I'd like to think any legal elk cartridge (300BO/762x39, 243 Win/6 Creed, etc) used within its effective range (and appropriate bullet!) is far more lethal than an arrow. I have a retired uncle who guides dozens of elk hunts for friends and family. He gave up archery elk years ago when he arrowed a cow in the rib, ran out of arrows chasing her, finally caught up to her when she got hung up in some rocks, and finished her off by driving the broken shaft into her lung with his finger. He's hunted with a rifle ever since. (I have nothing against archery hunting elk btw).

Last edited by TracksWapiti; 10/10/22.