Shoot or No Shot 2016 - Episode 9

[WapitiTalk1]

For the boom stick elk hunters. You're across a steep canyon and this guy
comes over the far ridge in your direction. He stops in the spot you see him
in the picture (to smell where one of his cows whizzed) but will soon head
down into the thick bottom where his cows are heading. Range is 275 yards
and you're armed with a scoped rifle capable of flat shooting and has good
knockdown power. Mark your spot if you're gonna shoot. If not, please
explain. Bull tag area, fifth day of your eight day hunt. This is the first
mature bull you've seen.

Reminder that if you save the picture to your desktop and open in MS Paint,
you'll be able to place a spot, X, or whatever on the critter before you
save it back to a jpg and add the marked up pic with your post.

image.jpg (30.91 KiB) Viewed 1739 times

[lamrith]

BOOOOM goes the booom stick. Given the story as outlined with good knockdown power rifle from 275yrds I am putting it on the dot and letting the big dog sing. Most likely hit bones of that close leg, but then proceed thru to both lungs, maybe nick or at least concuss the heart and possibly also shatter offside leg. Bull should not go anywhere.

[Lefty]

Im aiming at the bottom left on the Lamriths red dot
Sweet shot No bone all heart and big arteries
Just take your time and slowly squeeze,...
He's close to the truck too,.. right?

[cohunter14]

Good 'what if' scenario. Nobody intends to miss, but what if you do? I better know what's on the other side of that hill and know, for certain, that nothing is over there. Even if you take the shot and hit the elk where intended, what if you get a pass through? Better to give that bull a few more seconds until he has something behind him than risk a potentially terrible outcome.

[oldnovice]

Good 'what if' scenario. Nobody intends to miss, but what if you do? I better know what's on the other side of that hill and know, for certain, that nothing is over there. Even if you take the shot and hit the elk where intended, what if you get a pass through? Better to give that bull a few more seconds until he has something behind him than risk a potentially terrible outcome.

RIGHT ANSWER! In Colorado, that is a no-shot recommendation because you will be shooting over a hill with uncertain background. Plus, front quartering is not a good choice. Even though 275 isn't a real long shot for most heavier calibers, it is still far enough for a miss low if you misjudge the distance. I would wait just a smidge to see what he does.