If you have a very light draw (40lbs) aim for ~10 GPP. Most manufacturers sell multiple grades of the same arrow with different straightness ratings such as +/- .001, +/-.003, +/.006. Like turkeys, elk may chose to be vocal for a brief period but then lose interest. Top archery hunters can shoot accurately with a 90-pound draw weight, and the energy this provides is punishing for any big game animal.. If you want to shoot it as a fixed-blade, simply tighten a set screw and the head. Bowhunting geeks love analyzing gear. However, theres a few reasons I dont recommend that: it hurts long range trajectory, can actually hurt penetration in wind (the arrow flies crooked with fletching blown to the side), and it can be very difficult, expensive, and time consuming to find the right spine with so much point weight. But I continue to say that if the shot is very close and the chest is level to the arrow, it is absolutely devastating. Is 500 grains enough arrow weight for elk? Cover ground fast, close that gap in half and get into position for a shot. I'm Brian, a born-and-raised outdoorsman with a lifelong passion for hunting. G5 also has a solid reputation and its 100- and 125-grain Deadmeat 3-blade mechanical meets the demands of elk. 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. I fall in the middle: Its important, but not nearly as important as people make it out to be. We looked across the far meadow and a 320-class bull was on a dead run at us, bugling while he was loping. The shot was further back than I wanted, but the loud crack assured me I had broken the rib. Draw Weight for Elk: A 2023 Guide (State Minimums + Best Gear). Wasp is a name synonymous with modern archery history and their 100-grain Drone meets the specs for elk country. Several factors influence arrow penetration when hunting elk, including arrow weight, broadhead design, bow poundage, and shot placement. 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. 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. Mechanicals have been known to fail, nick vegetation and deploy in flight, or fail to deploy totally upon impact. Max Energy: arrow ~20% over IBO (6 grains/per pound of draw weight). For larger game such as elk or moose a good recommendation is at least 60-65 lbs of draw weight. The secret spot is right at the bottom of the thick, dark hair on a bull's neck where it comes to the point with the lighter hair. One word: trajectory. My first pass through on an elk was with a 403 grain arrow, where as I have had heavier arrows not pass through at a fair amount closer than that bull. Joe chirped the cow call one more time and the bull looked up and came right to us. Mass produced micro diameter arrows often ship with misaligned outserts. How High Can Elk Jump? /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
That's a terrible shot!" A little extra force and penetration can mean the difference between a successful kill and watching your prize elk get away. If you want a short end to this article, consider that your current whitetail setup is likely suitable to take elk. This let-off makes it easier to hold the weight longer while you are at full draw. He was very close and remained in his bed. There are many factors to consider: draw weight/length, arrow speed/weight (both kinetic energy and momentum), and broadhead construction. These arrows are factory fletched and have a straightness tolerance of plus or minus .003" and a weight tolerance of plus or minus 2 grain. Its a rear-deploying broadhead looks like a fixed-blade and leaves a 1 -inch wound channel that begins with a chisel-tip entrance. By now, you can see that all these factors are codependent, which is why there is so much debate. For elk, consider the Titanium 2.1 available in both 100- and 125-grain versions. The weight of the shaft largely depends on its material and size. Colorado - 35-pound minimum with a maximum 80% let-off. With the new Buckskin and Stone color options, bowhunters can customize their hunting rigs to match up with many of today's most popular camo pattern options. 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. 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. On many occasions, I made a hunt end in my favor by being aggressive on my feet and closing the gap while a bull was talking. Bowhunter TV host and magazine editor Curt Wells talks with Tom Rainey about two new Cellular Trail Cam models from Browning: the Defender Pro Scout Max and Defender Vision Pro. The best arrow for elk hunting is built specifically for those requirements and so is this gear guide. Following up on the success of the popular Corrie boot, the Kenetrek faithful asked the company to create an all-leather version of it. Lastly, broadhead designs, both fixed and mechanical, have been improved with sharpening expertise that forces you to be extra careful when attaching broadheads to the end of your arrows. North Dakota requires a minimum draw weight of 50 pounds. Do I need different arrows for hunting elk compared to other game? A 10 grain difference is only good for about an inch or so at that range. The wind direction was good, so I just stayed there quietly and waited for evening to approach. 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. Two hours later, we had a bull respond to our call from nearly 400 yards away. All Petersen's Bowhunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. 175 grain, two blade, single-bevel broadhead with a 75 grain steel adaptor (MA=2.33). In many ways, elk are like turkeys. Most experts recommend that bowhunters should be confident in their ability to shoot accurately at distances of up to 40 yards when hunting elk. Early in my elk-hunting career, I made the mistake of trying to be too stealthy on bulls I had worked up with my calling. 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. I read this book, which helped me hone my discipline and skills. Both models can be mounted to the Integrate Mounting System found on most modern compound bows. Messages. Practically speaking the pros outweigh the cons but ultimately thats up to you. Weight tolerances also are largely unnoticeable for hunting under 60 yards. Yes, if your draw weight and arrow speed are exceptional (well over 300 fps), you might get by with a lighter, flatter arrow, but I still wouldnt go below 400 grains under any circumstances. Best Arrows for Elk Hunting. Mar 4, 2019 #8 Hilljackoutlaw Then he responded, "If they are that close and perfectly head-on, take the frontal shot!". The bull went about 30 yards and stopped. Personally I would find a way to add a heavier insert system. Then I would move about 100 yards very cautiously and cow call a few more times. They fly accurately, even at long range due to their wingless nature and tendency not to catch the wind like a fixed blade. Leading the lineup is the 100-grain Trocar with a helix design to aid in flight stabilization. Important Note: Broadheads are an integral part of successful archery setups for elk. In addition to a sturdy setup, check for straightness with tolerances of plus or minus .003 inches being the accepted industry standard. Elk get killed every year by kids and women shooting 45-50 pounds and a good broadhead. I pulled the trigger and watched my arrow disappear. Joe looked at me and said, "I'm going to use my tag on this bull!" Speaking of hype, everyone has seen four fletch arrows and the natural assumption is that theyre better than three fletch arrows. At a 30-yard, safe-space distance, the bull braked hard and cranked broadside to seemingly see if his aged eyes were playing tricks on him. A balanced combination of speed, weight, and accuracy is key to successfully harvesting an elk. They can be extremely vocal at times, and when they are fired up, you need to take control. That makes maximum, and hopefully two-hole, penetration more important than on just about any other North American big game animal. Christian Berg talks with Barnett Crossbows owner David Barnett about a change of pace in the hunting world, the new lineup of King Rat Slingshots. If you want to fully understand the why just keep reading! You may get a couple chances at whitetails over the course of a season, but you get one elk tag every so often and on a hunt you usually only get a single chance to draw back on an elk. A little extra force and penetration can mean the difference between a successful kill and watching your prize elk get away. For example, three shafts labeled 300 spine might actually measure at 294, 306, and 315. Remember to always adhere to local hunting regulations and ethical hunting practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both you and the elk population. The benefits of mechanical broadheads are many. Most hunters come from a firearms background where speed and kinetic energy are touted as the most important projectile measurements. I covered miles and miles only to come across more wolf sign than elk sign. This next topic is certain to get some of you talking. Generally, a heavier arrow is preferred for higher draw weights to maximize energy transfer and penetration. Then hunt your way close and drive it through both lungs. The Best Heavy-Hitting Arrow: Easton FMJ. If your draw weight and arrow speed is average (under 280 fps), your total arrow weight should go up. Keep in mind elk are big animals, and they are often noisy. Read Next: 7 Secrets for Bowhunting Bull Elk. Measure the individual components weights (shaft, broadhead, fletchings, nocks, inserts) But well try anyway. All the details can be found in the article. They can be difficult to tune and bow speeds enhance steering issues. The reason for this simple statement lies in the explosion of technology introduced into archery within the last several decades, particularly the last 10 years. But with features like rugged construction from lightweight aluminum, built-in foot traction, and hunter seat comfort, this brand-new treestand is sure to be a winner as it hits production this year. You dont need broadheads wider than 1 1/4 for elk, so avoid those and your arrow should be easy to tune. 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. Thats another reason I recommend small diameter vs micro diameter arrows, especially if youre not building your own. A +/- 0.003 straightness is plenty for most shooters. Topping the list of reasons to ponder using a mechanical broadhead is the fact they are, well, mechanical. It was a devastating setup that pulverized any bone in its way. If you only puncture one lung on an elk, the odds of recovery are close to zero. One benefit to making your own arrows is that you can cut arrows from both ends so they are straighter. Its essential that if you ever find yourself in this position youve done your homework and put all the pieces together to take a safe and ethical shot. Dec 12, 2016 #3 Gunner46 Well-known member Joined While perfecting your craft and getting comfortable with draw weight, you will need to do a lot of practice shooting. Independent gear reviews & bowhunting advice. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. All Rights Reserved. You probably dont need it. Not good. In fact, there was a point in the past 20 years that elk outfitters would only allow clients to use fixed-blade heads on their booked hunts due to the horror stories of mechanicals. The same should go for you! For example, a 480 grain arrow divided by a 60 lb bow = 8 grains per pound. He was adamant about having extra momentum from a heavier arrow, just in case the shot wasn't perfectly placed. Arrows with bad tolerances tend to curve more at the end of the shaft and look more like a J than a /. But best of all, you sometimes get to be the hunted because bull elk can respond aggressively to a call. FOC (Front of Center) is definitely the marketing word of the decade in archery and it seems like everyone has a strong opinion here. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. The best way to do that is use solid (not vented) broadhead blades and to use quiet vanes, Almost every manufacturer makes good nocks these days and you can easily swap nocks from one arrow to another (with the same ID), What is important is how well a nock fits your bows nocking points and serving, but thats another article, Elk are dichromatic which means they cant see red/green. You cant test it without expensive machines (and nobody lists these specs) but make sure to do your research, Step one is choosing the right spine from a spine chart, but thats true for any arrow, Theres so much here Ill write another Gear Guide just for broadheads! Give a Gift Theres a term for that retained energy: momentum. The perfect elk arrow is deceptively simple: its accurate, penetrates like crazy, and is tough enough for the job. The best arrow for elk hunting have extremely strong components, so do your research. 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. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. You might notice a small difference at 80-100 yards if youre a phenomenal shot, but hopefully your just practicing at those ranges anyway. Otherwise youll have a straight arrow shaft that still has a wobbly point! Will it work, yes, but if the shot is in any way marginal, a lighter arrow will not likely bail you out. For me, accuracy is the biggest factor. Subscriber Services. Dont know what that means? A fixed-blade broadhead and certain mechanical heads are next, and then comes the really wide-cut mechanical broadheads. To simplify things a bit, I put together this unpretentious guide to help novice hunters feel more comfortable picking a draw weight for elk. I just thought I would get some opinions on what grain everybody . 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). So let's take that 30-inch, 340-spine Easton FMJ that weighs 339 grains for the bare shaft. Over the years, I've had the privilege of hunting in some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes this world has to offer. Give a Gift Thats always a bonus since archery success is based on hemorrhaging results, not overall trauma as in firearm hunting. English Springer Spaniel. "They were thinking that arrow weight was the answer and came up with a 400-grain minimum weight for elk hunting. With my Inline 3 at 28.5" and 62# my deer arrow is 444 grains, using a 125gr tip and 50gr half-out on Black Eagle Rampage 350 .001. The Perfect Arrow Weight For Your Next Hunt. 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. The Best Lightweight Arrow: Victory RIP XV Xtreme Velocity Elite. Its time to get those taste buds prepped for your next elk harvest! 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. That means heavier arrows are often more accurate. Like straightness, most manufacturers have different weight tolerances that generally vary from +/-0.5gr to +/-2gr and are paired with straightness grades. Easton, Carbon Express and Gold Tip, all offer arrows that meet elk demands. On the other hand, a lighter arrow is more susceptible to wind drift, which can affect your shots accuracy. For example, if you buy the high end arrows youll get +/- .001 straightness and +/- 0.5 grains (or something close). Christian Berg talks with Dyson Renn of Kinsey's Outdoors Brands about the Pennsylvania company's new Alpine quiver series' color options for 2023. The arrow should balance (weight) in front of the center (length) of the arrow shaft. Which would bring m up to 465g or go to to FMJ 340 @ 11.3GPI and be at 497gr. In this video, Neil Byce, Director of Ops & Manufacturing at Bear Archery, highlights the new Super Kodiak, Series 4 of 4 of the company's Limited Edition Series of recurve bows. The elk lost interest and walked away. This search can be a confusing and frustrating process. Hodale, Idaho. The best draw weight will differ from hunter to hunter, but draw weight will typically range between 45 and 80 pounds. As long as you can maintain good arrow speed and accuracy, a 500-grain arrow can be highly effective for elk hunting. Can You Deer Hunt with 350 Legend? Elk requires arrows with 8 grains per pound with 70-pound bows. Finally, the self-healing foam means you can use this target over and over. 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. The advice in this guide comes from lifelong archery hunters, and I made sure to include some great tips and gear recommendations for hunters of any skill level. For your son as I did mine at 13 I would recommend a 400 spine arrow over 500 spine. Yes, some bows have an 80-pound draw weight or more, but does that make them any better? If your draw weight and arrow speed is average (under 280 fps), your total arrow weight should go up. At the moment neither of us could have cared who was more shocked at the 10-yard, surprise run-inthe elk or me. Here are the draw weight limits for elk by state: Alaska - 50-pound minimum draw weight. Many years ago, I was deep in the wilderness of New Mexico. A bow for all ages and skill levels. This amount provides plenty of draw weight to penetrate an elk. Dec 20, 2022 #5 I hunt with a Diamond Bow and can attest to the quality and craftsmanship of these stick throwers. Dec 12, 2016 #2 F Fire_9 Well-known member Joined Mar 25, 2015 Messages 1,070 Location Lewistown, MT Momentum is what you need to worry about.