Frontal Shots

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Elk nut is the man. I've lost a bull broadside and hit a little high too. All depends on the shooter!

[Doublelunger]

That shot without the branch in the way was tough...combined with the branch it was damn lucky in my opinion.  Unless of course you consider that you're shooting a bowtech, then that shot is run of the mill.

[JPhelps]

That branch wasn't supposed to get in the way.  I think the wind gusted to 40 and it just blew in my window.     All joking aside I checked the 20 pin against the limbs and It looked like a clean window.  So I will agree that there was some luck that when I hit it that it didn't deflect.

[bucklucky]

Well hell, if elknut says its a good shot guess I wont be passing anymore frontals anymore .... look out bulls  Just foolin Paul!!

[Elknut1]

Charlie, no sweat man! (grin) You know as well as I do that it's not one for everyone, it's not a decision to be made in the trenches, it has to be one where you know for a fact you can do it because of research on elk anatomy & the confidence you can put the arrow where he lives, this is no last second decision that ones ponder over & experiment with & hope for the best! If not sure on that shot or any shot then guys don't take it, those iffy shots rarely turn out for the good!

  ElkNut1

[throttlejocky20]

Had that shot at a cow a few years ago and took it. The outcome was bad choice I will never do it again. It is doable but not worth the risk for me.

[nwhunter]

Lots of good opinions here on frontal shots. Like has been said any shot if the animal moves can turn into a nightmare so the closer the better. I had a great broadside shot turn into a nightmare once too. On Rockies next Bugling Bull video my brothers hunt will be on it and you can see just how devistating a frontal shot can be. A bloodtrail a blind guy could follow and the only reason he made it a 100 yards was he got going downhill and his momentum carried him even while he was dead on his feet. If a guy isnt comfortable with the shot its awesome to have the self discipline to pass it up regardless especially in the heat of the moment. Good topic  nwhunter

[Bearhunter]

15yards or less and even that is not a gimmie.... To many variables during the heat of the moment to be a gimme... Last bull with my bow was at about 7 yards full frontal went 40yards and expired.  But to add to that I have also lost one bull over the years and that was from a 5 yard frontal with some small limbs in the way and that was back when I competed in lots of 3d shoots and was a very profecent shot, its a low precentage shot period....

[blackveltbowhunter]

15yards or less and even that is not a gimmie.... To many variables during the heat of the moment to be a gimme... Last bull with my bow was at about 7 yards full frontal went 40yards and expired.  But to add to that I have also lost one bull over the years and that was from a 5 yard frontal with some small limbs in the way and that was back when I competed in lots of 3d shoots and was a very profecent shot, its a low precentage shot period....

  I think you summed it up pretty well... till the end. If you felt its a low percentage shot, why did you take it on your last bow bull?  Maybe im reading into your post if so I apologize.

  I dont feel the shot in and of itself is a low percentage shot. The circumstance surrounding it can be. Also a low percentage shot for one archer may be a high percentage shot for another. Nothing in the real world of hunting will ever be 100 percent. That is the only given. I have taken the shot 4 times.... 3 resulted in dramatic kill. The 4th I wounded the bull....Not becaused I took a frontal shot but because I broke my own personal rule and shot when an elk was moving. I hit way outside glancing off the shoulder.. with minimal penetration. We called the bull in again several days later.... yes I was very ashamed, fortunate and lucky.
    Will I take a frontal again? Yes. Will the elk be moving? No
   
   

[AKBowman]

Thats a great question Jason...if you asked me last year this time I would say yes, within 35 yards I would take that shot based off of 1: my past experiences of my gear performing on pentrating game and 2: my level of practice and confidence at the time 3: my skills and ability at tracking wounded game.

As of today I would not take that shot, I would limit the shot to 20 yards for my self. That being said I would take the shot but reduce my yardage to 20 so...yes I would take the frontal shot just not the shot in the vid b/c of the yardage and my lack of confidence right now. Its hard to argue the effectiveness of a well placed frontal shot.

I missed a 30 yard shot last year but had to shoot through a hole the size of two grapefruits about 5 yards in front of the bull. I really thought I could make the shot and its a shot i practice, for some reason in the heat of the moment I didnt even come close and hit a log about 10 yards in front of me and my arrow's flight terminated right there. Later in the year with my confidence wavering I tried to make a perfect 12 yard heart shot on a broaddside decent 3X3 w/ eyeguards BT and missed my spot by 3 inches taking hair off of his chest. I retreived my arrow, placed a small 1" leaf where the buck had been standing, climbed back into my stand and stuck a broadhead through the leaf.

I was as low as low can get and until I make a good shot in the pressure of the moment I wont take anything but a classic broadside under 35yds. Just my feelings right now.

[throttlejocky20]

Thats a great question Jason...if you asked me last year this time I would say yes, within 35 yards I would take that shot based off of 1: my past experiences of my gear performing on pentrating game and 2: my level of practice and confidence at the time 3: my skills and ability at tracking wounded game.

As of today I would not take that shot, I would limit the shot to 20 yards for my self. That being said I would take the shot but reduce my yardage to 20 so...yes I would take the frontal shot just not the shot in the vid b/c of the yardage and my lack of confidence right now. Its hard to argue the effectiveness of a well placed frontal shot.

I missed a 30 yard shot last year but had to shoot through a hole the size of two grapefruits about 5 yards in front of the bull. I really thought I could make the shot and its a shot i practice, for some reason in the heat of the moment I didnt even come close and hit a log about 10 yards in front of me and my arrow's flight terminated right there. Later in the year with my confidence wavering I tried to make a perfect 12 yard heart shot on a broaddside decent 3X3 w/ eyeguards BT and missed my spot by 3 inches taking hair off of his chest. I retreived my arrow, placed a small 1" leaf where the buck had been standing, climbed back into my stand and stuck a broadhead through the leaf.

I was as low as low can get and until I make a good shot in the pressure of the moment I wont take anything but a classic broadside under 35yds. Just my feelings right now.

I believe alot of people think that because they can make a shot on the range they can repeat it in the field. I practice alot and take alot of shots on the range I wouldn't in the field even knowing I have made a similiar shot 1000 times. To many other variables in the field to get cocky 

[AKBowman]

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.


Thats basically what happened to me with the dead stump. It was about 6" in diameter and busted off clean about 2' off the ground. I never saw it, the shot felt good then SMACK as soon as I released I look up and see my arrow sticking in a log about 10 yards in front of my. I remember thinking "how did that happen, Ive practiced this shot". In the pressure cooker of having a bugling bull in my face I get tunnell vision and need to learn to relax and realize my surrounding a bit better. This makes me realize I need a to settle for nothing but a higher percentage shot until I get a couple Elk under my belt.

[Johnb317]

Have to also practice with all your gear on.    I wear a face mask when hunting so at times I practice with it on.  Anchor point feels just a hair different,  also practice shooting sitting down etc.   
Even with all that I'd be hard presses to take a frontal shot, doesn't mean I won't study it and have it my quiver so to speak.   I always said I wouldn't shoot at a moving animal, but last September he was walking slowly and the shot was slightly under 5 yards.    Still enjoying the meat in the freezer. 

[AKBowman]

Thats a great question Jason...if you asked me last year this time I would say yes, within 35 yards I would take that shot based off of 1: my past experiences of my gear performing on pentrating game and 2: my level of practice and confidence at the time 3: my skills and ability at tracking wounded game.

As of today I would not take that shot, I would limit the shot to 20 yards for my self. That being said I would take the shot but reduce my yardage to 20 so...yes I would take the frontal shot just not the shot in the vid b/c of the yardage and my lack of confidence right now. Its hard to argue the effectiveness of a well placed frontal shot.

I missed a 30 yard shot last year but had to shoot through a hole the size of two grapefruits about 5 yards in front of the bull. I really thought I could make the shot and its a shot i practice, for some reason in the heat of the moment I didnt even come close and hit a log about 10 yards in front of me and my arrow's flight terminated right there. Later in the year with my confidence wavering I tried to make a perfect 12 yard heart shot on a broaddside decent 3X3 w/ eyeguards BT and missed my spot by 3 inches taking hair off of his chest. I retreived my arrow, placed a small 1" leaf where the buck had been standing, climbed back into my stand and stuck a broadhead through the leaf.

I was as low as low can get and until I make a good shot in the pressure of the moment I wont take anything but a classic broadside under 35yds. Just my feelings right now.

I believe alot of people think that because they can make a shot on the range they can repeat it in the field. I practice alot and take alot of shots on the range I wouldn't in the field even knowing I have made a similiar shot 1000 times. To many other variables in the field to get cocky 

Yeah I agree, experience is invaluable. But without getting out there and putting yourself in pressure situations there no other way to gain the experience. I guess theres no way to say your decision was a good one regardless of the percentages, its just a feeling ("green light" if you will) that happens in the heat of the situation.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Elk nut is the man. I've lost a bull broadside and hit a little high too. All depends on the shooter!