field judging trophies

[Ndlovu]

does anyone know a internet site or book that could help me learn more about field judging african game for trophy quality please?

[grayghost]

Take a look at the bull elephant in your avatar....now that's big! Get yourself a copy of the current Roland Ward record book. It has thousands of entries from the #1 to the minimum heads. Good hunting, grayghost

[Bwana White Hunter]

I do not know when your course is, but will try and give you some good, sound advise on how to judge horns. Everyone always want to come in and cut prices in this business. Your questions on all the threads(and other forums) shows that you do not know a lot about the industry, but would love to become involved.

Andrew gave you some good advice, "be carefull". I will try and do the same. There is no fast way in becomming a good PH. To pass the test is only to get a piece of paper that says you are now a PH (will change soon I believe and hope) The horn judguing?......practise, practise,practise. There will be a lot of horns to practise on, at the course. Get another student(s), and go judging the horns every morning before you start for the day.

There is NO other way, no book can tell you how to judge horns. Some animals have reference points, like Kudu(ears), Blue Wildebeest(horns past the ears). Some of them you work out a little formula, like Hartebeest- judge the front of the horn, see how big the "bell" is, and when it turns it's head judge the points. Add the three up and you should be close. BUT practise....

Also know the RW min.. All "trophies" are close or over the RW min. It is a high standard, so if you see horns and think you have never seen such a pair (depending on how much you have been around), it will be on or about the min. requirments.

Look out for Koedoe, they are not easy to judge. look at the basis of the horns. IF they move out horizontially from the head, it will have very deep curls, and good horns. Also look at the lenght of the horns, and the depth of the curls.

As to getting into the business. It is very hard and difficult. You will have to be prepared to work for 6-8 years for peanuts, and learn the trade. I am fortunate, being raised by a dad that was a PH.

Best of Luck, if you ever get close to Loskop Nature reserve, come and have a beer with me.......

www.infinito-safaris.com
"For the best African hunting deals"

[pomoxis]

A good book is the Perfect Shot since it will give you the way the horns are scored and the minimum for both SCI and Rowland Ward.

[Bwana White Hunter]

Goog poimt, learn the required measuring methods first!