Like Prime bows and G5 broadheads have done for years, these new carbon arrows promise to be a big hit for bowhunters looking for an edge in the whitetail woods or out west targeting Rocky Mountain big game. This bow provides another ready-to-go option for beginners. You'll be packing meat in short order. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. PSE is a quality company with excellent customer service, as many customers report an easy return process for defective gear (which, by looking at the reviews, is a rare occurrence). One part of that puzzle is picking a draw weight for elk that works for you. This section could be a book in itself (yup, they exist). More on this in my guide to building arrows (coming soon). Recommended Don't Be Afraid to Change Your Plan Read Article How to Kill an Antelope When They Won't Come to Water Read Article 16-Year-Old Arrows 428-Inch Arizona Bull Read Article Why Deer Tactics Help With Elk-Hunting Success Read Article However, it will only help if you can control the pulling weight. Brett "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the . Q: What is the best broadhead arrow weight for elk? Heres a summary of the key factors before we dive into each below: Phew! Idaho. In addition to arrow weight and draw weight, the broadhead you choose plays a huge role in determining your penetration. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. But with features like rugged construction from lightweight aluminum, built-in foot traction, and hunter seat comfort, this brand-new treestand is sure to be a winner as it hits production this year. All you have to do is spin the arrow, mark the end to cut, and voila, youve made a .006 or .003 arrow into a .001. 11 Best Hunting Arrows 2023: Top Carbon for Deer, Elk & More - Eat Elk Meat You may get a couple chances at whitetails over the course of a season, but you get one elk tag every so often and on a hunt you usually only get a single chance to draw back on an elk. Read on. I like this target because it is highly visible and easy to aim at; plus you can shoot it from different angles and faces. Well, for starters and I dont need to tell you this elk are a much larger animal than deer. The author analyzes shooting techniques and tuning and emphasizes the development of mental toughness; he argues that this goes hand in hand with the mastery of the physical aspects of the sport. People fight about helical vs offset but honestly youll see great results with both. Max Energy: arrow ~20% over IBO (6 grains/per pound of draw weight). For larger game such as elk or moose a good recommendation is at least 60-65 lbs of draw weight. A heavier arrow tends to have a flatter trajectory, which can improve accuracy and make it easier to hit your target. If an arrow goes too slow, it drops very quickly which can lead to less margin for error for range estimation. Yes, 500 grains is generally considered enough arrow weight for hunting elk. Christian Berg visits with Alex Chopp of Latitude Outdoors about the company's Method 2 Saddle, which is a metal-free two-panel saddle that is quiet, compact, lightweight, comfortable, and adjustable for bowhunters preparing for a full day of hanging out in the autumn woods as a big buck comes calling. I was gearing up for a Montana hunt but also had a few antelope tags I was trying to combine with my road trip. Lessons Learned from 15 Years of Successful Elk Hunting The weight of the shaft largely depends on its material and size. To top it off, the mountainous environment they live in can lead to long shots, windy conditions, and difficult shot angles. However, I was grateful I had the heavier arrow, because if I had a lighter one I'm not so sure I would have had the same result. The Best Broadheads for Elk of 2023 | Field & Stream The ferrule is constructed of titanium for the ultimate in strength and forward-motion penetration. If you want to fully understand the why just keep reading! Two hours later, we had a bull respond to our call from nearly 400 yards away. Use the search tool below to browse adoptable English Springer Spaniel puppies and adult English Springer Spaniel in Elk Grove, California. Will it work, yes, but if the shot is in any way marginal, a lighter arrow will not likely bail you out. Conversely, some people only have the strength to pull back 45 to 50 pounds. In fact, our bulls died much faster than those on any lung shot I have made. Ultimately, the best broadhead comes down to personal preference and confidence in your shot placement. I have looking at the Full Metal Jacket 400 @ 10.2 GPI. FOC (Front of Center) is definitely the marketing word of the decade in archery and it seems like everyone has a strong opinion here. A higher draw weight generally provides more arrow speed and penetration but is not always necessary for elk hunting. Thats a tragedy if it happens when you shoot an elk and really annoying even when it happens at the range. But as I hunted more, I learned to get after it when they were talking back. If you are a deer hunting with an elk hunt on your calendar, you may need to boost your penetration for larger game with increased arrow weight, draw weight and broadhead choice. The best arrow for elk hunting have extremely strong components, so do your research. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Practice, close the distance and put that broadhead where it needs to go. I have had times where I had elk and moose hunts scheduled close together so I chose a bow with a 70-80-pound draw weight simply because I could handle that weight. Christian Berg and Kinsey's Outdoors Brands' Dysom Renn talk about Kinsey's new Nest Lite Elevation Ambush Shooter Stool and a new model in the Elevation quiver line, products aimed at the upcoming 3D shooting season. Know your personal shooting limits, concentrate on shot placement and keep environmental factors in mind when you launch. For elk hunting, a broadhead weighing between 100 to 150 grains is recommended. Idaho - 40-pound minimum with a maximum 85% let-off. That noted, an overall thinner diameter on the arrow mated with smaller vanes show that a smaller diameter arrow penetrates better and catches less wind due to their smaller overall profile. Arrow weight No other factor has as much influence on penetration, which is everything in elk hunting. Theyre critical because you could build the best arrow for elk hunting on the planet and it would be worthless if your inserts were misaligned or broke easily. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. In regards to draw weight, only use what you can pull and aim for 15 seconds steady, BUT remember, a legal minimum on a leopard hunt is 60 pounds, and a elk has a much more powerful engine than a leopard, so keep that in mind, also arrow weight and broad weight and size can make a huge factor, the MOMENTUM of the arrow will determine the penetration along with the speed, on elk, a heavy arrow of minimum 450 grains and a minimum 150 grain fixed broadhead is what I suggest, Your email address will not be published. | Then I would move about 100 yards very cautiously and cow call a few more times. By now, you can see that all these factors are codependent, which is why there is so much debate. There is, however, no real winner and no easy answer to the discussion. But then again, its an admirable goal. attention too. Its essential to check with the local fish and game before you hunt and verify the rules and regulations, as they constantly change. English Springer Spaniel. They have a bad habit of bending, breaking, or just pulling out the arrow. Aim for 7-10 grains of weight per pound of draw weight on your bow, Heavier arrows make your bow more efficient, quiet your shot, are easier to tune, and retain energy far better down range, Unlike bullets, speed doesnt kill and too much speed makes some broadheads inaccurate. Actually thats more about how high your peep is, but thats another post. The reason for this simple statement lies in the explosion of technology introduced into archery within the last several decades, particularly the last 10 years. Mechanicals have been known to fail, nick vegetation and deploy in flight, or fail to deploy totally upon impact. With an affordable price point, the exclusive patented ladder design features a ComfortMAX seat, a durable powder-coated finish, oval steel construction, and much more. However, by understanding the importance of arrow weight, its components, and the factors influencing this crucial decision, you can make an informed choice and increase your chances of a successful, ethical, and rewarding elk hunting experience. That said, no arrow can overcome a poor broadhead choice, FOC helps with accuracy up to a point (pun intended) but its far less important than many believe (and extreme FOC has serious downsides), Aim for 10-15% and youll see great results. No other gear question is as important as this one. If you made it this far I congratulate you! Second, test different fletchings to see which is quietest (Ive had good results with AAE Max Stealth vanes). So how do you know? The best bow poundage for elk hunting usually falls within the range of 60-70 lbs. Arrow placement is most important, your arrow weight is fine. Hunting elk with a bow and arrow is among the most exciting experiences a hunter can have. That's probably middle of the road also. With the arrow weighed, your next goal should be to calculate the bows kinetic energy. A heavier arrow creates less noise during flight, as it causes less friction with the air. A general rule of thumb is that a shooter should be able to shoot a bow about 30 times in a row without being fatigued. No problem going to the 125s. So why hunt with a bow when you can use a rifle? The only real advantage of four fletch is more clearance and more points to nock tune your arrow. Over the years, I've had the privilege of hunting in some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes this world has to offer. How to calculate Front of Center. That results in long rods that are cut down to arrow length. WHERE HUNTERS & OUTDOORSMEN FIND THEIR GEAR, Draw Weight for Elk 2023 Guide [State Minimums + Best Gear], You might be wondering if youll need a more considerable draw weight than what youre used to when hunting deer. A heavier arrow carries more kinetic energy, which translates to increased penetration on impact. That means the vanes are slightly bent like a propeller which causes the arrow to spin in flight. Stand behind a target downrange sometime (yes, its incredibly dangerous and not recommended). As an example, my 2019 setup was a 549 grain arrow, 67lbs, 8.2 GPP and 258fps it worked flawlessly on an elk and practicing out to 100+ yards. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but consider the recurve archer who is shooting only 190 to 200 fps and using arrows of 600 grains and up. If you start with a well-tuned bow, there is no question the best penetrating broadhead is a cut-on-contact, fixed two-blade design like a Muzzy Phantom, Magnus Stinger, or Iron Will broadhead. 2,285. For angling shots, your arrow has to have enough energy to slice through a bale of hay if the elk is positioned at an extreme slant. They may also choose to come only halfway to you and then lock up, with no intention of closing the gap. 14 Best Fishing Vests for Fly, Bass & Kayak Fishing in 2023, How Much Meat from an Elk? Drop a comment below or reply to my newsletter and Ill do my best to help out. Finally, the self-healing foam means you can use this target over and over. You can re-sharpen and use these tough broadheads over and over again. While these components may not weigh much individually, their combined weight can significantly impact the arrows performance in the field. Accessories like fletchings, nocks, and inserts also contribute to the arrows weight. The Best Hunting Arrows of 2022 | GearJunkie These midday still hunts can be so deadly if you are willing to do them patiently. It was one of those complicated scenarios that happen in an instant. The best draw weight will differ from hunter to hunter, but draw weight will typically range between 45 and 80 pounds. A mature bull can surpass 800 pounds and a matriarch cow can weigh more than 600 pounds. Elk Arrow/Weight and Speed? | Trad Talk Forums Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Elk are nowhere near as jumpy as whitetails but every now and then you can get a situation where one is fully alert. arrow weight for elk at 50lb draw | Rokslide Forum I knew that 400 grains was a bit too high since most carbon arrows weigh from 350 to 400 grains, especially when you consider most hunters use an arrow that measures 27-29 inches. Youll only notice the benefits of +/- 0.001 tolerances from 80-100 yards (practicing) if youre a fantastic shot, Unless youre shooting past 60 yards (or practicing at 100), just make sure your arrows are within 5-10 grains of each other, At the extreme, I find 1 grain difference can mean 0.5-1 difference @ 100 yards, Elk arent as twitchy as whitetail deer but it doesnt hurt to try to keep the arrow as quiet as possible. Lynn Burkhead and Elevate Stand Co. creative director Brittany Stubbs talk about a new mid-sized option that was so new off of the Kansas company's drawing board this year at the ATA Trade Show that it didn't have an official name as of press time. Is proper arrow spine important for hunting elk? Those inconsistencies can lead to inaccurate arrows and tuning headaches since youre essentially trying to get two different arrows to act the same way. The majority of mechanical broadheads offer ease in replacing blades and some can even be touched up for surgical sharpness. How far should I be able to shoot an arrow accurately when hunting elk? However, setting aside that simplistic overview, there are some specifics to consider as you look at long sticks and sharp points for your bow. This is nearly 50% more than the high end of the momentum range for elk listed in the Tony-MO table, and 20% greater than the high end of the momentum range for the toughest game category. Nevada - 40-pound minimum with a maximum . I experimented a ton with FOC and concluded that I had great results with standard 125gr points on arrows that ended up in the 10-15% FOC range. Put the arrow where it needs to go without taking risky shots and your freezer will be full of white packages of meat appreciation. This is just the short take on the matter at hand. Here are two good general rules: There are exceptions to every rule, so comment below if you have odd draw weights or draw lengths. Yes, if your draw weight and arrow speed are exceptional (well over 300 fps), you might get by with a lighter, flatter arrow, but I still wouldnt go below 400 grains under any circumstances. Important Note: Broadheads are an integral part of successful archery setups for elk. Thats another reason I recommend small diameter vs micro diameter arrows, especially if youre not building your own. Lastly, broadhead designs, both fixed and mechanical, have been improved with sharpening expertise that forces you to be extra careful when attaching broadheads to the end of your arrows. Those generally weigh from 375 to 385 grains . When I'm not hunting I'm constantly researching, training, and planning for my next trip. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up for our email list for entry to win an RTIC 32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler. Keep in mind elk are big animals, and they are often noisy. My eyes got about as big as many of yours are right now, and I said, "WHAT? The ideal combination of these factors can result in deep penetration, maximizing the chances of a quick and ethical harvest. I didn't want to rush it since I couldn't see the bull. Good luck. I'm just as obsessed about bowhunting elk as you are. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Joe looked at me and said, "I'm going to use my tag on this bull!" If the shooter cannot draw the bow 30 times the draw weight should be . I couldn't believe it! If youre not comfortable pulling back 70 Lbs that doesnt mean you cant consistently shoot deadly shots into an elk, so dont let your pride get in the way. I gradually worked my way up to the 65 pounds that I shoot today. Without any deployment of blades, a fixed blade begins cutting without having to unfold.