So yes, theyre exactly the same other than their rated straightness. You'll be packing meat in short order. 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. This simplistic design removes moving parts, thus eliminating any surprise malfunctions during the hunt. However, setting aside that simplistic overview, there are some specifics to consider as you look at long sticks and sharp points for your bow. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Thats just the summary believe it or not. All of these factors are intertwined in their importance. 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. Please browse our list of the worlds best elk meat vendors if you want to get your hands on some high-quality elk meat. Best Arrows for Elk Hunting. Max Efficiency: arrow ~10-15% over IBO (5.5 grains/per pound of draw weight). The perfect elk arrow is deceptively simple: its accurate, penetrates like crazy, and is tough enough for the job. The only way to know is to shoot several options side by side. The Best Lightweight Arrow: Victory RIP XV Xtreme Velocity Elite. 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. Heavy arrows lose relatively less speed and energy at long ranges compared to light arrows (think high ballistic coefficients [BCs] in bullets). Fortunately, the bugs have been worked out of the leading mechanicals and you rarely hear of one bombing on a hunt anymore. For elk hunting, a broadhead weighing between 100 to 150 grains is recommended. 4,786. Q: I am an avid reader of Bowhunter Magazine, and I look forward to each issue and the information and hunting stories you and the other writers contribute! I am planning an elk hunt in Montana with my brother, nephew, and close friend. For broadside shots you need to steer clear of the tree-stout leg bone, the high-riding scapula and hopefully maneuver through the jail cell of ribcage bones that protect the vitals. Here, Bowhunter Editor and Bowhunter TV host Curt Wells gets a firsthand look at the results: the new Slide Rock Hiker. After your success you can replace the blades and be ready for the next hunt. Calculate the arrows speed in feet per second (FPS) using your bows specifications or a chronograph The ferrule is constructed of titanium for the ultimate in strength and forward-motion penetration. You can use this bow to hone in your draw weight and get comfortable with form and proper mechanics. 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. Youll have to trust me on this one: Ive put in the time testing different arrows and its pretty obvious which ones work well. I can achieve this weight by choosing an arrow that weight approx. English Springer Spaniel. Research. Scott Cool, via e-mail. He was off again, but as is common with double-lunged bulls you usually get to watch the last wobble and appreciate the work of a great archery setup. While perfecting your craft and getting comfortable with draw weight, you will need to do a lot of practice shooting. 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. 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! This let-off makes it easier to hold the weight longer while you are at full draw. Smaller diameter means less surface area for the wind to drag on, so these arrows are less effected by the wind than normal, The critical factor here is that the shaft diameter is, To get the same stiffness out of an arrow (aka spine) you have to use roughly the same amount of material. 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. The difference isnt as big as you think but it is something you need to pay. WHERE HUNTERS & OUTDOORSMEN FIND THEIR GEAR, Draw Weight for Elk 2023 Guide [State Minimums + Best Gear], You might be wondering if youll need a more considerable draw weight than what youre used to when hunting deer. Like a football, an arrow is much more accurate if it rotates as it flies. Do I need different arrows for hunting elk compared to other game? Arizona - 40-pound minimum draw weight. 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. These midday still hunts can be so deadly if you are willing to do them patiently. The wolves obviously had completely changed the elk behavior in this area. By now, you can see that all these factors are codependent, which is why there is so much debate. Proponents claim that FOC makes arrows more accurate and penetrate far better. I have looking at the Full Metal Jacket 400 @ 10.2 GPI. Facts About Arrow Penetration To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Visit a bow shop pro to chronograph your bow and then sharpen a pencil. I go very deep in the details in these Gear Guides, so I put my recommendations and a summary up top. I was gearing up for a Montana hunt but also had a few antelope tags I was trying to combine with my road trip. If you made it this far I congratulate you! The rear-sliding blades finish the slice with a 2-inch cutting diameter. All Petersen's Bowhunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Check More Details on Amazon. Use the search tool below to browse adoptable English Springer Spaniel puppies and adult English Springer Spaniel in Elk Grove, California. Arrow weight for Mule Deer and Elk | Rokslide Forum Unfortunately most factory made arrows dont come with helical or offset so youll have to pony up for a custom arrows or build your own set if you want those advantages. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. 3. How To Choose The Right Grain Arrow For Deer Hunting Consider, too, that mechanicals steal some potential kinetic energyparticularly if you are shooting a low-poundage bow. Practice, close the distance and put that broadhead where it needs to go. How to build heavy hunting arrows - Lancaster Archery Supply For angling shots, your arrow has to have enough energy to slice through a bale of hay if the elk is positioned at an extreme slant. Elk requires arrows with 8 grains per pound with 70-pound bows. A lot of whitetail hunters are used to animals jumping the string and moving before an arrow has time to impact its intended target. For beginners looking to hunt elk, start with a 50-pound draw weight, though one of our experts recommends you start at 55 pounds. Then he responded, "If they are that close and perfectly head-on, take the frontal shot!". Heres a step-by-step process to do so: 1. Those generally weigh from 375 to 385 grains . Somewhat new on the block, SEVR has several models available for big game hunting. Ball's continual push to design award-winning accuracy for archers in the field and on the competition range where big bucks and gold medals are the goal. 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. Their rugged nature and non-mechanical approach combined to fell many elk in the Rockies. Last fall, I elk hunted as hard as I ever have. Give a Gift Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. So how do you know? And no test medium can replicate the real thing. 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). A broadhead doesnt work without the stick thats behind it and your stick should be stout. A fixed-blade broadhead and certain mechanical heads are next, and then comes the really wide-cut mechanical broadheads. AGM G2 Guardian Review: Cutting-Edge Thermal Imaging? These can be one or two pieces. No matter how precise the components, youll still have to mark + align outserts (by rotating them) before you glue them into the arrow. Christian Berg visits with Latitude Outdoors' Alex Chopp about the company's incredibly lightweight Carbon Speed Series climbing sticks, which check in at only 19 ounces and help a bowhunter shave off some serious pack weight for their treks into and out of the whitetail woods. The best arrow for elk hunting have extremely strong components, so do your research. 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. They certainly dont go down in arrow weight. With an adjustable range of 5-70 lbs of draw weight, beginning hunters can hone their craft with this bow. Regrettably, like fixed blades, mechanicals do have some cons to consider. One word: trajectory. 1. Know your personal shooting limits, concentrate on shot placement and keep environmental factors in mind when you launch. Otherwise youll have a straight arrow shaft that still has a wobbly point! Hunting elk with a bow and arrow is among the most exciting experiences a hunter can have. A 500 grain arrow is not too heavy for hunting big game animals like elk. We looked across the far meadow and a 320-class bull was on a dead run at us, bugling while he was loping. About half were killed with fixed blades, and the other half with mechanical broadheads. 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. How far should I be able to shoot an arrow accurately when hunting elk? 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. Try many different draw weights and, EatElkMeat.com is dedicated to elk meat and elk hunting. For elk hunting, its generally recommended to use a full-metal jacket (FMJ) or heavy carbon arrow for better penetration and energy retention. G5 also has a solid reputation and its 100- and 125-grain Deadmeat 3-blade mechanical meets the demands of elk. A +/- 0.003 straightness is plenty for most shooters. Even at night when I was sleeping in my camper, I never heard a single bugle. However, it should not be prioritized over factors like arrow weight, broadhead selection, and shot placement. 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. The weight of a elk's arrow has been a source of debate for quite some time. Wicked Ridge Announces 2022 Crossbows & Accessories. Top archery hunters can shoot accurately with a 90-pound draw weight, and the energy this provides is punishing for any big game animal.. For elk at least 50 pounds draw weight at 28 inches, arrows must be at least 24 inches long tipped with a metal broadhead, with at least two sharp cutting edges, and have a cutting diameter of at least 3/4 inch - unbarbed and have fixed blades. For larger game such as elk or moose a good recommendation is at least 60-65 lbs of draw weight. Without any deployment of blades, a fixed blade begins cutting without having to unfold. The benefits of mechanical broadheads are many. Limited Life-time Warranty on main parts after your registration within 30 days of purchase. Second, test different fletchings to see which is quietest (Ive had good results with AAE Max Stealth vanes). Lessons Learned from 15 Years of Successful Elk Hunting The big decision is to choose between fixed-blade and mechanical heads. If youre using a 100-125gr point and a heavier insert (~50gr) youre already in that range. The Best Arrows for Elk Hunting [3 Things to Look For] I have a 30.5-inch draw, and I typically shoot 67 pounds. They certainly don't go down in arrow weight. However, I was grateful I had the heavier arrow, because if I had a lighter one I'm not so sure I would have had the same result. 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. To simplify things a bit, I put together this unpretentious guide to help novice hunters feel more comfortable picking a draw weight for elk. 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. Match that profile with reduced vane size like the popular Blazer and your arrow should act like a rocket, not a hang glider. It was a lethal shot, and I recovered my bull. 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 insert of an arrow is the metal component that connects the shaft and to the screw-in the point or broadhead. We will add Easton's 75-grain stainless steel insert, and then screw in a 175-grain Northern Wide Cut. Bowhunters who can shoot accurately with a 55 lb bow have successfully harvested elk. Here are the draw weight limits for elk by state: Alaska - 50-pound minimum draw weight. It comes out of the box with a 53 Lb draw weight, a perfect starting point for new hunters. Published Aug 14, 2019 10:50 PM EDT. There are many factors to consider: draw weight/length, arrow speed/weight (both kinetic energy and momentum), and broadhead construction. I was dumbfounded that I was not hearing any elk at all. Christian Berg talks with Dyson Renn of Kinsey's Outdoors Brands about the Pennsylvania company's new Alpine quiver series' color options for 2023. I took a bull last year at 61 yards with a SEVR 1.5-tipped Easton. But I continue to say that if the shot is very close and the chest is level to the arrow, it is absolutely devastating. Lets examine the key reasons why arrow weight matters: Achieving optimal penetration is crucial for a successful bowhunt. Its certainly worth a download and a read. As the name suggests, this mechanical has a large, 2-inch cutting diameter, but touts itself on the lockable pivot function that allows the broadhead to keep moving forward even after hitting bone or with an angling shot. Can You Deer Hunt with 350 Legend? The arrow used in general hunting has a six grain tip. Is proper arrow spine important for hunting elk? Elk Arrow Weight? | Hunt Talk While you can use the same arrows for hunting elk that you use for other big game species, many hunters choose to use heavier arrows with larger cutting diameter broadheads for elk hunting. The Best Arrow for the Money: Gold Tip Hunter XT. Idaho. Going out and buying the Cadillac of bow setups might put you on the wrong footing. They can get into a lung, vitals or offer two side bleeding for tracking and recovery. | Arrow weight plays a significant role in your gears performance during an elk hunt. Petersen's Bowhunting Editor Christian Berg provides an overview of the Phase 4, Mathews' flagship hunting bow for 2023. Arrow placement is most important, your arrow weight is fine. Once shunned at elk camp, mechanicals now firmly hold a place in the hunt for big backstraps. Keep in mind that the further your arrow travels the more energy it loses. 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. The Bloodsport Gravedigger series includes both a cut-on-contact and a chisel-head version. 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. Too much and the arrow will slow down quickly. If you follow that advice Im confident youll end up with a phenomenal elk arrow. Users report that this lightweight bow is easy to draw, which helps you get over that learning curve faster. Ill be creating an entirely different gear guide just for broadheads but its important to know that broadheads also influence your arrow choices. 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 cutting diameter oftentimes exceeds those of the fixed-blade variety with many hitting the mark at 1 7/8 to 2 inches. Location. Before we dive in, this article assumes you know how to select the right arrow spine for your bow (hint: use the charts the arrow companies give you). Enter speed and arrow weight data into the calculator. Both died in seconds leaving a blood trail as easy to follow as a Hollywood red carpet. Thats another reason I recommend small diameter vs micro diameter arrows, especially if youre not building your own. How important is arrow speed for elk hunting? Subscriber Services. Joe looked at me and said, "I'm going to use my tag on this bull!" Cover ground fast, close that gap in half and get into position for a shot. From Amazon: 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. If youve got plenty of power (70lbs) its fine to be closer to 7 GPP. 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. Elk are very different animals than deer: theyre far bigger, their hide and bones are tougher, and theyre strong enough to go long distances when wounded. A: Thanks for your e-mail. They may also choose to come only halfway to you and then lock up, with no intention of closing the gap. Try for 7-10 grains of arrow weight per pound of bow draw weight (GPP). The best arrow for elk hunting is built specifically for those requirements and so is this gear guide. The vital zone measures approximately 15 inches in circumference. He was adamant about having extra momentum from a heavier arrow, just in case the shot wasn't perfectly placed. Speaking of hype, everyone has seen four fletch arrows and the natural assumption is that theyre better than three fletch arrows. A balanced combination of speed, weight, and accuracy is key to successfully harvesting an elk. Bowhunting geeks love analyzing gear. Don't get sloppy with noise, and avoid any unnatural sounds such as metallic clangs and tearing Velcro. It's been my experience that when it is hot, you better strike with intensity and efficiency. Topping the list of reasons to ponder using a mechanical broadhead is the fact they are, well, mechanical. First, lets establish the number-one goal of every elk hunter a bilateral pneumothorax otherwise known as a double-lung collapse. Designed for 55 lb. There is, however, no real winner and no easy answer to the discussion. The innovative product caused quite a stir at the 2023 ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis, winning 1st place in the New Product Introduction category. A little extra force and penetration can mean the difference between a successful kill and watching your prize elk get away. A 55 lb bow can be enough for hunting elk, provided that your arrow setup is well-tuned, and your shot placement is accurate. What type of broadhead is best for elk hunting? Read Next: 7 Secrets for Bowhunting Bull Elk. They provide good penetration and create larger wound channels, resulting in a higher likelihood of a quick, ethical kill. This extra power gives you an edge in cutting far through elk vitals, especially with the modest cutting diameter of most fixed blades. 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? Woodland whizzes have tested every combination of broadhead and arrow known to man on these giants. 300, 325, 350, 400, and 500. FOC = 22%. Many hardcore elk hunters will tell you there is no place for mechanical broadheads in elk hunting, but I disagree. Messages. Do you want to bet the farm on an unknown? Straightness is correlated to good spine consistency but its not as critical. Required fields are marked *. It is my opinion that arrow speed is valuable only when you are shooting a shaft with adequate weight for the game you are after. The arrow should balance (weight) in front of the center (length) of the arrow shaft. Mike Schwarzenbrenner, Expert Archery Hunter: Dont think you have to be Mr. Macho and go out there and shoot 80 pounds. Then I would move about 100 yards very cautiously and cow call a few more times. Arrow length directly affects the shafts weight, as a longer shaft will naturally be heavier. For your son as I did mine at 13 I would recommend a 400 spine arrow over 500 spine. Have questions about your individual setup? Mechanicals have been known to fail, nick vegetation and deploy in flight, or fail to deploy totally upon impact. I hunt with a Diamond Bow and can attest to the quality and craftsmanship of these stick throwers. 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. 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. An important thing to consider is that youll need a bow with adjustable draw weight when getting started. Minimum Draw Weight for Elk in North Dakota. As a last resort, I started covering a lot of bedding areas during the middle of the day. Broadhead design does matter, but mostly in a basic sense. More on this in my guide to building arrows (coming soon). Of course, each hunter will prefer a specific weight, so heres the real question: What draw weight are you comfortable with, and how much control do you have at that poundage? Its a rear-deploying broadhead looks like a fixed-blade and leaves a 1 -inch wound channel that begins with a chisel-tip entrance. Please check out our best broadheads for elk guide for more information. My guide, who was a veteran elk hunter, then asked me, "Can you NOT see the bulls when they are coming in?". Our own current arrow setups may serve as examples to get you started: Adrian: 29" tapered carbon shaft (65-80 spine) with 4 fletch, 3" feathers (350 grains). #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width:100%;}
In many ways, elk are like turkeys. Max Speed: IBO arrow (5 grains/per pound of draw weight). However, while elk are ALOT bigger than whitetails, they're not moose. Some models even deliver 3-inch cutting diameters, but remember that too much of a good thing can reduce penetration. If you can't hold proper form or struggle to pull heavier weight, then lower it to what you can manage. Fixed-blade broadheads arent perfect thoughnever have been. In almost any scenario, a heavier arrow will penetrate better on a live animal. Unveiling the Ultimate Guide, Can You Hunt Deer with a 410 Shotgun? Overall I tend to recommend a small diameter arrow to most people since theyre a great blend of cost and efficiency. To top it off, the spine of an individual arrow changes depending on how its rotated. More penetration equals more cutting area, which ultimately leads to a quicker, more ethical kill. 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. Give a Gift There are several mechanical broadheads to consider. At the moment neither of us could have cared who was more shocked at the 10-yard, surprise run-inthe elk or me. Heavy arrows also have some other benefits that make them a great choice: Awesome, so why not shoot the heaviest arrow possible? That thickness means durability and strength when you need it most, Less wind resistance also means less arrow drop over distance. In fact, our bulls died much faster than those on any lung shot I have made. 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. 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. So how heavy should you go? It'll be slow but I'd build an arrow that weighs 450-500 grains and put a SHARP two blade on it. Not good. This tactic was the polar opposite of what I mentioned in the paragraphs before. 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). On the other hand, a lighter arrow is more susceptible to wind drift, which can affect your shots accuracy. 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. It cuts with a 1 3/16-inch diameter for ideal blood trailing with a strong stainless steel ferrule, a chisel tip and ease in replacing blades. I like this target because it is highly visible and easy to aim at; plus you can shoot it from different angles and faces. They can easily shoot through a mattress and leave the fletching unharmed. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. See my point? For me, accuracy is the biggest factor. 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. While many bowhunters believe that heavier arrows enhance penetration, others tend to go lighter for better trajectory. Christian Berg and Kinsey's Outdoors Brands' Dysom Renn talk about Kinsey's new Nest Lite Elevation Ambush Shooter Stool and a new model in the Elevation quiver line, products aimed at the upcoming 3D shooting season. Drop a comment below or reply to my newsletter and Ill do my best to help out. I have the ability to screw a 50gr weight to the inside for elk to get the whole arrow to 494gr. The weight of the arrowhead contributes directly to the overall arrow weight and affects penetration and kinetic energy. A heavier arrow carries more kinetic energy, which translates to increased penetration on impact. Since that day, I haven't taken that shot again on an elk. Its not uncommon to only get one shot at an elk (if youre lucky) and your arrow is the only piece of gear that actually does the work. Ive noticed ~0.5-1 drop per grain of weight at that range which is significant. You can choose between 85-, 100- and 125-grain models with a carbon steel option available in 100 grain. Best of all, these big critters cant go far when the air is released from their lungs in a double-lung tap. Thats hard since most manufacturers dont list a spine tolerance and spine testing machines cost hundreds of dollars. Fortuitously, elk offer you a big target of vitals that accompany that big frame. For whitetail deer hunting anything above 40 lbs is fine. Read Next: Your 3-Part Game Plan for Elk Bowhunting Success This Fall. My setup stays the same for deer, bear, and elk. That noted, an overall thinner diameter on the arrow mated with smaller vanes show that a smaller diameter arrow penetrates better and catches less wind due to their smaller overall profile. Accessories like fletchings, nocks, and inserts also contribute to the arrows weight. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. First, get to know that that burly bull you hope to hurl projectiles at like your prehistoric ancestors. The same should go for you! Here are some lifelong archery elk hunters on choosing a draw weight for elk hunting: Lance Fitzgerald, Colorado Bow Hunters Association Lifetime Member: I started shooting as a teenager at 45 pounds of draw weight.
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