Potential World-Record Elk Confirmed

Photos Courtesy Boone and Crockett Club

One resident Montana hunter might have scored the bull of a lifetime—one with the potential to go down in history. The Boone and Crockett Club and Pope & Young Club have announced that they've confirmed the existence of a potential new archery world record.

The bull's B&C green score has been measured at 429-6/8 net and 448-4/8 gross. At first blush, that score would be more than enough to make it the new Pope & Young world-record elk, but the final, official score won't be given until the bull is measured again in two months' time. The current Pope & Young world-record holder, which was killed in Arizona in 2005, measured out at 412-1/8.

The Montana bull may also crack the Boone and Crockett top five. The list's current No. 4 bull measures in at 425-3/8. Upon confirmation, it should also become the largest elk ever killed in the state of Montana. Current record holder Fred C. Mereer's bull, harvested in 1958, measured out at 419-4/8.

The antlers must undergo a 60-day drying period before they can be officially scored for the record books, according to Justin Spring, Boone and Crockett’s Director of Big Game Records. Spring also noted that the Montana bull might be the largest typical American elk taken in the last 48 years.

"After meeting the hunter, hearing the story, and seeing the photos I knew this was a special animal and a historic moment in big game hunting and conservation. I immediately contacted P&Y," Spring said.

Thus far, the hunter remains anonymous. We'll provide updates to the story as more information becomes available.

For more information, go to Boone-Crockett.org.