Elk Tactics 2017 - Episode #4

[WapitiTalk1]

Date/Time: Early October, 2017/10:30 AM
Location: Somewhere in the elk woods
Hunt Pressure Status: There are other hunters in your area; you heard some human bugles right at daylight on a hillside adjacent to your trail ingress
Hunt: Solo Hunt
Tag: Muzzleloader season; any bull tag

Doesn't it seem like many epic adventures, good and bad, seem to start with "well, I came around the corner and......". You've hiked uphill on a series of USFS trails and find yourself quietly "coming around a corner" to see what you're seeing now (you are directly to the bull's 5 o'clock). You estimate the bull to be about 70 yards away from your current position, giving you the stinky eye. This situation requires a pretty quick decision on how to proceed to maximize your opportunities for a dinner date with this bull. The elk are still pretty vocal at this point in the month in your area (early October) and you're armed with your favorite elk calls. Thoughts on how to proceed here to possibly have a successful hunt?

W - wind direction.

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If you're shooting, save the picture to your desktop and open in MS Paint, then place a spot, X, or whatever on the critter before you save it back to a jpg or png and add the marked up pic with your post.

[TimeOnTarget]

If i thought i could get a shot to this location without hitting the vegetation in front of him AND not shoot the cow in the background i'd toss the rifle to me shoulder and squeeze the trigger. Full freezer.

This will be your only opportunity, in a second or 2, you'll be hearing thundering hooves as they dash off with the indicated wind direction.

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

Elk can see you and they can hear you and often times you will still be OK. But let them smell you and the jig is up! So far, in this episode you still have the wind in your favor. If I were the hunter, I would freeze in my tracks and let things play out. Hopefully the cow will move out of the way. If not, I'll have to pass on this one.

[lamrith]

if I can manage to get gun to shoulder and steadied and he has not moved I am dropping the hammer as marked. He is quartering away hard, then bending back to look at you so compounding angles to consider. I want to put round thru both lungs and as low as possible (lower the better for blood trail and bleeding out quickly) and give a chance of bursting the heart. It also give more clearance for that cow in the back.

[Swede]

I like Larry's shot alright. The big if is getting the shot off without being busted. I am surprised the bull is still standing. He will be gone very soon considering the wind situation and he is looking your way. I don't think the cow behind the bull is in any danger from a smoke pole if you hit the bull right. Just don't shoot if the bull suddenly moves or you will only have fresh air where he stood, and likely put a slug right in her. Honest officer she had antlers just a little while ago.

[Elkduds]

CO laws and my ML setup/skills say I can hit a 5" circle all day from a steady rest @ 100 yds. If I were willing to shoot @ upper ribs/spine there is a potential shot here. But that shot may penetrate the bull and hit the cow. I want a broadside unobstructed shot @ the lower half of the ribcage/front shoulder w my ML, I need a good blood trail. It won't knock down an elk unless it hits spine. I never shoot to wound, I want a dead elk even if I don't get a 2nd shot, which takes awhile w a ML. I think of an elks chest like a barrel laying on its side. Puncture the bottom half, the liquid leaves quickly and forcefully. Poke a hole near the top, much less blood to trail and bleeding won't start for a long time. So I'm waiting for a better shot on the bull's chest. Plus, I disregarded the OP and have a cow tag, like always. Better table fare. If I don't get busted, I can move the bull w a call, or maybe bring the cow in.

[saddlesore]

if I can manage to get gun to shoulder and steadied and he has not moved I am dropping the hammer as marked. He is quartering away hard, then bending back to look at you so compounding angles to consider. I want to put round thru both lungs and as low as possible (lower the better for blood trail and bleeding out quickly) and give a chance of bursting the heart. It also give more clearance for that cow in the back.

I agree

[Lefty]

I dont like the cow where are her butt and legs could be positioned. Im holding off,.. Those cows might bust. A cow call could stop him, or even a running-off shot could be good.

Gun shouldered, but willing to pas, and ready to shoot.

[ishy]

He saw me first so, I'm going to do my best to not make eye contact and turn left for one or two steps as I bring the muzzlestuffer up. He's going to be busy trying to figure out what I am as I make sure the cow isn't an issue all in one smooth nonaggressive move and I like Larry's dot.

[cohunter14]

Everyone seems concerned about the bullet deflecting off of the grass, but no one has mentioned what can happen when the bullet hits the elk. I have had bullets hit a rib and go sideways in an animal. That makes this shot very risky. Even aiming far enough right, all it takes is a small deflection off of a rib and that bullet could be headed straight towards the cow. Something to keep in mind.