'X' marks the spot 5

[cnelk]

Select only one of the 3 elk to place your 'X'

Cows are 35yds - bull is 40yds

[Bowhunter]

The one with the lecklace would be tempting. I bet not too many have a trophy like that.

[Solitude]

Personally I would be patient, hold off a bit and hope for a clear shot at the bull.

[elkmtngear]

Personally I would be patient, hold off a bit and hope for a clear shot at the bull.

Me too. If the bull decided not to give me a clear lane...I would shoot the near cow.

[Huntrgathr]

Although I know I could sneak one in on that bull, I'm waiting. My hunters Ed instructor would be proud !

[Huntrgathr]

The one with the lecklace would be tempting. I bet not too many have a trophy like that.

Actually, it's better not to shoot collared game. Fish and game spends a lot of $$ to put those on and asks that you don't harvest collared animals if possible. Also, you have to turn the collar in...

[Bowhunter]

The one with the lecklace would be tempting. I bet not too many have a trophy like that.

Actually, it's better not to shoot collared game. Fish and game spends a lot of $$ to put those on and asks that you don't harvest collared animals if possible. Also, you have to turn the collar in...

LOL,
Yes I wouldn't shoot her. I too would wait for a better shot on the bull. But knowing my luck the wind would switch and I would see nothing but tails.

[Elkduds]

I'm shooting the closest cow. Can't eat them horns, already got a set on the wall. Vitals are opened up nicely w her leg forward. I'm aiming for just below the right side of the shadow at back edge of her shoulder. If my shot passes through, it is unlikely to wound either of the other elk. But it will definitely get their attention.

[WapitiTalk1]

Whew.. tough one. The bull is on a higher elevation than the cows. With a solid range on the elk, I would have no problem zipping a shuttle T over the cow and into the bull "if" he was completely broadside or slightly quartering away. I'm very confident with hitting a softball size spot out to 40 yards but the angle on this guy is a bit iffy at that range. I'm waiting a bit on this one also.

[Still Hunter]

Too close together. I'd wait. I don't have the option of an either sex tag in my unit, so that would also play into who I was waiting on.

Definitely wouldn't be the collared cow.

[>>>---WW---->]

The collared cow is a no-go simply because she has the collar on. She is an important lady for the DOW.

The closest cow, All I can is "Oh my Gosh"! Just look at the opening she is giving you with that front leg stretched out like that. However, there is the possibility of a pass thru that could nick an artery in the back leg of the collared cow. So for me, both cows are out of the question.

But the bull is my target here. I don't like 40 yard shots. But, I'm like RJ and can easily hit a softball size target at that range. He'll be a wall hanger for me as soon as I squeeze the shot off. I have no problem with the cow standing in front of him. I can shoot right over the top of her. And if she moves at all, it will be to duck the arrow which gives me even more of an open shot at the bull.

[Mikeha33]

I wouldn't shoot at this moment. He bull appears to be quartering to, slightly. If he was perfectly broadside, I'd set my 40 on him and let one sail. If the bull wasn't in the picture, I'd shoot the closer cow. Wide open vital shot. Dead in under 60 seconds. But, like I said, at this moment, I will wait for a shot I am more comfortable with.

[cnelk]

Im with WW.
Hey Bill, this a good time to practice your 'x' on that bull...

[Still Hunter]

I wouldn't shoot at this moment. He bull appears to be quartering to, slightly. If he was perfectly broadside, I'd set my 40 on him and let one sail. If the bull wasn't in the picture, I'd shoot the closer cow. Wide open vital shot. Dead in under 60 seconds. But, like I said, at this moment, I will wait for a shot I am more comfortable with.

You might want to rethink that. It's never a good idea to shoot an animal when another one is behind it.

[timberland]

Great opportunity is about to get away. I see the bull walking behind the trees and gone if I wait. I don't mind the angle and I've blocked the cow out of my mind. I know my arrow will clear her back by 10" or more because I've practiced this shot at all yardage variables (having and obstruction at 10yds and target at 50, having obstruction at 40 and target at 50, etc.) Never be over-confident when shooting at live animals, but I got a real good feeling on this one

[Mikeha33]

2Cows.png (758.76 KiB) Viewed 12707 times

StillHunter, I agree that it's never a good idea to shoot when another animal is behind your target. However, given the shot placement I anticipate, I think I'd be fine, even with a full pass through, which is fairly likely at 35 yards with this shot. If i questioned it even a little bit, I would not shoot. I can see the 2nd cows back leg, and turn down at the rump, and I am clearly behind that. If the cow was 1 foot further ahead, I would not shoot.

[>>>---WW---->]

Im with WW.
Hey Bill, this a good time to practice your 'x' on that bull...

3%20elk.jpg (215.4 KiB) Viewed 12630 times

[Still Hunter]

Mike...Can you always count on the arrow going straight though? I'm not a bow hunter, so i'm not sure. Couldn't it be deflected out at an angle?

[cnelk]

Here

[Toby]

I have a question about shooting an elk with the on side leg stepped way forward. Does it drop the scapula down to a point where it could interfere with a shot that goes a little high, but still in the kill zone? Is it better to shoot an elk with the leg straight down in a normal position or with it extended as shown?

[timberland]

StillHunter- I own an archery shop and have heard dozens of stories how arrows came out at crazy angles. Most often its from skipping off or sliding down bone, but not always.

[WapitiTalk1]

I have a question about shooting an elk with the on side leg stepped way forward. Does it drop the scapula down to a point where it could interfere with a shot that goes a little high, but still in the kill zone? Is it better to shoot an elk with the leg straight down in a normal position or with it extended as shown?

Excellent question! I would say yes, it can make a shot placement difference as the extended upper part of the leg can and will move backwards, forcing a point of impact adjustment, particularly on broad side or broad side angling slightly downward shots. Here's a skeleton and a circulatory system pic to demonstrate what you're saying (showing the leg bone structure and what it may cover).. as the leg extends, the larger upper leg bone can perhaps cover a portion of the forward vitals (heart/lungs).

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[Willie makit]

Anyone ever run across a slow moving gif or video of that skeletal structure that starts broadside and rotates to head-on view? Would be great to show how the ribs will " close up" on that front quartering shot for those that have difficulty visualizing 3-motion in their head.

I've shot a couple deer that the arrow zipped between the ribs and the deer just jumped as if stung then went back to grazing before toppling over. Front quartering shots will almost always break or at least chip a rib or rib(s) slowing your arrow down, when this happens they are going to run unless nerves are paralyzed. The fact that the critter can jump the string perhaps putting that front leg in the way makes your odds go down instead of up on these shots.

[JJ Overkill]

I agree with the x on the bull but I don't think it is a shot I would attempt. those cows are collateral damage waiting to happen. im waiting for a clearer shot on the bull

[fm]

I am going to wait. With the elk to the rear of the bull it has me wondering if the tan just over his back is another one behind him.

[jmez]

I'm waiting on this one. That cow has her R hind leg up so she's moving or about to move. With that leg up and the L front leg extended, if she picks her head up and looks at you her back is going to raise obscuring more of the bull and will be a good chance the cows head is going to be right in your way. She picks it up and looks at exactly the right time you may hit her square in the face.

[jmez]

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I outlined approximately where the scapula would be on the cow and the humerus. The straight line in the middle is the spin of the scapula, it is a raised area of bone approximately 1/3 the distance front to back.

The scapula is soft bone, any modern setup with a good cut on contact broadhead should easily penetrate the scapula unless you hit it high toward the front where the vertebrae lie underneath it or right on the spine or raised area. The bottom portion of it wouldn't concern me if I hit a little high in this type scenario.

[Lefty]

Last day
Sorry guys: well not really the collared lady is going down
Otherwise Im waiting on the bull. I m not taking that 1/4 shot with an arrow over the other cows back

[Still Hunter]

Last day
Sorry guys: well not really the collared lady is going down
Otherwise Im waiting on the bull. I m not taking that 1/4 shot with an arrow over the other cows back

What would you do with the collar?

[cnelk]

Here is a helpful link

http://lakewood.kdvr.com/content/5-year ... -evergreen

[Still Hunter]

I knew the answer Brad. I was just wondering what someone who would shoot a collared elk would do with the collar.

[Trophyhill]

Easy 40 yard shot right thru the < on the bull

[ChukarNUT]

yea im smoking that bull in the sweet spot...cow is clear due to arc in arrow flight! dead bull--yay me! thanks for calling John!!