Question for experienced elk hunters.

[New to Traditional]

So here's my dilema:
I have a 54# recurve shooting an arrow a little under 600grs. at around 170 fps. But, I've started shooting a 52# longbow that is shooting a roughly 630gr. arrow at aound 150fps. I find myself coming back to the longbow often, but I can easily transition back over to the recurve.
So, for those of you who have killed elk.
With perfectly tuned arrows,
Will the longbow perform provide enough penetration to feel comfortable to hunt with for a cow elk. I've never been in with the speed crowd, but I would like to hear from some experienced elk hunters( mainly those who have had success). What's your opinion?

Thanks
Ethan

[New to Traditional]

Also, I'll be using a sharp 2 blade head, and I am well aware of Ashby findings and have intended on following his findings with a bow I'm going to have built for my elk hunting, but I'm not sure if it will be done in time for me to be comfortable with, so I'm looking at what I'm shooting right now.

Thanx again!

[Brian Krebs]

I have been hunting elk every year since 1986; I live in elk country; I have hunted with others; and worked processing game meat in the fall.

Shoot the bow that you can shoot the most accurately; KEEP the broadheads as sharp as you can; and then keep your head when everything happens at once.

(because it most probably will).

Either bow will have no problem killing an elk: if the arrow hits its mark.

[elkslayer]

I think the longbow will do just fine. I have hunted and even heard from our neighbors up north that even a middle 40's bow will take a moose. It is all about shot placement and sharp heads.

[New to Traditional]

Ok thanks guys. Just trying to get my stuff together for Sept. in CO. Can't wait!!

[Bush]

Shoot the one you shoot best.  Accuracy is the most important thing.

[Brian Krebs]

No problem- this time of year our necks start to swell....

[Rik]

NOPE!  Absolutely Not! There's no way a 52-pound longbow can kill a cow elk.

52-pound longbows are only capable of killing small bull elk like these, killed by my wife with a 52-pound longbow and 600 to 625-grain arrows.





(By the way, she will kill me if she knows I shared that second photo with you, she says it makes her look like a mangy old hobo. I keep telling her ALL elk hunters look like mangy old hobos after a few days in the woods!)

[Doug in MN]

I have let the air out of a few Elk over the years, either of your set up choices will work fine; the photo above tells the tale.

DD

[calgarychef]

If that's a mangy old hobo....I'd like to find one for myself!!

the chef    

[New to Traditional]

Ok, point taken! Haha
Congrats to your wife

[amar911]

I want to hire your wife as my guide! Those are some incredible bulls she shot. Nothing wrong with her looks or her hunting skills. I would be really proud of my wife too if she had accomplished that with a bow!!!!! Not a lot of women can pull a 52 pound longbow. My 5'4" 125 pound wife sure can't. About 40 pounds is her max, and I'm still proud of her.

Allan

[awbowman]

I don't have much experience with elk, but put the arrow where it belongs, and go get help  .....  You are going to need it.

[Bjorn]

I am impressed.............and the Elk are good too!  

[TOEJAMMER]

Rik,  
I still mourn the day you folded your magazine.  It was one of the very best.

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

You are good just put that arrow in the right place , and yes it can happen real fast . Good luck on your hunt . I will be after elk for 30 days straight ,,,,,,,,,,Sam,,,,,,,,

[Ragnarok Forge]

Both bows and arrow set ups are plenty for elk.  Get close, aim small, and put the arrow where it counts.  Meat will fall.