re: Awesome 10 yard Elk Bow kill.

He more than likely severed the aorta. That an open spigot.

I'd have taken a lot more shots at 14 that I will at 32

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I'd have taken a lot more shots at 14 that I will at 32

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Agreed, but there had to be an adult off camera (perhaps filming) that could have advised. He got lucky with that shot, but it reinforces a potentially bad habit.

If you bow hunt at all you've taken far more riskier shots than that at some point in time.

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I don't believe a bullet could have conquered that pristine beast.

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You would be wrong

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Cant question the effectiveness in this instance, but I would have never and I mean never taken that shot. The shot probably severed an artery in the neck. He was equally likely to have flagged him by sticking him in the shoulder. Good fortune smiled on that young man.

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which is why I said "lucky little frick"


that and the fact he gets the opportunity to hunt a trophy elk at that age.

Congrats to the young man. That was a fine kill, no doubt.


FWIW I think he hit one or both of the brachial arteries and possibly the anterior edge of the heart.

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For all we know that kid could be schooled on the vitals of an elk and have world class accuracy and knew exactly what he was doing and what damage that arrow would do

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The bold is where my agreement begins... and ends.

Here is my line of thinking on this.

You hard hunting from the ground with a bow. The chances of getting one in range are slim, then couple that with getting one in range that offers a perfect broadside shot. Id make sure I knew, and taught my young hunting partner or son, where to place a shot on an elk no mater what position its in. That way if its in range and unobstructed, you have a shot.

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You hard hunting from the ground with a bow. The chances of getting one in range are slim, then couple that with getting one in range that offers a perfect broadside shot. Id make sure I knew, and taught my young hunting partner or son, where to place a shot on an elk no mater what position its in. That way if its in range and unobstructed, you have a shot.

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If that arrow moves a few inches in any direction the outcome is different. A few inches to the left and he hits the shoulder, a few to the right and he misses the vitals alltogether. This was much more a quartering toward shot (a major no-no for archery) than a head on shot. Let's not give this young man undue credit.

The bull would eventually have turned offering a better shot when the bull identified the hunters and tried to flee or if the bull kept coming forward a broadside shot would have been presented too. I understand its heat of the moment and we've all rushed shots, I'm glad for the boy and the bull that it worked out as it did.

My point is, it could have easily gone another way.

I also disagree with your initial statement, getting in bow range of an elk is not nearly as difficult as you'd think. They arent the brightest in the animal kingdom.

I've bowhunted elk and during the bugle its not uncommon to get unnervingly close to big bulls. It was a bit scary on my first few encounters. The elk are so large and have few natural predators and when they commit to coming in they are often at a full on gallop. It's the closest thing to Spring turkey hunting that I've ever experienced with a big game animal.

I wouldnt say 10 yard shots are common but there are countless vids online of very short archery shots on elk. Some shots at only a matter of a few feet. There are plenty of guys who take 50-60 yard shots too. I stuck my best bull at 12 steps and have had bulls literally on the opposite side of the pine tree on more than one occasion. You can hear your heart pounding through your ears as the adrenaline is surging.

If you get a chance if only once to hunt them with a bow during the bugle you should.

I disagree on the never take the shot. If you know what you are doing you can do it. I will just leave this here from Elk 101:

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The frontal shot is one that is hotly contested. Those who have made frontal shots can attest to the massive and immediate trauma that a well-placed frontal shot can inflict. The arguments against taking a frontal shot, however, are worth taking a look at as well. Penetration – many hunters will argue that it is difficult to get penetration in this area, referring to the “grapefruit-sized” opening you have to hit in order to miss the ribs. Additionally, the target is smaller, therefore, it is viewed as a low-percentage shot.

There are 2 issues that definitely need to be mentioned if you are considering a frontal shot: (1) Don’t aim low. Aiming low puts you in the “sternum” area and although the ribs are small in this area, at a fully frontal angle they are concentrated and it is best to hit above them. (2) Be sure to hit in the center and not to the side. Shooting off-center (especially combined with a low shot) on a frontal shot exposes an arrow to deflection off the ribs, resulting in the arrow penetrating between the rib cage and the shoulder blade. The image to the left shows where to aim on a straight-on (frontal) shot. Avoid aiming at the transition of dark to light hair – this is where the sternum comes together and you can also see the leg bones are closer together in this area. Aim halfway up the body cavity, just as you would on a broadside shot. In this area you have a 12? window that will safely take you into the vitals. Additionally, the jugular as well as several other main arteries run through here, and the resulting blood loss from a shot in this area can be devastating.

When it comes to shot placement on elk, the bottom line is this – shoot where you are confident. This applies to every aspect of the shot: distance, angle, etc. Practice at the distances you plan to shoot. Know your limits and STICK TO THEM IN THE FIELD! Educate yourself on anatomy – know ahead of time where you need to aim, and where you are comfortable aiming to make a clean shot, and STICK TO IT! Frustration and desperation have to lead to success, but more often than not, they lead to failure. Be patient and wait for a shot you are confident you can make. There is only one feeling worse than tracking an elk after a bad shot, and that is not finding that elk. Educate yourself and practice, and your confidence will lead to success in the field!

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Pretty sure whatever was hit was not arterial alone - arteries gush with the heart beat, this was a heavy steady flow so it was either artery and venial or heart.