Tn. whitetails; 2 odd questions

STEVE M · November 11, 2001, 01:19 PM

How tall is the average Tenn. buck from belly to shoulder; and how long are they (average) from chest to rump?
I know this is an odd question but the reason why is I want to be able to use the crosshairs in my scope as a double check for rangeing.

griz · November 11, 2001, 02:43 PM

Good question. I keep reading the experts in the magazines say that a typical buck is 18 inches at the chest. A typical deer here in Virginia is in the 12 to 14 range the way I measured them. If you assumed the wrong measurement you could be off in range estimation by 33 percent, an easy miss at long range.
I have hunted in TN before but never had a deer stand still long enough to measure one.

PaP · November 12, 2001, 04:40 PM

I understand what you are saying, but at least in eastern TN the majority of shots are 100 yards or less. I am not sure what you are measuring is applicable.

I'm not trying to be a smarta**, I just do not understand the need.

Will Beararms · November 12, 2001, 06:23 PM

Never use a scope for anything but killing. Get a range finder or mark distances from your stand and bring binocs. Using a scope for anything but shooting is a risky proposition since you will be pointing a loaded weapon at something or someone you don't intend necessarily to shoot.

STEVE M · November 15, 2001, 05:33 AM

There are several places where a long shot would be nessasary where I hunt.
I am not talking about using a scope instead of biocs, only as a last check on range after a deer has been ID'ed. I don't hunt from a stand and can't afford a range finder (spent to much money on practice ammo). I always carry my binoculars with me (and use them first).

November 11, 2001, 01:19 PM	#1
STEVE M Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 1999 Location: TN. USA Posts: 607	Tn. whitetails; 2 odd questions How tall is the average Tenn. buck from belly to shoulder; and how long are they (average) from chest to rump? I know this is an odd question but the reason why is I want to be able to use the crosshairs in my scope as a double check for rangeing. __________________ MOLON LABE! I've joined the 300.

November 12, 2001, 06:23 PM	#4
Will Beararms Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,834	Never use a scope for anything but killing. Get a range finder or mark distances from your stand and bring binocs. Using a scope for anything but shooting is a risky proposition since you will be pointing a loaded weapon at something or someone you don't intend necessarily to shoot. __________________ "Without a rifle you are nothing, worthless, you are waiting for death, any minute, any second." -- Aron Bielski

November 15, 2001, 05:33 AM	#5
STEVE M Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 1999 Location: TN. USA Posts: 607	There are several places where a long shot would be nessasary where I hunt. I am not talking about using a scope instead of biocs, only as a last check on range after a deer has been ID'ed. I don't hunt from a stand and can't afford a range finder (spent to much money on practice ammo). I always carry my binoculars with me (and use them first). __________________ MOLON LABE! I've joined the 300.

November 11, 2001, 02:43 PM	#2
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	Good question. I keep reading the experts in the magazines say that a typical buck is 18 inches at the chest. A typical deer here in Virginia is in the 12 to 14 range the way I measured them. If you assumed the wrong measurement you could be off in range estimation by 33 percent, an easy miss at long range. I have hunted in TN before but never had a deer stand still long enough to measure one.

November 12, 2001, 04:40 PM	#3
PaP Member Join Date: January 12, 2001 Location: Hixson, TN Posts: 58	I understand what you are saying, but at least in eastern TN the majority of shots are 100 yards or less. I am not sure what you are measuring is applicable. I'm not trying to be a smarta**, I just do not understand the need.