19 November 2011, 00:03
AmmohouseFound one!
Well, I've been hunting in the hills with my revolver all week...and freezing my butt off. I haven't gotten a shot at anything. So I decided to go to the prairie and see how my luck turns out.I took my Encore in 6.5x284. I've practiced with this all year and I'm pretty confident. I've been hitting clay birds at 300yds and I've even shot it at 500yds. I've taken prairie dogs out to a little over 600yds...but they ain't deer.
So I figured a 300yd shot would be right in my comfort zone and I shouldn't have any trouble.
I get out to this little point that I like at O-dark-30 this morning. I had a light breeze and it was 20 degrees when I left the truck. I was bundled up and waiting.
I spot ALOT of deer on private land, including some MONSTERS that will NEVER cross the fence to public land. Maybe the owner has one of those invisible fences with dog collars on those brutes so they're won't leave the yard.
While I sit there and cuss the rancher, the MONSTERS, the weather and anything else I can think to blame on why I haven't gotten a shot yet...I spot this little 8 point about 800yds away on private land...but he's strolling my way!
Of course I get a little excited, surely it was the weather that was making me shake.
I get turned around and set up waiting on this guy. I range the spot at the fence that it looks like he's going to jump...274yds, PERFECT!
I keep waiting on him, damn weather is making me shake a little more!
42 minutes later he's standing at the fence...and won't jump! He sat there for 6 minutes looking at that damn fence...wish I had my fence cutters!!!
Finally he makes the hop over, I'm REAL excited now!
274yds is good for me so I give a look through the scope, dammit he's facing me.
He doesn't know I'm there, but he's still facing me. Then he starts walking my way...in a straight line.
He stops at 232yds, he stops at 174yds, he stops at 134yds, he stops at 112yds...all facing right at me, I really didn't want a frontal shot.
Then he goes into a slow trot right at me!!!
Finally at 34yds he stops and turns broadside a little below me in a draw!!
How the hell do I shoot this deer at 34yds? Where do I hold? I can't see him because all the grass in front of me!
I wish I had my revolver right about now!
So I ease up on my butt and shoot offhand with my long range killer...at 34yds!
I'll admit, the first shot was crappy and he took 5 steps. The second shot was perfect and the blood just poured out!!!
He went about 20yds and fell over! Enough blood around that I could've painted my house.
Anyway, I couldn't be happier! He ain't no MONSTER, but he'll eat good and he's the biggest I've gotten with my SP.
