We'll I guess enough was'nt said especially after MADDMATTS story. First I'd like to say awesome job on a nice bull to MADDMATT. It's stories like that you just do'nt get from rifle huntn, and rarely do you get a second shot to finish him off with a bow. In his case he did'nt need it. But RATHER B HUNTN things don't always go that smooth, on the flip side there's that one ingredient that come's up on new bowhunters and some old and that's the excitement level that's uncontrolable in the heat of the moment,especially with elk. With bowhunting you'll have ten times the experiences in one year than you'd have with rifle huntn, that's why you hear so many comments from other bowhunters that say once you try it you'll be hooked, again I am refering to elk huntn. (is there anything else) I have a story from last years hunt that's a little different. My son had bugled a bull in for me and I saw him coming in at about 70 yards away walking fairly quick toward his bugling, I was calm as he approached, at 40 I drew back, he was going to pass me at about 25 I figured when he did I would cow call with a reed I had in my mouth, he did and I called. NOTHING didn't even phase him. What would YOU have done, maybe take a quick shot at one you thought might be out of range in just a couple more steps, if you do may be you take him cleanly, maybe you hit a little far back, never find him and that adds fuel to the fire if a rifle hunter finds him during his hunt. As innocent as it may seem, I believe this type of thing happens much more than irresponsible guys taking 70 yard shots. Only experience and info like this from experienced bowhunters help to make wise decisions, such as this, before they ever come up. So when those snap decisions come up, you'll show good instincts in what to do. In my case, I immediatley called again and that stopped him DEAD. So yes a bow is a lethal weapon. Hunting deer and elk with a bow will bring you many awesome memories. I say go for it. elknut