Got my first deer today!

[rondog]

Got my first deer today, a nice mule doe! Big one too. I have a friend (member here) with a property that gets depredation permits for does to help thin out the deer in his area, they're thick as flies. He gave me a permit, and called me this morning to let me know there were herds in the area. They just take them in the pasture behind his house.

Used my .44 magnum Winchester 94AE Trapper, fitted with my dad's old 4x Bushnell Banner, a 210gr. Winchester Silvertip bullet on 27gr. of W296. I fired and thought I'd missed, but Bernie said I made a good hit and she was down before I could even seen one acting hit. Offhand shot, freestanding with no support, at about 50-60 yards. WOOHOO! Now I can say I've done it! Thank you Bernie!



In here....



And out here....



Right through both lungs....



Bernie's son Justin, and the buck he took a month ago in the same pasture behind their house. Very impressive....

[spqrzilla]

A fine shot.

[mountainjenny]

Congrats! Looks like good eats.

[mcjhr]

Congrats! I remember my first (was a boar). Looks like you got meat to last all winter.

[rbeau30]

Congrats on making meat!

It's nice to have good friends.

[Irving]

That's a GREAT picture of the lung shot!

[Hummer]

Congratulations on your first deer! I hope it's the start of a continuing interest for you. Time to start looking for places to hunt elk.

Looks like you're well on your way to butchering it yourself. A few hours work could net about 15 lbs. of steaks and 20 lbs. of meat to grind for burger and sausage.

When I got my first deer I was struck by the wealth of having an abundance of meat in the freezer. It's fun to pull out and fix a steak any time you want it.

Great pictures, too, Rondog!

[gnihcraes]

Good job! Looks great!

[Colorado Osprey]

Awesome day for it! Imagine it could have been minus 25 and blowing 40mph!

[Zach O]

Congrats!!!!