Elktracker, you say alot of times you don't have the shot for behind the shoulder, so you aim for the spine, and have consistently taken elk in this manner,--hunting to me also is being patient and waiting for your shot, and in my mind the right shot should be behind the shoulder, being the largest portion of the vital area. I can't see any hunter in there right mind trying to shoot an elk year after year aiming for the spine (LOL). I am curious of the elk you bagged all them years from spine shots, how many got away form you, that you did not find? You have to learn to be a responsible and ethical hunter, and sometimes that means you have to let that elk walk if the shot is not there, ...RobinHood36>>>============<>