Hello guy's, how you doing. I have an elk hunt coming up and was hoping for a little honest advise. While I shoot both a compound and traditional, my heart is with the latter. I have harvested severaldeer with both, but was recently told something that bothers me. I was planning on using my recurve on my upcoming elk hunt. I pull 60 pounds at a draw length of 28", shoot 29"Easton 2216 Legacy feather fletchedshafts off the shelf with a finger tab, tipped with Muzzy three bladed 100 grain broadheads. I was told this past week by an archery expert?? That this arrow/broadhead setup was to light and would not deliver enough kinetic energy to provide ample penetration on a thick hided elk? I shoot broadhead groups with this setup of 8" at 30 yards by practicing several times a week, but the last thing I want to do is not recover an animal. Any help here would be greatly appreciated. My 29" shafts tipped with broadheads, nock, insert, andfeathers weigh 456.58 grains total. My recurve shoots this arrow setup at 185' per second. Thank you....Joe

Even if I'd change to a cut on contact broadhead, you've got plenty of punch there Bassbacker. There's been many HUGE elk killed w/a LOT less. Go kill a monster dude!!

VicW.

I haven't hunted elk, but I've read a lot. You have plenty of horsepower with your bow. I'd also go with a 2-blade, cut on contact, and maybe a little heavier arrow. I believe with the right shot placement, what you have now will be just fine, but a little insurance doesn't hurt.

No offense to the guy who gave you the faulty information, but "experts" in this sport are a dime a dozen. KE isn't nearly as important as momentum, especially on large, thick-skinned, heavy boned animals. A broomstraw arrow will show you lots of KE, but it will not maintain that energy (momentum) as far, and it will loose it much faster on impact, vs a heavier arrow. I know a lady that killed a record book gemsbok (about elk-sized) pulling 47@26 on her longbow. She didn't get a pass-through, but the broadhead did get full penetration and stuck out the far side. She shot heavy arrows and a SHARP cut-on-contact head.

Look around and talk to people who have actually killed elk with a trad bow. Read about Fred Bear's elephant. Throw KE out the window--bows don't understand physics anyhow.

Chad

Thanks guy's I appreciate your help and honesty. I was sure stoked about taking my 16 year old on his first archery hunt, but because of football, it looks like dad will be leaving Arizona and will be chasing those Idaho bulls on his own for three weeks. Be safe and have a great hunting season.....Joe

I thinks other have said it perfectly. I think you have enough ummph to get it done. Just make sure you have the confidence in it. That will be the most important thing in your decision.

Also, if you are going to mountain country get in as good of shape as possible.

Thank you Bob-Co, how do you like shooting that Adcock longbow? I have spoke with him several times on the internet, seems like a very nice person, and his bows are beautifal.I have harvested elk before in Arizona and Colorado, but have never been to Idaho, I'm pretty stoked. As far as getting there physically, I have been running 3 miles a day as well as walking up & down bleachers with my Dwight Schuh combination pack loaded at 60 pounds. I'm also swimming several days a week, but doing sets of90 pound leg squats is the hardest thing this 39 year old has ever done, and my sonis enjoying my abuse? With Arizona tags becoming so hard to get, I have decided that I will just purchase an Idaho or Coloradonon resident tag each year and go there for the season. I must tell you that I'm shocked at how helpful and polite the people I have been dealing with in Idaho have been. From lisenced guides to Game & Fish to wildlife Bioligists, everyone has been super. Have a great week....Joe

Oh yea, I love the Adcock bow, it sure has the capability of shooting better then I can fling arrows.
Sounds like you are much aware of the conditioning needed in the mountains. Too bad there is no wayus low-landerscan condition our lungs for what is needed from the altitude though. That's what kills me in the mountains. My legs and muscles are fine, but once you loose your breathe it's hard to get back.
I know from others that Idaho's terrain can be very difficult. I've heard a lot of good things about it though.
Make sure you let us know all about the trip.

Like LBR I have never hunted elk but have read alot about it and recall guys droping elk with bows in the 50 lb range, I would sugest a heavier broad head, but I am no expert.

You are vary luckey, have a great time. Also I have read that you can get real close to elk, like 10 yards.

Get rid of the Muzzys and switch to a 2- or 4-blade cut on contact head. Past that,I wouldn't have the least inhibition of taking an elk with your setup.

I actually bought a dozen of the 125 grain zwickey's, but I'm not smart enough to put an edge on them as sharp as I would like. So I bought a dozen 125 grain Muzzy's. Is there a special secret to sharpening those heads? I only ask because I can put an edge on a knife that would shave a buffalo? Have any of you by chance ever used the Magnus 2 bladed stinger heads? I spoke with a traditional guy today that told me they are razor sharp in the package, screw right into my legacy inserts, and fly like darts? In fact, he claims that he has had two complete pass throughs on bull elk with the same head, and that he would never consider changing? If that's true, that sounds pretty good?....Joe