Georgia buck in the snow
#187400
12/12/2017 1:36 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374
cmnash
OP
veteran
|
OP
veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374 |
This Saturday I had the rare opportunity to shoot a Georgia deer in the snow. This is something I had never done before but very much wanted to. The chances to hunt or shoot a deer in the snow here are limited. The snow started falling on Friday, and on the way home from work I decided I WAS going to shoot a deer in the snow. The dawn broke over about 4 inches of wet snow covering the ground and clinging to all the limbs and branches. I was optimistic because I was sitting in a shooting house where I had previously seen several young bucks. There were fresh tracks made overnight. The snow continued to fall and the woods were loud with pine limbs snapping and clumps of snow dropping. The first sign of life was a coyote steady going somewhere. I "whooped" at him and he paused momentarily. I brought the MOA in .250 Savage to bear on him with every intention of shooting him, but he was just quick enough to escape . Late in the morning I saw a single deer headed my way. There was no hesitation. If it had antlers, I was going to shoot. As the deer entered a narrow shooting lane, a glimpse of antler confirmed my decision and grunted with my mouth. The small buck froze at about 65 yards. The MOA was leveled, the hammer drawn, the safety moved, and crosshairs were settled. A 100 grain Ballistic tip was sent on its way... This shot was a test for the .250 and Ballistic Tip. A quatering toward angle behind a bough of pine draping heavily with snow is the exact scenario I would avoid with this gun and ammo. I was nervous. I invited my wife and son to join me in tracking and blood trailing in the snow. There was blood and hair at the start but the blood was sometimes sparse along the trail. No worries though, the buck was piled up within 75 yards. My family helped me drag then hang this buck where we skinned and quartered it. We then packed it in a cooler stuffed with snow. That was the point of shooting this deer- the total experience shared by my whole family. As for the Ballistic Tip; not a problem. The bullet did in fact strike a limb just prior to hitting the deers shoulder, evidenced by the large entance wound. There was carnage in the onside, but the bullet had the integrity and steam to penetrate one lung and the liver . The Nosler made it to the offside just under the skin. There was plenty of hemorrhaged blood in the chest cavity. There is nothing wrong with shooting a deer with a .250 Savage and Ballistic Tips.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: cmnash]
#187402
12/12/2017 1:39 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 525
Brenden
addict
|
addict
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 525 |
Good job man. It's great you and your family could share this together.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Brenden]
#187404
12/12/2017 1:48 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730
Mark Hampton
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730 |
Good job with the MOA - Congrats! Nice experience with your family.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Mark Hampton]
#187405
12/12/2017 1:57 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861
Franchise
Distinguished Expert
|
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861 |
I can't wait to hunt with again in March Matthew! Congratulations on a very successful hunt...adding to memories that last a lifetime
The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Franchise]
#187407
12/12/2017 2:22 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,556
junebug
Gun Slinger
|
Gun Slinger
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,556 |
Nice! I especially like the picture of you and your son dragging the deer. ,Priceless memories!
junebug
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: junebug]
#187408
12/12/2017 3:00 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 465
WiseGuy
addict
|
addict
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 465 |
Well done! Nothing like being able to hunt in the snow. Its a rare treat for us southern boys
Bigger ain't always better....according to who???
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: cmnash]
#187410
12/12/2017 3:21 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608 |
There is nothing wrong with shooting a deer with a .250 Savage and Ballistic Tips. Indeed. I have always like the nosler BT 120 in 7mm. Congrat's on a successful hunt!
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: s4s4u]
#187411
12/12/2017 4:55 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
Shooting Expert
|
Shooting Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020 |
Nice shooting and good job on that buck. I have a 2 week time on our property in january to take spikes and does. I love taking them almost as much as a nice 10pt!! Congrats!
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: tradmark]
#187412
12/12/2017 6:57 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,461
pab1
Distinguished Expert
|
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,461 |
Experience is the best teacher, hunger good sauce. Osborne Russell Journal of a Trapper
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: pab1]
#187417
12/12/2017 11:03 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,332
Randy M
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,332 |
Congrats. That's awesome.
The meat won't fry if the lead don't fly.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#187419
12/12/2017 11:13 AM
|
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,596
racksmasher1
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,596 |
WTG Matthew, looking forward to seeing you again in March.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#187421
12/12/2017 11:15 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209
REDHAWK1954
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209 |
Congrats on a snow buck. I lived in Augusta Ga for nine years and hunted in Burke county and never once got to hunt in the snow. Since I moved to North Carolina 30 years ago I have hunted in the snow several times taking two or three deer in it. The snow makes tracking easy and a lot of fun.
Michael Joe Moore
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#187427
12/12/2017 2:24 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 746
cherokeetracker
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 746 |
Really cool pics. That was an awesome hunt.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#187428
12/12/2017 2:32 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
Congrats, Matt! I think killing a deer in the snow is a dream of every hunter in the Deep South; it's just such a rare opportunity for us. Usually if were lucky enough to get some snow, it's after hunting season closes.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#187433
12/12/2017 3:55 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715
jamesfromjersey
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715 |
very nice....congratulations
Life member-NRA-SCI Member-HHI #2900-HHASA #067 Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s "I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: jamesfromjersey]
#187434
12/12/2017 3:58 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,205
KYODE
Shooting Expert
|
Shooting Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,205 |
That is wonderful!
I sat in a snow storm one time here. I was up in a pine tree surrounded by its branches and somewhat protected. It was great.....other than i didnt see a dang thang lol.
Kentucky….no place like home.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#187436
12/12/2017 4:24 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 34
Curly
newbie
|
newbie
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 34 |
Congrats, that snow sure make dragging a breeze
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#187442
12/12/2017 7:37 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 554
ratgunner
addict
|
addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 554 |
Hunt hard,Shoot straight,Kill clean,Apologize to no one.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: ratgunner]
#187444
12/12/2017 9:17 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 244
Mad Dog 1954
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 244 |
OUTSTANDING what a great time. Family is everything
Sometimes it is entirely appropriate to kill a fly with a 12 pound sledgehammer!
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: cmnash]
#187450
12/12/2017 11:31 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374
cmnash
OP
veteran
|
OP
veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374 |
Thanks for the compliments. I am glad you guys get what I saw in this hunt.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: cmnash]
#187461
12/13/2017 2:32 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27
PinkTC
newbie
|
newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27 |
Correction, It should read: My family helped me drag then hang this buck where my wife skinned it and helped me quarter it. Lol!
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: PinkTC]
#187463
12/13/2017 3:02 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 543
ruger4570
addict
|
addict
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 543 |
Congrats. Great pics and story. We usually have snow now, and haven't had any yet. Go figure...
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: ruger4570]
#187479
12/13/2017 1:37 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
Distinguished Master
|
Distinguished Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512 |
The 100 NBT has always worked well for me in 25's. Great story--Congrats!
Ernie the Un-Tactical
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Ernie]
#187480
12/13/2017 2:13 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 366
JDK
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 366 |
Very cool! Being in Texas, I've once hunted in snow, but it wasn't as much as you had. I wish I could have been hunting in the thick blanket we just had, but I missed it by a day. My son hunts with a .257 Roberts in non +P form. The load uses a regular old Speer 120 grain Hot-Cor, but man does it work. It is like a death ray. I imagine the velocities are probably pretty close to yours. Congrats!
John
But for the grace of God, there, I go.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: junebug]
#187486
12/13/2017 3:28 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 89
SGalan
journeyman
|
journeyman
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 89 |
Nice! I especially like the picture of you and your son dragging the deer. ,Priceless memories! I agree entirely. A keeper.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#187489
12/13/2017 5:23 PM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,500
reflex264
Gun Slinger
|
Gun Slinger
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,500 |
"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#187510
12/14/2017 12:32 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 601
PsTaN
addict
|
addict
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 601 |
The amount of snow that fell here in SW Alabama was really surprising to me. I'd say probably 5" of snow at my house. I hunted Saturday afternoon and specifically went to a field I knew would have a great deal of melt and expose some grass. Sure enough, the field filled with deer, but nothing I wanted to shoot.
What I found really cool was the Time Lapse images on my trail cam. I feel like I learned a little watching how the deer fed during that weather.
Grats to you on that deer. Certainly an experience us Deep South guys dont get often!!
PsTaN
-Smith & Wesson Model 69 -Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter -Encore Pro Hunter
"Hold your horses, the elephants are coming, and out stamped Alabama"
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#187798
12/22/2017 2:21 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
Shooting Expert
|
Shooting Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359 |
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: Randy M]
#188113
12/31/2017 5:02 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 685
Boartuff
addict
|
addict
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 685 |
Way to go! Gotta love the snow!
~BT~
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: cmnash]
#188114
12/31/2017 12:15 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920
billa
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920 |
Great story. Congratulations on your snow buck. I great memory for the entire family.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,... " Matthew 28:19
Handgun hunter since 1979 - haven't used a rifle since! HHI member #992, NRA, SCI.
|
|
|
Re: Georgia buck in the snow
[Re: billa]
#188171
01/02/2018 5:42 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 526
sw282
addict
|
addict
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 526 |
0nce again you are on target... Scoring a ''Perfect Forty''..
With the whole family cheering you on..
''H A P P Y-N E W-Y E A R-2 0 1 8''
|
|
|
|
0 registered members (),
35
guests, and 1
spider. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|