My recommendation is to choose a broadhead that groups dependably and has a proven track record for great penetration. Calculate the arrows speed in feet per second (FPS) using your bows specifications or a chronograph For elk, the debate can reach heated levelsespecially when it comes to broadheads and arrows. If you start with a well-tuned bow, there is no question the best penetrating broadhead is a cut-on-contact, fixed two-blade design like a Muzzy Phantom, Magnus Stinger, or Iron Will broadhead. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up for our email list for entry to win an RTIC 32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler. Best of all, these big critters cant go far when the air is released from their lungs in a double-lung tap. A little extra force and penetration can mean the difference between a successful kill and watching your prize elk get away. Curt Wells is hunting mountain caribou in the Northwest Territories and is entertained by a young grizzly along the way. However, I was grateful I had the heavier arrow, because if I had a lighter one I'm not so sure I would have had the same result. Choosing the appropriate broadhead weight is vital for optimum performance. I just thought I would get some opinions on what grain everybody . . The only way to truly know is to test multiple options on your exact bow/arrow combo. 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. There's no doubt a screaming bull is a whole new level of awesome compared to a strutting turkey or rutting whitetail. 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. More penetration equals more cutting area, which ultimately leads to a quicker, more ethical kill. Elk hunting can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Arrow speed is an important factor for elk hunting, as it contributes to the arrows kinetic energy and penetration potential. Joe was already at full draw and took the exact same shot as mine just before the bull got to us. Actually thats more about how high your peep is, but thats another post. Whats the best arrow for elk hunting? To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. How to Setup Your Compound Bow for Elk Season | Outdoor Life Being aggressive on an elk means you will likely need to make some noise. You can choose between 85-, 100- and 125-grain models with a carbon steel option available in 100 grain. Well, for starters and I dont need to tell you this elk are a much larger animal than deer. It comes out of the box with a 53 Lb draw weight, a perfect starting point for new hunters. You can use this bow to hone in your draw weight and get comfortable with form and proper mechanics. Both died in seconds leaving a blood trail as easy to follow as a Hollywood red carpet. The Best Arrows for Elk Hunting [3 Things to Look For] When you can safely and accurately shoot from several positions at this weight, add five pounds to your pull, and repeat until you reach a weight that you feel comfortable holding for 1-2 minutes. Personally I would find a way to add a heavier insert system. Three big fletches might present more surface area (and therefore more drag) than four small fletches. My setup stays the same for deer, bear, and elk. Research. Heres a step-by-step process to do so: 1. Visit a bow shop pro to chronograph your bow and then sharpen a pencil. Your preferred arrow weight for elk | Hunt Talk Its a rear-deploying broadhead looks like a fixed-blade and leaves a 1 -inch wound channel that begins with a chisel-tip entrance. As the name suggests, this mechanical has a large, 2-inch cutting diameter, but touts itself on the lockable pivot function that allows the broadhead to keep moving forward even after hitting bone or with an angling shot. Q: I am an avid reader of Bowhunter Magazine, and I look forward to each issue and the information and hunting stories you and the other writers contribute! Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Lesson 5 - Colorado Parks and Wildlife Needless to say, a few weeks later I had a bull of a lifetime come in, and Randy was right! Its essential that if you ever find yourself in this position youve done your homework and put all the pieces together to take a safe and ethical shot. Minimum Draw Weight for Elk 2021 Per State - BowAddicted Not surprisingly, Im not alone here: Easton recommends that range and so do big names like John Dudley/Aron Snyder (who have a great podcast on FOC here if you really want to go deep). Its time to get those taste buds prepped for your next elk harvest! Ball's continual push to design award-winning accuracy for archers in the field and on the competition range where big bucks and gold medals are the goal. For example, three shafts labeled 300 spine might actually measure at 294, 306, and 315. Best Elk Hunting Arrow: Day Six HD. I like to move quickly to close as much of the gap as possible without letting the elk see me. I covered miles and miles only to come across more wolf sign than elk sign. If the shooter cannot draw the bow 30 times the draw weight should be . Because this setup delivers plenty of energy and momentum, I can shoot most any quality broadhead from fixed blades to heavily built mechanicals like the Rage Trypan and not worry about penetration. Leading the lineup is the 100-grain Trocar with a helix design to aid in flight stabilization. However, if you can achieve higher KE while maintaining accuracy, its always better. As this bull approached, my nerves were redlining. Please check out our best broadheads for elk guide for more information. That's a terrible shot!" For elk, your bow should produce in the range of 60 foot-pounds of energy and above for ideal penetration. How you do it (3 fletch, 4 fletch, long/short vanes) isnt really. They provide good penetration and create larger wound channels, resulting in a higher likelihood of a quick, ethical kill. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but consider the recurve archer who is shooting only 190 to 200 fps and using arrows of 600 grains and up. My son, for example, took his first two bulls, mature six-points, using Rage broadheads. If you make the diameter of the shaft smaller that means that its walls are much thicker. Nevada - 40-pound minimum with a maximum . It is my opinion that arrow speed is valuable only when you are shooting a shaft with adequate weight for the game you are after. Arizona - 40-pound minimum draw weight. For your son as I did mine at 13 I would recommend a 400 spine arrow over 500 spine. In fact, many experienced hunters recommend using an arrow in the 450-550 grain range to ensure optimal penetration and energy transfer upon impact. Read on. The best bow poundage for elk hunting usually falls within the range of 60-70 lbs. While most people have heard of spine (aka how stiff your arrow is), they dont realize that spines can have wide tolerances even in the same batch of arrows! Arrow Efficiency Calculator: Optimize your bowhunting set up. The Trident continues T.R.U. A balanced combination of speed, weight, and accuracy is key to successfully harvesting an elk. From Amazon: Written by an acknowledged expert, this invaluable book is aimed at archers of all levels, from those starting out in the sport to those taking part in competitions at the highest levels. Ball Archery owner Greg Summers about the Trident release, a model that is a high-end thumb release that automatically resets itself with no lag. Dec 20, 2022 #5 Heres why: The whole point of fletching is to create enough drag to stabilize the arrow. This bow provides another ready-to-go option for beginners. Most manufacturers sell multiple grades of the same arrow with different straightness ratings such as +/- .001, +/-.003, +/.006. Heavy arrows lose relatively less speed and energy at long ranges compared to light arrows (think high ballistic coefficients [BCs] in bullets). I may want a flatter trajectory for antelope, deer, or caribou, but for a very tough animal like an elk, I prefer an arrow in the 500-grain range. If youve got plenty of power (70lbs) its fine to be closer to 7 GPP. My eyes got about as big as many of yours are right now, and I said, "WHAT? 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. Unveiling the Ultimate Guide, Can You Hunt Deer with a 410 Shotgun? Youll notice a big difference between a standard and small diameter shaft but you wont notice as much difference between a small and micro option. They can be difficult to tune and bow speeds enhance steering issues. Broadhead design does matter, but mostly in a basic sense. Arrow weight and speed for elk | Rokslide Forum A general rule of thumb is that a shooter should be able to shoot a bow about 30 times in a row without being fatigued. This comprehensive guide to shooting covers: how to get started in archery, the costs involved, choosing and using equipment, and the basics of shooting; setting up your equipment and initial tuning; the biomechanics of shooting; the tactics and preparation work involved in archery competitions; physical fitness, nutrition, and psychology; arrow selection and preparation; making bowstrings; and shooting techniques, improving performance, and the fine-tuning of equipment., The best way to hone in on your perfect bow hunting setup is to get out there and start shooting! Can You Deer Hunt with 350 Legend? A +/- 0.003 straightness is plenty for most shooters. I like this target because it is highly visible and easy to aim at; plus you can shoot it from different angles and faces. So, I waited about 20 minutes and called again. The innovative product caused quite a stir at the 2023 ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis, winning 1st place in the New Product Introduction category. The Bowhunter team relives successful past elk hunts with Cross Mountain Outfitters. Debunking Myths & Facts, What are Black Spots on Deer Meat: Know Before Cooking, Discovering the Roman Nose Deer: Unveiling the Mysteries of This Rare Species, How Long Can Deer Meat Stay on Ice? All Bowhunter subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Heavy arrows also have some other benefits that make them a great choice: Awesome, so why not shoot the heaviest arrow possible? I would move very slowly through areas I assumed would hold elk and randomly cow call and sit still for 30 minutes or so. Try many different draw weights and broadheads to find combinations that work for you. Christian Berg talks with Dyson Renn of Kinsey's Outdoors Brands about the Pennsylvania company's new Alpine quiver series' color options for 2023. use the same pound draw weight for both elk and deer, as modern compound bows can take down most big game animals. 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. Elk are very different animals than deer: theyre far bigger, their hide and bones are tougher, and theyre strong enough to go long distances when wounded. They certainly dont go down in arrow weight. Topping the list of reasons to ponder using a mechanical broadhead is the fact they are, well, mechanical. All Rights Reserved. PSE is a quality company with excellent customer service, as many customers report an easy return process for defective gear (which, by looking at the reviews, is a rare occurrence). Although bows are becoming more efficient and lower-poundage bows are capable of taking down big game, higher poundage will certainly help you on large game animals. The bull ran off with about half of my arrow sticking out. As a last resort, I started covering a lot of bedding areas during the middle of the day. To put all that in perspective, the average human hair is 0.002 to 0.004 thick. That said, no arrow can overcome a poor broadhead choice, FOC helps with accuracy up to a point (pun intended) but its far less important than many believe (and extreme FOC has serious downsides), Aim for 10-15% and youll see great results. Arrows with bad tolerances tend to curve more at the end of the shaft and look more like a J than a /. The trend is toward a smaller diameter arrow and again much of that comes down to matching your personal bow specifications. The biggest consideration should be overall weight. Required fields are marked *. This let-off makes it easier to hold the weight longer while you are at full draw. Like turkeys, elk may chose to be vocal for a brief period but then lose interest. How to build heavy hunting arrows - Lancaster Archery Supply Try many different draw weights and, EatElkMeat.com is dedicated to elk meat and elk hunting. Brett "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the . However, while elk are ALOT bigger than whitetails, they're not moose. Consider, too, that mechanicals steal some potential kinetic energyparticularly if you are shooting a low-poundage bow. Arrow weight plays a significant role in your gears performance during an elk hunt. FOC is simply a measure of how much of the arrows weight is in the front half of the arrow. The guide then went on to convince me that when hunting on the ground, perfectly level with an elk, that the frontal shot is a fine shot to make at a close distance. Mark Kayser It's been my experience that when it is hot, you better strike with intensity and efficiency. While there are tuning methods to try to fix this (none of which works that well), the most important thing is to buy arrows with tight tolerances. For elk, consider the Titanium 2.1 available in both 100- and 125-grain versions. I've spent countless seasons in the field, tracking game and perfecting my craft. Those rods are then sorted by straightness and sold by grade. Arrows have been beefed up and slimmed down for better penetration. Too little drag and the arrow wont stabilize. Best of all, you can order them in any amount you desire without packaging limitations. Check More Details on Amazon. Minimum Draw Weight for Elk in North Dakota. I'm Brian, a born-and-raised outdoorsman with a lifelong passion for hunting. At first light on this particular morning, he called a bull to about 10 yards but I wasn't comfortable with the shot angle. Without any deployment of blades, a fixed blade begins cutting without having to unfold. With about 30 minutes of light left, elk started to stand up in this thick timber. I experimented a ton with FOC and concluded that I had great results with standard 125gr points on arrows that ended up in the 10-15% FOC range. . A lot of whitetail hunters are used to animals jumping the string and moving before an arrow has time to impact its intended target. Harvesting an animal is about putting all the pieces together at the right time, and getting comfortable with a draw weight is one of the most important pieces. Although your current archery setup likely can handle an elk, you need to understand the distinct differences between elk and deer. A successful archery hunt begins long before you step foot into the field. Lets dive deep on the key factors that make a great elk arrow dont say I didnt warn you! Written by an acknowledged expert, this invaluable book is aimed at archers of all levels, from those starting out in the sport to those taking part in competitions at the highest levels. Ultimately, the right arrow weight for elk hunting will depend on your individual preferences, bow setup, and skill level. However, it will only help if you can control the pulling weight. The rear-sliding blades finish the slice with a 2-inch cutting diameter. Messages. Curt Wells hooks up with the gang at New Mexico Hunting Adventures to pursue big bull elk. Please browse our list of. how do you pick a draw weight that will work for you. Just $1 per month , You may only get one chance to make your shot on an elk. An important thing to consider is that youll need a bow with adjustable draw weight when getting started. Most hunters come from a firearms background where speed and kinetic energy are touted as the most important projectile measurements. Both sides have merit, but overall arrow selection again comes down to your draw weight and draw length. 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. Q: What is the best broadhead arrow weight for elk? The answer is yes; however, they will need to have a much cleaner angle, a closer shot, and proper placement. Then he responded, "If they are that close and perfectly head-on, take the frontal shot!". They are super tough and durable. FOC = 22%. Easton, Carbon Express and Gold Tip, all offer arrows that meet elk demands. Theres a term for that retained energy: momentum. Youll only notice the benefits of +/- 0.001 tolerances from 80-100 yards (practicing) if youre a fantastic shot, Unless youre shooting past 60 yards (or practicing at 100), just make sure your arrows are within 5-10 grains of each other, At the extreme, I find 1 grain difference can mean 0.5-1 difference @ 100 yards, Elk arent as twitchy as whitetail deer but it doesnt hurt to try to keep the arrow as quiet as possible. Elk get killed every year by kids and women shooting 45-50 pounds and a good broadhead. The secret spot is right at the bottom of the thick, dark hair on a bull's neck where it comes to the point with the lighter hair. Thats a tragedy if it happens when you shoot an elk and really annoying even when it happens at the range. Diameter must be considered as well. In addition to a sturdy setup, check for straightness with tolerances of plus or minus .003 inches being the accepted industry standard. In addition to target plinking in the backyard or clearing predators away from the chicken coop, these slingshots are the perfect tool for bowhunters needing to clear the woods of whitetails milling around a treestand at quitting time or cattle moving in to feed during deer hunting's prime-time hours. He was adamant about having extra momentum from a heavier arrow, just in case the shot wasn't perfectly placed.
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