Judging moose tips

[TheCougar]

These are both less than 50 inches. A young bull and an old timer past his prime
Both legal in 3 brow tine unit.
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How is that first one less than 50 inches???

Even if I grossly exaggerate the distance between the bases, I can’t make that less than 50 inches. It measures closer to 60” when I use the proper distance for the angler bases. I’m guessing that rifle is 46-48”long, which also puts the rack into the 50s.

 

[cowdisciple]

Tis the season for this thread!

 

[TheCougar]

Might be a bit off… the perspective I think is causing some judging issues - almost like a fisheye effect. The measurements say 60”, but I think it might be less than that.

Tis the season for this thread!

 

[Catag94]

Tis the season for this thread!

Estimated at 54"

Do tell.

 

[cowdisciple]

Estimated at 54"

Do tell.

We measured 55". This was an any bull hunt though, so didn't have to worry about guessing beforehand.

 

[AK_Skeeter]

How is that first one less than 50 inches???

Even if I grossly exaggerate the distance between the bases, I can’t make that less than 50 inches. It measures closer to 60” when I use the proper distance for the angler bases. I’m guessing that rifle is 46-48”long, which also puts the rack into the 50s.

View attachment 922966

View attachment 922967

The first one was 48 inches measured with a tape the morning I shot him.
3 browe tines, so a legal bull. I shot him at 20 yards as he responded to cow calling.

 

[Voyageur]

He barely beat 51" wide. I was pretty surprised when I measured, but am really glad he had the brow tines to be legal either way. We passed on a couple of smaller bulls in the trip, and I'm super glad we did! I don't think I would have shot this guy without the brow tines.

If you notice in the second picture, his tines come forward instead of laying out to the side.

Each year I come back to this thread for some judging practice and each year your bull trips me up. It's always a good reminder (for me) to use Vern's mantra of "think 60" if the brow tines aren't there.

 

[Voyageur]

If anyone has new pictures to add they would be appreciated!

 

[cgoodwin48]

Just wanted to add some input as i often use photos and attempted measurements to gauge Moose. Using pictures of the dead ones is a bit tricky because you often wont get the angle you need for the true perpendicular measurement (as needed for Alaska). The outside edge of the eyes are also usually a better reference point than antler bases in my experience. I built a program on my laptop using the old app (Moose Gauge) for a reference tool but there's still discrepancies and it isn't a truly reliable method for judging.

 

[Elkhuntinfool78]

Some of the guys that regularly hunt moose need to put some pics on here. If nothing else just for fun

 

[Fortboy22]

I've been using this 50" moose antler cut out for practice measuring at different distances with my scope reticle. It's 50" wide with a 2x4 screwed behind the cardboard for stability. I feel way more confident in using my scope as one field judging tool now. Interestingly, and I am not sure why, but I have found my judging to be consistently about 2" short (which I am TOTALLY cool with). It's not a perfect science but I thought this concept may be helpful for someone getting ready for their next hunt. I also will attempt to get a digi scope pic and measure on my phone to confirm if possible. I've seen enough video and pictures to know what a no-brainer-bull is though; I'm putting my practice to the test in 2 weeks.

 

[UPThunderbolt]

From 2023 this one was 57”

 

[OutdoorsMD]

I found this thread helpful when trying to wrap my head around field judging moose. The left antler cups in quite a bit better noticed in the pic of him on the hood. He was right at 57 inches.