ANNOUNCEMENT: 2026 SCI Members Big Game Antler Contest & Youth First Harvest Celebration
1. General Eligibility
Membership Requirement: The submitter must be a current member of the Safari Club International Chapter in good standing at the time of entry .
Youth: are eligible to participate under a parents or guardian SCI Membership
Entry: Must be purchased prior to September 1st 2026, $50.00 per hunter
Harvest Window: All entries must be for animals harvested during the 2026 Ontario hunting season (as defined by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry).
Legal Harvest: Animals must be legally taken in accordance with all provincial wildlife regulations. Any violation of the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act disqualifies the entry.
Fair Chase: Entries must adhere to the SCI Code of Ethics, ensuring the animal was taken under conditions of Fair Chase (e.g., no herding, no illegal vehicle use, no fenced enclosures).
2. Contest Categories & Scoring Standards
All entries must be measured by a Certified SCI Measurer. The contest strictly follows official SCI International measuring methods:
Typical: Scored using Method 17-T (deductions for asymmetry/non-typical tines).
Non-Typical: Scored using Method 17-NT (credit given for non-typical points).
Palmated: Scored using Method 25-P (focus on palm length/width and points).
Cervine (Unpalmated): Scored using Method 25-C(typical antler configuration without significant palmation).
3. Submission Requirements
Documentation: A completed official SCI Score Sheet signed by the certified measurer must be submitted.
Photos: While not explicitly stated in the short text, SCI entries typically require field photos (left, right, and front views) for verification, especially for "Founders' Choice" consideration.
Deadline: All score sheets must be received by the chapter no later than December 31, 2026. Late entries will not be eligible for awards.
4. Youth "First Harvest" Rules
Age Limit: Open to youth members under 18 years of age at the time of harvest.
First Animal Requirement: The entry must be the youth's first-ever successful harvest of the specific species (Moose or White-tailed Deer).
Prize Eligibility: All verified youth entries receive a certificate and are automatically entered into the exclusive Youth Door Prize Draw (knives, optics, gear).
5. Awards & Recognition
High Score: Awarded to the highest-scoring entry in Rifle and Archery categories for both species.
Ladies Division: Highest-scoring entry by a female member in each species category.
Founders' Choice: A subjective award judged by the chapter founders/board for a rack with unique character, regardless of final numerical score.
Ceremony: Winners will be announced at the Awards Night on January 16, 2027.