CY CURTIS RECORDS
The Cy Curtis records list -- named for the man arguably most pivotal in the development of the state's whitetail restoration program -- was created to recognize our state's outstanding whitetails, with several categories for entry.

A typical buck must net a minimum score of 135 for entry, while a non-typical must score at least 150 after deductions. There also is a category for both typical and non-typical mule deer, as well as an open category for deer that are found dead.

If you kill a deer you believe might be worthy of scoring, contact the ODWC at (405) 521-3851.

BOONE AND CROCKETT RECORD BOOK
The holy grail of whitetail records is no doubt the Boone and Crockett record book. To appear in the pages of this prestigious register, a typical whitetail must net a minimum of 170; a non-typical must net 195. Bucks reaching these minimum scores are officially recognized in B&C's all-time records book.

The club also has period awards, which recognize bucks that didn't reach the minimum scores for the all-time books, but nevertheless are worthy of recognition. To be recognized in this category, a typical buck must have a minimum score of 160, while a non-typical must score at least 185.

Several certified B&C scorers reside in our state. For a list, contact the ODWC, or log on to the Web site www.boone-crockett.org.

POPE & YOUNG CLUB
Founded in 1961 and named for Dr. Saxton Pope and Arthur Young, the Pope & Young Club recognizes the world's top archery trophies.

To qualify for P&Y, a typical whitetail must score a minimum of 125, a non-typical at least 150. The club restricts the types of archery equipment allowed, and so-called "fair chase" affidavits are required. (Bucks taken by crossbow are ineligible for P&Y, but qualify for B&C if they meet scoring criteria.)

For information on certified scorers in your area consult the Web site at www.pope-young.org.

WHERE TO TAKE A STATE RECORD
A prognosticator could accurately predict that the next state-record buck will come from . . . anywhere. It's true: Any county in the state can produce a record deer if the bucks are allowed to live long enough to grow their best headgear.

For the record, state-record typical bucks have been taken in the following counties: Bryan, Jackson, Oklahoma and Atoka. State-record non-typical bucks have come from Tillman, Hughes, Wagoner and Alfalfa.

BEST COUNTIES FOR BIG-BODIED BUCKS
Taking a heavyweight buck is something to brag about. I know of hunters who size-up a live buck's weight on the hoof, like some anglers size up fish in the water. Their ultimate quest is to take a bruiser buck that will break the check-station scales.

Big bucks and does can show up anywhere, but some counties historically produce bigger-bodied deer than others do. Shaw cited Woods, Woodward and Beaver counties as likely spots to bag a heavy whitetail, due to the fertile agricultural in those locales.

"Several years ago," he noted, "there was a buck killed in Payne County that weighed 340 pounds (live weight), as well as a Woods County buck that weighed 300 pounds" -- giant-sized animals anywhere, but not the norm.

"An average-sized buck in the northwest will weigh 130 to 160 pounds field-dressed," said Shaw, "while mature does will weigh 80 to 100 pounds. In contrast, a mature buck in the southeast will average 100 to 130 pounds field-dressed, while a mature doe will weigh 60 to 80 pounds."