Definition of a raghorn

[Muley_Stalker]

The first one to show me both lungs.

 

[AvidIndoorsman]

Raghorn, is not defined by a specific number of points but more by the characteristics associated with young bulls.
In human comparison it’s a teenager, long hair and acne included.

By connotation: Ragged, non symmetric antlers. Immature. Sub- dominate in most herds. The outlier.

Your bull is not a raghorn by my very definitive, non scientific definition and I am prepared to meme fight you to prove it.

He looks to be at least in that 4-5 year old age class and constitutes a “nice bull” in almost every general hunting area. A “biggun.”

Contrary to popular belief, many bulls will not break 300” at any point in their lives. Especially here in Montana, where most bulls die before their fourth birthday.

The true definition comes from European red deer, you are referring to the colloquial definition. I personally don’t really like the colloquial one because it’s so subjective and therefore use the objective archaic definition which just counts points.

 

[BuzzH]

You guys argue about it...raghorn or not?

 

[madtom]

The true definition comes from European red deer, you are referring to the colloquial definition. I personally don’t really like the colloquial one because it’s so subjective and therefore use the objective archaic definition which just counts points.

There’s no way you really think that 300” 5 pt is a raghorn. Seems like a better line could be drawn based on age or score. Maybe <3.5 yo or <220”?

Kind of like obscenity, you know a raghorn when you see it.

 

[madtom]

I compare 5 pt bulls to 4x4 (8pt) whitetails. They can either be a baby basket rack or a really nice mature buck

 

[ashersdad]

I've killed 6 points that I considered rag horns and I've killed 5 points that I didn't. Personal opinion I guess. For me it comes down to alot of things. Age, mass, tine length, etc. For me, any elk is a good elk (cows included).

Buzz's bull would definitely NOT be a raghorn in my book.

 

[JoltnJoe]

You guys argue about it...raghorn or not?

the above elk is a nice mature 5x5, the elk in the foreground below is a 5x5 and a raghorn

 

[noharleyyet]

Texas Trophy....colloquialism

https://flic.kr/p/2iC8gYq

 

[Addicting]

Texas Trophy....colloquialism

https://flic.kr/p/2iC8gYq

With Michigan points that would be a 14 point or a western 6x8. Lol

 

[AvidIndoorsman]

There’s no way you really think that 300” 5 pt is a raghorn. Seems like a better line could be drawn based on age or score. Maybe <3.5 yo or <220”?

Kind of like obscenity, you know a raghorn when you see it.

Per all of my comments, I call any bull 2-5pts a raghorn.

I didn’t grow up elk hunting and therefore don’t have the cultural baggage so I feel comfortable with the “dictionary” definition.

Though to your point I would call any bull +/- 240 a mature bull. Heavy five, or a bull that has through his second 6X6 rack.

Most bulls people kill in CO are 2.5-3.5 bulls, colloquially and usually objectively raghorns. That’s what the state manages for, I see all public land bulls as trophies so I personally don’t think calling a bull a raghorn is derogatory.

 

[Bambistew]

All raghorns are brushheads and vice versa. If it's not spike or a mature bull it's a raghorn.

 

[Pagosa]

These three Montana bulls were called rag horns by other hunters, but Im pretty happy with them and were great eating. I wish we could ban the term rag horn, piss-cutter, brush bull, etc; it doesn’t give full credit to such a beautiful creature.

 

[Mtnhunter1]

My son's first couple of "Rag-Horns", but he would argue that he tagged a great 4x4 and a super nice 5x5! ANY PUBLIC LAND BULL taken on a general tag in a publicly open area is a trophy, rag-horn or not!






Solid 5x5 from a few years past. Rag-Horn to some, but to me, he was a very hard earned bull that I was happy to get a crack at! Montana public bulls have now become very tough to find!!

 

[Deleted member 20812]

I call them all dinner

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

7x7 raghorn

 

[Muley_Stalker]

My kills have all been harvesting meat.

 

[diamond hitch]

For the record here is a picture of my summer raghorn herd

 

[Art Vandeley]

Embrace debate. Raghorn or trophy bull??

 

[Deleted member 20812]

Dead

 

[Deleted member 39961]

To quote Justice Potter Stewart -- i know it when I see it, and I won't shoot.