Bow setup for elk?

[rhendrix]

Ok gents, my bow is currently set up for shooting deer, I assumed that I'd be hunting mulies out west since I couldn't find a reliable hunting partner to hunt elk with. But all that's changed, so...what should I change about my bow set up right now to go hunt elk in the fall?

2014 Hoyt Carbon Spyder 34
MBG Ascent single pin
10" b-stinger with 3 ounces
400 grain arrows

[Brendan]

Doesn't sound like you need to change much - most of it is personal preference and what you're comfortable with. Make sure you're using a good fixed blade broadhead. Whether or not you'd want to go up in arrow weight probably depends on draw length and bow poundage.

FYI, my bow is a CS34, Single Pin Hogg Father, Tight Spot Quiver, 10" Bee-Stinger. I was shooting approximately 440 grain arrows at ~300 FPS (72lb, 29" draw). I did start all my practice with my quiver attached because I knew I'd be walking around the woods instead of sitting in a tree stand.

[rhendrix]

I'm at 28.5" roughly. I added a couple twists to the strings to fix some pin float. I need to twist up my yokes and cables though, I'm shooting right at 70# but easily could twist them to 72-73#.

And I've always practiced shooting with my quiver on, I don't ever take it off for mulies. And I usually forgot when hunting whitetail. I gotta start shooting with a pack on though.

[under H2O hunter]

IMHO I would go with at least a 3 pin but preferably 5 pin sight. Unless you are really good at floating your single Pin. Elk have a tendency to run in or bump out a touch so I personnel think have those extra pins are useful. The other thing is 10 in stabilizer might be a touch long and become a pain. So I would bring a shorter one just incase. Fix broadheadS. You are good to go. Practice shooting from your knees as well as practice with an elevated heart rate. It will be worth it come game time. Good luck

[Freebird134]

IMHO I would go with at least a 3 pin but preferably 5 pin sight.

It's all personal preference, but I don't think multi pin sights are as important as they once were. I'm shooting the same bow and similar arrow weight right now, and can easily get 0-40yds with 1 pin (70#, 29.5"DL, 395g arrow). With a more elk-appropriate arrow weight, you can still pull off 0-40 with 1 pin, you just have to compensate. With about 450g arrows and my single pin set at 35yds, I'm about 4" low at 40 and 4" high at 20yds. Even without compensating, I'm still in the kill zone.

If an animal is more than 40 yards away either a) I have time to use a range finder and adjust my slider, or b) he's moving to fast for me to shoot that far anyway.

[under H2O hunter]

I agree that sights are a personal preference. Thats why I said "IMHO" I'll also point out that you are floating your pin. When you are 4 inches either side of a 35yard set. It's a personal preference if you prefer to float like that. Some guys are great at it while others are not. I personally prefer not to float if I don't have to. Why guess at both the range and at where your pin needs to be if you don't have time to range the yardage? I prefer to only have to guess at one thing rather then two. RHENDRIX was asking what people thoughts were on changing his set up from a deer set up to an elk set up. IMHO single pin set ups work better for deer more so then for elk. I am not say that they can't work for elk. With faster speed bows now a days there is very little movement between shooting 15 and 40 yards. I have seen guys put a small white dot as a second aim point on their single pin sliders as a quick reference if you need to shoot 50 yards or so if you are set at 35 yards for those times when you can't adjust your slider. I feel more comfortable with a 5 pin sight because I have had numerous elk come busting in to 15 to 20 yards just to get spooked or something and run back out to 55 or 60 yards. I don't want to be adding movement of adjusting my slider if I don't have to. This is why I prefer a 5 pin sight.

[Freebird134]

I agree that sights are a personal preference. Thats why I said "IMHO" I'll also point out that you are floating your pin. When you are 4 inches either side of a 35yard set. It's a personal preference if you prefer to float like that. Some guys are great at it while others are not. I personally prefer not to float if I don't have to. Why guess at both the range and at where your pin needs to be if you don't have time to range the yardage? I prefer to only have to guess at one thing rather then two.

I hope I didn't sound like I was attacking your opinion! I was just saying I have a different preference. You are right about floating my pin, and in a hunting situation I have no prob doing that. Vitals are a pretty big target and +/- 4" isn't a big deal to me. I'd rather not do it, but I can. With a fixed multi pin, you almost always have to float that pin. I assume that's what you would do if you have a 50 yard pin and an elk is standing at 55, right? I'd prefer to be aiming 4" low at 20yds than trying to hold a 50 yard pin along an elk's back. With a slider, you NEVER have to compensate....you can dial it in to the exact yardage.

[rhendrix]

As of now, I think I'm gonna run a 5 pin spot hogg hunter hogg it, and add some weight with an insert to increase my FOC and KE/momentum. I'm just not comfortable shooting a single pin and trying to float it. Will also be playing with stabilizer setups, I've got a 6" to play with at the moment.

[ElkNut1]

Use what amount of pins you're comfy with & shoot for 425-435 grains total arrow weight. A stabilizer is more for looks, it's not necessary in the elkwoods! (grin)

ElkNut1

[Kessler10]

Elknut:

When you say total arrow weight are you referring to arrow plus broadhead weight?

[rhendrix]

Kessler10, I believe he's referring to total arrow weight.

[Trophyhill]

2010 D350 w/390 gr RazorTrick tipped GT XT Hunters. Some think I'm a little on the light side but the results speak for themselves

[ElkNut1]

Yes, arrow weight & broadhead combined.

rhendrix, thanks!

ElkNut1

[Dr_flash]

I dont now much about archery or bow setup at this time and i apologize if you already know this, but make sure that if you are in Colorado you brush up on the rules. This year they are allowing lighted nocks on the arrows and recording devices on the bows, but any other electronics (lighted pins) are still not allowed. Also the blades need to be in the same cutting plane, no curved blades. I wish i could give you an opinion, but i'm back at the infancy stage for hunting after being out of it for a while.

[Pop-r]

Every setup is different. Don't let anybody narrow u dwn to 10 grains on an arrow. Not a big deal. I do believe heavier is definitely better & I shoot a 550gr total weight setup. Heavier arrows get your KE way up if u have a bow that will shoot it.

[whaletail]

Destroyer 340 with 435 grain TAW. 30" draw at 292fps. Been shooting shuttle Ts for years but may try Exodus heads this year.