The Boone and Crockett Club (B&C) and Pope & Young Club confirm the potential of a new largest archery typical American elk. The score reported by B&C in a press release is an astounding 429-6/8 net and 444-7/8 gross.
The massive elk was taken on a solo hunt early in the Montana archery season. After a couple days of packing the bull out, the hunter, who at this time prefers to remain anonymous, took his bull to a taxidermist. A rough score confirmed experienced B&C Official Measurer needed to be contacted.
“The antlers need to complete a required 60-day drying period before they can be officially scored," said Boone and Crockett's Director of Big Game Records Justin Spring in the press release. "But a senior B&C Measurer taped the bull, so we're confident with the green score."
The current Pope and Young Club's World's Record typical American elk, taken in Arizona in 2005, scores 412-1/8 points.
The green score of this bull is 4-3/8 higher than the current No. 4 typical bull in Boone and Crockett's all-time records. According to Spring, "This bull may well be the largest typical American elk taken in the last 48 years."
Both conservation and record keeping organizations closely in their efforts to document and monitor the status of native North American big-game species.
"After meeting the hunter, hearing the story, and seeing the photos I knew this was a special animal and a historic moment in big game hunting and conservation,” Spring said. “I immediately contacted P&Y."
"Any game animal taken in an ethical, sportsmanship-like manner is a trophy worth honoring. However, some specimens are remarkable, not only for their size, but how they symbolize successful conservation efforts,” Joe Bell, Pope and Young's Executive Director said in the press release. “The existence of outstanding specimens like this incredible animal is testament that today's hunters, wildlife professionals, and conservation organizations are achieving tremendous success by practicing sound conservation and wildlife-management programs."
