Thanksgiving day Doe that surprized me.

[EdinCT]

I have had a poor season deer hunting and hadn't killed any. I usually have 2-3 by this time. Well I had evidence of a small buck behind the house but had put 4 or more days in several trees during archery season with no sightings along rub lines.
I hunted a friends farm 2 miles down the road and saw two but couldn't get a shot because of brush.
Well Thanksgiving day my wife asked me to be home by 10 am to help prepare for the folks coming so I went out back and thought I'll take in the morning and be out by 9:30.
Around 8:40 I look over my shoulder and see a large doe traveling behind me. I had my 45/70 loaded with 300 gr Speers over 50 gr of Reloader 7 and took a shot that missed! I levered a second and got out on her neck and fired. She piled right there. I was surprised in two ways One I missed the first easier shot, Second I cranked around the tree and killed it on a full run on the second.
When I walked up to her I thought what a hoss of a doe and grabbed a hind leg to put it out of a thicket and saw it wasn't a doe but a 2 1/2year old buck most likely and for the first time getting a good look at its head it appeared to have damaged its antlers while in velvet.
At first I thought hate to put a buck tag on this but then reminded myself its a buck, if I had really looked I should of seen what was left of the antlers. I hunt for venison 1st and the Lord blessed me on Thanksgiving with meat so I better be thankful!

[Les Staley]

Congrats on the freezer filler. I took one on Thanksgiving morning, too. A husky 6oint walked across the meadow right where I had my camp trailer set up about 90 yds out and I piled him up. Short drag! I was alone for the day, as my son and his buddy were coming up that evening, so was thankful for the close to camp success!

[Les Staley]

Here's a picture.

[EdinCT]

That's a nice eating buck also Les. I see I am not the only one to tape up a stainless rifle. I have one of the first inlines T/C came out with and taped as much as I could because it felt like a neon sign in the woods. I am using my 338 for a cow elk hunt at the end of the month and thought maybe I should tape that one also, While I like the idea of stainless rifles I have got to admit they seem to shine bright in the sun.

[JOHNNY WACKO]

again Red Green would be proud of you guys.That rack must have got hit by a bus or something.but the meat will be the same.
congrats to you both.

[Sixgun]

Good shootin' guys. ...a neck shot with a 300 gr. going 1800....never knew what hit him.----6

[Pete44ru]

While I like the idea of stainless rifles I have got to admit they seem to shine bright in the sun.

IMO, they stand out even more in the dim twilight hours, early & late in the day, when deer seem to move the most.

Nice harvest's, fella's - I passed on a few skipper's this year, but fortunately can count on my Son for some donated venison (he takes several each year via archery, within our state's 8 deer limit).

I have hopes of connecting with a mature whitetail during our short (1 week) late antlerless season, after Christmas Day.


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[hondo1892]

Good shooting Ed. I shot a little spike one year thinking it was a doe. I hunt for meat also and would like to get a doe before season is over. Good eating and hope you have more luck.