Safety Zone

[alxshml]

Looking at a new location for next years Ohio deer season. I know it's early but this would be the first year I am hunting by myself. I have deer hunted on my cousin's land for the last few years, as he introduced me to deer hunting.

I want to set up a blind in a small patch of trees along a creek, overlooking a large grass field. There are houses apprx. 675 yards on the other side of the field. It is completely flat. Using a 12 gauge slug or inline muzzleloader, would 675 yd be enough of a "comfort" zone to contain any miss? I feel like it may be too close, but I am looking for some opinions.

 

[Grumulkin]

Considering the ballistics of muzzle loaders and shotguns, if you're shooting on level ground at a deer, the projectiles are going to hit the ground long before they reach 675 yards. If you set up a tree stand so you're shooting down even a little bit, you'll even be safer. Also, even "flat" ground many times has a little rise or fall to it, so if you're shooting toward a little rise, there will be even less likelihood of a bullet getting where it isn't supposed to be.

The conditions you speak of are, by the way, Ohio only allows the use of muzzleloaders, handguns with straight walled cartridges and shotguns during deer gun season.

Also, you may reconsider where you're thinking of setting up your blind. As I see it, deer are going to be more likely to follow the creek and be in the trees rather than out in an open field. If you set up by the creek you may ruin your chances of getting one. It might be better to set up your blind out in the field.

 

[matrem]

Using a 12 gauge slug or inline muzzleloader, would 675 yd be enough of a "comfort" zone to contain any miss?

No way.. As alluded to in post # 2 , assuming you have a safe direction on the other side of the creek, I'd much rather be about 600-625 yds from those houses and shooting away from them.
I'd prefer to be "somewhat inside range" of that small patch of trees, than right in it.

 

[stsimons]

A typical 12 gauge foster type slug drops about 8 ft at 300-350 yds when zeroed at 100 yds... it should hit the dirt long before you are out of your "safety zone"

 

[Shadow 7D]

And then bounce and skip and.....

Best set up kill zones where you know your back stop and are comfortable shooting

 

[stsimons]

Unless you are shooting on concrete, or maybe water "bouncing and skipping" should be of no concern to you... unless you are actually aiming 6ft high for whatever reason...

 

[matrem]

Unless you are shooting on concrete, or maybe water "bouncing and skipping" should be of no concern to you...

Or maybe a rock.. or a hurried shot.. or a ..... ????

NOT worth the risk.

 

[stsimons]

To be absolutely safe its best to use a bow...

However, if you are going to hunt with a gun and want something with a projectile that carries the least distance with the most energy a 12 gauge smoothbore slug gun is your go to weapon.

 

[janobles14]

no way youll hit these houses unless you try. be aware and shoot away

 

[Sunray]

"...feel like it may be too close..." Well done for even thinking about it. You should be ok though. Slugs and ML bullets don't carry far.
A grassed field isn't that great anyway. A corn or soy bean field would be better.
Bambi doesn't eat grass. He tries to avoid crossing big open fields too.
"...the other side of the field..." Prevailing winds come from that direction? Winds from the side are ok. Not as good as in your face, but a cross wind will do.