3855WIN
Well-known member
Elk, deer, moose… whatever. Keep shooting until the animal is down.
Elk reacting to being shot with rifle???
- Thread starter Braveheart
- Start date
Caseknife
Well-known member
My dad told me almost 50 years ago when I started elk hunting, "If you get a shot at one of these critters, keep shooting until they hit the ground and then keep an eye on it". Very sound advice, with the one exception as mentioned above, if they run off in a herd, just try to keep an eye on the one that you were shooting at.
My first bull was with a 7mm Mag with factory Core-loc 150 gr at less than 100 yds. I was sitting when I saw the bull feeding on the ridge across and above me, got a bead on him and let one fly, he started trotting closer around the head of the draw, shot again, he continued on the same path getting closer, third shot he fell down. Could have covered the three shots in the middle of the ribcage with an orange. Huh, the old man was right after all, being that I was a teenager at the time.
I have had them drop on the spot, then jump right back up and the rodeo ensues, swap ends and then go 30 yds and pile up, run off with a bunch of previously unseen elk up through the burn until the one stops, turns sideways to the escaping herd and tumbles down the hill. They all react differently to the shot, but guarantee that if the shot is fatal, all will drop right in their tracks every time, just may not be immediately after the shot though.
My first bull was with a 7mm Mag with factory Core-loc 150 gr at less than 100 yds. I was sitting when I saw the bull feeding on the ridge across and above me, got a bead on him and let one fly, he started trotting closer around the head of the draw, shot again, he continued on the same path getting closer, third shot he fell down. Could have covered the three shots in the middle of the ribcage with an orange. Huh, the old man was right after all, being that I was a teenager at the time.
I have had them drop on the spot, then jump right back up and the rodeo ensues, swap ends and then go 30 yds and pile up, run off with a bunch of previously unseen elk up through the burn until the one stops, turns sideways to the escaping herd and tumbles down the hill. They all react differently to the shot, but guarantee that if the shot is fatal, all will drop right in their tracks every time, just may not be immediately after the shot though.
Hunter4Life78
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2022
- Messages
- 1,154
Amen!!!
Hunter4Life78
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2022
- Messages
- 1,154
Cow I shot last year went 30 yards if that and layed down rear facing me. Head dropped ears went down. I thought she was done. Got closer and watched her get up and run. If you can plug em again and again.
Like everyone is saying they will die in the most inconvenient place they can usually
Like everyone is saying they will die in the most inconvenient place they can usually
ElkHunter80
Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2020
- Messages
- 43
I have had elk literally just flop over backwards head over hoof, or simply faceplant forward from one shot hitting them. I've also had elk where I sent 3 shots that passed through and it never reacts other than gently slumping down like it was going to take a nap. Bottom line is if it's standing, reload immediately and keep shooting it until it drops, but make sure you are shooting at the same animal to avoid multiple downed elk.
Wind Gypsy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2017
- Messages
- 2,108
Not every ungulate responds to being shot like a whitetail. Keep shootin till it's not able to walk away like the good folks said.
Wind Gypsy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2017
- Messages
- 2,108
Fudd makes a shot, lifts head off gun, looks and ponders, awkwardly works bolt, then tries to shoulder and find animal again. Rifleman stays on the gun and has another round chambered right away ready for a follow up.
Lima1seven
New member
Out of every cost involved in an elk hunt the ammo is probably the cheapest thing. An extra round or two isn’t going to break you. Wounded elk don’t usually run towards the truck/4 wheeler. You keep shooting til they are down. Beside shooting is probably the funniest part of the hunt because once they hit the ground the work begins.
appmtnhntr
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2018
- Messages
- 52
I've only killed 4.
#1 bull: 125 yards with a CVA powerbelt. 2 shots standing in the ribs. Just stood there. Last shot to the heart at 30ish while his head bobbed.
#2 bull: high shoulder with a 300WM with 150gr accubonds at 265 yards. DRT. never flinched.
#3 cow: 475 yards with a 300WM with 180gr accubonds. right behind the shoulder. DRT. never flinched.
#4 bull: 245 yards with 300WM with 180gr accubonds. First shot behind the shoulder, he ran to 230. A second shot about 2" from the first, and he ran to 200. Last shot as he stumbled and finally fell at the shot. All three shots were double lung within 5' of eachother and the only verification of a hit was the WHAP when the bullets hit and the blood pouring out. Otherwise he seemed unphased until the last shot.
My rule is to keep shooting until they are on their side. If they're standing, I'm shooting.
#1 bull: 125 yards with a CVA powerbelt. 2 shots standing in the ribs. Just stood there. Last shot to the heart at 30ish while his head bobbed.
#2 bull: high shoulder with a 300WM with 150gr accubonds at 265 yards. DRT. never flinched.
#3 cow: 475 yards with a 300WM with 180gr accubonds. right behind the shoulder. DRT. never flinched.
#4 bull: 245 yards with 300WM with 180gr accubonds. First shot behind the shoulder, he ran to 230. A second shot about 2" from the first, and he ran to 200. Last shot as he stumbled and finally fell at the shot. All three shots were double lung within 5' of eachother and the only verification of a hit was the WHAP when the bullets hit and the blood pouring out. Otherwise he seemed unphased until the last shot.
My rule is to keep shooting until they are on their side. If they're standing, I'm shooting.
Benfromalbuquerque
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2020
- Messages
- 1,650
RITE IN THE FUGGIN HED DRT.
Hem
Well-known member
And then the bull that flops over upon impact, lays there for a minute but gets up to escape. That will mess with your head.
Addicting
Well-known member
181g Hammer 200 yards, dropped at the shot. Immobile from broken off shoulder. Knifed him half hour later to actually kill him.
Yep. Knew that. mtmuley
Idk the hammer groupies are getting about as bad anymore
Keep shooting until your out of shells or it's down. They can take heart shots and keep on trucking. I shot a bull at 100 yards, broadside. Absolutely destroyed his heart, he turned and ran straight away from me. I kept shooting and 400 yards later he dropped. I hit him in the ass and the lower jaw as he was running away, missed with a fourth shot.
I have shot elk on purpose in high shoulder and they dropped on the spot but that was when I had time to call my shot. Get them down before they die in a hell hole.
I have shot elk on purpose in high shoulder and they dropped on the spot but that was when I had time to call my shot. Get them down before they die in a hell hole.
Wildabeest
Well-known member
That’s what happens when you shoot elk with “shells”…
WapitiBob
Well-known member
Nothing wrong with Hammers, you can even have a family arts n crafts night gluing tips in the new version.
Light for caliber hammer hunters work well on Elk, no follow up required.
O believe me I’m not against hammers at all. Have some sitting on my bench
