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Trad+Elk+40 yards=????

TF with a heavy recurve, heavy arrow, SHARP arrow, and a tuned bow to the arrow, I'd shoot a BIG elk at 40 yards. Having saod that though, a second and more important consideration enters into the equation. CONFIDENCE! I would shoot what I had "compelte" confidence in. I know you and KNOW you wiould use what would work fer you! Wach em and stack em!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Ted. 40 yards by sept will be a basket ball or smaller size chip shot. ;)
 
Read an article on Bob Lee in the recent TBM, he killed a Caribou at 65 yards with a Wing Hunter.
I know Fred Bear made similar shots as well as Ben Pearson as well as their friends and hunting partners.
 
hunting, like all of lifes endeavors, it's about setting goals and doing what it takes to achieve them. assuming you agree, Thunderflight, this begs the question: why are you going elk hunting? is your primary goal to simply kill an elk? if so, don't waste your time with all this archery business and take a centerfire rifle appropriate for the task. if it matters to you how you kill an elk, then how much does it matter? if all you care to do is lay one low with an arrow of some sort, then get yourself the most technologically advanced arrow launcher you can afford and get jiggy with it. if you wish to take the more free-spirited approach, i.e. go hunt your ass off with your stickbow, enjoy the scenery and mountain air, and do whatever you must to get yourself within 30(or less) yards of an elk and accept the reality that you will likely come home with nothing but memories and photographs, then take your recurve. do you have enough discipline to let a good bull walk at 40+? my point is, decide what is most important to you and proceed accordingly.
 
hunting, like all of lifes endeavors, it's about setting goals and doing what it takes to achieve them. assuming you agree, Thunderflight, this begs the question: why are you going elk hunting? is your primary goal to simply kill an elk? if so, don't waste your time with all this archery business and take a centerfire rifle appropriate for the task. if it matters to you how you kill an elk, then how much does it matter? if all you care to do is lay one low with an arrow of some sort, then get yourself the most technologically advanced arrow launcher you can afford and get jiggy with it. if you wish to take the more free-spirited approach, i.e. go hunt your ass off with your stickbow, enjoy the scenery and mountain air, and do whatever you must to get yourself within 30(or less) yards of an elk and accept the reality that you will likely come home with nothing but memories and photographs, then take your recurve. do you have enough discipline to let a good bull walk at 40+? my point is, decide what is most important to you and proceed accordingly.

Obviously if I can't shoot that far then I won't. However, if I can shoot accurately and consistently at 40 yards then why would I let a good bull go at that range when the majority of comments I have received along with the research I have performed states that my set up is sufficient to get the penetration I need at that yardage?
 
Feeling guilty about considering cheating on my favorite bow, I took her out in the back yard and started shooting. I swear she knew my eyes were starting to wander towards another because after not shooting since early January I literally put 12 shots into a snuff can at 15 yards. Being skeptical I stepped back to 25 and did the same, but this time it was only 8 outta 12. The other four arrows were within a softball sized ring. I've done this on three separate days and every time my girl is telling me that she's up to the task, hungry for adventure, and has always been and will always be my faithful and consistent instrument of death.

So with that I'm going to have to figure out a way to shoot 50+ yards regularly. I think I can pull it off in my back yard if I shoot over the fence.
 
lest you think otherwise, I'm not questioning your intentions, ability, discipline or the kinetic energy of your set up, but rather suggesting that you ought to for the sake of deciding how to play it. although, it strikes me as odd that you would be so concerned about being able to get adequate penetration at 40 yards. is all academic if you can hit one in the center of the chest at whatever distance. you have plenty of power, especially with a quality two blade broadhead. you don't have to blow through them like a hot knife through butter, just put a hole in both lungs. jus' sayin.

on the other hand, I'm just a hairy tailed rat running around between the feet of the serious big game hunters hereabouts...:smiley_coolpeace:
 
hunting, like all of lifes endeavors, it's about setting goals and doing what it takes to achieve them. assuming you agree, Thunderflight, this begs the question: why are you going elk hunting? is your primary goal to simply kill an elk? if so, don't waste your time with all this archery business and take a centerfire rifle appropriate for the task. if it matters to you how you kill an elk, then how much does it matter? if all you care to do is lay one low with an arrow of some sort, then get yourself the most technologically advanced arrow launcher you can afford and get jiggy with it. if you wish to take the more free-spirited approach, i.e. go hunt your ass off with your stickbow, enjoy the scenery and mountain air, and do whatever you must to get yourself within 30(or less) yards of an elk and accept the reality that you will likely come home with nothing but memories and photographs, then take your recurve. do you have enough discipline to let a good bull walk at 40+? my point is, decide what is most important to you and proceed accordingly.

Interesting choice if yardage saying 30.
 
Sneaky lil squirrel has spilled his identity through his thought process.


Welcome aboard, squirrely, glad to have ya!
 
lest you think otherwise, I'm not questioning your intentions, ability, discipline or the kinetic energy of your set up, but rather suggesting that you ought to for the sake of deciding how to play it. although, it strikes me as odd that you would be so concerned about being able to get adequate penetration at 40 yards. is all academic if you can hit one in the center of the chest at whatever distance. you have plenty of power, especially with a quality two blade broadhead. you don't have to blow through them like a hot knife through butter, just put a hole in both lungs. jus' sayin.

on the other hand, I'm just a hairy tailed rat running around between the feet of the serious big game hunters hereabouts...:smiley_coolpeace:

Why does this strike you odd?
 
rotflmaorotflmaoI don't understand how I can state my answer more clearly. I felt a tremor in the force. I'm just trying to help. I got here as fast as I could. rotflmao rotflmao rotflmao

Milo, if you intend to whip me with a feesh arrow, I'd suggest bringing backup. lmao
 
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rotflmaorotflmaoI don't understand how I can state my answer more clearly. I felt a tremor in the force. I'm just trying to help. I got here as fast as I could. rotflmao rotflmao rotflmao

Milo, if you intend to whip me with a feesh arrow, I'd suggest bringing backup. lmao

Bring some german bolgna and we will call it square...
 
rotflmaorotflmaoI don't understand how I can state my answer more clearly. I felt a tremor in the force. I'm just trying to help. I got here as fast as I could. rotflmao rotflmao rotflmao

Milo, if you intend to whip me with a feesh arrow, I'd suggest bringing backup. lmao

I felt a rift in the force and got here for milo fast as I could. lmao.
 
I give up some German Bologna, you gonna owe me. yea, it's that good. :smiley_bril: and you can't share any with Jackalope. lol...