Finding an elks vital area
 

I'm going on my first elk hunt next week. I've hunted white tail for years and I've been on a Caribou hunt as well. Elk hunting will be a brand new experience for me. Where are the heart and lungs on an elk?
Where is the best place for a one shot kill? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

RE: Finding an elks vital area
 

Aim for the same place that you do on whitetails. An elk has a very large "boiler room" compaired to a whitetail so if you can hit a whitetail where you need to then an elk should be no problem. Some people, like beaverjack, like to shoot them in the shoulder to break their "wheels" but I like to put it right behind the shoulder if possible. Either one should end in a one shot kill but if it's still standing and you are able to get another one in there then you better do it. Just don't let the size of a big bull get you too excited! As beaverjack and everyone else on here will tell you, use a good, solidly constructed bullet in case you don't get that nice broadside shot.

RE: Finding an elks vital area
 

I have to agree with bigbulls on this. The ideal shot for me on elk would be slightly behind the near shoulder with the bull quartering away. I would then rely on the controlled expansion of a premium bullet to completely take out the boiler room, then break the off shoulder. <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle>

If that shot doesn't present itself, at least you know you have a rifle/cartridge/bullet combination up to the task to reach the vitals from other angles. Enjoy!!!

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

RE: Finding an elks vital area
 

Elk and deer aren't built the same. Elk cantalever out over their front legs compared to deer. Heart and lungs move more forward and more in behind the shoulder. Most hunters hunt elk with their deer rifle even though the challenge at hand is at least 200% bigger and has 300% more will to live. Bust 'em right through the shoulder with a, &quot;heavy for caliber partition bullet&quot; (a BeaverJack Quote). Take out his front axle and you'll likely be able to follow him to his death spot. &quot;Deer shoot&quot; him behind the shoulder without a heart shot and he'll have full 4WD long enough and far enough you may not find him by the time he runs out of gas - may not even flinch when you hit him - always walk over and check for evidence of a hit - you won't believe how tough they are. Bust 'em in the shoulder and you will definitely know when you've hit him.

Good judgement comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!