Frontal Shot on Elk

[Old school]

I searched and didn't see this topic as a topic, but might have missed it. I know we've made comments in the past on posts regarding frontal shots but was wondering what is your maximum range for taking a frontal bow shot on an elk?

I'm shooting decent groups out to 70 yards in an attempt to shrink my group size at closer ranges. For instance, I'm consistently shooting about a 4" group at 50 yards with 3 arrows. At 30 yards I'm tearing vanes off consistently. I'm thinking my maximum range for a frontal shot would be 30 yards - depending on the moment of truth and how steady I am and how alert the elk is.

Thoughts from you elk killers???

--Mitch

[ishy]

I haven't tried it yet, but I think I'm with a pretty big majority at 20 and under.

[Swede]

Everyone is different. I see no problem with your maximum range if you do not have an issue with nerves and the elk is not looking right at you. I know people that can hit a bulls eye consistently at 30 yards, but can't hit the broadside of a good buck at 20 yards. Probably you know some of these people too.

[Tigger]

Dunno yet. Just got the new bow completely set up and I cannot tell ya exactly how far I will feel comfortable. I suspect it will be 20, maybe 25 yards. the new bow seems to shoot really well. On the other hand, if I am not happy with the results, it may end up that my max is less than 5 yards!

[Roosiebull]

for me, personally, less than 20 yds. it isn't the tiny target some make it out to be, but if an elk moves at all, it can be a terrible shot. I have passed it at 10 yds, and quite a few further of course, I have only taken the shot once, it was 18 yds, and it was very effective. I have tracked 2(the only other 2 frontal shots I've see taken) and they were both bad shot, one was because the elk moved at the shot at 30 yds, neither recovered.

it's a big enough target, but there is zero room for the elk to move, where a broadside or quartering away shot you have a little wiggle room if the elk moves at the shot.

[Elkhunttoo]

20 and in for me. to each there own. I have passed this shot up for years and on several bulls. I have watched enough videos and studied it enough that I will take it now but it needs to be the right angle and distance for me.

[WapitiTalk1]

for me, personally, less than 20 yds. it isn't the tiny target some make it out to be, but if an elk moves at all, it can be a terrible shot. I have passed it at 10 yds, and quite a few further of course, I have only taken the shot once, it was 18 yds, and it was very effective. I have tracked 2(the only other 2 frontal shots I've see taken) and they were both bad shot, one was because the elk moved at the shot at 30 yds, neither recovered.

it's a big enough target, but there is zero room for the elk to move, where a broadside or quartering away shot you have a little wiggle room if the elk moves at the shot.

Concur.

[ElkNut1]

We've taken several elk with the Frontal shot! First thing I'd mention is it's not for everyone! It requires ice water in your veins to pull a shot like that off as you maintain a calm composure at an elk in your face at 25 yards or less. Too, not all frontal shots are created equal. There's ones that are dead straight on, the arrow impact can be dead center where light blond hair meets their darker mane & up 6"-8" above that. Too, then there's one quartering slightly left or right of dead on & your arrow impact needs to be off center left or right depending on angle. Then, is the elk level with you or uphill or downhill, these things must be considered & calculated in an instant for best arrow placement for a quick humane kill & recovery. Nothing automatic about it! The more experience a hunter has after being in these situations the more confidence one can have in performing such a shot!

Studying an elks anatomy before hitting the field is a very good idea, this way you have a very good idea where to place your shot or when to pass on the shot.

ElkNut1

[Deafirishman]

The first and only bull or elk for that matter taken with a bow is the one seen in my picture. He was taken at 11 yards and left the biggest blood trail I've ever seen. All factors considered, he was on even ground with a very clear and open shot. If I was asked if I would do it again, I would say yes but only if the right conditions presented itself. So many factors to consider...

[Elkduds]

I searched and didn't see this topic as a topic, but might have missed it.

Enter frontal in the "search this thread" box. Or click here for 472 replies and counting:
search.php?keywords=frontal&fid%5B0%5D=3

[Scorpyd shooter]

when I shot a compound, my groups were usually same size at 50 yds as 30,1-2"

[Roosiebull]

when I shot a compound, my groups were usually same size at 50 yds as 30,1-2"

That is pretty amazing shooting. I don't shoot that good, but good enough, my problem is, my groups get quite a bit worse with an elk in front of me

The darn things don't hold still as well as my Reinhart either

[ElkNut1]

Roosiebull, X2 -- Big Grin!!

ElkNut/Paul

[Old school]

Thanks for the thoughtful responses guys - definitely many of them are a help.

May be odd, but I'm actually hoping that this is the shot I get this year - hopefully at about 10 yards

Was trying to get a thread with responses from you guys who've killed elk with this shot and what your maximum range was - I thought I was clear in my intent/request... I had already done the search for "frontal shot" and had seen the hundreds of responses, but not all in one thread and so many related to different posts, etc... without really addressing the maximum yardage you'd take the shot.

Thanks again guys,

--Mitch

[jmez]

when I shot a compound, my groups were usually same size at 50 yds as 30,1-2"

That is pretty amazing shooting. I don't shoot that good, but good enough, my problem is, my groups get quite a bit worse with an elk in front of me

The darn things don't hold still as well as my Reinhart either

Don't feel bad, very few pros shoot that well at 20 yards!

I'd tke a frontal 30 and in.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Beendare]

I've seen appx 10 bulls die to that frontal shot....5 myself as I recall...all with a compound. ...its deadly.

I used to shoot as good or better than the OP...not anymore! My longest frontal was appx 27yds...which is about as far as I would shoot it. There is a big caveat to all of these shots though; circumstances. If that bull is frontal/hard quartering at 25, relaxed.........I would take it. Can't say the same at 35 yds...just too much time for him to move.

I've passed frontals at 25 when the bull was staring me down ready to bolt......but shot others in the same stare down body posture at 15 yds successfully.

Only 2 elk I've seen shot like that went further than about 50 yds...and the one was last year [he went appx 400yds] was shot a bit off center.

Good news is those huge 6 points have a harder time avoiding those frontal shots!

[CurlyTail]

20 yards for me. And it needs to be a true frontal shot, not a quartering towards angle - unless very slight. I have not had the opportunity to take this shot yet.