1. an antler Point is a projection of antler at least 1 inch long and which is longer than the width of its base. 2. a broW tine is an antler projection, minimum of 5 inches long, on the lower half of the antler. It usually starts not more than 8 inches from the animal’s skull. foUr-Point rUle Bull elk taken in all seasons must have four points or more on one antler, or a brow tine of at least 5 inches long in GMUs: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 52, 53, 54, 55, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 131, 140, 161, 171, 181, 191, 211, 214, 231, 301, 361, 371, 411, 421, 441, 444, 471, 511, 521, 551, 581, 681, 691, 711, 741, 751, 771, 851 and 861. I always have a hard time getting them to hold still so I can measure their brow tines though.
bUll (antlered): A male animal with antlers at least 5 inches long. See “Antler-Point Restrictions” at right. » coW (antlerless): A female animal with no antlers or a young male with antlers less than 5 inches long. » either sex: A legal bull or cow. See “Antler- Point Restrictions” at right. But by having an either sex tag it doesn't matter
Geez...I go away for an afternoon and Colby is dropping knowledge like crazy. Great honest answers Colby! Trust me - even with taking my first elk last year - I will shoot a cow 5 minutes into my hunt this year if given the chance...ANY elk with a bow is a serious accomplishment, it does not compare to whitetail hunting in any way, except "keep the wind in your favor" Best advice I've been given (all by Will): -Stay positive -Lay down as much boot leather as you possibly can -on bulls, only look for a 5 inch brow (very hard to try and count points) For me, the third one was crucial last year on my bull - I'd still be trying to count points and that bull would be one year bigger. Will also says repeatedly...you have about 8 seconds to close the deal when in close quarters! Above all, have fun, I have totally fallen in love with mountain hunting and the whole spot & stalk rountine...I can hardly sit in a treestand anymore at home. You never know what will happen, be ready as much as you can...and if you even start to get agitated at all, just stop, grab a snack, look around and thank God for where you are...sure as heck beats working. I'm confident a good number of the newb's will be elkoholics when its all said and done
Leon (my buddy that is coming to camp with us) came over last night and we shot probably 75-100 shots. One side of my target has pool balls 1-9 on it so play 9 ball. Started out at 15 yards then backed up to 30. I took a couple shots at 50 just to make sure my pins were still on. The wife and I are all packed and ready to head up to Holy Cross Wilderness Area. Our first stop will be at camp no name for a couple pictures then head up Tigwon road to half moon pass trail head. We will hike in a ways and set up camp glassing a huge meadow with a creek that night then again early the next morning. Pack up camp and head over to HomeStake Road (FR 703) to the Whitney Lake Trail Head and hike a short 2.6 miles to the lake. There are three meadows/openings along the way we will glass before walking across. Get to the lake set up camp do some fishing and relax.
Sounds fantastic Colby! I really need some pics next week to get me by until camp No spikes allowed in OTC units, only the 4pts on side or 5 inch brow. Some draw units allow spikes...but not OTC.
Let me look to be sure.... Matt is correct foUr-Point rUle Bull elk taken in all seasons must have four points or more on one antler, or a brow tine of at least 5 inches long in GMUs: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 52, 53, 54, 55, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 131, 140, 161, 171, 181, 191, 211, 214, 231, 301, 361, 371, 411, 421, 441, 444, 471, 511, 521, 551, 581, 681, 691, 711, 741, 751, 771, 851 and 861.
Is it safe to say if it is not a spike, it is a legal bull? Or do you see 6 pointers with small brows often?
Not quite. There are "rag horns" that are basically spikes but can have a couple points also. But they look like young elk and their racks are not semmtrical. They look funny. They are smaller bodied and in their "goofy" looking stage much like a spike. My index finger is roughly 4 inches long if the brows look longer than my finger I'm shooting. Also the brow tines count as a point.
I'll try and find some pictures. This picture is to small I can't tell for sure but looks to have 4 points but this is a young bull.
I have not seen any such bull while hunting, although I have seen them in TV/magazines as Colby described. I have also seen just one spike bull.
I'd be on that like a bum on a ham sandwich. You don't earn a name like buttonbuckmaster by waiting on the big ones :D
