[Master of Arms]

I`ve tried to find some information on this subject but I`ve not had any luck.
Is there a public land record book for deer and/or other game??

With all of the high priced outfitters and big deer marketing campaigns today it seems that all a person needs to do is save up a few thousand dollars and he or she can shoot themselves a nice 150+ trophy which could possibly add their name into one of the record books. I`ve even watched an outfitter advertising the fact of "letting" the first timers at his place only shoot the smaller deer and adding 5 inches to his or her allowed deer per visit.

There have been a few nice deer taken on public lands but the big money outfitters are cramming the book with their monsters more and more every year.
]What I`m wondering is if there`s not a public land record book does anyone think that there should be one?
And if you don`t think that there should be a public record book please explain as to why.

[oronocova]

Hello,

I'd be interested in knowing if there is one also. It seems like a good idea that there be one. There clearly is a difference (at least for me) in where I hunt and where the guys on TV hunt. That's mostly why I don't even watch hunting on TV; to me it's not really hunting if the deer have been purposely raised just for a trophy. I don't think there is necessarily anything wrong with that type of "hunting", it just really turns me off.

So yes, I think there ought to be a public land records book if there isn't already. And, if there is where is it?

-Jon

[Harve Curry]

I'm an outfitter although I'm no expert on SFI, Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young, but as I understand it the animal must be free roaming. If there's a fence that the animal cannot jump then I think it's in a whole different category because the population of game is controlled and confined, no matter how small or large the fenced area.
If it's just a 4 wire range fence that any elk or deer can jump and be on public land, then that's totally free roaming. An example would be the Double H Ranch near Magdalena New Mexico. It's now owned by The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and is an high end hunting ranch with alfalfa farms, ponds, timber, plains, mountains with the borders being mostly public Cibola National Forest. The fences are 4 wire range fence so wildlife are free to come and go. I've guided there and been on trophy elk/deer on both sides of the fence.
My point is I don't see how you could make hunting or trophys taken in a place like the Double HH which is all private exempt from a Public Land Record Book .

[Grumulkin]

If there's a fence that the animal cannot jump then I think it's in a whole different category because the population of game is controlled and confined, no matter how small or large the fenced area.

I think that's true but someone willing to shoot a huge domesticated deer inside a fence probably isn't going to give truthful information to whoever gathers information for the record book.

[Master of Arms]

the animal must be free roaming
Well I understand the "free roaming" thing but with what I`ve seen lately, that plays a small part because.......
They`ll have a camera on every 10 square acres, they`re so familiar with the deer that they even name the deer. They can tell you the exact hour that a particular deer will be where. All of these facts, plus the many others that I`ve not gone in to, are the reason that I think that there should be new rules dealing with the record book or a public land record book.

[Art Eatman]

"They`ll have a camera on every 10 square acres, they`re so familiar with the deer that they even name the deer. They can tell you the exact hour that a particular deer will be where."

Not exactly my cup of tea, but anybody else who wants to can do the same thing. For that matter, lots of private-land ranchers know quite well what's in their pastures.

If you live in an area, you always have an advantage over any outsider. These guides are merely selling their expertise to those who can afford it. They're doing exactly the same thing as a doctor, lawyer or movie actor.

[brandonc]

I think that if the animals are watched with game cams and being feed by humans then it's more of a deer farm then a outfitter. I also think that fare chase needs to be exersized, I don't consider driving around in jeep until you see an animal then shooting it any different then shooting it in a pen.

[41magsnub]

I'm with Art, I've shot big borderline trophy deer before on private land because the rancher told me where it would probably be at a certain time of day.

[Master of Arms]

I think that if the animals are watched with game cams and being feed by humans then it's more of a deer farm then a outfitter. I also think that fare chase needs to be exersized, I don't consider driving around in jeep until you see an animal then shooting it any different then shooting it in a pen.
Great point.
Some people consider the type outfitter hunting that I`m refering to not to be hunting at all. To each his own but I have much more respect for a person who takes a nice 8 pointer on public land than I do for a person who takes a 180+ deer at an outfitter. I know that my respect isn`t necessary to anyone. Just making my point.
They're doing exactly the same thing as a doctorHaving a kidney transplant isn`t a sport. LOL

[Master of Arms]

The thread asked if you didn`t think that there should be a public record book to please explain why.

Did you guys know that there is a legitimate ROAD KILL RECORD BOOK???:p

Well there is. So???????

[jaimoe94]

I don't have a problem with free roaming outfitters.Anyone has the the right to make money off their land. But being able to purchase a record book deer doesn't seem like hunting to me at all. Kinda like a drive-thru " I'd like a 185 with fries please!!!

[Master of Arms]

Lololol^ Now ats funny rat dare