Can some of you post pics of standing or fallen eles (bulls especially) along with their tusk weights? In consideration of an upcoming hunt, I realize I'll be relying on the PH for a semi-accurate estimate of the weight, but I'd still like to see some pics (and anyway, what's wrong with some ele pics ?? ).

Not the best picture but the ivory is 45# and 43#.

Postdriver,

The one in the pics below is 57x58. You'll be absolutely amazed at the accuracy of the weight estimates by an expereinced elephant PH.

Mark

Mark, super bull with gorgeous ivory. Where did he come from?

PD,

That one is from Botwana in '04. The body size was absolutely incredible. I do think in a couple of other places you can expect ivory of that size or larger and perhaps at better prices.

Mark

Mozambique 42 &43 lb



Caprivi Strip 51 &52 lb



All in lower 50's

While the weight of the Ivory is "important" for bragging rights, it is also important to me how the Ivory "looks".

A Tsavo Bull.
What weight would you guess?

All of the ones posted on my Kruger Letaba elephant museum post are well over 100#s each.

I guess 65 -70 for the right and 58 for the left. How close was I? D

Same old, tired picture (but I'm proud of it!)



I think it was 43 and 44 pounds? One pound less than 465H&H got a week later, anyway? Maybe he'll post and his and you can see what one pound each side more looks like from bulls that "lived" in the same area.

Guys, thanks so much for the pics so far. As I told one of other guys, I know I won't make a pimple on a good PH's butt at judging weight, I just want to know when he's 'good enough'.

I agree, the shape of the tusks is very important, too. Kinda like the drop and curl in a buff.

Steve, nice bulls. It does seem that one signal to heavier tusks may be that the circumference of the tusk is carried further to the point on the bigger ones.

Ernest, I hear you about the tusks weighing less than the rifle after a couple of weeks totin' it in the jess .

Dennis

The weight of ivory is determined in large part by the circumference and the size of the root. As the elephant ages, the tusk gets both longer and bigger around, and the nerve shrinks. An old elephant will have worn ivory,ie, shorter, but big around and with a small root. The judging of ivory is art born of looking at a lot of animals standing and on the ground, that is, getting a chance to test one's accuracy. You are more dependent on your ph's advise on ivory than on almost any other species IMO. Kudude

for a look at realy large ivory check out
greattuskers.com

This one was 57x60.

Kyler, that's a nice classic looking bull - congrats

Thanks Bwanna,
It was much better than expected or deserved.

Kyler

Here are some bulls with 35#, 43#, 65# and 71# tusks respectively taken with a PH friend of mine in Africa.

The largest of record: