Elk Hunting poll...

[mulehunter]

Question for all.  What would u do if Bull came to you like this Pic.  Hold, release arrow, or pass?

 

[sebek556]

this brings up a new test for me...

[steeliedrew]

I had a cow come in to me at 10 yards on Sunday. I was crouched down in some ferns and couldn't stand up. I was at full draw for about a minute and was beginning to get very shaky. didn't want to let down and scare her. She was facing me dead on so I settled my pin on her chest and tried to let one fly through a hole in the ferns. The ferns deflected the arrow and it hit a nearby stump. completely missed the cow.

I too would like to know how a head on chest shot would play out since I did take that shot. I felt confident in it at the time.

[boneaddict]

Tougher shot than youd think. 

[billythekidrock]

Tougher shot than youd think. 

 

Used to be a time when most archers would not take that shot, but I bet this poll will reveal a that that is not the case anymore.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Depends on yardage id say for most.

[scout/sniper]

Looks like a pretty close shot.
I think I would hold 'till he presented a better angle.
Even if I got a bit shaky from holding it would be a good shot if the range is as close at it looks.

[Come Get Some]

There are alot of variable that come into play here. I have shot 5 or 6 elk in this scenerio and successfully taken all of them home.  I watched all of them drop in view. I have also passed on many in this scenerio. The problem is you have a 2 " hole to shoot into to get into the chest cavity. If you do not and the angle is not perfect you will go between the ribs and the shoulder. Your arrow will dissapear giving you the illusion that you made a good shot. The upward angle of the shot is also a concern. If your arrow is angled too far upward, it can go in and over the lungs. The elk will bleed alot but you will not get him. I shoot professionally and have released thousands of arrows at a very tiny dot. I do not get buck fever and hold very steady. Most archers I have seen in the field have a good dose of buck fever. Alot of the archers practice at a paper plate as well. Hitting a paper plate is fine if you are hunting plates for a barbecue. AIM SMALL MISS SMALL. All of the dots we sight in on are from 1/2" at 20 yds to 2" at 80 yds. You will be surprised how much better your groups are if you practice this.

[D-Rock425]

Looking at pictures and saying what you'd do and having it happen in real time with adrenaline are two different things for me.  Sometimes it happens so fast you can't anticipate what you'll do in the exact moment.  The shot is not ideal I would hope for a better one but I can't tell you I wouldn't take that shot in real time.

[Alan K]

If's he's angled at all you can slip it in between the shoulder and chest.  Looks like a 20-25 yard shot, and any archer should be able to hit a tennis ball at that range. . . That said, I'd bet the heart would be beating a bit harder than when practicing!

I was along with the hunting partner one year and we had some elk coming right at us.  Knelt down in the ferns and he got to full draw.  Here they came, and they didn't stop until they were at 5-10 yards when the lead cow spotted us.  He put it right in there between the shoulder and brisket, slightly angled up and the arrow buried up to the fletching.  Even with the arrow blocking the hole a bit it bled like a fire hose.  She went 15 yards and tipped over, died in sight. 

[Come Get Some]

I shot this elk at 45 yds. It was quartering slightly towards me.  As you can see I got great penetration. I shoot a 31" draw and a 520 grain arrow. My kenetic energy is off the charts. I watched him drop . My arrow was protruding out just behind the last rid on the opposite side. Not a shot most should take. I have also had my arrow go clear thru both sholders of bulls and take out ribs going in and out as well as shoulder plates. A good stiff arrow (ACC 371) and a very good broadhead (Shuttle T) is an absolute must. If you loose even 1 blade or your arrow is not stiff enough it can deflect or just stop short of vitals.

[LittleJohn]

IS it physically possible to get both lungs with this shot?? My opinion, NO! I have passed this shot multiple times and will continue to pass!! Why take the chance, is it worth the risk of loosing an animal, No WAY!!

[Come Get Some]

Answer is YES,
 Entered thru the outer edge of the heart, front of one lung and completely thru the other and sliced thru the liver. Not a low percentage shot for me. I have taken over 50 elk with a bow. This elk was on video and expired in less then 30 yds.

[724wd]

i said hold for a better shot, but if my buddy was still at that angle taking pics, i'd have to pass.  if an arrow were to deflect just a little bit and stick my friend, that's be a BAD day for all involved!   

[LittleJohn]

Answer is YES,
 Entered thru the outer edge of the heart, front of one lung and completely thru the other and sliced thru the liver. Not a low percentage shot for me. I have taken over 50 elk with a bow. This elk was on video and expired in less then 30 yds.

Photo appears that the bull is not quartered at all, looks to be facing shooter dead on. Not sure how you can get both lungs with a facing shot?