Elk: neck shot?
 

I am sure this will stir things up >>
I have heard that neck shots on Elk just don't work. I keep asking myself why? I know a Elk is not a whitetail so lets get that straight first..BUT the physical make up of each animal is the same with respect to proportion. I know its a small target but results are outstanding on whitetails. So why if this is such an effective shot on a whitetail please tell me why results on an Elk not the same?
We are of course talking about a well placed shot high in the neck just below the jaw line AND we are talking about Elk loads..not whitetail loads.
Is there anyone out there who has taken this shot or continues to take this shot with good results

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Until about five years ago I used to shot everything I could in the neck. I have shot elk, whitetail, mule deer, antelope & black bear all in the the with great results.
I have a friend that ALMOST lost a bull elk due to a poor shot in the neck. We tracked down the bull & he finished the job. He was shooting a 300-win mag loaded with 200-grain Nosler Partitions. We both shoot the same rifle & load. After that day we both said we would never shoot a elk in the neck again.
Shooting an elk in the neck is not the best place just due to human error. The only way to kill a bull 100% of the time with a neck shot is to hit the spine, this drops them in there tracks. A bullet in the shoulder or just behind it leaves room for error. The heart & lungs are a larger & more ethical target. IMHO

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I was 16 yrs. old and elk hunting, I seen a spike bull about 75 yrds away, I raised my 30-30 rifle and aimed (open sights) and fired at his shoulder, he ran a little ways and then stopped and looked at me, this time I aimed at his neck and he just dropped. upon cutting the elk up my first shot went into the shoulder blade about an inch. Now I only archery hunt for elk and absolutely will not take a neck shot, I don't care if its 2 feet in front of me...Only broadside shot for me/archery!!

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Good for you Robinhood. You are definately on the right track.

I do not shoot any game animal in the neck, not even whitetail. One of the few whitetails I have ever lost was shot in the neck.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

RobinHood36,

Thanks for the "experience with 30-30 on elk" story! Unsolicited and just telling it like it is! I wish more people would listen!

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

30-30 is for very small rabbits only but don't try neck shots. May not leave a blood trail.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I have never had an animal take a step after a neck shot. But if you can't hit it there then don't even try. Many of the old time elk were killed by ranchers with thier saddle guns usually 30-30 or 44-40. But the new modern elk are much to tough. Get the biggest magnum you can lift. The 375H&H makes a good little elk gun. It also shoots pretty flat.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I agree with wolf, been there and done it, I say go for the chest. Bobby

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Robinhood
"upon cutting the elk up my first shot went into the shoulder blade about an inch."
So am I missing something? into the shoulder about an inch did not do it..
"this time I aimed at his neck and he just dropped."
So you have switched because you now bow hunt..not because it did not work. Correct?

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I was only 16, and not very experianced hunter, but an old deadeye on open sight shooting, as I was raised with a bb gun in my hand. This was quite an experiance I will never forget, I shot first at his shoulder and the bull did'nt go down, so I just instinctively aimed at his neck and shot, and yes he did drop, and I bagged my first bull. I am a lot more experianced now and do not recommend a neck shot on an elk. I really enjoy bowhunting elk as I have been quite successful and it is a whole lot more exciting as you have to get a whole lot closer to your game, and really hair raising when you have a bull elk come charging in on you. My dad was an avid bow hunter and that is why I now bow hunt, a very addictive sport. Bow hunt for elk, and rifle for deer, unless I don't bag one on rifle then I will bow hunt on the late archery hunts.

Outdoor: The bullet from the first shot just embedded into the shoulder blade, was not the fatal shot, I would say I was just lucky on hitting the bull in the right place in the neck, as I said before, I don't recommind a neck shot on an ELK, will not do it again...

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I have been shooting firearms for 37 years, and I will still not take a neck shot. Good luck.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Very interesting subject. I'm a conservative shooter I always go right for the mid lung everytime. We always have a group discussion on this topic among friends. There is alot of room for error in neck shooting an animal. I've done it on three occasions but never on a elk. Center of what appears to be an elks neck is not wear the spine is located. The guard hairs on a elk can hang four to five inches making the unfamiar hunter shoot to low. At the base of the ear and just behind it about a 1 1/2 would be the only spot I would shoot this shot. Its the same with back shooting it would take a marksman and a knowledgable man to shoot these shots. We have such a shooter in our family and without fail he calls his shots everytime and to my knowledge never wounded an elk. I'm personally not to that point of confidence in my abilities. I should be but I will always go straight for the lung. Call it too many days tracking wounded elk from bad shots. I save my hats off to the men who can make them shots. And my hat is off to the men who take the conservative shots. Everyone knows their limitations and should stay inside them.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I agree with the link: http://www.tnoutdoorsmen.com/killzone.htm#

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I am not an experienced hunter, but IMO neck shots have there time and place. I have used neck shots before on (deer and bear) and have never had the animal take a single step. These shots were shorter shots (less than 80 yards) and in areas where tracking and retrieval would have been difficult due to the terrain.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I did shoot a nice 6 X 7 bull in the neck about 20 years ago. The shot broke his neck and he went down in a heap. To this day that is the biggest bull I have taken.
But, I would not take that shot now, I would wait for a better shot. I was very lucky:)

I now bow hunt for elk every year and would only take a broadside or quartering away shot.
I do also hunt elk with my rifle, and would wait now for a better shot placement.
Camo

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I have killed alot of elk, none with a rifle, even if I did I would not take a neck shot. I always go for the boiler room. Throw a wrench in the works and he is going down, I have never had to trail one very far. Alot of the time they will die in sight. I wan't to be as absolute as I can , that the elk is going down. No way no how, will I ever take a neck shot on any animal. Those neck roasts are too good eating to fill with blood shot.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I don't agree with neck shots on deer and will never take one...same applies to elk or any other game animal for that matter. Take him in the pumper room; bigger target, leaves blood on the dirt and will get the job done just fine!

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Ok it seems overall opinion is "Bigger Target" / "Boiler Room" and thats all well & good no argument here. But for those who feel confident with the neck shot placed properly it works the same as it does on any game from what I have read above by those who have taken the shot.
I am a neck shooter and have been for 20+ years. I learned by opportunity a large 8 point offered me... a Neck Only shot at 10 yards with the bow. The results are something that I will never forget.
Thanks for all the input!

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Outdoor, I really hate to disrupt your party here, but I do not like you advertising other young hunters on this forum that neck shots are O.k. The neck is mainly all bone and muscle and in my opinion one of the worst shots to take with a bow.
You stated the results are something that you will never forget... Just wondering, am I missing something here, What were the results, Good, Bad? ;)

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I doesn't matter what the archers level of confidence is. In my opinion. An elk should never be shot in the neck with a bow. I will not take neck shots. I am an accomplished archer on the 3-D range and in the field. Experience tells me that there are too many variables that will be a detriment to my shot even at 10 yards, as I took my elk at this past season( double lung). Window of shot opportunity and window of kill opportunity are 2 different things. I had many elk within bow range, and yes I had the opportunity to shoot many, would I take a percentage shot even if it is 80 or 90 %. No I wouldn't . I had a young man with me last year who thought the neck shot was great. He took that head on shot. Needless to say the next two days were wasted and we had nothing to show for it but blisters. I spent the night on the mountain that night without a bag. Did the shot look well placed, Yes it did. Did the bull go down?He sure did. After 5 more days of hunting we had a pack of wolves howling from the drainage that we last found sign from the bull. He went down alright. I don't think that the neck shot scattered him all over the hill. Yes , I don't doubt that a well placed shot in the neck will put an animal down. But as for bow hunting elk, I think that this is a very poor shot selection given the small margin for error. If a hunter is that experienced and truly enjoys nature, he would be much more happy at watching that bull walk away healthy, then to spend the rest of his hunt regretting that he took a neck shot. I agree with Robinhood on this one.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

neck shot on ELK! The question is totally out of question, im 17 been hunting scince i was 12 you may call me a youngin to the art of hunting but ive learned quite a few ethics from my dad. one of the number one things he taught me was shot placement, he said aim for the imaginary red dot BEHIND THE SHOULDER and visualize the arrow landing in the sweet spot, this method has never failed him nor I. When i took bowhunters ed they also emphasized shot placement and i do remember Mr. Merlin saying theres nothing worse than someone who thinks they can kill a big game animal with an arrow to the neck, its to risky of a shot and its NOT WORTH IT. I would not even dare think about it, i agree with robinhood, elkcrazy, txhunter, everyone who said no to a neck shot, an elk is to AMAZING of an animal to even take chances on. and i would advise you to stay clear of neck shots for archery, its not worth it, have Respect for the animal you are hunting.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Ok Archer/Elk Crazy & Robin Hood,
Read the topic. WE spoke about Elk loads, hence a rifle NOT a bow.
I do not promote shooting anything in the neck. How I shoot is just that "How I
shoot" You may take running shots or long distance shots and thats how you shoot
It was a legitimate question about those that have taken Elk in the neck with ELK
LOADS.
I "mentioned" how I got started shooting neck shots and have been 100%
sucessful with the results. Again that is my results & my shooting.
I do not come on a board to offend other hunters..don't think anyone else should
either. I come here to share and learn.
Archer 18- You my friend have a long way to go..You have no idea what kind of
person I am nor the amount of game I have harvested. I have let more "trophy's" pass by me then you could count. Respect..thats a lot of word coming from a 18 year old.
You know whats funny about this whole thing >> I would give up my whole hunt..every day that I paid THOUSANDS for to help any one of you guys track, drag or quarter your trophy! Just a stranger helping a fellow sportsman.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Outdoor, you knew when you started this thread you were going to have to deal with this, and here you are, the first one that seems to be offended. For me, I've shot whitetail in about every spot imaginable. But as I get older in the tooth, 42, I try as many do to cut down on the chance of wounding that animal. I almost always, noticed I said almost always shoot deer in the lungs. Bullet passes through the ribs and I have no waste. I shot a small deer in the neck one day bow hunting while aiming for the ribs of her mother. It dropped like a rock when mom juked the shot. We as sportsman owe it to the animal to be as humane as possible. I know it doesn't always work out, but when I get up in the morning, it is my intent. One other thing, it doesn't really matter to me how many trophies you let pass or how much you spend on your hunts. Those types of things will never define your ethics. I know for myself I kill less animals now than I ever did because I spend most of my time trying to help younger hunters get started, but that ain't got nothing to do with my shot placements. Keep up the good work, everyone enjoys a good argument!

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Just wanted to pat hale87 on the back. Good ethics

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Outdoor, You admitted that you took a neck shot with the bow and seized the opportunity. So i don't beleive that this thread is limited to taking neck shots with elk loads. In my post I stated that I hunt with a bow and won't take neck shots. If I ever decided to hunt elk with a rifle(which is highly unlikely) I still wouldn't take a neck shot. In my opinion that would be too risky. Alot is going through the average hunters mind at the moment of truth. Even with a rifle, most that have never seen an animal of such magnitude would be stricken by the overwhelming urge to get a bullet in him. I would much rather have a shot made with a .243, which is not considered and elk load, through the lungs than to have a gaping hole in the side of the bulls neck made with a .300 mag.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Hale87 ...
You know when something gets twisted around as the thred moves a long and it goes from who has shot an Elk in the neck with a Elk load to the following:

Outdoor, I really hate to disrupt your party here, but I do not like you advertising other young hunters on this forum that neck shots are O.k. The neck is mainly all bone and muscle and in my opinion one of the worst shots to take with a bow.
OR
An elk should never be shot in the neck with a bow.
OR
i would advise you to stay clear of neck shots for archery, its not worth it, have Respect for the animal you are hunting.

I never said any of the above so would this fall under ethics? Or doesn't this count?

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Quote from Outdoor


'Nuff said...

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Outdoor, I'm not sure where you're going with that, or what your question is? I think most of us know what is best when we're in the field, but when the moment arises, and I mean that trophy of a lifetime finally shows up. That's when things are defined. You're right about those other shots such as long distance and running shots. But that's why I said when I get up in the morning I know my intent. Trust me, I already said I'm guilty as charged. You know I killed my first bear with a neck shot. We never had bear in this county for many years, and we hunted them for many years with out ever getting a sniff. Well,,,,,, when I finally found one. It was a situation where he knew I was there and I felt he was going to bolt at any second. His head and neck was the only thing I could see, so that's where he got shot. Probably about 50 yards offhand. I would have much rather had him step out, but I wasn't willing to give him that chance. You and I both know a lot of people on here talk sh** all day long. So whatever,,,, get over it. I probably wouldn't have posted until you tried to qualify your skills by talking about watching trophies walk and spending thousands on hunts. For the most part this board seems to be comprised of quite a few seasoned hunters that could care less about such claims. Money has nothing to do with ethics.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Outdoor, I guess my beef is that I simply have a problem when it comes to shooting elk in the neck, if thats what you want to do then more power to you. You stated that you have learned to be a neck shooter for 20 plus years, then it seems you are promoting neck shots. I don't have a problem with deer w/ rifle, but with a bow and neck shots its a whole different ball park...

An elk, they are tough as nails, I don't recommend a neck shot and when it comes to bow and arrow, my rule is-- Don't even think about it!!! Why? you might ask... Hmmmm lets see, have you ever skinned a elk and actually looked up close and felt the neck of an elk? Well try to visualize a broadhead going through all that elk hide, muscle and bone!! A broad head is designed to kill by cutting and I guarantee you are'nt going to get much cutting in the neck...Be a tru ethical hunter, wait for your shot, and put that arrow behind the shoulder in the boiler room, and listen to this rule--Double lung a bull hung...;)

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Nice chating with you.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I think he just "took his ball and went home."

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Well I will jump in here and take my lik'in also.
Would I shoot and elk in the neck,yes.Have I yes, if thet is all he or she offerd me (less than 100 yds).Now I'm not saying that is the only shot I would take,if it offered me with a chest shot I would take that over any other.
I have hunted with a gun in my hand for 18 yrs and have killed 14 elk,now I know somebody out there will disagree with my decisions and my shooting ethics,I know when I put my sights on a elk I know I will kill it,and humanly.
There are far less ethical shots I know of(Raking,or Texas Heart shot)and I don't care for them or anyone who uses them.
As for using stick and string and tring to poke one in the neck,that is a diffrent story.There are alot of if,ands,but to it so I think I would have to wait for a good broadside or a 1/4 away shot.
BBJ

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

As Outdoor stated originally I believe we are talking about using a gun, not a bow.

To that end, I still don't recommend neck shots for 99% of the hunters out there. Most are not proficient with their guns and can't bank on accuracy of their rifles. I, too, have neck shot game but the only time was a huge whitetail running past me at 40 yards and I missed my first shot at the lungs and thought I hadn't lead him enough so I aimed at the neck and got EXTREMELY lucky (see my sig. for picture).

If I was in a situation where there was an animal I really wanted and it was close enough and the only shot I was sure would be a neck shot and I had a good rest and I knew my rifle was on, blah, blah, blah...

I would take a neck shot if I really thought it was ethical and the best option for the situation. However, I won't take neck shots if there is any chance of getting a better shot at the heart/lungs. I NEVER go into the woods thinking I'll shoot my prey in the neck. It mostly depends on the situation presented and the conditions. Way too risky a shot and very few times most hunters should attempt it without VERY good reason (not ruining meat is not one of them). I know for years many old times would only shoot in the neck for a multitude of reasons but those seldom apply any longer. I believe it's not ethical to try for that shot MOST of the time for ANYONE. It's just not humane. I've heard of way too many stories of deer and elk running around with their lower jaws blown off, holes in their esophogas, etc. to think I'm going to take a neck shot without some strong reason behind it.

Best bet is to just shoot for heart/lungs and plan on that shot.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Outdoor,

It's been nice chatting with you also. If I have offended you, it was not my intentions, I apologize, we all come here to learn and share each others views as we all are hunters. But you will always have interesting reviews of the do nots and should you topics, and I guess it just boils down to your own disgression, when it comes right down to that choice--when put in that situation--and just hopefully you try to make that right decision... I know that there is'nt a perfect hunter out there, but we as hunters have the ability to always improve and learn from our own mistakes, or even other hunters mistakes they have shared with us and also teach our young fellow hunters, the rights and wrongs as we have been taught either by our dad, friend, instructor, or a mentor or even ourself...
I tip my hat to you for starting a very interesting thread as it can be a very debatable subject...I know it started out about rifle loads into an elk neck, but when you finished up on the summary you stated about a neck shot on a deer with bow. I will just say if you make the shot, you have to live with that shot, wether it be good or bad...

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I didn't read into outdoors post that he was trying to convince anyone let alone younger hunters to use the neck shot. He clearly said that anyone with the confidence to take a neck shot would use it. Thats the way with me. I am a patient hunter, when I take a shot, that animal is going in a pile and 99 percent of the time it drops in its tracks. I will take what I feel it the best shot to accomplish that. It may be a neck shot, a shoulder shot or a lung/heart shot. Hiting your target is what builds confidence.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

When I am looking to fill the freezer in open country, it is a middle lung shot, preferably, about 1/3 of the way up from the brisket line. Otherwise, I prefer taking out both shoulders (I shoot a 340wby w/ partitions so penetration is never an issue, even at 400+ yds). I've never had an elk shot through both shoulders even take a step. I like to do "my hunting" before I pull the trigger, not afterwards and I've never got real concerned over loosing a couple of shoulder roasts anyway. Quartering shots have also been effective although an elk will occaisionally take a couple steps before flopping over. I've never lost a game animal shot in the neck but I've seen quite a few that were merely stunned get up and run and have to be shot again or tracked. As a result, I avoid neck shots--to many variables under hunting conditions to risk it.

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Robin Hood,
No you did not offend me.. I like the input I just felt input was becoming finger pointing so I thought it was time to leave.
I will be Very careful what I write from this point on...Just not into the junk, know what I mean?

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I found a site that shows how little there is to shoot at in the neck of an Elk. If you look at the anatomy photos you will see there isn't much in the way of vitals to hit. Thus most shot placements in the neck will not result in fatal injury.

Here is the link to a site with good anatomy photos.

http://www.nbef.org/elk_java.html

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

Archer,
Very true! and even smaller target on a whitetail.

A missed shot is a missed shot ANYWHERE on that animal, nobody gets any credit if you (or me) miss a lung either..
Bottom line is we all want the quickest human kill we can make as individuals

RE: Elk: neck shot?
 

I Agree!!