CO Elk hunt — Let’s see some photos of rag horns

[Coveyleader]

This really shows my inexperience with elk but when does a bull graduate from rag horn status? What is a true branch antlered bull? It seems there is no consensus on these terms.

For me a rag graduates to a nice bull when it makes P&Y, and or is a solid 6 point with the sixth point being over 6-7 inches long. Most really big 5x5s don't have the 6th in place on the end of the beams and they tend to have some pretty good length to their last point.


Branch antlered bull by definition is anything other than a spike no matter how lopsided they look, or points they have. A simple 4x4 is considered a "branch antlered bull"


Lastly, when you cap them, and the rack still looks big, you know you graduated!

 

[Ucsdryder]

This guy got a pass on opening morning. Then I shot his twin brother a few days later. Who’s shooting 1 hour after the season starts?

If you’re shooting, where are you aiming?

 

[sndmn11]

I'm only picky with phornses. Assuming my appropriate pin isn't on the little dangle stick above my dot.

 

[sndmn11]

This really shows my inexperience with elk but when does a bull graduate from rag horn status? What is a true branch antlered bull? It seems there is no consensus on these terms.

I've never used the term "branch antlered"; there's cows, spikes, bulls, and big bulls. There's a really good chance the number of big bulls spied by the collective experience in this thread is less than 25.

1) Make sure its not a moose
2) Make sure it's a legal elk

 

[Ucsdryder]

View attachment 743370

I'm only picky with phornses. Assuming my appropriate pin isn't on the little dangle stick above my dot.

Looks good. Dropping to a knee would have opened that shot up, assuming I wanted it. He was a nice 5x5.

 

[jgilber5]

profile pic was my first elk and a CO raghorn. sure tasted better than the rutty 6 point i shot last year!

 

[LongWayAround]

There's a really good chance the number of big bulls spied by the collective experience in this thread is less than 25.

That's a curious statement.

 

[LongWayAround]

This one about ran me over after I bumped the bucks that I was actually hunting.

 

[WeiserBucks]

2022 second season

 

[trevvamos]

I always think shooting a 2.5 year old cow is a great idea. Then I shoot some behemoth clydesdale of a cow elk that must be 12 years old and chews like shoe leather.

Don’t shoot Janice!

 

[Ucsdryder]

Don’t shoot Janice!

Shit. I’ve shot Janice and Janet and 3-4 Karens the last few years. I love late season cows.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Shit. I’ve shot Janice and Janet and 3-4 Karens the last few years. I love late season cows.

Just shoot the little ones, they eat better and pack easier too

 

[Coveyleader]

I couldn’t imagine shooting a cow, or elk in general in the snow. Talk about easy going!

 

[C.F.]

Really nice seeing these pics , September couldn’t come soon enough

 

[Blackbird]

Just shoot the little ones, they eat better and pack easier too

I’ve learned my lesson. Should’ve shot the little one!

 

[kbincolo]

Happened across this one while on a pre-season walkabout.