My Dilemma

[mmac1318]

I just got back from 9 days in Idaho bow hunting for elk. It was pretty tough hunting but we did get into some bulls here is the story and question I have for you guys. I had a nice 300" 6x6 11 yards from me but facing me. I didnt take the shot. He eventually saw me and did a quick 180 so I never got a broad side shot. I shoot the new Bowtech guardian I am shooting abot 270fps with 410 grains of arrow. I am sure it would have killed him if I put it through the brisket but I have seen other hunters that did the same thing and were unable to retreive the animal which is why I did not shoot. But... I cant quit replaying it in my head and only thinking what if.

What would you have done?

[Ninja]

Exactly what you did....and exactly what you are doing now!!! (second guessing)

Sorry brotha, but I hope you enjoyed your hunt all the same.

[Ferris_StateHunter]

I agree with ninja on this one, Yea it sucks thinking about that shot, but it would have been a lot harder to swallow if you shot it, and couldnt find it.

[Ninja]

Let me add this.....if he were only 11 yards away, I would have dropped my bow and given him a round-house kick to the head, NINJA style!!! :evil:

[Ack]

Sorry to hear about your hunt...you just have to go with your gut feeling on a shot like that. Here is a very similar situation that worked out for the hunter.....

http://forums.mathewsinc.com/viewtopic.php?t=71503

[skipper34]

I think you did the right thing in holding off. This is why it is called hunting and not shooting.

[glockman55]

Good call on waiting for the shot..

[Chuck]

The shot is makable but you really have to know there body makeup and exactly where to aim. Since you were not sure you did the right thing.

You dont want to shoot into the brisket ever with a bow. The brisket is shaped like a V and its easy to deflect the arrow one way or the other and getting only one lung. It also depends on the angle you were at. If your shooting up mountain then I would pass on this shot every time. If you shooting down or in a flat spot and if the animal is straight on aim right at the base of the neck just above the brisket. On a elk its an area the size of a softball on a whitetail its an area the size of a golfball your aiming at. I would never attempt this shot with mechanicals and I would want to be in the 70 footpounds of KE range. Only use fixed blade heads that are real sharp. You will also want to make sure the animals head is all the way up not down.

If the elk is quarting towards you at a steep angle you would aim right before the shoulder between there and the brisket but you want the animal turned enough to be able to still get both lungs and the heart.

It would be best to review these shots first before taking them so you understand for sure where to aim and also study the animals anotomy allot before taking the shot.

I have seen on video guys who took bull elk and moose at close ranges 15 yards or less with the straight on shot. The animal will not go far as you will be severing the main arteries right above the heart and going threw the center top of the lungs. I wouldnt even attempt the shot on anything farther than the 15 yard range.

This is not a shot for a beginner and not a shot to be taken lightly. You have to know exactly where to aim and I cant stress that enough.

I took a buck with the straight on shot 2 years ago. He was 13 yards away and facing me straight on with his head erect. I hit exactly where I wanted to. The arrow went right threw the top of the lungs and main arteries coming out of the top of the heart and finally exited out his back ham on the inside. The arrow came out right next to his willy on the inside of his leg and went back in and then came back out his back ham. Amazingly I didnt hit any bone and I had a complete pass threw and I actually never could find my arrow. He left a 30 yard blood trail a blind man could follow.

There are allot of shots on animals that can be taken but you have to know exactly where to aim. My hunting partner shot a bull elk from the rear. The bull was on a steep mountain side 15 yards away. His only shot was shooting up threw the bottom of the animal. The shot angle is kinda hard to explain for me. But his arrow went threw the heart and out the neck of the bull. That bull dropped about 20 feet from where he shot it and there was more blood than I have ever seen on any hit animal.

There is an Abe and son video that shows allot of possible shot angles on bull elk with a bow. There is more but thats the one that comes to mind off hand.

[Kelly Johnson]

Look at it like this...

I'd much rather post "should I have taken that shot" rather than "I shot a 300+" Bull and I never found him"

Congrats on making the hard decision and the right one.

[Kevin_D]

I think you did the right thing in holding off. This is why it is called hunting and not shooting.
:yeahthat:

[Skibum]

:yeahthat:


Plus one. With my .338 I'd consider taking that shot. With a bow no way. Chalk it up to a great experience and look on the bright side. You didn't have to pack an elk out of that country. Sort of like catch and release:lol:

What part of Idaho were you in? I've hunted the wilderness around the Middle Fork of the Salmon for deer and elk several times. It is great country.

[Joe Archer]

I would never take a shot at an animal facing me directly.
You did the right thing. Too many people take too many chances. If this were a doe in a deer hunting situation you wouldn't even be second guessing yourself. All animals deserve the same respect; they are all trophies.
<----<<<

[fishunter70]

Mac,

My father always told me this.

Never ever take a shot that you feel is not right for you and the animal. Also never be sorry for " The One You Let Walk ". You did the RIGHT THING.

[archerjustin]

I would never take a shot at an animal facing me directly.
You did the right thing. Too many people take too many chances. If this were a doe in a deer hunting situation you wouldn't even be second guessing yourself. All animals deserve the same respect; they are all trophies.
<----<<<

Well put. I agree.

[mmac1318]

Yah I think you guys are right. I know in my heart it is the right thing to do and thats why I didnt squeeze the release. It just sucked that was the 2nd big bull of the trip that I had to let walk. I also had a little bigger bull Earlier in the week at 50 yrds but just a little too much brush in front of him. To answer your questions as to where I was hunting it was in the Carribou National forest the closest town is actually Alpine Wyoming. It was a do it yourself hunt that a group of us try to do every year. Next year we are hoping to draw for Ft Peck MT. We tried this year but only got a our point for 2008 draw. Well now that I am home it is time to concentrate on whitetails.

[outdoor_m_i_k_e]

Look at it like this...

I'd much rather post "should I have taken that shot" rather than "I shot a 300+" Bull and I never found him"

Congrats on making the hard decision and the right one.
yeah exactly! you may feel bad and keep wondering, but you would feel worse if it happend that way and never got it!