The Big Game Club was founded in 1962 in order to provide a record of big game animals taken by bowhunters in California. To date, there are more than 1700 different bowhunters with record book entries. The Big Game Club periodically publishes a Record Book listing all of these bowhunters and their accomplishments, with the newest edition being printed in 2009.
At the present time we are accepting record book entry applications for the following species with minimum scores are shown in the parentheses (Non-Typical entries will also need a minimum of non-typical points as shown behind the “/” mark).
* Coyotes are accepted for species credit only and are not trophy measured.
** Island Hog, Merino Sheep, and Spanish Goat are no longer accepted for book credit. Entries may receive Species Credit subject to acceptance by the CBH/SAA Big Game Committee.
*** The California State Legislature ended the sport hunting of the California cougar after February 28th, 1972.
**** The California State Legislature ended the sport hunting of the California Bobcat after December 31st, 2019.
Any of the above animals may be submitted for Record Book entry if they meet or exceed the listed minimum score, or for Species Credit if they fail to meet the record book minimum. You will not need to take the animal to a measurer for Species Credit application. When the application is approved you will receive a beautiful certificate suitable for framing to hang on your wall in honor of your achievement.
If you would like to submit an animal for the record book, simply contact one of our certified measurers (List of Measurers). The measurer will make arrangements to score your animal and will have all of the necessary paperwork. You will need a good quality photograph of the animal (a photo of the hunter and the animal in the natural hunting environment is ideal, but if that is not available, other photos will do). These photos are used to verify that the animal being entered is indeed the one in the picture, plus we use the best photos in upcoming editions of the Record Book. You will also need a check or money order payable to CBH/SAA for $10.00 per animal being submitted. All applicants are also required to be a member of CBH/SAA at the time their entry is submitted, so if you are not presently a member you will also need to enclose $45.00 for single membership or $50.00 for family membership with your application. The measurer will mail in your form for you when all application items are completed.
For Species Credit, simply fill-out the application (completely), and send the application, a photo of the animal (see below), and a check for $10.00 payable to CBH/SAA and send to:
Mark Sasser, Records Chairman
8735 N Cedar Ave. Unit 107, Fresno CA 93720
Animals that are taken during the period of July 1st of the odd-numbered years through June 30th of the even-numbered years become eligible for the current Two-Year Awards Program. The top three animals of each species will be recognized at the Big Game Club Banquet and Awards Ceremony that is usually held during January of the odd-numbered years.
For a complete description of all these programs and a listing of all the record animals, you should consider buying a copy of the Big Game Club Record Book. These beautiful hard-bound editions will look great on your coffee table or in your office, and sells for $40.00 plus $10.00 shipping and handling and can be ordered elsewhere on this site.