Pope and Young Club

09/04/2026

Justin Spring and Dylan Ray dive into the past, present, and future of bowhunting on Ep. 88: Pope & Young - More Than Just a Score.

While many hunters immediately think of the record book and official scoring when they hear Pope and Young, this conversation goes far beyond trophy measurements. The guys explore the shift in how modern hunters document their harvests—from physical record books to social media—and why preserving the official history and validity of bowhunting remains just as critical today as it was when the organization was founded 65 years ago.

The discussion tackling the biggest debates in the hunting community today features topics like evolving archery technology, clarifying peep sights, and the hotly debated rise of crossbows during archery seasons. Justin and Dylan share insights into how Pope and Young works to protect the integrity of the sport, break down the non-typical scoring system, and unpack why the iconic Mel Johnson world record typical whitetail still stands unbeaten after six decades. Beyond the scores, this episode highlights Pope and Young's core mission to preserve, promote, and protect bowhunting privileges for generations to come. Tune in for a deep dive into conservation, ethics, and everything you need to know about joining the movement!

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In episode 88 of The Watering Hole, the crew sits down with special...

09/03/2026

The Pope and Young Club would like to bring to the membership and the public’s attention the ability to comment on the Roadless Rule recension. Contrary to much of the negative commentary coming out around this rule change, the basis for the change is rooted in the history of the National Forest system. Our friends over at the Sportsman Alliance have done a tremendous job outlining the history which we would encourage everyone to read before commenting.

In our analysis, this change will have very little effect on these resources as the rule change simply transfers the decision-making authority to local offices who are more familiar with the resource. When formulating your comments, be aware that this debate is grounded in management versus preservation of our National Forests and dates back to the late 1800’s. We see this move as more of a symbolic change, returning management policy to the local Forest Service as it was originally intended.

There are ample resources that are rightfully protected within these areas, but allowing local forest managers to make these decisions supports the multi-use management strategy that built our forests and public access they contain.

The conservation movement in this country has always been a combination of management and preservation. The management helping fund the preservation side is a system we can be proud of, but has been continually eroded for the last 40 years. It is up to each member of this community to research and validate the facts around the debate rather than blindly relying on cherry-picked statistics. This is the time to ponder where humans fit into the natural world and make your voice heard. Are we merely a visitor or a responsible steward?

Natural resources belong to all of us. Do your research, have the hard discussions with all points of view, decide where you stand and make that viewpoint known.

From the US Forest Service: To comment on the proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement, go to Regulations.gov. Public comments must be received by midnight on Sept. 21. Information will be available Aug. 19 on the Forest Service Roadless Areas webpage.

09/01/2026

August Hunt of the Month Drawing

08/30/2026

Awesome hunt. Incredible odds. Great price.

Here’s a chance for you AND A BUDDY to go chase Sitka Blacktail with your bow on Kodiak Island with Homer Ocean Charter!

Boat-based hunt Oct 16–23, 2027 with H.O.C. Marine out of Homer, Alaska. Hunters will be responsible for flying into Kodiak Friday and two nights stay on Kodiak (one the night before and one the night after the hunt. One deer per person. Hunters can also take two foxes, duck hunting for trophy species available as well as crabbing/shrimping/fishing. Outfitter recommended flying out Sunday after, so the hunter is responsible for two nights of lodging. Additional opportunities for trophy duck hunting and foxes are available during the hunt.

With only ONE DAY left, don’t miss this chance to go on an incredible Alaskan adventure with one of Pope & Young’s great outfitters!

Get Your Tickets:
https://www.muradbid.com/app/public/bidapp/huntraffle/tickets/tix

Boat-based hunt Oct 16–23, 2027 with H.O.C. Marine out of Homer, Alaska. Hunters will be responsible for flying into Kodiak Friday and two nights stay on Kodiak (one the night before and one the night after the hunt.  One deer per person. Hunters can also take two foxes, duck hunting for trophy s...

08/30/2026

Awesome hunt. Incredible odds. Great price.

Here’s a chance for you AND A BUDDY to go chase Sitka Blacktail with your bow on Kodiak Island with Homer Ocean Charter!

Boat-based hunt Oct 16–23, 2027 with H.O.C. Marine out of Homer, Alaska. Hunters will be responsible for flying into Kodiak Friday and two nights stay on Kodiak (one the night before and one the night after the hunt. One deer per person. Hunters can also take two foxes, duck hunting for trophy species available as well as crabbing/shrimping/fishing. Outfitter recommended flying out Sunday after, so the hunter is responsible for two nights of lodging. Additional opportunities for trophy duck hunting and foxes are available during the hunt.

With only ONE DAY left, don’t miss this chance to go on an incredible Alaskan adventure with one of Pope & Young’s great outfitters!

Get Your Tickets:
https://www.muradbid.com/app/public/bidapp/huntraffle/tickets/tix

08/28/2026

The Passing of a Bowhunting Legend

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of a true bowhunting legend, Harv Ebers. Harvard F. “Harv” Ebers, 91, of Sedalia, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at his home, after a long battle with heart issues.

As a close friend to Glenn St. Charles, Harv was part of the group in Seattle that laid out the road map and outlined the first principles of what we know as Pope & Young today. Always even keeled and charitable in his demeanor, Harv was instrumental in keeping a cohesive working relationship among board members as the organization grew and developed. With a commitment to serving, Harv served on the first Board of Directors, and was Membership Chairman for thirty years. Up until his passing Harv remained a passionate bowhunter that went out in the field with his bow any chance that he had.

He was an avid bowhunter, and set a world record in 1959 for the largest caribou ever taken in Alaska, using his own hand-crafted bow, which was featured on the cover of Archery Magazine on two occasions. Hunting with a bow took him all over the world.

In 2021, he was inducted into both the Pope and Young Hall of Fame and the North America Bow Hunters Hall of Fame.

08/27/2026

💥TROPHY SPOTLIGHT💥

What an absolute STUD!!

Got an animal you need to get entered? Find a measurer on our website, and get it entered! Every data point serves a purpose, and every data point MATTERS!

Get your trophy measured and submitted by Dec 31 to be included in the 35th recording period and considered for awards!

Locate a Measurer:
https://pope-young.org/Find-a-Measurer

08/25/2026

As hunters, we need to be educated—and we need to learn how to speak intelligently about wildlife management.

Ep. 93: Going Extinct of The Typical Sportsman Podcast is a GREAT place to start.

What actually happens when a species is listed as threatened or endangered? Who makes those decisions? What role does the Endangered Species Act play? And what does wildlife law mean for hunters, conservation, landowners, and the animals themselves?

Dylan sits down with wildlife law attorney Mike Oropallo and Pope & Young Executive Director Justin Spring for a deep dive into the laws, policies, and international agreements that shape wildlife conservation in the United States and around the world.

And this conversation goes far beyond grizzly bears.

We break down the Endangered Species Act, the 4(d) Rule, Chevron deference, Loper Bright, CITES, IUCN classifications, delisting criteria, and the role of socioeconomic factors in conservation decisions.

Wildlife conservation is complicated. And the laws that govern it can have enormous consequences for hunters, wildlife, landowners, and the animals we care so deeply about.

If we want a seat at the table, we need to understand the table.

Go listen to Ep. 93: Going Extinct.

TUO Gear

wildlifemanagement

08/24/2026

💥TROPHY SPOTLIGHT💥

Who’s ready to go elk hunting?

Got an animal you need to get entered? Find a measurer on our website, and get it entered! Every data point serves a purpose, and every data point MATTERS!

Get your trophy measured and submitted by Dec 31 to be included in the 35th recording period and considered for awards!

Locate a Measurer:
https://pope-young.org/Find-a-Measurer

08/21/2026

We have set the dates of April 8th-10th, 2027 for the 35th Biennial Convention being held in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Convention features seminars, luncheons, trophy displays, auctions, raffles, dinners, and more. With one of the greatest attractions being the incredible vendor and outfitter area. New for 2027, the Big Game display will now be located in the Vendor Area.

With a unique variety of types of vendors (manufacturers, outfitters, nonprofits, archery/hunting companies and more) the Big Game display and a workshop area; there is something for everyone. Space is still available for vendors, outfitters and others looking to reach this passionate audience of bow hunters.

To reserve a booth, or receive more information please contact Dylan Ray at [email protected].

Visit https://pope-young.org/35th-Biennial-Convention for up-to-date information on the upcoming Pope and Young Convention.