I shot "Butch" after watching him grow over the 2 years since I 1st saw him as a narrow but tall basket rack during the '07 season.

I harvested him on November 15th of '09.

Financial difficulties had me paying a little @ a time & I still owed a pretty good chunk this past December.

My wife sent my son up to the taxidermy shop on Christmas eve to bail "Buth" out of jail, & she surprised me on Christmas morning.

I had him done as a "wall pedestal mount" so that I could get the pose as close as possible to when I took the shot.

He was looking back over his shoulder @ me when I noisely chamberd a round after dropping the pin on an empty chamber. I yanked the trigger, pulled the shot about 6" left (@ 240 yds) & hit him right behind the left ear.

Fortunately, @ that distance, the 139gr 284 Hornady Interbond had lost enough speed from the 3150fps Mv to not do a lot of cape damage.





He may not qualify as a "trophy" in some parts, but here in northern New York state, he's a better than average buck.

It's a good looking buck. Congratulations on a nice looking mount.

Nice deer....

Seen your post on NYHunting; as another former Empirehunting refugee glad you found your way over there.

Junkie,
Congradulations on taking a trophy NY deer and also on marrying so well. Your wife got you a Christmas present you'll not soon forget.

that deer sure has a dark chin!

Nice trophy and congrats!!!

I think that empty chamber sound may be one of the worst sounds in the world. Id keep that wife around if I were you. Nice deer too.