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Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: TC_outdoorsman on October 04, 2017, 01:46:15 PM


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Title: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: TC_outdoorsman on October 04, 2017, 01:46:15 PM
Every year I only have a couple days to hunt so I go for the first legal deer I can, be it doe (where legal) or buck. I had other priorities opening weekend so I couldn't make it out until Monday. Walked all day 1, saw 60+ deer but none were legal. A little discouraging but I talked to some guys who had seen some bucks so I was hopeful for Day 2. Day 2 started out seeing what looked to be a legal buck feeding with 11 does. I glassed them for a few minutes but was not close enough to count points (probably should invest in a spotter). I tried to move around and get in a good position. By them time I got in a good position I watched 9 deer feed past me. Once they all past I went to see if the buck bedded down with the other 2 does. No luck, so I went and caught up to the others to see if the buck was in front of them. I bumped 6 does then saw several deer bedded down toward the top of a steep ravine. I tried to work my way around and get above them. I did see a forkie so I tried to close the distance and check for a third point. I spooked the herd (wind or noise I suppose) and they all worked their way down the ravine. Did some more searching but the buck must have eluded me. I pressed on and saw several more deer here and there but none legal. I spot some deer bedded at the bottom of a ravine and sneak in to glass for bucks. No bucks, but I look up and see a lone deer working across the side of the ravine, I glass and he is wide enough and tall enough to probably be legal, but far enough away I cant make out points. I watch him bed down so I back out and work my way around to get on the opposite side of the ravine. I go down 1000 yards to cross the ravine and I see more deer. Concerned if I bump them they might spook the buck I wait and slowly make it across undetected. I work back up to where the buck is and come over the top of the ravine where I though he was, but it doesn't look right. I keep going further and I see the area that looks right. I glass and dont see anything but when I saw him bed I knew he was very well hid. The wind was blowing pretty good in a favorable direction. I get to within 20 yards and I can see antlers through the down hill side of a bush. I tried to see with my binos if I could count points but I couldnt see the antlers clear enough through the bush. I get to within 10 yards and still cant tell. I try to glass but worry he will spook while my binos are up. I try it anyways and still cant tell. I get in position thinking he could stand up at any time. After 5 minutes I get tired of waiting. I have been in a similar position before and have made noise to get the deer to stand up. It worked out well once but the other time it did not work out as well. Since it is about noon and I don't want to wait for hours I take the chance, get in position, and try whistling increasingly louder every time. The wind was fairly loud and it wasn't working. Next I try coughing....no luck. I had heard a fawn bleating earlier that day so I figure I would try that. After a couple times he stands up. As he takes a step I verify the third point and pull the trigger. He goes 15 yards and lays down.... now the work begins.

Thanks Sabotloader for all the info you post. I was using the 300 grain bloodline. Unfortunately they are hard to load in my disc extreme. I saw they have some new EZ load ones so I might have to try them.
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: pd on October 04, 2017, 02:13:28 PM
1, 2, 3.  Yep, you're done.

Congratulations.  What a stalk!
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: elkboy on October 04, 2017, 02:18:45 PM
Wow!  Close range hunting!  Congratulations.  Nice picture, with the tall grass, blue sky, etc. Great work, and thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: Sabotloader on October 04, 2017, 02:20:42 PM
Dang nice buck - gosh I am glad it worked out for you.  I hope I get as fortunate.

Where did you hit him?  What did the chest cavity look like when you opened him?

mike
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: Mfowl on October 04, 2017, 02:21:48 PM
Congrats!  :tup:
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: Brushbuster on October 04, 2017, 03:08:58 PM
Great muzzy buck!  :tup:

I have a Knight Bighorn & Disc Extreme. I shoot the 290 gr EZ Load Barnes bullets. I did a treatment to the barrel with JB Bore paste & Kroil oil & about 200 strokes. My guns are now both easier to load. There may be other info on this site & also on You Tube. I got the stuff at Brownells. 

More info:
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: TC_outdoorsman on October 04, 2017, 03:14:54 PM
Sabotloader - I did the gutless method of quartering him out in order to pack it all out myself. I hit him behind the shoulder in the lungs. I assume it took out both but I didnt open him up to see the damage. I did find one of the petals embedded in the skin on the opposite side. I was surprised to notice the bullet did not do a complete pass-through.
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: TC_outdoorsman on October 04, 2017, 03:16:10 PM
brushbuster - thanks for the tip, I may have to look into that stuff. Did the barnes EZ load easier even without the treatment?
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: baker5150 on October 04, 2017, 03:16:42 PM
Cool buck, congrats and thanks for sharing.

That brown patch above his eyes looks like a uni-brow.
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: Brushbuster on October 04, 2017, 03:24:34 PM
brushbuster - thanks for the tip, I may have to look into that stuff. Did the barnes EZ load easier even without the treatment?
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The Barnes were easier to load without the treatment but after treating I could fire a 2nd shot without repatching first. I've also had great accuracy with these bullets.
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: Sabotloader on October 04, 2017, 07:42:43 PM
Sabotloader - I did the gutless method of quartering him out in order to pack it all out myself. I hit him behind the shoulder in the lungs. I assume it took out both but I didnt open him up to see the damage. I did find one of the petals embedded in the skin on the opposite side. I was surprised to notice the bullet did not do a complete pass-through.

I am totally surprised the core of the bullet did not exit!
Title: Re: 2017 Muzzy Buck
Post by: cbond3318 on October 04, 2017, 07:59:00 PM
Nice work! Nothing better than a stiff breeze in open country!
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