An elk taken by a Montana bowhunter this past season was the largest ever taken in the state and the largest recorded in the U.S. in 48 years — and it could yet turn out to be a world record.

The bull elk killed Sept. 10 by Montana bowhunter Steve Felix on public land in Powder River County was scored a 430 by the Boone and Crockett Club and Pope & Young Club, the groups that have been keeping world hunting records since the 19th century.

By comparison, the current world record typical American elk, taken with a rifle, has a score of 442-5/8. The second and third largest elk were both taken prior to the year 1900. The current largest typical elk ever taken with a bow — in Arizona in 2005 — is scored a 412-1/8.

“History was made right here in Montana,” said Justin Spring, Boone and Crockett’s director of big game records.

Felix brought his kill to the attention of the Boone and Crockett Club in Missoula, and preliminary measurements were announced in September. But the antlers needed to complete a 60-day drying period before they could be scored officially, as racks shrink slightly when they dry.

Animal trophies are scored based on the distances between key points on the rack as well as the number of points on each antler.

“Typical” American elk have symmetrical racks. The clubs also keep records for “non-typical” elk with more oddly shaped antlers.

When the preliminary measurements were announced, Joe Bell, executive director of Pope & Young, emphasized that game animals scored by the clubs are taken in an ethical, sportsmanlike manner.

The last step for Felix’s elk in the world record-certification process is another set of measurements, which will be taken just before Pope & Young’s biennial awards ceremony in St. Louis in early April, where the animal will be displayed.

Spring said the existence of such a large elk is a testament to wildlife management strategies across the country.

“Animals of this size do not happen by chance,” he said. “It takes the combined commitment of wildlife managers and biologists, landowners, sportsmen and, above all else, it takes the best habitats we can set aside for elk in elk country.”

Montana’s general archery seasons runs from Sept. 3 to Oct. 16.