Shot Selection On Elk
Figuring out the which shot to use to take down an elk with your bow.
Eddie Claypool May 05, 2023
When a person puts forth all the effort necessary to bring an elk bowhunt to fruition, it's only natural that he will have an extreme desire to do what ever it takes to get off a shot even if it is not a good one.
Elk are large-bodied, heavy-boned animals that require excellent arrow placement to bring down. Front and rear-end shots should never be attempted. Yes, occasionally such shots will produce a kill, but more times than not, they result in wounded (possibly fatally), unrecovered animals.
Generally speaking, broadside (or slightly quartering away) shots are the only opportunities that should be considered. Shots that result in double-lung collapse are far preferred over shots that rely on death from hemorrhaging alone.
Elk live in thick, rough country and extensive trailing jobs often result in unrecoverd animals. Be sure to carry a roll of surveyor's tape with you to mark a blood trail. And don't forget to show proper respect by removing these eye sore markers from the woods before leaving the area.