If after a few seconds I say "that's a good bull," he's 260 minimum. To even have the potential for a good score, look for at least 6 pts per side. While field judging, length measurements on bucks that grow hooking main horns will gain extra length that may be overlooked if you are judging an antelope based on horn height. Eastmans Publishing, Inc. is a holding company engaged in publishing. Ive made this mistake before and regretted it. However, the average beam length of the bottom 10 is 55-4/8 inches--not much difference. Field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an exact science. When a bull is broadside, you can compare his fourth point to that measurement. Be the first to hear about our latest news and events. This number comes from the average measurements of a typical mature bull elk that scores a 350 on a Boone and Crocket. But not always. Las Vegas, NV 89113. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. If a beam or point looks straight, then it will be shorter than you think. Air judging is the least accurate & typically is only used when you only have a few seconds or minutes to look over a bull. The bull seems to have really long beams, almost scratching his butt. If they look about 6 inches shorter than the G4s, the bull has about 14 inch 5th points. Taking these tips to the field could make the difference on the next time you go trophy mule deer hunting. For quick judging try this. Look for lots of belly or curve in points and the main beam. elk 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. Count the number of points on each side because if something looks odd it usually is. If you add these totals up for main beams, spread, and mass from both sides you get 200 inches. The actual ear length itself (7.5). Do your best not to overestimate your shortest points. It starts at a normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well, maybe 30 inches of circumference on each antler: 60 points. If the points look close together, the beams are probably not as long as you think. First impressions of a bull while air judging is extremely important. Be careful with these estimates because whenever you double a measurement, it can make your score go up or down drastically. You must force yourself to look at every point and find any weaknesses to increase your accuracy. 3rds and 6ths tell a bunch. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation celebrates National Volunteer Week by shining a spotlight on the significant contributions of its volunteer army in [], Go to Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls and sign up for your chance at a full elk hunting set up from Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls and [], Were still dreaming of the day when suppressor ownership is legal in all 50 states. Mass isnt huge, but he looks pretty big. field judging Colorado elk units OTC/limited discussion, Wife's first elk - open country muzzleloader. If it looks equally as long, then it might be pushing 60. 8.24K subscribers Subscribe Use your Field Judging skills to guess the score of this Arizona bull elk and then compare your guess to the estimate that the JAY SCOTT OUTDOORS crew came up. Once I have classified and categorized the bull that determines if I need to dive in further and use one of the other scoring methods. Tap the bell and we'll let you know when we drop a new video each week. 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. Here are the sheds off of that first bull. In the field, simply look for a spread that stretches well outside the ears. Will you know a world-class trophy if you see one? 400 Bull: G1= 20, G2= 20, G3= 20, G4= 20, G5= 16. 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. Curved points with belly to them are longer. "All elk hunters are fascinated by antlers, but not everyone recognizes what it takes to grow trophies. My guesses have been wrong many times, yet it is amazing how practice lessens the gap between field estimates and the actual measurements. But not always. field judging This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The next two points are about 16 inches each on both sides. 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. The tip-to-tip ear spread is usually 26 inches. Is the bull really 40 inside or is he 36? Growing up on the ranch provided numerous opportunities for antelope, mule deer, whitetail, turkeys, and predators. Guy Eastman shares his tips for how to age elk on the hoof. Learn how to judge trophy mule deer before you make a stalk or shot. Is the main beam really 50 or is it 53? The next two points are about 16 inches each on both sides: 64 points. Let me tell you, it became quite taxing trying to determine what B&C class rack each bull was packing. Notice by comparing these classes of bulls that misjudging a couple of points by a couple of inches will affect the accuracy of your score. Bulls with straight looking points wont score well. It's digital, customizable with over 500,000 data points: https://taghub.eastmans.com/ Quick and Easy Field Judging Bull Elk Mike Eastman May 5, 2020 General 0 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. Jan 4, 2013. But how do you quickly field judge a bull for that mark? Lenexa, KS. Add these to the base of 200 for a total of 360. Look for good curve in the G1, G2, & G3 points. All elk hunters are fascinated by antlers, but not everyone recognizes what it takes to grow trophies. That bull has way over 22" in mass You mean per side? 3. Lets give them 22 inches each: 44 points. Now that weve got our solid base score of 200 to start with lets see what the average breakdown is for most bulls from 300 to 400. Using it, a hunter in the field can quickly determine if that bull is packing a 320, 340 or maybe a 350 gross rack. 2022 GOHUNT, LLC. 360 Bull: G1= 16, G2= 16, G3= 16, G4= 20, G5= 12. For mature elk: Main beams are rarely 60 inches or more, inside spread measurements are rarely over 45 inches, and mass is rarely over 32 inches per side. Hunter Guy Eastman breaks down how to use the Boone & Crockett scoring system for trophy elk. Most big mature bulls will have main beams close to 50 inches long. Now let's work out the points. I decided to cross reference my anatomical measurements with Clay Goldman of Mogollon Taxidermy. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick. The brow tines curve nicely and seem to pass the tip of the nose, about 18 inches each: 36 points. Live video & images will help you get to the next level. 64 points. For most bulls, inside spread is only 10-15 percent of its score. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. The bottom 10 range from 38 to 49-4/8 inches for an average of 42-4/8 inches. He had 40 beams and only 22 of mass per side. 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 Mass isnt huge, but pretty good. Last time I discussed air judging, estimate actual measurements method, magic number/estimate shortest points method and a short four part how to score an elk video series. 45 inches of inside spread = 45 points. 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. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. I often use 2 anatomical measurements: first, the distance from ear tip to ear tip and second, the actual ear length itself. Field Judging Rules to Identify a PY Bull Elk 1. I equate the adjectives I use to describe the bull into scored. Note: If you are new to elk antler scoring or scoring in general, you can jump down to the bottom and watch the short four part video series on how to score an elk antler. Now comes the truth-teller, the dagger point. Watching this bull rake a bush I got a good look at his tops!! Stay safe Herbert Cooke: I was hoping to get a chance to hunt elk this year in Colorado if my draw in New shootbrownelk: Who says non residents aren't welcomed to hunt the western states? Note that a 320 bull will likely have 46 to 48 inch beams, about 56 inches of total mass, and a 38 inch spread. And with some knowledge of rack size and a little practice it becomes easy to master. It's digital, customizable with over 500,000 data points: https://taghub.eastmans.com/ 5th =as long as the 3rd. 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. That 380 bull with these extras would score around 417. hunting. Big bulls will have an inside spread of very near to 40 inches and also right around 30 inches of mass per side. The brow tines curve nicely and seem to pass the tip of the nose, about 18 inches each: 36 points. I told myself he must be a mature bull. 4. So far, the bull is totaling 215. Standard Mule Deer Reference Sizes* Alert Ear Span Width. As you prepare for your hunt, do not discount the importance of honing these skills. Trying to determine mass is very hard and requires scoring quite a few racks, but if you use those numbers, you will often be close. 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. 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. It starts at a normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well. Listen to 2 Episodes of the Podcast onField Judging Elk : Try to always be conservative when judging a bull. Field judging For me, elk are the hardest animal to judge. If they are good its generally a very nice bull. Tine Length--If you have time to study a bull, really look at the tines. Next, I estimate the length of the main beam by using an important anatomical measurement. Here in the breaks the 3rds are typically the weakest point. The following methods I have used for a long time when picking apart a bulls rack. In the field, simply look for a spread that stretches well outside the ears. Non Typical bulls are undoubtedly the hardest to judge in the field. If the main beam goes straight back from the dagger you're almost certainly looking at a five-point antler. 3rd poiny=atleast 1/2 the lenght of the 4th. Still not a bad bull, but not 350! Determining the 4 mass measurements per side is usually difficult, so I use a rule of thumb. Hes actually around 305 really makes me wonder what a lot of the other bulls in that area are. Let's give them 22 inches each: 44 points. One that's smoked first. From there, I just go off emotion. Field judging elk is an art, while scoring a dead elk is a science. Inside Spread--Boone and Crockett records show a wide variation on spreads of trophy elk. 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. The back fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches on each side: 16 points. It starts at a normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well, maybe 30 inches of circumference on each antler: 60 points. Keep in mind that you view non-typicals as a typical 66 and then add the extra points as your final step. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. 20-22 inches Ear length.. 7 - 8 inches A perfect, typical trophy rack has a combination of long points, long beams, good mass and a wide spread. 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