Ethical shot? Would you take it? (Bow)

[fwagner]

http://www.wideopenspaces.com/teen-drops-bull-elk/

Interesting video, kids takes a quartering towards frontal shot at about 10 yards. Nails the shot but was it a risky shot? Too risky to be ethical? What do you think?

 

[fwagner]

The elk was quartering to the cameras right and the shooter was to the cameras left making the shot even more angled. I personally wouldn't have taken it and would have waited. The end does not always justify the means...

 

[RobG]

Can't say I know a lot about bow hunting, but based on the time between release and impact I'd say the average arrow speed is 45-60 fps over the alleged ten yards... hmmmm.

 

[Zach]

Here we go again....

I think this one was discussed ad nauseum when it first hit the net, but I'm to lazy to hit the search button.

 

[npaden]

Wasn't there a long drawn out thread on this already?

Pretty sure this was the same video although it is showing unavailable now.

http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=258353

 

[Zach]

Wasn't there a long drawn out thread on this already?

Pretty sure this was the same video although it is showing unavailable now.

http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=258353

Now I remember why I didn't hit the search button...

 

[Oak]

Now I remember why I didn't hit the search button...

Ha, you started it!

One thing is for certain, if you ask for opinions you are going to get them. It amuses me when people ask, and then are offended by those that differ.

 

[RobG]

Now I remember why I didn't hit the search button...

I thought it was a great read. Good video posted by Greenhorn too.

 

[LopeHunter]

That particular shot is repeatable with success. Not a choice for anyone that has not studied elk anatomy nor an option for any archer that has any doubts over their ability to hit that small zone 10 out of 10 times.

 

[WapitiBob]

I would prefer broadside or straighter on myself.

 

[Muskeez]

Yes, this was beat to death and opinions differed. I'm not knocking him or his choice, it has to be a lot to digest when that happens and especially at his age. But would most agree that straight on would be a higher percentage than the angle the shooter had? Like was stated, the camera was more straight on than the shooter. I think had I been the shooter at that angle and had been at full draw as long as I could take it, I would have probably aimed behind the shoulder. Am I wrong? I have done it on deer, but have not had an elk opportunity yet so I am always trying to learn as much as possible from the veterans.

 

[WapitiBob]

Behind the shoulder at that angle will get one lung at best and the liver. Not a shot I would take.

If I was positioned at the camera, I would put it between the shoulder and upper brisket. Arteries coming off the heart would get severed.
Straight on, I'd run it right above the brisket. Same result.
He would have to turn a long way before I put one behind the shoulder and then I would put it in the ">" and not in the crease.

 

[Zach]

Ha, you started it!

One thing is for certain, if you ask for opinions you are going to get them. It amuses me when people ask, and then are offended by those that differ.

Indeed...but that's because some folks seem to have the correct opinion and some of us don't.

 

[Zach]

I thought it was a great read. Good video posted by Greenhorn too.

I thought it was a good read too, glad I started that post...

 

[JohnCushman]

I've taken that same shot on deer and antelope and would again if the situation arose. I actually practice that shot on my 3D target.

 

[Muskeez]

Looks like from camera angle it would be a higher percentage shot than where the shooter was likely standing, but that's a guess since we can't see the shooter. Either way a great bull and an excited youth hunter which is what it's all about.

 

[huntlife]

This is just my personal opinion, but I think that shot is one that a lot of archers should not take. Is it deadly, heck yes. But, most bow hunters do not practice enough to make the sot every time. Would I take that sot? Yup! Im not the average bowhunter. I shoot a bow at least 300 days a year and Ive shot national archery tournaments for the past 10 years. I worked in a archery sof for several years, and I can tell you that probably 75% of all bow hunters will pick up their bow less than a month before season opens. Ive seen hundreds of guys get their bow out of the closet or off the garage wall the weekend before season opens, and if they can hit a paper plate at 20 yards, they are happy. Those same guys come into the shop bragging about how they have shot 15 deer already buy only found one. It makes me sick and I want to punch them in the throat!!! If you do shoot a lot, and you KNOW you can make the shot, it will kill them. No, its not the best angle, and yes it would be better to wait for a better shot. Just my opinion.

 

[RobertR]

Without seeing the elk dressed out the shot was to high for a heart shot and barely got one lung. If it had deep enough penatration the liver would have been hit also. It looks more like a hit to the juggler vein the way it bled. I have done this shot several times on lethal shot and the best is a lung shot or liver shot.
I have taken quartering to me shots but never a head on shot.

 

[Lawnboy]

At least this thread is a little more civil than the long range one. Interesting that some on that thread that bashed the concept are perfectly fine with this shot. The only elk I've ever lost have been from archery shots and I have learned by bad experience what my limitations are and one of them is this frontal shot. We all have to decide for ourselves what are ethical shots and only we really know what they are.

 

[huntlife]

At least this thread is a little more civil than the long range one. Interesting that some on that thread that bashed the concept are perfectly fine with this shot. The only elk I've ever lost have been from archery shots and I have learned by bad experience what my limitations are and one of them is this frontal shot. We all have to decide for ourselves what are ethical shots and only we really know what they are.

I agree! I know what Im capable of with a bow, and a gun. Would I take a 600 yard shot with a gun? No! know I cant consistently hit a small target that far! Each hunter has to limit himself (or herself) to shots they KNOW they can make.

Is the shot in the video ethical? For some bowhunters, no! For others, yes! I still say its better to wait for a better angle.