Whats the best way to tell a rack size

**motorboatn** · 07-31-2008

I ran into this problem last year when a big bull presented him self about 800 yards away.
I could tell he was a big moose but couldn't make out brow times or guess if it was 50+. I got withen 450 yards and he semmed very big. I just didn't fell comfortable shootting a moose at that range with the wind conditions.

Is there any good tricks to figure out a rack size??
I figures his ears must be between 5-8 inches and went for there.

Anyways thanks for any hints ot tips.

**slickmcit** · 07-31-2008

Alaska Fish and Game have a great video out. It is called " Shoot don't shoot. Good luck on hunting

**motorboatn** · 07-31-2008

Thanks for the info!

Also Good luck to you as well!

**jmg** · 07-31-2008

Good job on not shooting if you were uncomfortable with it. Seems every year there are people that think the best way to tell is to shoot it, then measure it.

The fish and game video says that a large bull will have about 10" from base to base on the antlers. So if you can look at that distance, then stick two more of those on each side of his head out to the width of the antlers, you'd have a total of 50 inches (20 on each side of the head plus 10 for the head).

**kaboku68** · 07-31-2008

The book Hunt Alaska Now by Dennis Conifer is the best guide for estimating moose rack size that I have seen. It is worth its price just for its part.

Sincerely,

Thomas

**Phil** · 07-31-2008

I don't know how much this would help at 450 yards but from eartip to eartip on a moose is about 24 inches. So there needs to be slightly over 1 foot to each side of his ears to be legal. Still I count brow tines. If I don't see a legal number of brow tines, I don't shoot - unless the rack is huge ( over 60 inches).

**mdhunter** · 07-31-2008

Originally Posted by motorboatn

I ran into this problem last year when a big bull presented him self about 800 yards away.
I could tell he was a big moose but couldn't make out brow times or guess if it was 50+. I got withen 450 yards and he semmed very big. I just didn't fell comfortable shootting a moose at that range with the wind conditions.

Is there any good tricks to figure out a rack size??
I figures his ears must be between 5-8 inches and went for there.

Anyways thanks for any hints ot tips.

that's easy man - just grunt like a 48" bull! If he tucks tail and walks away, he's not legal...ir he bows his neck, grunts and heads straight for you to kick your A#$, he's over 50" for sure.

just kidding man, +1 on the ADF&G video and the Dennis Confer book.

**sharksinthesalsa** · 07-31-2008

its more like eight and half inches between bases....i dont' think i've ever seen one that was ten inches between on top.....so if you look at it that way you need 2 1/2 or 3 times that width per antler..if it has three of those widths plus in between the burrs your looking at a 56"

**owl** · 07-31-2008

Check the lable on the bra.

**LuJon** · 07-31-2008

Originally Posted by owl

Check the lable on the bra.

Dang 18 minutes too late....

**MARV1** · 07-31-2008

Originally Posted by owl

Check the lable on the bra.

That was funny!

**338WM** · 07-31-2008

The space between the eyes is about 10" apart, the ears tips 24". I use those to judge. If it is big it is rather obvious. I shot a 58" bull last year, as soon as I saw him I knew he was legal, I didn't hesitate for an instant. A couple of years ago, my partner and I called in 7 bulls. We estimated them all at 48" or less and didn't shoot any of them. I am sure at least 1 of them was 50 but, it is better to leave it for next season than to make a mistake.

**Roger45** · 08-01-2008

On this thread of shoot/don't shoot....I was watching the hunting channel two mornings ago about an Alaskan *do-it-yourself* Caribou hunt. It was the last hour of the last day and all the Caribou were in velvet. Three small animal crested a ridge and the chase was on. They showed these guys running as hard as they could to cut off the three caribou. All were either cows or very immature bulls. The hunters *talked themselves into* believing the biggest one had to be a bull. As the camera zeroed in, all three went broadside, and as an avid hunter I immediately could tell there was not a penis sheath among the lot, but bang and one went down. They went up to the animal and found out bulls to not have utters and a vulva. I don't think there is ever a season for non residence do shoot a cow in velvet (July or Auguse my guess). I felt the show did a great job of showing how *excitement* can get the best of hunters. I commend motorboatn for his ability to think straight when the pressure is on!

**.300wby** · 08-01-2008

I am skeptical about this 24" ear tip thing. Is this supposed to be when their ears are laying straight out?

**mdhunter** · 08-01-2008

Originally Posted by .300wby

I am skeptical about this 24" ear tip thing. Is this supposed to be when their ears are laying straight out?

I've always been a little leery of that standard myself. I am more comfy with the 10" from eye to eye standard...IF I am lucky enough to get a moose this year, I will check some of the measurements for my own edification.

**shphtr** · 08-01-2008

For what it is worth, there is now supposed to be a range finder that will "measure" a rack size - see archives - as I recall it will give a determination if rack exceeds 50" - I think it is currently being field tested by hunting guides.

**6XLeech** · 08-01-2008

For what it is worth, there is now supposed to be a range finder that will "measure" a rack size - see archives - as I recall it will give a determination if rack exceeds 50"

Shphtr: Here's the description from Leup's site:

Revolutionary Trophy Scale™ technology will tell you if the rack on the game you’re viewing has the spread (in inches) you’re hunting for

**wantj43** · 08-01-2008

It is certainly accurate that the ears on a moose are about twelve inches long. However, if "rotated" down 90 degrees the distance tip to tip is usually between 30 and 32 inches not 24 inches. The distance between the burrs has to be added and that is usually between six and eight inches.
Joe (Ak)

**sharksinthesalsa** · 08-01-2008

Originally Posted by Roger45

On this thread of shoot/don't shoot....I was watching the hunting channel two mornings ago about an Alaskan *do-it-yourself* Caribou hunt. It was the last hour of the last day and all the Caribou were in velvet. Three small animal crested a ridge and the chase was on. They showed these guys running as hard as they could to cut off the three caribou. All were either cows or very immature bulls. The hunters *talked themselves into* believing the biggest one had to be a bull. As the camera zeroed in, all three went broadside, and as an avid hunter I immediately could tell there was not a penis sheath among the lot, but bang and one went down. They went up to the animal and found out bulls to not have utters and a vulva. I don't think there is ever a season for non residence do shoot a cow in velvet (July or Auguse my guess). I felt the show did a great job of showing how *excitement* can get the best of hunters. I commend motorboatn for his ability to think straight when the pressure is on!

in many units nonresidents are allowed one caribou, meaning either sex, and even though some of those hunts do not begin until september 1 caribou are often still in velvet at that time, bulls and cows

**338WM** · 08-01-2008

I am skeptical about this 24" ear tip thing. Is this supposed to be when their ears are laying straight out?

When their ears are in the normal up or alert position. when they are flat out it is closer to 32 +".

I use the eye spacing with much more confidence ,but use the ears as a secondary method.