Hunting & Fishing First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

[jayd4wg]

Got in the woods around 630 and despite hearing alot of shooting, I didn't see much but a couple does being pushed fast by rutting bucks. Finally around non this guy striped out into a clearing, quartering away at a good clip. Finally reached three point of decision time so I sent one into the high shoulder to put him down. Not quite DRT, but he was going nowhere... Or so I thought. I've never heard a buck roar before now but this guy was letting everyone know he was jacked up. At 75 yds I could have put one in his neck but not having seen the full rack on the ground up close I didn't know if I had a worthy wall hanger or not so I started hiking. Ended up puting another into the vitals and took a few minutes to shake off the buck fever.
The bullet performed well, taking out the back just above the shoulders and the vital was a point blank pass thru.

http://db.tt/Y9f3Nrbu / will embed later when i'm not on mobile device

 

[Raven34]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

Congrats nice kill. Seems like they are running a little different this year down my way.

 

[jayd4wg]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

finally got back to a normal PC, sorry about all the typos and the image link. overall, a great day in the woods. Thoroughly impressed with my loads and the accuracy as well. as the day winded down down we took a couple shots at the impromptu range we have set up on full milk jugs at 200 yards. punched all 3 of mine, with just a log as my rest. Confidence in this rifle and my abilities have now been restored. Now for a pic of my buck...not a big one, but legal, and it was a HUGE rush when he stepped into view. Given the way this week is panning out, saturday may be the only day i get to spend in the woods this year

 

[FN in MT]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

"High in the shoulder".

Why not simply shoot him in the heart/lung area?

 

[jayd4wg]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

obscured by brush/fallen timber. bottom line, i had no shot at the vitals (without running it thru behind the last rib and soupifying the intestines), but could see the shoulder plain as day. I might have been able to tuck a bullet thru a tiny hole, but i'm not educated on "loop hole" shooting yet nor can i ask about it here even tough I understand the dynamics of it, i lack the experience behind the trigger to be comfortable at risking a wounded animal.

I knew the high shoulder would anchor the deer, and it did. The only other "sure" shot i was willing to take was the neck, and for the brief second i had to contemplate, i didn't want to ruin the possibility of a jacked up cape in case i wanted to do a full head mount.

After seeing the deer up close, the neck would have been okay anyway...the head had a series of battle scars that were still scabbed over between the horns and immediately behind the right antler. full head mount went out the window as soon as I discovered no brow tines and the wounds. Either way...he's living in my freezer now, and the skull plate is drying out as we speak. I was going to euro mount the skull but the way my wifes nose wrinkled at the thought of the smell of brains simmering away in the garage...I'll pass. I like not having to sleep in the dog house

 

[Curt1521]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

Nice deer.
What are the specs of your rifle?

 

[piglatinhater]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

Good kill!

 

[mdesign]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

Nice nice and good looking rifle you got there.

 

[jayd4wg]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

Curt, it's "just" a hunting rig that shoots way better than I do. Marlin xs7 308 running 45.5 gr varget under 150gr hornady sp's in winny brass, fl sized and a hawke endurance 3-10x50. All included, I have 500 into the rifle plus rld'g gear. Runs about 1/2" at 100, and holds 1.5 or better at 200. I want a better rig but this one fits it's purpose quite well. Only complaint is lack of a 3 pos safety. I open the bolt in error often enough to stop slinging the rifle on left shoulder. Usually carry right shoulder muzzle down. Safari slingis next up, or maybe side mounted sling swivels.

 

[JCH]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FN in MT</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> "High in the shoulder".

Why not simply shoot him in the heart/lung area? </div></div>

High shoulder shots are quality shots. I've shot several high shoulder shots and the deer go DRT most of the time. Those that don't drop won't make it past 50 yards. You are basically sending bone fragment through the vitals. It's like a grenade going off inside the vitals.

 

[coryj]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

I used to take high shoulder shots when I hunted in PA on public land. It didn't matter how big the deer was, it broke him down quick and he didn't run past other hunters who may put a shot into him. I had to toss a lot of meat back in those days as the shoulders got blown up quite often.

 

[jayd4wg]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

went back out to same spot this past saturday - found the brass and a few yards away, i found the jacket of my (separated) bullet laying in the road. was kindof neat to find it just laying there in the road. had another chance at some does running hard at the end of the day and missed out on the last chance to take another deer with the .308 this year. Time to hang thumper back up and get out Thor. Slugs are still in season in my local management area until late January. i have a few tags left to fill, and really want to get at least one doe into the food bank. www.sharedeer.org

 

[Curt1521]

Re: First PA buck in ages, thumper scores a hit

That is a great rifle for 500.
Kinda cool finding the bullet jacket too!