elk at what distance

[pumatrax]

Just wondering what the furthest distance is you would shoot at an elk with a traditional bow...for me it would be 25 yards and (hopefully)less...

[wingnut]

I've killed elk from 7 paces to 35 yards with a "all natural" longbow.

Mike

[Bjorn]

My limit for all living stuff is about 20 yards.

[Whip]

My goal is 20 yards and under.  If everything is "just right" might stretch it a bit - last year killed a cow at 25.  Everything just worked out to where I was comfortable with that at the moment.  The next 25 yard encounter might be different though.

[Benoli]

20 yards is my self imposed limit except Ground squirrels. Them squirrels are just too fun to pass up at longer distances even if it's only to see them jump!

[STEVE R.]

I would go to 25 yards for sure.

[StanM]

Elk are big critters, with big(ger) kill zones and the temptation to stretch your range on them can be high.  Thankfully I've never lost an elk, but I've been on a few track jobs that didn't end well and the ringing similarity in all cases was a "marginal" hit.  

Personally, and bear in mind I've only shot a few, I try to keep my shots low, in the bottom third of the animal.  This shrinks the kill zone for me a bit to where what I'm aiming for is the same size as a deer's kill zone.

If you are really sure your going to put the arrow where you need it, fire away.  If your not certain, hold off.

[bowfiend]

I don't mean to sound flip, but I don't really consider distance "in the moment". I get as close as I can and if I look at the shot and think to myself "dead elk", well then that's a shot I take. I guess that's just my philosophy with any hunting situation - I don't put a distance on it, I just know if I can make the shot or not. That's not to say that I make every shot I take, but I certainly don't say to myself "Uh oh. That's 26 yards and I prefer shots @ 20." I'm fairly conservative in my decision making so I pass up alot more shots than I take.

My experience, though, is that you rarely have time to assess a situation for distance and put a number to it, then debate internally over the number. So I practice to make the shot (whatever the shot is) and then I know when it's time. Does that make any sense?

[rappstar]

I train for a 40 yard max shot.  But that would have to feel just right.

[Pegen]

20 yards and under, but if I feel reeeeally comfortable for a 20-25 yards shot, I might take it

[joevan125]

Killed my first trad animal this year with a 25 yard shot and he took a step before the arrow got there. LONG traking before recovery.

[pumatrax]

For me target "training" is WAY different than shooting at deer or elk...I might (or not) hit a target in the center at 40 yards , but it's not moving, even at close distances under 25 yards , I've had deer and elk dodge a shot..the margin for error is Greatly increased by the distance...what you think "might" be a good shot could become a nightmare...

[Mr.Chuck]

I practice 45 yds and down.  I feel very comfortable taking that shot at that distance, considering most things in my favor.   We always want for a closer shot, but we also usually don't get what we want. The size of the animal is a big factor, too.

[FerretWYO]

I practice far and hunt close. I have taken elk out to 35 yards. I would much rather have them inside 25 though.

[PAPA BEAR]

my closest was 5yds...i'll shoot out to 35 with the confidence i will hit where i'm lookin.thats broadside or slightly quartered away.anything else i pass on.

[Horne Shooter]

Pretty much what Bowfiend said.

[NDTerminator]

Taking my skill/comfort level and the bows & arrow set ups I shoot, and the fact that the kill zone on an elk is much larger than a deer sized critter, I would allow myself to take the shot out to 25 yards, given an unobstructed path & stationary broadside elk...

I don't have any doubt I could 10 ring an elk sized critter at 35 yards, but I would be less confident in the penetration I would get...

[cacciatore]

Depend from the circustances,sometime 15 ydrs are too long others 40ys could be good.I practice long and try to shot as close as possible.This was one of the reasons I gave up with the Wheels,shooting too far.

[Butch Speer]

Tho I don't hunt elk, I think Bowfiend has it. If it feels right, take it. If not, let it go. No matter how close or far it is. It's kind of trusting your feelings.

[Tree Killer]

I only confident out to a little over 20 yards. I'm right-handed and left-eye dominant, so I have to keep my shots to that range or less.  I've also passed up shots at much closer range just because "it just wasn't the right shot".