I've hunted elk 3 years. Although I have plenty success calling them within range, it seems that getting a good shot is the hardest part. They always seem to be coming head on. Just wondered how you guys with more experience handle this. I know some guys that take the head on shot, but I don't feel like this is a good shot and won't take it. Thanks

Do NOT shoot an elk in the chest.... the best way to do this is team calling where you put your shooter out front.... when the elk circles arounf to the call they come by the shooter....

You can use decoys when you are hunting solo too. that works well if you have an opening to put your decoy in that up wind of you. these elk will always try to come in with the wind in their face.
try and make em walk by your blind heading towards the decoy..... try a small spike bull decoy some time. it's a hoot when they are in full rut!

I have had success with using a grunt tube and directing the sound behind or to the side of my position.

Just keep trying to get them in the right position, had to pass on a monster last year cause of the coming straight in thing.

If you're serious about hunting by yourself, scents and decoys can help. I feel partner calling has the highest rate of success other than finding something or someplace the elk want to be and set up an ambush point. No matter what you try, most times, the elk will seem to be 2 steps ahead of you. Good luck and just stay with it.    

This just took a very un tradgangy turn. Take it somewhere else.

I will stick with what they teach in the International Bowhunting Education Program...seems to me those people may know a thing or two...we are not subsistence hunters

DDave

having never drawn on an elk with my trad gear i can't add much from the perspective specifically.  I can add a few things though.  

If you're in the sun... at all. you're busted.
if you have to move your bow other than the drawing arm... you're busted.
If you've picked a shooting lane... pick 2 or 3 more.  
if your hips are facing the spot you think he's going to stop the rotation will be too much motion... and again you're busted.
If you ever loose the wind... of course...

I have learned all of these lessons from experience.  I believe that I had to learn these things for a reason... so I take the right shot at the right time.

QuoteOriginally posted by Knotter:
having never drawn on an elk with my trad gear i can't add much from the perspective specifically.  I can add a few things though.  

If you're in the sun... at all. you're busted.
if you have to move your bow other than the drawing arm... you're busted.
If you've picked a shooting lane... pick 2 or 3 more.  
if your hips are facing the spot you think he's going to stop the rotation will be too much motion... and again you're busted.
If you ever loose the wind... of course...

I have learned all of these lessons from experience.  I believe that I had to learn these things for a reason... so I take the right shot at the right time.

All these experiences and a hundred more and "your busted"!!!!!!!!! good post

I have alwsys hunted with a team of one and preferable 2 hunter that either know the drill or are willing to listen. You set them out at angles downwind of the caller or where an elk will circle to get the wind of the caller. We have taken elk every year we have hunted them. With one man you need a distraction or you need to know exactly what to do as you work a bull. For the inexperienced I recommend Elknuts tapes. Good stuff that will actually work in the field.

God bless, Steve

Respect the animal. We are not at war with the elk. I am not out practicing putting controled pairs into the elks chest. We are sportsmen. Pursue your game with the highest of ethics and take high percentage shots.

I took a frontal shot on a rabbit that worked great! On anything else no way. LOL!
Frontal shot on an Elk? Only with a powerful fire-stick!

I'll second the suggestion of the Elknut tapes.  Yes, when hunting alone a frontal shot is often what is offered.  But there are ways to deal with it to attempt to get a better angle.
 
The straight on frontal shot can be very deadly, no doubt about that.  But it takes perfect arrow placement and with trad bows in particular that is never a given.  Our choice of equipment forces us to get a little closer and also to take only the highest percentage shots that we can that allow for some margin of error.  A frontal shot is not one of those high percentage shots.

Sixby, I don't know if you got your screen names confused but perry said he wouldn't take that shot and was asking for calling setup advise.

Rob

My personal opinion is I would pass on the frontal shot.  It takes perfect arrow placement and I am not a perfect shot.  The other intangible is the Elk must not move at the shot or guess what??

   In my experience Elk seldom stand still my 2 cents worth from 30+ years of Elk hunting.

My experience has been that when a bull comes in he is usually hiding behind a tree anyway - how many times have you seen a bull facing you when all you can see are his ears and rack an both sides of a tree  

Best advice I can give is to not over call so they have less of a chance of pinpointing you - one or two cow calls at the right time and then shut up and wait.

You really want to try to setup if you can where the elk has to approach/pass your hide from one side. Poor set ups are IMO one big reason that shots can't happen on an otherwise incoming elk.

All it might take is a small, low downfall to turn them a little. I also learned you won't pull a bull across much of an opening, say meadow, unless you are very fortunate.

Lay the odds in your favor- set up in ways that do that if you can. Its a woods skill for sure.

Joshua

When you have them heated up, make your last best call, then move forward  30 yards or so and a little downwind. They can pinpoint the location of your last call and that is where they will be going/looking.

Good luck, if you can call them, you will eventually get a good shot.

Perhaps I worded my question wrong. I thought I said that I wouldn't take a frontal shot. Maybe I didn't, I'm looking for tips on how to get a better shot angle when most elk come in head on. Also, when set-up, are you normally behind something, beside something, etc?? Again, I didn't mean to suggest I would take a frontal shot, but I do know guys that have. I have never shot an elk because the shots that have been presented were less than favorable, and there have been many. I did miss the one broadside shot that I had... Go figure.

Perry, You have my apology, I was addressing Stickbow Drew and I went back and edited my post to reflect that.
You got some real good tips and I use them all except I have never tried the deke yet. Will possibly do that this year.

I especially agree with the one that said that you should make a last call and then move downwind./ I go more than thirty yards though . usually about twice to three times that far and I do it as fast as I can with as little noise as I can.

God bless, Steve