How Many 300+ Inch Bulls Have You Killed

[chasewild]

My wife, dad and my bulls from the last 4 years. Personally, I’ve killed 5, all archery.View attachment 705618

You can see my little backyard in those hills from this pic. Love it.

 

[ChrisAU]

First and only bull I've taken, in my avatar. I would've shot any legal bull that morning. Just a few inches over 300, don't remember exactly. Think 317. Helped that he was over 46" wide inside.

 

[Blackcats06]

Zero but have never drawn a tag. Sitting on over 20 points in a quality state so when I draw it will be over 300

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Zero but have never drawn a tag. Sitting on over 20 points in a quality state so when I draw it will be over 300

Fingers crossed for you. Unless you well versed in field judging animals you can be way off especially on elk. In person a 270-280" 6x6 looks huge just like a 150" 4x4 with eye guards looks huge to those not versed in mule deer.

If you think your bull has 48" main beams and they are actually 44" you just misjudged by 8" not including the other 10 tines that you could have been wrong on. Your estimated 300" 6x6 could easily become a 270-280" class bull!

That said, I hope you kill a giant when you finally get drawn but don't get hung up on a number. Go have fun and enjoy yourself! My 304-4/8" bull posted earlier came from a premium unit in Colorado and I shot him on the 7th and final day of season. He was 3rd biggest bull I saw during season and I was able to capitalize on it after things going wrong on the other 2 bulls. I saw roughly 70 different bulls during the 7 day season and only 3 over 300". It was a rollercoaster of a season.

 

[5MilesBack]

In person a 270-280" 6x6 looks huge

If you think your bull has 48" main beams and they are actually 44" you just misjudged by 8" not including the other 10 tines that you could have been wrong on. Your estimated 300" 6x6 could easily become a 270-280" class bull!

For whatever reason, I always underestimate on elk.

 

[Dos Perros]

I do a three stage estimate. First, OMFG he’s huge!!! Then, after some time, he’s pretty good, not as big as I thought, and I dial him back (to reality). Then, I get insecure, and I think about how people over estimate animals, and I penalize him below his actual score.

 

[Geewhiz]

For whatever reason, I always underestimate on elk.

Same. Sometimes grossly. I once shot a 360+ bull thinking he was a 280ish bull. That was a pleasant surprise.

 

[Lil-Rokslider]

Zero but have never drawn a tag. Sitting on over 20 points in a quality state so when I draw it will be over 300

Hope you do! Just be aware, there aren't 300" bulls around every tree in those units. And it's still elk hunting. I know about many guys who have left their "trophy unit" hunt without meeting their expectations that they set pre-hunt.

The only expectation you should set is to have an epic time.

 

[ELKdeerMT]

Very very tough and my days of doing some of that are coming to a close if they haven't already.

Some awesome bulls greenhorn. I’ve found a few hidey holes over the years. Happy to share some info. Hate to see you throw in the towel. Shoot me a pm sometime.

 

[5MilesBack]

Same. Sometimes grossly. I once shot a 360+ bull thinking he was a 280ish bull. That was a pleasant surprise.

That's better than some of the regrets I have over passing on some bulls, and then they turn just the right way as they're leaving and all I have is the memory. When I go to the stores with all the mounts I'll stand back 40 or 50 yards looking at all those 280 bulls. Then I walk up to them and realize they are 340+ bulls. SMH

I've got an OTC archery bull that I thought was a 5 point when I shot him. Then was pleasantly surprised when I walked up on him and found a 6x6. A buddy kept telling me he was over 300", and I kept saying "he's a decent bull, but he won't go 300". Then later after taping him three times he was 308".

 

[LostWapiti]

This survey sure makes me feel a lot better about not having got a 300” yet. I’m not surprised by how many people are at zero but I am surprised how few people have killed multiple.

 

[shootnrun]

This survey sure makes me feel a lot better about not having got a 300” yet. I’m not surprised by how many people are at zero but I am surprised how few people have killed multiple.

Idk how everyone else's 300" bulls died, but I was working a bull in an OTC unit and it ended up being the one on page 1. I don't chase giants, I just shoot what presents itself. I'd rather have a full freezer. But if the one that walks in is big it adds to the fun.

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

Not a big Elk guy, 90% of my time is spent chasing mule deer but I have one bull right at 340" and one 285". 2 bulls on a total of 4 tags I have had over the years.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Zero but have never drawn a tag. Sitting on over 20 points in a quality state so when I draw it will be over 300

So you’ve never hunted elk, sitting on 20 plus points and have a 300 in your sights? I hope you have a guide lined up.

 

[GeoHunter]

I cheated by having my home state be NV. First bull I ever killed was pushing 350 - the one in my profile pic. From here on out whatever legal cow/raghorn steps in front of me first is getting shot. I love elk meat and my house is too small to even fit the euro of the first one! Ha!

 

[Timo494]

Five diy public land hunts. 2 otc rifle hunts. Killed one raghorn. 1 otc archery hunt. Unfortunately hit a 5x5 in the shoulder and got no penetration. 1 leftover Colorado 1st rifle tag. Unsuccessful. 1 NM draw tag killed the bull below which was right at 300”. Public land elk hunted is tough but that’s what makes it so rewarding.

 

[Steve O]

Just one. My first. A huge blessing for me knowing I would never take one better than him at 8’ with my longbow. That allowed me to not be stuck on elk hunting every year and go after all the other species I could. I really enjoy a GOOD elk hunt but the time I had available to balance my love of hunting new places and animals with my family and work would not allow me to be an elk specialist. When I draw a great tag I enjoy some awesome time in September chasing bugles.

P&Y official 350 1/8 and gross 361”

 

[Muley Tag]

6…..all archery

 

[Brooks051]

Some pics, what keeps me going back and trying and crossing the fingers.
View attachment 706074View attachment 706075View attachment 706076View attachment 706077View attachment 706078View attachment 706079View attachment 706080View attachment 706082View attachment 706083View attachment 706085

you get it DONE!

 

[j_volt]

Pro tip: they are much easier to glass bedded when they are 300+