May be the CIC should be a bit more open and transparent. The cic as i know it are the best we have but they are in no way perfect. There have been a number of issues over the years that they have never really satisfactorily cleared up. May be it is time that everything as above board or at least seen to be.
Like what happens if some one measures a head in correctly? What happens should your head be deemed not ready for measuring ? Can i become a CIC judge if i am not a relative or worker of a current CIC judge ?
etc etc.
As a group, we hope that we are both transparent in terms of the decisions we make, and accessible to everyone who brings trophies to us. As I have already explained we now have two seats on the CIC Trophy Evaluation Board, which will involve us to a much greater level in decisions at an international level, as well as enabling us to have direct access to other Senior Judges on a regular basis.
To answer your specific points, our constitution requires that we have an appeals process in place, to address an issue where a trophy owner thinks an error has been made.In practice this means that the trophy and the score will be re-evaluated independently by 2 other members of the measuring team. If we make an error we will acknowledge this and alter our records as required. The current process has been in place since 2008.
There are usually three ways in which errors occur. The first by simple arithmetic where score columns are wrongly added. To reduce the risk of this we use a computer based scoring system which removes the chance of additon errors, but still needs the human using it to input the correct figure!
The second is where figures are mis-read on tapes or by steel tapes moving when measurements are taken. To reduce this many stalkers will know that we favour the use of "Ward" measuring cables to take the measurement, these have a greater level of accuracy. Similarly we all use standardised digital scales, measuring devices and dipping equipment to ensure a consistent score, regardless of where or by whom your trophy is measured.
The third may occur when subjective scores are being applied, and this is where re-evaluation through the appeal process will most likely come into play. As a team, we deliberately use a small number of Measurers to ensure consistency in scoring. To achieve this we ensure that team members measure alongside each other at fairs and at measuring sessions. We also provide ongoing training. We also believe that to be consistent you need to have the opportunity to measure a wide representative sample of each species every year. It is of little value only being experienced in say Roe if someone brings in 4 Fallow ( a more difficult trophy to measure ). Using a small team means that we can ensure that our judges remain experienced in all our UK species.
If a head does not meet the required drying out period, we will offer to keep hold of the head till it does, measure it and return it by post, or leave it with the owner until its 90 days are up.
The UKTC recruits new judges from time to time. Since 2008 our policy has been to advertise in the Sporting Press when we have an opening for a trainee measurer. So you are most welcome to apply when a vacancy is advertised in your area. All suitable candidates are offered an interview.
If accepted you then go through a training process and if successful your name goes forward to the international Trophy Evaluation Board for approval. If they appoint you are then licenced by the CIC to measure using its system and using its formulae.
