Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: unluckyjohn on March 22, 2013, 05:48:38 AM

Title: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: unluckyjohn on March 22, 2013, 05:48:38 AM: Just got done watching for the last time "brotherhood outdoors" on sportsman channel . The host shot an elk laying in his bed. He was bow hunting, is that an ok practice with bow hunters? I grew up that you dont shoot ducks on the water or big game in their beds. (if the duck cant fly, winged or finishing shot to big game is ethical)
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: h20hunter on March 22, 2013, 06:05:39 AM: As far as big game....not the ideal body position and i would rather wait if possible for a standing broadside but i dont have a problem with it. Might even be harder to sneak that close when they are bedded and alert than say while they are feeding.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: boneaddict on March 22, 2013, 06:16:08 AM: I have killed two bucks in their beds, and have never thought it unethical though its a tough shot. I stalked up to a whitetail buck laying in its bed to within less than 20 yards and put one in its throat. He flipped and flopped but never got up. He was "staring" or facing my direction. It took hours of stalking in. I was impressed with myself and have always been proud of that stalk. I HAVE NEVER sleuced a duck or shot a Turkey out of the tree. Those are my limits.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: coachcw on March 22, 2013, 06:32:34 AM: I've done it , you gotta watch the knee getting tucked back . with a lil angle and a low impact it's fine . often when an animal gets up they bolt strait away leaving no shot . I'd also say limit the distance to under twenty yards . What's wrong with poping a turkey outta a tree ? lol.

/
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: D-Rock425 on March 22, 2013, 08:10:49 AM: I have no problem with shooting big game in their beds.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: grundy53 on March 22, 2013, 08:13:06 AM: I have no problem shooting a big game animal out of it's bed. As far as I am concerned there is nothing unethical about it... :twocents:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: combs338 on March 22, 2013, 08:25:33 AM: Quote from: grundy53 on March 22, 2013, 08:13:06 AM
I have no problem shooting a big game animal out of it's bed. As far as I am concerned there is nothing unethical about it... :twocents:

:yeah:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: headshot5 on March 22, 2013, 08:26:58 AM: I consider it an accomplishment, big game animals pick there beds so they can have wind and visibility both to their advantage. If you can harvest a big game animal from his/her bed without them knowing you are there, you have reached the pinnacle of hunting prowess in my mind. Especially, if you can get under 50 yards from them. Being able to repeatedly accomplish it, means you understand the animal/species you are hunting.

Disclaimer: I hunt the westside in the thick and nasty reprod jungle, so shooting something in their bed generally puts me under 30 yards. Also note a solo bedded animal IMO is harder to approach than a group/herd.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: HornHoarder on March 22, 2013, 08:33:43 AM: :yeah: Thats how I feel too. Nothing unethical about it.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: Broken Arrow on March 22, 2013, 08:35:42 AM: Two of the best and longest stocks ( as in time) that I am most proud of have resulted in "bedding shots". Think its a total accomplishment for big game animals....not so with birds.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: Fishstiq on March 22, 2013, 08:47:01 AM: I would never shoot an animal that was taking a dump. I would shoot them after they finish.

I would never shoot an animal while it's getting a little sweet luvvin'. I will shoot them once it's over.

I would never shoot an animal that was birthing/clearly pregnant/nursing young, though I think that should go without saying.

Other than those rules, I think it's pretty much game on. Did I miss anything? :dunno:

Edit*- in regards to big game only.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: NoImpactNoIdea on March 22, 2013, 08:52:23 AM: Quote from: HornHoarder on March 22, 2013, 08:33:43 AM
:yeah: Thats how I feel too. Nothing unethical about it.

I tend to lean towards this...
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on March 22, 2013, 08:56:34 AM: Nothing unethical about it IMHO. However for me I have a hard time picking the right spot when they are down, So I often wait for a standing shot. I have shot several standing in their bed, one cow bedded and one muley buck bedded. The muley actually took 2 arrows, although the first was a lethal hit, it would have been a very difficult tracking job, I was lucky to get another arrow in him.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: dreamunelk on March 22, 2013, 09:01:53 AM: So long as he was able to get a kill shot I have no issues.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: boneaddict on March 22, 2013, 09:03:04 AM: Quote from: Fishstiq on March 22, 2013, 08:47:01 AM
I would never shoot an animal that was taking a dump. I would shoot them after they finish.

I would never shoot an animal while it's getting a little sweet luvvin'. I will shoot them once it's over.

I would never shoot an animal that was birthing/clearly pregnant/nursing young, though I think that should go without saying.

Other than those rules, I think it's pretty much game on. Did I miss anything? :dunno:

Edit*- in regards to big game only.

I might include eating out of a feeder or bait, though that can spark some real debate on here as well. Its just not something I would do.

High fenced hunt, unless it was for freezer only such as possibly a bison if I was to go look for a freezer full of meat. I would not consider it sport.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: D-Rock425 on March 22, 2013, 09:04:38 AM: I'd shoot one dropping a dues.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: Atroxus on March 22, 2013, 09:21:06 AM: Quote from: Fishstiq on March 22, 2013, 08:47:01 AM
I would never shoot an animal that was taking a dump. I would shoot them after they finish.

I would never shoot an animal while it's getting a little sweet luvvin'. I will shoot them once it's over.

I would never shoot an animal that was birthing/clearly pregnant/nursing young, though I think that should go without saying.

Other than those rules, I think it's pretty much game on. Did I miss anything? :dunno:

Edit*- in regards to big game only.

I agree with most of the above. I would probably shoot a deer that was dropping a deuce though.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: huntingfool7 on March 22, 2013, 10:57:14 AM: Quote from: headshot5 on March 22, 2013, 08:26:58 AM
I consider it an accomplishment, big game animals pick there beds so they can have wind and visibility both to their advantage. If you can harvest a big game animal from his/her bed without them knowing you are there, you have reached the pinnacle of hunting prowess in my mind. Especially, if you can get under 50 yards from them. Being able to repeatedly accomplish it, means you understand the animal/species you are hunting.

Disclaimer: I hunt the westside in the thick and nasty reprod jungle, so shooting something in their bed generally puts me under 30 yards. Also note a solo bedded animal IMO is harder to approach than a group/herd.
Exactly how I view it!!!
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: Huntboy on March 22, 2013, 11:06:09 AM: Quote from: grundy53 on March 22, 2013, 08:13:06 AM
I have no problem shooting a big game animal out of it's bed. As far as I am concerned there is nothing unethical about it... :twocents:

:yeah:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: alwinearcher on March 22, 2013, 11:23:48 AM: I see nothing unethical about shooting big game animals in their bed...
I actually shot a bedded bull a couple years back with my bow.. That hunt also aired on Sportsman channel and I was surprised to get a couple emails questioning my ethics for shooting a animal in its bed. I still see no reason not to though. :twocents:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: vandeman17 on March 22, 2013, 11:59:31 AM: Although I have never done it, I have no problem shooting a big game animal in its bed as long as I was 100% confident it shot availability and placement. I would have to be under 20 yards where I can hit a baseball to do it. As for ducks, I am a little different. I won't shoot a duck on the water that surprised me and just landed or something but I have shot a few that I worked and worked and worked and ended up coming in hot over my decoys and behind my jerk cord. Just as they landed I let them have it and am ok with that because sometimes I think it is harder to get birds to fully decoy then just pass shoot them. :twocents:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: asl20bball on March 22, 2013, 12:03:22 PM: agree...nothing wrong with shooting deer/elk in their bed as long as you have aclean shot to the vitals.

However, don't shoot a buck/bull during the rut when he's "servicing" a doe/cow...let the guy finish for pete's sake. Besides, there could be a future buck/bull in the making. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: WSU on March 22, 2013, 12:06:24 PM: Nothing wrong with it. I shot whitetail buck in its bed once. I managed to stock within about ten yards of it bedded along a creek. To me, that is more of an accomplishment than shooting one out in the open while feeding, after it was pushed, or whatever.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 22, 2013, 12:10:07 PM: I have never had a problem with it.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: PolarBear on March 22, 2013, 12:15:42 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on March 22, 2013, 09:03:04 AM
Quote from: Fishstiq on March 22, 2013, 08:47:01 AM
I would never shoot an animal that was taking a dump. I would shoot them after they finish.

I would never shoot an animal while it's getting a little sweet luvvin'. I will shoot them once it's over.

I would never shoot an animal that was birthing/clearly pregnant/nursing young, though I think that should go without saying.

Other than those rules, I think it's pretty much game on. Did I miss anything? :dunno:

Edit*- in regards to big game only.

I might include eating out of a feeder or bait, though that can spark some real debate on here as well. Its just not something I would do.

High fenced hunt, unless it was for freezer only such as possibly a bison if I was to go look for a freezer full of meat. I would not consider it sport.

:yeah:

I have always made the buck stand up before I shot it but that is because I was within 15 feet and didn't like the angle.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: Special T on March 22, 2013, 12:52:59 PM: I don't have a problem with shooting beded elk/deer and i don't have a problem shooting ducks sitting on the water. I do think that in both cases it is easier to get a clean kill if you hit them good standing or with wings out stretched.

I would guess that some of those "ethics" have to do with making good clean kills. :twocents:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: JLS on March 22, 2013, 01:00:19 PM: I don't really care what the animal is doing, so long as it is unaware of my presence. The caveat to this is archery hunting, a bedded shot is a very low percentage shot under most circumstances. I have taken it one time, on a cow elk that I had hit the night before. There was a very narrow target window, and I had to put the arrow through the near scapula. She died within seconds, but I wouldn't take that shot unless I absolutely had to.

I've swatted a few ducks on the water on slow days and didn't lose any sleep over it. Upland on the ground is a no no so I don't shoot my dog. It's funny though, I've watched chukars frustrate the most puritanistic wingshooters into a grade A Arkansas wingshooter.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on March 22, 2013, 01:09:35 PM: Gettem where you gettem!
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: 724wd on March 22, 2013, 02:27:18 PM: BANG!!! Sorry, what did you say? Let 'em stand up?! WHY?! :mgun:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on March 22, 2013, 02:33:31 PM: I've shot several deer, elk and antelope in their beds rifle hunting, and like that shot. I do not like it for archery, but solely due to the small target, if you have a good percentage shot on a bedded animal, great.

As for chukars: run like a rabbit, die like a rabbit. That's all I'm saying.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: bobcat on March 22, 2013, 06:44:01 PM: An elk in it's bed that doesn't have a clue I'm there? I can't think of a more ethical shot (with a rifle.) It's much better than an running full bore through the timber. The goal is to kill with only one shot and as quickly as possible. It its in its bed, it probably won't even get up after the shot. Doesn't get any better than that.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on March 22, 2013, 06:56:12 PM: I would pick up a rock and throw it so he jumps up ...then let him run for about 300 yards and then put one in his neck :yike: :hello: No ...seriously I would take that shot any day as long as I had a clear shot of his neck or vitals ...I prefer neck shots when I can make them :tup:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: JLS on March 22, 2013, 07:11:12 PM: Quote from: DOUBLELUNG on March 22, 2013, 02:33:31 PM
As for chukars: run like a rabbit, die like a rabbit. That's all I'm saying.

:chuckle: :chuckle:

Redlegs and I have a gentleman's agreement that there will be NOOOOO Arkansas wingshooting from me :tung:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: rb2506 on March 22, 2013, 07:27:51 PM: One of my favorite stalks, my buddy sneaks into forty yards wind blowing crazy, 4x4 sleeping with his head down and half dozen does bedded with him. Takes a doe with a head shot, the buck lifts it's head and smack one to the neck. Two dead deer. On video to boot 8)

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Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on March 22, 2013, 07:30:49 PM: Quote from: rb2506 on March 22, 2013, 07:27:51 PM
One of my favorite stalks, my buddy sneaks into forty yards wind blowing crazy, 4x4 sleeping with his head down and half dozen does bedded with him. Takes a doe with a head shot, the buck lifts it's head and smack one to the neck. Two dead deer. On video to boot 8)

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Well....this would be a good night for a video :dunno: :tup:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: sakoshooter on March 22, 2013, 07:41:28 PM: No problem shooting an animal in it's bed. Damn good stalk to get that close first of all.
The only thing many probably don't know is how low the vitals are on a bedded buck/bull. Everything is squashed against the ground with the chest wider and not as tall.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on March 22, 2013, 07:42:11 PM: Gots my popcorn and beverage all ready for the video! Lets see it! :tup:
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: rb2506 on March 22, 2013, 07:47:24 PM: I will work on the video, don't let the popcorn get cold though

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Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: unluckyjohn on March 23, 2013, 06:03:18 AM: Good points from most. I do support our freedoms to hunt and make our own choices on what we believe to be correct. Some did really get me thinking
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: dreamingbig on March 23, 2013, 07:34:13 AM: I would have no problem doing it but it is a tougher shot than if they are standing. Aim small, miss small.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: Ghost Hunter on March 23, 2013, 08:13:30 AM: Quote from: bobcat on March 22, 2013, 06:44:01 PM
An elk in it's bed that doesn't have a clue I'm there? I can't think of a more ethical shot (with a rifle.) It's much better than an running full bore through the timber. The goal is to kill with only one shot and as quickly as possible. It its in its bed, it probably won't even get up after the shot. Doesn't get any better than that.

:yeah: Killed my sleeping bull last year with cows all around him. I considered it an accomplishment sneaking up on the herd on open hillside. I was within 30 yards of cows and 60 yards of the bull.
Title: Re: Shooting elk in its bed
Post by: dawn2dusk on March 23, 2013, 08:19:35 AM: As long as its a good clean shot at the sweet spot I'm all for it! :tup: