Frontal shot on elk

[Bhoesl]

I’m curious every one else’s opinion on a frontal / head-on shot on an elk with a compound. I’ve had the opportunity and didn’t take that shot. But I know of people who successfully have.
Don’t want to start a debate, just curious about others opinions on that shot, and if anyone here has taken it, how it turned out.

 

[WapitiBob]

Partner did, roughly 40 yards if I remember correctly, went maybe 50 after the shot.

 

[Dan-06]

Mine went 17 heart beats based on the blood sprays on the grass.

 

[Jnasa]

I think if you are confident in your shooting and have the right opportunity it’s ok. My opinion is it should be reserved for closer shots. You should also know the anatomy well enough to know where to hold.

I haven’t taken it but would under the right circumstances.

 

[Elktrack]

Oh what the hell, I haven’t pissed folks off with a different opinion lately.

IMO frontal shots are sketchy. I’ve personally seen 3 of them end up in lost bulls and another one that took about 3 steps and stood there for a few seconds and tipped over.

Next time you process your elk, look at the rib cage and sternum. There’s a small opening that you have to hit just right to get in the good stuff. Their front end is built stout. There’s also a bunch of muscle that makes for a poor blood trail. Almost closes up around the hole/arrow.

Each of the guys I know that have tried it will never try it again based on their experiences.
Too risky

 

[Doublecluck]

Mixed results, either dead city or dead 1/2 mile away with no blood if you miss over top the heart.

 

[JMG]

IMO ... it would have to be an ideal situation at 25 yards or less. As Elktrack stated ... "There’s a small opening that you have to hit just right to get in the good stuff".

 

[Dan-06]

Yes I agree. Has to be close. Preferably above the shooter just a little bit. Mine was 5 feet away.

 

[Mallardsx2]

They better be close. Like 10 yards close....

Not a shot I would recommend for a beginner.

 

[WapitiBob]

Mixed results, either dead city or dead 1/2 mile away with no blood if you miss over top the heart.

Elk anatomy isn't your forte'

 

[Shaq2424]

Has to be close 40 yards or less.

 

[TheTone]

The increased popularity of the frontal is one of the worst things to come out of all the YouTube, instafamous elk hunters. Lots of them promoting it far too often. I’ve never taken one, have passed on it a ton and in my head would only do it really close, sub 20 yards. I’d hate to know how many bulls have been lost to frontals due to promotion of them in recent years

 

[Bhoesl]

Thanks for the input everyone. I don’t regret passing on that shot, was just curious on some other opinions.

 

[Gellar]

I shot one straight on with my muzzleloader 2 years ago. He did a complete backflip in the air and landed deader than a door nail. As I was reloading my muzzleloader, even though I didn’t think I needed to, he got up. I was certain he was gone for good. He was dead about 30 yards into the tree line.

 

[Bullshot]

I'm a good enough shot and at 15 yards and under, maybe. And in saying that, I still want to google the anatomy. Any further and there are still too many variables to ensure you hit EXACTLY where needed (might miss heart, hit only one lung, really botch it and hit in upper neck or head, deflect off brisket/ribs, no blood trail, exit through guts, buck fever, elk moves slightly). Problem is, you can't google anatomy in the field with an elk in front of you and adrenaline flowing, and there are more ways to LOSE the elk than to get the elk with that shot. On that alone, it should be viewed a borderline unethical shot.

The frontal shot can be the domain of the hunter who can't fully control their adrenaline or know when to stand down, and who are DESPERATE to not go home empty handed. Not a very good look to aspire to. Does it work when it works, yes, just like all similar shots. Is margin of error much more slim than broadside/ quartering away? Absolutely.

With a rifle, I would be more permissive, as it is viable to a longer range and you are relying on the bullet doing some internal work too, and the higher neck shot is also fatal in a way it would not quickly be with an arrow. Muzzleloader I would treat as with a bow, but to a little longer yardage, no more than 50 yards, if well sighted.

Finally - full disclosure - I killed a whitetail with a muzzleloader at 5 yards or less this way and an XTP mag bullet (pretty devastating) and a cow elk with a conical (full penetration and exit out HQ), not the best blood trail. Ran maybe 50 yards. Still wish I had waited for broadside on that - I fit the "desperate to not go home empty handed" noted above and in hindsight not super proud of it, even though it worked.

 

[MTLabrador]

The increased popularity of the frontal is one of the worst things to come out of all the YouTube, instafamous elk hunters. Lots of them promoting it far too often. I’ve never taken one, have passed on it a ton and in my head would only do it really close, sub 20 yards. I’d hate to know how many bulls have been lost to frontals due to promotion of them in recent years

Seems like most instafamous and YouTube hunters already have a hard enough time not wounding elk no matter what shot angle they take. I sure see a lot of wounded elk and I can’t say I watch that many hunting videos.

 

[Sheltowee]

They better be close. Like 10 yards close....

Not a shot I would recommend for a beginner.

How are you holding for a shot like that? 20-pin several inches above intended point of impact or 40-pin dead on?

 

[BRI]

Incredibly lethal if you make the shot, likely a wounded lost elk If you don't. I tried once 13 years ago didn't make the shot. Thankfully have resisted the urge to try it again.

Back when I would visit the Bowsite, after reading several shot placement threads, I realized there is a person out there that will take every shot, no matter the angle. One guy even advocated a straight facing away shot up the pooper is great, guy even posted a pic.

 

[ashersdad]

Never tried the frontal on an elk, although I have shot both a moose and a muley buck with it. But, both of those were under 10 yards and when I was much younger/dummer. Frontal on an elk is a pass for me.

 

[Doublecluck]

Elk anatomy isn't your forte'

Yea sure…I guess not.. I hunt alone mostly, I get lots of bulls coming in presenting frontal shots. Personally won’t take em anymore. Broadside puts the odds in your favor by a factor of 3-4. First one ever shot blood in a 20’ circle and died in a few yards. Second one I buried an arrow to the nock in one’s chest and it didn’t bleed a drop, only found it cause it crashed and fell down the canyon across from me.