My last day for hunting this whitetail season came Saturday, one day before the official end. I could only hunt the morning due to a wedding I had to photograph that evening, but that left me plenty of time. The fellow who invited me out to hunt said I could take a couple of does (landowner permits), and so I did.

Using my 20" 7mm Bullberry Contender carbine, I took a 3.5 year-old doe at 115 yards and a 2.5 year-old at app. 140 yards. I was able to take my favorite shot on each deer: a slightly high shoulder that takes out the lungs and either shocks or impacts the spine for instant incapacitation. This shot seems to put everything down in its tracks, and I prefer it to all other placement.

The load -- 130 grain Sierra Single Shot Pistol bullet at 2505 fps -- performed perfectly in both instances, doing significant damage before exiting.

I got the 2 deer field dressed immediately, skinned & butchered them at home and got them on ice before having to get ready & depart for work. Tonight, we'll enjoy some of the venison as I plan to grill some steaks.

Time to let "Secrets of the Hunt" know the best kept secret of all.....always hunt the morning of a wedding!! I always seem to harvest my deer that way.Once had to wash my hands at the church before going into a wedding, honey didn't want me to shake the grooms hand with blood under my fingernails

Ya' know what' I'll have to 2nd that. Dec, 7 of this year, I could only spend till noon in the woods cause I had to go to a cousin's wedding. At 9 a.m., I was fortunate enough to make a 90 yard shot with my 209x50 Encore on a 6 1/2 yr. old, 200lb. dressed, 10 point. All this on private land and in 8 inches of snow!!! Almost had to go to the wedding in my camo!!!!

I spent the morning of my own wedding watching a nice 8 point walk away, because I didn't have enough time to track, gut and get the deer to the butcher shop. I was archery hunting (Sept 29 2001). If I had my encore, it would of been a different story.