Elk Hunting poll...

[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.