How much poundage on a bow will break an elks back?

Question

Im huntin in a tree stand this year and I need to know how high my bow needs to be set in case an elk walks right under my stand

Answer 1

50 60 lbs would be ideal but breaking an elks back is a dangerous thing as you might break its back but it can still move its legs and it can kick the c**p out of you causing severe damage to you i would suggest that you try to get a heart shot  or even a lung shot if possible.

Answer 2

if you have to ask

bubba is the only one that makes any sense

Answer 3

Just too chancy of a shot- get the broadside or quartering away shot- a good hit will get you a sure kill- straight down is just not a good shot to take.

Answer 4

Well an ethical hunter would not make that shot, just wait till you get an ideal shot on one, and as for poundage for a normal shot a minimum of 50 pounds but ideally around 60.

Answer 5

That is not how a bow works. The broadhead arrow will cut into major organs causing it to bleed to death. Ideally it is quich if the heart or major artery is cut.

Answer 6

Number One:

You ain't gonna break the elk's back...what you need to do (if you insist on hitting it in the spine) is ***sever the spine***.

Number Two:

You don't want to merely sever the spine, since even a "paralyzed" animal can still kick the livin' tar outta ya -- and it can also still use its antlers to stick ya like a hotdog on a fork. Kin ya say "ouch"? You could very well bleed to death long before anyone could show up to find you.

Number Three:

The most ethical, humane shots to take are the ***heart*** and/or ***lung***. For that, you need to be on the ground. At the very least you should be only as high as necessary to have a clear field of view.

Just for the record, even 40 lb bows can be used effectively on elk. The "big secret" is properly-made hunting-weight arrows with proper broadheads on them, accurately placed in the proper spot in the animal. It ain't bows that only He-Man or Hercules can use.

Answer 7

Dont take that shot!! Most people either spot and stalk elk or call them in. Either way they take a shot from the ground (not usually flat ground). I would never suggest to anyone that they take that shot no matter how big the bull is. Its not worth wounding such a majestic animal. I have shot a couple with my bow and if you did that in my camp you would not be hunting with me again. Sorry to sound like a jerk but to be a real bowhunter you need to fully understand that a real bowhunter is probably the most ethical hunter in the woods.

Answer 8

Your arrow cannot break even a small deer's back. However, if you sharpen a broadpoint really a lot sharper than they usually come from the factory, you can slice a hole in the lungs of any thin-skinned beast, for a quick putdown. From straight down, that would be one lung and up to a 250 yard blood trail, however, and not such a good idea. If you want heavy happenings, how about the satisfyingly traditional 45-70? Look at the Model 1895 Marlin lever action. Even it's looks are satisfying! Regards, Larry.