Count the number of points on each side because if something looks odd, it usually is. hunting. On a 66, the last point matters a lot. The fourth point, sometimes called the dagger point, is normally the longest point and most distinctive feature of an elk rack. Obviously, I look at them. When a monster steps out, a hunter often has no time to count antler points, much less compute scores. Field skills Field judging, glassing, and calling may play a role in your hunt. As a result, we put too much pressure on ourselves to kill a bull that scores X amount. Rear points should extend past the ribcage when the head is up and parallel with the rest of his body. It has to be strong, at least 8 or 10 inches. Eye guards=as long as the forehead to nose tip. Look at the bull from the side and front. Colorado Wolves: Killing Pets & A Safe-Space, Wyoming Passes 90/10: The Worst Article Youll Read This Year, More Costs Headed Your Way in Wyoming-Maybe. Scoring mounted bulls is a great way to improve your skills as well. The next two points are about 16 inches each on both sides: 64 points. Finally, go back to the main beam, mass and inside spread. Be aware of straight looking points without much end curve because they are often shorter than you think. You want to look for anything that is sticking out or extraordinary. 2. 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. Lets give them 22 inches each: 44 points. Look for any weaknesses or broken/missing points as they can affect the score dramatically. When he's facing you, look at the width of his ears. 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! It could be your one shot in your hunting career at Read More Having always rifle hunted, during high school she bought a bow and taught herself archery and every since has been hooked. The bull seems to have really long beams, almost scratching his butt. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. 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). Is the bull really 40 inside or is he 36? The last measurement to estimate is the inside spread, which is the widest point from the inside of one beam to the inside of the other. This results in these point lengths totaling 397 to 400 plus! The bull seems to have really long beams, almost scratching his rump. More importantly, the antlers should maintain that thickness to at least the fifth point. Check your email for a confirmation message. Mass - Most really big elk have heavy antlers that carry good mass through the length of the main beam. 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 If after a few seconds I say "that's a good bull," he's 260 minimum. 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. This is less important if the bull is a 77, but you still need some inches in the top of the rack. The back fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches on each side: 16 points. 77s can sometimes be tricky, but really all you have to do is estimate the bulls 6th point (G6), double that and add it to your total. Determining the four mass measurements per side is usually difficult, but there is a way to do it. Instantly identifying a six-point bull is not difficult. You must log in or register to reply here. Experience is everything thing, so the more you can see, film, take pictures & put your hands on bull elk, the better you will get. Estimate 55 inches on each side: 110 points. Once I determine the length of the first two points, next I extrapolate those into the rest of the points. Field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an exact science. Skills Finding and indentifying Shooter Bulls: Identify the sword (G4) and the whale tail to verify that you are looking at a 66 or better bull. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. That 380 bull with these extras would score around 417. 30 inches of circumference x2 = 60 points. Using our system, lets see what it would take to make a 350 bull. 2nd point=just as long and curles. I feel that if you can estimate a bull on the hoof within 10 inches, you are a good field judge. 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. 702.847.8747 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. Its best antlers, however, usually come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that not every 66 is a trophy. Lo Herbert Cooke: Thank you Steve! If you add these totals up for main beams, spread, and mass from both sides you get 200 inches. You probably have noticed that I havent talked at all about net score versus gross score. Everyone should have a B&C benchmark before heading into the land of the bull elk. 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 the field, simply look for a spread that stretches well outside the ears. 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. Beam LengthMost great elk have long main beams. Youll be much more satisfied with the outcome of most of your elk hunts. Mike Eastman But not always. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick. 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. 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. The back fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches x2 = 16 points. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Just remember that very few elk that look "big" have thin antlers. Straight looking points are always short. If a beam or point looks straight, then it will be shorter than you think. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick. I tried that technique last fall and it didnt work out well. Inside SpreadBoone and Crockett records show a wide variation on spreads of trophy elk. Good luck on your hunts and have fun field judging the bulls! Be sure to check out these two podcast episodes for field judging reference at home or while at hunting camp. I go over the four major components of scoring an elk antler: point length, mass, main beam length and inside spread. Beam Length--Most great elk have long main beams. For details, read A Boone and Crockett Club Field Guide to Measuring and Judging Big Game. Visit www.boone-crockett.org . Lastly, go back and read the first paragraph of this article and take it to heart. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. 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. He taped out at 283. Main beams are rarely 60 or more. Field Judging Rules to Identify a PY Bull Elk 1. Next, I estimate the length of the shortest point for each antler, double it and then add them up. Bulls in the book average 45 inches. When a monster steps out, a hunter often has no time to count antler points, much less compute scores. Counting Points--Most mature bull elk are 6x6s. 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. Next I look at the backs, the 5th and 6th, see how much horn of each. All Rights Reserved. He taped out at 283. If it is shorter or longer than the hump on the back, I add or subtract inches accordingly. Let's start at the bottom of the antlers and work up. Keep in mind that you view non-typicals as a typical 66 and then add the extra points as your final step. scouting This method is not quite as exact as estimating each measurement, but it gets you very close and it's much quicker and easier. Just as you used ears to judge the length of the main beam, use them to judge the spread. It starts at a normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well, maybe 30 inches of circumference on each antler: 60 points. Hunter Guy Eastman breaks down how to use the Boone & Crockett scoring system for trophy elk. Again, not a significant difference. Air judging is the least accurate & typically is only used when you only have a few seconds or minutes to look over a bull. Mass isnt huge, but he looks pretty big. Sometimes there's ample chance to really focus and size up an elk in your search for the bull of a lifetime. If they're over 10", 9 times out of 10, that bull is gonna go 300" or better. I believe that air judging is the most commonly used field judging method. This is going to be a very close estimate for most big bulls and serves as our solid starting point. antlers Taking these tips to the field could make the difference on the next time you go trophy elk hunting. Another way to quickly estimate a net score is to add up a bulls weakest side, double it, and then add to 200. If the main beam goes straight back from the dagger youre almost certainly looking at a five-point antler. Jay Scott Outdoors Watching this bull rake a bush I got a good look at his tops!! Long brow tines usually will follow the nose and then curl or bend upward. I used to hunt quite a bit up near Trenton, MO. No need to spend much more time considering beam length. 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. Las Vegas, NV 89113. It might be that each day in the field youre glassing up a dozen or more satellite bulls along with several herd bulls. Inside spread measurements are rarely over 45 and mass is rarely over 32 per side. RE: field judging elk. I knew that I didn't want the success or the failure of this hunt to totally depend on my ability to shoot accurately. 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