Elk under 20 yards

[Biathlonman]

Completely different animal, but I found out it would have been very helpful to be comfortable at 30-40 when hunting elk in Kentucky a few years back. With limited hunting and no natural predators they usually were pretty content if you were 30ish plus yards away.  They live in areas with lots of human contact.  It was almost funny on some occasions.  They would stand at about 40 and watch you.  If you took a step forward, they would take a step back.

[Ray Hammond]

I shot my biggest bull at 4 yards

[FoCoBlackWidow]

Five seasons and counting without an arrow in the air. I've gotten a handful from 40-50 but nothing closer. The people I've hunted with have all gotten elk inside 20, so it's certainly possible. Good luck!

[catman1]

Went Co bow elk once early in my life. I was a young, stupid hot **** (longbow)  kid. 35 years later it's got a lot easier inside 15 yards and I'm not a hot **** now. Longbow of course, aint changing. (Wish the Co tag was the same as back it the day for bow)....

[overbo]

Depends on how you hunt them,

W/ a caller set back from you, it's very possible your shots can be under 20yrds. Now if you hunt solo, things can be a lot trickier, which tells you shots are more likely to be further than the caller set behind you method. Remember, a lot of times bull's will stop and rake a something on their approach. This can be the break you're looking for, try to approach him as quickly as possible while he's occupied w/ raking. They will usually have their eyes closed and the noise from battling the brush can give you an advantage.

[K.S.TRAPPER]

I hunted elk for many years in several states and never had problems getting elk in close 5-25yds getting the shot is the hard part. Killed them too but I hunted by myself most the time sometimes with a partner, very little bugling and always used a couple different cow calls. Don't expect all the elk to act like what you see on the TV shows and vidio's either those are ranch elk and they don't act like public land elk, just saying.

   

Stop worrying about the little things, enjoy the mountains and your family. Your going to work your butt off and there is nothing like it, you will either love or hate it but don't try to predict what's going to happen. Just let it happen!!!

   

Tracy

[Kris]

Excellent post with a legitimate concern/insecurity for effective distance; great stories all consistent with my experiences as well.  

I've had bulls, cows & fawns within a stones toss but have yet to harvest one for various reasons; 0-25 yds. will get the job done I believe.  

Getting one is bonus...I just hope that you can get into them and experience the magic          

The smell of elk, their size, their sounds and their habitat is the bomb!  The ultimate trad bow experience!

Best of luck.  

Kris

[Ceb]

I have made four trips after elk and as other's have said have yet to loose an arrow. Not because I couldn't get close though, twice I have had cows under 20yds while waiting on a bull to get open and ended up getting busted. Passed on a calf at under 15yds. Exciting stuff, hope to go again.

[Kopper1013]

Thanks guys!! We are so excited, we will be fully guided for this hunt so hopefully there knowledge will at least show us some elk, hunting is hunting but I sure would love to see them. Thanks again for all you input I feel much better.

[damascusdave]

So what is your standard for kill zone...and how quickly can you get an arrow into that kill zone when an opportunity presents itself...I would think more about being able to shoot quickly than being able to shoot farther if calling them in

DDave

[MnFn]

I called one in less than twenty yards but he came in directly towards me - no shot.  When he continued on I  couldn't shoot until  he was 33-35 yards, due to trees.  That was just too far with poor angle for me to shoot.

But it was exciting. Hope to do it again sometime.

[Chain2]

I have only shot one with a bow. I'm guessing 23-25 yds. After that hunt, it is all I want to do. There is nothing like elk with a longbow. I'm not going this year but I am already excited about next. We will be back in the Bridger Wilderness chasing the elusive Wapiti. Like some others have said, enjoy the experience. I wouldn't worry about yds to target, your practice will make the necessary corrections out to a range you are comfortable with. Enjoy.

[J. Holden]

I don't mean to be Debbie Downer but push yourself to practice farther if you can.  Even if you're not consistent. You will at least know you can reach out that far and you may even surprise yourself.  After I started practicing out to 30 yds. I was in the kill zone quite often.

I say this because I recently came home from WY empty handed after a pronghorn hunt.  All my shots were 30+ yds.  I was just under their belly every time.  I started telling myself "they'll be closer, don't worry".  Well, I should have worried a little more I guess.

Regardless, practice further than you normally would shoot and pray they come in closer.

-Jeremy  

[Basinboy]

On my way home now with a 5x5 shot at 13 yards and I had a 4x5 pass at 5 yards. Yes u can do it!

[vernon]

last bull I took was at 6 yards with a buddy calling behind me and a decoy.  However, I've had lots of encounters where I've been surrounded by elk with several well under 20 yards milling around.  Sometimes they are too close and you can't move or draw.  Know your limitations and stick with them and enjoy the ride!

[deltakid]

As a kid growing up in western Colorado, I hunted elk quite a bit with m old 47# Bear Kodiak hunter.  The biggest bull I have ever seen in my life - I missed 3 times over 30 minutes, with the longest shot I took at 15 steps.  The third shot, I had buck fever so bad, my arrow went so far over his back that I believe NASA still classifies it as orbital space junk. You can get close - just take your time and have patience.