More recently, Utah has gone to offering hunters three options — hunt spike only, any bull or limited entry.

The success of the DWR's management program is best told in the number of trophy elk now listed by the Boone and Crockett Club.

As noted, in its 1981 book, there was not a single entry in either of the American elk categories — typical and nontypical.

The four biggest Utah elk were all shot between 2003 and 2005. Lloyd Jacobson, No. 19, shot his elk on the Pahvant unit in 2005; Brian Gilson, No. 28, shot his elk in Emery County in 2003; Larry Ball, No. 36, shot his elk in Garfield County in 2004; and Ryan Brindley, No. 59, shot his elk in 2003. The top 12 Utah trophies were all tagged after 1999.

Looking at the top 25 on the overall list, Jacobsen's elk, at No. 19, and an elk shot in Gila, Ariz., No. 25, were the most recent entries. Both were shot on 2005.

Four of the top 25 elk were taken prior to 1900, and eight were taken between 1900 and 1970.

All of which points to the fact that Utah is producing some of the largest and most recent entries, confirming, as McLaughlin said, that Utah is, indeed, being recognized as trophy elk country.

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