The major big game hunting seasons in northern Idaho are over with the exception of some late primitive weapons hunts.

When the seasons draw to a close, people are eager to hear how the overall harvest compares to prior years. Harvest figures will not be available until February, after the hunter harvest reports are received and compiled. Hunters are asked to complete reports as soon as possible so that the season summaries can be completed quickly and efficiently.

Stories are circulating about a few big trophies that were taken during the fall hunting seasons, and the hunters who took them are excited to have their trophies officially measured. To be officially measured under the Boone and Crockett, Pope and Young (archery only), or Longhunter Society (muzzleloader) scoring systems; all antlers, horns and skulls must first dry at room temperature for a minimum of 60 days. They can be stored in a freezer or outdoors initially, but must be allowed to air dry at room temperature for at least 60 days before they can be officially scored.

Measuring a set of antlers takes time, and measurers do not have the spare time to “green score” antlers or skulls and then score them again after the drying period. So … please do not drop in at the local IDFG office and ask for a green score. After the 60 day drying period you can call to arrange a date and time for an official measurement to be made.

A better option for hunters is to come to one of the gun and horn shows held by local conservation organizations. These groups schedule shows more than 60 days after hunting seasons close, so that official measuring can be done at these events by certified measurers. The official measurers who work for Fish and Game assist with these shows along with other official measurers. If you bring your trophy to one of these shows, more people get to see examples of what they may find in the field.

If you have a trophy that you want measured, now is the time to take it out of the freezer, clean it, and start the air drying period.

The Kootenai Valley Sportsman Association has a gun and horn show scheduled for Feb. 3-5 at the Boundary County Fairgrounds in Bonners Ferry. The club encourages hunters to take their antlers and enter them in the show.

Vendors will display and sell, buy, or trade items. The Kootenai Valley Sportsman Gun and Horn Show begins Friday, Feb. 3 and runs from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., continues on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and finishes Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Bonner County Sportsmen’s Association will hold its gun and horn show at the Bonner County Fair-grounds near Sand-point March 3-5.

The BCSA show is open Friday March 3 from noon-6pm, Saturday March 4 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday March 5 from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Antlers, horns and skulls are accepted only through Friday evening so that all have been measured when the trophy area opens on Saturday morning. Special awards and ribbons are given in deer, elk and moose antler categories; and cougar, bear and wolf skulls. There are special awards for women and youth hunters. Entries must remain on display until the end of the show.

The Inland Northwest Wildlife Council will hold their 57th annual BigHorn Adventure Show at the Interstate Fairgrounds in Spokane March 16-19. Hours are noon-8 on March 16 and 17, 10-8 on March 18, and 10-4 on March 19.

Entries may be brought in Wednesday, March 15 through Friday, March 17 from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon. All entries must be left until 5 p.m. Sunday.

Only cleaned and odorless antlers, horns and skulls from wild big game animals may be entered into any of these shows. If you have a trophy that needs to be boiled or otherwise cleaned up to remove foul odors, now is the time to get it done so they are ready when the shows come around and they can be measured and displayed.

Measurers certified by the Boone and Crockett Club, Pope and Young Club, and the Longhunter Society will measure hunter taken animals and picked-up specimens at each of these shows using the scoring system appropriate to the method of take of the trophy. Those that meet the minimums for the method of take are eligible for entry into the respective record books.

Measurers will not measure specimens from game farms or high fenced enclosures. Trophies that are not clean and odor free will be turned away at the door because they cannot be displayed at an indoor venue for several days if they stink!

In accordance with the policies of the record book organizations, specimens previously measured by an official measurer will not be measured again unless it was clearly not measured correctly or there was a math error.

Phil Cooper is a wildlife conservation educator employed with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in the Panhandle Region.