field judging help!

elkoholic21 · Aug 14, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Aug-14-09 AT 01:02PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Aug-14-09 AT 01:00?PM (MST)

I just found out i drew a oncce in a lifetime bull elk tag in an area that should give me oportunities at bulls in the 350 and up range!! i am only 19 so i have not had much experience field judging bulls, i have taken a few rag horns but have never been picky when it came to elk. I want to take advantage of this tag so i am taking the fall semester off from school and will spend as much time as it takes for hopefully a 350+ class bull. Any tips on field judging will be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

NiceRack · Aug 14, 2009

I would take a friend that has had experience hunting elk. You are going to need help anyway, might as well be from someone that has been there!
Paul "Nice Rack" Taxidermy

ktc · Aug 14, 2009

If you see a bull and you look him over and you try to talk youself into him being 350, he is not. When you see a 350 you will know it and it will be a no brainer.

need4x4 · Aug 14, 2009

Get one or more of the books on elk. Someone here will suggest which ones are best.

Eastmans had an elk judging article in the past several years, maybe call them and ask if you can buy that issue.

There are several steps to make sure the bull is 350 or higher. It is difficult in that there are big bodies with ok antlers that look small and then some smaller bodied bulls with ok antlers that then look large.

Any six point bull will look huge at first if you ask me.

This is very basic stuff
http://www.biggame-hunting.com/library/field_judge_elk.htm

bottom of this one has some good info.
http://club.kingsoutdoorworld.com/magazine/spring2002/editor_john.shtml

I suggest the article or a book. If it is a good area, set a minimum for the first several days, give the area a chance. As the days grow short, set an ultimate minumum or last day bull min.

DirtyTough · Aug 14, 2009

I am in the same boat as you. And my plan is to not worry about score as much as killing the biggest bull I find during preseason scouting.

And one method I have heard about that is fairly close on mature bulls is to start with a base of 200" and then add in the tine lengths. It seems more accurate for myself then trying to guess how long the mains are, how much width and how much mass. And its fairly quick.

Good luck this year on the tag.

AWHOLELOTTABULL · Aug 15, 2009

9 times out of 10 you won't shoot a bull that "scores" what you want him to but the reason you pulled back the bow or squeezed the trigger is because he looked really good to you and got your heart pounding. When I am hunting elk, whether for myself or guiding somebody, I pay real close attention to my chest, or the reaction to my hunter when that bull steps out. If I can feel my heart pounding and my breathing quicken when I'm looking at him, I don't need to guess a score. That being said, I think the biggest (and hardest part of field judging elk) mistake on judging score is made on mass. It's easy to see the tine length and long main beam but it a lot harder to judge mass. Average mass on a mature bull is 30 inches a side. Remember a few simple things. Points count! If he's a smoker bull and he's missing his 3rd point on one side it's going to hurt his "score". Average width of a mature bull is around 40". This is why I always tell people to shoot if they like the bull. Score is only good for a couple of things.....#1 showing up your buddies on MonsterMuleys.com & #2 trying to get into the record books. Neither of which make any difference whatsoever how that big ol bull is going to look on your wall or how the whole hunt plays out in your mind years from now. Have a blast!

It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com

apollosmith · Aug 15, 2009

Well said AWB. The best way to get better at field judging is to look at LOTS of bulls - both dead and on the hoof. Check the picture archives here and at Eastman's - lots of folks have posted the score with the pictures (though you do have to take some with a grain of salt).

When you see a score posted with a picture or video, work out in your mind what makes that score - tine length, mass, main beam, and inside spread. Remember outside spread does not count toward score and make sure you understand how spread credit works.