Anyone ever hear a loud crack after shooting an elk?

[sk1]

I shot a bull tonight not sure if it was fatal or not so I backed out because of limited blood sign.....there was an extremely loud crack when it hit him, I am assuming I broke a rib??? I don't think it was a shoulder hit because of about 18 or so inches of penetration. he broke off the last 9 inches of my arrow, i cant find the other half and assume it is inside him but have no way of knowing for sure. I was thinking front shoulder hit initially except I wouldn't think it would have that much penetration if it was.

Any thoughts on an extremely loud crack after shooting an elk with an arrow? And also like 18 inches of penetration...All I can think of is ribs. I guess I'll find out in the A.M. If I'm lucky...

 

[dreamingbig]

What broadheads and poundage? Broadside or quartering? Mine had a loud crack this year as it entered through elbow.

 

[dreamingbig]

Get back out there tonight with good lights!

 

[trophyhill]

I love that loud "crack" of the broadhead contacting and penetrating the hide and possibly ribs too! I think that's where the term "smack down" comes from.

 

[sk1]

What broadheads and poundage? Broadside or quartering? Mine had a loud crack this year as it entered through elbow.

slick trick standard 100's, 76lbs, 475 grain arrow, 300fps, and quartering away......all those numbers and stats sound great, i just hope the arrow hit its mark or they mean nothing. not getting much sleep right now ill be hitting the road in a few hours to start searching again, i hate to leave it lie overnight, but i just didnt have a choice i felt like i could be pushing him further if i kept going.

 

[ElkNut1]

Most likely a Scapula hit bull, that's the sound you will hear with that type of shot. A rib hit relatively makes little to no noise. With that kind of penetration (9") hopefully you hit just below the fin on back of scapula. If so you took out both lungs with that high hit & the bull is within 250yds. The Slick Trick heads are an extremely tough fixed bladed head, good luck bud!

ElkNut1

 

[sk1]

Most likely a Scapula hit bull, that's the sound you will hear with that type of shot. A rib hit relatively makes little to no noise. With that kind of penetration (9") hopefully you hit just below the fin on back of scapula. If so you took out both lungs with that high hit & the bull is within 250yds. The Slick Trick heads are an extremely tough fixed bladed head, good luck bud!

ElkNut1

18 inches of penetration (if indeed everything in front of the break went in) the 9 inches was the back end of my arrow that broke off

Thanks for the insight Paul getting ready to head out for the drive and start my hike in, managed to get 3 hours sleep

 

[realunlucky]

Good luck sk1 sounds like a dead bull to me

 

[CaseyU]

Goodluck sk1 !! Wish i could come help!!! You will fins it though. I feel it

 

[Z Barebow]

Can't tell if you hit shoulder or rib. But the 18" of pentration tells volumes. It is possible you hit off shoulder and the elk sheered off the back end of your arrow when it took off. You likely won't find much blood. On deer, if I break a bone, they seem to have the fear of God put into them. (I suspect it feels like soeone punched them). They run hard. Look for tracks and kicked over stuff (If you are not finding blood).

Be ready to do a grid search. Use your GPS to establish "tracks" and you can note how far apart your sweeps are.

I like your odds of finding it. I hope you are doing hero pics as I type.

 

[CaseyU]

Sk1..... Where you at? I know you found it and the silence is packing it out! Cant wait to hear the story and pics!!

 

[IrishnId]

Don't leave us hanging! I want pics.

 

[ohhiitznik]

No mercy!

 

[sk1]

Nada guys on my way home looked from 7am to 5pm.....followed very little blood on branches that brushed up against him for 100 yards, lost all blood did a grid. A few hours into the grid and two draws further by stroke of luck found blood again. Followed it 30 yards into a draw that opened up in the bottom with no brush for him to rub up on. Found no more blood. Searched high and low in that draw and beyond, just nothing......

Disappointed would have been my first elk with a bow and was a decent 5x5. I thought I made a good shot, apparently am mistaken. All that's left is to look for birds overhead. It was 85 and sunny all day.....I am assuming he lived.

 

[trdhunter]

That's not what I was hoping to hear. Whats your plan now? Best of luck.

 

[Shrek]

Thats tough . Good effort at finding him. You'll collect on a good one soon I hope. Good hunting.

 

[CaseyU]

Damn... I know its not for lack of effort. Thats tough man! Keep your head up.

 

[sk1]

That's not what I was hoping to hear. Whats your plan now? Best of luck.

I feel bad doing it but will be back out tomorrow morning hunting a few ridges away to give that honey hole a rest. I have tags burning a hole in my pocket. I did take a few shots this morning and my sights were not at fault for not hitting my mark. Getting packed up for tomorrows hunt as soon as I put my son to bed in a few minutes.

 

[Buster]

Had that crack once on a big mulie, I hit the T part of the shoulder blade, stopped a 400+ grain arrow and montec coming out of a 72 pound Mathews at 22 yards. I know this cause a friend's friend rifled him 2 months later and I got to inspect the shoulder. Though luck man.

 

[rhendrix]

Ugh that's tough luck man. Get back out there and kill his Daddy! Good luck buddy!