field score this guy

[Mike_Parson]

I was just wondering what kind of field score you guys might give this guy i caught on my game cams from last year.

[Mike_Parson]

one more good picture.

[Elkduds]

320. Is he @ the zoo?

[cohunter]

I'd guess he was in the neighborhood of 280-290... Too short on the 2s, 3s, and 5s to be in the 300s in my book. That said, I'm not what you'd call a gifted scorer!

[N&N Waterfowl]

somewhere around 290-300"

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

I would guess around 291 ish and this is how I got there. From the base of the antlers to the end of a bulls nose is about 16 to 18 inches. His brow tines curl up a little just a side note. Starting at the browser times to the 5th point 13, 13, 8, 17 and 8 inches total 59 times two 118. Main beams 45 and the spread 35 total 125 inches. Circumferences starting towards the base 7, 6, 6 and 5 inches total 24 times 2 is 48. 48+118+125=291. I was pretty generous with the numbers I think. So I can't see it being more than that.

[Indian Summer]

A shooter most places for sure. He is average all over for a 6 point bull. Average mass, average to good 4ths, average or smaller fronts and 3rds. His back end is taking off more on one side than the other which is pretty common for a bull that age. I'd say he's is right at 290-300.

Front ends can make or break overall scores sometimes making a difference of 20 or eve 30 more inches. It takes some better than average characteristics all over to make the 320 mark unless the bull has some huge 4ths and a decent whale tail in the back assuming the mass is normal and not really heavy. To me 320 is the mark where a bull goes from just a nice mature bull to what you'd look at and call a truly big one. My scale goes 260-300 good bull, 300-320 big bull, 320-350 hog!, and anything over 350 is a freakin MONSTER.

Looks like he might grow a 7th on the right side this year. What's he eating?

[welka]

Looks less than 275 to me. Not enough tine length, beam length nor mass. Hard to pass on with a bow in your hand!

[Mike_Parson]

this is a bull i got on camera 2 days in a row that was coming into a water tank hidden on a ridge on public land. I saw his pictures from the first day and was going to go sit that spot the next morning. When i woke up, there were 5 bulls bugeling within a mile of my camp and i changed my mind and decided to try to spot and stalk some of them while they were being so vocal. After having no luck runing after bulls i made my way over to the wter tank to check the cameras. He had been there that morning at 30 min after sunup. had i not changed my plans i woud lhave had him drinking water for over 15 min broad side at 32 yards from the spot i had set up as a sitting spot.

[Indian Summer]

Looks less than 275 to me. Not enough tine length, beam length nor mass. Hard to pass on with a bow in your hand!

You know Greg the more I look at that bull and also looking at bulls on my wall that I know the exact score of and comparing them I think you are probably closer on your score than I was. I have a 260 3/8 net here and the rack is identical on the 1,2 and 3s. The 4ths on this bull are a bit longer and there are a few more inches in the back end. 275 is probably about right.

How is Frank? What are your plans for this season?

Oh and yes..... if you pass up this bull with a bow you are more of a man than me.

[ElkNut1]

Yes 280 at best, great looking bull but not close to 300" --

ElkNut1

[cohunter]

To those of you saying 280 or less, I think you're right... he's not very massive, and I think this gives an illusion of longer beams/points. He's also fairly uneven and is going to have a few inches of deductions. Field judging is really hard for me - and I'm not lucky enough to be picky!. Anybody care to take a stab at the score of the bull in my profile pic? I've got a little experiment in mind if some of you all would be so kind as to oblige. Too bad I'm not a sponsor or owner of any cool gear to give away. Those who participate are eligible to win a pat on the back (DIY).

DSCN0849.jpg (91.49 KiB) Viewed 6168 times

[ElkNut1]

Tough to tell from your one photo but appears to be close to 308"-315" if both sides are fairly equal, great looking bull.

ElkNut1

[cohunter]

Well... I guess nobody else wants to play! What I was trying to get at is that it's very difficult to tell the score of a rack from a picture. So many other factors come into play, especially distortion do to wide angle lenses on game cams, etc... Paul, you're not far off - This bull scored 296 and change gross, but was nocked back to 290 and change with deductions - great mass and beam length, short 3ds and 4ths. But for a Colorado OTC counter tag on the final weekend of the season, there wasn't any indecision for this meat hunter!

[Swede]

I know there are a few hunters that would pass on him, but for me he rates a 10. Congrats.

[Mike_Parson]

cohunter that is a very nice bull and i as you would not have passed him up. Thank you for your post and picture. i didnt guess as i am still learning all the particulars of field judging and would not have made a good guess. I had judged mine in the pictures to be 280 by my calculations so it appears i wasnt to far off. i still would have taken him had i been in the right spot at the right time. I hope to see him again this this year and i am sure he will be even better this year.

[ElkNut1]

Hey great bull! Yes it's tough to tell with only one side showing but a great 296" bull for sure!

ElkNut1

[CurlyTail]

Both magnificent trophies in my book!

[cohunter]

Mike, If I saw the one you posted with a good shot opportunity... He's a day one bull for me too, no question! You know what they say, never pass an elk on day one that you'd be willing to shoot later in the season! I also think that bull's at least a 6x7 this fall if he made it through the year!