Elephant tusk weight- your goal for a “big” one

What size (single) tusk-

  • 20 or less

    Votes: 1 1.7%

  • 30-40

    Votes: 6 10.0%

  • 40-50

    Votes: 11 18.3%

  • 50-60

    Votes: 21 35.0%

  • 70++ RowlandWard or Bust!

    Votes: 21 35.0%
  • Total voters
    60
Your question is difficult one for me. Because I do not hunt for inch of horn, of anything.
So, my motives do not fit in entire description.
My first ele was 3o ponuds. What would be my next goal in elephant hunting?

wildwilderness said:
This is NOT about a first elephant or “experience” hunt but trying to get at where a “Good” or “big” or “mature representative” may be-
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Considering this, I voted for realistic 30 to 40 pounds.
Although, I am not hunting for inch of horn, or inch of tusk.

Hunting elephant is great experience, and tusks are not my motivation.
So, most likely I come under definition of "hunter for experience"
 
I was invited to heft some tusks in a vault in Namibia. “Hard to pick up” is my goal. So, maybe 50-60 lbs each would be fun. A truly huge bull is the stuff of dreams. Tops, of all possible trophies on the planet. I think I want to hunt elephant again someday, and if I ever do, it will be in a place with a realistic shot at 60.
 
Yes it was hard to figure the wording with out typing too much into the title etc.

the title could have read-

Your goal for a “good” Elephant or one you would go back for

and the first option should have read-

30 or less (any elephant is worth a hunt )

But the edit option has a time limit!
 
I voted 50-60 but mostly I want an old one with sunken cheeks and tattered ears, usually on his last tooth. The two mostly go hand in hand. My last one was 46 and 48 lbs.
 
Preparing to walk 20 miles a day if needed slovenly dragging my water cart like a faithful oxen in search of the biggest bull I can find all the while taking in every split second of the adventure.
 
MacJenkins said:
Wow! I didn’t not know that. He always has said mine was one of the best Valley bulls. I just assumed they killed much bigger in the other premium areas.
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Biggest I ever heard was a Spanish hunter (iirc) took a 120# when Nixon had the spots next to Gonarezhou. Think this was 6-7 years ago?
 
I would be happy with a tuskless cow. Elephant is one of those hunts that will likely never happen for me. If i play my cards right i might make it back to Africa one more time for a Hippo.
 
MacJenkins said:
Only shot two bulls. Biggest was Dande East. Would need to confirm with Buzz but think they were 67 and 62. Doubt I’ll ever shoot bigger as I don’t think I could pull the trigger on the more expensive areas.
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I asked Buzz yesterday while talking about another hunt. He said my big Tusk was 68. And he did shoot a bigger bull this year.
 
I am now looking for a 40-50 pound range. I am looking to hunt with one of my favorite outfitters @TSALA HUNTING SAFARIS for one of these in their Moz. camp for 28. I and going on my second try at my leopard in 27 with them in the same camp!!! Simply outstanding outfitter and family!!! I can’t recommend them highly enough.
 
wildwilderness said:
The 80# thread is exciting for big Tuskers, but not realistic for most!

This is NOT about a first elephant or “experience” hunt but trying to get at where a “Good” or “big” or “mature representative” may be-


For the Elephant hunters out there, where is the size that you feel is a good combo of price, size, and realistic expectations of killing one? What would you actually book a hunt for? For a second or third Ele….

A “trophy” elephant may be another level (and cost) and as suggested would be easier to lie about it

I know SCI min is 90# combined (60# for archery) so about a 45# tusk would do-

Rowland Ward is 70# single or 120# combined!!
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Went for the 40-50lbs simply because that was the break even point financially back in the day althoug much bigger ones were taken.
Tusks from a killer below, only in the 30-40 lbs range but ultimate trophy to me.
Congrats to USA for winning Olympic Hockey Gold. Absolute steal. World class goal tending!
 

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K-man said:
I voted 50-60 but mostly I want an old one with sunken cheeks and tattered ears, usually on his last tooth. The two mostly go hand in hand. My last one was 46 and 48 lbs.
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Curious what country and outfitter please
 
I’m looking at a few places. My goal is 60 or larger.
 
My experience is you find a certain price with just a few outfitter
s in the 15-25 pound range exportable under $20k think @Tokoloshe Safaris then 30-50 pounders for about $30 range, then when you start hitting the 50+ you can start looking at $1k per pound. All these are fully exportable. If you are willing to get faux tusks you can go $500 per pound and get some 80 pounders in places like Moz but not exportable to US think @TSALA HUNTING SAFARIS
 
Rare Breed said:
My experience is you find a certain price with just a few outfitter
s in the 15-25 pound range exportable under $20k think @Tokoloshe Safaris then 30-50 pounders for about $30 range, then when you start hitting the 50+ you can start looking at $1k per pound. All these are fully exportable. If you are willing to get faux tusks you can go $500 per pound and get some 80 pounders in places like Moz but not exportable to US think @TSALA HUNTING SAFARIS
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I agree, the places where you have a true opportunity at large ivory are few and far between and require not only the funds, but appropriate research on the hunter’s part.
 
Wyfox said:
Age over anything else. If he happens to be broken on both sides, so be it. I want an old warrior living out his last days.
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This is a great perspective you have. I shot a non-Trophy bull years ago on Matetsi 3 and he had broken both tusks at the lip. Ivory only weighed 21x22, but it’s 16” at the lip, the bull was huge bodied, old with sunken temples and provided a great, adrenaline charged hunt when we had a stare down at about 20 yards. The hunt was just as good as if he’d have been a 60 pounder.
 
Be my luck to shoot an 8 ft. tusk with a 3 1/2 ft. inner nerve. Maybe that would be good as it would cost less in poundage.
 
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