Putting one in the chest

[kckrawler]

For starters, I'm a fairly new archerer. I used to deer hunt but gave it up for rifle about 12 years ago. I'm finding out that technology sure has changed since then! Recently, I saw a big bull shot through the chest at about 3 yards, I'd like some information and opinions about what everyone thinks about it.

Aren't you punching through brisket when taking that shot? Do newer bows have enough punch to do it? If you were to take the shot, how far out before you risk wounding an elk?

Thanks for the info!

[wildmanoutdoors]

At 9 feet Id be inclined to take that shot!

[pianoman9701]

I've killed 5 animals with a bow. All of the arrows passed through and came out the other side. Archery equipment has changed greatly over the last 20 years.

[bowsandhose]

very risky shot even with the energy of new bows the thick bones and angle of the ribcage can deflect your arrow or if you only get one lung elk can go for days. I'm not saying that its not a very lethal shot just a higher chance of wounding or losing an elk 

[pianoman9701]

I misread the post and have no experience shooting an animal 3 yards. Hence the lack of any poop in my hunting pants so far.

[kckrawler]

At 9 feet Id be inclined to take that shot!

At what point would you decide to let it pass?

[kckrawler]

I misread the post and have no experience shooting an animal 3 yards. Hence the lack of any poop in my hunting pants so far.

  I never said anything about the lack of poop in my pants, let me tell ya! 

[singleshot12]

There is a soft spot right above the brisket about the size of an orange. I once had a head on shot at a cow elk at 20 yards, I was using a 55 lb long bow with cedar arrows, the arrow entered that soft spot, went 3/4 of the way in, elk went about 50 yards and expired, found the shaft end of the arrow embedded in the inside back hind quarter, to this day not sure how that cedar shaft traveled the whole length on the body though.

I would say it is a risky shot and would result in more wounded animals. I probably wouldn't take the shot again but at the time it felt like the right and only chance on that elk. I guess my advise would be if it feels right take the shot.

[iRem]

I misread the post and have no experience shooting an animal 3 yards. Hence the lack of any poop in my hunting pants so far.

  I never said anything about the lack of poop in my pants, let me tell ya! 

LOL

[wildmanoutdoors]

At 9 feet Id be inclined to take that shot!

At what point would you decide to let it pass?

It would defiantly depend on the situation. If it had no idea I was there and I was ready to squeeze the trigger and already aimed, Id probably go 20 feet anyway. I had one 2 years ago at 30 or so yards facing straight not alerted and I passed. But 30 was an estimate and no way could I have ranged exactly without it being alerted. Then the cows started barking...

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

That is opening a whole can of worms there.....
I took a deer one time with a shot like that, the deer jumped straight up in the air, flipped over and landed on its back. All you could see were hooves in the air.
At the time I was a little more foolish than I am now, and using a 70# compound on a little Blacktail....
I doubt that I would try it on an Elk, too many things could go wrong.
I passed up that shot on a cow year before last, she was 6 yards, but looking right at me, I tend to overthink my shots now, and let a lot of animals walk away because I am unconfortable with what I feel is going to happen upon release. I often kick myself later for not shooting, but feel better about it than if I had shot, and lost the animal.

[Snapshot]

I think there is a risk of wounding the elk from nine feet given that the spot the arrow must enter is the size of an apple. If the elk were completely calm and unaware of any danger, and if the hunter were experienced enough to a) have his/her nerves under control, and b) regularly practised shooting distances of ten to fifteen feet then they might be able to pull it off. But being just an inch off the mark makes for a wounded elk that could go for miles and miles and miles. I don't think I could bring myself to attempt it.

[OlympicElkJunkie]

Personally I would typically pass on it that shot. For me there are three reasons:
1. I don't practice a 3 yard shot much
2. I am confident I can get at least a quartering away shot (obviously no guarantee, but I've got lots of patience)
3. I haven't studied the anatomy of that shot enough to be confident in it with an arrow.

Obviously #1 and #3 can be dealt with but unless I have I'm just not comfortable taking it. I have seen this shot made and done so in a way just as lethal as any broadside shot so I know it is a feasible shot.
 

[DoubleJ]

I've watched my dad twice over the years have an elk head on with him and he was unnoticed.  He ducked a little lower in the brush, picked up a rock and chucked it out about 30 feet to the side of the elk, and i'll be damned if both times those elk turned 90 degrees and gave him a broadside shot.

[WA hunter14]

what do you mean, your dad had an elk head on with him?