Where can I shoot an elk rifle?

While a broadside shot provides the largest vital area to shoot at, the shot needs to be placed behind the leg/shoulder bones and in front of the diaphragm. The width of this vital area on an average-sized elk is also around 12-14”.

Subsequently, one may also ask, where is the best place to shoot an elk with a rifle?

As a general rule, a spot in the middle of the lungs or slightly lower is ideal. An arrow or bullet through both lungs will bring down any large game animal. Broadside shots are known as the best opportunities to aim and shoot a game animal in the right spot, so that's where we'll start.

One may also ask, how big is the kill zone on a elk? On a mature Bull Elk, the full chest length from top to bottom through the chest right behind the front legs (including hair) is 32". The Max. Kill Zone is 22", Practical Kill Zone is 18", Maxinum Point Blank Range (MPBR) is 9" above and below the center of animal.

Keeping this in view, where do you shoot an elk for clean kills?

Elk Vitals: The best vital shot placement on an elk with a bow is a double lung shot with the animal standing broadside. Training yourself to follow the back of the elk's front leg about ? of the way up the chest will give you a perfect spot to aim for a double lung shot.

How hard is it to hunt elk?

Most elk hunters return home with no elk meat or antlers to show for their efforts. I've been that guy after four of my seven hunts, but I've been fortunate enough to take two elk with a bow and one with my rifle, too. Elk hunting is extremely difficult. All elk hunters combined share an approximate 10% success rate.

22 Related Question Answers Found

Will spooked elk return?

Spooked elk might change their location for a however long they decide it takes to feel safe to venture back. Most elk I bump go a few hundred yards then stop to see if they are being pursued. I've had deer and elk spook and return to the same spot with as little as 15-20 minutes, especially if you don't chase them.

How do I attract elk to my property?

Provide forage plants: Some good options include aspen, cottonwood, big leaf maple, hazelnut, huckleberry, thimbleberry, trailing blackberry, bear grass, cow-parsnip, false solomon's seal, dandelion, serviceberry, red-twig dogwood, red alder, fireweed.

How well can elk see?

When it comes to sight, elk aren't endowed with precise vision. In fact, they see around the human equivalence of 20-60. Additionally, they don't see the full color spectrum humans do. Elk vision is dichromatic, which means their world is seen in two colors, not trichromatic like our vision.

How do you still hunt elk?

These six elk hunting techniques for rifle season will increase your odds of success over every other hunter in the woods this season.

Glass in thick cover.
Find flat spots amid steep slopes.
Pay attention to the wind.
Be in shape.
Slow down.
Hunt in the afternoon and be where the elk are until dark.

What to do after you shoot an elk?

After the shot, give the animal at least 30 minutes before starting your search. If it was a gut shot, give the animal at least 6 hours. During this time sit tight, keep your composure and remain quiet. Noise may startle a down elk and it may run farther away.

How do you stalk an elk?

Stalk an Elk Herd

Go Deep. One mile from the trailhead, you'll leave most of your competition behind.
Camp Close. Pitch your tarp within earshot of the herd—no farther than 1⁄2 mile.
Hit a Track. One of the best things about hunting elk with camp on your back is following a trail wherever it goes.
Must-Have Gear.

Where do you shoot a black bear with an arrow?

An arrow through both lungs will typical cause the bear to drop in sight, though. Many deer hunters use the near leg as a reference point. They follow it up to lower chest to settle the pin on heart/lungs region. If you follow the same routine with a black bear, you will miss the lungs completely.

How big are the vitals on an elk?

O'Conner says that the average elk will measure 24″-26″ from the top of the back, down to the brisket – and have a circular vital area roughly 15″ in diameter. Obviously the heart, lungs, and liver of an elk don't form a perfect circle, but the 15″ figure is a good starting point to consider.

Where do you shoot elk broadside?

Broadside Shots

The ideal place to aim on a broadside shot is center of the body (vertically), and in the “crease” that runs vertically behind the front leg. A shot in this location will put you right in the center of the lungs and provide the largest margin for error if you miss your mark.

How long does it take for a liver shot deer to die?

3 to 4 hours

How do elk hunt in snow?

As I mentioned earlier, elk go lower when the snow gets about 15” deep. Drive to higher altitude until the snow starts to get deep. Look around. If they're not in full migration mode yet because there's not enough snow, hunt just below the snow line, again looking for where they have herded up on south facing slopes.

How do you track a bull elk?

How to Track and Hunt Elk in the Wilderness

1 START IN THE PARKS. Open parks and other sunny clearings in the timber are great places to find tracks.
2 TEST THE TRACK.
3 SIZE UP YOUR PREY.
4 HEAD THEM OFF.
5 SNEAK INTO THEIR BEDS.
6 TAKE THEM WHERE YOU FIND THEM.

How do hunters avoid shooting each other?

Position yourself so that you're firing away from roads, trails, and parking areas. Position yourself so that you're firing into the woods, not out of it. Learn where people have regular blinds set up and avoid their fields of fire. Most hunters (deer at least) shoot from an elevated position.

How big is the kill zone on a deer?

Common estimates are 8" to 9" diameter. Of course, the measure is the "kill-zone" from ground level and broadside. Size changes in accordance with angle and/or height.

Do elk have good eyesight?

Elk Anatomy – Senses. Elk have acute olfactory nerves in their nostrils, making them very aware of the odors in their area. However, they have just average sight and hearing. Elk have decent eyesight, and they do rely on their eyes to spot danger or identify nearby objects.

How tall is an elk at the shoulder?

Average Height at Shoulder ranges from 48-59 inches with a maximum of 64 inches. The average bull elk is about 59 inches at the shoulder.