Trophy Elk: What's it to YOU

[Mikido]

A trophy elk HUNT is one that makes me cry….and it has nothing to do with the rack

 

[Huntnnw]

I agree with 350+ BOAL on public land. I think anything over 300+ on public land is a "trophy". Those are not easy to come by on public land.

The story and hard work really adds a lot though outside of the numbers. Each time I successfully chase a new species and actually connect it is definitely a trophy. I always get really proud. All the research, scouting, boots on the ground applying what you learned (which always seems a little different when you are actually pursuing the animal). That is all personal experience though, that only I value. Others don't really care about that part of the story, but it means so much.

Other factors matter too, like if my kids or father were with me.

the public land comment is deceiving tho... I hate the shows or pods that say I killed a 350 bull on a DIY public land hunt, but didn't mention they drew a November NV elk tag or 1 of 4 tags on a September rifle rut hunt in UT etc.. big difference hunting a general unit with lotta pressure and killing a toad versus a draw tag

 

[Live_weighT34]

“Trophy” is definitely in the eye of the beholder. I have a spike elk and a basket 3 point mule deer that mean as much to me as my 345” LE bull elk and 2 160” bucks.
That being said, it does drive me crazy when people start saying that 300-330” bulls are huge, giant, massive, toads, etc… all those descriptor’s don’t apply to an elk at least in my mind till they go over 370.
Not saying low 300 elk aren’t awesome cause they definitely are and you should always be proud especially if you took them “ethically” and on your terms but when you see several bulls in the hoof that you know or later found out they were in that 8+ year range and over 370 a 330” bull just doesn’t compare.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

A well prepared, seasoned Elk tenderloin on the grill cooked to perfection.

 

[Stache Attack]

Hope you didn't forget to round up!

Eh just had it beetled which I’m happy with. Never have owned a house big enough to fit a shouldered bull anyhow. Hindsight I’m glad I didn’t shoulder it. Rather have a rugged cat for the price

 

[Customweld]

The spike I shot this year was an absolute trophy to me. Dead before he hit the ground. Then I spent the rest of the day, solo packing meat off the hill. There is a boost of confidence and definitely a sense of accomplishment when you set that pack on the tailgate with the last quarter in it.
There are days that you venture into the woods, empty with more weight on your back than when you return with that last quarter of an elk in the pack.

 

[sambo3006]

It definitely depends on the tag. My first bull was a small 5 point on a CO unit that was 100% draw with one point. Lots of other hunters there. I was so thrilled with that bull. My other two bulls are a 320" and a 310" on mid tier LE hunts. Both bulls were excellent but not quite top end bulls for the unit. I live in Missouri and don't hunt for bull elk very often, so I'm completely happy with all three bulls.
I agree with what others have said about the difficulty of the hunt and the thrill you get from the bull, regardless of the size. Elk are magnificent animals, especially to those who don't live in elk country.

 

[bradmacmt]

I'm looking for the most mature 6x6 on the mountain. I don't care about score. I just want an old mountain patriarch to match wits against.

 

[MountainMan83]

Every elk is a trophy as they all provide the healthiest meat I could possibly feed my family. However, any elk bigger than my last is a trophy as well. This years Colorado second rifle OTC bull is my new trophy that I will look to beat.

 

[terrytheluddite]

^^

Agree with what others have said but for me a big part of how i value a set of horns is how i feel my performance was during the hunt. This year I got a 5x5 that was not even 2/3 of last years but i felt like i hunted with so much more persistence, adaptability, and authority that size of last years is kinda trivial.

I'm more impressed with guys that kill reliably in garbage units. One of these years I think it would be fun to grab a tag for the worst GMU i can and if i harvest, that's a trophy.

 

[Sako76]

Wasted money and disappointment! I was much happier shooting raghorns (and richer), never again! I listened to people when I should have followed my gut! Good luck to all!

 

[Lil-Rokslider]

I think it goes without saying that a 350 inch bull is a trophy in anyone’s book. If it isn’t take me hunting where you hunt and I’ll shoot the little ones.

I keep seeing that 300 number. I know that a lot of guys on here know what a 300 inch bull looks like. But a lot of newer hunters do not.

For 12 years I did outdoor shows all over the east selling guided hunts in western Montana. I had a bull in my booth. I considered it to be a very realistic expectation for anyone who booked a hunt with me. Some outfitters have giant bulls on display that any of their hunters would be extremely lucky to even lay eyes on. Ancient bulls. Sometimes elk that weren’t even killed in their area. Anyway, the one I had has really nice fronts. Very good thirds as well. The fourth points are just average. The backend was small. Over the years I had countless hunters point at that elk and say to me “if I could get a 300 inch bull like that I would be happy“. I would say are you going to be a happy hunter if you kill an elk like this one? They would say yes and then I told him that it scored 270 inches. It was officially measured and in the Pope and Young book at 263 after deductions..

As long as a bull isn’t a little scraggly little raghorn 6, any 6 point bull is worth shooting every year on public land in a general license or OTC unit. I’ve passed up my share of bulls but never a 6 point. I consider it a good mature representative animal for the species.

And every time I read a post from guys that say yep I killed a 300 incher, I can’t help but think I wonder what that bull actually taped at.

Yep. A 300" bull has A LOT going for it! Guys think every 6x6 is easily 300", but the reality is that a 270" 6x6 is a really nice bull. I've seen plenty of internet 300+ inchers that weren't anywhere close.

For me at this point, any legal bull with a bow is a trophy. But when I cash in 10+ points for a Colorado archery hunt in the next year or two, I've told myself I'm holding out for 300+", even if it means tag soup.

Here is a 270ish bull from 2 years ago. Everyone thought he was 300+".

 

[farmermail]

My late father in law gave me a piece of advice a while back: Great way to ruin a successful hunt or fishing trip is to pull out a tape measure or a scale. I have abided by that since. All elk are nice. Some are just nicer than others.

 

[Choupique]

Id just be happy to kill any elk.