I touched one on the nose as he leaned in to smell me. It was a spike. I had a nice 6 pt bugling and ripping up brush at under 5 yds. Shot him as he was walking away.

Don't know if I'd want to get that close! That big bull in the Primal Dreams DVD was spraying urine about 10yds to the side. Hate to be squatting in those bushes waiting for a shot. Get that in your eyes and you may have trouble concentrating on the shot.

5 yards for me.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  It wasn't.  It will be 30 years this September.  I was about to enter college so my dad took me on a week long archery hunt for elk near the Bighole in Montana.  I had shot deer before with my wheelie bow and rifle.  Never shot an elk.  First day we got into them.  My dad bugled in a large 6-point bull.  The durned critter made a beeline right for me and stopped broadside at 5 yards, turned his head, and looked right at me.  I will never forget his piercing eyes or the sheer size of his bulk.  I was nearly pissing down both pant legs.  Missed him at 5 yards.  Amazing how fast they can move.  That single experience hooked me for life.  I have managed to shoot some elk over the years with my wheelie bow and rifle, but have never got a shot at a bull that would equal that first one.  Keep trying, though.  And for the last year, with my longbow. Truth be told, I'd be plum happy to get a cow or even a doe deer with my longbow.  I don't really hunt for antlers anymore.  Wouldn't pass up an opportunity, though.

Yeah, you can get plenty close to elk.

Tom

I arrowed a young bull in MT at 5 ft in 1997.

when you can smell their breath (and its bad) I would guess for safety "too Close"

About twenty yards, but straight on.

Had one step on my bow and break all my arrows while I was crawling in a depression.

shot 1 at 4 yds

Cow called a young five pointer to eight feet.  He came in hot and fast straight to me.  I made like a scarecrow and froze right in the open.  We looked each other In the eye for nearly a minute i would guess.  He won.  I blinked (literally) and he wheeled and lit out at full power.

I had a cow tag, but it would not have mattered cause there was never going to be a shot.

I always thought that was A very close encounter but you guys who made contact with your bow are in your own special class!   :eek:

Great stuff, I never expected to hear such interesting responses. I'm sure my first shot would lead to disappointment as well. You guys rock!