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?

[SCRUBS]

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.

 

[Come Get Some]

Photo appears that he is DEAD. He was slightly quarted when he was shot and the arrow did not go straight in the 2" hole I spoke of. It entered at the front of the shoulder quartering to the opposing side. If YOU do not feel comfortable taking these shots YOU should not. Kmowing one limitations is absolutely a neccessity. I do not take low percentage shots. I pass on MANY bulls every year. Obviously this elk died quite nicely in a very short distance. Knowing and studing the animals angle, behavior and anatomy will help you make or pass on shots that you believe are low percentage or very possible.

[Ccortez]

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.

 

[mulehunter]

Tougher shot than youd think. 

Ya for sure, I have never take a shot before thur front above chest where bone end and it has to be size as Softball. It's tough call I vote to hold wait for better side body.  I heard a MT Outfitter and bow hunter did shot like this at 7 yds last Sept,  Not enough blood dripps tracked for 5 hours that Arrow went thur and lost him all night.    I am not sure where he aim at.  If it was me I would aim above chest thur at 3"x3" square where heart is.  Thanks for feedback.

[mulehunter]

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.

 

Agree!  Depends on if a Mad Bull came toward to you with in 2 yards       

[coachcw]

slightly quartering towards , drive the arrow off center between brisket and shoulder , very deadly shot on that presents often when calling by your self . i'd say it's a shot to be kept in the twenty yard range . strait on i'd pass too tough to hit vitals or deflect .

[LittleJohn]

Photo appears that he is DEAD. He was slightly quarted when he was shot and the arrow did not go straight in the 2" hole I spoke of. It entered at the front of the shoulder quartering to the opposing side. If YOU do not feel comfortable taking these shots YOU should not. Kmowing one limitations is absolutely a neccessity. I do not take low percentage shots. I pass on MANY bulls every year. Obviously this elk died quite nicely in a very short distance. Knowing and studing the animals angle, behavior and anatomy will help you make or pass on shots that you believe are low percentage or very possible.

I was referring to the first photo of the live bull, not your dead elk. Congrates on 50 elk with your bow, Amazing!
I do now my limitations and knowing the anatomy of an elk will not change MY opinion of shots I can or can't make.
I think most bow hunters would agree that a quartering to shot at 45 yards is a very low percentage shot

[Come Get Some]

Thank You, and I agree for most it is a low percentage shot. Most have trouble hitting a paper plate at 40 yds. Knowing ones limitations will keep them from wounding animals with a bow. Practicing year round changes that scenerio.

[LittleJohn]

Hunting the thick brushy timber of NW Montana keeps me from having to make those shot decisions, I usually can't see the animal until they are 20 yard away!

[BOWHUNTER45]

At that range its a no brainer for me ....Right threw the top of his brisket ...dead center ....Lights out real quick ...Done a couple times and if you want to see blood pump out like a fire hose that's the spot ... if you feel you can do it !!

[Buzz2401]

I've found three elk carcasses with arrows still in them from that shot.  Arrow slid between shoulder and ribs.  Most archers should not be taking that shot, worries me that almost 50% of the polls have people taking it.

[BOWHUNTER45]

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.

I kinda agree a little bit ...But I know a lot of target shooters who can hit small targets all day long until it come to a live animal .....Seen and heard way to much about it .... It all comes down to the person ...if you feel comfortable making a shot like that then do it ...If not let him walk !!!

[BOWHUNTER45]

I've found three elk carcasses with arrows still in them from that shot.  Arrow slid between shoulder and ribs.  Most archers should not be taking that shot, worries me that almost 50% of the polls have people taking it.

Like I said ...it depends on who is taking the shot ....I have killed 3 this way and all of them dropped in sight and were all in the freezer  if you can not make a shot like that at 20 yrds and in the wide open you have no business with a bow in your hand ...I run old school ...50 yrds is max for me but I have killed more animals inside 30 yrds than I have past it ....These guys taking 80 yrd shots at deer an elk need to stay home and sit on the couch ..I do not care how good you think you are    Just giving my 

[sakoshooter]

At that range I'd have no problem putting the entire arrow thru his vitals. Might not make it out his back side but then it'd still be cutting as he ran off. Dead elk for sure.

[Bullkllr]

Interesting picture. How often does a bull present a shot like that in a wide open meadow with the shooter standing and at full draw...? Doesn't look realistic.

I've never taken that shot. Not sure I wouldn't right there though.

[nw_bowhunter]

Personally I would pass on this shot and hope he turns. I feel it would be to risky and from previous experience I shot an animal this way before and took me sometime to locate.

I don't feel most guys bow set-ups would get it done. Often bowhunters are going for speed and with an elk they are darn tough. To make this a lethal kill shot you need the right entry point, heavy arrow and bow with 80+ pounds pushing the arrow in my opinion. No reason not to wait for the elk to turn.

[coachcw]

420 grain arrow at 310 fps full penetration. plenty of ke,to each his own

[GoPlayOutside]

Let's be honest....I voted to wait till he turned broadside......
However, I voted before I scrolled down and saw the size of that bull.

The answer to the question immediately changed once I saw that picture.  If that bull crested the hill in front of me like that...it would be very hard to not shoot. 

The way the bull was acting would make my decision.  Is he suspicious of anything?  Is he going to run into me?  Is he calm? etc.

[elkkillin5]

I know first hand about this from elk hunting this early archery season. I bugled from a ridge first thing in the morning, this big bull starting citing loose down in this steep thick bottom so down we went. We were about 20 yards off the patch of timber he was in all I wanted to do was locate him one more time and step up. Little did I know he was 22 yards away in the timber. So I bugled and he came right to me 4 yards down hill about 30 degrees but quartering so hard it was either I shoot him behind the shoulder which Woolf of gone guys or in front and catch maybe one lung or pass. I was at full draw by the way I chose to pass and was waiting for him to turn he turned the other way and I didn't get him that day.  I relive that moment trust when I say this 15 times a day I feel I was in the right it was the hardest thing I have ever done.

[Come Get Some]

Personally I would pass on this shot and hope he turns. I feel it would be to risky and from previous experience I shot an animal this way before and took me sometime to locate.

I don't feel most guys bow set-ups would get it done. Often bowhunters are going for speed and with an elk they are darn tough. To make this a lethal kill shot you need the right entry point, heavy arrow and bow with 80+ pounds pushing the arrow in my opinion. No reason not to wait for the elk to turn.

  Given the efficiency of bow now days you do not need 80 lbs to make this shot. A long draw length would definitely help. Heavy arrows are a must. I shoot 70 lbs, 31" draw and a 520 grain arrow at 310 fps. My kenetic energy is off the chart. The important factor is YOU. Can you hold steady, Do you get buck fever,are you aiming at a dime sized kill placement or a paper plate. I have taken animals that were quartering towards me, Entered thru the shoulder passed thru the brisket and ribs and exited the opposing hind quarter. One animal even had the rear leg bone cut in half just below the socket. The arrow not only needs to be heavy but very stiff.
 Wrongway is shooting my old bow this year. He switched to the arrow combination I am shooting. His old bow with a 360 ACC stopped in his target. My old bow with a 371 ACC passes thru the target completely. How do you say KENETIC ENERGY.

[Bullkllr]

I know first hand about this from elk hunting this early archery season. I bugled from a ridge first thing in the morning, this big bull starting citing loose down in this steep thick bottom so down we went. We were about 20 yards off the patch of timber he was in all I wanted to do was locate him one more time and step up. Little did I know he was 22 yards away in the timber. So I bugled and he came right to me 4 yards down hill about 30 degrees but quartering so hard it was either I shoot him behind the shoulder which Woolf of gone guys or in front and catch maybe one lung or pass. I was at full draw by the way I chose to pass and was waiting for him to turn he turned the other way and I didn't get him that day.  I relive that moment trust when I say this 15 times a day I feel I was in the right it was the hardest thing I have ever done.

Good decision!

I've spent my archery career passing on iffy shots at elk. In fact I passed up 2 shots on bulls this past weekend I was not comfortable with. Its part of hunting with a bow. So far I'm extremly satisfied with the overall results; I have zero regrets about any shots, either taken or not taken. I'm sure I've passed up make-able but questionable shots, and I really can't see any other ethical way to go about it. Nothing new. I know my conscience, and I'd rather pass on 50 shots than live with losing an animal like that.

[coachcw]

you guys should talk to glen berry about that shot . Its one of his favorite .

[bloodhound]

last years bull shot dead center thru the front of the chest, arrow was all the way in and out of sight. while cleaning we found the arrow sliced both lungs and it only went 30 yards. keep in mind im shooting 75 pounds, 29 inch draw, at over 300 fps. so i would take the shot!

[nw_bowhunter]

Come Get Some- you are making my point...your pic that you posted as an example wasn't a pass through yet your setup did the job. Most bowhunters aren't shooting heavy tree trunks so if they were to take the shot I would imagine results would be different. Not saying this shot is wrong in general. I do realize that draw length and speed do factor into the overall results..

Coach said 420 @ 310 FPS. I do not feel that is typical heavy arrow but its fast. Again its come down to the bow setup and shooter.

Just my opinion

[csaaphill]

ethical thing to do is let it go or hope for a better shot. a off target shot and none lethal shot would just wound the elk/deer whatever and provide uneeded sufering.

[Bow Tech]

At that range its a no brainer for me ....Right threw the top of his brisket ...dead center ....Lights out real quick ...Done a couple times and if you want to see blood pump out like a fire hose that's the spot ... if you feel you can do it !!

[Mxracer532]

Id take this shot all day long. I know my abilities and the abilities of my equipment.
This is a DEADLY SHOT! My dad shot an elk 2 yrs ago at 40 yards straight on shot and that cow dropped within 20 yards. High draw weight is nice but not necessarily a must either. He was shooting a 60lb SR71 with just over a legal weight arrow for 60lbs. Fully penetrated the cow.
To whover said its not a pass through so its not good imo is an redonkulous statement.  Lots of rifles the bullets dont pass though so is that a bad shot? Inadequate rifle caliber?

[Come Get Some]

Come Get Some- you are making my point...your pic that you posted as an example wasn't a pass through yet your setup did the job. Most bowhunters aren't shooting heavy tree trunks so if they were to take the shot I would imagine results would be different. Not saying this shot is wrong in general. I do realize that draw length and speed do factor into the overall results..

Coach said 420 @ 310 FPS. I do not feel that is typical heavy arrow but its fast. Again its come down to the bow setup and shooter.

Just my opinion

  The shot in that photo was not straight on. It was quartering towards me. I penetrated the shoulder and ribs at 45 yds, getting both lungs,heart and liver.
    I agree most should not. I do not think 420 grains is enough arrrow weight for this scenerio. Broadside and behind the shoulder or quartering away only. I have a friend that shoots a 360 ACC at 70 lbs. He has had problems with shots where he has contacted heavy bone. A heavy arrow is a must. I have been blessed with a long draw length where I can still shoot a heavy arrow and obtain alot of speed and kenetic energy.
 When most hunters state their speed it is just in front of the bow after shooting thru the chornograph. Heavy arrows carry better down range speed and kenetic energy. In my target set up arrows with 120 grain tips fly 12" flatter at 80 yds than arrows tipped with 100 grain tips. Which would be more lethal a semi hitting you at 40 mph or a prius. Most do not understand speed is not the only factor in good penetration. Most are only interested in speed and flat trajectory. One should either practice enough to not have to depend on a range finder or hunt stealthy enough to get time to use one. If this cannot be obtained use a gun. To me it is the hunt, not the kill, with a bow the stalk is everything. If you are not a good hunter and not consistantly effective much practice is needed to bow hunt. I do not draw my bow but a couple timesa year. When I do 99% of the times I release my arrow with deadly effectivness.
 I know my abilities and which shots I can make. Like I said most do not and should pass on the shot offered in the thread.