Had bitter cold, snowy, windy day to open deer season, 16 degrees and 20 mph wind.

My grandson, who is 12 started off by making a one shot kill on a young doe, approx. 75 yards with my old pieced together Rem in .243. I took scavenged parts (old stock and take off barrel) onto a 700 action, and came away with a good shooter, under 1MOA with 42 4350 and 100 Sierra. The doe was at a slight angle, he hit her behind the shoulder, but it came out about 6 in. back so only got one lung. She ran about 50-60 yards leaving good blood, laid down and died...in the bottom of the deepest ditch of course.

Later that afternoon, we were watching a food plot, had numerous does, and he was itching to pop another one, but I got him to settle down by asking him what he'd do if he used his tag on a doe, then a buck came out. As things happen for kids, ten minutes later the buck appeared. The deer was on my side of the stand, so he asked if he could use my rifle (my beat up, but very special 77 in 7x57) I got his breathing slowed down, and let him take a shot(he had never even fired this rifle), but apparently wasn't an issue, the buck was facing us at 174 yards, and was a bang/flop. This combination of rifle and ammo kinda has a history of such behavior, my standard 52 H414 with a 140 TTSX. I've hunted with this one from Ak to Africa, and thinking back, only shot two animals twice, a hartebeest my son hit badly when he was 14, and a whitetail that I shot at a full run, hit the first shot, required a finisher. It never needs sighted in, always shoots .6-.8 groups, it's a boring SOB.
http://i90.photobucket.com/alb...500022&1416509501341

About dark my niece (brother's daughter) scored a nice wide buck, and my brother killed the nice one below right behind the barn.
http://i90.photobucket.com/alb...500022&1416509501341
It was shot with a .25-06
http://i90.photobucket.com/alb...500022&1416509501341

Pretty good weekend.

I messed up the pictures.

Chase's buck

Hunter's buck


Stuart's

Damnation!
All are fine, fine deer!
Well done,
Zeke

Yes, I'd say that's a pretty good opener. WOW!!
Congratulations to all of you.

Fantastic!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Dog Man:
Yes, I'd say that's a pretty good opener. WOW!!
Congratulations to all of you.

Yea, X2!

Congrats to all but especially the kids!

JPK

jstevens- Did you hunt around Gallatin for these great deer? Nice job and congratulations to you and your kin.

Great job. That is what a bunch of North Mo bucks look like. Those are outstanding. What a great day for the kids and adults alike.

Looks like you had less snow than we did a couple hours south of you. The pipe in the middle is 5' tall.

Pegleg

Our farm is north about an hour, along the border with Iowa.

Larry

We had about three inches of snow, looks like you have a bit more. KC had almost none.

quote:

I got him to settle down by asking him what he'd do if he used his tag on a doe, then a buck came out

He's got to be thinkin' his Grandpa is the "deer whisperer." Well done!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Badger Matt:

quote:

I got him to settle down by asking him what he'd do if he used his tag on a doe, then a buck came out

He's got to be thinkin' his Grandpa is the "deer whisperer." Well done!!!

He has always been a pretty serious shooter, he started when he was four, and can outshoot most men with a handgun now. His first deer was last year, one shot with a 69 grain .223 from my AR15.

Very nice, wow! I am personally enjoying Missouri's whitetails too.

Where do you hunt, Ann?

Great opener for you guys.

I have a lease near Queen City

My opener was a little less exciting.

Same weather....3 to 4" and then ultra cold

Really great looking bucks, really great account of the hunt. Congratulations.

Beautiful "Family" album
Congrats all around

J,

I live east of Springfield now and hunt my own land. I have 34 acres of very private property. It's all beef ranches out here so there are few people. I've only been here a year now but just love it.