Frontal shot archery

Kadelong

FNG
Joined
Aug 7, 2025
Messages
12
Last weekend I had an opportunity to shoot a bull but the only shot it gave me was a frontal shot at 70 yards, I didnt take it, how difficult of a shot is it? I feel comfortable shooting 70 but didn’t wanna risk injuring a stud because of poor shot placement
 
Take that shot if you're absolutely sure the bull won't move at all. Which it certainly might. So don't take that shot at 70. Frontals for me are 20 and under, you're trying to hit a softball essentially. If I can't get a broadside shot between 20-60, I'm not done stalking yet. If he's less than 20 I'll take just about everything except super hard quartering to shots.
 
Even at 20 yds a front can go wrong. I had what I thought was a slam dunk 23 yd front shot, but my arrow hit slightly right and didn’t penetrate. Must’ve torqued the shot. I was using a good cut on contact broadhead, shooting 70lbs 29.5” DL. But if the shot placement is off it’s not going to penetrate. It’s a shot that I’ve practiced much more this offseason (shooting 4”x6” papers at 20-30yds). Even with my bow being well tuned, and much more practice, this season I’m looking for a frontal shot 25yds and in.
 
Odds are high you won't get into the chest cavity but slide the arrow between chest and shoulder. Guaranteed the elk runs or limps off with no recovery. For me this is not an ethical shot at any distance.
 
Glad to see others saying no. 70 yard frontal from a person that is an incredible shot is probably a 10% or less recovery. There are too many shots being taken that are out of frustration. Take shots that you are 100% certain of recovery. You will pass on some shots, but archery is supposed to be hard.
 
I've had it work for me many times! It's devastating when a good shot it doke. With that being said i took one on a bull coulle years ago at 30 yards. Felt great but he "whirled" on me and i got high neck with little blood trail. Was never able to recover the bull and a heartbreaking dnd to me trip.
 
To far for frontal. Killed one 4 yrs ago at 67. Thought he was full broadside but he was slightly qtr. to. Hit a rib and deflected back. killed him but had to wait awhile.
 
How far can an elk travel with one lung? Farther than many guys can track.

Hitting the elk isn’t the problem, but hitting enough internal bits to kill quickly is. Any kind of angle is a higher percentage shot than straight on. So few are recovered it seems like a waste, which is why it’s never been recommended, anywhere, at anytime in the last 50 years.
 
A frontal with a broadhead takes out the arteries coming off the heart and cuts the crap out of both lungs.
A broadside shot in the upper portion of the < does the same as the frontal.
A broadside shot behind the crease cuts the back lobes of both lungs.
A quartering towards shot usually hits the back of the near side lung and liver.
 
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