My guide and I had been in the hills chasing elk for almost a week, and on many occasions, he had called elk in super close. Joe was already at full draw and took the exact same shot as mine just before the bull got to us. Can You Deer Hunt with 350 Legend? He then explained that the convergence of the heart, its major arteries and the windpipe is almost the size of a volleyball or pie plate. Keep in mind elk are big animals, and they are often noisy. Ive taken multiple elk with both the Carbon Express Maxima Red and Easton FMJ. Any suggestions??? Its way more important to shoot at the weight youre comfortable with rather than the amount of weight you are pulling., Start at 55 pounds. Optimal Arrow Weight for Elk Hunting: Your Ultimate Guide The answer is yes; however, they will need to have a much cleaner angle, a closer shot, and proper placement. Those generally weigh from 375 to 385 grains . I like this target because it is highly visible and easy to aim at; plus you can shoot it from different angles and faces. FOC (Front of Center) is definitely the marketing word of the decade in archery and it seems like everyone has a strong opinion here. Will they be able to take down an elk at that weight? Here are two good general rules: There are exceptions to every rule, so comment below if you have odd draw weights or draw lengths. Generally, a heavier arrow is preferred for higher draw weights to maximize energy transfer and penetration. Each state that offers elk hunting has specific rules for draw weight. Please browse our list of. If you want to shoot it as a fixed-blade, simply tighten a set screw and the head. Early in my elk-hunting career, I made the mistake of trying to be too stealthy on bulls I had worked up with my calling. Leave the screw in the factory setting and the bleeders will deploy for a 1 -inch cut. It features an adjustable draw weight from 10-70 Lbs. However, to ensure a successful hunt, it's essential to consider the factors that affect your gear's performance, specifically your arrows. A heavier arrow creates less noise during flight, as it causes less friction with the air. Lets dive deep on the key factors that make a great elk arrow dont say I didnt warn you! The appropriate arrow spine helps maintain accuracy, penetration, and energy transfer when shooting at an elk. The company has updated the pic systems for their popular Fast Eddie sights to make them compatible with the new mounting systems that are becoming more and more prevalent on many of the newer bow models being brought to the market today. He went in depth with telling me about all the arteries that converge in the front of the heart, which sits fairly close to the front of the chest. Yes, some bows have an 80-pound draw weight or more, but does that make them any better? Bowhunter Editor and "Bowhunter TV" host Curt Wells visits with Josh Johnson of Spot Hogg at the 2023 Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis. For 15 years now, I've been a Midwestern bowhunter who plans a trip or two each year to chase elk out in the Western states or in Canada. The biggest consideration should be overall weight. | More penetration equals more cutting area, which ultimately leads to a quicker, more ethical kill. Smaller diameter means less surface area for the wind to drag on, so these arrows are less effected by the wind than normal, The critical factor here is that the shaft diameter is, To get the same stiffness out of an arrow (aka spine) you have to use roughly the same amount of material. Arrows have been beefed up and slimmed down for better penetration. Dont worry about it too much. If youre taking shots under 60 yards (which 95% of hunters do) you wont notice a difference between 0.003 and 0.001. The materials used in the arrow shaft, broadhead, and other components will influence the arrows weight. It cuts with a 1 3/16-inch diameter for ideal blood trailing with a strong stainless steel ferrule, a chisel tip and ease in replacing blades. For elk hunting, its generally recommended to use a full-metal jacket (FMJ) or heavy carbon arrow for better penetration and energy retention. Most of this hinges off the research of Dr. Ed Ashby who used a traditional bow which typically uses extremely heavy arrows at short ranges. Total. "They were thinking that arrow weight was the answer and came up with a 400-grain minimum weight for elk hunting. This moderate-weight arrow shaft is paired with Vector's OPC (one-piece component) which caters to a more lightweight system . Easton, Carbon Express and Gold Tip, all offer arrows that meet elk demands. This can help prevent the elk from jumping the string and ensure a more successful shot. Like Prime bows and G5 broadheads have done for years, these new carbon arrows promise to be a big hit for bowhunters looking for an edge in the whitetail woods or out west targeting Rocky Mountain big game. Designed for 55 lb. Without any deployment of blades, a fixed blade begins cutting without having to unfold. Nock Travel Could Be Your Problem, New Deer Management Study: Small-Antlered Bucks & Stump Sprouts, New Attractants, Scents & Decoys for 2022, Where to Shoot a Deer: Bowhunting Shot Placement, Millennium Treestands L116 Bowlite Single Ladder Stand, Latitude Carbon Speed Series Climbing Sticks, Kinsey Nest Lite Elevation Stool and Elevation Quiver. Idaho. Actually thats more about how high your peep is, but thats another post. Last fall, I elk hunted as hard as I ever have. My recommendation is to choose a broadhead that groups dependably and has a proven track record for great penetration. Christian Berg visits with Alex Chopp of Latitude Outdoors about the company's Method 2 Saddle, which is a metal-free two-panel saddle that is quiet, compact, lightweight, comfortable, and adjustable for bowhunters preparing for a full day of hanging out in the autumn woods as a big buck comes calling. Before fletchings, we've got an arrow that weighs 589 grains and has an FOC of about 20 percent. A common FOC recommendation is 7-10%, but for hunting setups, I have had better luck with a FOC of 10-15%. Curt Wells is in New Mexico hunting elk from his ground blind, where he sees plenty of movement. The perfect elk arrow is deceptively simple: its accurate, penetrates like crazy, and is tough enough for the job. In addition to a sturdy setup, check for straightness with tolerances of plus or minus .003 inches being the accepted industry standard. Three big fletches might present more surface area (and therefore more drag) than four small fletches. Broadhead weighs 428 gr. My last four bulls all expired in full view for an ending that tops any Broadway hit. However, setting aside that simplistic overview, there are some specifics to consider as you look at long sticks and sharp points for your bow. [Bull & Cow Harvests Explained], How Much Does Elk Weigh? At a 30-yard, safe-space distance, the bull braked hard and cranked broadside to seemingly see if his aged eyes were playing tricks on him. Then he responded, "If they are that close and perfectly head-on, take the frontal shot!". WHERE HUNTERS & OUTDOORSMEN FIND THEIR GEAR, Draw Weight for Elk 2023 Guide [State Minimums + Best Gear], You might be wondering if youll need a more considerable draw weight than what youre used to when hunting deer. I can achieve this weight by choosing an arrow that weight approx. An arrow that is in the 9.25-9.75 grs/lb range is the best hunting weight arrow for any given draw weight. Black Eagle X-Impact Materials: High-mod carbon Diameter: .165" Straightness: .001 Nock: Black Eagle 8-grain micro nock Fletching: 2" Bohning blazer vanes Random drawing is on 5/29/23! Petersen's Bowhunting Editor Christian Berg provides an overview of the Phase 4, Mathews' flagship hunting bow for 2023. KE = (Arrow Weight x Speed^2) / 450,240. A higher draw weight can provide improved penetration and kinetic energy, but its essential to choose a poundage that you can comfortably shoot and control for accurate shot placement. There is, however, no real winner and no easy answer to the discussion. While thats not much difference in straightness, there is certainly a big difference in cost: for example, Gold Tip Hunter shafts sell at $190 for Hunter Pro, $160 for Hunter XT, and $110 for Hunter shafts. On the second day of trying this, I had a bull bugle back to me from about 60 yards away. . Arrow Efficiency Calculator: Optimize your bowhunting set up. While you can use the same arrows for hunting elk that you use for other big game species, many hunters choose to use heavier arrows with larger cutting diameter broadheads for elk hunting. Many guys will go from a 100-grain broadhead to a 125-grain broadhead for elk hunting. All Petersen's Bowhunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. More on this in my guide to building arrows (coming soon). Match that profile with reduced vane size like the popular Blazer and your arrow should act like a rocket, not a hang glider. To make matters more complicated, there was a stiff breeze blowing and the bull took a step toward one of his cows just as I released my arrow. With an affordable price point, the exclusive patented ladder design features a ComfortMAX seat, a durable powder-coated finish, oval steel construction, and much more. Building the ultimate elk arrow will make you a far more effective hunter. Unveiling the Truth. Rage has been leading the way with mechanical success for much of the mechanical revolution and the Hypodermics one-piece ferrule strength holds up to elk physiology. In this blog post, we will guide you through the importance of arrow weight, its different components, and how to choose the perfect arrow weight for elk. To determine your bows kinetic energy, take the velocity squared and multiply it by the weight of your hunting arrow. For more info: kenetrek.com. In regards to draw weight, only use what you can pull and aim for 15 seconds steady, BUT remember, a legal minimum on a leopard hunt is 60 pounds, and a elk has a much more powerful engine than a leopard, so keep that in mind, also arrow weight and broad weight and size can make a huge factor, the MOMENTUM of the arrow will determine the penetration along with the speed, on elk, a heavy arrow of minimum 450 grains and a minimum 150 grain fixed broadhead is what I suggest, Your email address will not be published. Arrow Setup 101 | BlackOvis MTN Journal So let's take that 30-inch, 340-spine Easton FMJ that weighs 339 grains for the bare shaft. That results in long rods that are cut down to arrow length. I couldn't believe it! Mechanicals have been known to fail, nick vegetation and deploy in flight, or fail to deploy totally upon impact. Over the years, I've had the privilege of hunting in some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes this world has to offer. So if youre going to be shooting hardcore target archery in practice or competitions, go for a higher grade. Have questions about your individual setup? At the moment neither of us could have cared who was more shocked at the 10-yard, surprise run-inthe elk or me. Best Hunting Arrows of 2023 | Outdoor Life Here, I'm going to share some of the tactics that helped me be super successful in the hope they can do the same for you. Selecting the right arrow weight for elk hunting is a crucial decision that can affect the accuracy, penetration, and Optimal Arrow Weight for Elk Hunting . This simplistic design removes moving parts, thus eliminating any surprise malfunctions during the hunt. First, make sure your broadhead blades are solid, not vented. About half were killed with fixed blades, and the other half with mechanical broadheads. The Perfect Arrow Weight For Your Next Hunt. As long as you can maintain good arrow speed and accuracy, a 500-grain arrow can be highly effective for elk hunting. English Springer Spaniel puppies and dogs in Elk Grove, California Best of all, these big critters cant go far when the air is released from their lungs in a double-lung tap. You may get a couple chances at whitetails over the course of a season, but you get one elk tag every so often and on a hunt you usually only get a single chance to draw back on an elk. Bowhunters who can shoot accurately with a 55 lb bow have successfully harvested elk. Fixed-blade broadheads or mechanical broadheads with a large cutting diameter are generally preferred for elk hunting. For elk, the debate can reach heated levelsespecially when it comes to broadheads and arrows. Its not uncommon to only get one shot at an elk (if youre lucky) and your arrow is the only piece of gear that actually does the work. For elk, consider the Titanium 2.1 available in both 100- and 125-grain versions. Your compound bow stores energy through its cams, and the let-off percentage is the amount of energy that it stores while you are in full draw. People fight about helical vs offset but honestly youll see great results with both. If you do practice out to 100 yards (which I often do, even though Id never shoot an animal that far) you will start to notice a big difference as trajectory really drops off. Bowhunter TV host and magazine editor Curt Wells talks with Tom Rainey about two new Cellular Trail Cam models from Browning: the Defender Pro Scout Max and Defender Vision Pro. We dont have the space to get into all the physics, and there is plenty of dispute among bowhunters on this topic, but without knowing your specifics I would recommend an arrow weighing at least 450 grains (total arrow/broadhead) for elk. He's an avid hunter, fisherman, backpacker, elk meat connoisseur, and international traveler. Its certainly worth a download and a read. A lot of whitetail hunters are used to animals jumping the string and moving before an arrow has time to impact its intended target. 3. Major arrow manufacturers offer roughly three different diameters of arrows for hunting purposes: While plenty of elk have been killed with standard diameter arrows, small and micro diameter arrows offer some pretty distinct advantages: The downsides of smaller diameter shafts are that they tend to cost more and the components can be much weaker and difficult to align (more on that in the next section). Like a football, an arrow is much more accurate if it rotates as it flies.
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