Just returned from a ML hunt for elk in Colorado. For background knowledge, no scopes are allowed, no sabots are allowed. I was shooting a 50 cal. Traditions Vortek with a 300 grain Thor being pushed by 110 grains of Triple Seven. On the 4th day of the hunt, we spotted a really nice bull bedded in THICK oak brush 91 yards below us at about a 60 degree angle. There was a thick limb guarding his belly area, and two pieces of brush, so I had about a 12" window to shoot through. I aimed, and hit at the red mark on the attached photo (which I attempted to draw the brush and limb). The guide watched the bull spin out of his bed and get up. He started slapping my back, you killed a toad, you killed a toad! I've seen deer not bleed with the ML, so I contained myself until I would put my hands on his rack. We waited almost 1 1/2 hours before going down to him. We got to the bed, nothing, about 15 yards later there was a pool of CLOTTED bright red blood, about 2 cups worth with no bubbles. We found one other area with drops of blood and that was it. We grid searched the next morning for 2 hours, nothing. We were 200 yards from private and could not go into there. So, I'm wondering if I hit high and missed the vitals since he was bedded, or if he ended up getting out of there and making it onto the private to die. Anyone with experience with bedded elk or deer and know if their vitals actually "drop" lower to the ground? Thoughts?



