Questions for the experienced trad elk hunters

[GMMAT]

Amount of experience is not in question.....just need your opinions....

1.  I'm planning to take my 52# bow elk hunting in Sept.  My arrow is a 500gr. and I'm shooting it 181fps.  Your thoughts on whether or not this is sufficient/ethical?

2.  I'm toying with the idea of maybe going to a smaller diameter shaft for this trip.  Does the increased penetration characteristics (if it isn't hype) warrant giving this a look?

3.  For NC sized whitetails, I had no issues (penetration) with the 3 blade WW.  I had a good year with them.  For the CO trip, I'm thinking elk may warrant a 2 blade head.  I'm seriously thinking of Silver Flames for this trip....or another similar 2 blade; single bevel head.  Insurance?  Am I over-thinking this?

Thanks.  I have no experience on penetration with anything larger than a 170# NC deer and trad. tackle.

[SL]

If you have everything tuned well and you're already use to the set up I wouldnt change a thing.2 blade or 3 will work just make sure they are sharp.Put that arrow from that bow where it belongs and you wont have a problem. Try to get both lungs- dont take a raking shot on an elk- they can go along ways on one lung.
SL

[SL]

I should add that the most weight you can shoot acurating would be wise when it comes to larger animals.
SL

[LKH]

It's true that a two blade will probably penetrate better than a three.  You will get adequate penetration on broadside rib hits.  I doubt anything will help if you hit the front leg.  

It's just like using a gun.  Yeah, a .338 is probably better for elk than a .270, but if you flinch and can't shoot the .338, then it won't work for you.

If you strain and go up 10 pounds, you won't shoot as well and any bow advantage will be lost.

[Santiam]

58 pounds and 520 grains with a WW...The arrow is still going...Down in 30 yards...

 I say you will be fine...Hit them in the soft spot behind the shoulder...Nothing works if you hit the shoulder bone...

 Good luck and post pics..


 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Santiam/bull.jpg[/IMG]

please post images no wider than 640, thank you

[Steve O]

I've shot a grand total of one elk.  I shot that elk with a 53# Super Shrew, 545g Gold Tip including a 250g Wensel Woodsman.  I hit him right and he went less than 100 yards and most of that was momentum as he was running me over at the time I shot...

There was a super duper thin wall aluminum shaft piece connected to a 125g Thunderhead all healed up and gristled over in his shoulder bone when we butchered him.  

Don't mess with the scapula and you will be OK

[Mark Baker]

IMO, you are on the light side, poundage wise but you should be fine, just take high-percentage shots.  Also, given your lighter set-up, my 2 cents are to up the odds and use a 2-blade head. It's easy to do, and extra peace of mind, so why not?  That's the advice I would give you.  If you can't up your poundage, you do the things that you can do, easily, and you owe it the animal.  No sacrifice to accuracy.   Also would'nt hurt to up your overall arrow weight some.   It doesn't take muscle to do those two easy things, and it makes all the sense in the world...and you have plenty of time.

[joe ashton]

sure that is a great set up.  I've taken three elk with long bows in that general weight. One with a thunder head, zwicky two blade and one with a WW.  All dead with in 100 yards. As stated stay away from that shoulder blade... Bone out the meat and enjoy a fine bunch of dinners.

[fnshtr]

This is great as I had the same questions.

Thanks for sharing.

[Elk whisperer]

The silver flames will put them down

[Bugle1N]

GMMAT-
1) Your set up is plenty, I shoot 53# at 27.5", 500 grains and have had no problems.  Shooting anything heavier you risk accuracy, not worth a bit more penetration.
2)Narrower arrows do increase penetration, but 11/32 POC work great for me.  I would shoot what you been shooting.
3)Wenzels are fine, I shoot grizzly caribou 125 grain and do prefer two blade myself.  

Bugle1N

[bowfiend]

I hunted a 52# Robertson last year. I didn't kill an elk with it, but the thought that it might not be "enough bow" never crossed my mind. As far as the broadhead goes, I'd let you arrow flight determine what you use - use the one that flies silent and true. I say that becasue I got caught up in the single bevel craze last year and spent hours (and hours) trying to force a broadhead on my setup. In the end I went back to what I had been using and watching my arrow fly was like seeing an old friend  

[Brian Krebs]

its more about accuracy and sharp broadheads- you hit an elk wrong with any bow of any weight; and it will get away. Hit them right; and I have had them just tremble and fall over.

[jomama]

its all about placement.