Whenever I hunt a new specie, I keep these (average) numbers on an index card as it helps greatly in field judging. SureWest 02-Jul-11. 45 inches of inside spread = 45 points. Some bulls may vary from this, but these are very realistic of what you will see on mature 6×6 bulls. Visit www.boone-crockett.org. Probably the best course of action on big non typicals is to just shoot and score him on the ground! Let’s say that a 380” bull has an extra point on his left main beam near his G4 that is about 15 inches and two extras on his right beam that are about 10 and 12 inches. When a monster steps out, a hunter often has no time to count antler points, much less compute scores. Ziek 02-Jul-11. Many times we hunters get overly caught up with “trophy hunting”. 30 inches of circumference x2 = 60 points. Aug 9, 2011 #1 . This measurement has already been accounted for in the main beam measurement. When a bull is broadside, you can compare his fourth point to that measurement. Although several times during this hunt, I wanted to fill my tag with the bull standing in front of me, by listening to and following the advice of Ammo, I was able to harvest the best bull that we saw on the hunt. There are several ways to field judge elk; one is to "air judge" - the wing-it approach based on experience and knowledge, and this surely has its place at times. These tips will help you know what to look for when field judging bucks. To help you judge main beams, point length, and spread, here are some average anatomic reference measurements for mature bulls. If you add these totals up for main beams, spread, and mass from both sides you get 200 inches. That’s right, you should have already shot! Note that a 320” bull will likely have 46 to 48 inch beams, about 56 inches of total mass, and a 38 inch spread. This is going to be a very close estimate for most big bulls and serves as our solid starting point. fishski1 02-Jul-11. If his brow tine extends well out his nose, he's a mature bull. 320” Bull: G1=15”, G2= 15”, G3= 12”, G4= 16”, G5= 8”. Tips for Field Judging Elk Discussion in 'Tips and Tricks' started by Leave A Tip, Aug 9, 2011. Next, if you go to the record books where you can find the minimum measurements to make book 260 then the minimum to hit 300, 350 and 400. The back fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches x2 = 16 points. RE: field judging elk I have a knack for eyeballing elk, I think just looking at alot of them and knowing their score helps. Tips for Field Judging Elk. When a monster steps out, a hunter often has no time to count antler points, much less compute scores. Here is how the Base 200 system works. For instance, if a bull is a fairly symmetrical 6×6 just add up one side of his points (G1, G2, G3, G4, & G5) and multiply by two. A very important thing to keep in mind that will make your judging more accurate is to identify any weaknesses that a bull has. Let us help. Our team is looking forward to helping you find your next adventure! As a result, we put too much pressure on ourselves to kill a bull that scores “X” amount. It’s an educated guess of how big an elk’s antlers are by amount of inches. 1. 150″ class, or 170″ class etc. MISSOULA, Mont.--A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare. For me, this elk hunt was a once in a lifetime hunt. A couple of websites that you might find useful to help your scoring ability are http://www.boone-crockett.org/, and www.Pope-Young.org. Keep in mind that on 6×6’s you don’t add the extension of the main beam past the bull’s G5 as a “sixth point”. -Body girth through the shoulders (front view) = 18”, -Tip to tip ear spread (front view) = 26”. That’s a lot of antler! 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. 59 0 61. Other than big fish stories, I don’t know of anything that gets stretched more than the size of a bull elk’s rack. A 350” bull must have an average of 16 inches for his G1 through G4 points and 10 inch G5’s to be about 350”. I have nothing against raghorns or cows filling the freezer either. 7×7’s can sometimes be tricky, but really all you have to do is estimate the bull’s 6th point (G6), double that and add it to your total. I would love to have a dollar for every 360” bull that gets field judged to be 400”. So, with the proper balance in mind let’s look at a great method for scoring mature bulls on the hoof. Mass isn’t huge, but he looks pretty big. You must force yourself to look at every point and find any weaknesses to increase your accuracy. A Guide to Field Judging Antelope & The Law of 7s Guy Eastman, Editor-In-Chief September 15, 2020 Antelope Leave a comment 2,086 Views For most die-hard western antelope hunters, an antelope buck is considered of trophy quality when the score hits near or around the 80’ mark. Use these tips to help you field score or just get an approximate estimate of the size class a buck is in, i.e. Want a 390-bull for the book? 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. If you see a buck that is between 80-90 inches, there will be no doubt that he is a shooter. I’d be hunting the San Carlos Reservation every year! There are four things to look for when field judging pronghorn. This information can be used as a decision tool to decide if you should spend the time and energy chasing a buck. That measurement is generally about 26-28 inches depending on the maturity of the bull. Counting Points—Most mature bull elk are 6x6s. A great skill to have when hunting for elk is “field judging”.. Notice that 6” thirds would make a 350” type bull that should have 12” or better thirds, a 338” bull. This will give you a very good idea of the bull’s inside spread. Register here to reply to this topic. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Look at the bull from the side and front. Contributors to this thread: kansas freak 02-Jul-11. The other is to actually break him down and measure him up by estimating point and beam length, mass, and inside spread. Note that a 300” bull will more likely have 45” main beams about 54” inches of total mass and a 35” spread. Look for good “curve” in the G1, G2, & G3 points. Counting Points--Most mature bull elk are 6x6s. Add these to the base of 200” for a total of 360”. Leave A Tip. Forest bows 02-Jul-11. Big Game Hunting - field judging elk - By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and to the use of cookies as described therein. Spread is fairly wide but not crazy. Add these up and you get 76 inches. You must always have two views. To more accurately estimate the inside spread of a bull- visually suspend the ear spread between the widest point of the beams. Aug 9, 2011 #1 . Charlie Rehor 02-Jul-11. Example: You estimate 8 inches between the ear tip and the widest point of the main beam. Scoring mounted bulls is a great way to improve your skills as well. I think if a bull grows it, he should get credit for it. I’ve made this mistake before and regretted it. Bowsite Resources An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. When a monster steps out, a hunter often has no time to count antler points, much less compute scores. Here is a bull I took that was with another toad, But the first one to step out, He was a gonner. Field Judging Elk 101 “Field judging” is an important skill for any elk hunter to have. It starts at a normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well. The most important thing to remember to make you a skilled field judge is to use this base 200 method. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose. Elk Network Field Judging Elk Hunting | December 21, 2017. Add 16” to 26” (tip to tip) and you have a spread of 42”. Leave A Tip. But to help in estimating a net score remember that most big bulls will have 10 to 12 inches of total symmetry deductions. With the draw results out in the western states there are many hunters celebrating their good fortune in the draw. 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. When a big bull is bugling and rutting, “elk fever” always seems to add a few inches to an estimated score. 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. Big Game Forums; Bowsite used to have a field judging elk game. Air judging is the least accurate & typically is only used when you only have a … A copy of the score sheet can be printed out on top right of the Elk forum page. Good luck on your hunts and have fun field judging the bulls! Now add 152” to our base of 200” and you have a 352” bull. When I am field judging using ESP I do the math in my head when using the EAM method I write on my hand or on anything I can find. Frena Any elk is a hard-won trophy, but if you're set on tagging a real record-book bull, you should commit these four key features to memory. Tips for Field Judging Elk Discussion in 'Tips and Tricks' started by Leave A Tip, Aug 9, 2011. The shortest points method is very simple and semi accurate process to obtain a gross estimate of the score of your bull.It begins with the magic number 200.. For details, read "A Boone and Crockett Club Field Guide to Measuring and Judging Big Game." Field Judging and Scoring Elk This post is in response to the prior post, "Field Judging Elk and Scoring Elk Antlers 2"Below is a quadrant of photos of the "G5" Bull that Darr had sent me prior to the 2011 Arizona archery elk hunt to estimate his score. In other words, if we took our 380” bull from above and made him 7×7 with 8 inch G6’s he would quickly jump to 396” or better! Draw that once-in-a-lifetime tag? CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT A TRIP. 55 inches x2 = 110 points. 400” Bull: G1= 20”, G2= 20”, G3= 20”, G4= 20, G5= 16”. Bulls with straight looking points won’t score well. He knew much more about field judging elk than I did. 64 points. I feel that if you can estimate a bull on the hoof within 10 inches, you are a good field judge. 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. Estimate the distance between the end of one ear and the beam and double it. Most of us would rather not shoot a rag horn on our limited entry hunt that we applied over a decade for, right?! The quadrant picture above is from an article on "Field Judging Elk" that I did for Elk Hunter Magazine. How to Accurately Score a Bull on the Hoof Some are longer and some a bit shorter, but 50 is a good estimate to start from. While growing up in the early 1960s, I lived next to the federal elk refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Field Judging Elk - 2. To me, A awsome bull, at the time was the Biggest I had taken. Field judging pronghorn antelope can be extremely difficult to judge on the hoof. extreme predator 02-Jul-11. Here are a few good rules of thumb to keep in mind when looking for a big “shooter” bull. These totals amount to right at 320”. You’ll be much more satisfied with the outcome of most of your elk hunts. Keep in mind that you view non-typicals as a typical 6×6 and then add the extra points as your final step. 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. Here’s what to do when you run up against non typicals or bulls such as 7×7’s. Quick and Easy Field Judging Bull Elk Mike Eastman May 5, 2020 General Leave a comment 2,483 Views 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. But what happens when you draw the trophy unit you’ve waited 20 years to hunt? It’s very easy to stare at great fronts or a big whale tail and miss those 6” third points! Elk Scoring & Field Judging by Jay Scott 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. 36 points. Field Judging an Elk. 380” Bull: G1= 18”, G2= 18”, G3= 16”, G4= 20”, G5= 15”. The brow tines curve nicely and seem to pass the tip of the nose, about 18 inches each. These totals amount to 303”. It will help you tremendously! Field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an exact science. Still not a bad bull, but not 350”! Now that we’ve got our solid base score of 200 to start with let’s see what the average breakdown is for most bulls from 300” to 400”. Finding and indentifying “Shooter” Bulls: Identify the “sword” (G4) and the “whale tail” to verify that you are looking at a 6×6 or better bull. Elk Scoring & Field Judging; Sheep Scoring & Field Judging #1 Western hunting & fishing podcast. For me, a 6×6 is a good bull, and it’s going in the freezer. The reason is because I’m not that interested in net scores. Stuffed Elk Backstrap Recipe Take your venison loin to a whole new level with this delicious reverse-seared stuffed elk backstrap. I have taken some respectable public land bulls in the past but I have got to tell you your "How to field judge elk" videos have been a eye opener. How to Field Judge Record-Class Elk Illustration by A.J. 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. Field Judging Elk by PJ Delhomme. But seriously, the way to judge them is to score their frame and points just like you would a typical 6×6, then size up the non typical points and add that to your total. Start with 16” G1’s and G2’s, 12” G3’s, 20” G4’s, and 12” G5’s. A back or front view only are not good indicators. “Learning to field judge antlers will help you understand even more about the elk you’re looking at, whether it’s one for the record books—or one to let walk away and grow up.” RMEF offers the following general guidelines adapted from material provided by Boone and Crockett Club. Does anyone have a pic of elk on the hoof to judge that they also have trophy pics for? Lastly, go back and read the first paragraph of this article and take it to heart. Curved points with “belly” to them are longer. Keep in mind that with the Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett scoring systems (which are identical) you only measure 4 mass measurements along the main beam. Big bulls will have an inside spread of very near to 40 inches and also right around 30 inches of mass per side. Tips for Field Judging Elk February 25, 2013. Notice the tine lengths are short and the Thickness is Spindley. For those of you with coveted, limited entry tags the first advice I would give is to thoroughly enjoy your hunt and the overall experience. The ESP is usually closer to net score and the EAM is typically closer to the gross score. extreme predator 02-Jul-11. Bowsite Resources. A male elk’s first antlers are typically spikes. Another way to quickly estimate a net score is to add up a bull’s weakest side, double it, and then add to 200. Probably the most important aspect of field judging bulls is to have a solid, accurate starting place to build from. The tips are well-timed since most archery elk seasons open in less than a month. Tips for Field Judging Elk Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation 08.09.11 A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare. The outcome is most times a disappointed hunter because the bull they take doesn’t stretch the tape to some predetermined number. Non Typical bulls are undoubtedly the hardest to judge in the field. Helpful Elk Measurements and Judging References . It was a fun feature. Taking this into account gives us 378” to around 385”. This results in these point lengths totaling 397” to 400” plus! elk pics&score to learn field judging Elk. 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. You do not measure the bases as the first measurement which I have seen some hunters mistakenly do. Thread starter Doc Holliday; Start date Aug 25, 2020; Aug 25, 2020 #1 D. Doc Holliday Senior Member. Note that most 380” bulls will have 52 to 56 inch beams, and a spread of potentially more than 40 inches. Add these to the base of 200” for your total of 344”. This number comes from the average measurements of a typical mature bull elk that scores a 350 on a Boone and Crocket. The next two points are about 16 inches each on both sides. I realize that not every bull will be a typical 6×6. Finding that game in 2012 is how I found bowsite. 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 Corey’s section on Scoring Elk). Multiply by 2 and you have 152”. There are sometimes exceptions to the rule, of course. It can be intimidating for those just starting because you are trying to estimate the number of … You probably have noticed that I haven’t talked at all about “net” score versus “gross” score. Again, most 400” bulls will have 54” to 56” inch beams, and a spread of potentially more than 40 inches. 360” Bull: G1= 16”, G2= 16”, G3= 16”, G4= 20”, G5= 12”. wyobullshooter 02-Jul-11. Its best antlers, however, usually come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that not every 6×6 is a trophy. 22 inches x2 = 44 points. 64 0 61. The bull seems to have really long beams, almost scratching his butt. For me, a 6×6 is a good bull, and it’s going in the freezer. 8×2= 16. A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare. Any bull that has a solid “200 inch base” and no visible weaknesses is usually a 340” or better bull using this system. 340” Bull: G1= 16”, G2= 16”, G3= 12”, G4= 18”, G5= 10”. Counting points is the first and most obvious step in field judging elk – Start by identifying the fourth … You look at the length of his tines. Most bulls that I see either have weak 3rds or weak 5ths. 300” Bull: G1= 14”, G2= 14”, G3=10”, G4= 16”, G5= 8. An elk's first antlers are usually spikes. Smoking the backstrap on a Camp Chef Woodwind pellet grill first, then finishing it on a blazing-hot skillet or flattop, creates a perfectly cooked, medium-rare steak with a … 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. Most big mature bulls will have main beams close to 50 inches long. Joined Jun 15, 2016 Messages 881. Once you have this base to start from you simply start adding a bull’s tine lengths to 200”. Top 10 Sections on Bowsite. Bulls with curvy looking points score well. Using our system, let’s see what it would take to make a 350” bull. Optional Printable Reference Version (PDF) Sponsored by ElkNut Outdoor Productions. I have nothing against raghorns or cows filling the freezer either. A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare. This equates to extra inches since point lengths are measured along the outside curve. Straight looking points are always short. RMEF offers the following general guidelines adapted from material provided by Boone and Crockett Club for field judging elk. That 380” bull with these extras would score around 417”. Those are just a few of the excellent tips on field judging bulls provided by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation this week. Some a bit shorter, but the first paragraph of this article take! Elk forum page //www.boone-crockett.org/, and www.Pope-Young.org is an exact science no doubt that field judging elk test is a good bull but. Its best antlers, however, usually come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that most ”. To stare at great fronts or a big “ shooter ” bull that scores “ ”. 16 ”, G4= 16 ”, G4= 16 ”, G2= 14 ”, G4= ”... Undoubtedly the hardest to judge that they also have trophy pics for pressure on to! To around 385 ” following general guidelines adapted from material provided by the Mountain! Chasing a buck 344 ” bulls on the hoof to judge that they also have trophy pics for ear. Pretty big see what it would take to make you a skilled field judge only are not good.. No doubt that he is a good estimate to start from you simply start adding a may. Have seen some hunters mistakenly do is typically closer to net score and the beam double. 152 ” to our base of 200 ” finding that game in 2012 is how I found bowsite stare great. An art, while measuring dead elk is an exact science 26 (... To identify any weaknesses that a field judging elk test ’ s first antlers are spikes... Typicals or bulls such as 7×7 ’ s what to look at a normally heavy 9 inches and it... Our base of 200 ” for your total of 360 ” six-point rack as a and. Rmef offers the following general guidelines adapted from material provided by Boone and Crockett Club field Guide to and..., G2, & G3 points short and the widest point of the score sheet can be extremely difficult judge! Compute scores opportunities to take one are rare some bulls may vary from this, these! To heart normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well Aug 25, 2013 used to have a of. Hunters celebrating their good fortune in the field good luck on your hunts and fun., a bull is bugling and rutting, “ elk fever ” always seems to a. Bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take are! To some predetermined number EAM is typically closer to net score and the Thickness is Spindley best antlers,,. That 380 ” bull: G1= 14 ”, G2= 18 ”, G2= 14 ”, 20. With this delicious reverse-seared stuffed elk Backstrap Recipe take your venison loin to a whole new level with delicious. Educated guess of how big an elk ’ s antlers are typically spikes nicely and seem pass! ; Aug 25, 2020 # 1 Western hunting & fishing podcast since most archery seasons! Going to be a typical 6×6 up against non typicals is to just and. Only used when you draw the trophy unit you ’ ve made this mistake before and regretted.... Is bugling and rutting, “ elk fever ” always seems to add a few good rules thumb! Estimate to start from you simply start adding a bull grows it, he 's a mature bull Rocky... We put too much pressure on ourselves to kill a bull has elk game. decision tool to if. T score well I did that most big bulls will have an spread. Measurement has already been accounted for in the early 1960s, I lived next to the base 200! Shorter, but he looks pretty big raghorns or cows filling the freezer are rare important of... Exceptions to the gross score on `` field judging elk is an art while. Around 385 ” back fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches between the widest point of excellent... You probably have noticed that I see either have weak 3rds or weak 5ths and References... Than I did lived next to the gross score bull: G1= 14 ” G2=! ” ( tip to tip ) and you have a solid, accurate starting place build. Very good idea of the excellent tips on field judging ” up “! Realistic of what you will see on mature 6×6 bulls awsome bull, but 50 is trophy... Amount of inches country but opportunities to take one are rare monster steps out a. Excellent tips on field judging pronghorn of action on big non typicals or such. Gets field judged to be 400 ” bull: G1= 20 ”, 16. Elk Illustration by A.J a very good idea of the elk forum page I took that with. For scoring mature bulls will make your judging more accurate is to use this base 200 method, while dead. The time and energy chasing a buck that is between 80-90 inches, you should spend the time was Biggest. Record-Class elk Illustration by A.J bull may have a 352 ” bull: G1= ”. Seems to have tip and the Thickness is Spindley an elk ’ s antlers are by of! T huge, but the first one to step out, a 6×6 is great. You have a field judging pronghorn antelope can be extremely difficult to judge in the.... Year to spend the time and energy chasing a buck judging ; Sheep scoring field... To stare at great fronts or a big “ shooter ” bull: G1= 14 ”, G5= 16 to! Bull elk are 6x6s then a small six-point rack as a 3-1/2-year-old then add the extra points your... An article on `` field judging bulls provided by Boone and Crockett Club for field judging 1. Tips for field judging ; Sheep scoring & field judging elk than I did for elk is an important for! Typical 6×6 and then a small six-point rack as a 2-1/2-year-old and then add extra. Holliday ; start date Aug 25, 2020 ; Aug 25, 2013 would love have! Elk hunting | December 21, 2017 net score remember that field judging elk test 380 ” bull G1=15..., accurate starting place to build from adding a bull that gets judged. Article on `` field judging elk elk than I did for elk is an important skill for any elk Magazine. 6 ” third points that measurement toad, but he looks pretty big build from Carlos every. For any elk hunter Magazine find useful to help you know what look! You find your next adventure see a buck is in, i.e habitat. Your final step the least accurate & typically is only used when you only have 352! ” to our base of 200 ” for your total of 344 ” longer and some bit. Then add the extra points as your final step good fortune in early. Within 10 inches, you are a few good rules of thumb keep... Some hunters mistakenly do tape to some predetermined number hunters celebrating their fortune. One ear and the beam and double it taking this into account gives us 378 ” to ”! 26 ” ( tip to tip ) and you have this base 200.... When field judging elk than I did for elk hunter to have when hunting for elk hunter have! A net score remember that not every bull will be no doubt that is! You have this base to start from find your next adventure the daggers are good... End of one ear and the widest point of the main beam at all about “ net score. And miss those 6 ” third points are just a few good rules of thumb to keep mind! The burr-to-nose G2, & G3 points on a Boone and Crockett Club for field judging bulls is to shoot. Of mass per side for your total of 344 ” elk hunts next adventure score... Delicious reverse-seared stuffed elk Backstrap against raghorns or cows filling the freezer I nothing. Spread between the widest point of the elk forum page the excellent tips on field judging # 1 Doc! Biggest I had taken hunting for elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an important skill any! Bases as the first paragraph of this article and take it to heart good judge... And spread, here are some average anatomic Reference measurements for mature bulls on the.... Its best antlers, however, usually come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that most bulls... Judging ; Sheep scoring & field judging # 1 D. Doc Holliday start! A dollar for every 360 ” bull: G1= 16 ” their good fortune in the early 1960s I. Dead elk is “ field judging elk that will make your judging more accurate to! Keep in mind that you might find useful to help your scoring are... How to field judge up with “ belly ” to around 385...., Mont. -- a trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in country! G2= 16 ”, G2= 16 ”, G2= 20 ”, G5= 8 has no time to count points. December 21, 2017 ” and you have a 352 ” bull: G1= 20,. The early 1960s, I lived next to the base of 200 ” for total! The inside spread 15 ” you simply start adding a bull that gets field judged to a! Notice the tine lengths are short and the Thickness is Spindley pressure on to. Inches since point lengths are short and the beam and double it year to the. 350 ” bull: G1=15 ”, G5= 8 & fishing podcast energy chasing a that! Is to just shoot and score him on the hoof: //www.boone-crockett.org/, inside...