Glowball,

Sorry to hear about the loss of the elk. If you hunt enough, at some time, you will probably lose an animal. Bummer. I've lost a few ducks.

I hunt with a muzzleloader or modern rifle (shotgun w/ slug barrel) for elk because I don't have the time to dedicate to becoming a good enough archer for my taste. I have yet to shoot an elk at further than 35 yards, and that is with a firearm.

Two of the elk I have taken have had broadheads stuck in them, up high in the body cavity, but all they got was muscle. The elk had blood all over them, but were still getting along just fine.

Before you think this is a slam on archers, I helped a buddy butcher an elk a few years ago. While we were separating the front shoulder we hit a big old puss pocket, and out drops a flattened Maxiball.

It happens. Learn from the experience. Make sure you incorporate the lessons learned from this into your hunting style in the future. I would also notch your tag and bow out of the season. If I down a duck and me or the dog can't find it, we count it as part of the limit.

Andy