Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Jonathan_S on July 22, 2013, 09:40:34 AM

Title: Drop Down
Post by: Jonathan_S on July 22, 2013, 09:40:34 AM: Looking for input here elk hunters,
When deer are shot at with a bow, I understand that at 30-40 yards, the shound and movement of a bow causes them to react and drop 10-15". It sounds like anything below that range and there isn't much time for them to react.

Is this expected with elk or are they slower than deer in their reflex? Also since elk are not as sensitive to sound is it even a factor?

Thoughts from those who have taken en elk with archery equipment?
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: Button Nubbs on July 22, 2013, 10:01:09 AM: Under 20 yards they don't move. All elk I've shot have been under that.
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: Jonathan_S on July 22, 2013, 10:21:02 AM: Under 20 sounds good :tup: I suppose if I get a bull in early archery, it will be close
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: smartazz171 on July 22, 2013, 10:57:04 AM: Complicated question. If the elk is not on edge or aware of your presence, they don't jump like deer.They just aren't as high strung and sensitive to sound. BUT, If the bull is on edge and looking right at you? Damn right he'll drop 15+ inches (longer legs). I was 12 yards from a bull 4 years ago and he caught the end of my draw right as he cleared a tree. He froze mid step, stared me down, I aimed perfect in the middle of the bread basket. At the shot he took off, couldn't find the arrow so waited 30 min before going to pursue. couldn't find any blood so I went to set my pack down behind some trees and found my arrow; not a drop of blood. I said There is no way I missed unless something is wrong with the bow. I shot a stump and was dead on. I had a cam on my head recording the hunt, so I went back to camp and rewound the video. Right as I released he loaded his legs and the arrow skimmed his back. I had never heard of an elk doing that before. Point was if an elk is alert and staring at you, aim low assuming he will drop. If he doesn't drop you'll still hit the heart. but if he does you'll still be good. my :twocents: If they aren't on edge, don't worry about it.
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: Jonathan_S on July 22, 2013, 11:57:15 AM: Complicated question indeed. Thank you very much, excellent answer and it pretty well confirmed what I thought. Sorry to hear about the bull though.
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: smartazz171 on July 22, 2013, 02:13:12 PM: Quote from: Jonathan_S on July 22, 2013, 11:57:15 AM
Sorry to hear about the bull though.

Lol yeah me too! I'm glad I didn't injury him though, clean miss :tup:
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: erk444 on July 22, 2013, 08:41:23 PM: Quote from: Jonathan_S on July 22, 2013, 09:40:34 AM
Looking for input here elk hunters,
When deer are shot at with a bow, I understand that at 30-40 yards, the shound and movement of a bow causes them to react and drop 10-15". It sounds like anything below that range and there isn't much time for them to react.

Is this expected with elk or are they slower than deer in their reflex? Also since elk are not as sensitive to sound is it even a factor?

Thoughts from those who have taken en elk with archery equipment?
30 to 40 :yike: Ive seen deer on video drop enough for the arrow to go over their back at less then 20!
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: Bucks2Ducks on July 23, 2013, 07:22:19 AM: I agree with the fact of elk being alert to you and dropping. I always wait untill they are in a relaxed state now when I shoot. Sometimes it has meant sitting at full draw for a full minute. One thing I have noticed though is if they don't see any movement from you they will generally go back to browsing within about 30 seconds, if your calling and they have pin pointed your location it may get a little more difficult.
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: snarkybull on July 23, 2013, 05:44:03 PM: most of the elk i've shot have watched me shoot them. closest 18 yards. longest 53 yards. not a very quiet bow, either. no worries here about them jumping the string.

typically elk will look and freeze when they hear something.
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: muleskinner509 on July 24, 2013, 12:09:57 AM: I agree with smartazz, lf they are looking at you and on alert they will often react before your you arrow reaches its target.
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: RadSav on July 24, 2013, 12:32:40 AM: Quote from: erk444 on July 22, 2013, 08:41:23 PM
30 to 40 :yike: Ive seen deer on video drop enough for the arrow to go over their back at less then 20!

For sure close is worst. After about 40 yards I see less of the quick flight response on deer. Often times in Texas we miss them low at longer ranges because they do not drop at all.

I should have some video soon of my buddy Del's record book Coues dropping out of a shot at 18 yards. Dumb buck followed does back into his blind later that same day at longer range and Del aced him holding dead center heart.

I have never seen an elk react to a bow shot fast enough to escape an arrow. Most of the time they stand there and take the arrow before I see a response. Same goes for muledeer. So on those two animals I never aim any place other than where I want the arrow to hit. On whitetail I always aim a little low of where I want unless I'm pushing the range a little then I once again aim top third of heart.
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: et1702 on July 24, 2013, 08:20:02 AM: All the elk I've shot have not reacted until the arrow passed right thru them. Most haven't been aware that I was there. But, a couple of them were staring at me (i.e., caught movement when I drew my bow).

ET
Title: Re: Drop Down
Post by: MIKEXRAY on July 24, 2013, 12:18:32 PM: I have had the same reaction as stated, elk don't seem to drop. Mike