Shoot or not #2.....

[otcWill]

Dead bull but I\'ll pass on that shot. One lung=no recovery and this is dangerously close to a one lunger even with a perfect shot. I\'ve never once missed an opportunity because I waited for a better shot. I\'ll wait and the angle will be better. No judgement on those that would shoot. I am programmed to wait on this one.

 

[razorback]

I\'ve passed some nice bucks at 20 yards and closer with that angle. I don\'t care for that shot. I think if you wait you will likely get a better angle. That\'s just my opinion though I\'ve never shot an elk only WTs. I\'m a fan of broadside or quartering away shots

 

[Deertick]

I think I\'m passing. He\'ll turn a bit in a second, and the risk of a \"one-lung+guts\" shot is not small.

 

[elkmtngear]

I think if an arrow was to hit the 7 oclock position of Brads blue circle chances of hitting the opposite side lung would be better.

^^^^^This! Matter of fact, I would shoot even farther forward.

My bull last year was at a similar angle, but almost straight down. Arrow entered base of neck/ front of shoulder, and came out opposite \"armpit\". Devastating shot (took out big vessels at top of heart as well as lungs)...dead bull at around 80 yds.

 

[cnelk]

I sure am glad that nobody has stated that their bow would blow right thru tat scapula if it was hit

 

[bowhunter]

I sure am glad that nobody has stated that their bow would blow right thru tat scapula if it was hit

:haha: I have done that on a deer. I would never never try it on an elk.

 

[Swede]

Without debating the shot presented, I usually take the first acceptable shot presented. Too many times I have lost out because something as dumb as a squirrel starting to chatter, spooks the elk. What was a little less than an ideal shot, is instantly gone. I have experienced this on more than one occasion including last season.

 

[Zpd307]

swede, you are absolutely right!

 

[OldMan]

Swede....The question is what do we think is an acceptable shot? We all have our personal standards.

All these type of threads do is expose everybody\'s standards.

 

[bowhunter]

Swede....The question is what do we think is an acceptable shot? We all have our personal standards.

All these type of threads do is expose everybody\'s standards.

I would say an acceptable shot is one YOU know you can make a quick clean kill knowing the anatomy of the animal. If you have any doubt. ANY. Pass or wait for a better shot.

 

[elkmtngear]

I\'m always using my \"X-Ray Vision\" when looking for a shot opportunity

 

[Swede]

I would say an acceptable shot is one YOU know you can make a quick clean kill knowing the anatomy of the animal. If you have any doubt. ANY. Pass or wait for a better shot.

That covers the acceptable standard as well as anything I could have said.

 

[razorback]

Swede,

I can relate to you on not getting a shot. It has happened to me several times on good bucks. It\'s just something I think a bow hunter has to live with and it makes it that much sweeter when it all comes together.

I don\'t criticize anyone for what they think is an acceptable shot, the only reason I don\'t like the shot is I have helped too many buddies track WTs who took shots similar to this and claim they hit about where Brad was suggesting to shoot. Whether they did or not who knows but most of the time the recovery never happened or at least not on the same day and the animal was wasted.

 

[Swede]

I have helped too many buddies track WTs who took shots similar to this and claim they hit about where Brad was suggesting to shoot. Whether they did or not who knows but most of the time the recovery never happened or at least not on the same day and the animal was wasted.

Razorback, you make an excellent point. I am not trying to tell anyone to shoot or not shoot. I applaud those that know their limits and stay away from risky shots. Every so often I hear some knot head say they shoot more accurately at big game animals than at targets. That is total nonsense, and a person does not become a better shot because they are flinging arrows or bullets at big game. There is a huge difference between luck and skill in that area. Too many people are willing to take excessively risky shots because they believe they will likely not get another chance. If a hunter has any sense of decency, they will hunt for wounded game until all hope for recovery is exhausted. This search will in itself reduce your time available for better hunting opportunities.