Elk Size/Score/Pts. vs. Age?

[HuskyMusky]

I know whitetails but not elk...

How old is a mature elk?
What is the general rate of growth?

ie.. a spike? is how old? then next year he'll be a what? 3x3?

how old is a 4x4? 5x5?

how old is a 6x6 300-320" elk? a 350"?

let's not talk exceptions to rules here, but in general/decent/good areas.

Thanks.

 

[hvfd21walker]

I classify anything under 4.5 years as a raghorn, immature bull. I killed a decent 6x6 last year 280" and he was 4.5years old. Spikes are yearlings. Then the second year they can be anything from 3x3s to small raggie 6x6s. Buddy of mine killed a 2.5 year old 5x5. Hope this helped you out.

 

[HuskyMusky]

thanks, sounds good to me, so it sounds like a 5.5yo+ will be a shooter in my eyes, kinda like a whitetail 3.5yo+ here is a shooter.

 

[bern0134]

Bulls reach their largest antler size in terms of mass and tine length between the ages of 7.5-9.5. These older bulls will be the herd bulls for the most part. I've seen them wait for a younger bull gather all the cows and then move in and push the youngen' out and all he has to do is breed and control the cows for a short amount of time.

 

[llp]

Yearling bulls are 99% spikes. Most two year olds will be 4x4 or 5x5, but with really good genetics and habitat they will be small 6x6s. Third set of horns will be 6x6 depending on genetics, but still very light and typically score in the 250-275 range. A four year old bull may break the 300 inch mark but this isn't all that common. Remember genetics in certain areas just don't produce real big bulls, and of course some will be 5x6, 6x7, etc.. By his fifth set of horns he will be over 300 if he ever will get there. Age 6-8 is typically their truly best rack, but this can vary depending on vegetation, rain, etc. Almost all bulls over 10 are on the downhill slide, and racks may be massive but generally won't score as well.
llp