Elk Hunting poll...

[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.