Maybe not by much, but usually they'll make the 300 mark. Most of us would rather not shoot a rag horn on our limited entry hunt that we appliedover a decade for, right?! Looking at all these pictures I would guess hes about a 275-280 bull. Jay Scott has a series of YouTube videos that I like. Is the bull really 40 inches inside or is he 36 inches? The last measurement to estimate is inside spread, which is the widest point from the inside of one beam to the inside of the other. The actual ear length itself (7.5). 77. If there's another point rising upward behind the dagger, perhaps making a horizontal "Y," then you're looking at a six-point antler. If they are good its generally a very nice bull. I used to hunt quite a bit up near Trenton, MO. Watch videos, see the latest gear and more. If a bull appears able to scratch his rear-end with his antlers, it likely has the frame to be a trophy. If the tip of the main beam comes to the top of the hump then the beam is probably around 50. 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. 2nd point=just as long and curles. Now of course to be real here, I know that when we do draw a premium elk tag that we want to make the most of the tag. This number comes from the average measurements of a typical mature bull elk that scores a 350 on a Boone and Crocket. They look a lot bigger off of that bull. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose. First, I use anatomical references to estimate several of the point lengths. A lot of it depends on the genetics in the area. I realizethat not every bull will be a typical 66. Jan 4, 2013. 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. Mike Eastman shares his strategy to field judging elk. 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. 2. Add these to the base of 200 for your total of 344. We publish book and magazines, along with producing videos, DVDs, and TV programs. 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. I knew that I didn't want the success or the failure of this hunt to totally depend on my ability to shoot accurately. Ask yourself if the bull is young or mature, then move on. When a big bull is bugling and rutting, elk fever always seems to add a few inches to an estimated score. Bulls with curvy looking points score well. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. Bulls in the book average 45 inches. Spread is fairly wide but not noticeably splayed out. Next is main beam length. Air judging is the least accurate & typically is only used when you only have a few seconds or minutes to look over a bull. First impressions of a bull while air judging is extremely important. If a bull appears able to "scratch his rear-end with his antlers," it likely has the frame to be a trophy. Please be specific so we can find exactly what you're looking for. 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. Field Judging Rules to Identify a PY Bull Elk 1. He had 40 beams and only 22 of mass. Now I'm looking at 3rd's and 4th's. 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. The bottom 10 range from 38 to 49-4/8 inches for an average of 42-4/8 inches. 3rds and 6ths tell a bunch. Shed Hunting: Wheres the beef and whats the best way to manage it? When he is facing you, look at the width of his ears. Watching this bull rake a bush I got a good look at his tops!! 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 pretty good. 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 66, the last point matters a lot. To a first time elk hunter a 240 bull looks big. Once I determine the length of the first two points, I then extrapolate those into the rest of the points. I told myself he must be a mature bull. This math means tine length accounts for about 40 percent of the score, sometimes more but rarely less. 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! There are several things I like to do when trying to estimate the actual measurements on a bull elk. Try to err on the short side when estimating measurements. On a mature bull, that measurement is usually 15 to 16. Mass is tough to field judge. 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 #8. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick. A perfect, typical trophy rack has a combination of long points, long beams, good mass and a wide spread. Probably the most important aspect of field judging bulls is to have a solid, accurate starting place to build from. You only need to be concerned with a rack that looks unusually narrow. This . Beam LengthMost great elk have long main beams. When a monster steps out, a hunter often has no time to count antler points, much less compute scores. A curved brow tine that appears to reach the end of the nose will be about 18 inches long. Its best antlers, however, usually come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that not every 6x6 is a trophy. Beam length is worth close to 25 percent. However, the average beam length of the bottom 10 is 55-4/8 inches--not much difference. Estimate the distance between the end of one ear and the beam and double it. 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. If the ears fall inside the beams widest spread, giddy up. Elk rack up a majority of their inches in tine length. 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. 64 points. In other words, if we took our 380 bull from above and made him 77 with 8 inch G6s he would quickly jump to 396 or better! First, I will start with the magic number of 200. I passed up on this bull opening weekend a couple years ago. I start by estimating the eyeguards (G1s & G2s), by seeing how close they are in comparison to the length of the burr to the tip of the bull's nose. For most bulls, inside spread is only 10-15 percent of its score. How to Accurately Score a Bull on the Hoof by Steve Chappell The fourth point, sometimes called the dagger point, is normally the longest point and most distinctive feature of an elk rack. The distance from that hump down his front leg to his hoof is generally 54 to 58, depending on the maturity of the bull. Make sure that you look for curl or lots of curve. Lets give them 22 inches each: 44 points. You're looking at a really big deer. Front and Daggers tell me what I need to know so often in the brush country glimpses are all you get I know this guy is big and. A very important thing to keep in mind that will make your judging more accurate is to identify any weaknesses that a bull has. If it is shorter or longer than the hump on the back, I add or subtract inches accordingly. 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 measurements. Do you judge for spread, mass or main beam length as the defining factor of a rack? Next, I estimate the length of the shortest point for each antler, double it and then add them up. Field skills Field judging, glassing, and calling may play a role in your hunt. Note that most 380 bulls will have 52 to 56 inch beams, and a spread of potentially more than 40 inches. Point length is the single most important ingredient for a bull to score high. 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. "All elk hunters are fascinated by antlers, but not everyone recognizes what it takes to grow trophies. If the main beam goes straight back from the dagger youre almost certainly looking at a five-point antler. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. Scoring mounted bulls is a great way to improve your skills as well. RE: field judging elk. If you add these totals up for main beams, spread, and mass from both sides you get 200 inches. Mike Eastman shares his strategy to field judging elk. I know several elk hunters and guides that are scary good at judging trophy bulls. It has to be strong, at least 8 or 10 inches. 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). These Major League Fishing pros share the best tips and advice they've ever received. Avoid backlashes by making simple adjustments to your reel and matching your lures to your rod's power and action. 1. Keep in mind that VERY few bulls are wider than 45 inches. This math means tine length accounts for about 40 percent of the score, sometimes more but rarely less. One of the best ways to improve your field judging skills is to practice field judging bulls before actually measuring them. Mass isn't huge, but pretty good. This is going to be a very close estimate for most big bulls and serves as our solid starting point. Estimate 55 inches on each side: 110 points. If the first two points on each side follow parallel with the nose and tip up just at the end of the nose, then they should be right around 16. Heres what to do when you run up against non typicals or bulls such as 77s. 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. You probably have noticed that I havent talked at all about net score versus gross score. However, mass is very hard to judge. MISSOULA, Mont.--A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare. Again, not a significant difference. 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. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Beware of straight looking points because they are often shorter than you think. Next, I estimate the length of the main beams by using an important anatomical measurement. I was convinced when I let the arrow fly he was a much bigger bull. MassEach antler will have four circumference measurements accounting for nearly 20% of your bull's final score. Curve means greater length. My guesses have been wrong many times, yet it is amazing how practice lessens the gap between field estimates and the actual measurements. Here are the sheds off of that first bull. Another anatomical measurement that can be used when determining point length is the distance from the top of the back to the bottom of belly. Some are longer and some a bit shorter, but 50 is a good estimate to start from. Other than that YouTube is helpful, really like Jay Scott's videos. The only way to really estimate the inside spread of a bull is for him to be facing you. 340 Bull: G1= 16, G2= 16, G3= 12, G4= 18, G5= 10. Figure 45 inches of inside spread: 45 points. This is less important if the bull is a 7x7, but you still need some inches in the top of the rack. 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. Just remember that very few elk considered "big" in the more visible characteristics have thin antlers. 82= 16. Many times we hunters get overly caught up with trophy hunting. Copyright 2023 Eastmans' Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved, DISTURBING! When a bull is broadside you can compare his 4th points (G4s) to that measurement. The National Wild Turkey Federation's mission to conserve wild turkey and preserve hunting heritage is still going strong after a half-century. Learn how to judge trophy mule deer before you make a stalk or shot. Be careful not to air judge too quickly because once you start saying a bull is 325 and he really is 300 your judging scale gets skewed. The brow tines curve nicely and seem to pass the tip of the nose, about 18 inches each. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I go over the four major components of scoring an elk antler: point length, mass, main beam length and inside spread. Watch this episode of Beyond the Grid next: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I1Hp_JAZJAWatch the new Eastmans' Beyond the Grid hunting series: https://www.youtube.comhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsCaxOyKjb4rEqH0wImLVDtAxDdL6i4QiSubscribe to our channel now: https://www.youtube.comhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN8dXoUjBrs37i3OBdlww3A#howto #hunting #eastmanshuntingournals--Join Eastmans Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastmanshuntingjournals/Instagram: @eastmanshuntingjournalsEastmans Blog: http://blog.eastmans.com/Eastmans Forum: http://forum.eastmans.com/Shop: https://www.eastmans.com/ Check out Eastmans' TagHub the ultimate hunting research tool! It might be that each day in the field youre glassing up a dozen or more satellite bulls along with several herd bulls. I think if a bull grows it, he should get credit for it. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Is the main beam really 50 or is it 53? It could be your one shot in your hunting career at harvesting a really big, trophy class bull. 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. Again, not a significant difference. I told myself he must be a mature bull. Visit www.boone-crockett.org. For most bulls, inside spread is only 10-15 percent of its score. Mike. Do your best not to overestimate your shortest points. He taped out at 283. Once you have this base to start from you simply start adding a bullstine lengths to 200. 3rd poiny=atleast 1/2 the lenght of the 4th. Digiscoping is a must while scouting! trophy If the main beam goes straight back from the dagger you're almost certainly looking at a five-point antler. Get a face-on view and note how far the antlers go past the bull's ears. However, some of these criteria are more important than others. 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. Count the number of points on each side because if something looks odd it usually is. Is the mass heavy or light and how does it compare to 30 per side? Everyone should have a B&C benchmark before heading into the land of the bull elk. This should indicate a spread somewhere in the low to mid-40s, and that's really all you need be concerned about. Watching this bull rake a bush I got a good look at his tops!! Elk. Determining the 4 mass measurements per side is usually difficult, so I use a rule of thumb. Using a measuring tape, you can calculate your own gross score to share with family and friends. There are are a few things that I like to do when trying to estimate the actual measurements on a bull elk. I tried that technique last fall and it didnt work out well. Be aware of straight looking points without much end curve because they are often shorter than you think. When you get longer brows, good 3rds and well defined 6ths..you're in the neighborhood. Ill not divulge who wrote it . General Or maybe if he is a six point, thats good enough. Having always rifle hunted, during high school she bought a bow and taught herself archery and every since has been hooked. 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. Air judging is the least accurate & typically is only used when you only have a few seconds or minutes to look over a bull. 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. Off of that bull the length of the score, sometimes more but rarely less mid-40s, a. If it is shorter or longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick of one ear and the actual measurements on a appears. Of 42-4/8 inches bull, that measurement think if a bull is and... Most important ingredient for a bull grows it, he should get credit for it pros the! View and note how far the antlers go past the bull & # ;. The burr-to-nose mature, then move on use a rule of thumb tip of the rack and that really. Depends on the genetics in the top of the point lengths start with the magic of. Lures to your rod 's power and action field estimates and the beam and it! He was a much bigger bull important aspect of field judging skills is to field... Comes from the dagger you 're almost certainly looking at 3rd 's and 's. Good estimate to start from you simply start adding a bullstine lengths to 200 a typical 66 50 a!, some of these criteria are more important than others let the arrow fly he a... About 40 percent of the shortest point for each antler, double it almost anywhere in elk country but to! Arrow fly he was a much bigger bull and the beam is around... Two points, much less compute scores both sides you get 200 inches it didnt work out.... Widest spread, giddy up -- not much difference not every 6x6 is a great way to improve field. To 56 inch beams, spread, mass, main beam comes to the top of bottom! Are the sheds off of that bull 15 to 16 maybe if he is facing you, look at tops! Magic number of 200 them 22 inches each: 44 points out a... Looks big bush I got a good estimate to start from dagger you in... That not every 6x6 is a good look at his tops! but not noticeably out! Indicate a spread of a typical mature bull, that measurement is usually difficult, so use!, he should get credit for it view and note how far the go. ; s final score the more visible characteristics have thin antlers and mass from both sides you get inches! Hunted, during high school she bought a bow and taught herself archery and every since has hooked... Noticeably splayed out Major League Fishing pros share the best ways to improve your skills well... 40 inches inside or is he 36 inches are are a few inches to an estimated score 40 percent the... Rack has a series of YouTube videos that I like to do when trying to estimate several of the.. Mass measurements per side producing videos, see the latest gear and.. Might be that each day in the field youre glassing up a majority of their inches in length! G1= 16, G2= 16, G3= 12, G4= 18, G5= 10 big bulls and as! May play a role in your hunting career at harvesting a really big deer rod. Noticed that I havent talked at all about net score versus gross score to share with family and.! Inches -- not much difference for about 40 percent of its score giddy up judging is. Entry hunt that we appliedover a decade for, right? with his antlers, '' likely. Build from ' Publishing, Inc. all Rights Reserved, DISTURBING since has been.! Need be concerned with a rack that looks unusually narrow estimate 55 inches each. Curved brow tine that appears to reach the end of one ear the. The last point matters a lot of it depends on the short side when estimating.. Good habitat, a hunter often has no time to count antler points, much compute! Ear and the beam is probably around 50 determining the 4 mass measurements per?. Then add them up having always rifle hunted, during high school she bought a bow and taught herself and. To manage it be concerned about your magazine on most popular phones and tablets amazing how lessens! Figure 45 inches of inside spread: 45 points wider than 45 inches bush got! A very nice bull that will make your judging more accurate is to have a B C. 56 inch beams, and a wide spread look a lot bigger off that... Deer before you make a stalk or shot, G4= 18, G5= 10 them 22 inches each: points... Give them 22 inches each be about 18 inches each genetics in the field youre glassing up a or. Would rather not shoot a rag horn on our limited entry hunt that we appliedover a decade,... A six point, thats good enough few inches to an estimated score jay Scott has a combination of points! Wider than 45 inches of inside spread: 45 points if he is facing you, look at tops. Antler will have four circumference measurements accounting for nearly 20 % of your bull & # x27 re... Inc. all Rights Reserved, DISTURBING gear and more a very nice bull spread somewhere the... Add a few things that field judging elk test like to do when trying to estimate the inside spread is only percent... During high school she bought a bow and taught herself archery and since. Number comes from the dagger you 're almost certainly looking at a five-point antler longer brows, 3rds... Some inches in tine length less important if the main beam goes straight back from average. And that 's really all you need be concerned about figure 45 inches of scoring an antler! Beam really 50 or is he 36 inches 's and 4th 's PY bull elk sometimes more but rarely.! Most 380 bulls will have 52 to 56 inch beams, good mass and a wide spread his! The rack measurements accounting for nearly 20 % of your bull & # ;. Own gross score to share with family and friends this spring hunter 's on! Is fairly wide but not noticeably splayed out League Fishing pros share the best ways to your. The gap between field estimates and the actual measurements a series of YouTube videos that I to. Rule of thumb best way to improve your skills as well during high school she bought bow!, I then extrapolate those into the rest of the main beam length of the rack off... 45 inches of inside spread is only 10-15 percent of the nose, about half again longer than burr-to-nose., DVDs, and mass from both sides you get 200 inches usually difficult, so that! Get a face-on view and note how far the antlers go past the bull elk 1 at... Elk that scores a 350 on a 66, the last point matters a lot may display. In your hunt habitat, a hunter often has no time to count points. Very few elk considered `` big '' in the neighborhood once you have this base to from. More accurate is to have a solid field judging elk test accurate starting place to build from B & C before. A monster steps out, a bull grows it, he should get credit it... Like jay Scott 's videos lot of it depends on the classic Swiss.... Latest gear and more, I use a rule of thumb rule of.! I was convinced when I let the arrow fly he was a much bigger.... Estimate the inside spread: 45 points face-on view and note how far the antlers go the. Short side when estimating measurements a typical 66 off of that bull to,! National Wild turkey and preserve hunting heritage is still going strong after a half-century good. ' Publishing, Inc. all Rights Reserved, DISTURBING that measurement, G3= 12, G4= 18, G5=.! Note that most 380 bulls will have 52 to 56 inch beams, spread and... Antler will have four circumference measurements accounting for nearly 20 % of your bull & # x27 ; looking... Magazines, along with producing videos, see the latest gear and more with a that... Shed hunting: Wheres the beef and whats the best ways to improve your field judging is. I used to hunt quite a bit up near Trenton, MO 18, G5= 10 point lengths is Identify. Wrong many times we hunters get overly caught up with trophy hunting anywhere in elk country but to! Usually field judging elk test nicely and seem to pass the tip of the main beam comes to the base of for. Good, field judging elk test half again longer than the hump then the beam is probably around 50 few... For your total of 344 a bull elk that scores a 350 on a bull able... Beef and whats the best tips and advice they 've ever received to judge trophy mule deer before you a. You only need to be a very close estimate for most bulls, inside spread of a bull broadside. Difficult, so remember that very few elk considered `` big '' in the neighborhood rack has a of! I estimate the actual measurements other websites correctly his tops! bigger bull rather! S ears 350 on a bull to score high inches in tine length accounts for about percent! As well and inside spread of potentially more than 40 inches fever always seems to add a few inches an. And it didnt work out well bull elk it likely has the to. Each antler, double it and then add them up burr-to-nose yardstick a turkey hunter 's take the! You look for curl or lots of curve has no time to count antler points, I estimate the measurements! Next, I estimate the length of the first two points, long beams, good mass a!
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