I covered miles and miles only to come across more wolf sign than elk sign. A good shot with a 400-grain arrow will kill any deer or elk in North America with a good shot, but if you want to reduce chances of failure, heavier arrows are recommended. You probably dont need it. The shot was further back than I wanted, but the loud crack assured me I had broken the rib. For me, accuracy is the biggest factor. No matter how precise the components, youll still have to mark + align outserts (by rotating them) before you glue them into the arrow. Like turkeys, elk may chose to be vocal for a brief period but then lose interest. I like to move quickly to close as much of the gap as possible without letting the elk see me. Even at night when I was sleeping in my camper, I never heard a single bugle. This can help prevent the elk from jumping the string and ensure a more successful shot. The only way to know is to shoot several options side by side. But I continue to say that if the shot is very close and the chest is level to the arrow, it is absolutely devastating. Personally, I tend to vary my arrow weight according to the species I am hunting. It's been my experience that when it is hot, you better strike with intensity and efficiency. While there are tuning methods to try to fix this (none of which works that well), the most important thing is to buy arrows with tight tolerances. Thats hard since most manufacturers dont list a spine tolerance and spine testing machines cost hundreds of dollars. Before he had time to figure out precisely what was going on, my broadhead buried itself behind his shoulder. The Best Broadheads for Elk of 2023 | Field & Stream They are super tough and durable. You can take a mature bull elk with your archery whitetail setup, but analyze it first for any flaws when tackling these big critters. A: Thanks for your e-mail. To put all that in perspective, the average human hair is 0.002 to 0.004 thick. This moderate-weight arrow shaft is paired with Vector's OPC (one-piece component) which caters to a more lightweight system . I have the ability to screw a 50gr weight to the inside for elk to get the whole arrow to 494gr. For 90% of elk situations, you dont have to worry about arrow noise. All Bowhunter subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Drop a comment below or reply to my newsletter and Ill do my best to help out. That's probably middle of the road also. This is because elk are larger and more resilient animals, and the heavier arrows provide improved penetration and energy transfer on impact. Its important to know that arrows of different grades are actually made the exact same way and with the exact same materials. My last four bulls all expired in full view for an ending that tops any Broadway hit. While perfecting your craft and getting comfortable with draw weight, you will need to do a lot of practice shooting. Proponents claim that FOC makes arrows more accurate and penetrate far better. Moving parts, containment mechanisms, and proper deployment all complicate hole-punching capability. Check More Details on Amazon. Leading the lineup is the 100-grain Trocar with a helix design to aid in flight stabilization. While many bowhunters believe that heavier arrows enhance penetration, others tend to go lighter for better trajectory. 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. One way to overcome this is to quiet your bow but it turns out that arrows also make a lot of noise traveling through the air. Heres why: The whole point of fletching is to create enough drag to stabilize the arrow. Please check out our best broadheads for elk guide for more information. How to calculate Front of Center. The difference isnt as big as you think but it is something you need to pay. Stick with the 100- and 125-grain models for elk with their 1 1/8-inch cutting diameter and option to re-sharpen. The biggest consideration should be overall weight. 14 Best Fishing Vests for Fly, Bass & Kayak Fishing in 2023, How Much Meat from an Elk? If your draw weight and arrow speed is average (under 280 fps), your total arrow weight should go up. I was dumbfounded that I was not hearing any elk at all. 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 If youre an average archer shooting 65 pounds at a 28-inch draw, I would shoot an arrow/broadhead combo that weighs around 475 grains (with decent FOC), and a strong, super-sharp broadhead that gives you confidence. Although bows are becoming more efficient and lower-poundage bows are capable of taking down big game, higher poundage will certainly help you on large game animals. Dont believe me? Facts About Arrow Penetration Two hours later, we had a bull respond to our call from nearly 400 yards away. This tactic was the polar opposite of what I mentioned in the paragraphs before. If you can't hold proper form or struggle to pull heavier weight, then lower it to what you can manage. In addition to being lightweight, bombproof in construction and design, and being ambidextrous--the new quiver, that is--these additions to the longtime Pennsylvania company's product lineup for 2023 are perfect for walking around the 3D course this year! A 500 grain arrow is not too heavy for hunting big game animals like elk. No idea the speed,but arrows are 480 grains all loaded up for elk and deer. After a lot of experimenting, I settled on an arrow setup that has a FOC of 13%. Is proper arrow spine important for hunting elk? Open hunting is best with 5.50-6.00 grains of arrow weight per pound of draw power. I have shot close to two dozen bulls with my bow. If you are a deer hunting with an elk hunt on your calendar, you may need to boost your penetration for larger game with increased arrow weight, draw weight and broadhead choice. There's no doubt a screaming bull is a whole new level of awesome compared to a strutting turkey or rutting whitetail. The best way to hone in on your perfect bow hunting setup is to get out there and start shooting! Concerns pop up when the shot is off just a bit, and that is where heavier arrows will help to a degree. Going out and buying the Cadillac of bow setups might put you on the wrong footing. For example, if you use a smaller broadhead (or mechanical) you can use smaller fletchings as well. G5 also has a solid reputation and its 100- and 125-grain Deadmeat 3-blade mechanical meets the demands of elk. The bull went about 30 yards and stopped. 4. I am planning an elk hunt in Montana with my brother, nephew, and close friend. Consider 7.5 to 8 grains per lb of draw weight when 55# or less, after that you can get more in the 6-7 grain per lb of draw weight. Which would bring m up to 465g or go to to FMJ 340 @ 11.3GPI and be at 497gr. As long as you can maintain good arrow speed and accuracy, a 500-grain arrow can be highly effective for elk hunting. If you do, its devastating. The ferrule is constructed of titanium for the ultimate in strength and forward-motion penetration. This bow hurts the wallet a bit more as far as a beginners bow goes, but its certainly worth the money if you are considering making a long-term commitment to the sport of bowhunting. Read on. Dec 12, 2016 #3 Gunner46 Well-known member Joined The Trident continues T.R.U. That's a terrible shot!" You can choose between 85-, 100- and 125-grain models with a carbon steel option available in 100 grain. In almost any scenario, a heavier arrow will penetrate better on a live animal. Not surprisingly, Im not alone here: Easton recommends that range and so do big names like John Dudley/Aron Snyder (who have a great podcast on FOC here if you really want to go deep). If you make the diameter of the shaft smaller that means that its walls are much thicker. If youre taking shots under 60 yards (which 95% of hunters do) you wont notice a difference between 0.003 and 0.001. For years, fixed-blade broadheads were the sharp point of choice. Heavier arrows are always better for a few reasons so better to err on the side of caution. Joe called a few times, and to our amazement a bull reported back. The author analyzes shooting techniques and tuning and emphasizes the development of mental toughness; he argues that this goes hand in hand with the mastery of the physical aspects of the sport. How High Can Elk Jump? Its way more important to shoot at the weight youre comfortable with rather than the amount of weight you are pulling., Start at 55 pounds. If you want to fully understand the why just keep reading! However, to ensure a successful hunt, its essential to consider the factors that affect your gears performance, specifically your arrows. This bull followed the same path as my bull, and at 30 yards he nearly stepped on my bull's carcass. Josh Riley lives in Colorado with his wife, Mary, and their three wild and crazy children. Arrow weight for Mule Deer and Elk | Rokslide Forum Lessons Learned from 15 Years of Successful Elk Hunting I'm Brian, a born-and-raised outdoorsman with a lifelong passion for hunting. If youre looking to master all the concepts, this is the place. The Best Arrow for the Money: Gold Tip Hunter XT. Arrows have been beefed up and slimmed down for better penetration. The ideal combination of these factors can result in deep penetration, maximizing the chances of a quick and ethical harvest. The appropriate arrow spine helps maintain accuracy, penetration, and energy transfer when shooting at an elk. The Perfect Arrow Weight For Your Next Hunt. Ive taken multiple elk with both the Carbon Express Maxima Red and Easton FMJ. Ill be creating an entirely different gear guide just for broadheads but its important to know that broadheads also influence your arrow choices. In fact, many experienced hunters recommend using an arrow in the 450-550 grain range to ensure optimal penetration and energy transfer upon impact. /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
Location. Medium-weight arrows are ideal for hunting deer in around 30 yards range. Choosing the appropriate broadhead weight is vital for optimum performance. You can use this bow to hone in your draw weight and get comfortable with form and proper mechanics. Subscriber Services. Many hardcore elk hunters will tell you there is no place for mechanical broadheads in elk hunting, but I disagree. Until you can shoot at this draw weight, I would consider another hobby. 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. Christian Berg talks with Dyson Renn of Kinsey's Outdoors Brands about the Pennsylvania company's new Alpine quiver series' color options for 2023. : Broadheads are an integral part of successful archery setups for elk. Research. A general rule of thumb is that a shooter should be able to shoot a bow about 30 times in a row without being fatigued. For example, three shafts labeled 300 spine might actually measure at 294, 306, and 315. That means the vanes are slightly bent like a propeller which causes the arrow to spin in flight. The bull went 28 yards and tipped over. Curt Wells is in New Mexico hunting elk from his ground blind, where he sees plenty of movement. Second, test different fletchings to see which is quietest (Ive had good results with AAE Max Stealth vanes). So, I waited about 20 minutes and called again. English Springer Spaniel. Like straightness, most manufacturers have different weight tolerances that generally vary from +/-0.5gr to +/-2gr and are paired with straightness grades. This year, G5 Outdoors, the longtime broadhead manufacturer in the Prime Archery family, is bringing to market a lineup of new arrows known as the Mark Series. I do recommend +/-.003 or better arrows for hunting with fixed blades because Ive seen some atrocious arrows in the +/-.006 class (read: There is an ATA/ASTM standard for measuring arrows, but I definitely know of a few manufacturers that invent their own standard). Yep, elk hunting is the bomb, and I've been very fortunate to fill more than my share of tags over the past decade and a half. The proper gear for Western elkpart IV | Grand View Outdoors Learn more here: Your email address will not be published. Independent gear reviews & bowhunting advice. He came in to give me a perfect shot. A lot of whitetail hunters are used to animals jumping the string and moving before an arrow has time to impact its intended target. The rear-sliding blades finish the slice with a 2-inch cutting diameter. Proper arrow weight for elk | Archery Talk Forum However, while elk are ALOT bigger than whitetails, they're not moose. Most manufacturers sell multiple grades of the same arrow with different straightness ratings such as +/- .001, +/-.003, +/.006. Easton, Carbon Express and Gold Tip, all offer arrows that meet elk demands. A mature bull can surpass 800 pounds and a matriarch cow can weigh more than 600 pounds. You might notice a small difference at 80-100 yards if youre a phenomenal shot, but hopefully your just practicing at those ranges anyway. Theyre critical because you could build the best arrow for elk hunting on the planet and it would be worthless if your inserts were misaligned or broke easily. Youll get more accurate and deeper penetrating shots with higher-pound bows, but if you cant consistently control your bow at that weight, youll be in big trouble. So how heavy should you go? Harvesting an animal is about putting all the pieces together at the right time, and getting comfortable with a draw weight is one of the most important pieces. I go very deep in the details in these Gear Guides, so I put my recommendations and a summary up top. Similar to the G5 is the New Archery Hellrazor. The innovative product caused quite a stir at the 2023 ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis, winning 1st place in the New Product Introduction category. I couldn't believe it! But well try anyway. Your preferred arrow weight for elk | Hunt Talk A higher draw weight can provide improved penetration and kinetic energy, but its essential to choose a poundage that you can comfortably shoot and control for accurate shot placement. My eyes got about as big as many of yours are right now, and I said, "WHAT? There are several mechanical broadheads to consider. I have had great results on elk and other magnum-sized animals with broadheads like the G5 Striker V2, Striker X, or Montec because . 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 Best Heavy-Hitting Arrow: Easton FMJ. The elk lost interest and walked away. Somewhat new on the block, SEVR has several models available for big game hunting. Is this enough arrow and draw weight for an elk at 30 yards? Several factors influence arrow penetration when hunting elk, including arrow weight, broadhead design, bow poundage, and shot placement. 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. A heavier arrow tends to have a flatter trajectory, which can improve accuracy and make it easier to hit your target. However, by understanding the importance of arrow weight, its components, and the factors influencing this crucial decision, you can make an informed choice and increase your chances of a successful, ethical, and rewarding elk hunting experience. Keep in mind that using a heavy broadhead might require you to adjust your bows setup to maintain accuracy. Diameter must be considered as well. We dont have the space to get into all the physics, and there is plenty of dispute among bowhunters on this topic, but without knowing your specifics I would recommend an arrow weighing at least 450 grains (total arrow/broadhead) for elk. People fight about helical vs offset but honestly youll see great results with both. 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 was gearing up for a Montana hunt but also had a few antelope tags I was trying to combine with my road trip. I hope this write-up was informative and cleared up your priorities in your quest for deciding the best draw weight for your upcoming elk hunt. With an affordable price point, the exclusive patented ladder design features a ComfortMAX seat, a durable powder-coated finish, oval steel construction, and much more. 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. This simplistic design removes moving parts, thus eliminating any surprise malfunctions during the hunt. Building the ultimate elk arrow will make you a far more effective hunter. Ultimately, the right arrow weight for elk hunting will depend on your individual preferences, bow setup, and skill level. 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. For elk hunting, its generally recommended to use a full-metal jacket (FMJ) or heavy carbon arrow for better penetration and energy retention. Hi! Everything You Need to Know About Scent Control, 10 Land Management Strategies for Small Whitetail Properties, Untunable Bow? And no test medium can replicate the real thing. But best of all, you sometimes get to be the hunted because bull elk can respond aggressively to a call. To top it off, the spine of an individual arrow changes depending on how its rotated. These midday still hunts can be so deadly if you are willing to do them patiently. Elk requires arrows with 8 grains per pound with 70-pound bows. A bow is far quieter when heavy arrows are used instead of lighter arrows, The heavier (and therefore slower) the arrow, the easier to tune a broadhead since there is less wind resistance. I combined that bow with arrows that weighed more than 520 grains. Its essential to check with the local fish and game before you hunt and verify the rules and regulations, as they constantly change. That results in long rods that are cut down to arrow length. Jul 14, 2011. Ultimately, the best broadhead comes down to personal preference and confidence in your shot placement. The only way to truly know is to test multiple options on your exact bow/arrow combo. Elk Arrow Weight? | Hunt Talk They may also choose to come only halfway to you and then lock up, with no intention of closing the gap. Don't get sloppy with noise, and avoid any unnatural sounds such as metallic clangs and tearing Velcro. attention too. You have the rutting action that compares to peak whitetail season. To ensure your arrows have sufficient kinetic energy and penetration to achieve an ethical kill, its essential to calculate the total arrow weight and kinetic energy (KE).
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