field scoring a bull

[Maverick]

How do you guys field score a bull? Also. If you had a blues permit about how big would that bull have to be for you to take him.. I just don't have any experience with scoring elk and with a tag this fall I don't want to mess up!

[arrowflinger]

Sorry I don't have that experience either.........but I can tell you, you can not mess it up......if it is big enough for you, you will pull the trigger. Trophy is in the eye of the hunter.

[whacker1]

Get used to counting in your head.
hear is an example of how I have done it for me.  This is not a real bull, so don't critize the dimensions.
main beams 45 x 2 = 90
brow tines 12 x 4 = 48
G3 - 12 x2 = 24
G4 - 18 x2 = 36
g5 - 6 x 2 = 12
Inside spread = 40
Mass= 60

Total is 310

So I typically look for 6 x 6 with brow tines longer than its nose giving you greater than  12 inches, G3 to be greater than a foot, and solid G 4, should get you over the 320 mark.

To judge between a 340 and 350 I can not do, but I can probably tell the difference between a 320 and 360 bull, by using this method. 

There are some old threads on here from a couple of years ago with pictures and scores, so you can look for some of the characteristics they all share. 

[Woodchuck]

I usually rely on the "HOLY *censored* LOOK AT HIM" method as an example I will show a pic taken by another member.

[woodywsu]

http://jayscottoutdoors.blogspot.com/2010/10/field-judging-elk-western-hunter.html

This link will get you dialed in. Practicing is key. Getting good at tine lenght is the most important part. If you're off on the first estimate, then they will all be off.

[dvolmer]

Harder to do than you think.  We drew 5 big bull tags in Dayton area in 2006 and filled 4.  315, 335, 358, and 398 is what they scored.  We drew another Dayton tag in 2007 and got a 320 bull.  If you are willing to really hunt hard and hunt the two weeks of the season you should be able to get a 330 or bigger.  The hunting can be tougher than you think and the Blues can wear out a guy that is not mentally and physically in shape (just about more mental than physical if you ask me).  I am assuming you have a rifle tag.  Anyone with a rifle Blues tag for a big bull is nuts if they don't deer hunt in the same area you are going to hunt elk in.  Deer hunting in the blues can be OK and maybe not the best but the year you draw the big bull tag your deer hunting success should be the least of your worries and you should devote everything to your once in a lifetime elk hunt.  You will have the rest of your life to hunt your favorite deer spot.  If you deer hunt the area it closes the day before your Big bull season opens so you will already know the area and what is there before the Monday opener.  Don't listen to all of the guys that talk about "who cares how big it is"  you have your whole life to go out and shoot meat elk weather they are small bulls or cows.  When you draw a Blues big bull rifle tag you have got a ticket to the best elk hunting in the country.  Drop all of your plans and figure to take two weeks off and give it the effort it deserves.  go to Eastmans web page and study the best way to field judge bull elk.  They have some great information and there are quite a few books you can get to help you judge trophy quality.  You should devote the time needed to your equipment, physical conditioning, scouting the area,  and learning how to field judge animal quality.  If I had a big bull tag for Dayton, Blue Creek, Wenaha, or Tuccanann I would hold out for a 350 bull for at least the first week and than lower my expectations down to a 320 bull until the last weekend and than to 300.  Once again this is not a meat hunt and if you treat it as such you are wasting the hunt of a lifetime.  Bring a lot of family or friends to help you.  Spread out your family and friends and let them glass for you.  cougar and bear are both open at this time and if you do the work you will need to do you will probably see some bears.  Your buddies can probably get a bear or two.

If you are hunting Dayton we might see you as my wife has drawn a Dayton A big bull tag this year!

[PlateauNDN]

I usually rely on the "HOLY *censored* LOOK AT HIM" method as an example I will show a pic taken by another member.

That's the tried and true method right there, works everytime.

[predatorpro]

I usually rely on the "HOLY *censored* LOOK AT HIM" method as an example I will show a pic taken by another member.

That's the tried and true method right there, works everytime.

pretty much! i have never scored a single animal ihave ever shot haha

[coachcw]

I usually rely on the "HOLY *censored* LOOK AT HIM" method as an example I will show a pic taken by another member.

That's the tried and true method right there, works everytime.

pretty much! i have never scored a single animal ihave ever shot haha

;)Hey I know that bull ! really try to look at alot of bulls a bull with good mass can look short so dont get confussed . you can use his nose for measurement around 17 from eye to tip , if his brow tines go past the nose and turn up thats good the g3s can hurt a bull so look for good threes then if hid daggars are big and you can draw a strait line from the tip of it through the fifth point to the tip he will be good . here are some examples .

[coachcw]

some more

[coachcw]

this bull scores 340