Took my first Deer

[txgolfer45]

Went hunting with some buddies last weekend. We were in Palo Pinto County in Texas. It is post rut. We didn't see any deer on Saturday. But, Sunday morning, just as the sun came up, I see three forms. I think they are deer. But, not sure. I wait a little while longer. Look through my scope and sure enough, three does about 75 yds out. I pick the largest of the three. Line up my shot. Bam! I only see two deer scatter. I wait awhile, then go over and there it was. It dropped right there. Clean shot right behind the shoulder.

Now I want a buck!! I think I'm hooked!!!

Oh yeah, my rifle is a Remington 700 ADL in .270 with a Leopold VX-I 3-9X40 scope. I used a 130 gr. Remington Express Core-Lokt cartridge.

Scott

 

[Intune]

Well done! Fresh, healthy meat in the freezer!

 

[dakotasin]

and to add to intune's post: yes, you are now hooked. for life.

even if you kill a decent buck tomorrow, there's a better one out there somewhere. and after you kill that one, you'll want to try a spot and stalk hunt. and after that, a still hunt, and after...

congrats on your deer, i hope that is the first in a long string of deer for ya!

 

[444]

Congrats on your first deer. If you are anything like me, you will enjoy each hunt as much as you did the first one.

One minor point and I hope you don't take it the wrong way: "I see three forms. I think they are deer. But, not sure. I wait a little while longer. Look through my scope and sure enough, three does about 75 yds out. "
Please don't use your rifle scope to spot game: this is a violation of Rule #2: Neve3r let the muzzle cover (or point at) anything you are not willing to destroy. You thought they were deer, but wern't sure. If it turned out that they wern't deer, you would be pointing a loaded rifle at whatever it was. This would be where binoculars come into play.
I had heard this for years and thought it was sound advice, but several years ago, I had this actually happen to me: We were elk hunting with a party of four. Me and my buddy who I had hunted with since childhood and two other guys who we just met that night that took us to the area. I was sitting on a hillside that moring when one of these guys came walking along a ridge. I waved to let him know I was there and he raised his rifle to look at me though the scope. It was very unsettling. I didn't know if he was going to shoot (at the movement) or what he was going to do. I never really thought about how it felt to be sitting in someone elses crosshairs before-not knowing if you were about to be killed.

Not trying to put you down or diminish your enjoyment in the least. Glad you had fun and glad to welcome another hunter to the ranks.

 

[griz]

Congratulations!

 

[txgolfer45]

444,

Yeah, you are right. However, in some defense, we were on private land. The only ones on the property hunting, the safety was definitely off and my finger wasn't anywhere near the trigger until I was ready to take the shot. Binoculars are on my list for next year.

Scott

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

Congrats! I don't think of there being that many deer in Palo Pinto county--I was wrong!

 

[BIGR]

Great job. Just hang in there and hunt hard. The bucks will come with time.

 

[txgolfer45]

Palo Pinto County has plenty of deer. As does Eastland and other counties around there. It's all private land. So, you need to get permission from the landowner or buy a hunting lease. In my case, I went with a buddy who's family owns land there and in Eastland County.

Scott

 

[Guyon]

Good job. Congratulations!

 

[Flynt]

Congrats from another Texan

You're lucky you've got friends with land. Hunting leases are getting more and more expensive in the Lone Star state!

 

[bvmjethead]

Congrats on the deer.

[soapbox mode]

BUT, private land or no private land,

Never let the muzzle cover (or point at) anything you are not willing to destroy.

There is no room for but's, shoulda, coulda or woulda's in that rule for a reason.

I don't care where your trigger finger was either.

Rules, ESPECIALLY safe weapon handling rules are in place for a reason.

Follow them, please.

When you said "you are right." that should have been the end of the discussion all that you said after that statement of fact was excuses and your way of not taking responsibility for a glaring error on your part.

[/soapbox mode]

Congratulations on the deer.

 

[txgolfer45]

Given the situation and circumstances (you weren't there), I feel I was acting in a safe manner. As I stated before, I did not have my finger on the trigger until I was sure of my target and was ready to fire.