Howdy All:

How does an 6x5 elk scoring 295 inches measure up as a trophy? I've only hunted in Zimbabwe before, so I know the rules of thumb there, such as 40 inches for a buffalo, 50 inches for a kudu, 50 pounds for an elephant etc.

Just wondering where a 295 inch elk stands, average, below average, well below average, and so on. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
Howdy All:

How does an 6x5 elk scoring 295 inches measure up as a trophy?

If you love him and the hunt was one you'll always remember then I'd say he's a terrific trophy. Score is so over rated its not even funny

Thanks guys.

My hunting trip was primarily for my son age 12 to get his first deer. On a ranch. While I was there I thought what the heck, I'll try for an elk.

I paid $3,500 for the elk, which was in the 281 to 320 category. Was told the elk might be a bit over 320. Hunted hard for two days, one day with very heavy rain. Great hunting; shot the elk an hour and a half before dark on the last day.

Any elk is a trophy! Especially a bull.

quote:

Originally posted by kudu56:
Any elk is a trophy! Especially a bull.

+1

was this a fenced "hunt area??"
IF so, give us some idea where, please.
Thanks,
George

I have a 6 x 7, about 300" I took in the Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness 30 years ago. It was a public lands hunt, 24 miles from the trailhead. It was a tough, fair chase hunt in all respects. It sounds like your experience was similar. I wouldn't trade my trophy, and the experience, for a 450" taken on a "ranch" hunt.

You have every right to be proud of your trophy. Hope you enjoy the memory for many years.

quote:

Originally posted by kudu56:
Any elk is a trophy! Especially a bull.

Can't say I really agree with this statement. It's too broad. Any free ranging bull is a trophy. But the originator of this topic states:

quote:

My hunting trip was primarily for my son age 12 to get his first deer. On a ranch. While I was there I thought what the heck, I'll try for an elk.

I paid $3,500 for the elk, which was in the 281 to 320 category. Was told the elk might be a bit over 320. Hunted hard for two days, one day with very heavy rain. Great hunting; shot the elk an hour and a half before dark on the last day.

I'm kind of thinking that by that statement this may not have been free ranging. I may be wrong and if I am the originator is well within his rights to tell me so. But if this was indeed an elk from some sort of fenced enclosure then it will never be a trophy. If it was taken under those conditions then it is livestock. Nothing more, nothing less.

quote:

You have every right to be proud of your trophy. Hope you enjoy the memory for many years.

+1

If you feel it's a trophy then it's a trophy TO YOU. You are the one who may feel proud of it. It represents your achievement. The thing is, as you mature you come to value some things less and others more. You may feel it is a trophy at this point. Ten years from now?

I have a friend who proudly displays every horn ever taken. It's somewhat of a bragging rights type thing I guess. He can't for the life of him understand why I was so quick to cut up a rack from a buck I got while on a trip, with him, to make coyote calls out of it.
I have kept only two racks in tact because they represent accomplishments of mine. Neither would impress everyone, but if you had hunted the same areas as I, your appreciation would definitely go way up. The thing is when I look at them they remind me of the hunt and experience. It's my trophy. Nate