Before I get into gear and shot placement, I want to give credit where it’s due: the photos featured in this post are from Joe Dingeldein’s 2022 Nevada bull elk, taken with a perfect shot placement — a genuine example of what we’re about to cover below.
Quality optics matter as much as your weapon. I run good binoculars and an accurate rangefinder whether I’m carrying a bow or a rifle chambered in .270, 6.5 Creedmoor, .30-06, 7mm Mag, or .300 Win Mag.
For shot placement, I always tuck my arrow or bullet tight behind the front shoulder crease, mid-body down into the lower chest cavity. Hitting that boiler room takes out the heart and lungs for a rapid, clean, humane kill.
Elk meat is genuinely world-class table fare. For prime backstraps or steaks, I marinate them in a Montreal steak seasoning blend with olive oil, a splash of Worcestershire, and minced garlic for four to six hours, then sear them over high heat to a perfect medium-rare — about 130°F internal — and let them rest ten minutes before cutting in. It’s the best meal in the West.
When you’re hunting pressured public ground, I lean on onX Hunt to reach deep basins, play the wind carefully, and let a reliable call pull those big bulls right into range.
If you’re gearing up for elk season, you can find the Dominator Call® at Hancockoutdoors.com.