American Elk II

Previously, we took a look at trophy elk from the Northwestern states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. With what is arguably one of the most significant big-game trophies taken in modern times featured in this issue, we will focus on Boone & Crockett records from the states of Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico–the breadbasket of trophy elk hunting.

Of the 1,196 qualifying Boone & Crockett bulls on record (typical and non-typical), 62 percent (744) have come from these six states. Ranked by total entries among all states or provinces, these states line up as follows: Arizona #1, Utah #3, Wyoming #4, Colorado #5, New Mexico #6 and Nevada #8. States covered in our first Trophy Search on American elk showed Montana at #2 and Idaho at #7.

Interestingly, if you have been following the story of the new World's Record non-typical taken in Utah in 2008, ranking order over just the past 10 years tells a slightly different story. Leaping up the ranking are Utah and Nevada. Utah ranks #1 with 129 entries, Arizona #2 (96), Nevada #3 (58), Wyoming #5 (48), New Mexico #6 (45) and Colorado #7 (22)--Montana is 4th (51) and Idaho 8th (13).

In the simplest terms, records-book elk are a product of quality habitat, age and genetics, in that order. Today, quality habitat and age are the results of scientific game management. Habitat health for elk in particular includes available surface water, standing cover, diverse grasses and browse and the availably of both on critical winter range.

Age is related to hunting pressure, which is controlled by state hunter harvest objectives, terrain and private land. Public areas that are managed for opportunity or population control through tag allocations (more tags) typically have lower-age-class herds and therefore less mature bulls. Conversely, areas singled out as trophy units where the numbers of tags are fewer and/or primitive weapon seasons (muzzleloader and archery) are used to lower hunter success have a higher age class and therefore more trophy bulls. Age as a result of terrain simply means the more inaccessible the area, the less hunting pressure, the better chance for older bulls. No, I haven't forgotten about predator control. Managing predators is a plus for elk populations as a whole, especially in the recruitment of young bulls to mature bulls.

What does all this mean? Utah has been doing a stellar job with its habitat and limiting hunter harvest in some areas that are now routinely producing records-book elk. Drawing an elk tag in Nevada is tough, but if you do, there will be big bulls waiting for you. Arizona flat out has the habitat and the genetics, and with a tightly controlled draw process, it has the "age card" as well. The same is true for New Mexico.

Having hunted some in Wyoming, my guess is bulls are maturing here from inaccessibility in rugged country more than anything. The state of Colorado simply has the largest elk heard of all and the best odds of getting an elk tag this year and going hunting.

Conclusions
Where are the biggest bulls coming from today? Pay particular attention to the entries in just the past 10 years from the top five counties in each state as compared to the historical number of entries. Half the entries from the 60 total entries from Coconino County, Arizona, have been taken in the last 10 years--over half for Navajo and Gila counties. In Garfield County, Utah, 26 of the total 27 entries have come in the last 10 years.