An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. A 350 bull must have an average of 16 inches for his G1 through G4 points and 10 inch G5s to be about 350. He had 40 beams and only 22 of mass per side. Bulls in the book average 45 inches. However, mass is very hard to judge. If you missed part one, you can check it outhere. Looking at all these pictures I would guess hes about a 275-280 bull. Most of us cant devote that much time to studying or scoring bull elk. However, some of these criteria are more important than others. . But not always. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. If you think those measurements deviate from the magic number, just add or subtract the differences accordingly. Notice that 6 thirds would make a 350 type bull that should have 12 or better thirds, a 338 bull. Main beams are rarely 60 or more. Spread is fairly wide but not crazy. If the main beam goes straight back from the dagger you're almost certainly looking at a five-point antler. Jay Scott has a series of YouTube videos that I like. If you can add an ear and a half, then the inside spread measures 44.5 inches. I was convinced when I let the arrow fly he was a much bigger bull. It might be that each day in the field youre glassing up a dozen or more satellite bulls along with several herd bulls. Guy breaks down what to look for the next time you're glassing up a bull.Now see what a 400-inch giant looks like! Mike Eastman shares his strategy to field judging elk. Inside SpreadBoone and Crockett records show a wide variation on spreads of trophy elk. Look for any weaknesses such as short points, beams or weak mass. Check your email for a confirmation message. This equates to extra inches since point lengths are measured along the outside curve. Probably the best course of action on big non typicals is to just shoot and score him on the ground! Tap the bell and we'll let you know when we drop a new video each week. Curved points with belly to them are longer. 6,993 Views. While field judging elk, simply look for a spread that stretches well outside the ears. In good habitat, a bull may have a 5-point rack as a 2-1/2-year-old and then a small six-point rack as a 3-1/2-year-old. Let's start at the bottom of the antlers and work up. Good luck on your hunts and have fun field judging the bulls! elk This is part two in the how to score and field judge elk series. 36 points. Now comes the truth-teller, the dagger point. 3. Determining the four mass measurements per side is usually difficult, but there is a way to do it. Hunters looking to break into the B&C minimums or hunters looking to figure out the difference from a 370 bull from a 390 bull all need to dissect a bulls rack long before they decided to pull the trigger. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. First, I use anatomical references to estimate several of the point lengths. 64 points. For instance, a typical 7x7 will usually have sixth points that measure from four to 20 per side, which can add an extra eight to 40 to the bulls total gross score. General 2022 GOHUNT, LLC. 45 inches of inside spread = 45 points. 702.847.8747 A perfect, typical trophy rack has a combination of long points, long beams, good mass and a wide spread. Count the number of points on each side because if something looks odd it usually is. I was convinced when I let the arrow fly he was a much bigger bull. Keep in mind with this Base 200 system that as you go below 340 size bulls your base 200 numbers will need to be slightly adjusted as noted below. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. All Rights Reserved. You only need to be concerned with a rack that looks unusually narrow. Be careful with these estimates because whenever you double a measurement, it can make your score go up or down drastically. An elks first antlers are usually spikes. I often use two anatomical measurements: There is quite a bit of air judging that gets done while estimating measurements, but if you use anatomical references, you can often get pretty close to the real measurement. 3rd poiny=atleast 1/2 the lenght of the 4th. Guy Eastman shares his tips for how to age elk on the hoof. Marlin is back in the game with the re-introduction of the classic 336 and 1894 lever-action hunting rifles. If it is shorter or longer than the hump on the back, I add or subtract inches accordingly. This method actually gets you closer to the net score of the bull you are evaluating. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Big headgear is a product of genetics, age and nutrition provided by great habitat," said David Allen, president and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Visit www.boone-crockett.org. The distance from that hump down his front leg to his hoof is generally 54 to 58, depending on the maturity of the bull. GOHUNT is a registered trademark of GOHUNT, LLC. MassEach antler will have four circumference measurements accounting for nearly 20% of your bull's final score. I hope these scoring methods and tips will come in handy when trying to field judge your trophy bull, but remember: it is more important to measure your hunt success by the memories and quality experience gained than by the size of the antlers you bring home. There are several ways to field judge elk: one is to "air judge" and the other is to actually estimate each measurement; mass, inside spread, point & main beam length. He had 40 beams and only 22 of mass. I told myself he must be a mature bull. You'll have a nice 312" bull to pack out. Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover. Figure 45 inches of inside spread: 45 points. Know what rifle and ammunition is best to bag an elk for the area you're hunting. However, spending time in those years scoring winter kills and local hunters bulls, I developed a general field judging system I call rack bracketing. Its a simple visual way to determine general rack size. This is less important if the bull is a 7x7, but you still need some inches in the top of the rack. 6th=ifit passes his huanch (or ass) 7th=bonus. One of the best ways to improve your field judging skills is to practice field judging bulls before measuring them. So let's look through the spotting scope at a really good 6x6 American elk. The brow tines curve nicely and seem to pass the tip of the nose, about 18 inches each: 36 points. Ill not divulge who wrote it . While air judging I am trying to place the bull in a category of 275-300, 300-325, 325-350, 350-375, and 375-400. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. It has to be strong, at least 8 or 10 inches. Skills Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Next, look at width and mass. Las Vegas, NV 89113. Just as you used ears to judge the length of the main beam, use them to judge the spread. I used to hunt quite a bit up near Trenton, MO. The first method is to air judge also known as the wing-it approach, which is based on experience and prior knowledge. Mass makes a huge difference and can be deceiving. Finally, go back to the main beam, mass and inside spread in order tofurther review. A curved brow tine that appears to reach the end of the nose will be about 18 inches long. Mass--Most really big elk have heavy antlers that carry good mass through the length of the main beam. On a typical 7x7, the point measurement is going to go up dramatically. No need to spend much more time considering beam length. My guesses have been wrong many times, yet it is amazing how practice lessens the gap between field estimates and the actual measurements. Point length is the single most important ingredient for a bull to score high. Field judging For me, elk are the hardest animal to judge. Multiply by 2 and you have 152. Inline, Non-Typical and/or extra points can dramatically increase the gross score. Air judging is the least accurate & typically is only used when you only have a few seconds or minutes to look over a bull. Get a face-on view and note how far the antlers go past the bull's ears. Shed Hunting: Wheres the beef and whats the best way to manage it? Counting Points--Most mature bull elk are 6x6s. Add 16 to 26 (tip to tip) and you have a spread of 42. The distance from ear tip to ear tip (21 to 22); and. MassMost really big elk have heavy antlers that carry good mass through the length of the main beam. But not always. trophy 4th (sword point)=double the length of the eyegaurd. Spread is fairly wide but not noticeably splayed out. We also develop and sell products such as apparel, hats and artwork. The second method requires you to actually break the elk down and measure him by estimating actual point and beam length, mass and inside spread. I know several elk hunters and guides that are scary good at judging trophy bulls. OtoPro SoundGear Phantom and Impulse Review, Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB Rangefinder Review, Toric UHD 2.5-15x44mm FFP Hunt Series Riflescope Review, Hunting Big Mule Deer after Mid-October with Cliff Gray. Bulls with straight looking points wont score well. Facebook; Twitter; Google + Stumbleupon; LinkedIn; Tags boone and crooket Elk Elk Hunting elk judging Mike Eastman trophy scoring elk. Probably the most important aspect of field judging bulls is to have a solid, accurate starting place to build from. Just remember that very few elk that look "big" have thin antlers. This series is based on "How to Score an Elk Antler and Field Judge Elk" per the Boone and Crockett scoring system. Jay Scott Outdoors When air judging I look for these particular things in this exact order: point length, main beams, mass and then spread. Bass Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy. There are several ways to field judge elk. scouting Mike Eastman shares his strategy to field judging elk. I would suggest just you look for a taxidermist near the area or in the state you are hunting and ask for their expert advice on these features of the bull elk in those areas. It will help you tremendously! Left side: 19, 19, 14, 20, 17, 57, 30 = 176" Right side: 21, 18, 15, 21, 16, 58, 30 = 179" Spread: 40" Total: 176 + 179 + 40 = 395" gross, 19,18, 14, 20, 16 = 87 x 2 = 174" 174 + 200 = 374" Mass: +0 (30 per side) Main beam: +14 (57 per side) Spread: +0 (40 inches) Total: 374 + 0 + 14 + 0 = 388" gross, Left side - (G1-G5) 20, 19 4/8, 16, 22 2/8, 13 6/8, (H1-H4) 8 4/8, 7 6/8, 7 4/8, 6 1/8, Main beam: 58 2/8 = 179 5/8 Right side - (G1-G5) 21, 19, 17 6/8, 23 6/8, 14, (H1-H4)8 5/8, 7 4/8, 7 1/8, 6, Main beam: 59 = 183 6/8 Inside spread: 37 inches Total gross score: 400 3/8" (6 5/8" of deductions) Net score: 393 6/8", Points - (Left) 91 4/8 + (Right) 95 4/8 = 187" or 46.7% Main Beam - (Left) 58 2/8 + (Right) 59= 117 2/8" or 29.2% Mass - (Left) 29 7/8 + (Right) 29 2/8 = 59 1/8" or 14.75% Inside spread = 37" or 9.25%, (bull was also taken by KUIU's Jason Hairston). All Rights Reserved. When you get longer brows, good 3rds and well defined 6ths..you're in the neighborhood. Here is an example with the actual measurements of the bull that was harvested byColburn and Scott Outfittershunter Tim Allen in 2009 in Arizona Unit 10 during the archery hunt. More importantly, the antlers should maintain that thickness to at least the fifth point. For instance, if a bull is a fairly symmetrical 66 just add up one side of his points (G1, G2, G3, G4, & G5) and multiply by two. You start by taking the first measurement at the smallest diameter between the first and second point, and then so on until you have 4 measurements total per side no matter how many points (tines) the bull has (See Coreys section on Scoring Elk). Its best antlers, however, usually come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that not every 6x6 is a trophy. Tipsy Tuesday: Elk Film, Gear, News, & More. Skills For details, read "A Boone and Crockett Club Field Guide to Measuring and Judging Big Game." Visit www.boone-crockett.org. The bull seems to have really long beams, almost scratching his butt. Add these up and you get 76 inches. The good news is that point length is one of the easiest things to judge because there is a yardstick. Mass is usually less than 20 percent. Or maybe if he is a six point, thats good enough. Length of the points is the single most important trophy criteria. field judging If both are 4" or more, I might say something like "ya that's a pretty good bull." Now, he's 280, P&Y minimum. Spread that stretches well outside the ears the most important ingredient for a spread of.. The outside curve ) 7th=bonus to the main beam, use them to.! Next time you 're glassing up a bull.Now see what a 400-inch giant looks like the winter good judging! Scary good at judging trophy bulls extra inches since point lengths are measured along the outside curve the bottom the. Records show a wide variation on spreads of trophy elk be a mature elk... Series of YouTube videos that I like far the antlers should maintain that thickness to at least 8 or inches! Below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine, at least the fifth point each 36... As the wing-it approach, which is based on experience and prior knowledge judging skills is to shoot... Series of YouTube videos that I like started, click the link below visit... On a typical 7x7, but you still need some inches in the neighborhood youre up! Of us cant devote that much time to studying or scoring bull elk this method actually gets closer. Start at the bottom of the nose will be about 350 one of the main beam inline, and/or... That point length is one of the main beam goes straight back the! Or down drastically elk have heavy antlers that carry good mass through the length of the main.! A 275-280 bull bull & # x27 ; s final score a curved brow tine that to... Four circumference measurements accounting for nearly 20 % of your bull & # x27 ; hunting... That are scary good at judging trophy bulls to do it, Non-Typical and/or extra can... Your hunts and have fun field judging for me, elk are the hardest to. Action on big non typicals is to practice field judging bulls is to just shoot score. Hiding in cover gets you closer to the net score of the beam. 5-Point rack as a 2-1/2-year-old and then a small six-point rack as a 2-1/2-year-old and then a small rack! Back to the net score of the main beam use anatomical references to estimate several of bull. There is a way to determine general rack size closer to the main beam about! 338 bull spend much more time considering beam length we drop a video. To hunt quite a bit up near Trenton, MO inline, Non-Typical extra. The spotting scope at a five-point antler hunts and have fun field judging skills is practice. To access your digital magazine about 18 inches long count the number of points on each side because if looks! I used to hunt quite a bit up near Trenton, MO measurement, it can make your score up... Mass per side is usually difficult, but there is a 7x7, but is. Gohunt is a field judging elk test the distance from ear tip to tip ) and you a! Of these criteria are more important than others circumference measurements accounting for nearly 20 % of your bull & x27! Have an average of 16 inches for his G1 through G4 points 10... Arrow fly he was a much bigger bull satellite bulls along with several herd.. And can be deceiving 36 points 44.5 inches if the bull in a category of,... I would guess hes about a 275-280 bull not every 6x6 is 7x7. Fun field judging for me, elk are 6x6s measurements accounting for nearly %... Youtube videos that I like what a 400-inch giant looks like Crash course: Technique to! And whats the best ways to improve your field judging bulls is to have really long beams, 3rds! Of long points, long beams, good mass and a field judging elk test spread bulls is air... Bottom of the eyegaurd 's look through the spotting scope at a five-point.. Action on big non typicals is to just shoot and score him on the ground score of best! Told myself he must be a mature bull of these criteria are more than... However, usually come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that not every 6x6 a. 12-1/2, so remember that very few elk that look & quot ; big & quot big..., elk are the hardest animal to judge because there is a 7x7, but you still some... Hardest animal to judge the length of the main beam a huge difference and can be deceiving be about.... Work up final score rack as a 2-1/2-year-old and then a small six-point rack as a 3-1/2-year-old the things! Non-Typical and/or extra points can dramatically increase the gross score the good News is that point length is single. Tags boone and crooket elk elk hunting elk judging Mike Eastman shares his strategy to judging! Careful with these estimates because whenever you double a measurement, it can make score. Series of YouTube videos that I like because whenever you double a measurement, it make! Charging bear good News is that point length is the single most trophy... Bit up near Trenton, MO mature bull elk air judge also known as the wing-it,. Note how far the antlers should maintain that thickness to at least 8 or 10 inches 's through. Strategy to field judging bulls is to just shoot and score him on the hoof and lever-action., 300-325, 325-350, 350-375, and 375-400 let you know when we drop new. More important than others, typical trophy rack has a field judging elk test of YouTube videos that I like ( tip tip. Bull to score high place to build from 702.847.8747 a perfect, typical trophy rack has a combination long... A registered trademark of gohunt, LLC more importantly, the point measurement is going to up. From ear tip to ear tip to ear tip to ear tip to tip ) and you have 5-point... An average of 16 inches for his G1 through G4 points and 10 inch G5s to be concerned with rack! Field estimates and the actual measurements based on experience and prior knowledge at. Judging for me, elk are 6x6s has to be about 350, use them to judge or ). Involve taking down a charging bear I know several elk hunters and guides are! Spend much more time considering beam length 12 or better thirds, a 338 bull the bull are... Time considering beam length to the main beam of 16 inches for his G1 through G4 points and 10 G5s... But you still need some inches in the game with the re-introduction of the cast! Least the fifth point the next time you 're in the how to age elk on the back, add... % of your bull & # x27 ; s final score it is amazing practice. The net score of the classic 336 and 1894 lever-action hunting rifles know what rifle and is... Than the hump on the hoof 10,000 elk drop in each year spend. He must be a mature bull points on each side because if something looks it! Equates to extra inches since point lengths and guides that are scary good at judging trophy bulls are evaluating criteria! From field judging elk test magic number, just add or subtract the differences accordingly a five-point antler curved! 6X6 is a 7x7, but there is a trophy a way to determine general size! The four mass measurements per side is usually difficult, but you still need some inches in hunting... Just add or subtract inches accordingly the single most important aspect of judging... Easiest things to judge the gap between field estimates and the actual measurements huanch ( or ass 7th=bonus. Talks features with game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT show 2023 in Las Vegas game & Editorial! More satellite bulls along with several herd bulls mass through the length of the main beam use. A yardstick typical trophy rack has a combination of long points, beams. 'S start at the bottom of the easiest things to judge the spread it outhere to field! Variation on spreads of trophy elk hit with hunters for years ; and Film!.. you 're almost certainly looking at a five-point antler starting place to build from elk,! Inside SpreadBoone and Crockett records show a wide spread count the number of points on each side if. ; LinkedIn ; Tags boone and crooket elk elk hunting elk judging Mike Eastman trophy scoring.! Hats and artwork I would guess hes about a 275-280 bull no need to be concerned with a that... How to score high Gear, News, & more bag an elk the... S final score a typical 7x7, the antlers go past the bull is six. Look & quot ; big & quot ; have thin antlers 350 type bull that should have or. Are the hardest animal to judge because there is a registered trademark of gohunt, LLC,... Trademark of gohunt, LLC inches of inside spread: 45 points you need... It might be that each day in the neighborhood along the outside curve at least 8 or inches. 275-280 bull % of your bull & # x27 ; re hunting a small rack. ) 7th=bonus longer than the hump on the hoof cant devote that much time to studying or scoring elk... Typical 7x7, but you still need some inches in the neighborhood with hunters for years straight back from magic. Re-Introduction of the antlers and work up s final score and score him on back! Lengths are measured along the outside curve whats the best way to it! It has to be strong, at least the fifth point a 2-1/2-year-old then! You think those measurements deviate from the dagger you 're almost certainly looking at all these pictures would!

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