scoring Most of us would rather not shoot a rag horn on our limited entry hunt that we appliedover a decade for, right?! Tine LengthIf you have time to study a bull, really look at the tines. 360 Bull: G1= 16, G2= 16, G3= 16, G4= 20, G5= 12. Finally, go back to the main beam, mass and inside spread in order tofurther review. If the tip of the main beam comes to the top of the hump then the beam is probably around 50 inches. Next, I estimate the length of the main beam by using an important anatomical measurement. Beam LengthMost great elk have long main beams. The main beam length from burr to fourth point is usually around 30. 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. This method actually gets you closer to the net score of the bull you are evaluating. 300 Bull: G1= 14, G2= 14, G3=10, G4= 16, G5= 8. 2nd point=just as long and curles. Let me tell you, it became quite taxing trying to determine what B&C class rack each bull was packing. When a monster steps out, a hunter often has no time to count antler points, much less compute scores. I feel that if you can estimate a bull on the hoof within 10 inches, you are a good field judge. Example: You estimate 8 inches between the ear tip and the widest point of the main beam. RE: field judging elk. 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. 2023 Western Hunting Application Deadlines, New feature released on Insider Hunt Planner, Point Tracker: Your first step in researching hunts, How to import waypoints from other sources to GOHUNT Maps, Dialing in your fitness now to be ready for fall, Research your way to big bucks with a tool you're probably not using, The ABCs of finding a legit hunting partner. Point length is the single most important ingredient for a bull to score high. Mass is usually less than 20 percent. I used to hunt quite a bit up near Trenton, MO. -Body girth through the shoulders (front view) = 18, -Tip to tip ear spread (front view) = 26. While growing up in the early 1960s, I lived next to the federal elk refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Mass makes a huge difference and can be deceiving. Looking at all these pictures I would guess hes about a 275-280 bull. Look for good spacing between the points. Instantly identifying a six-point bull is not difficult. While many times I score a bull in my head before asking the hunter what it actually scored, nothing beats getting out a tape and measuring lots of bone. On a big American elk, the distance from the burr of the antler to the tip of the nose is about 15-4/8 inches. He had 40 beams and only 22 of mass. The following videos explain how to score an elk antler using the Boone and Crockett scoring system. This results in these point lengths totaling 397 to 400 plus! Still not a bad bull, but not 350! 64 points. Avoid backlashes by making simple adjustments to your reel and matching your lures to your rod's power and action. Will you know a world-class trophy if you see one? Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. You only need to be concerned with a rack that looks unusually narrow. Id be hunting the San Carlos Reservation every year! If you missed part one, you can check it outhere. 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! I sat down with Craig Steele ofExclusive Pursuits Outfittersand we went indepth on picking apart an elk's rack. Field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an exact science. I realize not everyone is after a bull, or any specific kind of bull, but if you ARE wanting to target a 300+ inch bull, what are some of the telltale things to look for when looking at them through a spotter? Taking this into account gives us 378 to around 385. August 9, 2011 Tips for Field Judging Elk MISSOULA, Mont. A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare. Jan 9, 2013. For quick judging try this. When air judging I look for these particular things in this exact order: point length, main beams, mass and then spread. Instead rely on body conformation. Trying to determine mass is very hard and requires scoring a lot of racks, but if you use those number you will often be close. The next two points are usually shorter, but they still need to approach the burr-to-nose yardstick. Is the bull really 40 inches inside or is he 36 inches? They look a lot bigger off of that bull. It might be that each day in the field youre glassing up a dozen or more satellite bulls along with several herd bulls. 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. When you get longer brows, good 3rds and well defined 6ths..you're in the neighborhood. This is less important if the bull is a 77, but you still need some inches in the top of the rack. I knew that I didn't want the success or the failure of this hunt to totally depend on my ability to shoot accurately. Inside spread measurements are rarely over 45 and mass is rarely over 32 per side. However, some of these criteria are more important than others. Be sure to check out these two podcast episodes for field judging reference at home or while at hunting camp. Finding and indentifying Shooter Bulls: Identify the sword (G4) and the whale tail to verify that you are looking at a 66 or better bull. Bulls in the book average 45 inches. You must force yourself to look at every point and find any weaknesses to increase your accuracy. However, mass is very hard to judge. Here is video #1 -. Just as you used ears to judge the length of the main beam, use them to judge the spread. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. Most big mature bulls will have main beams close to 50 inches long. For mature elk: Main beams usually around 50, Inside spread usually 37, Mass usually 27. Finally, go back to the main beam, mass and inside spread. 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. A lot of it depends on the genetics in the area. That bull has way over 22" in mass You mean per side? Again, not a significant difference. Tap the bell and we'll let you know when we drop a new video each week. I believe that air judging is the most commonly used field judging method. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Leave a comment They can reduce a bulls score in a hurry. 3. Once you estimate the length of the 4th points, move on to the 5th points (G5s) and compare them with the 4th points. It is rare to have a high scoring bull without long points and beams. Do you judge for spread, mass or main beam length as the defining factor of a rack? Guy Eastman shares his tips for how to age elk on the hoof. The dagger point is usually the longest point, and on a monster bull it will be half-again longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick, or even almost double that measurement. Watching this bull rake a bush I got a good look at his tops!! An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. Those men can tell you within two inches on the hoof the net B&C score of any bull. Keep in mind that on 66s you dont add the extension of the main beam past the bulls G5 as a sixth point. Be careful with these estimates because whenever you double a measurement, it can make your score go up or down drastically. Seven part elk field judging and scoring video series: Part 1 - estimating shortest points method Field Judging and Scoring Elk Part 1 Share Watch on Part 2 - using the shortest points method Field Judging and Scoring Elk Part 2 Share Watch on Part 3 - using the estimating shortest points method and actual measurements A very important thing to keep in mind that will make your judging more accurate is to identify any weaknesses that a bull has. Listen to 2 Episodes of the Podcast onField Judging Elk : Try to always be conservative when judging a bull. #8. The main beam length from burr to fourth point is usually 30 inches, so compare that to the length of the main beam from the fourth point to tip of the beam. You do not measure the bases as the first measurement which I have seen some hunters mistakenly do. Now let's work out the points. While field judging elk, simply look for a spread that stretches well outside the ears. This is going to be a very close estimate for most big bulls and serves as our solid starting point. The final way to judge is through the Estimating Shortest Points Magic 200 Method. Main beams and tines will add up quickly on the score sheet. Some bulls may vary from this, but these are very realistic of what you will see on mature 66 bulls. Once you estimate the length of the fourth points, move to the fifths and compare them with the fourths to determine their length. JavaScript is disabled. Beware of straight looking points because they are often shorter than you think. 6630 Arroyo Springs St., Suite 1200 Is the main beam really 50 or is it 53 inches? Estimate 55 inches on each side: 110 points. So lets look through the spotting scope at a really good 66 American elk. Let's start at the bottom of the antlers and work up. The bull must have at least five points on each antler to make the book and six points will greatly increase your odds. Now comes the truth-teller, the dagger point. This should indicate a spread somewhere in the low to mid-40s, and that's really all you need be concerned about. Here in the breaks the 3rds are typically the weakest point. The inside spread must be 30" or greater between the main beams. Once I determine the length of the first two points, I then extrapolate those into the rest of the points. Elk. Its very easy to stare at great fronts or a big whale tail and miss those 6 third points! If a mature bull has good tine length, it's likely the inside spread will be ample. Next, I estimate the length of the shortest point for each antler, double it, and then add them up. A big bull's measurements feature four key elements: long points, long main beams, wide inside spread and mass. There are several ways to field judge elk. Do your best not to over estimate your shortest points. 2. MISSOULA, Mont.A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare. First, look for the number of points. First, I will start with the magic number of 200. Field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is a science! Once you have this base to start from you simply start adding a bullstine lengths to 200. We also develop and sell products such as apparel, hats and artwork. I was convinced when I let the arrow fly he was a much bigger bull. Its pretty simple to use because 90% of the B&C scoring system for elk is made up of inside spread, main beam and point length. Do your best not to overestimate your shortest points. A great skill to have when hunting for elk is "field judging". Lastly, go back and read the first paragraph of this article and take it to heart. Count the number of points on each side because if something looks odd it usually is. In the above video, NWTF's Jason Burckhalter talks about the group's accomplishments and future plans with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. I cross referenced my anatomical measurements with Clay Goldman owner of Mogollon Rim Taxidermy. 320 Bull: G1=15, G2= 15, G3= 12, G4= 16, G5= 8. One thing to be careful about is that until you truly breakdown a bull with the other two methods your air judgement is a rough quick guess. 5ths were 9 6/8 and 10, 40 inside spread. Taking these tips to the field could make the difference on the next time you go trophy elk hunting. In the all-time records book, the average beam length of the top 10 typical heads is over 58 inches. I often use 2 anatomical measurements: first, the distance from ear tip to ear tip and second, the actual ear length itself. Jay Scott Outdoors Its best antlers, however, usually come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that not every 6x6 is a trophy. Next, I estimate the length of the main beams by using an important anatomical measurement. If a bull appears able to scratch his rear-end with his antlers, it likely has the frame to be a trophy. 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. He had 40 beams and only 22 of mass per side. He told me that if I think I'm looking at a 350" bull, to start with a base score of 200. However, the average beam length of the bottom 10 is 55-4/8 inchesnot much difference. Length of the points is the single most important trophy criteria. I was convinced when I let the arrow fly he was a much bigger bull. Figure 45 inches of inside spread: 45 points. 55 inches x2 = 110 points. When he is facing you, look at the width of his ears. I was convinced when I let the arrow fly he was a much bigger bull. goHunt.com How-to-score and field judge Elk Part 1, goHunt.com How-to-score and field judge Elk Part 2, Typical Boone & CrockettElk On-line Scoring Sheet, Non-Typical Boone & Crockett Elk On-online Scoring Sheet, Jay's Past Field Judging Elk Pics, Articles & Content. I researched what rifle would be best to take, and what ammunition I should shoot in that rifle to bag a bull elk. A back or front view only are not good indicators. It's unusual to have a lot of time to look at a big bull and mass is not where you should spend most of it. Lo Herbert Cooke: Thank you Steve! Instantly identifying a six-point bull is not difficult. However, keep in mind the biggest factor and number one rule is, the longer the points, higher the rack scores, Tags #myhuntstory backpack hunting big game hunting Bull Elk Eastmans' Hunting Journal Eastmans' Hunting TV Guy Eastman Hunting Public Land Rifle rifle hunting western hunting, Across much of the western portions of the Colorado Rockies, and especially the northwest corner , The letter below came through my email this morning. Check your email for a confirmation message. Watch videos, see the latest gear and more. Now add the total length of points to the magic number of 200 to get the gross score. This should indicate a spread somewhere in the low to mid-40s, and that's really all you need be concerned about. Be aware of straight looking points without much end curve because they are often shorter than you think. When a bull is broadside you can compare his 4th points (G4s) to that measurement. I passed up on this bull opening weekend a couple years ago. Try to err on the short side when estimating measurements. To help you judge main beams, point length, and spread, here are some average anatomic reference measurements for mature bulls. But not always. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. I told myself he must be a mature bull. General That measurement is generally 30 inches. Obviously, I look at them. Let's give them 22 inches each: 44 points. If you think those measurements deviate from the magic number, just add or subtract the differences accordingly. Probably the most important aspect of field judging bulls is to have a solid, accurate starting place to build from. It starts at a normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well, maybe 30 inches of circumference on each antler: 60 points. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. 3rd poiny=atleast 1/2 the lenght of the 4th. To even have the potential for a good score, look for at least 6 pts per side. elk He taped out at 283. Interestingly, the narrowest head in the book outscores the widest, which should be enough to tell you that spread isn't everything. "All elk hunters are fascinated by antlers, but not everyone recognizes what it takes to grow trophies. So, with the proper balance in mind lets look at a great method for scoring mature bulls on the hoof. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick. The bottom 10 range from 38 to 49-4/8 inches for an average of 42-4/8 inches. Spread is fairly wide but not noticeably splayed out. If it looks like it is about half as long (15 inches), then the total length is 45 inches. Ill not divulge who wrote it . 4. Many times we hunters get overly caught up with trophy hunting. 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