Category Boundaries for Big Game Records

Big-game records keeping for both Boone and Crockett and the Pope and Young Club deals only with certain native North American big game animals. For such purposes, the southern boundary is defined as the south boundary of Mexico. Only cougar, jaguar, and whitetail deer of the recognized trophy categories range south of this boundary, and only the first two reach recordable size south of Mexico. The northern limit for trophies such as polar bear and walrus is the limit of the continent and associated waters held by the United States, Canada, or Greenland. Continental limits and held waters define east and west boundaries for all categories.

A number of species show geographical variation so that there are smaller varieties inhabiting some parts of the continent and larger ones elsewhere. For example, mature moose from Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, etc., of the Shiras’ variety, although they may grow large and beautiful racks, are unable to compete with the monstrous moose from the Alaska-Yukon region. So it has been necessary to break up the total ranges of some of the species into various categories in order to provide proper recognition.

Both Records committees have, over the years, gradually defined the areas from which trophies may be entered and have modified these boundaries in some cases when more thorough knowledge of the distribution of the animals in question has become known. The B&C Records Committee creates new categories from time to time. In fact, the Boone and Crockett Club has created four new categories since 1986, including non-typical American elk, tule elk, and non-typical categories for both Columbia blacktail deer and Sitka blacktail deer. Pope and Young Club just added non-typical Sitka blacktail in 2020. Other new trophy categories (e.g., wolves, Columbia whitetail deer, alligators) have been proposed, but both Committees maintain a conservative stance in reviewing such proposals. New categories are considered only when the following conditions are met:

1. there are extensive geographical areas where the proposed animals occur;
2. the animals occur in good numbers;
3. there are suitable boundaries that can be drawn;
4. the game department(s) managing the proposed class are in favor of setting up such a new category;
5. scientific evidence supports the new category.

The following material will review the categories for which there are geographically defined boundaries. Obviously, these boundaries must be observed in the taking of a trophy in order for it to be considered for that category. As a general rule, the categories are set so there is virtually no chance of a larger category specimen (or a hybrid animal) being taken within the boundary for the smaller category. While this may exclude some deserving specimens of the smaller category that reside in the larger category’s range, it is a price that must be paid to keep the smaller categories pure.

Bears and Cats

Alaska Brown and Grizzly Bears

The big brown bears are found on Kodiak and Afognak Islands, the Alaska Peninsula, and eastward and southeastward along the coast of Alaska. The smaller interior grizzly is found in the remaining parts of the continent. The boundary between the two was first defined as an imaginary line extending 75 miles inland from the coast of Alaska. Later this boundary was more precisely defined (Figure 2-A) with the current definition as follows:

A line of separation between the larger growing coastal brown bear and the smaller interior grizzly has been developed such that west and south of this line (to and including Unimak Island) bear trophies are recorded as Alaska brown bear. North and east of this line, bear trophies are recorded as grizzly bear. The boundary line description is as follows: Starting at Pearse Canal and following the Canadian-Alaskan boundary northwesterly to Mt. St. Elias on the 141-degree meridian; thence north along the Canadian-Alaskan boundary to Mt. Natazhat; thence west-northwest along the divide of the Wrangell Range to Mt. Jarvis at the western end of the Wrangell Range; thence north along the divide of the Mentasta Range to Mentasta Pass; thence in a general westerly direction along the divide of the Alaska Range to Houston Pass; thence westerly following the 62nd parallel of latitude to the Bering Sea.

Polar Bear

Polar bear must be taken in either United States- or Canadian-held water and/or land mass in order to be eligible for entry in B&C/P&Y. This definition is necessary because of the wide range of polar bears in the far northern hemisphere.

Cougar

A cougar is eligible for entry in B&C/P&Y from all states and provinces that classify it as a game animal. While Texas Parks and Wildlife does not consider cougar a game animal and does not issue a hunting license for them, they are eligible for entry in B&C on a case-by-case basis, so long as they are taken in Fair Chase.

Jaguar (B&C only)

Jaguar must be taken north of the south boundary of Mexico (the southern boundary of North America for big-game records-keeping purposes) and must be accompanied by a CITES permit in order to be eligible. Pope and Young Club does not accept jaguar.

   

Walrus

To be eligible for entry, walrus trophies must be taken within U.S., Canadian, or Greenland waters and/or land areas (Figure 2-B). Pope and Young Club does not accept walrus.

Pacific Walrus

The geographical boundary for Pacific walrus is that portion of the Bering Sea east of the International Dateline; south along coastal Alaska, including the Pribilof Islands and Bristol Bay; extending eastward into Canada to the southwest coasts of Banks and Victoria islands and the mouth of Bathurst Inlet in Nunavut Province (formerly known as Northwest Territories).

Atlantic Walrus

The geographical boundary for Atlantic walrus is basically the Arctic and Atlantic coasts south to Massachusetts. More specifically the Atlantic walrus boundary in Canada extends westward to Mould Bay of Prince Patrick Island, to just east of Cape George Richards of Melville Island and to Taloyoak, Nunavut Province (formerly known as Spence Bay, Northwest Territories); and eastward to include trophies taken in Greenland.

Elk

Roosevelt’s Elk

The Roosevelt’s elk category was established in 1979 for Boone and Crockett Club with input from Pope and Young founder and Regular Boone and Crockett member Glenn St. Charles. Roosevelt’s elk trophies have thicker, shorter antlers, and many of the largest trophies develop crown points—a very distinctive feature.

Figure 2-C indicates the boundary for Roosevelt’s elk, which are acceptable from Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties in California, as well as that portion of Siskiyou County west of I-5 in Northern California; from west of I-5 in Oregon and Washington; and from Afognak and Raspberry islands of Alaska. The Roosevelt’s elk boundary in British Columbia, which was expanded in 2010, includes all of Vancouver Island and all of the islands in the Strait of Georgia. On the British Columbia mainland, the boundary includes all of the coastal watersheds of Butte Inlet at the north to Fraser River, Harrison River/Harrison Lake and all of its tributaries at the south. Pope and Young defines these watersheds by stating the line goes northerly of Harrison Lake to the summit of Mt. Breakenridge, Mt. Dagleish, and Mt. Gilbert, thence westerly to the summit of Mt. Kennedy, thence to the south side of Knight Inlet.

The Alaskan animals are the result of a successful transplant from the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state. To date, only four Alaska bulls have been accepted in B&C’s Records Program. Most of the Roosevelt’s elk accepted in the records books have come from coastal Oregon, California, and Washington, with a smaller number of bulls from Vancouver Island and the recently expanded Roosevelt’s elk area mentioned above (Figure 2-C, inset).

Tule Elk

The tule elk category was established in 1998 by the B&C Records Committee after several years of careful and detailed review. The geographical boundary (Figure 2-D) for tule elk is as follows:

That portion of California within a line beginning at the junction of the Pacific Ocean and the Ventura-Santa Barbara County line; north along the Ventura-Santa Barbara County line to the Kern County line; east along the Kern County line to I-5; north along I-5 to the Kern County line; east along the Kern County line to the San Bernardino County line; east along the San Bernardino County line to the California-Nevada state line; northwest along the California-Nevada state line to I-50; west along I-50 to I-5 in Sacramento County; north along I-5 to the Tehama County line; west along the Tehama County line to the Mendocino County line; north and then west along the Mendocino County line to U.S. Highway 101; south along Highway 101 to Twin Rocks (Mendocino County, where 101 turns east/west) with a line extending 6 miles west of Highway 101 from this point and continuing south along Highway 101 (6 miles to the west) to the town of Willits; due east 6 miles to Highway 101 in Willits; south along Highway 101 to the intersection with Bodega Avenue in Petaluma; west along Bodega Avenue to the intersection with Valley Ford Road south of Two Rocks; north and west along Valley Ford Road to the intersection with Highway 1; west along Highway 1 to the intersection with Salmon Creek near the town of Salmon Creek; west along Salmon Creek to the Pacific Ocean; and south along the Pacific Ocean to the point of beginning. As of 2015, there are 21 specific tule elk herds within this area.

All other elk varieties, from the Rocky Mountains and eastward, are now referred to as either typical or non-typical American elk.

Mule Deer, Columbia, and Sitka Blacktail Deer

The problem of properly defining the boundary between the large antlered mule deer, which ranges widely over most of the western third of the United States and western Canada, and its smaller relatives, the Columbia and Sitka blacktails of the West Coast, has been difficult from the beginning of records keeping. The three varieties belong to the same species and thus are able to interbreed readily where their ranges meet. The intent of the Club in drawing suitable boundary lines is to exclude intergrades from each of the three categories. These boundaries have been redrawn as necessary, as more details have become known about the precise ranges of these animals.

Columbia Blacktail Deer

The current boundary (Figure 2-E) for mule and Columbia blacktail deer is as follows:

British Columbia — Starting at the Washington-British Columbia border, blacktail deer range runs west of the height of land between the Skagit and the Chilliwack ranges, intersecting the Fraser River opposite the mouth of Ruby Creek, then west to and up Harrison Lake to and up Tipella Creek to the height of land in Garibaldi Park and northwesterly along this divide past Alta Lake, Mt. Dalgleish, and Mt. Waddington, thence north to Bella Coola. From Bella Coola, the boundary continues north to the head of Dean Channel, Gardner Canal, and Douglas Channel to the town of Anyox, then due west to the Alaska-British Columbia border, which is then followed south to open water. This boundary excludes the area west of the Klesilkwa River and the west side of the Lillooet River.

Washington — Beginning at the Washington-British Columbia border, the boundary line runs south along the west boundary of North Cascades National Park to the range line between R10E and R11E, Willamette Meridian, which is then followed directly south to its intersection with the township line between T18N and T17N, which is then followed westward until it connects with the north border of Mt. Rainier National Park, then along the north, west and south park boundaries until it intersects with the range line between R9E and R10E, Willamette Meridian, which is then followed directly south to the Columbia River near Cook.

Oregon — Beginning at Multnomah Falls on the Columbia River, the boundary runs south along the western boundary of the national forest to Tiller in Douglas County, then south along Highway 227 to Highway 62 at Trail, then south following Highway 62 to Medford, from which the boundary follows the range line between R1W and R2W, Willamette Meridian, to the California border.

California — Beginning in Siskiyou County at the Oregon-California border, the boundary lies between townships R8W and R9W M.D.M., extending south to and along the Klamath River to Hamburg, then south along the road to Scott Bar, continuing south and then east on the unimproved road from Scott Bar to its intersection with the paved road to Mugginsville, then south through Mugginsville to State Highway 3, which is then followed to Douglas City in Trinity County, from which the line runs east on State Highway 299 to I-5. The line follows I-5 south to the area of Anderson, where the Sacramento River moves east of I-5, following the Sacramento River until it joins with the San Joaquin River, which is followed to the south border of Stanislaus County. The line then runs west along this border to the east border of Santa Clara County. The east and south borders of Santa Clara County are then followed to the south border of Santa Cruz County, which is then followed to the edge of Monterey Bay.

Sitka Blacktail

On the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia and along the coast of Alaska ranges another subspecies of mule deer exists, the Sitka blacktail. Accordingly, after a compilation of scores of the largest Sitka blacktail deer trophies from southern Alaska (including those from Kodiak Island where they have been transplanted), a separate trophy category was established for typical Sitka blacktail deer in 1983. The non-typical Sitka blacktail deer category was established by Boone and Crockett Club in 2001 with Pope and Young Club adding the non-typical Sitka blacktail category in 2020.

Sitka blacktails have been transplanted to the Queen Charlotte Islands and are abundant there. Thus, the acceptable area for this category includes southeastern Alaska and the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia (Figure 2-F).

Recently completed B&C-supported DNA research has not resulted in any boundary changes. However, hunters who have taken a buck within the mule deer boundary area that they believe to be a pure strain of either Columbia blacktail or Sitka blacktail can have a DNA test performed for a nominal cost at their expense to determine if it is a pure specimen from either category. If the analysis proves that it is, it can be entered in the correct category even though it may have been taken within the mule deer boundary. Details of this program are included in the policy chapter and the reference section of this book. Hunters can also call B&C headquarters in Missoula, Montana, for details and instructions.   

Whitetail and Coues’ Deer

Whitetail deer range widely over North America, with recordable trophies known from almost all of this range. The largest specimens are more common from the northern states and southern Canada. Although there is some sentiment for subdividing the range of whitetails into more than two categories, with lower minimums for the southern states, there are no natural boundaries to use in such an effort. But, the tiny Coues’ whitetail of the southwest is a different story. It has been recognized in a separate trophy category since the start of the Club’s big game records keeping in 1932. The acceptable area (Figure 2-G) for Coues’ whitetail deer entries is defined as central and southern Arizona and the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua. In New Mexico, the Coues’ whitetail deer boundary is defined as the Arizona border to the west, the New Mexico border to the south, the Rio Grande River to the east and I-40 to the north.

Occasionally, Coues’ deer may interbreed with mule deer, so the Records Committee may request that a DNA analysis be performed on a Coues’ deer if there is any doubt as to its genetic purity. 

Moose

The boundaries for the three classes of moose have remained essentially unchanged since the beginning of the records keeping (Figure 2-H). Opportunities generally increased in the late 2000s until recently when population declines have limited—and in the case of Minnesota, closed—historically strong moose seasons.

Alaska-Yukon Moose

The Alaska-Yukon moose category includes moose from Alaska, Yukon Territory, and Northwest Territories.

Canada Moose

The Canada moose category includes moose from all of the remaining provinces of Canada, plus Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont, and eastern Montana along its northern border with Saskatchewan (Figure 2-I).

Shiras’ Moose

The Shiras’ moose category has the Canadian border as its northern boundary. Its range includes all of the Rocky Mountain region south of Canada and west to the Pacific Ocean, including the states of Colorado, Idaho, western Montana, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Caribou

The various varieties of caribou, which vary widely in size and antler configuration, have required subdivision of the species into five different trophy categories (Figure 2-J): mountain, woodland, barren ground, Central Canada barren ground, and Quebec-Labrador. Prior to 1960, the classification of the different species and subspecies of the world was in disarray. At that time, Frank Banfield, a Canadian wildlife biologist, reviewed all of the available museum specimens of the world’s caribou and reduced the number of valid subspecies. Among his conclusions were that the new world caribou and the old world reindeer should all be classified as one species, but that northern barren ground caribou differ from the more southerly distributed woodland caribou, both in Eurasia and in North America.

Barren Ground Caribou

The largest antlered caribou from North America are the Grant’s variety from Alaska and northern Yukon Territory. These caribou, called barren ground caribou for records-keeping purposes, have long, rounded main beams with very long top points. They also have the highest All-time record book minimum entry score of 400 points. (See below also for description of boundary between barren ground caribou and mountain caribou in Yukon Territory.) Trophies taken in Alaska on Umnak and Atka islands are not eligible for entry in B&C or P&Y at this time because they are considered reindeer and B&C and P&Y does not have a category for reindeer.

Mountain Caribou

The so-called mountain caribou, now regarded as a variety of woodland caribou, is found in British Columbia, Alberta, southern Yukon Territory, and the Mackenzie Mountains of Northwest Territories. In Yukon Territory, the boundary (Figure 2-K) begins at the intersection of the Yukon River with the boundary between Yukon Territory and the state of Alaska. The boundary runs southeasterly following the Yukon River upstream to Dawson; then easterly and southerly along the Klondike Highway to Stewart Crossing; then easterly following the road to Mayo; then northeasterly following the road to McQuesten Lake; then easterly following the south shore of McQuesten Lake and then upstream following the main drainage to the divide leading to Scougale Creek to its confluence with the Beaver River; then south following the Beaver River downstream to its confluence with the Rackla River; then southeasterly following the Rackla River downstream to its confluence with the Stewart River; then northeasterly following the Stewart River upstream to its confluence with the North Stewart River to the boundary between Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories. North of this line, caribou are classified as barren ground caribou for records-keeping purposes, while those specimens taken south of this line are considered mountain caribou.

Central Canada Barren Ground Caribou

Central Canada barren ground caribou occur on Baffin Island and the mainland of Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as in northern Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan (Figure 2-L). Caribou from other Arctic islands north of the mainland of Northwest Territories/Nunavut are ineligible for entry in the record books. The geographic boundaries in the mainland of Northwest Territories are: the Mackenzie River to the west; the north edge of the continent to the north (excluding any islands except Baffin Island); Hudson’s Bay to the east; and the southern boundary of Northwest Territories to the south. Pope and Young Club classifies caribou harvested in Greenland as Central Canada barren ground caribou. Boone and Crockett does not accept caribou from Greenland into its records program.

The boundary for Central Canada barren ground caribou in Manitoba begins at the point of intersection of the south limit of township 87 with the provincial boundary between the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The boundary then follows this township line east to the point of confluence with Waskaiowka Lake. From there it proceeds in a northeasterly direction along the high-water mark of the north shore of the aforementioned lake following the sinuosities of the shoreline to the point of intersection with the water connection to Hale Lake. From this point, the high-water mark of the north shoreline is followed to the point of intersection with the Little Churchill River. Henceforth, it follows the high-water mark of the north or westerly shore of the Little Churchill River including expansions of the river into lakes to the point of confluence with the Churchill River. From there the boundary crosses the mouth of the Little Churchill River and follows the high-water mark on the south or easterly shore of the Churchill River to the community of Churchill located on Hudson Bay.

Caribou taken in Manitoba north of the above-described boundary are classified as Central Canada barren ground caribou.

In Saskatchewan, Central Canada barren ground caribou occur within Wildlife Management Zone 76. The boundary begins at the intersection between the 59th parallel and the Alberta-Saskatchewan border (intersection of 59th parallel and 110th meridian), runs east a few kilometers along the 59th parallel to its junction with the south shore of Lake Athabasca, then follows the south shore of Lake Athabasca northeasterly to the mouth of the MacFarlane River, turns south along the MacFarlane River to its junction with the 109th meridian, follows the 109th meridian south a few kilometers to its intersection with the 58th parallel, turns easterly along the 58th parallel to its intersection with the 107th meridian, turns south along the 107th meridian until its intersection with the 58th parallel, then turns east and follows the 58th parallel to the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border (intersection of 58th parallel and 102nd meridian). North of this line is the Central Canada barren-ground caribou zone (Wildlife Management Zone 76) where Central Canada barren ground caribou may be legally hunted in Saskatchewan.

Quebec-Labrador Caribou

The Quebec-Labrador caribou category was established in 1968. This large woodland caribou has very wide, long-beamed antlers with almost universally palmated bez formations. To have left these animals in competition with the woodland caribou of Newfoundland would have resulted in a complete swamping of the smaller-antlered woodland caribou from Newfoundland. Boundaries for Quebec-Labrador caribou are just as the name implies, Quebec and Labrador (Figure 2-M).

Woodland Caribou

Woodland caribou are eligible for entry from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick. Woodland caribou occur sparingly all the way across Canada to southern British Columbia. Although there may be some open seasons in these provinces, they are not taken in large numbers anywhere. It would seem inappropriate to place such animals in competition with those from Newfoundland where they have been regularly hunted for more than 100 years (Figure 2-J).

Bison

Figure 2-N illustrates the specific areas within states, provinces, and reservations from which bison are currently accepted for Boone and Crockett Club. The Pope and Young Club is currently accepting entries from the following areas: The same three herds from Alaska as Boone and Crockett Club, the Henry Mountains of southeastern Utah, and the Book Cliffs area of eastern Utah, which is within the controlled management areas outlined by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Department. This does not include the Indian reservations outside this area, The Pink Mountains in British Columbia, the House Rock Wildlife Area in Arizona, the herds migrating North of Yellowstone into Montana, and the Jackson herd in western Wyoming. The boundary in Wyoming is as follows: Lincoln County, Sublette County, and that portion of Teton County south of the Flagg Ranch to Grassy Lake Road and south of Highway 287 and west of the Continental Divide. It excludes Grand Teton National park, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway and the National Elk Refuge. Central Alberta, Canada, which is within the controlled management area outlined by the Alberta Environment and Parks Department. Both committees are working on reviewing current eligible locations. Please ensure you stay up to date with communications from both organizations to stay apprised of any future changes to acceptable locations.

Musk Ox

Beginning with the 8th edition (1981) of the All-time record book, the two previously recognized categories of musk ox (Greenland and barren ground) were combined into a single category. Musk ox from Alaska, Canada, and Greenland are all eligible for entry into the single category recognized today.

Sheep

The wild sheep of North America belong in only two species, the thin-horned sheep of northern British Columbia northward (Ovis dalli), and the bighorn sheep ranging from central B.C. southward to Baja, California (Ovis canadensis).

Dall’s and Stone’s Sheep

Dall’s (or white) sheep range over much of Alaska, most of Yukon Territory, the Mackenzie Mountains of Northwest Territories, and an isolated area of British Columbia. Stone’s sheep occur primarily in northern British Columbia. Where the ranges of these two subspecies meet, the intergrade animals may range through a variety of dark gray shades to almost white. This intergrade was, at one time, regarded as a separate subspecies (Fannin’s sheep), but this form cannot really be defined and the idea of a separate category for such animals was rejected many years ago. After consultation with guides, knowledgeable biologists and hunters, the decision was made that any thin-horned sheep that shows any black hairs on the body is classified as a Stone’s sheep, unless only the tail is black. In the case of a black tail only, the trophy would be considered a Dall’s sheep. The area from which Fannin-type trophies are known is primarily the Pelly Mountains of the southern Yukon. But, they might be recorded from extreme northern British Columbia, and perhaps other localities in the southern Yukon.

Bighorn and Desert Sheep

The bighorn sheep are separable into bighorn sheep and desert bighorn sheep (Figure 2-O). Thanks to the conservation efforts of numerous groups and individuals, desert sheep are currently acceptable for entry from certain parts of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, West Texas, and select free-ranging herds in Mexico including Carmen and Tiburon Islands. Bighorn sheep are found and acceptable for entry from most western states other than California which only has huntable populations of desert sheep. Numerous bighorn sheep transplants of both Rocky Mountain and California bighorns have been made in the western states; some have been spectacularly successful in restoring sheep to ancestral ranges. In some cases, extremely high scoring trophies have come from these transplanted animals or their progeny.

These transplants have resulted in problems for records keeping in the case of the restoration of the so-called California bighorn, which has flourished in natural populations only from central and southcentral British Columbia. This subspecies originally ranged from extreme northeastern California through eastern Oregon, into eastern and central Washington, extreme southwestern Idaho, and northward into central British Columbia. Successful transplants from British Columbia have now been made into North Dakota (where the now-extinct Audubon’s sheep originally occurred) as well as many other areas within the original range of the subspecies. Currently, a few California bighorns are recorded in the listing for bighorn sheep, and these specimens are largely from native animals taken in British Columbia. Since it appears that California bighorns do not have horns as large as those from the Rocky Mountains, there have naturally been requests to establish a new trophy category for such animals. For now, they are only acceptable for entry in the bighorn sheep category for records-keeping purposes as few transplanted herds are comprised completely of California bighorns.

View World's Records
Category Boundaries

Bears and Cats

Walrus

Elk

Mule Deer, Columbia and Sitka Blacktail

Whitetail and Coues' Whitetail

Moose

Caribou

Bison

Musk Ox

Sheep

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