My 4th P&Y Bull Elk

Elkmaster · Oct 21, 2003

This Bull green scores 342 P&Y points and was taken on public land in N. Central Montana on 29 Sept '03. I have harvested seven 6x6's and this 6x7 in the 9 years I've hunted this area,,,all archery! Need you ask where I'll be next Sept??

Hawkk33 · Oct 21, 2003

Helluva nice bull sir. Any details about your hunt you gonna give out ?

heartshot · Oct 21, 2003

Nice bull!!

That is some pretty good success. I'll bet you be back too.

muzz · Oct 21, 2003

Congrats man, you are the man.

Idahoelk · Oct 21, 2003

tell us the story to go with that pic. Nice bull.

Elkmaster · Oct 21, 2003

I'll tell the story if you guys don't judge me,,,K?

I am retired/disabled Vet so me and my lovely wife(even a bigger bow-hunting freak than me) can spend a LOT of time at bow camp. This year we spent 47 days out there. I cannot get around so good so I have maximized the abilities that I can,,meaning, I have a 'super-bow'. 101.5 lbs , 32" draw and I get 129 ft/lbs of kenetic energy from it. So when I tell you I shot this Bull at 88 yards, it's not at all as irresponsible as you might first gasp about. I can shoot a 10" pattern at 100 yards and I am very experienced at hunting,,I know when to or when not to shoot this far.

Anyway, me and my wife where hunting an area adjacent to where I knew other hunters might be pushing Elk, the rut was in full swing. Just as I figured, the other hunters(guys I knew and where hunting with) got into a bunch,,,3 different herds as it were and they pushed them right to us. As Elk do, when pushed, they tend to pile together and in the confussion can sometimes make mistakes. As luck would have it, the biggest herd bull headed down the draw I was in but turned his herd about 150 yards short of me. I thought it was over until one unrulely cow came down the game trail right in front of me,,I ranged her at 88 yards but was going to let her pass. Then the bull ran right over to her and stuck his nose in her butt. Knowing the exact yardage and the Bull being preoccupied, I had no doubt about the shot. Double-lung pass-thru and he went only 90 yards and died in less than 15 seconds. 6x7 green score 342 P&Y.

My wife, bless her heart, had a cow, a spike and a rag horn inside 40 yards but saw I had a chance at the big boy so she didn't shoot. She came home Elk-less after many close encounters and I consider her hunt just as successful. I'm a very lucky man!!

MartinHunter · Oct 21, 2003

I would say you have a lot better rate of P & Y harvest then anybody here.
Michael

marlinmark · Oct 21, 2003

Good work. I compliment you on your ability to to adapt to your situation and practice to be great. Most hunters shoot outside there abilities and practice inside them. If you get my drift.

Congratulations,

MarlinMark

"When there's lead in the air, there's hope."

beaner · Oct 22, 2003

Congrats on a beauty. Now to the important question, what service were you?

Elkmaster · Oct 22, 2003

Retired USAF MSgt in '95. Gulf War 1 Vet. Rated 100% VA disabled. Now that I can't work, I live for hunting, especially archery. I'm lucky enough to have an exciting wife that not only loves to take care of me but loves hunting and archery as much as I.

Thanks guys for not questioning my ethics for the long-distance shooting. With my bow, skills and experience this was drop-kick of a shot. I don't recommend anyone trying this unless they are well equipped, experienced and confident! I love my bow,,,I shoot a 520 gr arrow at 336 fps!

ctmuley · Oct 22, 2003

I have a couple of comments, the first is for marlinmark, you used a quote the "When there is lead in the air there is hope." I think this is the stupidest quote I have every heard.

When there is practice, and a good shot theres promise.

The next is for elkmaster, congrats on the elk, but 88 yds is way to far to be shooting with a bow. You need to hunt a little harder and call them in to a reasonable range.

OSOK · Oct 22, 2003

Elkmaster,

How dare you shoot at an animal beyond 30 yards... That is totally unethical!!!

Kidding aside,

Awesome animal... Congradulations. Around here, they'll string ya up and drop ya, for mentioning you shot at anything beyond 40 yards. Guess that gives you an idea, of the average archer's ability on these threads.

Way to go. What bow are you shooting???

Also, children, in no way am I condoning this sort of action, and by no means should this be tried at home, by 99% of archers in this country at least... But there are a few!

fisrtcoueswas80inches · Oct 22, 2003

i two think that 88 yards is too far but if you feel comfortable then go for it. i have a question, what is up with the hind quarters in first pic. almost looks like it was eaten by a coyote but u say it was 15 seconds. is it from the pass through?
casey

DeerKing · Oct 22, 2003

Congrats on a fine bull and also on your past elk, you've done well.

Elkmaster · Oct 22, 2003

1st- 80inches,,,,it was a total pass-thru and I got both lungs. What you see on the hind-quarter is just the blood and lung tissue,,,sorry for the gross pic. I use a broadhead with a 2" cut and when lungs are hit that hard, they tend to go everywhere.

And 2nd- ,,,for CTMULEY,,, you need to learn some manners and educate yourself on archery. I gave my stats,,,520 gr arrow at 336 fps gives me 129 ft/lbs of K-energy and because I use heavy, small diameter carbons, my down-range energy is better at 80 yards than most all traditional bows at 10 yards. The only question is my ability and judgement,,and that ,Sir, is beyond reproach. You say I must get closer, that is not as easy for me as most,,,I am disabled, that is why I pursue to maximize my abilities in other ways. I have to adapt or stay home. And finally CTMULEY,,if you would please stand out there at 100 yards with a balloon between your knees,,,I'll scare the living crap out of you!!! };0)

Bura Nut · Oct 22, 2003

Congrats on another fine bull. I tip my hat to your wife and how she is also an avid archer. I am still an Elk virgin with the bow, just hope to get drawn here in AZ some day. As to your distance, those shots are what many of the great bow hunters shoot at. I know up in the camp I helped in this year, they are practicing 70 yard shots with all the clients and you really limit yourself if you cant shoot out to longer ranges especially in the desert for deer and big open timber for elk.......just my two sense............... Allen Taylor......

BrianID · Oct 22, 2003

Congratulations on the elk. Nice bull.
It sounds like you are only taking shots that you know you can make. As long as you aren't sticking a couple of elk with your bow before recovering one I don't have a problem with you shooting that far. I wouldn't want to encourage other archery hunters to shoot that far because I think that less than 1% of the guys out archery hunting can consistently make a shot over 60 yards under field conditions. I know that I can't shoot that far ethically unless I am putting a second arrow into an animal. At that kind of range I think that too many things can go wrong. The biggest problem is the animal jumping the string. It takes too long for an arrow to get there. An animal only has to take one step and you have hit it in the gut. If you misjudge the distance by more than a yard or two you will likely miss the animal or even worse hit it in a bad spot. I also know that my arrow will shoot over a yard to the side in a stiff crosswind at 70 yards. Like I said before as long as you aren't putting an arrow into an elk or two every year that you don't recover I don't have a problem with you shooting that far. I would even say that it would be more ethical for you to shoot at animals that far than for an ?archery hunter? taking a 20 yard shot when he can't hit the broad side of a barn.

NMhuntnutt · Oct 23, 2003

Elkmaster , You Da Man ! Congrats on another super hunt , and hes a beautiful bull . I have a friend here in Santa Fe and his dad and uncle hunted MT archery elk for years , someday I hope to venture north and try spittin an arrow on one , again congrats ....NMhuntnutt

cmiddleton · Oct 23, 2003

first and for most thank you for your help in the gulf i'm proud of all the military personel and the jobs they have done and are doing and next "can i go next year" ha ha and last great bull, wife,shooting,and ability it doesn't look like you are diabled you are able to out shoot me any day who cares about work when your able to do what you love with who you love if i was you i'd change my name to "sargent able" to do the importent things in life