SCORE:442 5/8LOCATION:White Mts., AZHUNTER:Alonzo WintersOWNER:Alan C. EllsworthDATE:1968, To make the story short," Ellsworth said,"I was able to purchase the elk antlers. The only way to really estimate the inside spread of a bull elk is for him to face you. The final way to judge is through the Estimating Shortest Points Magic 200 Method. The list goes on. In short, the Club is looking for mass and symmetry. ", a list of Official Measurers for your area. Though hed only arrowed one other elk, Franklin set his sights on tagging the Grandpa Bull, a monster elk known to hunters familiar with the area. The distance from ear tip to ear tip (21 to 22); and. Any game animal taken in fair chase, no matter the size, is indeed a trophy to be proud of and is every bit as worthy of respect and admiration as those of record class proportions. The other measurements indicated on the Boone and Crockett score sheet are simply for reference and are not used to calculate the final score. Next, try to figure out how mature is the bull that you are looking at and keep it simple. If an abnormal point (or antler projection) is slightly in the line of measurement, simply find the shortest path around the point either above or below the projection and continue the measurement. This point is above and slightly off center of the eye socket. The rest of the points should be relatively easy to measure as long as you find that baseline. In such cases, the beam length is measured to the tip of the bump even though it may not qualify as a point by itself because it is the end of the main beam. If there are several to numerous abnormal points, use the non-typical score chart. I recommend that option, and this article will walk you through the steps to score a typical elk using that online calculator. More to the Score - Volume 9 Vintage Hunting Gallery - Volume 8 Score and More Evoking Legends to Rethink Lead Top Trophy Whitetail States for 2023 Adventures from the Archives - Fred Mercer's Montana Elk The Biggest Billies in the Book Buffalo County, Wisconsin: Why Do They Grow So Many Record-book Whitetails? Franklin was six days into his hunt when he and a hunting buddy encountered a group of bulls bugling hardone of which was the monster hed come looking for. For instance, a mule deer might have identical drop tines, which are considered abnormal points. Keep in mind theres gross score and theres net score. Available online at: Should the point end in a noticeably blunted condition, somewhat like a human thumb, the measurement line can be continued to the midpoint of the rounding. Point totals are supplementary data and do not add into the score. If you use a clip-end tape to measure circumferences, overlap the tape at a full 10-inch increment to simplify the procedure. The halfway point of this line is the correct location for the H-4 circumference. Never place pencil or other marks directly on the antler itself. Each score chart includes measuring instructions. Start at the outside end of the burr and follow the outside curve of the beam. Once youve entered all the numbers, hit return and the program spits out your score on the next screen. Finish by measuring the distance from the tick mark on the opposite side of the obstruction to the beam tip with a cable. In addition the book delivers chapters on the Clubs history and its records-keeping program. Why reward symmetry? Cy Curtis Program | Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation If the G-1 is broken off, take the H-1 circumference at the normal location between the stub of the missing G-1 point and the G-2 point. The circumference measurements (H) are taken at the smallest place between the normalpoints. The proper line of measurement begins at the tip and proceeds over the curve of G-1 and then angles across the point to the center mark that is on the outer side as illustrated in Figure 6-I. The Hilleberg Soulo Black . The actual ear length itself (7.5). Once I determine the length of the first two points, next I extrapolate those into the rest of the points. 2. Be sure to subtract the amount of overlap (in this case 10) before recording the measurement. The first method is to air judge also known as the wing-it approach, which is based on experience and prior knowledge. However, beam length (F) is still measured to the tip of the bump, and it is counted as a point in the point total for eachantler. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7d2b89207b242689 Occasionally there is an abnormal point that comes off the side of the main beam, out of line with the other normal points, especially between the G-4 and G-5 points on American elk. So we must and we will. However, it is now possible to enter such trophies, so long as the pieces can be perfectly pieced back together and the spread measurements taken. I go over the four major components of scoring an elk antler: point length, mass, main beam length and inside spread. If this is the case, start by making a tick mark on masking tape affixed to the main beam immediately before and after the obstruction to mark the path of the main beam length through it. The clip-end tape is often faster to use when antler points are generally straight as the clip-end can easily be hooked on the end of the antler point and the tape stretched across the points base line. Trophies that meet the higher-level minimum will be included in both the Awards book as well as Boone and Crockett Club's All-time records book, Records of North American Big Game . For entry into South Carolina's Antler Records Program, the minimum required score is 125 net for typical racks. The Boone and Crockett system of scoring big game trophies originated in 1906 as means of recording details on species thought to be disappearing because of rampant habitat loss, market hunting, and unregulated harvest. To accuratelycalculate the length of each tine, measure along the outside of the tine from the tip to theplace where the tine intersects the nearest edge of the main beam (not the center of the main beam or the outside edge of the main beam). In many cases, some points will actually be deducted from the final, or net, score. . If a trophy qualifies for both categories, it is the trophy owners option to choose which one the trophy will be listed in as it cannot appear in both. The gross score for antlered animals is the typical frame without deductions for lack of symmetry, plus the total of the lengths of all the abnormal points, plus the total inside spread. Las Vegas, NV 89113. The majority of hunters know that the Boone & Crockett Club measuring system is the most common way to score white-tailed deer antlers, but many don't know how to properly score a harvested buck. Four and only four circumferences are always taken on American elk regardless of the number of normal points. Woodland Caribou "I took my elk in a general area. Name . Trophy Scoring Information. On September 14, he heard a roaring bugle, spotted a huge antler, and sprinted to intercept the bull. Please note that the Boone and Crockett Club score charts are protected by copyright laws. Each projection should be measured to ascertain whether or not it is a point. North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Then, measure the distance from the bottom edge of the burr to the first tick mark before the obstruction with a cable. Adventures from the Archives - Grancel Fitz's Alaska Brown Bear They dont want to spotlight a particular county. The tip-to-tip and greatest spread measurements (Figure 6-C) are also supplementary data and are not figured into the final score. Nevada Record Book The following methods I have used for a long time when picking apart a bulls rack. Field Judging Elk | Elk101.com | Eat. Sleep. HUNT ELK! Length of Fourth Point G-5. Occasionally, the main beam tip may appear as a small bump or short point on the backside of the G-5 or G-6 point as illustrated in Figure 6-E. 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. All measurements must be made with a 1/4-inch wide flexible steel tape to the nearest one-eighth of an inch. Finally, measure the spread inside the main beams at the widest point and record this measurement. First, I use anatomical references to estimate several of the point lengths. When recording data or measurements on the score chart, it should be noted that the right and left antlers refer to the trophys right and left side, not the Measurers perspective when looking straight at the rack. In this section of the Scoring Feature, we'll walk you through the Boone and Crockett (Pope & Young) Scoring method. 6630 Arroyo Springs St., Suite 1200 While we have never seen a missing G-1 or G-4 point on a mature bull that makes the minimum score, the same logic would apply for taking the H-1 and H-4 circumference measurements. Franklin made good on the shot, and within minutes was standing over the Grandpa Bulland the new P&Y non-typical world record. Check back next week when I go into even more detail and provide indepth examples on field judging elk. of the main beam at roughly spaced intervals and are usually paired with similar length points on the other antler in a more or less symmetrical pattern. Above G-4, one cannot have an unmatched normal point on American elk unless the point is matched against one that is completely broken off or unless the unmatched point is at the end of the beam. If the G-3 point is completely missing (didnt grow) on either or both antlers, then take the H-2 and H-3 circumferences at the same location, the narrowest place between the G-2 and G-4 points. Rick Bailey, a self-professed meat hunter, had no intention of holding out for a trophy on his very first bull elk hunt near Pitt Lake, British Columbia in 2015. But when he bragged about the size of the rack to his buddies, they wanted proof. Upon returning the rack, they informed Lopeteguy that the antlers might rank high in the record books. But he'd never seen anything quite like the set of antlers he spotted in the back of a pickup truck on February 28, 1995, a set so massive that he had to find out the story behind them. www.boone-crockett.org. They dont like the idea of a measuring system. Ask yourself if the bull is young or mature, then move on. elk Thus, if one beam should be positioned appreciably higher than the other, it will be necessary to utilize a carpenters square or straightedge against the higher antler to properly locate the line. The correct points of contact for taking the inside spread measurement are illustrated in Figure 3-S on page 34. If the bull is a 5X6 and has a 6 1/8 G5 on the left with no G5 on the right, the entire 6 1/8 G5 would be a deduction. BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB OFFICIAL SCORING SYSTEM FOR NORTH AMERICAN BIG GAME TROPHIES TYPICAL WHITETAIL AND COUES' DEER (CHECK ONE): whitetail Coues' MINIMUM SCORES E AWARDS ALL-TIME C 160 170 100 110 B G3 D EG2 G4 G5 E Detail of Point Measurement H4 H3 EH1 H2 G1 E ABNORMAL POINTS The use of a round, flexible steel cable (such as a modified compound bow cable available from B&C) greatly speeds up the measuring process while yielding an accurate measurement. Those traits are indicators of an individual animals health that can be a reflection on the health of the entire population, said Justin Spring, Boone and Crockett Club director of Big Game Records. If your bull doesnt have a fifth point, the fourth circumference is taken at the midpoint of the center of G4 to the beam tip. Keep in mind that very few bulls are wider than 45 inside. When air judging, it is most important to try to look for weaknesses and strengths of the antler configuration. 2022 GOHUNT, LLC. Reading those two numbers side-by-side tells you theres about 20-inches of extra antler on that rack. These base lines will provide reference points that help the Measurer stay in the center of the beam as it roles in and out. 1 Air-dry your buck's antlers for 60 days or more. This article will help explain why the Boone and Crockett scoring system does not count every point. [2] 3 Make sure your whitetail deer hunt follows the fair game laws of your state. Unlike the deer categories where the H-1 circumference is taken at the smallest place between the burr and the G-1 point, the H-1 circumference on American elk is taken at the smallest place between the G-1 and G-2 points. If the inside spread measurement does exceed the longer main beam, record the longer main beam length (rather than the inside spread measurement) in the box on line D of the score chart for spread credit. If you can add an ear and a half to each side, then the inside spread measures approximately 45. You now need to turn your attention to filling in all the empty boxes in the lower left-hand corner of the score chart to calculate the Final Score for your trophy. When he is facing you, look at the width of his ears. For an official score, youll need to have the rack measured by a certified Boone and Crockett (B&C) scorer. Make sure that you look for curl or lots of curve. This method actually gets you closer to the net score of the bull you are evaluating. In most cases, a trophy will make the minimum score in only one category. 702.847.8747 You may want to do the same with a taxidermist in your area. Note that spread credit, also on line D of the score chart, cannot exceed the length of the longer antler main beam. The first thing you need to do when youre scoring an American elk is determine whether it should be scored as a typical or non-typical once you have identified the 6 or more normal points. All points measured from tip of point to nearest edge of beam as illustrated in Figure A. Beam tip is counted as a point, but not measured as a point. SUBMIT AN ENTRY ), which grow the largest antlers; the Roosevelts elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) of the coastal areas of the northwest, which are the largest bodied elk; and the smaller tule elk (Cervus canadensis nannodes) of the valleys of central California. Boone & Crockett I added up the scribbled numbers on the weathered notepad and finally came to a total of 137 3/8. I gazed upon what was a beautiful specimen of a central Texas 9-pointer. All Rights Reserved. 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. "The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. Any extra sets of matched normal-looking points below the normal G-4 points (Figure 6-F), other than the normal G-1, G-2, and G-3 points, are always abnormal. Using string is a bad idea as it can stretch. The line can be measured from either the bottom edge of the burr to the tip or from the tip to the bottom edge of the burr. To determine this starting point, view the antlers from the side, lining up the far side with the near side. The next step is to contact a B&C Official Measurer and have it officially scored!Find an Official Measurer. The length of the main beam is measured from the center of the lowest outside edge of the burr over the outer side to the most distant point of the main beam. If youre scoring a non-typical, youre still looking at that base rack, said Spring. But Boone & Crockett declared the monster the new non-typical world record in 2008. In this section of the Scoring Feature, well walk you through the Boone and Crockett (Pope & Young) Scoring method. For complete details on scoring Roosevelts and tule elk, refer to chapter 7. Since the antler beams on most mature American elk tend to roll in and out along their length, it is very helpful to first draw the base lines of the normal points on masking tape. 6. The hunters waded through several satellite bulls before slipping to within 35 yards of the giant. Doug Burris, Jr. Colorado Doug Burris and his cronies from San Antonio called their annual Colorado hunting trip the "poor boy trip." Boone & Crockett Club Score: 226 4/8 Date: 1972 Location: Colorado If the G-2 point is broken off, take the H-1 and H-2 circumferences at the normal locations on either side of the stub of the missing G-2 point. And the bulls below should provide plenty of fantasy fodder. (Note: A flexible steel cable can be used to measure points and main beams only.) For most bulls, inside spread is only 10-15 percent of its score. Felix then packed the meat and typical antlersthe largest ever taken by a bowhunterout by himself. Find the middle of the burr as the antlers are viewed from this angle (i.e., the center of the burr on the outer side). Load up the pack and hit something challenging. But on the second morning of his hunt, Bailey spotted a huge bull and made good on the 200-yard shot. The actual measurement will reflect the greatest distance between the inside edges of the two main beams at their center, making sure to keep the measurement oriented as illustrated in Figure 6-C. Net Score Vs. Gross Score | Boone and Crockett Club The total number of points on an antler includes the number of normal points, plus the number of abnormal points, plus the beam tips. But the vision of the giant elk stuck in Adams brain until the 2000 season, when he headed back to the same area. They are recorded on the score chart as they indicate the general conformation of the rack, and with the other measurements, help to give a more complete picture of antler conformation for the trophy. Abnormal points are those non-typical in location (such as points originating from a point or from the bottom or sides of the main beam) or pattern (extra points, not generally paired). Care must be exercised to properly position the ruler for this measurement. John is an official measurer for the Boone and Crockett Club. Rather than devote all our space here to these measurements, its best to defer to the B&C website for guidelines. The spread credit from line D for both typical and non-typical bulls is transposed to the blank labeled Spread Credit in the lower left-hand corner. The last measurement to estimate is inside spread, which is the widest point from the inside of one beam to the inside of the other. Each damaged skull is considered on a case by case basis. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Watch videos, see the latest gear and more. Tagging his elk presented a problem," Ellsworth said. You want to look for anything that is sticking out or extraordinary. Among those entries are more than a few stories of adventures afield. Figure 6-J: If there are only four normal points, the H-4 measurement is taken half way between the G-4 point and the antler tip. In Europe, Scandinavia, and eastward, the animal we call the moose is referred to as elk. When one of the local bulls was found dead on their property in 2005, the state wildlife agency tried to determine a cause of death. 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. I highly recommend dissecting a bull thoroughly before deciding to harvest that animal. | Click here to download score charts in pdf format. The total number of points for each antler is recorded in the appropriate box on line A of the score chart. First impressions of a bull while air judging is extremely important. Sep 23, 2019 Updated Apr 24, 2023 0 These are the highest-scoring trophy animals hunted in Wyoming, as recorded by the Boone and Crockett Club. Mule Deer, Non-Typical Arizona's Navajo Indian Reservation is where William Heinselman shot this incredible buck on Sept. 28, 2020 using a 28 Nosler. While I was gone I kept thinking, I must have made a mistake on my score. Mass is usually less than 20 percent. 1. If you are calculating the Final Score for a typical American elk, go to Final StepTypical. Beam length is worth close to 25 percent. Most people will measure from the bottom next to the burr, but you should start in the center or midpoint of a line along the edge of the main beam. Skills On the first morning, he encountered a giant bull, stalked to within 60 yards, and made a lethal shot. Finally, the circumferences. Your antlers can't receive an official Boone and Crockett score in this condition. In general, the cable or tape should stay near the middle of the beam on the outer side, taking into account the curving or rotation of the antler as you measure out to the top. Finally back in the field, Austad and his guide were able get the bull to within 180 yards, and the hunters second-chance shot flew true. Scott Bestul To begin.select from the list of Trophy Types below. This measurement follows the outside contour of the beam from the tip of the beam to the lowest outside edge of the burr. Tips for Field Judging Elk | Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation The actual measurement is taken to the inside center of the main beams once the antlers have been properly positioned. The base line should reflect the normal antler configuration as if the point was not present. If a bump that does not qualify as a point occurs in the location of the normal G-2 or G-3 points, the circumference locations can be taken at the narrowest locations on either side of the bump. Figure 6-D: When one or both antlers curve outward excessively near their tips, the inside spread measurement (D) must be taken where the flaring antler(s) begins to diverge from the normal curvature or at a location below the point of divergence, whichever is greater.