350"+ elk odds
- Thread starter lostriverproductions
- Start date
Mntn, it's difficult to judge them for score, as one can't see the "air" score, aka spread. The first three are real good bulls IMO. Many guys not familiar with how a score is arrived at, don't realize how big a well built but narrower bull looks. For me, when talking score, I like an idea of the inside spread credit, as I like bone not air. As an example, 350 bull with a 40" spread credit has about 310" of bone. Is a 340 with 30" of spread a lesser bull? You put about 265-280" of bone on one, regardless of spread, they look real big to me.
mntnguide
Very Active Member
Yea I agree..I could care less about "air" score..a lot of the big muleys from Mexico make a lot of their score in air...I'll take a narrow tall heavy buck everytime over width...I'll post up another bull that is one of my favorites from this winter...an absolute giant who makes most his score with horn...as for those bulls...I'll let a few others take their guesses before I open up..but you can give them all a 40" spread as none were under that...1 will surprise most, as it really surprised me when I scored him
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mntnguide
Very Active Member
My favorite bull I watched this winter...I would put him in the 390 range, and If he broke 400 it wouldn't surprise me..but he probably only has a 36-38" inside spread at most which is pretty small for a mature bull him...I would bet his beams are at or above 60"
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Alaskabound2016
Active Member
Hilltop
Veteran member
DH56
Active Member
JimP
Administrator
It is very hard to judge from pictures not to mention out in the field if you haven't looked at and seen hundreds of animals and were able to measure quite a few.
Here is a picture of a bull that went 394" and by just looking at the picture you would never know it.
Here is a picture of a bull that went 394" and by just looking at the picture you would never know it.
The bull all the way to the left has to go over 350. That's easily the biggest of the 3 big ones in the pic.Which one of these bulls would you be willing to pass on...do you think any of them break 350"?
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NE69
Active Member
Hilltop
Veteran member
Look carefully at the lower tine length. The left bull is great but he is giving up inches to the next one in line down low. The curl on those lower points is a telling sign of length (added inches to score). Also notice the broken 2nd point on the left bull. All great animals but im guessing the right 2 of the big 3 are the higher scoring. Best bull in the group is 340ish? Again just guesses as a side picture is pretty tough to judge.
mntnguide
Very Active Member
Ya go ahead Scott.
Very well done especially going by a not so telling picture! ...ya the left bull looks bigger, but the lower tine length gave him up to the middle bull. Left bull goes 344" gross and middle goes 348 and change....so both very close even though different looking...now the one on the right is an awesome bull with incredible mass and that closest beam went 62"! ...but he grossed 328" if I remember right...but when you looked at him in person I would have put money on him being at least 330. Especially considering that's the longest beam ive personally measured on a bull. These are general tag bulls, and no way I'd pass any of them up.
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NE69
Active Member
all nice bulls for sure. when I pass on a bull ,it is determined by wether or not I think I have a reasonable chance of doing better and how bad I need to kill one in regards to the meat.
if meat is needed I will shoot the first bull I see. if my freezer is already full and meat is not needed I will pass on a huge one. IF I think I can do better.
when I do pass and then end up empty handed, I do not second guess my choices . I figure, if I saw something TO pass on, I had a good time.
now don't get me wrong, I like to kill as much as the next guy but killing ,for me, does not necessarily make or break a hunt.
I have killed several elk,my best was 373and a few /8s gross.next best 330 ish. then a couple in the 300 or so range and an assortment of smaller bulls and cows. I would love to do better .as would most ,I suspect. I also realize I may never achieve that goal. if not ,I can live with that.
when I pass and later get skunked ,I just figure ,oh well there's always next year.
bottom line is, do not PASS any bull up ,if you are going to be dissapointed with tag soup.
if meat is needed I will shoot the first bull I see. if my freezer is already full and meat is not needed I will pass on a huge one. IF I think I can do better.
when I do pass and then end up empty handed, I do not second guess my choices . I figure, if I saw something TO pass on, I had a good time.
now don't get me wrong, I like to kill as much as the next guy but killing ,for me, does not necessarily make or break a hunt.
I have killed several elk,my best was 373and a few /8s gross.next best 330 ish. then a couple in the 300 or so range and an assortment of smaller bulls and cows. I would love to do better .as would most ,I suspect. I also realize I may never achieve that goal. if not ,I can live with that.
when I pass and later get skunked ,I just figure ,oh well there's always next year.
bottom line is, do not PASS any bull up ,if you are going to be dissapointed with tag soup.
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tdub24
Veteran member
I like this quote and have "eaten" 4 tags in the past 4 years. Did not give 2 sh**s. My freezers also have been full, especially after killing 1 bull elk and 2 cows within 13 months.
JimP
Administrator
The bottom line is if you want to go after specific size of a animal deer, elk, or what ever you had better also plan on going home with tag soup no matter what is in your freezer.
I have had more tag soup than a lot on here, but when it comes to getting meat for the freezer I'll shoot the first legal animal that I see.
I have had more tag soup than a lot on here, but when it comes to getting meat for the freezer I'll shoot the first legal animal that I see.