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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,611
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,611 |
This topic still going on? Closest: 4 inches. Longest: 690 yards plus whatever a steep down angle added to that topo map measurement. 13 yards, 125 yds., 100, 175, 30, 40, 450, etc… There have been some excellent posts on this thread, including to be prepared for close or far. I played hide and seek with an elk 40 feet from me in a thicket on the rim of a canyon. I moved a few feet, could see across the canyon and killed an elk at 450 yards, all within a minute or two. There are several questions going on here. It becomes a touchy subject depending on which one we answer, plus we often add a personal angle. Question 1. How far does a person have to shoot to kill an elk? Archery hunters answer that one. Question 2. How far away can I get and still brag that I’ve killed an elk? Ever evolving answer. Question 3. What is the smallest/lowest powered firearm I can use and still kill an elk? Question 4. How can anyone have a different opinion or experience than mine, and not be an idiot? Question 5. (No one asks this one but it is the most pertinent). How much do my hunting preferences, hunting style and my assumptions about hunting influence how close I am to the elk I shoot?
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 670
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 670 |
Largest bull elk- with a takedown 1895 Winchester in .405 at 90 yards. Same distance on largest bull moose-95 yards with a Model 71 in 348 Ackley Imp-270 gr 348 bullet.
Not much mentioned about the guide and hunter mauled by grizzly and 2-yr old cub that took over a bull elk arrowed the afternoon before, outside Yellowstone Park 3 years ago. Guide killed by the bear. The widow probably would agree that a .405 would not have been too much gun as a backup rifle. Carry a rifle as Bob Hagel states: to use that's big enough when everything goes wrong.
Use Enough Gun-Ruark
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena-not the critic"-T. Roosevelt There are no atheists in fox holes or in the open doors of a para's aircraft.....
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,611
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,611 |
But what if you stalk thru the black timber all morning looking for gleaming eyeballs, then come to the edge of enormous canyon, and all your elk are now on the opposite slope 600 yards distant? Then what? Remember that a bloodspot is very hard to find after crossing a large canyon to start tracking your wounded elk. Even if the Elk falls right there, it will be tough to find if your alone. Tangent, but an important one. A compass can pinpoint a spot or blood trail across an enormous canyon. My compass put us within 6 feet of a blood trail across such a canyon. It also got me within 35 yards of a bedded mule deer over half a mile up and across a ragged cliffy basin. You have to shoot a precise compass bearing from the spot where the critter was hit to some precise small spot that will be easy to see from the critter's side of the canyon BEFORE YOU MOVE FROM WHERE YOU SHOT. That could be an orange cap or vest hung at the spot of the shot.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,391 Likes: 4
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,391 Likes: 4 |
But what if you stalk thru the black timber all morning looking for gleaming eyeballs, then come to the edge of enormous canyon, and all your elk are now on the opposite slope 600 yards distant? Then what? Remember that a bloodspot is very hard to find after crossing a large canyon to start tracking your wounded elk. Even if the Elk falls right there, it will be tough to find if your alone. Tangent, but an important one. A compass can pinpoint a spot or blood trail across an enormous canyon. My compass put us within 6 feet of a blood trail across such a canyon. It also got me within 35 yards of a bedded mule deer over half a mile up and across a ragged cliffy basin. You have to shoot a precise compass bearing from the spot where the critter was hit to some precise small spot that will be easy to see from the critter's side of the canyon BEFORE YOU MOVE FROM WHERE YOU SHOT. That could be an orange cap or vest hung at the spot of the shot. IOW, take a careful reading and shoot a back azimuth from the far side.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,988 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,988 Likes: 3 |
But what if you stalk thru the black timber all morning looking for gleaming eyeballs, then come to the edge of enormous canyon, and all your elk are now on the opposite slope 600 yards distant? Then what? Remember that a bloodspot is very hard to find after crossing a large canyon to start tracking your wounded elk. Even if the Elk falls right there, it will be tough to find if your alone. Tangent, but an important one. A compass can pinpoint a spot or blood trail across an enormous canyon. My compass put us within 6 feet of a blood trail across such a canyon. It also got me within 35 yards of a bedded mule deer over half a mile up and across a ragged cliffy basin. You have to shoot a precise compass bearing from the spot where the critter was hit to some precise small spot that will be easy to see from the critter's side of the canyon BEFORE YOU MOVE FROM WHERE YOU SHOT. That could be an orange cap or vest hung at the spot of the shot. Yup, things look a lot different when you get way over there and don't recognize the spot you saw through your scope... the couple times I have shot that far I've been lucky to have someone next to me to spot as I make my way to the spot.
Never underestimate your ability to overestimate your ability.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,285
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,285 |
It's my opinion that 90% of elk are harvested at under 300 yards. 95%+ at under 400 yards.
A .308, 30-06 or .270 with a 4X scope is more than enough. A cup & core bullet of reasonable weight will do the job.
If you want a 20X scope on a .300 magnum, that's fine but you don't need it.
I have 5 elk under my belt, all taken at under 100 yards.
So how many of you actually take elk at 500+ yards, and what percentage of you elk were at longer distance. I have killed more elk beyond 800yds than you have in total. Do what you want and shoot what you want but skip bloviating about what any one else "needs". Thanks. It's Monday, and yet you put a smile on my face....Bloviating!!!!
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Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,102
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,102 |
Sad that anyone would brag about shooting at an Elk at 800 yards.
Shows complete lack of respect for the animal. You have to wonder how many were missed or wounded and lost, but we'll never know because it's "classified" with no independently verified data.
Next we'll be hearing they were shot with a 6.5 Creedmore.
Sad that sniper wannabes are polluting our sport and leaving more horror stories to feed the anti-hunting gristmill. They have forgotten or never learned the meaning of the hunt.
“As all hunters, the people of the Americas relied on the skills of stalking, tracking, and trapping to get close to their quarry, so the range and power of the weapon were not so important as the craft of hunting.” – Robert Hardy
Paranoia strikes deep Into your life it will creep It starts when you're always afraid Step out of line, the man come and take you away
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,923 Likes: 8
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,923 Likes: 8 |
You should really look into having that pole removed from your asss.....
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,093 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,093 Likes: 6 |
You should really look into having that pole removed from your asss..... He's got to remove his head first..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,238 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,238 Likes: 1 |
Sad that anyone would brag about shooting at an Elk at 800 yards.
Next we'll be hearing they were shot with a 6.5 Creedmore.
Sad that sniper wannabes are polluting our sport Not as sad as sock puppets like you polluting our forums.
Let's Go Brandon! FJB
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 965
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 965 |
Sad that anyone would brag about shooting at an Elk at 800 yards.
Next we'll be hearing they were shot with a 6.5 Creedmore.
Sad that sniper wannabes are polluting our sport Not as sad as sock puppets like you polluting our forums. If you're shooting all that many elk that far out, try getting closer.
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 9,070
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 9,070 |
Sad, that so many who can't shoot are polluting our hunt.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,093 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,093 Likes: 6 |
Sad, that so many who can't shoot are polluting our hunt. I don't really care how long of a shot a guy takes, as long as they can make it happen with just 1. That is 1 shot to kill the elk!!! If a guy can consistently make an 800 yard shot, take it, but don't be guessing or wounding animals. This schidt is really not hard: Know your abilities and don't shoot outside those boundaries... Not everyone has the same ability or skill.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,102
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,102 |
Nobody can "consistently" make an 800 yard shot on a living animal in real world conditions.
Damn few can make an 800 yard shot on a fixed target with wind flags every 100 yards.
In fact damn few can make 100% killing shots at 300 yards in real world conditions.
But wolves and Yotes have to eat too. Easier for them to take down a cripple than a healthy animal.
Paranoia strikes deep Into your life it will creep It starts when you're always afraid Step out of line, the man come and take you away
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,238 Likes: 11
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,238 Likes: 11 |
Nobody can "consistently" make an 800 yard shot on a living animal in real world conditions.
Damn few can make an 800 yard shot on a fixed target with wind flags every 100 yards.
In fact damn few can make 100% killing shots at 300 yards in real world conditions.
But wolves and Yotes have to eat too. Easier for them to take down a cripple than a healthy animal. That may be, but why put down those "damn few" who can do those things? That isn't to mention not everyone who takes those long shots at critters take any shot they have, though some do. Plenty of folks have the discipline to stay off the trigger at whatever range unless everything "feels" right. You're wanting to punish good behavior right alongside the bad. Something tells me you're one of those people who I wouldn't trust to responsibly make a 100 yard shot on a critter.....so maybe everyone should be limited to that distance???
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,511
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,511 |
Sad that anyone would brag about shooting at an Elk at 800 yards.
Shows complete lack of respect for the animal. You have to wonder how many were missed or wounded and lost, but we'll never know because it's "classified" with no independently verified data.
Next we'll be hearing they were shot with a 6.5 Creedmore.
Sad that sniper wannabes are polluting our sport and leaving more horror stories to feed the anti-hunting gristmill. They have forgotten or never learned the meaning of the hunt.
“As all hunters, the people of the Americas relied on the skills of stalking, tracking, and trapping to get close to their quarry, so the range and power of the weapon were not so important as the craft of hunting.” – Robert Hardy I sure hope you never, ever take a shot at running game. Shots on running game leave more horror stories, and hypocrisy is a terrible thing.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,093 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,093 Likes: 6 |
Nobody can "consistently" make an 800 yard shot on a living animal in real world conditions.
Damn few can make an 800 yard shot on a fixed target with wind flags every 100 yards.
In fact damn few can make 100% killing shots at 300 yards in real world conditions.
But wolves and Yotes have to eat too. Easier for them to take down a cripple than a healthy animal. You are an idiot without a clue..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,988 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,988 Likes: 3 |
Nobody can "consistently" make an 800 yard shot on a living animal in real world conditions.
Damn few can make an 800 yard shot on a fixed target with wind flags every 100 yards.
In fact damn few can make 100% killing shots at 300 yards in real world conditions.
But wolves and Yotes have to eat too. Easier for them to take down a cripple than a healthy animal. Lots of guys can and do make long shots because they can and that is what is presented. Every time this stupid statement comes up from someone I am reminded how many guys I've seen who are lucky to hit a deer or elk at 50 yards, but brag the deer or elk they shot was at least 600 yards away- until you prove to them with a LRF that it was actually only 150 or 200 yards.... IMO, those are the guys who are sending wounded animals into the next canyon or county to be eaten by coyotes, wolves, etc.... Having the discipline to shoot when the shot is right, regardless of the distance, is what ethics is really about. On top of that, animals that are a distance away are seldom spooked and are quite often standing still for the shot and you have time for a good broadside turn for the best sight picture.... all depends on your perspective.
Never underestimate your ability to overestimate your ability.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18,926
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18,926 |
Pot meet kettle. Nobody can "consistently" make an 800 yard shot on a living animal in real world conditions.
Damn few can make an 800 yard shot on a fixed target with wind flags every 100 yards.
In fact damn few can make 100% killing shots at 300 yards in real world conditions.
But wolves and Yotes have to eat too. Easier for them to take down a cripple than a healthy animal. You are an idiot without a clue..
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506 |
Nobody can "consistently" make an 800 yard shot on a living animal in real world conditions.
Damn few can make an 800 yard shot on a fixed target with wind flags every 100 yards.
In fact damn few can make 100% killing shots at 300 yards in real world conditions.
But wolves and Yotes have to eat too. Easier for them to take down a cripple than a healthy animal. Run this up your pole hole. 🖕🏾 🦫
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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