Shotgun Slug Hunting

[sawyer]

Hello folks, first deer season I'll be hunting here in western WA

I intend on using my 12 gauge with a slug barrel this coming season to try and shoot my first deer. I am choosing my slug gun for a few reasons. 1) I intend on hunting a rifle restricted GMU (I have already clarified that shotguns are in fact legal to use in this GMU). 2) I cannot afford a new rifle this year. There are 3 forests I have spent time scouting in and found some areas that deer and other animals use to commute from timber to brush and to a water source. My plan is to build up a sort of blind, or perhaps get in a tree stand at these locations and sit and wait, within 80 yards of where I anticipate the deer to walk through.

I've never hunted deer and I have no one in my life to teach me how. Does this plan sound reasonable? I know a rifle and getting into the high clear cuts is likely the most effective method to hunt western WA, but I am working with what I have.

Is this crazy talk? do you folks have any experience or advice to share with me in regards to my plan? 

[Oldguy]

From the thread title I thought it would give me insight to a new specie to hunt. Got into the regs and couldn't fine any license covering slugs or weapons allowed. I've always used a BB gun.

Good luck on your hunts and I hope you get some support from the forum.

[h20hunter]

RIP Ripper,  Mark, a passed member killed at least two very nice blacktail via the slug gun. I'd find your arwa and learn it in and out. Blacktails, imo, are hard to pattern but deer are deer. Go for it. Can't kill em if you don't go.  If you bag on in my area hit us up for drag out, butchering etc. assistance!

[ghosthunter]

Ian see nothing wrong with your plan.

Go for it. 

[Goshawk]

Work out of an elevated tree stand and try to shorten up your distance from the stand to the trail to 50 yards.  If it's allowed in the area you're looking at, get some game cameras going to see what's moving around.  Don't worry so much about only seeing does. Once fall comes, more does = buck magnets.  When you get your area figured out, get the stand up sooner than later so everything settles down a bit before season.

[ThurstonCokid]

I think your plan sounds very good. There’s very few guys who really understand the blacktail deer. I’ve killed 10 but am no where near an expert. I think your idea will work. I think game cams would be great if allowed in your area. Have fun! And enjoy the process


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[Pegasus]

Ever seen what a 12 gauge slug does to a deer? Not very pretty and wastes a lot of meat. I would suggest using #00 buckshot instead unless you plan on shooting at more that 40-50 yards. I have shot three blacktails with a shotgun. Two with #00 buckshot and one with a slug. The one with the slug destroyed both shoulders of the deer, the ones with buckshot were quick clean kills with little meat damage.

[Widgeondeke]

My son and I have killed 5 BT with a 20ga slug gun. No added meat damage over a rifle. Good shot placement into the lungs or heart and you won't waste meat.
We used a solid copper slug and every shot was thru n thru. Even had one hit a bit back and it vaporized the liver. Buck was dead on his hooves.
Your plan sounds good. You didn't mention if you will be using open sights or a scope.  If using a scope you are easily good out to 100yds. I am comfortable to 120yds with my slug gun. Although wind will have more effect on slugs.
As others said, get a trail cam out and build your blind in advance.
Good luck and most of all have fun 

[JimmyHoffa]

I've used hornady sst slugs in a 12 ga on deer.  Worked just fine.  Damage was less than a .30-30.  The way the slug opens (it's a copper slug), it does have pellet sized pieces that spread out.  With a slug barrel, you'll do fine in timber.  If you hunt big clear cuts, either work on your stalking or find the best positions assuming the deer are beyond your range.

[Pegasus]

My son and I have killed 5 BT with a 20ga slug gun. No added meat damage over a rifle. Good shot placement into the lungs or heart and you won't waste meat.
We used a solid copper slug and every shot was thru n thru. Even had one hit a bit back and it vaporized the liver. Buck was dead on his hooves.
Your plan sounds good. You didn't mention if you will be using open sights or a scope.  If using a scope you are easily good out to 100yds. I am comfortable to 120yds with my slug gun. Although wind will have more effect on slugs.
As others said, get a trail cam out and build your blind in advance.
Good luck and most of all have fun 

Were you shooting with a rifled barrel and copper sabot slugs for rifled barrels only? I was using a smooth barrel with a modified choke and shooting lead slugs. I missed that the OP is using a slug barrel instead of a smooth bore.

[Magnum_Willys]

Scope with premium copper sabot slugs - good for up to 200 yards.  Son took a nice whitetail in Iowa at 185 yards.

[h20hunter]

Deke is, was, shooting an h&r break open slug gun, rifled.

[h20hunter]

Handy lil gun....i should know....i sold it to him! 

[Yelper Guy]

I've never hunted deer and I have no one in my life to teach me how.

Good on you sawyer!
I never had anyone in my family that hunted, only fishing, until I started hunting in my mid teens.
I spent endless  :hello:hours hiking and learning about nature & wildlife when I was growing up.
It was a natural progression in my mind - nearly 40 years later, I'm glad I did!

[Bob33]

It's sounds like a very doable plan. At 80 yards a slug shotgun will work just fine. It's pricey and a pain in the shoulder, but you should try a few different slug types on paper to see how well and where they shoot. The variation in group size and point-of-impact can be significant.

Good luck!