"take a poke"!!!![:@] To me this means the same as "lead in the air hope in the heart" meaning you have no business shooting in the first place. Please be realistic in both your expectations and abilities, if you aren't confident you can make the shot 10 out 10 times then don't shoot! I am not sure where you hunt elk but 500 yards seems like an aweful long way for most of sask.I could shoot an elk if i desired at 500 yardsunder good(optimal field)conditions but I haven't needed to. In fact the vast majority have fallen between 100 and 200 yards. This isn't mountain hunting, learn the animals/patterns, pick the right spot and buy/learn how to usea cow call.