2022 Deer Pics/Chatter/Excuses

[undeg01]

Some of you members should take out some Veterans!

I was fortunate to go hunting for the first time in my life. I haven't shot a bolt-action rifle since my time in the military under Clinton as I am not a hunter, and I didn't want to spend much money on a rifle, scope, or equipment. I ended up buying a Savage Axis (Nov 22) and purchased a cheap Nikon scope when they were on clearance about a year or so ago. Anyways when I went to go buy ammo it was in short supply, so I ordered some online for the hunt. When I went to sight in my rifle I had 40 rounds. I shot 34 rounds at 25 feet or so. Then 3 rounds at 150, and 3 rounds at 200 yards. It was warm enough that I didn't have on a jacket, or a hat, and had a rest to practice with.

Went hunting last weekend and it rained Friday and Saturday. It stopped right around dusk, so we went out for about 30 minutes Saturday night and didn't see a thing. Sunday morning we went out before dusk and sat out there and saw nothing. Shortly before we were about to call it a coyote came out, so I asked if they are a nuisance and was told not really but if I wanted to shoot it go ahead, but I didn't. So we waited a few more minutes and then right when we were about to pack up, I saw a buck. I was told to wait until he gets by the feeder away from the trees, head up, and where to aim. I was waiting for the perfect shot. It was about 200 yards, I was in the blind and EVERYTHING I didn't account for at the range was now a factor.

The blind was cramped, I now had on a hat, and jacket, I wasn't shooting straight forward, but now out a side window. So I took my time and went through all my training, breathing, finger placement, etc. I took the shot. As soon as I took the shot the deer jumped, then began to sprint about 15 feet, I thought I missed him because of this, and then stopped abruptly, then had a wobble. I had a good clean shot and got him right where I was aiming for. I was surprised because of the cheap rifle, and cheap scope. Big white tail about 250 lbs, 6-point, thick antlers.

That looks like an old buck. Congrats!

 

[Bocephus123]

Nice buck! Savage axis is a great rifle

Yep can't go wrong with savage!

 

[retrieverman]

I wanted the Savage 110 but I couldn't find one in 308. So I found this Axis, it wasn't the run-of-the-mill but not the one I wanted. The bolt isn't as smooth as I would like it to be, and the factory rings aren't as high as I want them to be.

Very nice buck!!! Congrats!!!

I’ve never owned an Axis, but every complaint you have about your rifle is fixable. You can buy different height scope ring about anywhere. Oil up the bolt and operate it over and over while you watch TV, and I bet you’ll be surprised how it smooths out.

 

[DB44]

Very nice buck!!! Congrats!!!

I’ve never owned an Axis, but every complaint you have about your rifle is fixable. You can buy different height scope ring about anywhere. Oil up the bolt and operate it over and over while you watch TV, and I bet you’ll be surprised how it smooths out.

You can also use a little bit of valve lapping compound on the bolt to smooth it up.

 

[Dr. HK]

That looks like an old buck. Congrats!

I am 6'1'' 300lbs for size reference.

 

[Hangfire]

I was taking a leak once while hunting and had a legal deer casually walk out of a thicket no more than 30 yds. in front of me and never even glance my way......I just let go of myself and ever so slowly started reaching for my rifle and got busted big time.

Ever had something like this happen ?

 

[Okie4570]

I was taking a leak once while hunting and had a legal deer casually walk out of a thicket no more than 30 yds. in front of me and never even glance my way......I just let go of myself and ever so slowly started reaching for my rifle and got busted big time.

Ever had something like this happen ?


View attachment 325239

I would be more concerned with the charging beaver at the bottom of the pic!

 

[dlbleak]

One of the first nice deer that came off our place was a friend of mine that shot with his pants down. It’s still his best deer to this day.

 

[BobbyV]

After filling my two rifle “tags” on the 22nd, I wandered the woods until I found a hunting spot the prior two owners used. Prior trips looking at Realtor photos (with lots of bucks and landscape hints), aerial maps, and flights with my eldest’s drone were unsuccessful. Success was realized when I noted a metallic glint in a tree top; it was from an old tree stand. I subsequently fired up the brush hog, pole saw, and tracked down a feeder that should be almost maintenance free and will hopefully make for happy deer until I return from AZ. I’m using a mix of Buck Seduction deer feed and corn.

View attachment 324592

FYI . . . 1250 lb capacity feeders with buck seduction last maybe a month or so at my brother's place if the deer are hitting it hard. It's crazy how much we've gone through this season.

 

[BobbyV]

Wow. The previous owners left that feeder? Score!

The last place my brother bought the previous owner left 4 of All Season Feeders you see in my pics and 3 elevated shooting huts/houses. And several stands as well.