Discover The Largest Elk Ever Caught in Alaska

Alaska is a well-known hunting destination. Enthusiasts, namely experienced hunters, know that the state can bring them games such as caribou, bison, black bears, wolves, grizzly bears, mountain goats, and elk, among many others.

If you’ve dabbled in hunting or catching wild animals, you probably know that hunting elk is incredibly difficult. According to statistics, all elk hunters in the world enjoy a 10% success rate in their hunting sessions. They’d probably be known as terrible hunters if we lived in prehistoric times!

One important aspect of hunting and catching animals is their size. Given the difficulty implied by elk stalking, let’s discover the largest elk ever caught in Alaska!

What Is an Elk?

Elks, often referred to by their scientific name, Cervus canadensis, represent the largest species of the Cervidae (deer) family. Sometimes called wapiti, elks are some of the largest terrestrial mammals found in East Asia, Central Asia, and North America.

The species is distinguished by its thick body and slender legs. The tail of an elk is also quite short, almost unnoticeable. They can grow as high as 2 feet 6 inches to 4 feet 11 inches (0.75-1.5 m) in terms of shoulder height. Regarding weight, male elk are significantly larger than female elk. Female specimens weigh 377-644 lbs (171-292 kg), while male specimens weigh  392-1,096 lbs (178-497 kg).

One particular variation of elk, called Roosevelt elk, is known to have males weighing up to 1,300 lbs (600 kg). As a coincidence to the topic in question, this variation has been introduced to Alaska.

What Defines Large In Terms of Elk Hunting?

This is where things get a bit complicated. For big-game hunters, the elk’s height, length, and weight are unimportant. Instead, multiple aspects of their antlers – which are, after all, the big prize – are taken into account for a hunting score.

Here is exactly what defines large in terms of elk hunting:

• The total number of points on antlers (both left and right side) – points are awarded when they exhibit projections of at least one inch in length. Taken into account are the points from the antler tip to the nearest beam edge. The tip of the beam is counted as a point but not measured as one;
• The tip to tip spread – this value represents the distance between the tips of the antlers’ main beams;
• The greatest antler spread – this value represents the distance between the perpendiculars of the antlers at a right angle and towards the skull’s center line (at its widest part). If bigger, the distance between the main beams or their respective points is in consideration;
• The inside spread of the antlers’ main beams – this value represents the distance between the widest point is on the main beams and which is at a right angle to the skull’s center line.

All of the above make up the score chart or score of a hunted specimen. In short, this is what “largest” means when talking about elk. When it comes to cougars, for example, the largest specimen is determination is the size of the animal’s skull.

Usually, we talk about large animals and use their weight or size when one asks for these values or when the animals are neither hunted nor present a striking feature that can count as game trophies – whales, for example.

What Is the Largest Elk Catch in Alaska?

The largest elk catch in Alaska has a score of 291 ⅝, on the 25th of October 2016 by Susan D. Larson. At the moment, the elk hunted by Larson is the largest in the state and the 564th countrywide.

The exact antler values of the largest elk catch in Alaska:

• It had a total of 12 antler points, six on each side;
• The tip to tip spread of the antlers was 34 2/8 inches;
• The greatest antler spread was 39 4/8 inches;
• The inside spread of the antlers’ main beams was 36 ⅝ inches;
• This elk is in Malina Bay, Alaska.

It goes without saying that the specimen was part of Roosevelt’s elk variation. It’s also worth mentioning the three other largest elk caught in Alaska – a score of 283 caught by Mitchel P. Lepschat in 2017, a score of 275 ⅞ and caught by Guy. C. Powell in 1958, and a score of 275 2/8 caught by Mark L. Carter in 2015.

What Is the Largest Elk Catch in the World?

The largest elk caught in the world has a score of 478 ⅝. Denny Austad caught it in 2008. The specimen is the “Spider Bull” and is currently the non-typical world record elk as per Boone & Crockett.

As you might’ve noticed, this is the non-typical world record elk, as classifications also matter in the hunting world. Here are some other large elk in the world, depending on their type:

• The largest non-typical American Elk hunted with a bow and arrow stands at 449 4/8inches;
• The largest typical elk hunted by any means stand at 442 ⅝ inches;
• The largest typical elk hunted with a bow and arrow stands at 430 0/8;
• The largest tule elk stands at 379;
• The largest Roosevelt Elk stands at 419 6/8

Even considering classification and type, the Spider Bull is still the largest elk in the world. Taking into account the fact that elk are known to be extremely wary of humans and travel only through rough areas with no roads, it goes without saying that the Spider Bull is more than just an impressive game!

Up Next:

• 10 Incredible Elk Facts
• Elk Size Comparison: The Biggest Deer?
• Elk Poop: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Tom Reichner/Shutterstock.com