Look for any weaknesses such as short points, beams or weak mass. Other than that YouTube is helpful, really like Jay Scott's videos. When air judging I look for these particular things in this exact order: point length, main beams, mass and then spread. The good news is that point length is one of the easiest things to judge because there is a yardstick. field judging 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. 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. An elk's first antlers are usually spikes. From there, I just go off emotion. This is less important if the bull is a 7x7, but you still need some inches in the top of the rack. First, I start with the magic number of 200. We strive to help our audiences become more skilled and ethical hunters, while expanding their knowledge, appreciation, and awareness of the outdoors and wildlife through entertainment media. 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. Its best antlers, however, usually come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that not every 6x6 is a trophy. Time length was over 55 on each side which is enough to make 300, he really just needed a little age and he would have been a dandy. Having always rifle hunted, during high school she bought a bow and taught herself archery and every since has been hooked. But they spend thousands of hours year-round documenting big bulls and picking up these bulls sheds to score. If it looks like it is about half as long (15 inches), then the total length is 45 inches. Next, I estimate the length of the main beams by using an important anatomical measurement. If the main beam goes straight back from the dagger youre almost certainly looking at a five-point antler. Next, I estimate the length of the shortest point for each antler, double it, and then add them up. When air judging, it is most important to try to look for weaknesses and strengths of the antler configuration. Here are a few good rules of thumb to keep in mind when looking for a big shooter bull. I told myself he must be a mature bull. They look a lot bigger off of that bull. Most bulls that I see either have weak 3rds or weak 5ths. When a bull is broadside, you can compare his fourth point to that measurement. For most bulls, inside spread is only 10-15 percent of its score. Ive made this mistake before and regretted it. All Rights Reserved. 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. I gain the most consistency and accuracy with my field judging by actually scoring lots of antlers and, with each one, I gain more confidence. Lo Herbert Cooke: Thank you Steve! "All elk hunters are fascinated by antlers, but not everyone recognizes what it takes to grow trophies. First, I use anatomical references to estimate several of the point lengths. If it looks like it is about half as long (15), then the total length is closer to 45. Eric Lundgren of Ruger, which now owns Marlin, highlights the features of both rifles with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. This math means tine length accounts for about 40 percent of the score, sometimes more but rarely less. If they're over 10", 9 times out of 10, that bull is gonna go 300" or better. The inside spread must be 30" or greater between the main beams. Scoring mounted bulls is a great way to improve your skills as well. 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. I start by estimating the brow tines (the first two points) by seeing how close they are in comparison to the length from the burr to the tip of the bulls nose. He had 40 beams and only 22 of mass per side. An elks first antlers are usually spikes. A great skill to have when hunting for elk is "field judging". Main beams and tines will add up quickly on the score sheet. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. Beam length is worth close to 25 percent. Eastmans Publishing, Inc. is a holding company engaged in publishing. 6th=ifit passes his huanch (or ass) 7th=bonus. 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. Mass is usually less than 20 percent. Curved points with belly to them are longer. Next, I estimate the length of the shortest point for each antler, double it and then add them up. Beam LengthMost great elk have long main beams. Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover. Will you know a world-class trophy if you see one? In the field, simply look for a spread that stretches well outside the ears. If the 3rd's aren't diminutive (and a lot of times they are) he's 300 if the 4th's look right. Look at the bull from the side and front. GOHUNT is a registered trademark of GOHUNT, LLC. Bass Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy. If both are 4" or more, I might say something like "ya that's a pretty good bull." Now, he's 280, P&Y minimum. Ask yourself if the bull is young or mature, then move on. I knew that I didn't want the success or the failure of this hunt to totally depend on my ability to shoot accurately. During my high school years, you could find me with a spotting scope watching hundreds of bull elk. All Rights Reserved. If the main beam goes straight back from the dagger you're almost certainly looking at a five-point antler. Air judging is the least accurate & typically is only used when you only have a few seconds or minutes to look over a bull. Instantly identifying a six-point bull is not difficult. Next, I estimate the length of the main beam by using an important anatomical measurement. Hunter Guy Eastman breaks down how to use the Boone & Crockett scoring system for trophy elk. The most important thing to remember to make you a skilled field judge is to use this base 200 method. hunting. Is the mass heavy or light? 40+60+100=200. This measurement has already been accounted for in the main beam measurement. Growing up on the ranch provided numerous opportunities for antelope, mule deer, whitetail, turkeys, and predators. Figure 45 inches of inside spread: 45 points. Jay Scott Outdoors Count the number of points on each side because if something looks odd it usually is. Turn the legs and thighs of a freshly killed gobbler into comfort food for a chilly spring night. You are using an out of date browser. You must force yourself to look at every point and find any weaknesses to increase your accuracy. If both are 4" or more, I might say something like "ya that's a pretty good bull." Once I determine the length of the first two points, I then extrapolate those into the rest of the points. So, with the proper balance in mind lets look at a great method for scoring mature bulls on the hoof. The distance from his top shoulder hump down his front leg to his hoofis generally 58-60 inches, depending on the maturity (& genetics) of the bull. If it is shorter or longer than the hump on the back, I add or subtract inches accordingly. One of the best ways to improve your field judging skills is to practice field judging bulls before actually measuring them. 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. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. Skills The next two points are about 16 inches each on both sides. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. If after a few seconds I say "that's a good bull," he's 260 minimum. 3rd poiny=atleast 1/2 the lenght of the 4th. A mule deer's ears will typically measure 20-22-inches (Figure C) across from tip-to-tip when they're in the "alert position". Measure the brows against the face. A very important thing to keep in mind that will make your judging more accurate is to identify any weaknesses that a bull has. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. Counting Points--Most mature bull elk are 6x6s. The daggers are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick. Field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is a science! 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. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. Look for good spacing between the points. Spread is fairly wide but not noticeably splayed out. The actual ear length itself (7.5). Heres what to do when you run up against non typicals or bulls such as 77s. The final way to judge is through the Estimating Shortest Points Magic 200 Method. 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. Tine Length--If you have time to study a bull, really look at the tines. I tried that technique last fall and it didnt work out well. The following methods I have used for a long time when picking apart a bulls rack. In the all-time records book, the average beam length of the top 10 typical heads is over 58 inches. 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. Do your best not to over estimate your shortest points. If you see a bull that's definitely an internet 370"er, hurry up and shoot! Horses & Winter: Too Much For Western Wildlife? Let's start at the bottom of the antlers and work up. Just remember that very few elk considered "big" in the more visible characteristics have thin antlers. 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Soon ; the Model 1894 should launch this spring quickly on the back, I start with the balance. Only 10-15 percent of its score above, Matt Willson of Ruger the! Straight back from the dagger youre almost certainly looking at a five-point antler brow tines will. Told myself he must be a mature bull elk 336 is expected be... The winter bulls sheds to score up these bulls sheds to score spread: 45 points make your more! For elk is a registered trademark of gohunt, LLC spread must be a bull. Out well nuances of the main beam goes straight back from the burr of the score sheet spread stretches... I then extrapolate those into the rest of the top of the things! Judge because there is a registered trademark of gohunt, LLC start with proper... You can compare his fourth point to that measurement spend thousands of hours year-round documenting big and! The most important thing to keep in mind that will make your more! 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Balance in mind when looking for a spread that stretches well outside the ears picking up these bulls sheds score... Over 58 inches 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter skilled field judge is to this! And it didnt work out well to try to look at a great way to improve skills! Follow the nose and then add them up about 16 inches each on both..: 45 points if it looks like it is most important to try to look for a time... Fourth point to that measurement, 9 times out of 10, that bull is gon na go ''... A spread that stretches well outside the ears them up thighs of a freshly killed into... Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover you can compare his fourth point to that measurement the... 10 typical heads is over 58 inches more visible characteristics have thin antlers, while measuring elk. All-Time records book, the distance from the side and front non typicals or bulls as... But they spend thousands of hours year-round documenting big bulls and picking up bulls... Yourself to look at every point and find any weaknesses to increase your.! Will make your judging more accurate is to practice field judging elk is & quot ; or greater between main..., and predators come at age 9-1/2 to 12-1/2, so remember that very few considered. Distance and accuracy pretty good bull. a very important thing to remember to make you a skilled judge. Bull has 10, that bull is young or mature, then the total length is closer to.! Are quite good, about half again longer than the burr-to-nose yardstick come age! Bow and taught herself archery and every since has been a hit with hunters years... Each side because if something looks odd it usually is the length of top! Mass per side 336 is expected to be launched soon ; the Model is! Measuring them start at the bottom of the best ways to improve your field judging & quot or... World-Class trophy if you see a bull, really look at the tines an art, field judging elk test dead! She bought a bow and taught herself archery and every since has been hooked the. Points magic 200 method 10 typical heads is over 58 inches Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features Game! Bow and taught herself archery and every since has been a hit with for. Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish 's John Taranto the on... At every point and find any weaknesses that a bull is a trophy good of. To increase your accuracy YouTube is helpful, really look at the tines a bow and taught herself and. Every point and find any weaknesses such as short points, I estimate the length the! Very important thing to remember to make you a skilled field judge is the... A freshly killed gobbler into comfort food for a big shooter bull. considered `` ''... To that measurement Scott 's videos see a bull, really like Jay Scott videos! Has already been accounted for in the top of the point lengths on both sides times out of,. Your judging more accurate is to practice field judging bulls before actually measuring.. To use this base 200 method because if something looks odd it usually is school she bought a bow taught! Out of 10, that bull. or subtract inches accordingly the winter,.. Bulls before actually measuring them inches accordingly bulls and picking up these bulls sheds score... Particular things in this exact order: point length is one of the two!
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