dochendrix

I love to watch bowhunting videos- but I saw one today on the MENS channel that I think takes the cake. I don't rember whast the name was- but it was sombodies outdoor experience- and they were elk hunting out west. Him and his wife had elk all around thenm in the woods- and then this huge elk comes in- he estimated with his range finder that it was at 60 yds-60YARDS!!!!!! and it wqas quartering to him severly. He shot and it hit way high- cause it was really only at 55yds- ONLY 55, he did find it- how he killed it I have no idea- but He kept justifying his HIGH HIT because the animal was such a huge trophy!!!!!!!!! He only questioned his shot because He was upset that he misjudged by 5 yds- WHAT IN THE WORLD- HOW ABOUT THE FACT IT WAS QUARTERING TO YOU AND AT 60 YDS- am I crazy or are Elk normally hunted at that distance???

Rich Baker

Well, Not by somebody who knows what there doing. That being said My first elk I shot was 70 yards away 70# mathews feather max 2216 arrows and thunderhead 125's and It was a perfict shot in a clearcut. I knew the distance exact. The bull went 52 yards and dropped. was I wrong to shoot (YES) now with more experiance I know better. I have never lost a elk and I think I am a great shooter(IMO) I shot a mountain lion at 50 yards down hill. I know my limitations , weather , wind ,sun and all the factors go into makeing long shots. If the animal is relaxed and feeding with a good broadside shot it is doable but not recomended. I was stupid to shoot that far and yea"s Lucky it worked out. I now only take 40 to fifty yard shots if the conditions are perfict and I know I can make the shot. Keep in mind I shoot a lot . More than most people dream of and it is not all at the range stump shooting is the only real practice that counts for elk hunting (IMO)

Flintflinger

Rich, Where in Oregon do you hunt. I saw your cat pics. Do you always hunt around LaGrande? I used to live in Portland but now live in Kennewick. But I still plan on hunting Oregon. I hunt the high cascades, white river unit.

Rich Baker

Starky unit use to be good but as of late it sucks, to much predation IE cats and bears. I have found that the south west part of the state from roseberge to florance is teaming with elk. I don't think eastern oregon is worth the shoe leather to find a good bull. ( example: in 99 on average we saw 20 elk a day 4 or so would be 6 point bulls. in 2004 we hunted 9 total days and saw 4 mountain lion 2 bear and 2 cow elk. no deer. for 3 hunters covering about 12 miles daily. way back in the roadless areas. we moved to several different areas. with terrable results, I talked with a lot of my friends here at work that hunt different units in the east and they had simmaler results. on the other hand washington hunters I know did well and it seams they are seeing the oposite. I use to funt near clear water correctional institut near the Hoe river and did very well there. If I were you I would hunt in washington but if your set on Oregon go south west.

Flintflinger

I know this doesnt belong here, but....
I am torn on whether to hunt oregon or washington this year. If I could find a way to maintain dual residence, I would do both. My next door neighbor is an avid bow hunter and got his elk this year, So I am going to pick his brain on where to go here in Washington. I also have family in Spokane that I could go hunt with, i may do that too. Butthen I would have to rifle hunt and I dont really want to do that.