Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: sebek556 on December 09, 2013, 08:34:04 PM
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The elk poll brought out this idea. This year I had a argument with my dad over wither or no I could kill a deer by shooting it in the head with my bow set up. I thought the arrow would break on impact to the skull losing kinetic energy. He thought it would smash threw and kill the deer. No I did not/will not take this shot on a live deer, to many variables. But for the sake of ending the argument when he took his 4x4 this year we set the head out after skinning and tested the shot. At 20 yards, I was wrong, not only did it bust through on the first shot but it passed threw! It did crack the arrow at the insert. Thinking this was a fluke I tried it again on my buck, and same results! Now I would like to test a elk. I still say this is a unsafe hunting shot, small target area and its the first thing that moves. But for testing sake I would like to give it a go. So if anyone has a freshish cow elk head complete in the area that they are no using I would like to test. Or do you guys think that a cow, as in moo would be a good stand in?
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You will get the same results...stop wasting arrows. Face it, your dad was right. :chuckle:
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But I like to prove him wrong... :chuckle: :chuckle: I was thinking the elk skull would be thicker... :dunno: have a pig I'd love to test this on as well, but then the wife would be very mad at me :bdid:
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Geez I thought you were looking to make some soup.....
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Even with field points it'll bust through a pig.
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Dads right........
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Speaking from experience snowpack? :chuckle:
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Speaking from experience snowpack? :chuckle:
I think the only thing we wouldn't shoot were cow skulls because those were highly sought for roping.
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An arrow will go thru an elk skull. The kenetic energy will be the driving force. I have shot an elk in the head trying a finishing shot when I was alot younger. The problem is you do not always get the right angle . Too often the arrow goes right in, but under the brain.Not a good feeling when your elk runs away with an arrow thru its head. I have been involved in recovering wounded elk on 4 different occassions that were shot in the head. All had the arrow under the brain. Broadside is not good either, The antler bases are thick and protrude too far down into the skull. I shot the elk from the side 35 years ago. I was using an 85 lb bow with a 600 grain arrow. NO PENETRATION. Stuck in an inch and broke off.
If you are thinking about head shots use a rifle. Too much bad press out there already for bow hunters.
It will penetrate but not a high percentage for a lethal shot on either species
