Arrow/ Point Selection For Elk

[screamin6x6]

Now that I've drawn the elk tag and have decided to go after it with primitive equipment, I've got a couple questions for you guys. My primary bow will be a Mahaska Flatbow that's 52# @ 28" and 62" in length, (I know this isn't exactly primitive, but will be the bow I'll use if I can't get a functioning selfbow made). My questions are: what type of wooden arrow should I be looking at? what would be a good weight to start with on the flint head for best shooting results and penetration? Thanks for any advice.

[wingnut]

Well the first thing too do is make sure stone points are legal in the state that you drew your tag.  

Your bow will do fine, I'd go with heavy wood shafts, and a steel head myself to insure good penetration.  Douglas fir would be a good choice or even Ash or Maple.

Are you building the shafts yourself?

Mike

[screamin6x6]

They are legal, the only requirements I have to watch out for on heads is a 7/8" minimum width and non-barbed. As of right now, I won't be making my own shafts or heads. A buddy has been knapping heads a few years and the shafts I'll probably order. Any suggestions on sources of quality shafts?

[WESTBROOK]

I'd go with a good stout Fir shaft and a realy, realy, realy charp 2 blade BH.

Eric

[ozy clint]

i'd go with an 11/32" douglas fir shaft from surewood shafts. heads....probably some sort of chert. i'm sure obsidian would be okay to. probably been lots of elk killed with obsidian over the years.
if you can't get stone heads but you want something in line with your primitive goal try making your own trade points from circular saw blades or some other source of hardened steel.

[Charlie Lamb]

Not sure I'd advocate a stone point with the bow you will be using. I have trouble thinking it would be a good idea with any bow when hunting an animal as big as an elk.

Ozy Clint's idea would be a way to satisfy your primitive crave and still be very effective.

I'd pay close attention to what Wingnut has to say as well. He has A LOT of experience with selfbow/longbows and elk.

Elk are not something to be experimented on... but that's my opinion.

[screamin6x6]

Thanks guys, this information is what I'm looking for. I have guided over 60 elk hunts and have lots of experience with them but I have none with selfbow/longbow on elk and want to soak up all the information you guys want to share.

[Ragnarok Forge]

I commend you for going traditional all the way.  I plan to hunt deer with a self bow, arrows I made myself, and points I knapped in the next year or two.  Elk are a lot tougher and larger than deer.  I would take a serious look at trade points made of steel for your elk hunt.  My only other advise would be to hunt like the American Indians did and only take shots from 10 paces or less from the elk.  At that range you will be able to hit the kill zone easily and the stone point and a heavy arrow will provide enough penetration to get both lungs.

[Orion]

Have you killed an elk, or any other big game animal with a longbow?  If not, you might want to consider working up to what you are considering.

[DesertDude]

Contact Kye  Great Basin Footed Shaft for your shafts. Another thing is work hard on your Hunting/Stalking skills... You will need to be close...........

[Txnrog]

"Have you killed an elk, or any other big game animal with a longbow? If not, you might want to consider working up to what you are considering."
Assuming that is a 'yes', I would strongly suggest shooting something else with your rig before going after elk - regardless of how primitive you go, I would make a test run on hogs or something similar this summer. A good number of elk are lost each year with reasonable hits from any form of equipment. I am sure you know this well based on your guiding experience. One lung or liver is not going to do the trick with a stone point and caucasian tracking skills.

[Steve B.]

I'm doing the primitive thing this year too, as I did last year.  Before that I used a recurve, carbon arrows, and Grizzly BH's to kill two elk.

This year I'm using 300 grn. trade points on heavily spined shafts and self-flat bows.

My penetration tests with these trade points found that there should be no problem killing elk.

[screamin6x6]

I have killed elk, (with a rifle at 7 yds. and compound at 62yds.)as well as deer with a recurve and witnessed several elk with both recurve and longbow. I'm not in the least worried about my abilities to get in the 15 yds.  I've decided to be my maximum range on this hunt. And I do know how tough elk are. I also know that stone points will work on elk when shot selection is paramount as in any animal. I'm blessed to be able to hunt from mid-Oct. to mid.-Dec. with this equipment before the rifle season even comes in. If the shot I need comes in that amount of time, I'll take it, if not, then I'll move on. I appreciate everyone's response.

[Txnrog]

Look forward to seeing the update on how your rig progresses and season goes. Good luck!