For this feature, we used the sharp eyes of Steve Chappell, who owns Chappell Guide Service and is one of the best field judges in the elk hunting world. He also makes the Extreme Bulls video series.
As avid hunters, we often hear fellow sportsmen throw around the term “250 inch elk.” But what exactly does that mean? And why does it seem like such a coveted trophy among seasoned elk hunters? In this in-depth article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about 250 inch elk—from understanding how they’re scored to what makes them so rare and coveted
A Quick Primer on Measuring Elk Antlers
When we talk about a “250 inch elk,” we’re referring specifically to the antlers. This measurement is taken by adding together the lengths of the main beams on each side. To put it in perspective, most mature bull elk have main beams around 50 inches long. So a 250 inch elk has main beams that are five times longer than average!
Of course, it’s not just length that matters. A 250 class bull will also have tremendous mass and tine length, with multiple points branching from the main beams. Their racks can weigh over 40 pounds and span more than six feet tip to tip. Simply put, they’re giants compared to the average elk.
Official Scoring and What Makes the Record Books
For official scoring, the Pope and Young Club sets the standard. For a typical elk to make their archery record book, it must score at least 260 inches. Non-typical bulls need a minimum of 300 inches.
The total score is calculated by adding up the antler inches, including points, beams, spread, and circumference. And measurements can only happen after a 60 day drying period, when the antlers have shrunk and dried to ensure consistent scores.
In addition to meeting the minimum scores, record book entries require an official scoring sheet, a fair chase affidavit, and photos from different angles.
Estimating Scores and Identifying Shooter Bulls
When eyeing up a bull elk in person, there are a few key things to look for:
- Long, thick main beams
- Strong 3rd and 5th points
- Good curve on the G1, G2, and G3 points
- Identifiable “sword” and “whale tail” points
Essentially, you want to see length, mass, and symmetry. I like to use a “base 200 method” when initially judging scores. Focusing on these areas will help you estimate antler size in the field. You can nail down the exact inches later.
For spread, visually double the distance from the end of one ear to the beam tip. This will give you an idea of the inside spread.
Why a 250 Inch Elk is So Highly Coveted
Bagging a 250 inch trophy bull is a supreme accomplishment for any elk hunter. Less than 1% will ever get an opportunity at such an animal. It takes equal parts skill, luck, and determination.
These older bulls are wiser and more cunning, having evaded hunters for years. And they didn’t get so big by being dumb or careless. A 250 class bull in his prime is a survivor.
Beyond the challenge, these giants are awe-inspiring. A massive set of antlers combined with their sheer size and presence makes them the king of North American game animals. It’s the crowning achievement for many hunters’ bucket lists.
Now, not everyone hunts for antlers alone. But for those who dream of taking a 250 inch elk, it’s an experience that creates lifelong memories.
What a 250 Inch Elk Looks Like Beyond the Antlers
Aside from their iconic rack, 250 inch bulls have some other notable physical traits:
- They can stand over 5.5 feet tall at the shoulder
- Field dressed weight is typically 800-900 lbs
- Their fur is reddish-brown, with dark brown necks
- Long, muscular legs and a sturdy build
- Top running speed around 45 mph
In addition to size, these elk are extremely agile. They can jump over obstacles nearly 8 feet high from a standstill. Once you’ve spotted one in person, their sheer athleticism is apparent.
Gear and Techniques for Hunting Giants
Chasing record book bulls requires specific gear and techniques:
- A high-powered rifle in .30 caliber or larger. You need knockdown power on these giants.
- Quality optics like binoculars and spotting scopes. You need to spot them before they spot you.
- Boots suited for long miles packing in and out of remote terrain
- Multi-day backpack and gear for camping in the backcountry
- Scouting cameras to pattern their movements
- Shooting practice at long distances
- Patience – you may go multiple days before spotting that bull of a lifetime
The more you can stack the odds in your favor, the better chance you have at taking a 250 class elk. Do your homework and come prepared.
Ensuring a Future for Monster Elk
With sound management, the future looks bright for elk, including giant bulls:
- Reintroduction efforts are successfully restoring elk in areas like Virginia and Wisconsin
- Conservation groups work to improve habitat quality and connectivity
- Regulated hunting seasons and quotas help maintain populations
- Public education reduces disturbances like approaching elk while calving
As hunters, we need to be stewards of the land and ensure sustainable harvests. With hard work and dedication, we can protect the majestic and mighty elk for generations to come.
Living the Dream
While encountering a 250+ inch elk is rare, those who have been fortunate enough to take one have memories that last a lifetime. There’s no denying their legendary status as the kings of the elk world. Maybe this season will be the year you finally come eye to eye with a giant. Just remember to respect the animal and habitat, and never lose your sense of wonder in nature. Good luck on your hunts!
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The Base 200” Scoring System:
Having a solid, accurate base to build from is likely the most important thing about field judging bulls. Here is how the Base 200 system works.
Most big mature bulls will have main beams close to 50 inches long. Some are longer and some a bit shorter, but 50 is a good estimate to start from.
Big bulls will have an inside spread of almost 40 inches and about 30 inches of mass on each side. Remember that when the Pope You do not measure the bases as the first measurement which I have seen some hunters mistakenly do. First, you take the first measurement at the narrowest point between the first and second points. Then, you keep going until you have 4 measurements on each side, no matter how many points (tines) the bull has (See Corey’s section on Scoring Elk).
Together, the main beams, spread, and mass from both sides add up to 200 inches. This is a good place to start because it gives us a good idea of how big most bulls are.
Once you have this base to start from you simply start adding a bull’s tine lengths to 200”. For instance, if a bull is a pretty even 6×6, all you have to do is add up one side of his points (G1, G2, G3, G4,
Using our system, let’s see what it would take to make a 350” bull. Start with 16” G1’s and G2’s, 12” G3’s, 20” G4’s, and 12” G5’s. Add these up and you get 76 inches. Multiply by 2 and you have 152”. Now add 152” to our base of 200” and you have a 352” bull.
A 350-inch bull needs at least 16-inch G1 through G4 points and 10-inch G5 points to be about 350-inch. That’s a lot of antler!.
Remember that on 6x6s, you don’t count the main beam’s extension past the bull’s G5 as a “sixth point.” This measurement has already been accounted for in the main beam measurement.
So, now that we have a good starting point score of 200, let’s look at how most bulls break down between 300″ and 400″. These are very much what you will see on mature 6×6 bulls, though some bulls may be different. If you use this Base 200 system, keep in mind that your base 200 numbers will need to be slightly changed when you go below 340 size bulls.
300” Bull: G1= 14”, G2= 14”, G3=10”, G4= 16”, G5= 8. Keep in mind that a 300-inch bull will probably have 45-inch main beams, which add up to 54 inches of total weight and a 35-inch spread. These totals amount to 303”.
320” Bull: G1=15”, G2= 15”, G3= 12”, G4= 16”, G5= 8”. Keep in mind that a 320-inch bull will probably have beams that are 46 to 48 inches wide, a total mass of 56 inches, and a 38-inch spread. These totals amount to right at 320”.
340” Bull: G1= 16”, G2= 16”, G3= 12”, G4= 18”, G5= 10”. Add these to the base of 200” for your total of 344”.
360” Bull: G1= 16”, G2= 16”, G3= 16”, G4= 20”, G5= 12”. Add these to the base of 200” for a total of 360”.
380” Bull: G1= 18”, G2= 18”, G3= 16”, G4= 20”, G5= 15”. Remember that most 380″ bulls will have beams that are 52 to 56 inches wide and a spread that could be more than 40 inches wide. Taking this into account gives us 378” to around 385”.
400” Bull: G1= 20”, G2= 20”, G3= 20”, G4= 20, G5= 16”. Again, most 400-inch bulls will have beams that are 54 to 56 inches wide and a spread that could be more than 40 inches. This results in these point lengths totaling 397” to 400” plus!.
By comparing these “classes” of bulls, you can see how a few points off by a few inches will change the accuracy of your score. If you can guess a bull’s height on the spot within 10 inches, I think you’re a good field judge. People always think that a big bull is taller when he is bugling and rutting because of “elk fever.”
It’s very important to remember that any weaknesses a bull has will help you make better decisions when you judge it. Most bulls that I see either have weak 3rds or weak 5ths. Using this method, a bull with a solid “200-inch base” and no obvious flaws is likely to be 340″ or bigger. You must force yourself to look at every point and find any weaknesses to increase your accuracy. It’s easy to miss those 6″ third points when looking at big whale tails or great fronts. Keep in mind that 6″ thirds would make a 350″ type bull that should have 12″ or better thirds, a 338″ bull. Still not a bad bull, but not 350”!.
How to Accurately Score a Bull on the Hoof
by Steve Chappell
Many hunters in the western states are happy about their good luck in the draw now that the results are out. If you’re lucky enough to get one of those limited-entry tags, the first thing I would tell you is to enjoy your hunt and the whole experience. Many times we hunters get overly caught up with “trophy hunting”. As a result, we put too much pressure on ourselves to kill a bull that scores “X” amount. Most of the time, the hunter is let down because the bull they catch doesn’t stretch the tape to a certain number.
Now of course to be real here, I know that when we do draw a premium elk tag that we want to make the most of the tag. Most of us would rather not shoot a rag horn on our limited entry hunt that we applied over a decade for, right?! So, with the proper balance in mind let’s look at a great method for scoring mature bulls on the hoof. Other than big fish stories, I don’t know of anything that gets stretched more than the size of a bull elk’s rack. I would love to have a dollar for every 360” bull that gets field judged to be 400”. I’d be hunting the San Carlos Reservation every year!
Caught on Camera! HUGE Bull Elk Sheds Antlers! #epic
FAQ
What does a 300 score elk look like?
How big is a 300 class elk?
What size elk is considered a trophy?
How big is a 280 elk?
How much does an elk bull weigh?
A faster, easier method for your all-around public-land elk hunter is to categorize bulls into classes. I have five loosely defined classes I mentally refer to. This trail-camera image shows a true old bull’s body. You can see why we estimated him at 385 gross, because his heavy, swaybacked body is so big it makes his antlers appear short-beamed.
How many points should a bull elk have?
Handy Reference for Mature Bull Elk Measurements and Trophy Identification The inside spread must be 30″ or greater between the main beams. The bull must have at least five points on each antler to make the book and six points will greatly increase your odds.
What is a good elk bull?
Any public land bull is a good bull. I don’t have the numbers, but I can promise you that less than 10 percent of all first-time elk hunters, especially those from other places in the country who don’t have the time to scout, come home with anything close to 300-inch bull. Just go to have fun—to see a bull and hear a bull respond to your calling.
Do you know the B&C score of a bull elk?
Those men can tell you within two inches on the hoof the net B&C score of any bull. But they spend thousands of hours year-round documenting big bulls and picking up these bulls’ sheds to score. Most of us can’t devote that much time to studying or scoring bull elk. For us, just knowing what class of bull we’re looking at is close enough.