Hit a Bull Elk, But......

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Pajay1962

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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?

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That’s a tough one. Elk are one of the toughest animals out there. I don’t think vital would drop at all. If anything pushed slightly up. That blood clotting looks like liver or slightly back, maybe muscle hit. Definitely not lung. Bright red is usually artery or heart. There is not much room between the top of lung and spine.

Sorry that is heartbreaking. Did you ask private to look or let them know?
 
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Yes, looks like you hit him too high (above the spine). Which is easy to do when shooting downhill and when shooting bedded animals.
 
Tough break. But 91 yds and bedded, why not sit ot out and wait for him to get up?
I know it's hard to wait it out but it's possible he could have give you a clearer shot. But hind sight is always 20/20.
 
That’s a tough one. Elk are one of the toughest animals out there. I don’t think vital would drop at all. If anything pushed slightly up. That blood clotting looks like liver or slightly back, maybe muscle hit. Definitely not lung. Bright red is usually artery or heart. There is not much room between the top of lung and spine.

Sorry that is heartbreaking. Did you ask private to look or let them know?
I had never seen blood clot that quickly on an animal (I'm east coast whitetail hunter), so that baffled me a bit. I'm guessing I hit in the "dead zone" above the lungs. No, didn't ask that landowner as the outfitter said that they positively do not allow people onto their property. So, I'm hoping I'm right and he continues to live for another hunter to have a chance at him. Thanks
 
My experience hunting the hills is wounded animals without fail go downhill. Also the fact that you were above him he would run away and that would naturally be downhill.

Where is the private from the point of impact?

Sorry about that Payjay. Ive stated here before that if we hunt eventually we will have a disappointment like this. Im not trying to be gritty or irritating here just saying we have all been there and if we haven't we will be. I am sorry.
 
He was on a wide, flat bench. Private was 200 yards east and 200 yards south - he ran south.

I've lost one with the bow, first one I've lost with a gun, definitely stings. I don't like wounding an animal, so I'm hoping it was in that "dead zone" above the lungs and below the spine, which seems probable. Hopefully the guide will see him one day and get a picture - of the one that got away. Thanks
 
Don't know if this will get posted or not. Just goes to show how far CO has their heads tucked up under their tails. Even a 1-X scope would probably have your bull at the taxidermist.
Yeah, I agree 100%. Once those DOW guys can't see their sights well, maybe they'll remove their heads and allow something like a 1x scope or aimpoint.
 
Looks like a muscle hit to me. Not dark enough for a liver hit and not bright enough for a lung hit. I don't see any brown or green stuff in it that would indicate a paunch shot. Tough break. Anyone who hunts long enough has made a bad shot. I am in agreement with you though; I hate to wound an animal. I probably would have attempted to track it anyway. I can live with a land owner kicking me off their land; it's their right. I don't think I could leave an animal out there to die slowly and painfully without doing my dead level best to find him and put him down humanely if I thought that was a mortal wound though. The land owner can cuss me out and kick me out if they find me. Personally, I can't believe there are people out there so unfeeling that they would not let someone track a wounded animal to put it down but I know that sucky uncaring people do exist.
 
Looks like a muscle hit to me. Not dark enough for a liver hit and not bright enough for a lung hit. I don't see any brown or green stuff in it that would indicate a paunch shot. Tough break. Anyone who hunts long enough has made a bad shot. I am in agreement with you though; I hate to wound an animal. I probably would have attempted to track it anyway. I can live with a land owner kicking me off their land; it's their right. I don't think I could leave an animal out there to die slowly and painfully without doing my dead level best to find him and put him down humanely if I thought that was a mortal wound though. The land owner can cuss me out and kick me out if they find me. Personally, I can't believe there are people out there so unfeeling that they would not let someone track a wounded animal to put it down but I know that sucky uncaring people do exist.
Yeah, unfortunately there are landowners that will fine you for even tracking a wounded animal onto their property. Many of them out there hire "spotters" to watch for people going onto their property - this is one of them. I was told that the landowner even refuses allowing the DOW to access the land to look for an animal. Some people are pieces of work, thanks.
 
I just helped a friend on a Gila hunt. He took his bull archery but it’s relevant for this discussion. He absolutely “10 ringed” his bull at 55 yards. If you could walk up and place your shot it would have been within an inch of where he hit. We watched the bull slow to a walk and barley make it out of sight. We could see blood running down his leg and it was clearly a lethal hit.

We gave the 1/2 hour positive of the hit. We had all seen the blood. We even had video of the bull walking away and confirmed the hit. Well, as we were tracking we found the bull 40 minutes later head up and still very much alive. We could see his coughing up blood and could hear labored breathing. We were only 20 yards from him.

Somehow the bull got to his feet. My friend put two more arrows in the vitals. All three shots were lethal. People don’t give elk enough credit for how strong they can be.
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Sorry for the graphic photo but it clearly shows the first hit was a lung hit and lethal. The first shot was above him so high entry was perfect. The next two shots were quartering away.
 
I just helped a friend on a Gila hunt. He took his bull archery but it’s relevant for this discussion. He absolutely “10 ringed” his bull at 55 yards. If you could walk up and place your shot it would have been within an inch of where he hit. We watched the bull slow to a walk and barley make it out of sight. We could see blood running down his leg and it was clearly a lethal hit.

We gave the 1/2 hour positive of the hit. We had all seen the blood. We even had video of the bull walking away and confirmed the hit. Well, as we were tracking we found the bull 40 minutes later head up and still very much alive. We could see his coughing up blood and could hear labored breathing. We were only 20 yards from him.

Somehow the bull got to his feet. My friend put two more arrows in the vitals. All three shots were lethal. People don’t give elk enough credit for how strong they can be.
View attachment 47530
Sorry for the graphic photo but it clearly shows the first hit was a lung hit and lethal. The first shot was above him so high entry was perfect. The next two shots were quartering away.
They are strong animals - they have to be for where they live. Explains why the guide said "wait an hour till we go look for him", even when he thought I had 10 ringed him. Thanks for putting it in perspective.
 
Yeah, unfortunately there are landowners that will fine you for even tracking a wounded animal onto their property. Many of them out there hire "spotters" to watch for people going onto their property - this is one of them. I was told that the landowner even refuses allowing the DOW to access the land to look for an animal. Some people are pieces of work, thanks.
Wow - Here in Virginia the Game Warden can go anywhere he wants without permission. Most landowners will let you, the hunter, try and find your game. SMH
 
Yeah, unfortunately there are landowners that will fine you for even tracking a wounded animal onto their property. Many of them out there hire "spotters" to watch for people going onto their property - this is one of them. I was told that the landowner even refuses allowing the DOW to access the land to look for an animal. Some people are pieces of work, thanks.
I am kind of curious how they would enforce a fine. I would likely tell them to pound sand and just leave their property. I get it that it's their land and they have the right to kick you off but until they formally trespass you, I don't see how they can fine you. The state can fine you but they personally don't have the legal authority to fine you I don't think. In most places, they would have to catch you trespassing; call the police and have you formally trespassed. At that point, if you return, the state can fine you. Unless they find you leaning up against a no trespassing sign, it is possible you wandered on to their property accidentally. Do they have no trespassing signs every 50 yards or so along their property line so that you could not possibly miss it? The interval is different for different states but it seems to me they would have to have the line marked well to make a trespassing charge stick anyway. I don't know; I don't have experience with that particular brand of a--hole nor the laws of that state. Maybe I am completely wrong.
 
Wow - Here in Virginia the Game Warden can go anywhere he wants without permission. Most landowners will let you, the hunter, try and find your game. SMH
Up in Maine where I am from, the game wardens are almost a law unto themselves. I think there was a time they didn't even need a warrant to search your freezer if they had evidence of poaching. Here in NC, the wardens are way less visible and more hands off. I have never met one in the woods in the 30 years I have lived here. I still don't think they need your permission to walk onto your land though. It is explicit in the law here that you can track a wounded animal onto private property though; they can't NOT let you.
 
A few weeks ago, a friend was on a CO Ranching for Wildlife Either Sex Hunt. He & his Guide picked out the Largest Bull Elk in the group of 12 at less than 250 Yards. The Guide spotted for him as he put 2 of my Barnes 150 Gr TTSXs Handloads through the Chest from a .30-06 at over 3.050 fps MV. Guide said, "he's Dead". They waited a half hour & started the search, No Sign of a Hit. All 8 Guides searched for 4 hours Nothing. Similar scenario as the OP the Bedding Area was approximately 350 Yards away & Strickley Forbidden to enter as this was Early Season & the Guides had Plenty More Paying Customers to take Care of. Of course, the Guide said he would deliver the Rack at the End of the Season 😩
 
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