What makes a big bull

[time2hunt]

We beat up the what makes a big buck thread! So let’s move on over to elk. I know a lot of people have there methods but it take a lot of time to master it. I usually run out of fingers and toes .  52 mains 30 inch mass and 20 inch G1-G5 per side puts you at the magical 400 mark.


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[NWWA Hunter]

We beat up the what makes a big buck thread! So let’s move on over to elk. I know a lot of people have there methods but it take a lot of time to master it. I usually run out of fingers and toes .  52 mains 30 inch mass and 20 inch G1-G5 per side puts you at the magical 400 mark.


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I passed one of those once


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[Rainier10]

Extra points.

You can get to 350 with a typical six. Above that to 370 can still be done with a typical six but after that you really need good mass and extra points.

And 400 is a really special bull. Most would be thrilled with 320-350. 350 is what I consider a pretty good bull, up to 375 is really good and after that it’s just freaking big!

[time2hunt]

I’m with Rainier I’m all about Mass and character. The other thing is the genetic make up of the unit. We are spoiled in the state of Washington we have a lot of units that produce big caliber bulls.


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[Rainier10]

Big G4’s are a must for a typical 6 to be big but really every point has to be big.

More points make up for shortcomings.

I think mass is the most difficult to judge for me.

In the colockum thirds are short typically. It has to be a genetic thing but it could be a good thing as well. Maybe when thirds are coming in they are transitioning to different food at a different elevation.  I just know small thirds are a thing in 328.

I will say after looking at lots of bulls over the years I can get close on the net score most of the time but every time I see a freaking big bull that’s exactly what it is, freaking big.

[muleyslayer#1]

Kinda same with mule deer for me. I’m looking at mass and tine length. Especially the mains, I think if a bull has great 3rds he’s usually gonna be a great scoring bull. But to get to that 400” is gonna take something special. Tine length, mass, extra points etc. more times than not most guys are seeing 300”-320” bulls when they think they saw a 340-360 bull. I’ve personally seen 2 bulls that were either just shy of 400” or over it. When you see a bull if that caliber it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before. It’s almost like a dinosaur walking.

[vandeman17]

First thing I look for is length of royals and if the fronts extend to the nose or close. Generally a bull with good royals and fronts will score well

[2MANY]

Ask the local cows.

[Tbar]

We beat up the what makes a big buck thread! So let’s move on over to elk. I know a lot of people have there methods but it take a lot of time to master it. I usually run out of fingers and toes .  52 mains 30 inch mass and 20 inch G1-G5 per side puts you at the magical 400 mark.


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I passed one of those once


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More like you passed one that dwarf those numbers!

[Tbar]

Big G4’s are a must for a typical 6 to be big but really every point has to be big.

More points make up for shortcomings.

I think mass is the most difficult to judge for me.

In the colockum thirds are short typically. It has to be a genetic thing but it could be a good thing as well. Maybe when thirds are coming in they are transitioning to different food at a different elevation.  I just know small thirds are a thing in 328.

I will say after looking at lots of bulls over the years I can get close on the net score most of the time but every time I see a freaking big bull that’s exactly what it is, freaking big.

Short thirds are prominent in many areas. I am usually looking for the 300 inch mark on the westside.  In my areas it gets tough to field judge due to vegetation.  That said there are several guidelines for the 300 inch mark that make it easier for me. Also agree with when you see a true giant, it's not hard to decide.  The few giants I've been around have grown on the ground vs shrunk. 

[Huckleberry]

Age, mass and character. Good time length and some extra points are icing on the cake. Score is a fun number to play with but I want the WOW factor. If your initial thought on a quality tag is more along the lines of “I should be shooting now”…enough said. A quality tag deserves a quality animal. Inches is only part of the equation. This was my one shot at a big coastal Rosie and until this year my only quality tag. Do they get better, absolutely…I’ve just never seen it in person and wasn't going to look.

Now will someone please show me a sheep picture I might find interesting.

[Buck Rub Jr]

I’m no pro but I’ve been able to get pics of a lot of great bulls on cams. I think knowing what a bull scored that I got on cam helped me with judging the other ones I got pics of. I’m a sucker for long beams and whale tails. I always find myself looking at how much beam is between times  3rds and royals and on the backs. But again I’m no pro. These are my favorites I’ve got so far. I’d put them around that 360 ish mark. Got some great bulls on cam from this spot that year

[kentrek]

250-280 west side general tags
280-320 rockies general tags

North of 5 years of age is pretty cool on otc tags

Quality tags might get you north of these numbers..body size will mess with score a bunch but I want the thing to look twice the size of the other elk, big ol gut, chest and neck

[johnbmyersii]

Main beam length and tine length more than mass to me. Character is a big plus and this bull checks the boxes for me

[Mtnwalker]

Main beam length and tine length more than mass to me. Character is a big plus and this bull checks the boxes for me

How long are the main beams on that bull?