Frontal shot on elk with a bow

[returnofsid]

Last night, my daughter and I were watching Jim Shockey, I think they were hunting Yukon Moose.  I'm pretty sure the shooter was his camera man.  At full draw, a huge moose charged directly at him.  The moose couldn't have been more than 6" away from the arrow head when he released.  They found the moose a very short distance away, most likely after a camera cut-away to change their shorts.  The moose lay there with a perfectly placed chest center punch.  If I remember right, they admitted that they'd never intentionally take that shot.  This was pretty much self defense, from an 1800 lb bulldozer...lol

[brianb231]

Well, I thought I would be one of those guys that says I would never take that shot because it is low percentage and unethical, however I was in a position last Sept on a bull that came straight at me to 20 yards and I was already at full draw. I releases right in the center at the dark hairline and he only went 40 yards and fell over. I have witnessed two other frontal shots that both expired very fast if not faster than a normal broadside double lung shot. Now I am not saying frontal shot is my preferred shot by any means but it is effective. That video was awesome but it was clear that he was not straight on when he shot so that adds more risk obviously.

 

[lostbackpacker]

That was awesome. Good for the shooter

[BOWHUNTER45]

Good job posting it ...It was on FB but I could not get the link to work ...Definitely a sweet video ...I would take that shot all day long at 18 yrds  Unless I was shaking so bad I could not hold the pin on him 

[sled]

  lucky.

[coachcw]

I've taken three elk with that shot under thirty yards all where pretty much DRT, I will only take it if there is a slight angle . straight on you have to deal with the angle of the breast plate and have a higher chance of deflection. I've shot one deer strait on at a yardage not to be with held. buried  the arrow to the fletch he went two yards and fell another , ask Glen Barry about this shot one of his favorites, you will find if your calling bulls by yourself this angle happens often the key is to draw early and settle the shot and pick your spot aim small miss small mentality is a must.

[JPhelps]

I will take that shot everyday inside of 30 yards. The last two bulls I've shot with a frontal/slight quartering too, have bled like crazy and been a very short blood trail.

I almost prefer this shot over a broadside shot. 

[akirkland]

I have killed several deer with this shot. Dead before they hit the ground. Less than 20 yards, I will take it every time. Shoot your bow regularly and you will have the confidence to make any shot, if your're worth a *censored* with a bow anyway.

[lostbackpacker]

I just watched that video again.  Fantastic

[mulehunter]

  http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,141705.msg1882377.html#msg1882377

It would be hard for me to released arrow like this, I would wait little longer to get better side. He got lucky Bull eye in heart.  Lucky kid. 

[boneaddict]

It's one of those shots that's hard to pass but very easy to goof up badly.

[erk444]

Was it in the heart, or the main artery in the neck? Either way, it was on the ground in 14 seconds That was awesome!

[mulehunter]

My friend went to Elk guide in MT and his arrow released at 15 yards almost exactly same shot and unbelievable it didnt kill him for three miles and lost him.    Not showing any bloods.  It happens..
He think it was more straight on. Arrow went exact same spot. Must've been 1" lower or something. That kid shot was lucky hit Artery. Or Maybe friend Broadhead didnt open right.
 He had 13 Bulls walk by him and it was small and bad spot. He is going again this fall.    I wanna go...

[WapitiTalk1]

Yes sir, the frontal shot is deadly "but" one needs to fully understand the animal's anatomy (bone structure, vital organs, etc.) and be 100% confident in your ability to drill an arrow into an orange sized spot.  I've taken one elk and a few deer with a frontal shot and they worked out just fine.  As many have mentioned, it has to be the right situation, and, IMO... under 25 yards.  This said, here's a very good article by Aron Snyder from a few years back on this very topic.  Provided for your consideration   

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/live-hunt/2011/07/bowhunting-tips-when-take-frontal-shot?src=related&con=outbrain&obref=obnetwork

[PolarBear]

I have never taken that shot on a bull and probably will not but I have had 2 bulls that had died almost as quickly as that one.  One was from above that severed the spine and wound up tearing through the heart and another was broadside through the heart.  Both bulls never took a single step and fell in their tracks.