I haven't seen elk react to shots very much at all unless the spine has been hit. The only exception I've seen to this is Berger VLD. Most of the time, elk haven't even acted shot, until they fall over. I'm a member of the "Keep Shooting!" consensus. Can count the number of elk that I've seen die with one hole in them on one hand. Even if downed, finisher in the neck on approach has been pretty standard. Have only seen one BIG bull killed. He didn't act hit with shot #1. He went behind some brush and bedded. On approach, he stood up, took a couple steps, and dropped to a neck shot. The first shot was a good double-lung, and it seemed to anchor him. At least he didn't run for a few miles.
