Frontal Shots? (Archery)

[WDFW-SUX]

I though this would be a good topic....Has anyone ever taken a frontal shot on an elk? Did it work out or did you lose the bull inquiring minds want to know?

[archery288]

I would never take that shot.   But, I have seen several shows on tv that guys do it and it works out fine.  One of my buddies took that shot at 8 yards on a big bull and it ran 30 yards and pilled up.  So I guess it works but I just don't feel comfortable taking it...

[Gobble]

To take that shot you have to be real coinfident in your ability to make it. The window is small and the downside if you miss slightly are huge. I would take it in the right situation because I have coinfidence in my abilities

[bucklucky]

I killed my first elk with a frontal quartering shot into the heart,. A couple years ago I had a bull come in the same way, was absolutely confident in my ability and felt very comftorbal taking that shot. NEVER EVER, EVER,EVER will I take a frontal shot again. 8 hours of traking and no bull. 12 yards was the distance . The bull ran about 35 yards and stopped , stood there for 40 minutes bleading with his head down. Vine maple was between me and the bull and the celial was up to my chest so moving around the vine maple wasnt an option. The wind swirlled and he cought my scent and walked off. Got over to where he was standing and it was like you dumped a 5 gallon bucket of blood. Gave him another 40 minutes , then it started pooring rain had no choice but to start after him or loose the blood. He went across ridges , up near verticle hills , and through a swamp before he quit bleeding. Bled good to start but peetered off quick. I think the arrow glanced off the ribs and went between the shoulder and ribcage. Lesson learned.......the hard way.

[vanhornhunter]

Never killed a elk like that but did ace a balcktail doe at about 30 yards.She went about 40 yards and bled out all her blood.Found the arrow near the hind quarters lodged in the spin almost cut myself when I gutted her.

[bullchaser]

I once shot a beautiful buck facing me @ 20 yards drilled him right were i was aiming. he went 600 yrds and i eventually lost him after following pin drops for two days. I would never do it again. I have learned through experiance (the hard way) it is not a quality shot and should not be taken. I feel our animals are to valuable to take that gamble just because it works out sometimes.

[MagKarl]

Bucklucky/Bullchaser - Thanks for posting that you took that shot and lost an animal.  Not a lot of folks are willing to admit that they've ever lost an animal.  It happens, even on the best of shot opportunities.

[tlbradford]

Thanks for posting.  I have never taken that shot on an animal, but would have at those distances given the oppurtunity.  After reading those posts, I will probably reconsider.

[WDFW-SUX]

I've probably had 20 bulls within 50 yards that presented a frontal shot and I have never taken one.  I probably would if it was 5 yards though

[viper55]

I have seen it work on a deer but I would never take the shot myself. First I have to have an elk close enough for me to shoot.

[MIKEXRAY]

Never.

[addicted]

i was taught that they would just bleed out on the inside and we wouldnt be able to track em  

[boneaddict]

I've done it on a whitetail at 8 or 10 yards.  WOULD NEVER do it with an elk.

[Broken Arrow]

Not sure I would ever take that shot with an elk, they are to tough....though I have had opportunities...I just wait for them to turn. However, with that said I have taken 2 shots on deer like that. The first was my very first archery deer. It was 20 yards....and I will never forget it. It was like someone turned on a garden house out of the brisket area.....blood was pumping out 4-5 feet....deer went maybe 30 feet and died. The second was one of the strangest things i have ever seen. I shot a whitetail buck at the top of a hill......as I was cresting.....and he was 7 yards away....it was so quick.....he popped his head up and all i had was a neck and head....i put my 20 yard pin right under his jaw...squeezed the release and he disappeared. I walked over and he was laying prone, with all 4 legs stiff in the air and the arrow went up his nose and stuck in the back of his skull....i just stared in disbelief....think he was paralyzed...so i stuck him in the jugular with my knife and he bled out.

[addicted]

Not sure I would ever take that shot with an elk, they are to tough....though I have had opportunities...I just wait for them to turn. However, with that said I have taken 2 shots on deer like that. The first was my very first archery deer. It was 20 yards....and I will never forget it. It was like someone turned on a garden house out of the brisket area.....blood was pumping out 4-5 feet....deer went maybe 30 feet and died. The second was one of the strangest things i have ever seen. I shot a whitetail buck at the top of a hill......as I was cresting.....and he was 7 yards away....it was so quick.....he popped his head up and all i had was a neck and head....i put my 20 yard pin right under his jaw...squeezed the release and he disappeared. I walked over and he was laying prone, with all 4 legs stiff in the air and the arrow went up his nose and stuck in the back of his skull....i just stared in disbelief....think he was paralyzed...so i stuck him in the jugular with my knife and he bled out.

dang. you got pics of that?