Hunting elk in mountain environments like Colorado can be a completely new experience for many hunters. Shot distances can be long and elk are extremely tough animals. If you read our last article on shooting practice, the next step is being confident in a well-placed and ethical shot.
At Winterhawk Outfitters, we take the wounding of game very seriously. A clean kill, as it should be for any hunter, is of very high importance. No matter how heavily your heart might be pounding and no matter how nervous you might be with a rush of bull fever, simply aiming for the middle and pulling the trigger is never an option.
Every hunter must be confident in his or her ability to pick a very specific point of aim and deliver an accurate shot. Here are a few tips on shot placement for elk and taking ethical shots in what might be a new, high alpine environment.
Although an elk might seem huge and is certainly larger than any whitetail you’ve ever seen, a well-placed shot in the vitals still takes accuracy and good judgment. First, analyze this bull elk and imagine the exact spot you would pick as your point of aim:
Did you hone in on a specific point? Now remember that spot. Next, let’s take look at this diagram, showing the vitals and bone structure of a deer, which will mirror that of an elk. Notice where the heart is, and where the lungs sit, top and bottom, left and right.
After examining this diagram, would you change your point of aim? Many hunters tend to hit elk either too far back or too high. As you can see, if you drew a line up the animal’s leg and continued straight up the body, the heart lies right on that line, less than halfway up the chest.
Aiming about a third of the way up the chest and right on the front leg crease not only gives hunters a great shot at the top of the heart, but it also provides the most room for error. The last thing you want to do is hit an elk behind the lungs into the gut. And hitting too high can mean a one-lung hit or a hit in the “no-man’s land” between the lungs and spine. Any of these scenarios will often result in an unrecoverable animal.
You will also notice that the front leg angles forward toward the front of the chest and then joints back toward the shoulder blade, forming a “V” that exposes most of the vitals in a broadside position. That means archery hunters can take advantage of this same point of aim, a bone-free window into the heart.
So what about shots that aren’t broadside? Both archery and rifle hunters have a great shot with quartering away animals. Just remember, your point of aim will now be further back. The steeper the angle, the further back your point of aim will be. Just visualize the path of your arrow or bullet through the elk’s vital area from this angle (see photo below). Based on this angle, your point of aim will probably be a few inches behind the crease.
Archery hunters are always advised not to take a shot on an elk that is quartering toward the hunter. When an elk is angling toward you, the front leg bone obstructs the vital area (see photo below). An archer should always wait for a better shot. Rifle hunters may be able to take this shot if they are confident in their rifle’s ballistic ability to pierce bone at the given distance. However, taking this shot with a rifle will spoil a significant amount of shoulder meat.
With a specific idea of your point of aim, hunters must then take into account their shooting ability. A hunter should know his or her limits and pass any shot where they do not feel completely confident in making a clean kill. If you’ve been practicing all year, you should know exactly what your abilities and limits are. Again, please see our previous article on shooting practice.
When you’re in the field, don’t let adrenaline get the best of you and hastily fling lead into the air. If you’re not sure of the shot, pass it. If you do feel confident, relax, pick your exact point of aim and execute a great shot.
If you have any questions about elk or mule deer hunts with Winterhawk Outfitters, call us at 970-487-3011 or contact us online. You can also find information on our hunting page.
The Winterhawk team attended the Orvis Guide’s Western Rendezvous, an annual event held in a different western location each year. This year’s rendezvous was held in Missoula, Montana. Winterhawk was represented by Barry Kubat, Matt Miller and Bob Terwilliger.
We look forward to sharing this information with our clients and the rest of our team this upcoming season! If you’re looking for an unforgettable fly fishing adventure this summer, look no further than the wilderness horseback experience we offer at Wintherhawk. We are an Orvis endorsed outfitter and have been guiding clients for 30 years. We can tailor a trip to the needs of any group.
To our brave men and women who have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan in the past year, we’d like to say, “Welcome home!” For our 2012 anniversary season, we’d like to show our sincere appreciation by giving you a 25% discount on any trip with Winterhawk Outfitters. Come and enjoy an elk hunt, fishing trip or summer horseback vacation in Colorado’s beautiful Flat Tops Wilderness Area!
