Frontal Shots

[JPhelps]

What is your opinion on this shot?

In Episode 2 of Primetime Outdoors Archery Roosevelt Elk hunt I took this shot at 31 yds.  There was a little discussion over the shot.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=95483.0

Here is some info on elk vitals: http://www.idahostatebowhunters.org/elkshotplacement%201.pdf
They do not recommend the frontal shot.

If you will take it do you have any set distance limitations?

I personally have never taken the shot before.  I have done a ton of reading on the shot and where to aim and what your confidence should be before taking the shot.  You have a very small window to take out the vitals.  I had been practicing every other day and knew at 31 yds I would hit within an inch of where I was aiming (I used my inch to the left).

PROS:
Extremely effective

CONS:
Small Window
Lack of blood due to thick hair

Let's hear what you think.  Lets make this an educational post and avoid arguing.

[carpsniperg2]

I first elk was almost a perfect strait on shot only the smallest of turn to the right. I hit the money shot and the elk went about 10 yards before dropping in a dead run. It is a small % shot that can go bad. I have no problem shooting those shots. They are not for everyone. I practice a ton and feel very solid with all my equipment. So 9/10 times I would take that shot under 40 yards. My gear has the killing power to make it work and I should always be able to hit that money spot for a quick clean kill. That first elk of mine was 36yards on the shot.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I passed on a very similar shot last season, and still wonder...
But, then I would pass again, but that is just me, and why you harvested an animal, and the only one I shot was at a grouse.
In my defence, I use a recurve, and my group at that distance is more like 5 inches, (or 2 and 1/2 by your guide) a little off, and 
Not worth the chance to me.
funny though, while we (my wife and I ) were watching it, we thought you took the shot because a few seconds earlier you had a great broadside, but he did not stop, we figure you were amped up, and "just did it" when you saw your next op. 
Does not really matter, an animal down, GREAT SHOT !!

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Not my preferred shot but if I was 40 yds or closer I wouldn't hesitate. You made a great shot that not just anyone can do.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I would not take it.  It's a higher risk shot and more likely to lead to a lost elk.  I always want broadside or quartered away.  Killing an elk is awesome, but losing one is heartbreaking and not worth a risk.  I want to shoot the highest percentage shots at close distances- i limit my range to 30 yards.

[bucklucky]

So here is my take, my first elk (cow) I had a quartering to me frontal and took it . placed the arrow right in front of the front leg and made a perfect heart shot. Called in a bull back in 2006, came in to 15 yards quartered too me heavily, though hell yeah 15 yards no brainer....... that little bit of mistake made my arrow hit the ribs in front and glance alont the ribs in between the shoulder and ribs. Think of it like this , look at a picket ffence from the side and you have slots that are open and 1 rib to penetrate to get to the vital, now start walking around it and the slats come together..  He went 20 yards and stood for a half hour, I couldnt move to get a shot in the celial and there was a vine maple in my way, mind changed he cought my wind and started wallking away. He left 2 monster blood spots , looked like a 5 gallon bucket was dumped. Strted pooring down rain so I had to persue , blood stopped and the bull was long gone. He was going almost verticle as I was following him up and down the mountain. Thats the last time I will take a frontal. I have passed on some bulls on the west side that most people would love to have a chance at just because of a frontal shot. Had a 360 bull in the alpine I called in in 2007 I passed on because it was a frontal shot. Just wasy too iffy of a shot In my opinion, I dont care how good of a shot a person thinks they are. I have had a ton of stoories of bulls lost because of frontal shots taken when people come in the taxidermy shop. I could have burried and arrow into the chest of a 350 bull on my hunt this year but passed ...... Not a good shot to take . With a rifle no problem. I have killed more deer with a frontal and a rifle than I can count.

[deerslyr]

  Not gunna get into a pissing match with some one who disagrees but its just a low percentage shot any way you look at it, dont matter how good of an archer you are its still a low percentage shot. I shoot everyday and still wouldnt take it. Not because I doubt my ability, but because its a low percentage shot.

[nwhunter]

I agree its a low percentage shot, alot can go wrong with not much movement of the animal before the arrow hits. For  me its a 20 yard and under shot. I passed a 370 bull that gave me a frontal 40 yard shot in 07. Last year my brother killed his bull in New Mexico with a frontal shot at 14 yards and it was a devistating kill shot, just a gusher. It s defenitely not a preferred shot but A perfect situation at 20 yards or under I probly will take it. nwhunter

[simondude]

I shot one from 7 yards in the chest and it went less then 10 yards before it died. I probably wouldn't take that shot again cause the risk is to big and I would rather not shoot an elk then shoot one and not find it.

[zackmioli]

Thanks for that link to the Idaho bowhunters guide. Had some good info and good looks at the anatomy. 

[kentrek]

ive also had the experience of shooting one in the chest and having it run 10 yards and fall over,for me it depends on the situation and how the animal is behaving,i will pass at a frontal shot if i know the animal is spooky and or is circling me to give more shot opportunities. this shot needs to be perfectly straight on(have the arrow parallel with its spine and be with a calm animal. in the video i think i woulda shot the bull sooner when he appears to be broadsideish but that is from the cameras angle and its hard to see what you were seeing.i trust ya tho 

 i really don't believe hunters have the right to call one another ethical or unethical for taking such shots, also if a person is about to kill and is worried about what other hunters think, i kinda feel they're in the woods for the wrong reasons...

[washelkhunter]

A frontal shot on an animal you want to harvest is OK in my book. the only downside is you gotta know is your not going to be able to get the heart, liver and tenderloins because of bowel contamination. But you are still capable of butchering hundreds of pounds of great meat. At 31 yds! Oh yeah it is down.

[BowBender87]

A heart shot is possible on a frontal shot..i have done it. I dont think this shot is for everyone...I just really trust the arrow penetration on my set up and practice alot for these kinds of shots. My arrow is chrono'd at 303 fps and weighs 445 grains with broadhead.  I cant remember the kinetic energy formula but i just remember it being real high.  Any way..I guess what i am getting at is if that bull is inside 30...I will take the shot head on.  Although ive only taken that shot once..i would take it again.   

[LittleJohn]

Not a shot I will take at any yardage, Too small of a window for me. Flinch, pull the shot, an unseen branch, jump the string, allot can happen that can lead to an nightmare of a day and a lost animal.
My mindset is, pass on the shot, I will have another opportunity

[JPhelps]

Great conversation.

Looking back on it I probably wouldn't take the shot again.  The part that bothers me the most is the branch I hit at about 20 yards.  I did check my 20 pin against the branch and I didn't see the branch as a potential risk.

While it appeared to be a broadside shot for the camera I had too many limbs blocking the vitals.  If you use the yellow flower as a reference it appears that when the bull turns back around he is about two feet further to the right.

In the end the bull died quickly, but I feel that too many things COULD have went wrong.  I won't say that I will never take the shot again but things will need to be PERFECT.