Elk Anatomy

papa45 · #1 09-04-2006, 01:42 PM

Going elk hunting in October...yeah! I like to use my ballistics tables to create a mental image for point of aim at different ranges. Question: What is the average depth/height of the chest on a mature Rocky Mountain bull elk, right behind the front leg, when I'm looking at it broadside?

300shooter · #2 09-04-2006, 02:22 PM

Between 23 and 30 inches is what the RMEF states in there book.

300shooter

stevet · #3 09-04-2006, 06:39 PM

Most mature bulls measure 30" like stated, however some of the ranch grown bulls will be bigger. Good luck, Steve

JD338 · #4 09-04-2006, 08:05 PM

This link may be of some interest to you.
http://www.bowhunting.net/NAspecies/elk2.html

JD338

wapiti13 · #5 09-06-2006, 02:36 AM

papa 45, best figure a true impact ares of around 24". Too high or low won't work well, so a dimension of 24 is safe. Big bulls may go bigger, but they are few and far between. Good luck.

royinidaho · #6 09-06-2006, 06:12 AM

I went through this same process two years ago. Measured actual elk at different ranges using mil dot thus I knew the dimension of that particular elk precisely.

Went to the field, estimated breadth of a nice 5X5 over a period of 20 minutes. Repeated attempts resulting in 595 yds. Actual laser range was 395.

I suggest getting a good range finder then you know that you know the range.

Shawn Carlock · #7 09-06-2006, 07:19 AM

Besides many other variables the species of elk makes a larger difference. I have hunted elk all of my life and taken quite a few of them. The 2nd largest bodied was a forked horn bull with obviously superior genetics larger than a 320 bull I got. Had I ranged him as a small bull by Mil or other comparison methods I'd have been way off. I agree with Roy if you are hunting LRH you owe it to yourself and the animals you hunt to have a LRF.