Just a little fun that will make you think...Would you take the Shot ?????

[PA BEN]

If I have never killed an elk before a cow will do. They will eat just as good.

[yajsab]

The first picture doesn't tell you much since you're assuming all of a sudden the elk just appear like that.  If you're hunting that trail, you would have seen the elk coming into that position already.  And you already knew that it was a spike so it's a no go. 

I believe it will be more appropriate to ask whether you will take this shot or not.