books or will not be recognized by SCI like they would be if obtained in "Wild Africa" i.e.: Zim, Mozambique, Namibia, etc. Is this true? Or does it depend on the size of the concession to qualify? If this is the case for hunting in RSA what would be the hype of taking a 60" Kudu or a 47" Cape Buffalo Instead of a 50" kudu and a 40" cape buffalo?

Appreciate the insight guys.

 

[Hogpatrol]

 

[375Fox]

I don’t know the answer to your question, but don’t confuse SCI minimums with B&C. Many African trophies will qualify for SCI minimum size. It’s not difficult to obtain with most species even in unfenced areas.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Go look at Rowland Wards site. You can find all the information on where they accept trophies, including those hunted in game proof fencing.

Rowland Ward.
https://rowlandward.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/01-African-Minimums-and-World-Records-1.pdf

If you make Rowland Ward minimum you will be high up in SCI records.

 

[wesheltonj]

SCI will take anything from anywhere. However, if it's fenced, you have to mark "Estate"on the scoring sheet. On most animals you take the length measurement and base measurement of both horns to get your score. Top 10 require a 30 day drying period and a re-measurement by a Master Measurer. It's a Gross score and not a Net like B&C.

Rowland Ward will accept anything from RSA, as long as its follows their rules. https://rowlandward.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Fenced-Game-Populations_Logo-update.pdf
On most animals you take the length of the longest horn after a 60 day drying period. Now, on Buffalo its the spread and boss score combined.

 

[TEXASHUNTER]

Thanks brickburn I sure will. Appreciate it.

 

[TEXASHUNTER]

SCI will take anything from anywhere. However, if it's fenced, you have to mark "Estate"on the scoring sheet. On most animals you take the length measurement and base measurement of both horns to get your score. Top 10 require a 30 day drying period and a re-measurement by a Master Measurer. It's a Gross score and not a Net like B&C.

Rowland Ward will accept anything from RSA, except some/most Buffalo. They have specific requirements for Buffalo from RSA. RW on most aminals you take the length of the longest horn after a 60 day drying period. Now, on Buffalo its the spread and boss score combined.

Thanks. Yes buffalo is what I'm most concerned with. Wondering if it's worth investing the extra $ for a 45"+ buffalo or obtaining a 40"+ ; as if I can enter it in the record book it doesn't make financial sense. Kind of like harvesting a low fence WT vs a HF WT here in Texas, as a low fence 160"+ WT makes a huge difference vs a 190"+ WT from a HF ranch. Make sense?

 

[wesheltonj]

In RSA:
• Fenced Game Populations•
(Extract from Measuring Handbook, section 1-d)
Rowland Ward’s Rules Concerning Fenced Game
A fenced-game population means that animals are confined by human-made barriers that, under normal circumstances, are impossible, or nearly so, to cross. Such a fence is considered “game proof” by Rowland Ward, and all animals confined found by such enclosures are “fenced game” by RW rules even if temporary events such as a flood, a fence fallen in disrepair, or a gate left open would make it possible for animals to enter or exit. A game-proof fence is in direct contrast to a normal farm animal fence that in most all cases, can be crossed by game on a regular basis. It is possible, however, for afarm fence can be of such a confining nature for certain animals that it is “game proof.” It should be noted that smaller animals such as duikers and pigs are often not confined by regular game fencing.
Rowland Ward accepts entries from game-proof-fenced areas in Africa and Europe that have self- sustaining animal populations. RW does not accept game-proof fenced entries from any other continent.
What Is a Self-Sustaining Population?
Under RW self-sustaining shall mean the following:

• The population can feed itself from naturally occurring food sources.
• No continuous supplemental feeding takes place, although occasional supplemental feeding
  during droughts, severe winters, etc., is allowed.
• The outcome of hunting an individual animal is not guaranteed.
• The animals hunted are born on the property and lived there continuously.
• No individual animals to be hunted are released into the property.
• The property shall provide enough acreage & vegetation where animals can hide.
• No animals from the property are temporarily caught and subsequently released again.

If you want to hunt Buffalo in RSA the property must meet the above specifications. For example if all they have is Bulls, it won't. SCI not a problem.

 

[TEXASHUNTER]

In RSA:

https://rowlandward.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Fenced-Game-Populations_Logo-update.pdf

If you want to hunt Buffalo in RSA the property must meet the above specifications. For example if all they have is Bulls, it won't. SCI not a problem.

Self sustained herd of 180+ head for over 20yrs+; so I should be good. Great news! Thanks for sharing.

 

[wesheltonj]

Self sustained herd 180+ head for over 20yrs+; so I should be good. Great news! Thanks for sharing.

It's fairly easy to get a SCI trophy as they have Bronze, Silver and Gold. It's not easy to get a Rowland Ward trophy.

 

[375Fox]

Thanks. Yes buffalo is what I'm most concerned with. Wondering if it's worth investing the extra $ for a 45"+ buffalo or obtaining a 40"+ ; as if I can enter it in the record book it doesn't make financial sense. Kind of like harvesting a low fence WT vs a HF WT here in Texas, as a low fence 160"+ WT makes a huge difference vs a 190"+ WT from a HF ranch. Make sense?

I don’t think you are going to find many hunters here driven by the record book. Most are going to advise you to choose the better hunt. Hunting for records puts a lot of stress on PH and yourself. Depending on the area it’s also very possible you are hunting a specific or possibly introduced bull for that hunt. You should also note many of the best SCI bulls are young bulls because they haven’t worn their tips down. I’ve taken a 45”+ bull. I won’t book that type of hunt again where a certain minimum size is expected. 40”+ is a very big bull. The older the bull the more impressive the trophy as well.

 

[Red Leg]

Thanks. Yes buffalo is what I'm most concerned with. Wondering if it's worth investing the extra $ for a 45"+ buffalo or obtaining a 40"+ ; as if I can enter it in the record book it doesn't make financial sense. Kind of like harvesting a low fence WT vs a HF WT here in Texas, as a low fence 160"+ WT makes a huge difference vs a 190"+ WT from a HF ranch. Make sense?

Why would you want to hunt a buffalo in an area where you pay by the inch? An old worn dagga boy likely won't make the SI minimum for a bronze, but he is a magnificent trophy.

I have had the good fortune to take several - one a free range 42". This old boy came out of a herd deep in the marshes of the Zambezi Delta and barely makes 36". He is well below SCI Bronze. My son and I waded and hiked all day to take a pair of bulls. Neither will make the SCI book. But what an adventure. It is this set of horns on the wall and a good Irish that starts a tale or two.

 

[Safari Dave]

I am an off and on again member of SCI, but their "record book" is almost like the "Who's Who of American High School Students".

Designed to sell books, but not really document world record trophies.

IMHO...

 

[Safari Dave]

Rowland Ward is the standard.

 

[TEXASHUNTER]

Why would you want to hunt a buffalo in an area where you pay by the inch? An old worn dagga boy likely won't make the SI minimum for a bronze, but he is a magnificent trophy.

I have had the good fortune to take several - one a free range 42". This old boy came out of a herd deep in the marshes of the Zambezi Delta and barely makes 36". He is well below SCI Bronze. My son and I waded and hiked all day to take a pair of bulls. Neither will make the SCI book. But what an adventure. It is this set of horns on the wall and a good Irish that starts a tale or two.

View attachment 572537

It would certainly satisfy both for the adventure and the record book would be the icing on the cake. Certainly not for just a score. And the outfit I'm going with averages @ 43in so entry should be a given. Though I was looking at some others on AH that advertise 47"+ Bulls and I was mainly curious if there was a difference in record book certification zim vs rsa etc. I've found out that it does not matter within the rules as long the herd is sustainable etc. What I'm learning as you've posted the guys that hunt say a 34in buff or a buff with no curls at all in other countries do it for the adventure of the hunt. Hunting marshy swamp buffalo vs bush buffalo vs plains or Savanah buffalo. All different hunts, all different experiences. And I too would love the opportunity to experience it all, hopefully in this lifetime.

Appreciate your insight.

 

[TEXASHUNTER]

Why would you want to hunt a buffalo in an area where you pay by the inch? An old worn dagga boy likely won't make the SI minimum for a bronze, but he is a magnificent trophy.

I have had the good fortune to take several - one a free range 42". This old boy came out of a herd deep in the marshes of the Zambezi Delta and barely makes 36". He is well below SCI Bronze. My son and I waded and hiked all day to take a pair of bulls. Neither will make the SCI book. But what an adventure. It is this set of horns on the wall and a good Irish that starts a tale or two.

View attachment 572537

BTW - Very nice buff my friend.

 

[Safari Dave]

When a pen-raised buffalo, that has eaten sweet feed and hay all of it's life, and has a tag in it's ear is a better "trophy" than a wild buffalo with lion scars and poacher's bullets in it, then I'm out on legitimacy.

There needs to be 2 separate categories.


I don't care if someone shoots one with an ear tag and pays by the inch, but it is NOT the same thing.

 

[TEXASHUNTER]

When a pen-raised buffalo, that has eaten sweet feed and hay all of it's life, and has a tag in it's ear is a better "trophy" than a wild buffalo with lion scars and poacher's bullets in it, then I'm out on legitimacy.

There needs to be 2 separate categories.


I don't care if someone shoots one with an ear tag and pays by the inch, but it is NOT the same thing.

Totally agree. 100%; that's certainly not what I'm traveling to the other side of the world seeking..lol

He'll we have cape buffalo here in texas. Under high fence 2k acre ranches for $40K...

Within the last 5 years there are many ranches here in texas that now have nyala, kudu, warthog, bongo, blesbok, lechwe, etc. It's insane what they charge and surprisingly people pay it. Sends the wrong message imo.

 

[wesheltonj]

It would certainly satisfy both for the adventure and the record book would be the icing on the cake. Certainly not for just a score. And the outfit I'm going with averages @ 43in so entry should be a given. Though I was looking at some others on AH that advertise 47"+ Bulls and I was mainly curious if there was a difference in record book certification zim vs rsa etc. I've fo7nd out that it does not matter within the rules as long the herd is sustainable etc. What I'm learning as you've posted the guys that hunt say a 38in buff or a buff with no curls at all in other countries do it for the adventure of the hunt. Hunting marshy swamp buffalo vs bush buffalo vs plains buffalo. All different hunts, all different experiences. And I too would love the opportunity to experience it all hopefully in this lifetime.

Appreciate your insight.

Whoa, average is 43! Under the old Rowland Ward system 42 spread was required to enter and that’s a big Buffalo and not very common. And this place averages 43, ?????? Questions, lots of questions.

 

[TEXASHUNTER]

Whoa, average is 43! Under the old Rowland Ward system 42 spread was required to enter and that’s a big Buffalo and not very common. And this place averages 43, ?????? Questions, lots of questions.

Quoted: 40"+ avg and some over 43"+; I'll share photos upon my return in May.