elk at what distance

[sticknstring+]

I'm with Felix and the other- practice long, hunt close guys. My closest bull so far was 7 yards, closest buck was 3 yards.

[twitchstick]

Right now if I had to set a mark it would be around 30 yards. Now that said I have  pasted up shots at 10 and shot at 25 or vice versa. Waiting for the right shot is key,animal behavor,limbs,angles all play a part. When it is right you'll know. I have notice that When I am the picky about what shots I take,I get more quality shots and more kills.

[amar911]

I would feel comfortable in many situations out to 30 yards, but not where I was shooting from an awkward position. Sure 20 yards or less would be great, but an elk is a big animal and not that hard to hit well at 30 yards if you practice regularly out to 40 yards and beyond.

Allan

[elksticker]

I've killed 13 so far and only one was closer than 25 yds.  Like most animals they seem to sense some thing is not right when you get real close.  I like them calm and always broadside.  Never lost one yet, knock on wood.

[Michael Pfander]

I fall into the if it feels right then the shot will work out group.  I have killed elk so close I could feel them breath and then I have killed them across small meadows.  All of the long recoveries I've been involved with were ones where the shooters were pushing the limit of the situation.  It can be the wind, the animals, the vegetation, or it can simply be you.  We all have days when nothing seems right.  This last season I could never get a shot opportunity that said dead elk to me even tho I was into elk every day for 5 days.  I came home with a head full of elk even if my cooler wasn't.

MAP

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Short answer: it depends.

[Cool Arrow]

At any distance over twenty five yards the animal is seldom in exactly the same position by the time of the arrows arrival. So much can and usually does happen during the arrows flight.As far as yardage goes I never really think about it. My subconsious say thats close enough ,or that's beyond my capability.

[Brian Krebs]

Kinda depends on the elk. If you get elk coming into a bugle- your going to be getting 10 yard or less shots. Although the lungs and heart are bigger; the leg bones are like armor and you really have a small kill zone. I think opportunity determines range; but shots over 20 yards are rare if you do things right. Your arrow can zip through an elk at 20 yards if you hit the rib cage - but it seems like most of my shots have been under that .
 If you trick them; you trick them good !

[Doug Treat]

I like to keep my shots under 30 yds. I have taken 5 elk with traditional bows from 25-40 yds.  2 @ 25, 2 @ 30 and 1 @ 40  The 40 yd shot looked like just over 30 to me so I took it, then stepped it off and it was right at 40.  The funny thing is I seem to shoot best and the elk seem to be less spooky when I am at least 25 yds out. Closer than that and they are really on edge, I don't know if they can smell something or it's a 6th. sense.  I have had elk as close as 5 yds. but the shot never seems to materialize when the're that close.  I would rather have them @ 25 than @ 10.

[FerretWYO]

Originally posted by Doug Treat:
I like to keep my shots under 30 yds. I have taken 5 elk with traditional bows from 25-40 yds.  2 @ 25, 2 @ 30 and 1 @ 40  The 40 yd shot looked like just over 30 to me so I took it, then stepped it off and it was right at 40.  The funny thing is I seem to shoot best and the elk seem to be less spooky when I am at least 25 yds out. Closer than that and they are really on edge, I don't know if they can smell something or it's a 6th. sense.  I have had elk as close as 5 yds. but the shot never seems to materialize when the're that close.  I would rather have them @ 25 than @ 10.

Doug makes a very good point and I have to agree.

[Brian Krebs]

I too agree with Doug Treat- and I noticed something- " stepped it off". Stepping off a distance is not like using a range finder. Stepping off 40 steps may be a 30 yard shot; depending on the conditions; like up or down hill...
 ( At least I know for sure ~I~ suck at guessing distances- even when I step them off).

[screamin]

Originally posted by Doug Treat:
I like to keep my shots under 30 yds. I have taken 5 elk with traditional bows from 25-40 yds.  2 @ 25, 2 @ 30 and 1 @ 40  The 40 yd shot looked like just over 30 to me so I took it, then stepped it off and it was right at 40.  The funny thing is I seem to shoot best and the elk seem to be less spooky when I am at least 25 yds out. Closer than that and they are really on edge, I don't know if they can smell something or it's a 6th. sense.  I have had elk as close as 5 yds. but the shot never seems to materialize when the're that close.  I would rather have them @ 25 than @ 10.

I gotta agree, they seem to have an uncanny ability to pick you off if your to close.  Every one I have shot has been over 25 yds. I've been closer many times but just could not get it to happen.

[Overspined]

seems like they are either too close or two far! elk hunting is a riot, but hard work on public OTC areas.