Shoot or No Shot 2020 – Episode #5

[WapitiTalk1]

Season/Hunt: Solo hunt; smoke pole tag
Time/Date/Location: Early-October; 9:00ish AM; in an elk state
Camp/gear: Base camp.

Well then, this is a fine scene to be up close to on this fine Indian summer, early October morning.  You’re hunting DNR land that borders up again some private (you do not have permission to hunt the private). On your way across a dry brushy, pine flat, you hear several elk bugling, sounding like they’re on the private land up on the hillside.  As you get closer, it actually sounds like they may be pretty close to, or on, the DNR land!  OK, campers…. NOW you really start thinking they may be on the DNR land by guessing their location via sound and boot scoot boogie to get close enough to tell.  Once you’ve moved to where you’re standing now, cocking the hammer on your .50 CAL smoke pole, you see these two amorous bulls smelling each other’s breath.  They are directly in front of you, to your 12 o’clock, around 80 yards and have no idea you’re even in the county.  You’ve only got a couple of seconds to make your move, or, make a knee jerk plan to take one of these bulls home for dinner.  Two questions on this one…..

Shoot or no shot here?

If shooting, which bull are you shooting and why?



Reminder that if you save the picture to your desktop and open in MS Paint, you'll be able to place a spot, X, or whatever on the critter before you save it back to a jpg and add the marked up pic with your post.

[Bullkllr]

I've already dropped to a knee rest and let the one on the right have it. He presented a little more vital area. And he looks tastier, cuz I can tell  .

[WapitiTalk1]

I've already dropped to a knee rest and let the one on the right have it. He presented a little more vital area. And he looks tastier, cuz I can tell  .

Show where you shot him BKiller 

[Angry Perch]

Boom

[Dan-o]

I'm shooting the big one right in the heart.

Seriously, I;m shooting the bull on the right, because I'd be happy to take either home and would kick myself in the butt if I waited to size them up and they fought their way out of my sight.

[Angry Perch]

I guess i should have asked where the private property border is.

[Bullkllr]

I've already dropped to a knee rest and let the one on the right have it. He presented a little more vital area. And he looks tastier, cuz I can tell  .

Show where you shot him BKiller 

Edited.
Learn something new every day.

[Dan-o]

I guess i should have asked where the private property border is.

Good point.

I assumed I was on DNR because I dont trespass, but I do have plenty of experience with folks "wandering" onto private land I have access to.

[Bullkllr]

I guess i should have asked where the private property border is.

Good point.

I assumed I was on DNR because I dont trespass,

 
Reading the narrative, assumed we were safe.

[Crunchy]

I prefer to stay away from the front shoulder/leg and just go lungs.

[lamrith]

I am shooting with crunchy.  also since they are jostling and fighting, that leg could slide back quickly which makes the "pocket" shot a light concern.

I would do it quick too while they are in the thick of it.  lot of noise and smoke with a boomstick, but shoot form 80yrds while they are actively at it and they may not immediately notice and keep fighting a bit.  Less problem with the one you shoot running off. 
It was a bow hunt but I recall seeing a similar situation unfold on one of the TV shows and the shot bull never left and they both kept fighting until the shot one literally keeled over.

[Crunchy]

The front shoulder has some good cuts of meat, and I don't eat lungs.  Hate to see it go to waste with bloodshot.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

I'm with Crunchy.

[Angry Perch]

The front shoulder has some good cuts of meat, and I don't eat lungs.  Hate to see it go to waste with bloodshot.

I've never seen one bull in season, let alone Two. I'm giving myself some room to miss without a gut shot!