300 to 310 is a "solid bull." The back fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches on each side: 16 points. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. Sometimes theres ample chance to really focus and size up an elk in your search for the bull of a lifetime. Let me tell you, it became quite taxing trying to determine what B&C class rack each bull was packing. First, I use anatomical references to estimate several of the point lengths. Skills 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. Mike Eastman shares his strategy to field judging deer. A big bull's measurements feature four key elements: long points, long main beams, wide inside spread and mass. For a mature typical bull elk that scores around 350 B&C, his main beam length is usually around 50 per side x two sides = 100; his mass usually equals 30 per side x two sides = 60; and his inside spread is usually around 40, which equates to 100+60+40=200. There are several ways to field judge elk. How to Accurately Score a Bull on the Hoof by Steve Chappell Mass is usually less than 20 percent. 4th (sword point)=double the length of the eyegaurd. The back fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches x2 = 16 points. trophy 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. Look for any weaknesses such as short points, beams or weak mass. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. MassMost really big elk have heavy antlers that carry good mass through the length of the main beam. Mass - Most really big elk have heavy antlers that carry good mass through the length of the main beam. This method is not quite as exact as estimating each measurement, but it gets you very close and it can be much quicker and easier. 1. However, the average beam length of the bottom 10 is 55-4/8 inchesnot much difference. New member. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose. So far, the bull is totaling 215. After you have seen quite a few decent 6's, you can guess pretty close if he'll hit the 300's. | Colorado Wolves: Killing Pets & A Safe-Space, Wyoming Passes 90/10: The Worst Article Youll Read This Year, More Costs Headed Your Way in Wyoming-Maybe. Long eyeguards will follow the nose and then curl or bend upwards (look for at least 4 inches of curl for a 20 inch eyeguard). 77. But not always. JavaScript is disabled. Rear points should extend past the ribcage when the head is up and parallel with the rest of his body. 45 inches of inside spread = 45 points. Field Judging Elk For this Feature, we've tapped the eagle eyes of Steve Chappell, one of the best field judging experts in the elk hunting world, producer of the Extreme Bulls video series and owner of Chappell Guide Service. Is the bull really 40 inside or is he 36? You should look for at least 4 of curl for a 20 tine). Digiscoping is a must while scouting! Now, he's 280, P&Y minimum. They can reduce a bulls score in a hurry. Add these to the base of 200 for a total of 360. But to help in estimating a net score remember that most big bulls will have 10 to 12 inches of total symmetry deductions. Length of the points is the single most important trophy criteria. Now comes the truth-teller, the dagger point. In the field, simply look for a spread that stretches well outside the ears. They look a lot bigger off of that bull. Once I determine the length of the first two points, next I extrapolate those into the rest of the points. If the ears fall inside the beams widest spread, giddy up. For a typical American elk, Boone and Crockett requires a minimum of 360 points to enter the Awards Book, and 375 points for entry into the All-time Records Book. However, mass is very hard to judge. When hunting, quickly look for antlers that are visibly as large or larger in circumference than the ear bases, which are about 9 inches around. I tried that technique last fall and it didnt work out well. One of the best ways to improve your field judging skills is to practice field judging bulls before measuring them. The next two points are about 16 inches each on both sides. He told me that if I think I'm looking at a 350" bull, to start with a base score of 200. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Watching this bull rake a bush I got a good look at his tops!! Determining the 4 mass measurements per side is usually difficult, so I use a rule of thumb. Now I'm looking at 3rd's and 4th's. Ive made this mistake before and regretted it. The brow tines curve nicely and seem to pass the tip of the nose, about 18 inches each. This time around we are going to dive deeper into field juding and scoring bulls. If a beam or point looks straight, then it will be shorter than you think. Length of the points is the single most important trophy criteria. Usually your first impression of a bull is pretty honest and accurate. Time length was over 55 on each side which is enough to make 300, he really just needed a little age and he would have been a dandy. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick. This measurement has already been accounted for in the main beam measurement. antlers Obviously, I look at them. Eye guards=as long as the forehead to nose tip. Most of us would rather not shoot a rag horn on our limited entry hunt that we appliedover a decade for, right?! Will you harvest a bull packing a great rack or make a judging decision you will regret for many falls to come? I love to field judge bulls and then score them on the ground to see how close my field judging was to the real thing. Las Vegas, NV 89113. Make sure that you look for curl or lots of curve. I tried that technique last fall and it didnt work out well. Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Jay Scott Outdoors Example: You estimate 8 inches between the ear tip and the widest point of the main beam. Start with 16 G1s and G2s, 12 G3s, 20 G4s, and 12 G5s. That 200 comes from an average spread of 40", 30" of mass per side, and 50" main beams per side. 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. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. It starts at a normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well, maybe 30 inches of circumference on each antler: 60 points. Most of us cant devote that much time to studying or scoring bull elk. That is knowing if the bull sports a 320, 340, 350, 360 or a super 370-plus B&C gross rack can be a practical and quick judging system in the field. Mass isnt huge, but he looks pretty big. If there's another point rising upward behind the dagger, perhaps making a horizontal "Y," then you're looking at a six-point antler. Its very easy to stare at great fronts or a big whale tail and miss those 6 third points! Taking these tips to the field could make the difference on the next time you go trophy elk hunting.Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more deer hunting videos! If the first two points on each side follow parallel with the nose and tip up just at the end of the nose, they should be right around 16 inches. This series is based on "How to Score an Elk Antler and Field Judge Elk" per the Boone and Crockett scoring system. My guesses have been wrong many times, yet it is amazing how practice lessens the gap between field estimates and the actual measurements. Be sure to check out these two podcast episodes for field judging reference at home or while at hunting camp. Winchester's new Big Bore ammo, available in 10 mm, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., and .45 Colt, is specifically designed for big bears in bear country. 702.847.8747 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. More importantly, the antlers should maintain that thickness to at least the fifth point. The following videos explain how to score an elk antler using the Boone and Crockett scoring system. Mike Eastman shares his strategy to field judging elk. Jay Scott has a series of YouTube videos that I like. Again, not a significant difference. 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. Tap the bell and we'll let you know when we drop a new video each week. Ask yourself if the bull is young or mature, then move on. Thats right, you should have already shot! The bull seems to have really long beams, almost scratching his rump. In this day and age with the aggressive management work of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, harvesting a trophy bull elk is within the realm of most hunters and finally you have secured a once in a decade tag. Tine Length--If you have time to study a bull, really look at the tines. 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. But seriously, the way to judge them is to score their frame and points just like you would a typical 66, then size up the non typical points and add that to your total. We also develop and sell products such as apparel, hats and artwork. MISSOULA, Mont.--A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare. 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. Good luck on your hunts and have fun field judging the bulls! If a bull appears able to "scratch his rear-end with his antlers," it likely has the frame to be a trophy. The reason is because Im not that interested in net scores. Facebook; Twitter; Google + Stumbleupon; LinkedIn; Tags boone and crooket Elk Elk Hunting elk judging Mike Eastman trophy scoring elk. If the point is 10 inches shorter, then the bull probably has a 20 inch G4.
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