With some snow on the ground and being the last week of deer season, I've taken a few evenings to get out the Lil'Monster and do some LR hunting. So far I've been seeing only does and one small legal buck. But I've set a limit 350yds for a shot...anything closer than 350yds gets a free pass (unless its a monster buck then all limits are OFF!) and that little fella was at 266yds. Well last night was the start of some nasty weather but the game was moving!!

First I saw some small does at 490yds. Just as I lowered the binos I spotted a black dot to the right...and he was within range (under 600yds). The only problem was that bear season is before Thanksgiving...I had the range and wind dialed and ready to rock and roll! So I just kept snapping the trigger on an empty chamber and saying BANG! Quite pathetic but I had fun!

Now for the buck...well, someone bounced him from an island of cover in the middle of a strip job I was watching. The cover is within my shooting range so had he not been spooked and I waited him out, I may have had a chance. When he ran passed my 488yds landmark, the ol'boy was running about eleventy-two hundred miles per hour!! I had the binos on him long enough to know he was SURELY a dandy buck in my book.

Back at it tomorrow....weather permitting!

Good teaser Dan!
Hope you get him.
E

Go gettem Dan

LOL<LOL No comment.

The wind was whipping this AM so I just stayed in and caught up on some real work...the kind that pays! Maybe this evening I'll give it a go and see what happens. If not, I'll surely be out tomorrow with Rick to do our annual "Last Friday Drive". I'm good for meat so don't really even care if I get a buck (not that I ever do get concerned with it, I just like pulling ther trigger and seeing deer fall over!)...but Rick has not taken anything this year and got blanked last year. So we'll mainly be trying to fill his doe and buck tag.

As for the nice buck...if he' still running, he likely getting to wyote's by now! That big guy was steepin'n'fetchin like his arse was on fire and his head was catchin'!!

anything closer than 350 yds gets a free pass.Your not hunting you are using deer for target practice,but if its a buck you will shoot it closer .you get braggin rights on a buck but does dont matter .game animals arent made for practice, steel and paper are.I have a lot more respect for the guys that get closer and shoot at 40 yds,they are hunting,and have some respect for the game animals they hunt.Ishoot long range also but its not on the game animals i hunt ,on them I have enough respect to get close.

junebug....you can beat the "your not hunting" drum until your arms get tired...don't bother me a bit. I have enough meat in the freezer to last the year, I did not need another animal. If I did get the opportunity to take one of my choosing it would be donated to the needy.

I've harvested a pile of animals at ranges closer than 40yds....heck, make that 30yds with a stick and string...and mostly before I was 20yrs old. Even took an elk with a bow at age 14. My largest buck fell victim to a .30 Herrett and 60yds. I still hunted and took it under its own terms. The next largest was shot at 12yds with a bow.

BTW...target practice starts at 500yds. 350yds is a chip shot.

Now a question for you. My dad an brother have taken some dandy bucks from their enclosed and heated treehouse. Dusty took his largest with a iron sighted .44 Magnum lever action carbine at 30yds....while he was toasting a sandwich on the heater...then pulled the truck around to load it by the stand. Does that make him a better hunter? At least I packed in 1.25 miles and had to drag mine.

I'm not trying to start a debate but you are acting all high and mighty. We are all hunters, you do it your way and I'll do it mine.

Have a good evening.

BTW...my doe tags were already used.....all I had left was a buck tag.

I'm an equal opportunity shooter.....I buy tags to use, not carry around. If I have a tag, you had better watch out!

I'm an equal opportunity shooter.....I buy tags to use, not carry around. If I have a tag, you had better watch out! [/quote]

Me too-- I do my best to wait on the larger older bucks and such but some times you just need to fill the ice box.

The hunting part is what is challenging to you if you like the XP @ 500 or a bow @ 15 just does not matter. Give the game fair chase and do what you enjoy.

We want pictures... LOL

Turns out that big buck was bigger than I had thought...I just saw NICE antlers running across a field at 500yds. I spoke to the landowner...he's an 18 point w/ an estimated 24" spread. He would know...the buck comes into his feeder and beds in the pine trees by his house almost nightly.

Find the entry/exit trails-sneak in there and drop the gauntlet on the ol'boy. Do it at close range and make em'all happy...

Dan, you go and get that buck, at any range that YOU PERSONALLY FEEL is ethical for you and your equipment's abilities/capabilities.

junebug, everybody has their opinion, and I respect yours as much as anybody's. Please take a look at this youtube video: it may give you a little insight into the long range hunting question:

http://www.youtube.com/user/stallionwest#p/u/0/GEfsnEp8jGk

And if that peaks your interest, try this one also:

http://www.youtube.com/user/stallionwest#p/u/6/e-Msh4RSXts

Sincerely, Gregg Richter

That ole boy will make it until next year unless a late season archer or smokepoler gets lucky.

Yikes that was shots over the bow! Good luck to all of you either way. I used to get a lot of sermon about hunting w/ANY handgun being unethical & marginal & no respect for the game etc. Yet here we all are. I'm a revolver under 150 yards guy only because I like revolvers. Makes me miss my 7-30 Tender.

Not sure what you mean, but please don't think I was blasting archers or smokepolers...I respect all forms of hunters.

Nah just meant more for your earlier dissenter. It takes all kinds as I think Richter was saying. Hats off to you if you can hit critters at that range. I was also pointing out that as handgunning started out lots of people had negative comments. I still get comments from a retired police sniper friend of mine. He doesn't care for handgun hunting or archery. For me my 7-30 was long range compared to my revolvers. Just perspective. Good hunting!

Good reply Dan
I also choose "not" to hunt, I can't really see the point of buying a M.O.A. .350 RM, loading it to max, only to shoot 40 yards. Although I do like them up close and personal with my SBH Hunter, .44 mag.
I get those replies about LR shooting on another forum all the time, I believe the whinners just can't pull it off, and to them I say, thanks for knowing your limitations!
Denny

Exactly......YOUR limitations and not MY limitations! So don't impose YOUR "ethics" onto MY hunting style.

Come on Dan, Tell us how you really feel

Maybe I need sensitivity training in the new year? That would work great but I think the therapist would irritate me!!

Depending on how much you are willing to pay per hour, I may be willing to help

You already know I am irritating, so no surprises there

OK.....can I schedule my first session in June....say near Sundance. With the second session in October in the area of Middle Prong Road??

I'll come along as intermediary, as I don't want the fun to be had by just the two of you.

Now all we need to settle is the hourly rate......

Odd, very few people are willing to travel this far for therapy. Almost makes me wonder if there is an ulterior motive????

Not sure what to say about the rate...but as for the travel, it must just be the quality of the company!!

Now, if you are talking about someone riding with you, I understand the statement.
But, if you are talking about traveling by yourself, I will choose not to comment

Hehe-Haha...you are a funny man Ernie B. (Insert your favorite tone of sarcasim here).

I know, I know--I am a goofball, but a goofball who enjoys having fun...

OOOHHHRRRAAAHHHH!!