Seems like this took forever to come together.

We had a cold front move in yesterday, and it snowed all day today. I placed my ground blind under an overhanging tree by the fence on the edge of the field, where the land owner reported to still see deer coming out into the field in the evenings.

Around 2:30, three does walked just inside the treeline on the opposite side of the field. While I had a few chances to take a shot at 147 yards, I decided to pass, and see if the Big Six Pointer would come out, like the owner had foretold he would.

At 4:00 the small six pointer ran out into the middle of the field and stopped, presenting an 88 yard shot. I just couldn't pass up this perfect opportunity, so I rested the Encore on my DIY shooting sticks and sent the 154gr, jsp down range. Connecting with the intended precision, he kicked, sprinted, and fell just 30 yards away by the closest tree.

Upon field dressing the buck, the performance of the 7.62X39 revealed that both lungs had been collapsed by the complete pass through of the bullet.

Just got the meat in the cooler, and the gun cleaned. Time to celebrate my farthest deer harvest with a handgun, and get ready for the next hunt, this weekend. It is very gratifying when all the practice comes together and the confidence is there when it's time to make the shot. Even though he's not the largest buck I've taken, he is the one taken with the most time spent in preparation and I'm proud of this little buck.

Nicely done, Marine! Congratulations!!

Thanks Max.

Congratulations on your hand gunned buck, you earned it.

Dick

Congrats. The 7.62x39 is a very under rated round.

Very nicely done. Congrats!!

WTG, good shooting on your first buck!

Good going!

That's awesome. Congrats on a fine whitetail and your furthest shot made!

Well done -- congrats!

Conratulations!

Congrats and good shooting.

Thanks guys, the Big Six Pointer still roams that area, so there is hope for this Friday to be successful as well.

Congrats!

Glad you got it done!
Congrats!

Congrats on the buck and very cool hunt. I never would have considered 7.62x39 for a pistol hunt. very cool

Horns don't matter a lot. You're doing with handguns what most of the hunters in the US wouldn't think about doing. Every deer I shoot with a handgun, I consider a trophy.
Way to go.

Nicely done. Its gratifying when all the preparation and practice pays off.As Doc said horn size doesn't matter they are all trophy's.

Thanks again guys, and I agree, the meat is my trophy and the antlers are for the memories.

Well done and good shooting!

Great Job!

WTG! Congratulations!

The bottom picture of you say`s it all.............

Congrats. Great job and great pics and story.

Great Hunt!!

Grats

Congratulations!