Idaho Moose Make The Book

Idaho mule deer and elk are regularly noted in the record books, but moose dominated in the most recent Boone and Crockett Club big game awards. Idaho moose took the top two places in the Boone and Crockett awards for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003. The listing appeared in the Fall 2004 issue of the club's Fair Chase magazine. This was the 25th awards period in the club's history of recording big game trophies. The Boone and Crockett Club publishes Records of North American Big Game where the new records will appear in the coming 12th edition. Idaho mule deer did make the list with an honorable mention-third on the list-for a typical buck taken in 2000 in Franklin County by Forrest Christensen. The antlers scored 201 4/8 with an inside spread of 28 inches. The biggest typical mule deer for this award period came from Colorado and scored 206 1/8. The state of Wyoming usually contributes the records for Wyoming, or Shiras, moose. Boone and Crockett recognizes three strains of moose including Shiras, Canadian and Alaska-Yukon. Shiras moose are generally smaller than the other types. Richard K. Smith took a moose in Bingham County in 2000 that won the top spot with a score of 193. The bull had a spread of 51 inches with 12 points on the right side and 14 on the left. A Bonneville County bull, taken by Robin R. Pearson in 2000, was scored at 187 3/8 with a 50 3/8-inch spread. The third-place bull came from Colorado. Moose populations in Idaho have increased in number and distribution steadily in recent decades. Once seen almost exclusively in eastern counties, moose have spread through the central mountains to the western border.