Archery shot

[Tbob]

Hey guys, so I have a question for you seasoned elk hunters.. I'm curious about the archery straight on shot at elk. I definitely know it's not an optimal shot, but I've seen 3 or 4 elk now shot (YouTube)with that straight on shot and have all fallen over dead. I don't think I would ever take that shot, but..... I've heard plenty of guys say the same thing except most say, if it's under 20 yards and no Wind, nothing in the way of your arrow that they would take that shot.. So I'm wondering if you "were" to be in that situation that you have a trophy WA bull standing 15 yards in front of you and straight on is the only shot he's giving you (you're at full draw) where do you aim? Sorry I don't have a picture to paste in here, but if somebody does and could post up a pic with a dot of some kind where you'd aim that would be great. Thanks...

[WapitiTalk1]

Yes sir, it's a very deadly shot and should be in every bowhunter's took kit.  Here's an exceptional article with pics by Aron Snyder/Outdoor Life from a few years back. 

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/live-hunt/2011/07/bowhunting-tips-when-take-frontal-shot

[bracer40]

The shot placement pics were especially helpful.  I'd be interested to hear feedback on shots from the other side aka, Texas heart shot.

[rtspring]

I seen it done last year in person..  Dead Elk!

[elkchaser54]

When I rifle hunted the neck shot was the main placement i used.  So many arteries and veins and the spine is in there.  Its a smaller target but the effective rate I feel is higher than a broadside shot, because if you miss on the neck you hit nothing if you miss on a broadside shot you might just gut shoot the animal and not kill it only make it in to predator food a month later.

Neck shot is very effective and has very low chance of only wounding the animal.  I feel that the neck is a better shot then broadside.  Yes it is a smaller target but I am a good shot and trust myself to make it if I am given that opportunity.  I feel that lessening the chance at just wounding the animal is beneficial.  Especially with elk where they have a large gap above the lungs between there and the spine where a shot can go and that elk will not go down for weeks.

[coachcw]

soft spot right above chest plate , if he is slightly quartering just inside of of shoulder . these are very deadly and if you call by your self  offten what you get.

[ridgefire]

I took a frontal shot on a bull and it went less than 20 yards. My brother shot one at 10 yards straight on and only went 10 yards. These were both with archery equipment.

[pianoman9701]

[Tbob]

Interesting.. Thanks for the replys. I've passed 2 big bulls by not wanting to take that shot, maybe I'll re-think it.. I feel confident in my shooting skills to make that shot, I just was always told it's not a good shot to take.. One of the Bulls i passed on was probably 5 yrs in front of me. I was at full draw forever and didn't shoot.. Woulda coulda shoulda...

[Wanttohuntmore]

I will not take that shot.  I'll leave it at that.

[RadSav]

It's like shooting animals at long distance with a rifle.  Can be very effective when the rifle is in the right hands.  But not a really good idea for the average hunter.

In most cases if you wait just one or two seconds you will get a better chest shot.  Not that a chest shot kills faster.  But because the margin for error is greater.  In my experience 75-80% of archers have a hard time finding both lungs on a broadside elk beyond 35 yards.  So I'm not too excited about telling average Joe Archer to try a shot at a target 1/8th the size.

With that said both CL and I have taken that shot multiple times.  I think the longest recovery was maybe 30 yards.  So it is pretty fantastic if you hit the spot.  Though I don't think either of us has taken that shot beyond 30 yards...with a bow.

[Duckslayer89]

I will not take that shot.  I'll leave it at that.

I had a cow at about 4-5 yards this year straight frontal shot walking up this game trail I was stealthing down and she froze when she saw me. I just couldn't take the frontal shot. Her head was down looking at me covering up her neck and I only had that front of the chest to shoot at. Looking back I probably should have but it was a split second decision. Of course she busted the whole herd out of where I was

[Jonathan_S]

Such a interesting video and a well executed shot.  That bull behaves so silly, first by not seeing them standing in the clear open and second by just standing there and bleeding out.

The point of impact for that arrow really allowed for some high pressured bloodletting.  All that bright lung blood and that bull starts tipping in 10 seconds 

[pianoman9701]

There's a huge difference between attempting this shot at 35 yards or at 20 and under. If you're practising as you should year round, this should not be a problem at under 20.

[Jonathan_S]

There's a huge difference between attempting this shot at 35 yards or at 20 and under. If you're practising as you should year round, this should not be a problem at under 20.

I've been shooting like 5 arrows a day with my eyes closed...hopefully that counts 

[pianoman9701]

There's a huge difference between attempting this shot at 35 yards or at 20 and under. If you're practising as you should year round, this should not be a problem at under 20.

I've been shooting like 5 arrows a day with my eyes closed...hopefully that counts 

Only if you take this shot with your eyes closed, too.

[Jonathan_S]

 

to directly answer the OP's question, "yes".

I would gladly take a 15 yard frontal shot.  That elk isn't going far and at 15 yards, that is a shot I could almost make with my eyes closed 

[theleo]

I had a cow at about 4-5 yards this year straight frontal shot walking up this game trail I was stealthing down and she froze when she saw me. I just couldn't take the frontal shot. Her head was down looking at me covering up her neck and I only had that front of the chest to shoot at. Looking back I probably should have but it was a split second decision. Of course she busted the whole herd out of where I was

You made the rite call. It's not a shot you should take if you have any doubt about being able to make it. It's an effective shot to take but the situation has to be just rite and you need the confidence to be able to take it. There's already enough nerves and adrenaline going when you're at full draw that the last thing you need is a little voice in the back of your head going, can I really make this shot?

[4fletch]

Make sure you practice your 15 20 yard shot so when the shot arrives your ready to hit your mark. Then it's dead elk. Threw the years I've passed many frontal shots at big bulls because I didn't feel good about the distance. Didn't feel too bad at all about passing them up either. Then if he decides to bolt    chuckle  sometimes he will stop and give you a quartering away shot

[Tbob]

I agree with most of you, not the "greatest" shot for most guys.. Like I said, I'd not take this shot at 30 yards either, but it got me thinking that under 20 yards and ideal shooting conditions, I might take it now.. I'm glad there were all those pics with red dots on multiple animals and all different angles. I think I may have been looking a little lower than most of those dots ... Always learning! Love it...

[coachcw]

30 and in all day . stuff don't die inless arrows fly !. I will say get ready after every shot for a follow up .