What I learned on my first hunting trip...

[Tomekeuro85]

First, I learned that you can have a .000003 MOA rifle that shoots 0.1" groups at 500 yards, but when a deer is running full speed through a field, it doesn't mean much if you have never shot at a moving target before.

Secondly, don't use full zoom on a 24x scope. Its kindof hard to find anything at that zoom level.

Third, I found out that in wisconsin, 80% of the deer are killed in the first 2 days of hunting season. I went on the last 2 days, and saw 3 deer the whole 16 hours of sitting, and those were the 3 deer in one herd that were running full speed.

Oh well, at least I learned something from this trip. Next year im coming back with a deer for sure.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Running deer

Tomekeuro 85--The rule of thumb for most hunters should be, "If a deer is running, you've already lost it--let it go, whole and uninjured."

I work the Running Deer target at my club's annual Deer Hunter Sight-In event, so have seen lots more people shoot at a "running deer" than most. The hits are almost all just luck, and in non-lethal areas like legs, gut, etc. And this was a target running smoothly on cables, not bouncing like real deer do when they run.

it doesn't mean much if you have never shot at a moving target before.

You have it right. If you plan to take shots like that, you have to practice shots like that. True for ANY shot.

Bottom line: Shooting at any living thing, in the hope of maybe winging it, is just plain unethical.

at least I learned something from this trip.

We generally learn more from our failures than from our successes. Glad you got out hunting. Glad you're not discouraged!

 

['Card]

...when a deer is running full speed through a field, it doesn't mean much if you have never shot at a moving target before.

To tell you the truth, it doesn't mean all that much even when you've practiced with moving targets. If they'd just run straight and level without all that irritating jumping around it'd be a lot easier. I've been doing this a long time, and anymore about the only time I'll shoot at a running deer is if I've already wounded it and I'm trying to put it down, or if it's running straight at me. Anything else is just too low-percentage for me to feel good about it. I'm not really one of those folks who rants a lot about "ethical hunting" and only taking shots I'm 100% sure of either - I just don't like wasting bullets.

...saw 3 deer the whole 16 hours of sitting...

Hey, man - at least you got to shoot at something. I spent a solid week in the woods this year without ever firing a shot. I spent all my time busting thickets and flushing deer that other people shot. Don't get me wrong, my Dad and my son each got one, so it was a great year for me, but a little frustrating to carry that heavy boom-stick around all week without ever making a ruckus with it.

...don't use full zoom on a 24x scope.

Holy cow, man. Were you planning on shooting into the next county? In my part of the world we'd call that a telescope.

Next year im coming back with a deer for sure.

Careful now. The Hunting Gods frown on those kinds of statements.

 

[MDHunter]

Welcome to the World of Hunting

Glad to have you, and welcome to the world of the wild outdoors! Now let's get you ready for next year's hunt:

- 24x is WAY too much glass for anything but long-range varminting, for deer hunting go with a fixed power 4x or 6x, or a 2-8x or 3-9x variable.

- If you opt for a variable scope, always keep it on the lowest power. It's easier to pick up animals in the scope on low power, and if the deer is far enough away to need more magnification, you'll probably have time to crank up the power.

- As for range practice - you may already do this, but be sure to spend most of your time practicing shots in hunting positions - sitting, kneeling, and offhand.

- What Card said! Never say "next year I'll get one for sure", that's the fastest way to guarantee that the Goddess of Bad Luck stops by to pay you a visit!

Glad you enjoyed your time in the woods, and best of luck next Fall.

Michael

 

[BIGR]

How long was your deer season? Thats a bummer that its already over with. Next year will be a good year for you. I have good years and lean years.
Its open near the house here until DEC.9 but where I lease land its open til JAN.1. I hunted 10 days and saw about 28 deer and killed a six point because it was the biggest buck I saw. They were in rut and I was waiting on the big one. I will go back in mid December but the hunting will be alot different then. That trip will be for meat.