Pope and Young Announces 9 New World Records

Pope and Young recently announced nine new world records at its 34th Biennial Convention, held in Glendale, Arizona. The Pope and Young Convention has always featured an incredible trophy display — the largest collection of archery-taken animals in North America — and with nine new world records added, the showcase reached new heights. With more than 200 trophies on display, including the nine newly recognized world records, the 34th Big Game Awards event was the largest in the Club’s history.

“It’s truly remarkable that, in today’s modern world, nine extraordinary animals taken with a bow and arrow have become the largest ever recorded in their class,” said Pope and Young Records Chairman Roy Grace. “I applaud the ongoing efforts of outdoorsmen, along with organizations dedicated to proper conservation practices and the intelligent game management strategies employed by state and provincial game and fish departments across North America. This is a true success story that reflects their continued achievements.”

The new world records announced at the convention were:

• Tule Elk: Scott Holmrich shot this incredible bull in Mendocino County, CA, on 9/2/2024. It scored an impressive 355 0/8”.
• Roosevelt’s Elk – Velvet: Topping the charts at 324 2/8”, this bull was taken by Chris Krampe in Humboldt County, CA, on 8/4/2023.
• American Elk – Velvet: Jon Argyle arrowed this record-breaking bull in Bingham County, ID, on 8/1/2023, scoring 348 4/8”.
• Blacktail Deer – Velvet: Surpassing both the velvet and hard-horned world records, this Jackson County, OR, blacktail was taken by Michael Jahnke on 8/6/2023 and scored 177 2/8”.
• Whitetail Deer – Velvet: Scoring 182 4/8”, this buck, shot by Jack McNaughton in Smokey River, AB, on 8/31/2013, is the new world record.
• Non-Typical Whitetail Deer – Velvet: Dallas Heinrichs set a new world record with his non-typical velvet whitetail, taken in Hillmond, SK, on 9/3/2012. The deer scored an incredible 271 0/8”.
• Canada Moose – Velvet: Shot in Atkin Lake, BC, on 8/23/2017, Frederick Sweisthal’s bull scored 181 0/8”, breaking the world record.
• Alaska/Yukon Moose – Velvet: Daniel Welker harvested a massive bull scoring 198 0/8” on 8/24/2024 in Watson Lake, YT.
• Barren Ground Caribou – Velvet: Rick Valdez took an exceptional caribou in 1995 along the Mulchatna River in Alaska. It scored an unbelievable 439 3/8”.

“It was an incredible effort by staff, Bass Pro, and hundreds of trophy owners to bring together another record-breaking display of archery-taken trophies for our 34th Big Game Awards,” said Pope and Young Director of Records Tim Rozewski. “The 202 trophies on display showcased this biennial recording period, including 15 youth award recipients, 32 trophies ranking in the top five all-time, and these nine newly accepted world records. The big game display and awards event were, once again, the highlight of our convention. I am proud to be a part of it!”

Lancaster Archery Supply Now Offering ArcheryTime Range

A high-tech combination of video and computers, ArcheryTime is hailed as real archery in virtual reality. There are only four locations in the United States with an ArcheryTime range, and Lancaster Archery Supply recently opened its range in the Lancaster Archery Academy at 2195-A Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

At its core, ArcheryTime involves shooting arrows at projected images on a shootable wall. Archers can bowhunt animals from all over the world, or aliens and monsters that exist only in imagination. There are carnival games that pit shooters against one or another, or require them to work together to achieve a goal.

A unique offering at Lancaster Archery’s ArcheryTime range is the opportunity to shoot the target face used only in the Lancaster Archery Classic finals, which features the white, 1.5cm, 12-point-ring placed in between the seven- and eight-point lines on a typical, 40cm indoor archery target. Whether they’ve ever shot in the Classic finals or not, ArcheryTime archers at the Lancaster Archery range can make their Classic dreams come true.

Sensors track and plot arrow placement to perfectly score them based on the location of the target, animal or creature being shot.

The Lancaster Archery ArcheryTime range allows up to eight archers to shoot together, at either 10 yards or 20 yards. Archers can use their own equipment — no broadheads — or they can rent gear from the Academy.

Click here for more information on Lancaster Archery’s ArcheryTime range

Whitetails Unlimited Awards $4 Million in Grants

With the completion of its 2024-2025 fiscal year, the non-profit conservation organization Whitetails Unlimited (WTU) has awarded 2,277 grants totaling $4,018,543 toward mission-related projects. Through its grant program, and with the assistance of its dedicated volunteers, members, and corporate sponsors, WTU has grown and cultivated its four pillar programs: Staying on Target; Habitat Options and Planned Enhancement for Wildlife; Developing Environmental Education Resources; and Preserving the Hunting Tradition.

Over the past 42 years, Whitetails Unlimited has recruited thousands of conservation-minded individuals to join its ranks as members. These WTU members share similar values with others concerned about whitetails, deer habitat, and the future of hunting. The continued dedication of WTU members will remain a vital ingredient in the organization’s formula for success.

About Whitetails Unlimited: Since its beginning in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited has remained true to its mission and has made great strides in the field of conservation. Thanks to more than 475 chapters, 119,000-plus members, chapter volunteers, and corporate sponsors, WTU has earned the reputation of being the nation’s premier organization dedicating its resources to the betterment of the white-tailed deer and its environment. WTU’s mission is to raise funds in support of educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and preservation of the shooting sports and hunting tradition for future generations. To date, WTU — a non-profit organization — has expended more than $147 million on program services and activities that continue to enhance, and ultimately foster, its mission.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Give $100K Grant to NASP

The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund recently announced a $100,000 grant to the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), continuing its support of its educational programming for more than 1 million students across North America and offsetting equipment costs for new schools and students joining the program.

This latest grant pushes the total amount of support for NASP from the Outdoor Fund to more than $900,000 since 2016. This commitment shows the steadfast efforts of Bass Pro Shops and its founder, noted conservationist Johnny Morris, to inspire everyone to love, enjoy and conserve the great outdoors by introducing new audiences to outdoor recreation and the wonders of nature.

When a school incorporates the NASP curriculum in its physical education offerings, more than 100 students on average participate in the sport at that location annually, with two-thirds of participants being first-time archers.

“We are excited to continue to support NASP and the important work it does for these young sportsmen and women,” Johnny Morris said. “This program has a long and successful history of introducing new audiences to the outdoors and helping young people of all backgrounds participate in this growing sport. It’s very rewarding to see thousands of young archers across the nation reap the positive benefits.”

NASP boasts an unblemished 23-year safety record and adds more than 1,300 schools per year, helping to grow the sport of archery and supporting the mission of educators through this extracurricular activity. This latest landmark Outdoor Fund grant, and continued support over the last 10 years, is made possible by the generosity of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s customers who round up their purchases at the register and online. It provides outdoor gear for programming that makes a positive and significant impact on thousands of students nationwide.

“The National Archery in the Schools Program is indeed grateful to the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund Committee for their continued support of NASP students!” NASP President Tommy Floyd said. “For the thousands of NASP students and their families who visit a nearby Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s retail store, or visit the trusted retailer online, ‘rounding up for conservation’ is a great way to support their favorite archery program. We continue to utilize 100 percent of these Outdoor Fund dollars to offset the cost of equipment kits for new and reactivated schools. NASP is proud to continue to work with the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s family to grow the shooting sports and promote conservation!”

Guided by the visionary leadership of Johnny Morris, the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund unites more than 200 million passionate customers with dedicated team members, industry partners and leading conservation organizations like the National Archery in the Schools Program. Through these conservation initiatives, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is creating North America’s largest conservation movement to collectively shape the future of the outdoors and all who love it for generations to come.