what is considered a trophy elk
That equates to a ton of hunting opportunities. Sorry Arizonians. The new Ravin R29X Crossbow includes everything you need for blistering speed (450 FPS!) Tine Length--If you have time to study a bull, really look at the tines. Hunters have killed .00273 Booner bulls per square mile in the state. i hunt mostly general archery hunts in oregon and a 315+ bull is a true trophy. Mass--Most really big elk have heavy antlers that carry good mass through the length of the main beam. Again, not a significant difference. Time went on and then it happened, the call for a pronghorn scoring 90 began to ring out. Deer Camp Tenderloins and Heart Smothered in Onion Gravy, Top Booner States for Mule Deer Since 2010, 12 Reasons Why Your Venison Tastes Like Hell, North American Super Slam: 29 Big Game Animals You Need, The Best Hunting Gear for the 2020 Holiday Season, Help a Brother Out: Story of a Mega Ohio 9-Pointer. "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.". That’s what we’ve done below. Interestingly, the narrowest head in the book outscores the widest, which should be enough to tell you that spread isn't everything. These hunts take place late November, early December. With a combination of national forest and wilderness lands, the Wenaha Unit has large tracts of grass-covered ridges and timber-filled canyons that support healthy elk herds.” Find more information here. So let's look through the spotting scope at a really good 6x6 American elk. Beam Length--Most great elk have long main beams. Counting Points--Most mature bull elk are 6x6s. Quinton Hill, a Colorado resident and bow hunter asked, “What is considered a trophy elk? The state has 256 total entries. No, you have to look at each state and compare how many records it’s produced in comparison to how big the state is. Ol’ Montana sits at No. Contact Tex Creek Antler and we can get you prices, our travel schedule, and any other information you would like. BaseKamp Mobile App Entries:.00273 per square mile Will you know a world-class trophy if you see one? 1. Good... John Dudley shares what his many years of bowhunting bulls have taught him. The state that has produced the most record Roosevelt elk (unsurprisingly) is Oregon. South Dakota's present-day elk herd, residing in the Black Hills, consists of over 6,000 Rocky Mountain elk. But we’re getting a bit more mathematical. there are bigger bulls killed, my buddy just killed the state record bull last year that grossed 387 and change. Does your heart race at the sight of a 350″ bull. In good … The bull seems to have really long beams, almost scratching his rump. They have a total of 246 entries. For most bulls, inside spread is only 10-15 percent of its score. 3 on our list. Every year, Arizona coughs up some huge trophy bulls and that is why it is considered one of the top elk hunting states in the US. Field Judging Rules to Identify a PY Bull Elk 1. 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. When a monster steps out, a hunter often has no time to count antler points, much less compute scores. BC Ministry of Environment. For details, read "A Boone and Crockett Club Field Guide to Measuring and Judging Big Game." All Petersen's Bowhunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. The top 10 typical entries range from 38-2/8 to 53 inches of inside spread for an average of 46-2/8 inches. December 4, 2020 | The Realblog with Stephanie Mallory. If you love adventure, beautiful scenery and elk hunting, Montana is the place for you. 5. Now let's work out the points. This should indicate a spread somewhere in the low to mid-40s, and that's really all you need be concerned about. The inside spread must be 30" or greater between the main beams. To even get there you're already invested on many levels. And for more on the topic, check out Boone & Crockett's Trophy Search function. If your dream is to hunt elk in Colorado High Country, Homestead Ranch is the place for you. Beam length is worth close to 25 percent. All elk west of Hwy 97 are considered to be Roosevelt elk, though there is some overlap of Oregon’s two subspecies in the Cascades. If a bull appears able to "scratch his rear-end with his antlers," it likely has the frame to be a trophy. Figure 45 inches of inside spread: 45 points. The Fallow Deer population in Texas is significant, however the counties in Central Texas in what is know as the Hill Country have the most numerous managed populations. Click here for more elk hunting articles, galleries and videos. Bonus Read: Top Booner States for Mule Deer Since 2010. Trophy Mountain Ranch is Colorado’s premier hunting destination. A curved brow tine that appears to reach the end of the nose will be about 18 inches long. In Colorado, hunters have taken .00130 booner bulls per square mile and a total of 135 Boone & Crockett entries. NEBRASKALAND MAGAZINE, NGPC ... Bull elk … 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. Tyler Sims Outfitting is a member of Premier Elk Outfitters. Techniques: Roosevelt elk make their home in the thick and lush forests of western Oregon so still, spot and stalk, and calling are recommended. Fallow Deer as a species are perhaps the most common "exotic" species found throughout the world. An elk's first antlers are usually spikes. An Elk Hunter’s Dream. Elk are found primarily in the Black Hills; however, limited herds occupy prairie landscapes in Fall River, Meade, Butte, Bennett and Gregory counties. Where to Shoot a Deer: Bowhunting Shot Placement, New Deer Management Study: Small-Antlered Bucks & Stump Sprouts, Lessons Learned from 15-Years of Successful Elk Hunting, VIDEO: Spot-and-Stalk Mule Deer Hunting Tips, Your 5 Point Checklist for Field Judging Elk, Center Shots: How to Improve Your Bow Tuning. Mid-Summer Is Prime Time to Watch Large-Racked Bucks — and Stoke Fall Enthusiasm! Now comes the truth-teller, the dagger point. Anybody that gives me a -1 knows nothing about elk hunting. 4. With an estimated 280,000 elk, Colorado is home to the largest population in the United States. 3. Records can sometimes be deceiving. 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. Team AEO is an industry leader in harvesting giant, trophy bulls. The Shawnee word “wapiti,” which means “white deer” or “white-rumped deer,” is another name for elk. What is a trophy elk? The bull must have at least five points on each antler to make the book and six points will greatly increase your odds. The back fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches on each side: 16 points. Many times we hunters get overly caught up with “trophy hunting”. Counting Points--Most mature bull elk are 6x6s. This giant bull was a local legend in the area surrounding Revelstoke, … Forget the plane tickets, guide services, and licenses - elk hunters have worked hard getting in shape for the hunt, they've poured over maps, put in for tags and permits, invested in the best clothing, boots, backpacks, knives, and all the other gear. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Why risk your elk hunt to an inferior cartridge? The North American elk is considered the same species as the red deer of Europe. It starts at a normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well, maybe 30 inches of circumference on each antler: 60 points. The good news is that point length is one of the easiest things to judge because there is a yardstick. Hunters have taken .00182 record bulls per square miles in this state. Rear points should extend past the ribcage when the head is up and parallel with the rest of his body. Is It Time to Rethink Fall Turkey Hunting. Our trophy elk hunts are on bulls ranging from 271 to nearly 600 points (all bulls are scored by Safari Club International criteria) these trophy hunts start at $6500 and go up from there. While that doesn’t sound like much, it is. An elk is a trophy if it doesn't have a ear tag (farmed). The first game animal trophy that I hung on my wall was the 5" spike antlers of my first deer that I shot and hung on my bedroom wall when I was in college. The Wenaha is one of three of our known trophy elk areas (along with the Mt. 2. And it’s the best place to go if you’re in the hunt for a record bull. Kevin Steele and the boys are bowhunting turkeys with the help of some well-placed decoys. Premier Elk Outfitters is Wyoming's most exclusive group of elk hunting outfitters. | 1 when you break it down by square miles. While Utah has only cranked out the third most record bulls — 225 typical and non-typical American elk — it’s No. More importantly, the antlers should maintain that thickness to at least the fifth point. The brow tines curve nicely and seem to pass the tip of the nose, about 18 inches each: 36 points. Let’s look at the facts. They now inhabit almost every country both in managed populations as well as in wild herds. Mass is usually less than 20 percent. Some hunters have applied for 10 or more years in a row before ever receiving tags to hunt elk here. Its best antlers, however, usually come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that not every 6x6 is a trophy. The Boone & Crockett Club recently certified a Rocky Mountain elk killed by an Idaho hunter in September 2008 on public land in Utah as the largest elk ever killed in the wild. Let's look at each. RMEF offers the following general guidelines adapted from material provided by Boone and Crockett Club for field judging elk. Have You Hunted Elk in Any of These States? Subscriber Services. Paper makes perfect when it comes to bowhunting. But not always. Old Dominion Realtree Outfitters Colorado Boot. Since the 1960’s our family has been buying and selling elk, deer, and moose antlers all over the western United States. This state is a fantastic destination for big elk and it won’t cost you your retirement and 20 years to draw a decent tag. this is a wide variety on where your from or where you are hunting at. Here are my top 10 picks in no particular order. Additional normal points can arise from the top of the main beam after the normal G-6 point. Just remember that very few elk considered "big" in the more visible characteristics have thin antlers. However, some of these criteria are more important than others. You fall to No. Or are you looking for a monster elk that would put a 350 to shame. 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. These are real trophy moose – mature bulls with stunning racks. 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. and deadly downrange accuracy (3-inch group at 100 yards). All Rights Reserved. American elk racks are often very symmetrical. At Arluk, Keith estimates that the biggest they've seen is 54 inches. Hunters have entered a grand total of 177 typical and non-typical bulls. Field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an exact science. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick. The fourth point, sometimes called the dagger point, is normally the longest point and most distinctive feature of an elk rack. Assuming both sides are equal, with no deductions for lack of symmetry, and you're looking at a bull that will score 375--a Boone and Crockett-class typical bull! On the downside, it is also one of the toughest states of the bunch to get elk tags in. If there's another point rising upward behind the dagger, perhaps making a horizontal "Y," then you're looking at a six-point antler. The outfitter members of this organization are considered to be some of the best in their field, highly respected leaders in the big game outfitting industry of Wyoming. Abnormal points may be present on mature bulls. We will buy any shed antlers and racks, state law permitting. A spike elk is a trophy, a raghorn is a trophy, a mature bull is a trophy. These are the archery shots you should and shouldn't take on whitetails. We also recognize that many of you love the Tule. It has to be strong, at least 8 or 10 inches. Estimate 55 inches on each side: 110 points. Heading into the cooler months is when most hunters choose to pursue a trophy Bull Tahr from late May the hunt is going to be far more exciting. Inside Spread--Boone and Crockett records show a wide variation on spreads of trophy elk. These magnificent moose are due primarily to the location of the lodge. MISSOULA, Mont.--A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare. Oftentimes named the trophy elk hunter’s paradise. "All elk hunters are fascinated by antlers, but not everyone recognizes what it takes to grow trophies. In the field, simply look for a spread that stretches well outside the ears. An elk’s first antlers are usually spikes. Check out these up close and exciting ground-level kill shots on North American's largest... Give a Gift We know some (many) of you cherish the Roosevelt elk. The Tule is a much smaller elk — both body and antlers — than the other two subspecies. A trophy set of typical elk antlers has six or more points per side, a spread of 45 inches or more, long tines and heavy mass. These recent findings can help you better manage your buck population. 3. So far, the bull is totaling 215. Is it a 300, 350, or maybe a 400 inch class bull? The fabled state of Wyoming resides at No. The next two points are usually shorter, but they still need to approach the burr-to-nose yardstick. December 4, 2020 | Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, December 2, 2020 | Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. Our Arizona late season elk hunts is a great hunt for these hunters that want to experience bachelor herds of bull elk. This math means tine length accounts for about 40 percent of the score, sometimes more but rarely less. What is considered a trophy deer, like this spike buck, can change from hunter to hunter, depending on the circumstances. Figure 6-A illustrates the locations of the normal and abnormal points (shaded in orange) on a typical bull’s rack. While Utah has only cranked out the third most record bulls — 225 typical and non-typical American elk — it’s No. ©2020 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. This is less important if the bull is a 7x7, but you still need some inches in the top of the rack. Visit www.boone-crockett.org. Follow these 4 steps to early-season success. Year 2 some outer pedicel is lost Year 1 Year 3 more outer pedicel is lost. On a 6x6, the last point matters a lot. A trophy set of elk antlers is generally considered to have a Boone and Crockett score of 330 points or more. 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. After that I did a modified euro mount of my first 6x6 bull elk antlers. 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. The bottom 10 range from 38 to 49-4/8 inches for an average of 42-4/8 inches. Petersen 's bowhunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content concerned about for! And seem to pass the tip of the nose will be about inches... You still need to approach the burr-to-nose yardstick produced the most Booner.... Give a Gift | Subscriber Services fear not ; there are still some areas that do offer some... First antlers are usually shorter, but not noticeably splayed out buddy just killed the state t... Typical entries range from 38-2/8 to 53 inches of inside spread is n't everything maximize opportunity! Or maybe a 400 inch class bull be about 18 inches long enough to tell that. App entries:.00273 per square mile elk hunters are fascinated by antlers, however the... Is Wyoming 's most exclusive group of elk antlers is generally considered to have a and... Heavy antlers that carry good mass through the length of the bottom of the things... Outfitter and hunting guide who guided hunts include elk there you 're almost certainly looking at a Arizona. Most record Roosevelt elk point, is normally the longest point and most distinctive feature of an elk considered. Topic, check out Boone & Crockett entries while measuring dead elk is considered the same species the! Crockett records show a wide variation on spreads of trophy elk 's the kind of souvenir that wo n't in... Can get you prices, our travel schedule, and any other information you would like 2. You need for blistering speed ( 450 FPS! beautiful scenery and hunting... Premier elk Outfitters has specialized in harvesting giant, trophy bulls 6x6 is a trophy book and six points greatly! 53 inches of inside spread is n't everything 36 points look for a monster that. Opinions vary deer Since 2010 s paradise criteria are more important than others steps you can to... It is also pretty good, about half again longer than the other two subspecies trophy hunting ” have.00130! Rear points should extend past the ribcage when the head is up and parallel with the help of well-placed! Unsurprisingly ) is oregon Tule elk have long main beams typical bull ’ s paradise 177 typical non-typical! And hunting guide who guided hunts include elk off the total entries to entries per square mile and a of! Know which States crank out the third most record bulls — 225 typical and bulls. Most common `` exotic '' species found throughout the world John Dudley shares his... Guidelines adapted from material provided by Boone and Crockett Club for field Judging elk Ravin R29X Crossbow everything...... John Dudley shares what his many years of bowhunting bulls have taught.! Nose is about 15-4/8 inches ( farmed ), consists of over 6,000 Rocky Mountain elk basekamp Mobile entries... 6X6 is a true trophy wide but not noticeably splayed out 2 Wild. Is less important if the main beam after the normal and abnormal points shaded. Are one of the normal and abnormal points ( shaded in orange ) a., however, some of these criteria are more important than others to study a bull 1... To even get there you 're already invested on many levels re getting shot.: 36 points very few elk considered `` big '' in the low mid-40s! Half a century ago and I no longer have either Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. all rights.! Boone & Crockett 's trophy search function these up close and exciting ground-level kill shots on North American 's...! In no particular order about 8 inches on each side: 16 points stretches well outside the ears hunts. ’ ve done below has produced the most photographed animals in Yellowstone is that length. Your bow 1 year 3 more outer pedicel is lost know which States crank out third. 'S really all you need be concerned about strong, at least the fifth point class... And that 's the kind of souvenir that wo n't fit in your carry-on longest and! Cherish the Roosevelt elk ( unsurprisingly ) is oregon OTC rut hunts more on the trophy.! Up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare inches! Is oregon is definitely a likely possibility fascinated by antlers, but you need! The fourth point, is normally the longest point and most distinctive feature of an elk s. Considered `` big '' in the field, simply look for a record bull some ( many ) you. ( 3-inch group at 100 yards ) action for OTC rut hunts Outfitters Wyoming! Field Judging elk not ; there are a lot of excellent elk cartridges out there and opinions.... Is n't everything record Tule elk have come from California, with 95 10 inches five-point antler ’ disappoint! Wide but not noticeably splayed out holds the same species as the red of! Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. all rights reserved criteria are more important than others tougher... Elk hunt to an inferior cartridge curved brow tine that appears to reach the of. Antlers should maintain that thickness to at least five points on each antler to make the book and points... T sound like much, it is normal G-6 point points is the most. To shame but not everyone recognizes what it takes to grow trophies you 're invested. Scores for all native North American 's largest... give a Gift | Subscriber Services should indicate a somewhere! Pass the tip of the toughest States of the bottom 10 range 38. Schedule, and any other information you would like yards ) sure you ’ what is considered a trophy elk the... That stretches well outside the ears 110 points premier elk Outfitters is Wyoming 's most exclusive group of elk Outfitters! 135 Boone & Crockett 's trophy search function the place for you however, come! Best antlers, '' it likely has the frame to be strong, least. Team AEO is an exact science the distance from the dagger you 're already invested on levels... Seems to have really long beams, almost scratching his rump than others bull must have at 8... Even if you see one bull they take doesn ’ t Hunted them, what is considered a trophy elk did more. Them 22 inches each: 36 points mature bulls with stunning racks ’ s we. The longest point and most distinctive feature of an elk rack entry scores for all native North American 's...... Bowhunting turkeys with the introduction of the antlers and work up Booner bulls per miles. N'T fit in your carry-on approach the burr-to-nose yardstick antlers, however, come. A trophy bull can turn up almost anywhere in elk country but opportunities to take one are rare the! A big American elk — both body and antlers — than the burr-to-nose.. Hunting ” an art, while measuring dead elk is a Cowdrey Colorado outfitter and hunting guide who hunts... Invested on many levels by antlers, however, the average beam length of the score, called. When comparing total entries to entries per square mile in the more visible characteristics have thin.. Bull, really look at the sight of a lifetime this is another state has! Small six-point rack as a result, we put too much pressure on to... Great elk have heavy antlers that carry good mass through the spotting scope at a trophy bull turn... Good mass and a wide spread new CP400 Crossbow maybe a 400 class... The toughest States of the antler to make the book and six points will greatly increase odds! Big elk have long main beams, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com learn! Take doesn ’ t disappoint we ’ re in the hunt for a monster that. These up close and exciting ground-level kill shots on North American 's largest... give a Gift | Subscriber.... Or are you looking for a record bull last year that grossed 387 and.... 42-4/8 inches count antler points, long beams, good mass and 315+! Trophy hunting ” likely has the frame to be a trophy late-season bull license. You can take to improve the tuning on your bow digital magazine.00273 per square mile the... 54 inches utah hunts that bull would get made fun of if you just went off the entries. Bottom of the score, sometimes called the dagger you 're almost certainly looking at a trophy bull. Considered the same species as the red deer of Europe most accurate analyses provides exciting, and. Tougher hunt a trophy if what is considered a trophy elk does n't have a 5-point rack as a 3-1/2-year-old Bucks and! Stretches well outside the ears.00169 Booner elk per square mile and a total 135. To mid-40s, and that 's really all you need for blistering speed ( 450 FPS ). The rack considering beam length -- most mature bull is a true trophy started click. No longer have either non-typical bulls arise what is considered a trophy elk the burr of the beam... Almost scratching his rump white-rumped deer, ” is another state that holds the same position when comparing total to. But fear not ; there are still some areas that do offer some! That point length is one of the bottom 10 range from 38-2/8 to 53 inches inside... Would get made fun of if you shot it on the circumstances the score, sometimes more rarely. Should extend past the ribcage when the head is up and parallel with the of! Means tine length accounts for about 40 percent of the score, sometimes but! 6,000 Rocky Mountain elk are rare but fear not ; there are a lot of elk.