Antler growth debate
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: PoudreCanyon
22-Jul-19
So, after collecting our latest round off trailcam pics, my buddy and I started a healthy debate about antler growth. He believes that the bulls We got pictures of will add 20-30 more inches of growth before archery opener, September 1st. Even though I know they’re about a month out from peeling their velvet, I argued that the amount of antler they gain between now and then will be negligible. What do you all think?
From: PoudreCanyon
22-Jul-19
Edit the opening date to August 31st - sorry.
From: Billyvanness
22-Jul-19
Bigger bulls are virtually done by late July is what I’ve always been told.
From: jordanathome
22-Jul-19
I am not a biologist....got nothing to offer. Nice pics!!! MORE PLEASE! ;)
From: Brun
22-Jul-19
The picture you posted is dated June 15. If you are talking about antler growth from that time your friend is probably right. If you are talking about from today, I agree that the bigger bulls are already finished.
From: BOHNTR
22-Jul-19
Bulls around my place will generally be all rubbed out by the second week of August.
From: Ucsdryder
22-Jul-19
This picture was July 6. A couple people that know a lot more about elk than me said they thought he was getting close to being done. It looks like bulls start and finish growing at different times because I saw another bull that had huge fronts but barely had 3rds on the same trip!
From: PoudreCanyon
22-Jul-19
Brun brings up a good point - I muffed setting the date; it was actually July 15th.
From: Franklin
22-Jul-19
If you divided "20-30 more inches" over all the measurements that you use to score a P&Y bull.....it`s actually a small amount of growth.
Just divide it by the 12 tine points on a 6x6 and it`s not a lot either.
So it`s possible....I guess.
From: Michael
22-Jul-19
If they strip velvet off from mid to late August. I would think he is basically done growing around the middle of July.
From: Brun
22-Jul-19
Guys I've been wondering about this for a long time and I've got some pictures from this year that are pretty interesting. I'm first posting some trail cam shots from June 4. The date shown is clearly wrong. Then I will post some shots of a bull which we believe to be the same one taken on July 19. It's pretty clear he's about done growing.
From: Brun
22-Jul-19
Now for the shots taken a few days ago. Score estimates are welcome also.
From: Ucsdryder
22-Jul-19
Wow Brun. Showoff!!
From: PoudreCanyon
22-Jul-19
Brun - looks to me like main beams stayed about the same, but tine length increased pretty substantially. I’ma guess he’s in the 330”-ish range. You should slip a broadhead between his ribs come Seltember and tell me how close I am:)
From: PoudreCanyon
22-Jul-19
I’m curious what you all think the bull in my photo would score as well. I’ma guess 265”, give or take...
From: Ucsdryder
22-Jul-19
Poudre that bull crushes 330”. Look at the fronts and 3rds. That bulls is ridiculous.
From: fubar racin
22-Jul-19
Poudre he peters out quick moving back your probably pretty close in the 265 guess. More than big enough for me to let the air outta him!
From: PoudreCanyon
22-Jul-19
Ucsd, you’re absolutely right. I have no business even guessing on a bull that size. I just don’t see them that big to even give me a frame of reference. I still hope Brun kills him and I’m shy by 40-50”...
From: Brun
22-Jul-19
Ucsdryder, I agree that bull is well north of 330. Several friends have looked at these photos and all agree. I hope to find out in Sept. Poudre, I think you are pretty close on your bull depending on how much his top end grows.
From: 'Ike' (Phone)
22-Jul-19
Whoa...
From: Grey Ghost
22-Jul-19
I’ve got Bruns bull at 375, if he doesn’t break anything off. If he had more width and longer mains, he’d be pushing 400.
Matt
From: Velvet muley
23-Jul-19
He’s a toad! 380’s no problem!
From: BULELK1
23-Jul-19
With 21 scorables on a Typical 6 x 6 ~~ I think an inch more of growth is definitely doable in the next month.
Good luck, Robb
From: BullBuster
23-Jul-19
I see almost no growth from here on in my experience. The Brun bull, being in velvet, lacks mass. Great structure. I’d gross him near 370.
From: Billyvanness
23-Jul-19
Brun that’s such a great bull
From: TrapperKayak
23-Jul-19
If the tips, esp. upper tips are still bulbous, he's still growing. If they are pointed, they are almost done lengthening. As long as there is a blood supply, they are laying down hardening minerals (calcium), and getting denser, maybe not longer. If the velvet is dried out, he's done growing.
From: Mike B
23-Jul-19
Any thoughts on how this chap would score?
From: SBH
23-Jul-19
Impossible to tell from that pic. Awesome bull with character though.
From: TrapperKayak
23-Jul-19
Roosie - love the color and antler characteristics. I'd go 270"
From: Pop-r
23-Jul-19
Brun he's gonna gross right at 375".
From: Chasewild
24-Jul-19
Brun -- great bull.
I'm guessing a 350-360 class.
From: TD
25-Jul-19
Look at the tips. If bulbous they are still growing. Getting tapered they are pretty much done and hardening off. Brow tines and secondaries etc. were pretty much done. Still had a bit to go on the tops, maybe another couple inches or more? Doubt 20-30 more as so much already done. Growth is not symmetrical or even. The closer to the pedicle the sooner they are done growing.
Dandy bulls for sure. Wow.
From: BeenThere
28-Jul-19
I think those pics are photoshopped. ;-)
From: jordanathome
28-Jul-19
This weekend I swear I was seeing white tips.....looked like they were starting to lose their velvet.
From: Shawn
28-Jul-19
Elk pretty much done by first week in August, whitetails done no later than late august depending on where they are. Shawn
From: Velvet muley
29-Jul-19
270”?? Have you been hitting the Gonga????
From: TrapperKayak
29-Jul-19
270 on the Roosevelt, not Bruns... :) Mike B asked...
From: TrapperKayak
29-Jul-19
VM, 174 moons have passed through the sky since that last pull...