Nevada Record Book Makes Perfect Christmas Gift for Hunters

A Christmas gift that will long be valued by any Nevada hunter is the Nevada Record Book, a 460-page compilation of the trophy animals harvested in the state along with articles written by hunters about their hunts and photos of many of the trophy animals.

Ted Waking, chairman of the Record Book Committee, which publishes the book, said it is a valuable resource for hunters because it allows them to see what sizes of animals have come from the various hunting areas of the state.

Publication of the Nevada Record Book began 25 years ago and is updated every five years. The current edition, which came off the press in early December, lists the trophy big game animals harvested in the state through the 2004-05 hunting season.

For the first time, the committee has published a field guide as a companion to the Nevada Record Book. Waking said that besides giving information on record animals, it provides information on field judging animals and score sheets.

“The Nevada Record Book was started in order to recognize the fine trophies the state of Nevada has,” Waking said. “It’s not only used by hunters, but on numerous occasions has been used by the Nevada Department of Wildlife in research and study of big game animals.”

Big game animals listed in the book include antelope, California bighorn sheep, desert bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, cougar, deer, elk and mountain goat. There are categories as well for non-typical deer and elk.

Waking said that in the past five years there have been four new state records set in the state. These include California bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, cougar and non-typical elk.

Nevada Record Books may be purchased at Nevada Department of Wildlife offices for $55. Sets that include both the book and the 260-page field guide are $85.

NDOW offices are open weekdays, except state holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payments may be made with cash or checks, credit cards are not accepted.