Shoot or No Shot 2018, Episode #5

[WapitiTalk1]

Location: Somewhere in the elk woods
Hunt Pressure Status: It’s not a sea of raging orange, but there are other hunters in this general area.
Hunt: Solo Hunt
Date: Third week of October
Time: Mid Morning
Tag: Modern firearm; any branched bull

Pretty nice that the few days of heavy snowfall have let up and now, you have a clear day when the elk are definitely moving! After you climb up a steep little shale hillside to look down into the small flat valley that lays between two major basins (on the other side of the hillside you maneuvered up), you immediately see these two fine fellows looking back at what probably is the echoing sound of the bit of noise you made scurrying up the snowy side hill. Safety off, rifle up to shoulder, and the bulls are a bit over 200 yards from your position where you stand on the top of the steep little ridge (its merely seconds if that before the elk do the hoof scoot boogie to parts unknown). Shoot or no shot? I'm curious to see which bull folks are shooting at and shot placement .

[hunter399]

This one just looks heavy ,more mature.
SHOOT!

[BULLBLASTER]

Right here!

...I need to reload again...

[Stein]

This one just looks heavy ,more mature.
SHOOT!

Same as above except I would aim about 4" to the right.

[D-Rock425]

 

[WapitiTalk1]

Right here!

...I need to reload again...

What are you talking about?  You hit him twice... once in the butt and I think one in the foot 

[Mfowl]

My phone is not ideal for this but I am shooting at the lead bull, point of the red. His body doesn't look as big but his rack looks wider and little better than the other one.

[Woodchuck]

This one just looks heavy ,more mature.
SHOOT!

Same as above except I would aim about 4" to the right.

But I am on the bull to the right. 

[tonymiller7]

Time to gut, skin, and pack!

[northwesthunter84]

Totally agree with Tony

[Magnum_Willys]

Totally agree with Tony

Note hunter not shooting from camera location. I’d go 6” to the right and up a couple.

[Tbob]

I’m with Tony as well.

[Shawn Ryan]

Either bull is fine; prob take Tony's shot, but about 2-4" towards 2-o'clock.

[W_Ellison2011]

I'd smoke the one on the right. I don't do much solo hunting though so I'm pretty sure I would have a buddy with me who could smoke the one on the left at the same time and we would have a LOT of packing to do lol!

[Calvin Rayborn]

I'd prolly be crudding myself at that range! Done deal for an East Sider...Take the shot!

[yakimanoob]

At 200 yds after climbing a hill, I'm aiming for center of mass and max margin for error.  Better shooters would probably think differently, but I'm still pretty new at this. 

Left bull.  More meat and prettier coat.  Plus it's a beautiful day for a pack out .