My time in the woods had been very limited this year. Partially due to shop work and mainly due to a shoulder surgery. I wasn't able to do any bow hunting the last two years and that really keep me out of the woods and I didn't get any good scouting in. So, what little hunting I've been able to do has been based off historically productive areas; not freshly scouted areas.

Since I was recovering from shoulder surgery, I felt what little hunting I'd get to do would be with something that I could shoot well one-handed. This happen to be my GP100 with 6" barrel and 2X Nikon scope. I was able to shoot 2" groups at 50 yards from field shooting positions while just using my strong hand. This gave me the confidence I needed to get in the woods when I was able.

Fast forward to the morning of the hunt...It wasn't the most appealing weather conditions for a productive hunt, but was favorable to get out and do some in season scouting/still hunting. The pre-dawn temperatures for the late December morning was bumping the 70 degree mark with south winds around 7-10 mph and forecasted a bit stronger as the day grew. I had an area I was wanting to check out, so I went to the most northerly end of this block of select cut hardwoods(It doesn't fair well for still hunting due to the thick undergrowth of briars and vines, but being it rained a little through the night and the predicted high winds, it's made it somewhat favorable).

This is the same area I took a very nice 9 pt, in the 2014-15 season, with my FA M654...




...and it's historically been an area that produces good quality bucks. Normally when I'm hunting this area, my target critters are of the slick head variety or something I'm wanting to decorate a void on the wall with. This morning was my fifth opportunity of the season to hunt and being I had an itchy trigger finger and a Ruger GP100 that hadn't taken a whitetail yet, my targets would be any legal deer (a doe or a buck with 12" spread or 14" main beam).

I made my way into the mangled undergrowth in the darkness of the overcast skies. Even with a light, I couldn't see 10 yards around me. I found a big water-oak that had a large canopy area underneath which had a little more open area underneath. I'd seen several tracks leading to and around the this area, so decided to just have a seat up against a sweet-gum tree just 20 yards away. I knew visibility would be limited, but figured this would be as good a spot as any to rest from the 1.5 mile walk in and wait on the break of daylight that was 30 minutes away. I cleaned me out a spot, got comfortable, and took a little nap.

Once daybreak approached, several squirrels started emerging and making enough noise to wake me from my nap. Once it was legal shooting time, I began to do a few doe bleats just to see what may happen. I hit the bleat a couple time per minute for about 15 minutes, all the while a 20 oz. bottle of water I downed before the hike in, was REALLY beginning to work on me! It was now light enough I could see well enough to start my shouting/still hunt, not to mention I couldn't hold it any longer. I stood up and took four or five steps away from my AO to handle the situation. Just as it was beginning to feel much better, I looked up to see a young buck headed toward me. He was less than 50 yards and closing the distance fast! Being I was preoccupied, I just let him make his way within 15 yards downwind of me. I just knew he was about to smell me, snort, and end the whole episode. But to my surprise, he continued on with his mission. By this time, I was finished with my business and headed back to my revolver laying on my pack, while sliding down my Walkers Game Muffs. I didn't have time to get all nestled with shooting sticks and good rest, for he was fading fast in the tangled undergrowth. I picked out a small opening he was about to cross 35 yards away and give his a "HEY" to stop him. He obliged me with a quartering away shot as I cocked to GP. I had a comfortable two-handed (shoulder is doing better), standing, offhand stance as the 2x crosshairs settled on his lung area. I squeezed the trigger and sent a 180 Nosler Partition in his direction. He gave a quick mule-kick and stumbled for about 40 yards before ending his dance through the briars.

Man, did that happen quick! Looks like I won't be scouting today! Although I seen him fall, I still went to the scene of the crime to start the investigation. I like to blood trail even when I've seen them fall, it's just so much to learn from a blood trail and it keeps you skills honed. Although it didn't take much skill for this trail job. It was a significant amount of lung blood at the impact area...



...and it only got better as I went. At the end of the trail laid a nice young buck; the first for me of the season.



The bullet entered on his left side, just behind the shoulder...



...and exited on the offside shoulder...



The 180 NP was pushed with a max load of H110 and lit with a Winchester primer.

Congrats on a nice buck -- nice shooting! Happy New Year!

Congrats on the buck and christening the GP!

I'm pretty sure the pack out wasn't part of the shoulder rehab program...now get back in that shop and onto your next builds

Outstanding!!! Excellent story and well done.

You are the one who got me serious about using my GP for hunting. Glad to see you are continuing the journey.

I've just run the 158gr XTP out of mine for hunting so far. But, I want to try a 180gr WFN-FB cast bullet I have loaded up for it to compare the terminal performance of the two.

Again, nicely done.

Dur, It's not so bad packing out with an ATV.

Just can't use one to hunt; only retrieve.

Zee, It would be interesting to see how a cast would perform. I got a fair stash of the NP's and until they're gone, I'll not venture into any other bullet's for the .357; they're just awesome! I hate to see the day I fire the last one.

KRal,
Job well done!
Glad the shoulder is doing better.
357's work good on deer for sure.
I am still limited to lifting the weight of a coffee cup (With coffee in it...Thank goodness).

Great story. I once killed a young buck with a muzzleloader while performing the same duty you were on this hunt. It makes things interesting.

Congratulations!

Grats! Beautiful deer.

I stalk hunted an SMZ this morning and nestled down next to a big pine ... within 5 minutes I saw 5 deer.

You guys really have me itching for a .357.

With the right bullets and used within it's/your limitations, it's quiet effective and very pleasant to shoot compared to some of to big bores. I have a whole new perspective of the 357 mag on medium sized, thin skinned game.

Good on ya, Kim. Glad to see ya put that GeeP to use ;-)

Great job KRal! I have good news, Swift makes a 180 grain A Frame that should work well once your supply of Partitions are usd up!

Congrats, it's good to see you back after 'em!

Congrats on your buck. Thanks for sharing.

Nice buck. Good shooting with the GP100. Congratulations.

Your doing it to the max K-Man............

Way to go Kim. Take care of that shoulder,don't want to re injure it. Had both done in the past year,slower process getting back than we want.Hang in there!!!!

Nice job in that little buck. Has anyone tried the Barnes X bullet in the 357 Magnum on deer ?

I haven't, but SChunter has use it with good results.

Nice job and great story and pics.

I used it to take a mature doe two years ago, It was a 35 yard shot and she dropped right there.

I was shooting my GP100 with a six inch barrel.

Kim, great write up, and pics!

Nice deer. Congrats, and thanks for a great read.

Great job, Kim!

Thanks, gents.

Congratulations! Great story