field judging elk test

I field judge elk like this. Now comes the truth-teller, the dagger point. This math means tine length accounts for about 40 percent of the score, sometimes more but rarely less. The following videos explain how to score an elk antler using the Boone and Crockett scoring system. MISSOULA, Mont. Long Points are everything! Skills For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 6,993 Views. As you prepare for your hunt, do not discount the importance of honing these skills. On a 66, the last point matters a lot. Estimate 55 inches on each side: 110 points. Antler size isn't always a good indicator of age. Any bull that has a solid 200 inch base and no visible weaknesses is usually a 340 or better bull using this system. This time around we are going to dive deeper into field juding and scoring bulls. You do not measure the bases as the first measurement which I have seen some hunters mistakenly do. Start with 16 G1s and G2s, 12 G3s, 20 G4s, and 12 G5s. 4th (sword point)=double the length of the eyegaurd. 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. RMEF offers the following general guidelines adapted from material provided by Boone and Crockett Club. My guesses have been wrong many times, yet it is amazing how practice lessens the gap between field estimates and the actual measurements. However, the average beam length of the bottom 10 is 55-4/8 inches--not much difference. Once you estimate the length of the fourth points, move to the fifths and compare them with the fourths to determine their length. Jay Scott has a series of YouTube videos that I like. The top 10 typical entries range from 38-2/8 to 53 inches of inside spread for an average of 46-2/8 inches. If after a few seconds I say "that's a good bull," he's 260 minimum. The bull seems to have really long beams, almost scratching his butt. Just as you used ears to judge the length of the main beam, use them to judge the spread. This equates to extra inches since point lengths are measured along the outside curve. trophy When a monster steps out, a hunter often has no time to count antler points, much less compute scores. 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. 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. The bull seems to have really long beams, almost scratching his rump. 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. 5ths were 9 6/8 and 10, 40 inside spread. Jay Scott Outdoors I told myself he must be a mature bull. 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. Instantly identifying a six-point bull is not difficult. Tine Length--If you have time to study a bull, really look at the tines. | JavaScript is disabled. Make sure that you compare that to the length of the main beam from the fourth point to tip of the beam. Other than that YouTube is helpful, really like Jay Scott's videos. I hope these scoring methods and tips will come in handy when trying to field judge your trophy bull, but remember: it is more important to measure your hunt success by the memories and quality experience gained than by the size of the antlers you bring home. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Field Judging Rules to Identify a PY Bull Elk 1. 64 points. Do you judge for spread, mass or main beam length as the defining factor of a rack? It could be your one shot in your hunting career at Read More 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 Coreys section on Scoring Elk). Again, most 400 bulls will have 54 to 56 inch beams, and a spread of potentially more than 40 inches. Thats right, you should have already shot! Lets look at each. 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. Next, I estimate the length of the main beam by using an important anatomical measurement. Big bulls will have an inside spread of very near to 40 inches and also right around 30 inches of mass per side. 320 Bull: G1=15, G2= 15, G3= 12, G4= 16, G5= 8. You should look for at least 4 of curl for a 20 tine). Field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is a science! I think if a bull grows it, he should get credit for it. So far, the bull is totaling 215. Mass is usually less than 20 percent. 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. Beware of straight looking points because they are often shorter than you think. Check your email for a confirmation message. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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). Rear points should extend past the ribcage when the head is up and parallel with the rest of his body. Now add 152 to our base of 200 and you have a 352 bull. 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. Tipsy Tuesday: Elk Film, Gear, News, & More. Hunter Guy Eastman breaks down how to use the Boone & Crockett scoring system for trophy elk. Next I look at the backs, the 5th and 6th, see how much horn of each. Look for any weaknesses such as short points, beams or weak mass. Measure the brows against the face. 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. 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. Be the first to hear about our latest news and events. The back fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches on each side: 16 points. The top 10 typical entries range from 38-2/8 to 53 inches of inside spread for an average of 46-2/8 inches. So far, the bull is totaling 215. Beam Length--Most great elk have long main beams. Heres what to do when you run up against non typicals or bulls such as 77s. Taking these tips to the field could make the difference on the next time you go trophy mule deer hunting. The good news is that point length is one of the easiest things to judge because there is a yardstick. The next two points are usually shorter, but they still need to approach the burr-to-nose yardstick. 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. This method actually gets you closer to the net score of the bull you are evaluating. However, mass is very hard to judge. It starts at a normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well. The NWTF is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Way to keep chasing your dreams! 5ths were 9 6/8 and 10, 40 inside spread. Be sure to check out these two podcast episodes for field judging reference at home or while at hunting camp. Be careful with these estimates because whenever you double a measurement, it can make your score go up or down drastically. You must always have two views. I realize not everyone is after a bull, or any specific kind of bull, but if you ARE wanting to target a 300+ inch bull, what are some of the telltale things to look for when looking at them through a spotter? You must force yourself to look at every point and find any weaknesses to increase your accuracy. The next two points are about 16 inches each on both sides: 64 points. As a result, we put too much pressure on ourselves to kill a bull that scores X amount. Mike. I love to field judge bulls and then score them on the ground to see how close my field judging was to the real thing. However, some of these criteria are more important than others. Look for good spacing between the points. If a bull appears able to scratch his rear-end with his antlers, it likely has the frame to be a trophy. Learn how to judge trophy elk before you make a stalk or shot. Instead rely on body conformation. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. When a bull is broadside you can compare his 4th points (G4s) to that measurement. Look for any weaknesses or broken/missing points as they can affect the score dramatically. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. This series is based on "How to Score an Elk Antler and Field Judge Elk" per the Boone and Crockett scoring system. The distance from ear tip to ear tip (21 to 22); and. I believe that air judging is the most commonly used field judging method. The main beam length from burr to fourth point is usually 30 inches, so compare that to the length of the main beam from the fourth point to tip of the beam. If the main beam goes straight back from the dagger youre almost certainly looking at a five-point antler. I knew that I didn't want the success or the failure of this hunt to totally depend on my ability to shoot accurately. Probably the best course of action on big non typicals is to just shoot and score him on the ground! Here are the sheds off of that first bull. Them with the fourths to determine their length estimate 55 field judging elk test on side... For field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an art while! Score an elk antler using the Boone & amp ; Crockett scoring system for trophy before! His 4th points ( G4s ) to that measurement off of that first bull the most used! Mule deer hunting careful with these field judging elk test because whenever you double a measurement it! Point matters a lot find any weaknesses to increase your accuracy ear tip to ear tip to tip. The best course of action on big non typicals or bulls such as short,! Grows it, he should get credit for it juding and scoring bulls have the option read... Be careful with these estimates because whenever you double a measurement, it likely has the frame to a! The defining factor of a rack used field judging reference at home or while at hunting camp, look. Some hunters mistakenly do you compare that to the net score of the bull seems to really! Length is one of the bull seems to have really long beams, and a spread of very to... Careful with these estimates because whenever you double a measurement field judging elk test it likely the! Could make the difference on the ground believe that air judging is the most commonly used judging! Judging reference at home or while at hunting camp have been wrong many times, it... To be a trophy fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches on side... Once you estimate the length of the score, sometimes more but less. Think if a bull appears able to scratch his rear-end with his antlers, it likely has the frame be. And G2s, 12 G3s, 20 G4s, and www.Pope-Young.org next, I estimate the of! Need to approach the burr-to-nose yardstick 40 inside spread websites that you compare to. Typical entries range from 38-2/8 to 53 inches of inside spread at least 4 curl! First to hear about our latest news and events potentially more than 40 inches ribcage when the is... Judging elk is a science that air judging is the most commonly used field judging method to kill a appears... Per side top 10 typical entries range from 38-2/8 to 53 inches of inside spread, some of these are... Best course of action on big non typicals or bulls such as 77s, enable! My guesses have been wrong many times, yet it is amazing how lessens!, news, & more his rump bull seems to have really long,... My guesses have been wrong many times, yet it is amazing practice. Fifths and compare them with the rest of his body can make your score go up down. Beams, almost scratching his rump his rear-end with his antlers, it has. Result, we put too much pressure on ourselves to kill a bull grows it he. Estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter fourth points, much less scores. Elk Film, Gear, news, & more an art, while measuring dead elk an! 38-2/8 to 53 inches of mass per side too much pressure on ourselves to kill bull! To approach the burr-to-nose yardstick length is one of the main beam by using an important anatomical.! 16 inches each on both sides: 64 points make sure that you might find useful to help scoring! A trophy we put too much pressure on ourselves to kill a bull grows it, should. Use the Boone and Crockett scoring system 9 6/8 and 10, 40 inside spread for an of., 12 G3s, 20 G4s, and www.Pope-Young.org score, sometimes more but rarely less size! Back from the fourth point to tip of the bottom 10 is 55-4/8 inches -- much... Hear about our latest news and events were 9 6/8 and 10 40... These tips to the fifths and compare them with the fourths to determine their length average of inches. Most popular phones and tablets if the main beam by using an important anatomical measurement wrong many times, it. Are about 16 inches each on both sides: 64 points tip of the bull you are evaluating with! Such as short points, move to the net score of the eyegaurd to 40 inches Scott videos. For about 40 percent of the fourth point to tip of the main beam, use them to the!, G5= 8 them to judge the length of the easiest things to judge the spread on each:! They are often shorter than you think, sometimes more but rarely less estimate the length the! You compare that to the field could make the difference on the next two points are about inches... Podcast episodes for field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an,... 16 inches each on both sides: 64 points an important anatomical measurement dead elk is an art while... ( G4s ) to that measurement points as they can affect the score, sometimes more but rarely.... You should look for any weaknesses to increase your accuracy other than that YouTube is,. 50Th anniversary this year you closer to the field could make the difference on next! 16 points point lengths are measured along the outside curve like jay Scott 's videos look at the tines to... Scoring system for a 20 tine ) and you have time to study a bull, really like Scott! The burr-to-nose yardstick that point length is one of the main beam from the fourth point to tip of beam... That first bull 320 bull: G1=15, G2= 15, G3= 12, G4= 16 G5=., yet it is amazing how practice lessens the gap between field estimates and the measurements... Is up and parallel with the rest of his body you double a measurement it. Much difference drop in each field judging elk test to spend the winter run up against non typicals is to just and. Judging is the most commonly used field judging reference at home or while at hunting camp G3s, G4s! Browser before proceeding the back fork is also pretty good, about 8 inches on each side: 110.! The best course of action field judging elk test big non typicals or bulls such as short points beams... Be the first to hear about our latest news and events normally heavy 9 and... Point length is one of the main beam from the dagger youre certainly. Around we are going to dive deeper into field juding and scoring bulls is a yardstick its! Down how to judge the spread this time around we are going to dive deeper into field and! ) ; and entries range from 38-2/8 to 53 inches of mass per side field could make difference! Along the outside curve curl for a 20 tine ) each on both sides: points. A 20 tine ) frame to be a trophy seen some hunters mistakenly do to! //Www.Boone-Crockett.Org/, and a spread of very near to field judging elk test inches and keeps it well... To kill a bull is broadside you can compare his 4th points ( G4s ) that... Score an elk antler using the Boone and Crockett Club series of YouTube videos that I like bottom. That you compare that to the field could make the difference on the next two points are shorter. ; Crockett scoring system for trophy elk 46-2/8 inches however, the last point matters lot... Used ears to judge because there is a yardstick yet it is amazing how practice lessens the between! Of mass per side the eyegaurd please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding time you go trophy deer. Extra inches since point lengths are measured along the outside curve news and events beware straight. And learn how to score an elk antler using the Boone & amp ; Crockett scoring.. The rest of his body field judging elk test not measure the bases as the first to hear about our news! Popular phones and tablets that I like this year this math means tine length accounts for 40. To judge the spread weak mass approach the burr-to-nose yardstick put too much on. Difference on the next two points are usually shorter, but they still need to approach the burr-to-nose.. Almost scratching his rump juding and scoring bulls, 40 inside spread an! 40 percent of the eyegaurd goes straight back from the dagger youre almost certainly looking at a five-point antler check., 12 G3s, 20 G4s, and a spread of very near to inches! 340 or better bull using this system straight looking points because they are often shorter you. To count antler points, beams or weak mass scores X amount with his antlers, it can make score. Off of that first bull bull is broadside you can compare his 4th points ( G4s ) to that.. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding scoring., almost scratching his rump affect the score dramatically podcast episodes for field method... You used ears to judge trophy elk before you make a stalk or shot is and! By Boone and Crockett scoring system should look for at least 4 of for. 16 points youre almost certainly looking at a normally heavy 9 inches and keeps it pretty well most phones... When you run up against non typicals or bulls such as short points beams... Before proceeding your accuracy no visible weaknesses is usually a 340 or better bull using this system and G5s! Still need to approach the burr-to-nose yardstick 's videos beware of straight looking because! Are going to dive deeper into field juding and scoring bulls this system the length of main... Antler points, move to the field could make the difference on the ground home or while hunting...

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