Post by: Sabotloader on November 22, 2013, 02:31:48 PM
We decided to look at what we call the 'State' property about 40 mile out of town. The area is normally a crossing area for elk heading down in elevation. The weather was close to perfect, 11* and a crusty layer of snow covered most of the ground.
My partner and I split up and we headed out different directions. I headed east following a property line across two ridges and up on an open logged ridge that has become a feeding area for elk. The ridge top supports a really good growth of 'Red Stem' a brushy bush that the love to browse on. I crossed through a portion of the red stem to my ground stand which overlooks two open ridge tops. I have to admit I was bit frustrated on the trip in the elk sign was scarce and not close to what I was expecting. My partner checked in and indicated the same thing. So with a bit of frustration I sat down on stump and started scanning the area. I spent about 15 minutes looking over the area when for some reason I looked down the ridge on my right and big as life here is a nice whitetail standing behind some brush. At first, just looked at it not thinking about shooting, I had passed on two nice does earlier, we are hunting bucks only right now. Then for some reason I lifted the rifle and looked through the scope, figuring I would pretend shoot it... thinking that would make me feel better to know I could shoot you - you son-of-a-gun... The deer was only about 60 yards out below me quartering at me. When I got the scope on her - and could see through the brush - her was a he! It had a nice little basketball sized rack... I found a hole in the brush and was waiting for a better shot, but then for some reason my trigger finger decided to shoot. He jumped straight up and turned almost 180* in the air busted away from me. I watched him make it about 20 yards and fall.
Again it was not a fair fight - I was shooting my elk load - a 300 grain Bloodline and 120 grains of T7. If I hit him with that he really did not stand a chance. In fact I even worried that the bullet might be in and out of him so fast that it might not do the damage it was suppose to. After 20 yards it was apparent the bullet worked.
When I got down to the deer I saw the exit wound on the hide, nice neat hole exit hole and thought I might have been right and the zipped though with out doing a thing except harvesting a fairly nice Palouse Whitetail. It did not take long for me to find out - something happened. When I cut through and opened the wind-pipe, thinking I was going to get nice pool of blood out - I got a long tube clotted blood - not very liquid at all. The animal could not breath at all. When I go it open it was apparent the bullet had worked as designed - nothing really could be identified as lungs, the heart had petal holes in it, but was not blown up. And of course the chest cavity was full of blood. Which seems weird as there was a tremendous 20 yard blood trail across the snow also.
Here are some pictures that show the Harvest...
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv130%2Fsabotloader%2FHunting%2520Pics%2F2013%25205x4%2520Buck%2F5x4.jpg&hash=701276797b33d54f33dd7fe2f33f2a40f345f57d) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sabotloader/media/Hunting%20Pics/2013%205x4%20Buck/5x4.jpg.html)
These group shows some of the damage inflicted..
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv130%2Fsabotloader%2FHunting%2520Pics%2F2013%25205x4%2520Buck%2FDamage.jpg&hash=5723b9fb784d68d3999e451649c7c19fe93b7de4) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sabotloader/media/Hunting%20Pics/2013%205x4%20Buck/Damage.jpg.html)
Post by: oneshot12 on November 22, 2013, 02:42:27 PM
just hope i do as well with the ones you sent me .
:IBCOOL:
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 22, 2013, 02:58:29 PM
Post by: kerrdog on November 22, 2013, 05:13:02 PM
Post by: MLBowhunting on November 22, 2013, 10:53:35 PM
Post by: JWhite22 on November 22, 2013, 11:16:52 PM
Post by: Rooster1981 on November 23, 2013, 07:17:37 AM
Nice buck congrats :tup:
Post by: Mr Mykiss on November 23, 2013, 07:27:16 AM
Post by: Jellymon on November 23, 2013, 07:45:17 AM
Post by: BOOM!! on November 23, 2013, 08:29:43 AM
Steve
Post by: Sabotloader on November 23, 2013, 08:58:06 AM
Way to go Mike! :tup: That is the exact same load Andre and I are using on our muzzy late buck hunt that starts Monday. (Coarse it would be cause your the one who talked me into using it.) :chuckle: Hope you get your elk!
Steve
Shoot! if Andre us going with you... You better have a sharp knife - that guy is walking 'game magnet'
One reason I am glad I took this target of opportunity was to see if the bullet would work as designed at the close range. It certainly appears that it did and I know it works in the longer range.
Good luck to you guys
mike
Post by: scottcrb on November 29, 2013, 05:24:37 PM
Post by: MHWASH on November 29, 2013, 07:42:29 PM
Found out you and my BIL , Chris Pappy, know each other.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on November 29, 2013, 08:00:58 PM