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| All About Elk |
| Learning about elk and how to hunt elk |
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In order to successfully hunt elk, one must first know a little about them. They are much more than big animals that live in the hills. Learning about these magnificent animals is not as easy as one may think, as there is a lot to learn about them. And once you think that you have learned all there is about them, think again. You will have to take what you have learned about elk and apply it to the different terrains and food sources available at the time. If you are going to hunt for record book bulls you will need to know what kind of bull it will take to make the record books, and to be able to judge them in the field as well. Along with that you will have to know where the big boys are holding. Not all elk country is the same, and they differ when it comes to holding elk. You will need to ask the right questions of the right people. You will need to know how to use a good map as well as know what type of country it is that you are looking for, and then you can make a decision on where it is that you plan on doing your hunting. Elk and elk hunting are like a huge jigsaw puzzle, and as we learn more and more about them, through books, videos, and experience, the pieces start to fit together.
Whether you are looking for just a bull, a good bull or that monster record book bull, you will have to be able to tell the difference when you see him. You also have to understand the odds in order to get him. You will know when you see a big bull as soon as you see him, whether it be a big 6x6 or 7x7 as there headgear will surely stick out. What you will have to quickly decide is the difference between just big and huge. When you are looking at a bull for trophy potential you have several things that you need to look at to help you decide, including the size and the number of points he has. First look for the fourth point or sword point and count back from there. It is the longest point and can be spotted very easily and quickly. Just count how many points he has beyond that. One behind that is a 5 point, two is a 6 point, and 3 is a 7 point. Once you learn to recognize this sword point , it will allow you to recognize a 5x5, 6x6, 7x7 and even 8x8 very easily. You count the points, take a look at how heavy the rack is, and how wide the spread is and you will then make the decision on whether or not you want to pull the trigger. You will need a big bull with a big spread and good symmetry to get a good score, and check the third tine to make sure that it isn't too small, as that will cost you dearly in your scoring. You just can't go anywhere to find a trophy bull, you have to go where the trophies are. There are a lot of factors that go into producing these monster bulls. And if you want to run into one, they all have to be there. There must be a history of big bulls in a given area if you ever hope to bump into one, so the genetics must be there. They will also need a good water supply and a good food source high in mineral content. And most of all, a big bull needs to be able to grow old to grow big. And with todays high power magnums and hunting pressure, this poses a problem with elk being able to grow old and big. The main beam needs to be about 55" and a minimum inside spread of 45". The eyeguards second point, and third point all need to at least 18", and the fourth point at least 24" in length. The fifth and sixth need to be at least a foot long. There are record book trophies and there are what you want as you trophy. You must decide by yourself which one it is that you want, as it does not have to make the books for one to call it a trophy. |