First deer hunt!

rdx4me · October 29, 2010, 09:35 AM

I just returned from Michigan after my first deer hunt.

I took my Remington 1917 30-06 and my Savage .300 Win Mag.

Ended up bagging a nice 9-point (133 B&C) White Tail with the .300.

I was using Winchester 150gr Power Point bullets and hit him behind his shoulder on the left side of his body.

Distance was approximately 140 yds.

The impact was a little farther to the right of his shoulder than I would of liked but he went down hard and actually did a flip onto his back. I was very pleased to have bagged my first buck!

Started scanning the area with Bino's and I'll be darned if I didn't see a blur run across my field of view!

That same buck had gotten back up and was running towards a bunch of Doe...

Lost him in all the white tails that were running away and I thought we were going to be tracking him off into the woods.

So my guide and I got out of the stand and started walking towards the last place we had seen him. As we got about 15 yds away from that spot, we finally saw his antlers in a clump of brush.

We approached very carefully and my guide threw a stick at him while I was preparing to fire again just in case.

No movement and we were finally able to get up close and inspect him.

He was awesome...

Next day, I took out my 1917 to bag a Doe. For my 30-06, I was using Remington Express Core-Lokt PSP 150gr bullets

Sat in the stand for a while, watching small Doe and Bucks come into view.

Then we saw some Stag cows come up... Started scanning the tree line with my bino's and saw a huge, dark mass off in the distance. Waited a bit longer and that mass slowly approached the clearing, following the cows.

He finally came out in the clear and he was a huge, 500lb Red Stag. I couldn't resist....

Started wishing I had brought the .300 but figured the 30-06 should be good enough.

Took aim right above his shoulder and fired. He went down like a rock...

Much to my surprise, he got up! I couldn't believe it... So I hit him again and down he went for the final time.

I know my shot placements weren't perfect but I have to wonder if this is the norm or perhaps I should of went with a heavier or different type of round?

The rounds I went with were recommended by the local shooting store and were the same grain my father-in-law was using in his .270.

spclPatrolGroup · October 29, 2010, 10:14 AM

Congrats, sounds like your hooked!

DTrain · October 29, 2010, 10:41 AM

Was this on a private fenced ranch? There is no firearm hunting in MI right now for deer.

rdx4me · October 29, 2010, 10:45 AM

DTrain,

Yes, it was privately owned hunting ranch.

Buzzcook · October 29, 2010, 01:12 PM

It is not unusual for a deer to pop back up and run. Even with a well placed shot it happens.
So always keep your eye on that deer.

DTrain · October 29, 2010, 02:00 PM

Cool! What ranch was it and congrats on a fine deer.

rdx4me · October 29, 2010, 02:18 PM

Hopkins Trophy Whitetails. Ryan Hopkins was my guide and and let me tell you, we are going back next year!

The facilities and food were outstanding and so were all the guides and equipment!

I couldn't of asked for a better place and staff for my first deer hunt!

October 29, 2010, 09:35 AM	#1
rdx4me Member Join Date: November 18, 2008 Location: NW Florida Posts: 46	First deer hunt! I just returned from Michigan after my first deer hunt. I took my Remington 1917 30-06 and my Savage .300 Win Mag. Ended up bagging a nice 9-point (133 B&C) White Tail with the .300. I was using Winchester 150gr Power Point bullets and hit him behind his shoulder on the left side of his body. Distance was approximately 140 yds. The impact was a little farther to the right of his shoulder than I would of liked but he went down hard and actually did a flip onto his back. I was very pleased to have bagged my first buck! Started scanning the area with Bino's and I'll be darned if I didn't see a blur run across my field of view! That same buck had gotten back up and was running towards a bunch of Doe... Lost him in all the white tails that were running away and I thought we were going to be tracking him off into the woods. So my guide and I got out of the stand and started walking towards the last place we had seen him. As we got about 15 yds away from that spot, we finally saw his antlers in a clump of brush. We approached very carefully and my guide threw a stick at him while I was preparing to fire again just in case. No movement and we were finally able to get up close and inspect him. He was awesome... Next day, I took out my 1917 to bag a Doe. For my 30-06, I was using Remington Express Core-Lokt PSP 150gr bullets Sat in the stand for a while, watching small Doe and Bucks come into view. Then we saw some Stag cows come up... Started scanning the tree line with my bino's and saw a huge, dark mass off in the distance. Waited a bit longer and that mass slowly approached the clearing, following the cows. He finally came out in the clear and he was a huge, 500lb Red Stag. I couldn't resist.... Started wishing I had brought the .300 but figured the 30-06 should be good enough. Took aim right above his shoulder and fired. He went down like a rock... Much to my surprise, he got up! I couldn't believe it... So I hit him again and down he went for the final time. I know my shot placements weren't perfect but I have to wonder if this is the norm or perhaps I should of went with a heavier or different type of round? The rounds I went with were recommended by the local shooting store and were the same grain my father-in-law was using in his .270. __________________ "What's the speed of dark?"

October 29, 2010, 10:45 AM	#4
rdx4me Member Join Date: November 18, 2008 Location: NW Florida Posts: 46	DTrain, Yes, it was privately owned hunting ranch. __________________ "What's the speed of dark?"

October 29, 2010, 02:18 PM	#7
rdx4me Member Join Date: November 18, 2008 Location: NW Florida Posts: 46	Hopkins Trophy Whitetails. Ryan Hopkins was my guide and and let me tell you, we are going back next year! The facilities and food were outstanding and so were all the guides and equipment! I couldn't of asked for a better place and staff for my first deer hunt! __________________ "What's the speed of dark?"

October 29, 2010, 10:14 AM	#2
spclPatrolGroup Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 349	Congrats, sounds like your hooked!

October 29, 2010, 10:41 AM	#3
DTrain Member Join Date: March 6, 2008 Posts: 98	Was this on a private fenced ranch? There is no firearm hunting in MI right now for deer.

October 29, 2010, 01:12 PM	#5
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	It is not unusual for a deer to pop back up and run. Even with a well placed shot it happens. So always keep your eye on that deer.

October 29, 2010, 02:00 PM	#6
DTrain Member Join Date: March 6, 2008 Posts: 98	Cool! What ranch was it and congrats on a fine deer.