Field Judging Bulls

BowHuntr · May 1, 2006

I guess I'll start with saying congrats to everyone that drew tags this year. I was hoping to be down on the Henry's chasing big muleys, but maybe next year.

I was hoping to get some tips/advice onfield judging elk. My buddy drew a LE elk tag this year, and I'm gonna be helping him scout quite a bit come summer. I'm a big time muley hunter, but rarely hunt elk. So, what makes a bull a good bull? Obviously length and mass, but how do you reference that when looking at a bull? I hear people reference brow tines to the length of the nose, but what range does that fit in? I know main beam length is also important to look at, but again how do you judge it? Basically just looking for some advice when it comes to judging bulls. Any info would be greatly appreciate.

Thanks a bunch

bowhuntr

Antler1 · May 1, 2006

One thing that has helped me more then anything is I used to measure all the sheds I found. Then add a reasonable spread to them. Find someone with some elk shed sets of different sizes and start scoring them. That will give you some good ideas of what to look for.

peakfreak · May 1, 2006

Watch alot of hunting videos to get the basic feel. It's some thing that takes alot of practice. Get personal video of bulls and study them. Ask someone who knows Elk to help you. Goodluck

legacy · May 2, 2006

6x6, Good front end, good thirds, good swords, good mass, good 5th/main split, SHOOT! I guess "good" is the real question!

duckslayer · May 2, 2006

once you watch the videos and have gotten a good idea about the length on the fourth or the Royal tine start to look at the fifths. If the fifth is close to the same length as the fourth it is a sign of a good bull. Look at length of main beams Thirds, fourths and Fifths.

huntin100 · May 2, 2006

Looking at alot of pictures in magazines, and guessing the scores can be helpful. Scoring bulls on the ground is very helpful. Tine length is the most important thing in MOST cases for good scoring. Most mature bulls will have around 50 inch mainbeams, around 55 inches of mass, and 36-40 inch inside spread. This is a general guide. A long mainbeam would be 55-60 inches, extra heavy bull around 60-65 inches mass, and wider than ave bull 45-50 inch inside spread. (The world record muzzle loader bull has around 60 inches mainbeams and 60 inches inside spread.) With a bull that has on ave 50 inch mainbeams, 35-40 inch inside spread, and 55 inches of mass, total 190-195. on a 6 point bull (12 tine length measurements) 14 inches ave tine length equals 360 bull,16 inches ave tine length 380 bull, and 20 inches ave tine length is 400 class bull. Typically most bulls will have shorter 3rds, or 5ths. A miss calculation in mass, mainbeam length,and inside spread usually wont make a big difference in score. Ave tine length will. Extra points could be added to overall gross score. This is just a general guide good luck.

oneshotonekill · May 2, 2006

Huntin100 hit it right on the nose with alot of the stuff. I look for great 3rds and fifths. Most good 5-6 year old bulls have great forths, but if he has 3rds and fifths to match it. You are business. I think you'll know when you see a good bull. Look a browntines post of Iverson mounted. That bull has everything.

one shot

BCHunter · May 3, 2006

I subscribed to the Eastmans Hunting Journal last year. As part of the package, you get a DVD with lots of info in it. One of the sections is devoted to field judging Elk. Shows racks of elk they have taken and also shows numerous elk in the field that they tell you what it scores. Great info.

archery01 · May 3, 2006

LAST EDITED ON May-03-06 AT 06:21PM (MST)[p]Being able to judge body size is also important. There are some good bulls with avg. genes that dont look to have good racks compared to there 9 year old body. A 5 year old with a similar sized rack as an 8 year old will look much larger.

NVguide · May 3, 2006

The way I always use to judge the fronts is to get a good side view, one thing that is generally a constant is the tip of the nose to the front corner of the eye is between 12 1/2 and 13 inches. I am a taxidermist and this is effective for large and medium body sized elk. Another measurment I use to estimate the length of the top points 4th and 5th is the depth of a bulls chest, a good mature bull is between 32 and 34 inches deep in the chest from bottom to the top of his hump. Another thing to remember when trying to determine if a bull is older and has a bigger body is to look at the overall shape of his body. Young bulls bodys will look almost rectangular from the side, and old bulls will be almost wedge shaped. hind quarters look smaller because there chests are very deep, and generally there hump is more prominante. On of the better ways I have found to judge mainbeam length is to figure a mature bull will generally have 28 or 29 inches of antler before the royal (4th)
and use that number to estimate how much antler is after the royal. When we are field judging mass we just use a couple of general numbers. If the bull is massive we call it 29 inches and if he doesn't look real massive I use 26 inches per side. hope this helps and doesn't confuse you.

BowHuntr · May 4, 2006

thanks for all the replies with all the great info. The little hints and tips that you guys have suggested will definitely help me when I'm out scouting this summer. I guess it's just like everything else...you have to practice to be good at it.

thanks again

bowhuntr

Chef · May 4, 2006

Great info NVguide!

Thanks for your expertise.
I will hopefully be using it in the future.

Chef
"I Love Animals...They're Delicious!"

kmur · May 4, 2006

huntin100,
A six point bull only has 10 tine length measurements. Your guideline 360 bull will only go 332.

Ken M.

huntin100 · May 5, 2006

Ken, You are right. I have scored alot of bulls. There is only 10 tine length measurements on a 6x6 bull. Tine length is still the most important thing to look at in great scoring bulls. You can have a bull that looks big 50 inch main beams, and wide, 40 inch inside spread and be a 310-320 bull, because of short tines. You don't get any score on massive tines. In my opinion they add alot to the look a a bull. I would rather have a really heavy dark 360 type bull with ivory tips than a willow horn longer tine 370 bull. Very few bulls will NET book. Shoot one that you will be happy with and like the looks. Good luck

browtine · May 5, 2006

LAST EDITED ON May-05-06 AT 09:10AM (MST)[p]Alot of great advise has already been given. One thing you should always look at is how much an H-measurement can effect the score. The distance between the first and second point on a bull elk can effect the score alot. If the two tines are close, you get a much larger H1 measurement. Some of these can add up and give you a lot more inches on a FINAL score when you do both sides.

Later, Brandon

cowslayer · May 14, 2006

What is the average length of an elks nose? From the base of the antler to the tip of the nose. This seems like it could help me measure a bulls tine lenght up. I think I remember reading or hearing that it is around 18" long. Is that about right?

CS

prn · May 14, 2006

I read an article once that said to start with a base of 200 inches. You then add up the tine length on one side and double it. Then add it to your 200 inch base. It won't be exact, but it will give you a real good idea and you won't have to carry a calculator. If the bull seems unusually massive, wide, or long, then raise the 200 some. If he seems spindly, short, or narrow then lower the 200 you started with. If he has nontypical points you also need to consider those.

I've tried this method on quite a few mounts, and I've been amazed at how acurate it has worked for me. It may not be exact, but you should know within 10 points. The major benefit is it doesn't take a lot of time or thought.

Good luck on the hunt.

NVguide · May 16, 2006

Cow slayer,
Tip of the nose to the base of the antler is closer to 15 inches. If his fronts go to the end of the nose call it 15 and then add how much hook they have.

fisrtcoueswas80inches · May 16, 2006

if the bull makes your heart race, then shoot him! if not, then quit hunting!
Casey

cowslayer · May 17, 2006

Thanks, I think that is a good measuring stick to help judge tine length. We'll see if I use it this November or if I just get bull fever. Hopefully I'll have a few friends to help me with the judging.

CS