Illinois Opening Weekend

[zakjak221]

We had a bad opening weekend in Illinois, guys.
It was warm,windy--12 mph at 6:00 AM gusting to 24 by 11:00 pm and staying til 8-900pm.
Deer were very skitish and stayed in the deep woods,if they moved at all.
My oldest son, Zach happened to be in a good spot yesterday morning and shot this 8 ptr around 7 am.
His shot was 140 yds and was quartering away.
Bullet went through ahead of the rear legs (must of hit a branch) and caught the major artery that runs through the top of the rear legs.
I've never seen a deer hit like this. He ony went about 10 yds and body cavity was filled with blood. Very weird but effective.
Anyway bullet was under hide on opposite side.
Gun is stock Savage laminate SS-bedded/pillared by Richard, 250 gr XTP/short black MMP/45 gr's 5744.
The reason I'm posting this is the bullet performance.
Very nice mushroom, good weight retention (237.3 gr) and this is the 7th deer Zach has taken with this bullet and great results. All others were DRT! ;D

[12ptdroptine]

Nice deer. That femor artery back there sure will bleed them out fast.Yup sure was blowing... I had 4 in front of me a 140 yds.. Just didnt want to chance it with a 25mph cross wind. Then went out again Sat evening. Same group passed through again with a couple more lorger doe's Just moving to fast and to windy to chance it...There is still next season. Maybe it will be cold enough that they will need to feed more. My fingers are crossed.

[zakjak221]

Funny you say that Drop.
This same deer (he thinks) came by opening day Friday, in the Morning within 15 min. of Sat. morning.
He shot at deer Fri & Sat AM and connected on Sat. with the "Hail Mary" femoral shot.
Hunting with your kids, Priceless! ;D

Mark

[Deleted]

A buck in the truck is always a good thing....,especially when the deer ain't moving cuz of the weather........Way to Go....... he'll eat very well.
How much more of a season do you have?.... Mark ......?
Greenhorn

[zakjak221]

Allan,

Yessir your correct,a deer in the freezer is a beautiful thing.
We butchered him with another deer on Sunday and my buddy's doe tonight.
We have another four days--Dec. 1,2,3,4 for out firearms split season.
Then a ML season,and finally a late season hunt in January which is usually brutal cold and not much movin.
How'd you do?

Mark

[ET]

Zakjak221

Congrats to your son on a nice buck.

Now it’s Dad’s turn and wish you good hunting.


Ed

[zakjak221]

Thanks Ed.
So far I haven't seen a deer.

Mark

[Deleted]

Zakjak,
Our opener was on thanksgiving, I was out of town visiting inlaws, I am back home now and its 72 degrees and wind around 20 knots, "fishing weather". My rut season is in february so showgirl and me are just going to have to get aquainted at the range until then. I got a couple of does with my bow, which is pretty good on public land around here, so my season has been good so far, good luck in dec. maybe you and your boy will get a chance at a Bigun.
Gh