Archery Elk at the Walk?

[WWTD]

Any advice for sending an arrow at an elk on the move?  Has anyone found a way to do this reliably if they're making a consistent walking pace or is it something that has to be 100% avoided at all costs?

Just looking for some real practical feedback, not the "never ever do this its terrible" feedback.  I'm certain I could hit an elk at 5 yards that was walking.  What is the distance limit, what are some tips, what have experiences generally been?  I haven't done it, just curious after hunting this weekend and watching elk seem to be consistently on the move.

[Taco280AI]

Depends on distance, speed, and how comfortable you are. Ever practiced at a moving target of any kind? Could try a whistle or cow call to stop it before the shot.

[luvmystang67]

Sounds dangerous. 

Maybe you could practice by trying to shoot through a rolling tire (the old football QB practice trick).

[snowpack]

I think it would be more about practice and using the more instinctive forms of shooting.  There are guys that shoot ducks, geese, clays and even quarters that are moving.  Just need to set up a moving range and work on it.

[bullcanyon]

You said you didn't want to hear this but it is the truth and I would avoid it.  Not worth taking the chance.  Learning to use a mouth reed to stop the elk would be time better spent than learning to shoot at a moving target. Never had a bull not stop on a dime and give me a shot.  NEVER! They have always stopped and looked at the arrow coming their way.  Much better way to handle the situation. IMHO

[D-Rock425]

You just need to know your equipment.  Say your arrow speed is 280fps at 40yards you have a .43 second arrow flight time average elk walking speed is 3mph so in .43 seconds that elk has moved 1.8 feet approximately 21 inches of lead at 40 yards.

[D-Rock425]

 

[h20hunter]

I would think the chance of a way back hit is pretty good with this shot. Can you really judge the shot with trees and brush on a moving animal while at full draw? Suppose one could be more lucky than good.

[D-Rock425]

All skill

[h20hunter]

I'm sure that is part of it.....however....back to the OP........so....WWTD? Your call?

[Skillet]

I don't bowhunt, so I'm absolutely qualified to weigh in on this.  Only shoot an arrow at a walking elk if it is walking straight at you or straight away.  No need to lead that way.

[lostbackpacker]

no big deal at all.  if you miss or make a bad shot, just hit the reset button on the console box...

[Bullkllr]

no big deal at all.  if you miss or make a bad shot, just hit the reset button on the console box...

 :chuckle:Best advice.

I don't bowhunt, so I'm absolutely qualified to weigh in on this.  Only shoot an arrow at a walking elk if it is walking straight at you or straight away.  No need to lead that way.

Ummm...

You said you didn't want to hear this but it is the truth and I would avoid it.  Not worth taking the chance.  Learning to use a mouth reed to stop the elk would be time better spent than learning to shoot at a moving target. Never had a bull not stop on a dime and give me a shot.  NEVER! They have always stopped and looked at the arrow coming their way.  Much better way to handle the situation. IMHO

[boneaddict]

Pass on the shot.  Archery

[TheHunt]

This is going to go side ways...

Taco270 said it correctly..  walking at 60 yards you would need to let it walk.  At 10 yards let it fly...

[bowpredator]

To me this senerio falls into the ethical shot part of bow hunting. I see guys every year at our 3 -D shoots take this type of shot at our moving elk target and its not pretty. I bet only 10-15% of the 250 shooters at our last shoot put a killing shot on the target. That's a low% shot to me. Those that lead too much miss completely and not lead enough and that's a gut or ham shot. Would pass or stop with a cow call.

[ICEMAN]

Not a problem, just start moving yourself on a parallel trajectory, then it will not seem like a moving shot.

[Harborhunter]

Flinging an arrow at an animal that is not stationary is not a good idea.  You must have the patience to wait for the right, ethical shot. 

[elk247]

Interesting question. I would have to agree that its very easy to freeze an animal with a hands free call or a whistle. Imo I would rather do that as it has worked every time for me as well.

[h2ofowlr]

I would avoid it.  When an elk is on the move they can tend to hear the arrow, bow, etc. at times and will drop and bolt.  It could be clean miss or a high hind quarter shot, just wounding the animal.  I am sure their are guys that have tried and been successful, but more wounded animals than mentioned.  Stop the animal before you shoot it.  Cow call.

[boneaddict]

....ask the gentleman that lost his elk this fall already on here.  See what he thinks about that shot now.

[Johnb317]

I confess!  I shot a moving elk.   Granted he was moving slowly And inside 5 yards.
Any further and I would have made some sort of noise to stop him. (Filled the freezer)
I remember thinking I should stop him first but the intervening but the he's so close thought took precedence. 

Rule of thumb.  Stop him first.

[dreamingbig]

Stop the elk first.  Mine was walking this year but two quick cow calls made him put on the brakes.  A heart shot followed.  That wouldn't have happened if the elk was moving.  Every elk I have shot at has been stopped.

[steen]

First shot should be at an animal that is still, especially bos.  Any shots after that can be moving. That is my rule of thumb even rifle hunting. 

[sumbeech66]

Not a problem, just start moving yourself on a parallel trajectory, then it will not seem like a moving shot.