Hi,
It is interesting, yet perplexing, to read about all the different ways we deer hunters have to hunt in different states.
Here in Georgia, and especially on my club, virtually EVERY hunter carries a centerfire rifle and always have. Most use .30-06, with an assortment of other good calibers (.270, 7mm Rem. Mag, .260 . . . even a .40-70). For backup rifles, I see a .30-06 Model 742, several .30-30s, a Ruger .44mag., a Savage .303, etc.
I'm the only one that primarily handgun hunts, and I use a Model 29 w/ Holosight. My rifle is a 1973 Remington 700LH in .270 . . . though just as often I'll tote my Ruger Deerfield carbine in .44mag w/ red dot sight.
SHOTGUNS?
The only one seen this year on the club was a day during the rut when I decided to tote my 1969 smoothbore Ithaca slug gun. It is sighted dead on at 100 yards and shoots a one-hole clover leaf at 100 yards! Devastating on the deer I've shot with it.
Frankly, the hunters in my club wouldn't think about toting a shotgun, or even a handgun cartridge (except me). Then again, in our deep Georgia woods, we don't have to worry about an errant shot traveling flat, and low to the ground and hitting something 1/2 mile away.
Each state has some crazy laws though. Mine allows all CENTERFIRE handguns . . . as long as the bullet is a hollowpoint. Can you imagine shooting a deer with a .32ACP hollowpoint? Yet, it is legal. Just as strange, the wonderful .44mag hard cast Keith-style flat nose bullet in 300 grain is NOT legal . . . though it is the most effective deer handgun bullet I've ever shot! Go figure!
Good luck up there with your proposed changes. I don't think you have much to worry about with the flatter-shootin' rifles . . . if folks ain't shooting towards houses and such! You'll learn to love what you've missed!!! Then again . . . us Georgia hunters would also fall in love with slug guns if we were "forced" to use 'em.
Hope you all have a great season!
T.
It is interesting, yet perplexing, to read about all the different ways we deer hunters have to hunt in different states.
Here in Georgia, and especially on my club, virtually EVERY hunter carries a centerfire rifle and always have. Most use .30-06, with an assortment of other good calibers (.270, 7mm Rem. Mag, .260 . . . even a .40-70). For backup rifles, I see a .30-06 Model 742, several .30-30s, a Ruger .44mag., a Savage .303, etc.
I'm the only one that primarily handgun hunts, and I use a Model 29 w/ Holosight. My rifle is a 1973 Remington 700LH in .270 . . . though just as often I'll tote my Ruger Deerfield carbine in .44mag w/ red dot sight.
SHOTGUNS?
The only one seen this year on the club was a day during the rut when I decided to tote my 1969 smoothbore Ithaca slug gun. It is sighted dead on at 100 yards and shoots a one-hole clover leaf at 100 yards! Devastating on the deer I've shot with it.
Frankly, the hunters in my club wouldn't think about toting a shotgun, or even a handgun cartridge (except me). Then again, in our deep Georgia woods, we don't have to worry about an errant shot traveling flat, and low to the ground and hitting something 1/2 mile away.
Each state has some crazy laws though. Mine allows all CENTERFIRE handguns . . . as long as the bullet is a hollowpoint. Can you imagine shooting a deer with a .32ACP hollowpoint? Yet, it is legal. Just as strange, the wonderful .44mag hard cast Keith-style flat nose bullet in 300 grain is NOT legal . . . though it is the most effective deer handgun bullet I've ever shot! Go figure!
Good luck up there with your proposed changes. I don't think you have much to worry about with the flatter-shootin' rifles . . . if folks ain't shooting towards houses and such! You'll learn to love what you've missed!!! Then again . . . us Georgia hunters would also fall in love with slug guns if we were "forced" to use 'em.
Hope you all have a great season!
T.