Shot Placement on an Elk

Insanity · May 20, 2013

Hey guy new to elk hunting I drew a nebo archery tag this year just wanted to get some of your opinions on shot placement on a bull with a bow from what I've read there are lots of conflicting opinions like whether to aim in front of the crease or behind it and stuff like that I was thinking just in an inch or 2 in front of the crease 1/3 of the way up from the bottom. Does that sound right to you guys. Anyway looking forward to your opinions and thanks in advance.

sageadvice · May 20, 2013

I heard tell that in that country, best shot placement depended if you were hunting them before, during, or after the season.

Getting one to stand there while you get your ruler out might be kinda tuff to do. Sounds like you got the idea right but i always figured finding what i wanted to shoot the tough part. Good luck!

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

mulecreek · May 21, 2013

Shot placement is not as critical as typing speed. Just make sure you at least scratch it. The bigger worry is how fast you can get back to your computer and send out a request on MM for help finding "your" bull. Work on phrases like ,"I looked for 16 hours straight", "I tracked it for 25 miles", "I had good blood but then it vanished", and most important of all "The shot may have been a little far back". If you can get these down to less than 10 seconds you are well on your way to collecting your Utah trophy.

If you are still concerned with shot placement, on a perfectly broadside shot aim for the crease mid line on the body.

kilowatt · May 21, 2013

Brian
http://i25.tinypic.com/fxbjgy.jpg[/IMG]

WapitiBob · May 21, 2013

I'm aiming in the "<"

Silentstalker · May 21, 2013

Aim about an inch forward of the crease about 1/3 of the way up. Basically right where that red dot is on the above 2 cow elk pictures. You will give yourself some leeway ahead of the liver and guts. It takes out all the plumbing coming out of the top of the heart. I have never seen an elk make it out of eye sight when hit there and I have been fortunate to shoot my share. Good luck on your hunt!

GeorgeE · May 21, 2013

>I'm aiming in the "<"
>
>

>
>

Excellent post Bob, doesn't get any better...

'Ike'

ElkManDan · May 21, 2013

I'd go back about 3 inches from where the dots are above. All those spots are great kill shots but leave little margin for error. I had a guy argue with me that those spots were exactly where to aim and how he had never lost a bull. I ended up hearing that he hit shoulder on a bull last year and wasn't able to recover it.
If you go back about 3 inches it leaves more room for margin all the way around as it centers the exposed vitals.

elkassassin · May 21, 2013

Not a chance I'm moving back 3!

Bust a Buck/Bull there with an RUM And you've got a Limb or two Disabled!

Yup,there goes a front Quarter or two!

The Dew I had for Breakfast wasn't Bad so I had one more for Dessert!

WapitiBob · May 21, 2013

Pictures courtesy of BuglinBilly, "BB".

ElkManDan · May 21, 2013

>
>Not a chance I'm moving back
>3!
>
>Bust a Buck/Bull there with an
>RUM And you've got a
>Limb or two Disabled!

>
>Yup,there goes a front Quarter or
>two!

>
>
>
>
>The Dew I had for Breakfast
>wasn't Bad so I had
>one more for Dessert!

LOL, yeah don't think the shoulder blade is going to stop the RUM!!!

wildwilderness · May 22, 2013

If you are going back of the crease you could aim a little higher. below the midline for sure but not necessarily in the botom 1/3. I have seen a few elk killed when hit a tad back and a little high. This also give you the most margin of error. The lungs are big and a little high.

right up the shoulder will definately kill and kill quickly but the chance of a complete pass through are a little less when trying to go through both shoulders.

If hit behind the crease there is a little less elk to go through and can get a pass through. Though I just upped my arrow weight another 50grs this year to better penetration.

mntman · May 22, 2013

Here we go, this will be a 100 post thread....

funny how people talk 1/2" increments on shot placement sitting at their computer when in reality 90% of people lose all that and hope for the best when it comes down to the arrow/bullet being let go...

FYI my comment not aimed towards any specific posters above.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?

prn · May 22, 2013

I'm not posted above, but I think most archers think about shot placement. 1/2 inch is a big deal at 20 yards.

elkassassin · May 22, 2013

I am Posted above!

Not worried about a 1/2" in any direction!

A 300 grain Slug,2 Busted Front Shoulders,That Buck/Bull has definately been Fatally Smacked by the RUM!

Never seen a Buck/Bull go very far at all with the Front End knocked out of him!

I have lost a few front Quarters in my day!

Ya,You might say there's a little Damage!

The Dew I had for Breakfast wasn't Bad so I had one more for Dessert!

JREDBUCK · May 23, 2013

What about those best of the west boys and their shot placement.

Phantom Hunter · May 23, 2013

From the shows I have seen the Best of the West and similar shows always try for a high shoulder shot that drops the animal on camera. They are not always successful. There is a reason long-range shots are difficult. The shoulder shot also waste a lot of meat even on an animal as large as a bull elk. I guess I am more of a meat hunter than horn hunter and always try for the crease on the back of the shoulder. If I do my part very little meat is wasted and the animal does not go far. Just my 2 cents.

WapitiBob · May 23, 2013

High shoulder with a bow is not too smart. I like high shoulder with my STW.

huntinfanatic · May 23, 2013

The OP said he has an archery tag. With a bow I aim for the crease to give myself some leeway(sp). Your more likely to kill an elk with your bow if your shot is a little back compared to being to far forward and hitting that big shoulder bone.

quickdrawkinker · May 23, 2013

>The OP said he has an
>archery tag. With a bow
>I aim for the crease
>to give myself some leeway(sp).
>Your more likely to kill
>an elk with your bow
>if your shot is a
>little back compared to being
>to far forward and hitting
>that big shoulder bone.

Agree. Forget about the heart shot, go for double lungs!

3blade · May 23, 2013

>Agree. Forget about the heart shot,
>go for double lungs!

yep, that elk will drown in less than 10 seconds.

zekers · May 23, 2013

>
>>Agree. Forget about the heart shot,
>>go for double lungs!
>
>yep, that elk will drown in
>less than 10 seconds.

+1...the lungs are a much bigger target and just as lethal. BTW, only use fixed blade broadheads when elk hunting! (that should guarantee this post hits 100, lmao).

Insanity · May 24, 2013

Thanks for the replies guys and thanks for the pictures they're helpful

outdoorsdude · May 25, 2013

Awesome photo's; someone worked their butt off on the 'open chest' pic.
Lots of good advice above, I'm a put it through the lungs man also. One thing I will add: Don't forget to aim for the exit! I can't tell you how many elk look like they are broad side but in reality they are quartering.

105Coues · May 27, 2013

Great Pics. Those may be the best ones I have ever seen. Thanks.

I would also recommend the fixed blades.

WapitiBob · May 27, 2013

If you google bowsite dot com BB shot placement you will find the thread where this was discussed at length. BB has a multitude of pictures there and it's a good debate also.

nfh · May 27, 2013

>What about those best of the
>west boys and their shot
>placement.

Those best of the west fags dont show their screw up shots.

Gator · May 29, 2013

Lungs, the farther you are away from the elk the less pentetrating power you will have with a arrow hitting the shoulder.Safe bet is to put into the lungs and they will die.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

Willy_P · May 31, 2013

how long does it take to fill a 55 gallon drum up with liquid ? Try and keep it in the 1/3 of the way up the chest cavity because I can tell you it's a long way until you start finding blood if you shoot them in the mid line or accidentally higher..

Pat C.