Monster Arizona Elk

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Every year someone gets a governors tag by paying big bucks at auction for it. The person who gets the tag can hunt elk year round. Well this years winner just got his bull. I don't know the story on this, just that the bull was taken recently which makes sense as they'd still be in velvet like this. Truly a monster bull, not just a big one.

 

[enysse]

I'm kind of wondering after seeing pictures yesterday, why they didn't let it grow a little longer, it could have went over 450. Either way, it was a beautiful elk.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Green score was over 430 from what I read, I'd have gone home and kicked myself passing on it hoping it would get to 450.

 

[enysse]

I think he got greedy, he should have waited. I would have....but that is hypothetical because I would never have the governor tag.

 

[bluey]

yep that's a monster , youre dead right enysee, not saying I would've /could've waited .........
governors tag ?

can you green score a velvet head ?
I think in the douglas score theres no velvet scoring.....
not 100% but im sure ive heard from one of my number worrior, friends....

 

[ThomasBeaham]

With the rain Arizona had this Spring it should be a banner year for big elk, and elk hunters

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Wow!
Really a monster.
Witold

 

[gillettehunter]

Beautiful bull, but July?? It would be VERY hard to pass on him right now. I personally would of likely waited another few weeks.. Still a great bull. Congrats to the hunter. Bruce

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Beautiful bull, but July?? It would be VERY hard to pass on him right now. I personally would of likely waited another few weeks.. Still a great bull. Congrats to the hunter. Bruce

As I understand it, the governors tag of which one is sold entitles the hunter to hunt year round. I know these tags sell stupidly high at auction. Some speculation is that an outfitter has kept an eye on this bull for awhile now. Perhaps the outfitter encouraged the tag holder to take him now before the rut got started and his whereabouts became less predictable?

And how many people ever get a chance to take an elk still in velvet?

 

[Redruff]

Just throwing my two cents in...perhaps he wanted a great bull like that in velvet. It certainly makes a unique addition to any trophy room.

R.

 

[CAustin]

That is a big big big boy!

 

[bluey]

imagine the meat from an elk in velvet,
the best venison we eat come from samba deer in velvet .....

a bowhunters dream , taking hard velvet stags

 

[JimP]

It is my understanding that the antlers on this elk have reached their maximum size and have stopped growing. I know that last year while scouting for my upcoming muzzle loader elk hunt in Colorado that we were seeing hard horned elk in the middle of August so they would of been done growing by the end of July.

I know that if I had that type of tag that elk would of been very hard to of passed up no matter what.

 

[IdaRam]

Look closely at the fork between 5 & 6 on the left side (near side). Little bit of bone showing - done growing and velvet drying up. It think that bull would have started scrubbing off in the next 1 - 2 weeks. I think he timed it perfectly for an awesome velvet bull. Very unique trophy of massive proportions. Congrats to the hunter

 

[UKHunter]

A nice bull but I can't understand why someone would want to shoot a trophy in velvet?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Look closely at the fork between 5 & 6 on the left side (near side). Little bit of bone showing - done growing and velvet drying up. It think that bull would have started scrubbing off in the next 1 - 2 weeks. I think he timed it perfectly for an awesome velvet bull. Very unique trophy of massive proportions. Congrats to the hunter

A nice bull but I can't understand why someone would want to shoot a trophy in velvet?

As IdaRam said, this bull was done growing for the year so it's not like he took him too soon. The opportunity to hunt an elk at this stage is extremely rare and will make for a very unique mount.

 

[UKHunter]

No, I could see the bull was starting to fray his velvet which is part of the reason I was unsure why he shot him and didn't wait till he was clean.

Its funny how there are so many variations on things within the hunting world, as a deer in velvet would never be considered a trophy over here, people would wait till he was clean. Not that thats right or wrong, just a cultural difference.

Out of interest, would the velvet not rot? or is there a way to preserve it?

 

[Brent in Az]

A monster Coues Whitetail was also taken recently with the governors tag. Many of these tag holders will harvest the animal in velvet, and just before the early archery hunt's start.

That is a beast of an Elk.

 

[IdaRam]

Hi UKHunter. Yes the velvet would be treated with a preservative to keep it from decaying and peeling off. The sooner after the kill the better.
As PHOENIX PHIL has already mentioned, having any bull elk trophy with velvet still on is exceedingly rare as most bulls will start rubbing by mid August. Hunts don't usually start until about August 30 in most western states. Having a bull of this caliber with velvet on is right up there with a trophy Unicorn
I personally don't care for mounts with the velvet still on, but that's just me. It's just a preference thing.

 

[UKHunter]

Thanks for the info.

I'm not one to knock another mans trophy. Its a big Elk (and I know nothing about Elk!), if the hunter is happy then i'm happy for him.