Learn the frontal if you want to kill elk

[Coveyleader]

I know this shot is the rage these days on all the Elk101xxxxx YouTube channels, but pioneer bow hunters like Bill Allard and the late Danny Moore really were the first to promote it when it wasn’t cool, These guys were hard on elk when archery elk wasn’t cool.

Reason for this post? Close encounters on a good elk hunt are few and far, if you want to be a guy who kills elk vs the guy who simply likes to bow hunt elk, learn where to shoot a bull long before the season starts so when that 300 inch bull is standing head on at 5 yds, he isn’t going anywhere but on your pack frame.

Elk hunting can drag on…… tough getting up on day 15 when you should have been done on day 2!

 

[Firestone]

It can be a devastating shot and i have definitely used it with 100 percent success, but one also needs to learn when not to take it as well. Way to many arrows are getting flung these days when they shouldn't be, my personal opinion

 

[ElkNut1]

My Son & I have put aprox a doz bulls down with the frontal or slightly quartering to us in the chest area. I don't turn it down at 25 yards or under!. Deadly 17 yard shot! Exodus broadhead.

ElkNut

 

[Indian Summer]

Eh… I’ll wait for them to turn. No hurry.

I miss Big Dan……

 

[ozyclint]

The trouble being that the frontal shot opportunity quickly turns into the broadside shot you waited for which lasts .2 split seconds, then turns into a Texas heart shot as you see its ass run into the next drainage after it smelt or saw you.
I wouldn't hesitate on a frontal at close range when you know that the encounter is so close that you know that the frontal is the only option you'll get because they will see or smell you simply because they are so close.
Frontal shots have been employed successfully of water Buffalo too.

 

[Daves243]

Shot a bull this year at 22 yards frontal. He went 20 yards and expired in 10 seconds. Sure is nice to watch em fall. I say go for it if you’re confident in hitting that softball size pocket.

 

[butcherboy]

Only ever had 1 elk give me the opportunity for a front on shot. He was at 3 yds and dead in under 20. Everything has always been broadside, quartering, semi broadside. Don’t know why, just the way it’s been. I won’t hesitate to take that shot again. After processing thousands of elk I know exactly where the bones are and which ones to avoid. Slightly quartering to you is way better than a full dead on frontal.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I know this shot is the rage these days on all the Elk101xxxxx YouTube channels, but pioneer bow hunters like Bill Allard and the late Danny Moore really were the first to promote it when it wasn’t cool, These guys were hard on elk when archery elk wasn’t cool.

Reason for this post? Close encounters on a good elk hunt are few and far, if you want to be a guy who kills elk vs the guy who simply likes to bow hunt elk, learn where to shoot a bull long before the season starts so when that 300 inch bull is standing head on at 5 yds, he isn’t going anywhere but on your pack frame.

Elk hunting can drag on…… tough getting up on day 15 when you should have been done on day 2!

100% agree but emphasis on the Learning portion! Needs to be right angle, right head positioning and right range! Lots of Jerry’s walking around thinking they can take 30+ yard frontals or don’t really understand anatomy or head positioning. Should be an option that you are familiar with and know when to use.

 

[bowman72]

I agree 100% with the 20 yard and under frontal shot. I haven't shot an elk this way, but many deer. They are walking straight to you and suddenly they SEE you. At close range they are gonna bolt and you won't get a better shot. Practice this shot and be 100% confident. No 40 yard arrow flinging here. JMO

 

[Z Barebow]

I know this shot is the rage these days on all the Elk101xxxxx YouTube channels, but pioneer bow hunters like Bill Allard and the late Danny Moore really were the first to promote it when it wasn’t cool, These guys were hard on elk when archery elk wasn’t cool.

I learned about frontal watching Abe Meline videos. (In the 90's. I am old!) As a lifelong treestand WT hunter, the concept blew my mind and was counter to all of the bowhunting education to date.

In 2000, I had a small 5x run into 8 yards. I drew back as he was trotting in. Hit him where the windpipe enters chest. Arrow was hanging out of his hip. Watched him run, start the side step and tip over. Never would have taken the shot if I had not taken the time to study the anatomy of deer/elk.

I have not witnessed any of my other elk kills tip over.

High reward/low risk deadly shot at close distances.

 

[sndmn11]

I agree 100% with the 20 yard and under frontal shot. I haven't shot an elk this way, but many deer. They are walking straight to you and suddenly they SEE you. At close range they are gonna bolt and you won't get a better shot. Practice this shot and be 100% confident. No 40 yard arrow flinging here. JMO

The first mule deer I killed with a bow was 47 yard frontal, he died just as quick as if it was a 10 yard shot. It was a precise shot with precise intention and definitely not a fling in the hope and pray kind of sense.

There are situations I wouldn't hesitate to do the same, and situations I wouldn't consider it. The result is still the same regardless of distance; deliver a broadhead to the important parts from the front and things die very fast.

(I am a-ok with your <20yds opinion for your own hunting)

 

[deerhunt1988]

Taken 3 bulls and all 3 have been with frontals. First was <20 yards, next two were further but I was fully confident with the situation. First bull ran ~60-70 yards. Second bull ~80 yards. Third made it 40. Watched two fall and only reason I didn't see the other fall was due to thick timber.

 

[bowman72]

The first mule deer I killed with a bow was 47 yard frontal, he died just as quick as if it was a 10 yard shot. It was a precise shot with precise intention and definitely not a fling in the hope and pray kind of sense.

There are situations I wouldn't hesitate to do the same, and situations I wouldn't consider it. The result is still the same regardless of distance; deliver a broadhead to the important parts from the front and things die very fast.

(I am a-ok with your <20yds opinion for your own hunting)

Yep, If you got the skills- it's a good shot. The distance is all personal.

I compete in 100yard archery challenges and can make some great long shots. In a hunting situation, I feel i would get too rattled to make that shot 100% at longer range.a Some guys got ice in their veins and can hunt just like target practice.

 

[WVELK]

I am bumping this back up because my opinion on frontal shots has changed and I am gathering information on where the sweet spot is. For 30 years I would never consider a frontal even though I knew it could be deadly and respected hunters had taken bulls with this shot. I am not a risk taker when it comes to releasing an arrow and broadhead. I have passed the frontal many times, but don’t think I would next month in the right situation. So looking for your thoughts on the right situation. Obviously close range, but more importantly where is the most common “bullseye” to be aiming at. Depending on the angle of the bull the path of trajectory through the chest is going to change a lot.

 

[Tick]

I try to aim mid body line well into the dark brown neck hair and along the edge of esophagus. My last bull I hit a little low close to the color line. My finger in the entrance hole was on top of the sternum. An inch lower would have probably been zero penetration. Bull went 75 yards and dead in 15 seconds. Broadhead was about even with the hip joint.

 

[Beendare]

I saw my first frontal in about 1987. I was calling for a buddy on OR public ( back when we were almost the only guys in the woods)
The bull came in giving him a broad side shot at 27 yards and must’ve seen him tracking with his bow because the bull spun and was looking directly at him. My buddy didn’t hesitate and shot frontal. This is back in the days of overdraws and very light 2213 Aluminum arrows…...i think he was shooting an 85g Rocky Mountain 3 blade chisel point….probably a 360-370g arrow.

The arrow completely disappeared in the bull. He reared up like a horse, pawed at the air, came down and took 2 steps and dead right there. We found the arrow poking into the hide on his back ham….it had gone 6’ + lengthwise through him.

Since then I’ve shot 6 frontal….and seen at least that many more. All kills, no lost…a devastating shot. I like shooting BS shots lower 1/2…but this frontal is best a little bit higher to stay in that front skeletal opening.

 

[WVELK]

I saw my first frontal in about 1987. I was calling for a buddy on OR public ( back when we were almost the only guys in the woods)
The bull came in giving him a broad side shot at 27 yards and must’ve seen him tracking with his bow because the bull spun and was looking directly at him. My buddy didn’t hesitate and shot frontal. This is back in the days of overdraws and very light 2213 Aluminum arrows…...i think he was shooting an 85g Rocky Mountain 3 blade chisel point….probably a 360-370g arrow.

The arrow completely disappeared in the bull. He reared up like a horse, pawed at the air, came down and took 2 steps and dead right there. We found the arrow poking into the hide on his back ham….it had gone 6’ + lengthwise through him.

Since then I’ve shot 6 frontal….and seen at least that many more. All kills, no lost…a devastating shot. I like shooting BS shots lower 1/2…but this frontal is best a little bit higher to stay in that front skeletal opening.

I remember all of those, overdraw, 2213s, Rocky Mtn 3 blade and when there were far fewer bowhunters. Thanks for the advice. I needed reminded to be a little higher in the dark hair as Tick noted.

 

[trophyhill]

Ah yes the frontal. It’s definitely a devastating shot! I’ve done it twice. The first bull in 2013 got shaky legs immediately, staggered about 10 yards and tipped over and rolled down the mountain. The 2nd however went about 300 yards without a single drop of blood that i could find. That was a stressful track job. When i found him the next morning, the meat had soured and he was full of blood

 

[Haro450]

The only frontal I have done was a 8 yard shot. Was a short maybe 150 yard tracking job. But it was a down hill sprint from where I shot it.

A friend tried a close frontal on a bull down remember the yardage exactly around 20 ish. The bull flinch and dipped its head. The arrow lodged in the bulls eye socket. They tracked for 2 days several miles never did find it. He packed up and went home he was pretty devastated. But this type of situation could happen on any shot when a bull spins and the last second.

 

[WVELK]

My preference is broadside and it is all I have taken in 30 plus years, BUT I will not rule out frontal under the right conditions.