I popped a nice doe yesterday morning on a MLD property near Athens, Tx. I hadn't even gotten to my stand and heard a deer stomp. I froze and she was standing about 35 yards in front of me. It was pretty dark in the woods with heavy skies and it took me a couple minutes to make sure it was a doe. The land owner didn't want me to shoot a buck he's saving those for family... so what happens? This morning I walk right up on about a 130 8 pt. He's broadside again about 35 yards and has no idea I'm there... had to let him walk. A 130 East Tx deer is a very good deer.




Frontal shot penetrated nearly all the way through ham.

Nothing wrong with a nice doe, I'd take one of those anyday. Great job Gary.

Meat in the freezer already? Dang, our season doesn't start until mid Nov. What was your hammer of choice?

Nice job on the doe, Gary!

Regarding the buck, isn't that usually the way it goes!

Almost on the same token, I guess I have set my own bar pretty high by filming all those good bulls and bucks prior to my season!

Did you use your .454? Did you shoot offhand? I remember that great shot you made on that bull elk offhand with your .454 and we got it on film.

Great job Gary!

I shot her with my scoped 454. It was too dark for irons. I barely could see her with optics and she was facing me which is a shot I don't like with iron sights.

Cool beans. Nice work cowboy. I wish we could get at least one whitetail and one mule deer here, but I'll just have to settle for one.

Congrats! I've got another month before I can pursue whitetail with a handgun. I'll keep in tune with the squirrel in the meantime.

Congratulations Gary!

I love shooting the nannies - but the 130 8-point would have been tempting!

As usual....you had a better day then me. What bullet??

Congrats Gary...and I only have opportunities to shoot big buck after my tags are filled so I know your pain.

WTG! Any big game critter is great with a handgun.

I only had doe tags in WY this week and two shooter muley bucks were the first deer I saw. Rats!!

Congrats Gary! A doe is a great way 2 start off! A friend of mine,who got me into archery&Handgunning, regarded does as a true trophy esp old ones as they are always on alert! JMHO. Congrats again!

A huge congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any deer is a trophy with a handguns and back straps are back straps. reflex264

I use the Nosler 260 gr partition 99% of the time in my 454. It's a great deer/hog bullet.

Nice job gary, athens texas, hadnt been there in a while. Sounds like a good shot. How far did she go

About 18-24 inches straight down. It was a full frontal shot.

vennie in the freezer! good shooting

Vennie ???

Nice, and if you were after bucks only them does would be on you like lights on a Christmas tree.

Seeing such a buck is an accomplishment.

nice shooting!

Nice job,you cant eat the rack.

Congratulations, excellent shooting