Shiras experts share your thoughts?

970_lly · Sep 6, 2022

My dad has a moose tag here in Colorado this year, in what I’d consider a moderate unit. We found one bull much bigger than either of these but haven’t seen him for about a month. These two bulls are our best unless he shows up again, especially with somewhat high tag numbers. What do you guys think of them? I’m a novice when judging moose, so I will leave out my thoughts for now other than I think the hard horned bull is 10-15” larger.

marley · Sep 6, 2022

Hard to find a Shiras moose expert as most will never have a tag and you’d be extremely lucky to hunt them twice. That being said, the First bull is decent and I like the looks of him. Narrow paddles and only one split brow though. Neither bull is going to score well if that’s what you care about. But the first bull is a good representation. Remember the season is long and most hunters will tag out first weekend. If it were me……I’d hold out and see if the big guy shows himself again. The rut will bring him out.

DJ1 · Sep 7, 2022

I’d agree with Marley. First bull is better and a decent representation for a Shiras. It really depends on what your dad wants out of the hunt and if “score” is what‘s most important. I killed mine the end of Sept. and my bull was rutting hard. Many guys killed bulls earlier with rifles and I didn’t run into another moose hunter. Enjoy the experience,
drawing a Shiras tag is special.

970_lly · Sep 20, 2022

After talking things over my dad decided he wanted to take the bull in the first video. I was in favor of hunting through the archery season and into rifle in hopes of killing the biggest bull possible, but due to some business obligations he wanted to kill a nice bull and get home. Opening morning we watched the bull feed into a patch of timber with willows mixed in it. We closed into about 300 yds and held up in a small drainage waiting for the thermals to stabilize. Once they did we slipped into the trees and found the bull feeding. Waited about 20-25 min for him to move into a spot for a shot, ended up being a hard quartered to shot at about 8 yds. 2 follow up arrows at 12ish yds and that was all she wrote. My dad was estatic since he was set on doing it with a bow and we were pleasantly surprised by the size. He’s 47”, will have a score soon simply for purposes of getting better at judging moose.

yotebuster17 · Sep 20, 2022

Great bull. Bigger then most Shiras killed. The missing front fork is gonna hurt him a lot ifnscore is important but that’s an awesome bull either way in my opinion.

SS! · Sep 20, 2022

970_lly said:
View attachment 87439

After talking things over my dad decided he wanted to take the bull in the first video. I was in favor of hunting through the archery season and into rifle in hopes of killing the biggest bull possible, but due to some business obligations he wanted to kill a nice bull and get home. Opening morning we watched the bull feed into a patch of timber with willows mixed in it. We closed into about 300 yds and held up in a small drainage waiting for the thermals to stabilize. Once they did we slipped into the trees and found the bull feeding. Waited about 20-25 min for him to move into a spot for a shot, ended up being a hard quartered to shot at about 8 yds. 2 follow up arrows at 12ish yds and that was all she wrote. My dad was estatic since he was set on doing it with a bow and we were pleasantly surprised by the size. He’s 47”, will have a score soon simply for purposes of getting better at judging moose.

Nothing wrong with that bull! Congrats!

Gadjet · Sep 20, 2022

Nice Colorado bull! Congrats!!

Zeke · Sep 20, 2022

Looks great!
Well done y'all.

Zeke

BradA · Sep 20, 2022

Looks like a big bull to me! Congratulations glad it worked out for you’re dad

littlebighorn · Sep 20, 2022

Your Dad has good reason to be ecstatic. Colorado does produce some giants, but that's a great bull anywhere, especially with stick and string. (I love the long points, even though they don't add to score)
Well done and congrats to your pops!

DJ1 · Sep 20, 2022

Congrats!! Love to see the archery hunters for these big critters. Good spread for a Shiras, you guys did good.

Shadow · Sep 20, 2022

Scores are fun and all but unless it’s the winning score, it’s really just a number. He’ll lose on score because of the missing split but that is truly a big bull. Congrats.

Blank · Sep 21, 2022

Scores are great, as is width, or length of tines, or whatever you want. I think the real key is are you happy with it? A mature 6-8 year old moose is massive and a great trophy. That one is a beauty!!

hawkbill · Sep 21, 2022

Great Bull- congratulations

lundellhunting7 · Sep 21, 2022

That is a great bull! Dont worry about the score at all its not everything!!! Because the one front doesnt split it will hurt the score. That bull is a stud! Anyone would be happy with that bull!

DJ1 · Sep 21, 2022

I was lucky to shoot an All Time B&C Shiras with my bow and I wouldn’t have thought twice about shooting the bull your dad killed! Great bull with some awesome memories.