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And while we are at it, take a look at this photo which I posted some time ago comparing the humerus of a large, mature Wyoming bull elk on the left with the same bone from a SE Alaska brown bear.

The elk humerus is longer and more slender, as fits with a creature with longer legs. Still a large bone, with a substantial ball at the head of the humerus. Not all bullets can make it through the head of the humerus of an elk and still do fatal damage.

The brown bear humerus is similar in shape, but definitely different. Shorter, an even more massive ball on the head of the humerus (where it meets up with the shoulder blade or scapula), and a large ridge on the left side in this photo for the attachment of a lot of powerful muscle. This fits with the anatomical structure of an animal capable of enormous strength when using its front legs.

Consider carefully your choice of elk cartridge and especially bullet when hunting in mountains filled with grizzlies. While grizzlies in the Lower 48 are not as massive as their Alaskan brown bear cousins, this photo is still useful to ponder.

Whether hunting elk, or faced with a very dynamic dangerous situation with a grizzly, your bullet *might* need to make it through that heavy ball at the head of the humerus. It would be nice to avoid that ball, but you don't always get the shot that you want.

This photo is the visual argument for the choice of a well constructed bullet. Lesser bullets will work fine through the ribs of course.

Choose your bullet carefully.

WyoM70

Last edited by WyoM70; 05/19/16.