Needless to say, a few weeks later I had a bull of a lifetime come in, and Randy was right! Actually thats more about how high your peep is, but thats another post. A common FOC recommendation is 7-10%, but for hunting setups, I have had better luck with a FOC of 10-15%. Recommended Don't Be Afraid to Change Your Plan Read Article How to Kill an Antelope When They Won't Come to Water Read Article 16-Year-Old Arrows 428-Inch Arizona Bull Read Article Why Deer Tactics Help With Elk-Hunting Success Read Article Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Our shots have been perfect broadside shots, but only punching through one side and not both. |
I couldn't believe it! Read on. This is just the short take on the matter at hand. At best, an extremely powerful bow (75lbs, 350IBO bow, 500gr arrow) will spit an arrow out with 100 ft/lbs of energy and a velocity of 300 feet per second. This amount provides plenty of draw weight to penetrate an elk. Written by an acknowledged expert, this invaluable book is aimed at archers of all levels, from those starting out in the sport to those taking part in competitions at the highest levels. Featuring new Phase Resistance Dampening technology incorporated into the bow limbs, Mathews touts the Phase 4 as the quietest, most vibration-free hunting bow in company history. For 15 years now, I've been a Midwestern bowhunter who plans a trip or two each year to chase elk out in the Western states or in Canada. All you have to do is spin the arrow, mark the end to cut, and voila, youve made a .006 or .003 arrow into a .001. While most people have heard of spine (aka how stiff your arrow is), they dont realize that spines can have wide tolerances even in the same batch of arrows! Bear Archery celebrates its 90-year anniversary with a new 2023 bow lineup. Messages. "Can you hit that at 10 yards?" Christian Berg visits with Alex Chopp of Latitude Outdoors about the company's Method 2 Saddle, which is a metal-free two-panel saddle that is quiet, compact, lightweight, comfortable, and adjustable for bowhunters preparing for a full day of hanging out in the autumn woods as a big buck comes calling. He then explained that the convergence of the heart, its major arteries and the windpipe is almost the size of a volleyball or pie plate. For hunting elk, a minimum of 40-50 ft-lbs of kinetic energy is recommended. Personally, I tend to vary my arrow weight according to the species I am hunting. Christian Berg talks to Weston Schrank of Trophyline as they look at the Sumter and Palisade EVA packs, a couple of pack products designed with saddle hunters and anyone else who enjoys a mobile style of deer and big game hunting. A little extra force and penetration can mean the difference between a successful kill and watching your prize elk get away. Regrettably, like fixed blades, mechanicals do have some cons to consider. Location. Mar 4, 2019 #8 Hilljackoutlaw If youre using a 100-125gr point and a heavier insert (~50gr) youre already in that range. Since I was filming, I took the camera from Joe and wanted to film him blowing a few cow calls the same way he did before the shot. Colorado - 35-pound minimum with a maximum 80% let-off. I have had times where I had elk and moose hunts scheduled close together so I chose a bow with a 70-80-pound draw weight simply because I could handle that weight. Q: What is the best broadhead arrow weight for elk? With about 30 minutes of light left, elk started to stand up in this thick timber. But if you are a thick timber elk hunter and don't have the luxury of having another caller positioned well behind you to draw the bull past you for a broadside shot, you may want to dig deeper on this subject. Its time to get those taste buds prepped for your next elk harvest! Scott Cool, via e-mail. Heavy arrows lose relatively less speed and energy at long ranges compared to light arrows (think high ballistic coefficients [BCs] in bullets). North Dakota requires a minimum draw weight of 50 pounds. Youll have to trust me on this one: Ive put in the time testing different arrows and its pretty obvious which ones work well. The Importance of Arrow Weight in Elk Hunting, Choosing the Right Arrow Weight for Elk Hunting, Calculating Arrow Weight and Kinetic Energy. If I can shoot a fixed-blade design as accurately as a mechanical, then it is a coin toss and I may choose a fixed blade over a jackknife-style mechanical. Best Elk Hunting Arrow: Day Six HD. Rage has been leading the way with mechanical success for much of the mechanical revolution and the Hypodermics one-piece ferrule strength holds up to elk physiology. I saw the arrow go directly into a rib, right in line with the liver. Each state that offers elk hunting has specific rules for draw weight. Brett "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the . PSE is a quality company with excellent customer service, as many customers report an easy return process for defective gear (which, by looking at the reviews, is a rare occurrence). How important is arrow speed for elk hunting? If you prefer replaceable blades rather sharpening, consider the various models of Muzzys that have satisfied elk hunters for years. A heavier arrow retains its energy more effectively over distance. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. If you do practice out to 100 yards (which I often do, even though Id never shoot an animal that far) you will start to notice a big difference as trajectory really drops off. This comprehensive guide to shooting covers: how to get started in archery, the costs involved, choosing and using equipment, and the basics of shooting; setting up your equipment and initial tuning; the biomechanics of shooting; the tactics and preparation work involved in archery competitions; physical fitness, nutrition, and psychology; arrow selection and preparation; making bowstrings; and shooting techniques, improving performance, and the fine-tuning of equipment.. Dec 20, 2022 #5 Yes, some bows have an 80-pound draw weight or more, but does that make them any better? You can choose the best bow for your hunt and hunt by joining now and asking . 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. He was very close and remained in his bed. I made the comment to my friend Randy Ulmer that I was going to choose a lighter, faster arrow for elk that year because I already had my bow dialed in for speed goats and early-season whitetails. Theres a term for that retained energy: momentum. Their rugged nature and non-mechanical approach combined to fell many elk in the Rockies. */
, Your email address will not be published. Is 500 grains enough arrow weight for elk? It was one of those complicated scenarios that happen in an instant. Christian Berg and Millennium Treestands president Ed Welsh talk about the company's longstanding reputation for innovative product design, including the new L116 Bowlite Single Ladder Stand. What matters in archery is not how hard the arrow hits but how far it penetrates through the animal. One benefit to making your own arrows is that you can cut arrows from both ends so they are straighter. However, noises such as sticks snapping, shale sliding or pinecones crunching are OK. Youll only notice the benefits of +/- 0.001 tolerances from 80-100 yards (practicing) if youre a fantastic shot, Unless youre shooting past 60 yards (or practicing at 100), just make sure your arrows are within 5-10 grains of each other, At the extreme, I find 1 grain difference can mean 0.5-1 difference @ 100 yards, Elk arent as twitchy as whitetail deer but it doesnt hurt to try to keep the arrow as quiet as possible. I gradually worked my way up to the 65 pounds that I shoot today. If you only puncture one lung on an elk, the odds of recovery are close to zero. The G5 SnapLock system guarantees blades stay in place until needed. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Bulls, Cows, Spikes? Id argue that neither is necessarily better than the other and it totally depends on your setup. For elk, I recommend a finished arrow weight of 420 grains as a minimum for hunters drawing 60-70 pounds. Heres a step-by-step process to do so: 1. One is the 100-grain Rage Hypodermic. And . My guide and I had been in the hills chasing elk for almost a week, and on many occasions, he had called elk in super close. I like to move quickly to close as much of the gap as possible without letting the elk see me. Try to use the heaviest arrow that will get you around 260-280fps. I may want a flatter trajectory for antelope, deer, or caribou, but for a very tough animal like an elk, I prefer an arrow in the 500-grain range. In short, a new compound bow set to 60 pounds and matched correctly to a quality arrow, and broadhead setup will cleanly take an elk with a double-lung hit. Please check out our best broadheads for elk guide for more information. Second, test different fletchings to see which is quietest (Ive had good results with AAE Max Stealth vanes). Thats especially true for smaller diameter arrows since more of the insert has to move out of the inside of the arrow as it gets smaller. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but consider the recurve archer who is shooting only 190 to 200 fps and using arrows of 600 grains and up. Wicked Ridge Announces 2022 Crossbows & Accessories. how do you pick a draw weight that will work for you. The best draw weight will differ from hunter to hunter, but draw weight will typically range between 45 and 80 pounds. 300, 325, 350, 400, and 500. This is nearly 50% more than the high end of the momentum range for elk listed in the Tony-MO table, and 20% greater than the high end of the momentum range for the toughest game category. You need to choose the proper arrow and broadhead to make it count, By A well placed shot allows a 398 gr arrow at 82 yards on a cow elk, a 70 yard shot on a muley to pass thru. The innovative product caused quite a stir at the 2023 ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis, winning 1st place in the New Product Introduction category. That means heavier arrows are often more accurate. Aim for 7-10 grains of weight per pound of draw weight on your bow, Heavier arrows make your bow more efficient, quiet your shot, are easier to tune, and retain energy far better down range, Unlike bullets, speed doesnt kill and too much speed makes some broadheads inaccurate. I've spent countless seasons in the field, tracking game and perfecting my craft. Small (.204/5mm) and micro (.165/4mm) diameter arrow shafts cut through the wind, penetrate better, are tougher/stronger, and have a better trajectory compared to standard diameter (.246/6mm) arrows. You'll be packing meat in short order. For beginners looking to hunt elk, start with a 50-pound draw weight, though one of our experts recommends you start at 55 pounds. To make matters more complicated, there was a stiff breeze blowing and the bull took a step toward one of his cows just as I released my arrow. Proponents claim that FOC makes arrows more accurate and penetrate far better. Any suggestions??? Heck, I know of several bowhunters who have taken elk with bows dialed back to 50 pounds. Thats just the summary believe it or not. To put all that in perspective, the average human hair is 0.002 to 0.004 thick. While these components may not weigh much individually, their combined weight can significantly impact the arrows performance in the field. You dont need broadheads wider than 1 1/4 for elk, so avoid those and your arrow should be easy to tune. Optimal Storage Tips, Can You Hunt Deer with a .223 in Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Texas: State-by-State Guide, Is It Illegal to Sell Deer Meat? A +/- 0.003 straightness is plenty for most shooters. Here are some inexpensive recommendations for getting your feet wet: Good to hunt out of the box. Arrows have been beefed up and slimmed down for better penetration. : Broadheads are an integral part of successful archery setups for elk. For me, accuracy is the biggest factor. Draw Weight for Elk: A 2023 Guide (State Minimums + Best Gear). Somewhat new on the block, SEVR has several models available for big game hunting. Here, I'm going to share some of the tactics that helped me be super successful in the hope they can do the same for you. Arrow weight No other factor has as much influence on penetration, which is everything in elk hunting. Joe was already at full draw and took the exact same shot as mine just before the bull got to us. All of these factors are intertwined in their importance. While thats not much difference in straightness, there is certainly a big difference in cost: for example, Gold Tip Hunter shafts sell at $190 for Hunter Pro, $160 for Hunter XT, and $110 for Hunter shafts. The benefits of mechanical broadheads are many. If you shoot low poundage, or a short draw length, your arrow speed will be adversely affected, necessitating a heavier arrow and a broadhead designed for maximum penetration. If you make the diameter of the shaft smaller that means that its walls are much thicker. A mature bull can surpass 800 pounds and a matriarch cow can weigh more than 600 pounds. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Fortuitously, elk offer you a big target of vitals that accompany that big frame. Lynn Burkhead and Elevate Stand Co. creative director Brittany Stubbs talk about a new mid-sized option that was so new off of the Kansas company's drawing board this year at the ATA Trade Show that it didn't have an official name as of press time. Best of all, you can order them in any amount you desire without packaging limitations. He went in depth with telling me about all the arteries that converge in the front of the heart, which sits fairly close to the front of the chest. The answer is yes; however, they will need to have a much cleaner angle, a closer shot, and proper placement. Read Next: Your 3-Part Game Plan for Elk Bowhunting Success This Fall. When looking to perfect your form while honing your draw weight, its necessary to practice proper technique. Since the elk weren't talking at all, I focused on still-hunting. Bowhunter Editor and "Bowhunter TV" host Curt Wells visits with Josh Johnson of Spot Hogg at the 2023 Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis. Heavier draw weights and longer draw lengths make the other factors less critical, but they are still important. For 90% of elk situations, you dont have to worry about arrow noise. The Perfect Arrow Weight For Your Next Hunt. At the moment neither of us could have cared who was more shocked at the 10-yard, surprise run-inthe elk or me. former wilx news anchors, acalypha indica control measures,
arrow weight for elk