Elk Tactics 2017 - Episode #8

[WapitiTalk1]

Date/Time: Early September, 2017/8:20 AM
Location: Somewhere in the W WA Elkwoods
Hunt Pressure Status: Minimal
Hunt: Solo Hunt
Tag: Archery tag; 3 PT or better bull

Working your way up a ½ mile side hill from your camp, through a series of various terrain (timber stands, smaller open meadows, and wet benches), you hear something moving from your left up a small, steep incline and on to the bench you’ve just reached the edge of. Obviously coming from the salad bar (and/or perhaps a fun filled vegetation tossing session), this fine young fellow continues to move left to right past a 4 foot high brush patch from your angle, and continues on trail (marked blue) at a steady walk with seemingly somewhere to go. You draw as soon as his front quarters clear the brush wall, throw out a nervous grunt with your voice at the same time, and Rodney Roosevelt stops in his tracks (less than 20 yards away from your position) in a heartbeat and is turning his head quickly to ID what/who is demanding his attention and disturbing his forward progress!

Did you nervous grunt too soon? What do you do at this point in time, at the position you’re standing now, with Rodney getting ready to eyeball your upright silhouette?

What's your reaction/game plan at this point in time? Is an arrow flying from this angle?

Fern Elk 2.jpg (147.9 KiB) Viewed 15797 times

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.

[Swede]

Ya, I grunted too soon. I should have waited. To bad as Elvis sang "it's now or never." I'M shootin.

Fern%20Elk%202.jpg (147.16 KiB) Viewed 15789 times

[Tigger]

Yep, too soon. But I am waiting. If he turns to look at me, he will position himself even better. I very seriously doubt he is gonna escape without an augering!

[N2mywake]

I agree. I'm not shooting at this angle. I hold full draw as long as I can and hope he doesn't distinguish my outline (something I do is avoid eye contact just a habit from whitetail hunting) and pray he gives me a better angle.

[Lefty]

Rifle ;I would be singing Johnny Cash ,.." now yo gonna die"
But since its archery season and I have that arrow nocked; Im with N2 and Tigger

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

I am waiting too. The ribs at that angle would be harder then shooting through the scapula.

[lamrith]

No shot as pictured. Waiting till he takes that step farther up the trail, throwing a nervous grunt and sending a splinter his way.

[Beendare]

I take the first good shot.

You might get a better shot angle...then again you might not. If he makes you at 20 yds...you aren't going to get a shot. If you wait thinking he will follow that trail it might be a walking shot...but I think the problem with waiting is the putting doubt in your mind. I take the first good shot that I know I can make. In this case its about an 8" circle starting at the back ham...I can make that shot at 20 yds and my heavy arrow/COC BH setup is not going to deflect...so i'm shooting.

I would NOT take the shot if I was using light arrow/mech head...I would for sure wait.

He might follow that trail and give you a little better angle...key word being 'might'. He might also blow out of there...or your better angle 'might' be a walking shot. I think at 20 and under, this bull is going to pinpoint you pretty good....and once he realizes you are that close, blow out. Maybe not. one thing is for sure...if you aren't confident in that shot...don't shoot.

edit; there are lots of 'maybe's' doing what we do. Questioning yourself or having a little doubt creeping in to your mind is a bad thing that will affect you concentration/shot sequence- not good. By the time the season has rolled around, I've shot that angle on a 3D animal 40 times. I know what shots I can take and at what distance I'm 100%. Its so important when you make up your mind to shoot to get into your shot sequence quickly and have total focus on that spot without any other thoughts screwing you up.

[WapitiTalk1]

I normally don't post up on these early (I lay em' out for ya'all to play em out ..). But, as this scenario played out, me at full draw, my pin would float for a brief second and an arrow would be on its way into this stopped bull. I see enough of an opening between fore/aft big bones that I would not hesitate touching off an arrow at this angle. My snap shot placement would be a bit higher than Swedes (shooter seems to be standing uphill from the bull), more in line with the front leg/bone structure ">". Swede's shot placement would result in a follow on pack out also IMO. Dead elk walking

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[ishy]

He's looking pretty relaxed, and I'm holding for just a little better angle. Ready with a nervous grunt if things change.

[Beendare]

Whether you would shoot or not....these scenarios are invaluable, IMHO.

The time to decide whether you are going to take a shot like this is NOT right there on the spot. I think a guy has to know ahead of time whether he will or won't take that shot.

many of the problems I have experienced and seen whether its shooting 3D....or actual hunting scenarios is 'noise in your head'. I've done it myself on the 3D range; I come to full draw and instead of concentrating on the shot sequence and the spot....a little voice asks, "Is it really 35 yds or a little stronger?" That tiny loss of concentration is the difference between the Guys shooting 300 rounds in Vegas...and the avg archer that can shoot 'decent'.

I can tell you with conviction.....a guy is ALWAYS better off making the decision...then coming to full draw and with full focus executing the shot. It really is something that can be practiced. I see a lot of guys at the range [and guilty myself] of standing at a fixed distance and just shooting arrow after arrow...almost automatic. Sure you want to dial in your form...but I think as hunters we need to work on that 'One Shot for all the marbles" .... that same conscious effort to concentrate on our shot sequence and the spot without any noise creeping in.

[lamrith]

Whether you would shoot or not....these scenarios are invaluable, IMHO.

The time to decide whether you are going to take a shot like this is NOT right there on the spot. I think a guy has to know ahead of time whether he will or won't.

many of the problems I have experienced and seen whether its shooting 3D....or actual hunting scenarios is 'noise in your head'. I've done it myself on the 3D range; I come to full draw and instead of concentrating on the shot sequence and the spot....a little voice asks, "Is it really 35 yds or a little stronger?" That tiny loss of concentration is the difference between the Guys shooting 300 rounds in Vegas...and the avg archer that can shoot that well...but not time after time.

I can tell you with conviction.....a guy is ALWAYS better off making the decision...then coming to full draw and with full focus executing the shot. It really is something that can be practiced...and I see a lot of guys at the range [and guilty myself] of standing at a fixed distance and just shooting arrow after arrow...almost automatic. Sure you want to dial in your form...but I think as hunters we need to work on that 'One Shot for all the marbles" .... that same conscious effort to concentrate on our shot sequence and the spot without any noise creeping in.

Exactly, I have learned quite a bit the last few years from these Scenario's RJ puts up for us and the responses from all you pro's.

[six]

As he turns his head the front of his body will turn also. I've seen this a few times. I'm going to give him 2 to 3 seconds and then send an arrow his way.

Either way both shots are doable at 20 yards.

[Dr. Rx]

That can be a very lethal liver/lung shot...at 20 yards.. i think that's an ethical shot..

Kris

[cohunter]

I talked to a friend on Sunday who tried a shot like this on a bear. The shot was off just a touch and the arrow deflected off the last rib toward the outside. After several hours of tracking a faint but steady blood trail, they finally found the bear. After deflecting from the last rib, the arrow ran under the skin all the way up, underneath the shoulder blade and then lodged up in the neck area. That's not a shot I'm taking.

[Swede]

The key to making this an effective and humane kill is to get the arrow going into the boiler room. You have the room you need if you are steady and careful.

[Scorpyd shooter]

these posts you put up swede look real good, looks like good info for sure, i will read them all

[Swede]

these posts you put up swede look real good, looks like good info for sure, i will read them all

Yah! Keep posting Scorpyd. The jerks around this campfire haven't shown much respect lately. I may have to stir up the characters here that give this outfit its character again. If you want characters you don't need to look far. Just type in "RJ", or "Cohunter", or if you want a senior citizen type "Saddlesore". They are easy and fun to pester.

[Scorpyd shooter]

lol, thanks I might do that if I get time

[cohunter]

Wow, Swede - I'm out of town for the weekend and come back to find I've been called a jerk! I asked Phantom for a sarcasm emoji, then I started paying attention - where is Phantom? And who's this new Wapititalk1 feller?

Stick around... I think you'll see this is one of the most positive and useful forums on the internet regarding any topic. Keep up the good work, Elknut and Phantom and Swede. The verdict's still out on this new guy - WapitiTalk1 - The guy just shows up one day and seems to think he's in charge! Phantom must've banged his head against one too many trees.

[Lefty]

this campfire haven't shown much respect lately. I may have to stir up the characters here that give this outfit its character again. ,...

I just might start editing Swedes posts,.. make him a nice guy on screen anyway

[WapitiTalk1]

The verdict's still out on this new guy - WapitiTalk1 - The guy just shows up one day and seems to think he's in charge! Phantom must've banged his head against one too many trees.

Had a 5+ lb rock fall on my head today, does that count?

[cohunter]

eesh! Sorry! I shouldn't have said anything.

[WapitiTalk1]

eesh! Sorry! I shouldn't have said anything.

Ha, no worries. Didn't wobble me too bad. The Phantom16 handle was coined from my old fishing boat I had a handful of years ago (Smokercraft Phantom 16'). Figured it was time to change my user name to a more current theme . Man, I miss that old fishing boat tho

[Swede]

Lefty, making Swede look good on screen is like putting a bow tie on a mutt. It seems clever at the moment, but just never seems to make the positive change you were looking for.