2019 Nebraska Deer

[Cofisher]

Well, the stand is up. Back breaking work. We set Matt's collapsing blind on top. Tomorrow brings the hunt. As af now, he will have to drag me out of the pasture. I'm pooped. Not the smartest way to begin.

[JEBar]

that is a very solid looking stand

[Mags]

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Restup and get a good night's sleep!

Well, the stand is up. Back breaking work. We set Matt's collapsing blind on top. Tomorrow brings the hunt. As af now, he will have to drag me out of the pasture. I'm pooped. Not the smartest way to begin.

[Cofisher]

Jim, it is. He acquired a damaged commercial blind. We salvaged the tower and built a 6x6 platform. Very steady, and danged heavy. We set it next to his favorite tree stand tree. A lot of deer taken here.

[BigAl52]

After all that work I hope meat goes in the freezer.

[Cofisher]

No camera when I got my deer. Oh well. I took a large doe. She had been keeping out of range all week. Matt was pushing me to take a 100 yard shot. I've not gotten comfortable with that yet.

So, Sunday am, last day of season, she wandered right into my lane. Maybe 60 yards. I put a round behind her shoulder. Big jump! And away. She jumped a fence, headed back our way. I was ready for second shot, Matt took it with his 243.

She went another 30 yards and lay down.

It appears my slug turned right after hitting a rib. I pulled it out of a hind quarter. Amazing. My sons follow up shot, lungs, sealed the deal. I love when a plan comes together.

At any rate, a good morning. And the work continues. I am butchering now. I am new enough to this that I want to do it all myself.

The AE soft point did its job. I will be looking into the deflection issue.

[JEBar]

congratulations indeed .... you've built a shared memory with your son that be talked about for decades to come

[Mags]

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Congrats!

... I got my deer. ...

[Redthies]

I took a large doe. Matt was pushing me to take a 100 yard shot. I've not gotten comfortable with that yet.

The AE soft point did its job. I will be looking into the deflection issue.

Congrats on your success!

I had a WT doe standing broadside at 45 yards and had my .357 BBSC in hand. She had a young one with her (3/4 size so mostly grown), so I let her pass. Would have been the easiest deer of my life I’m sure, but I’m not that desperate for meat. I would have felt bad orphaning the younger one. There are a LOT of wolves in BC now, and it’s a serious fight for any deer let alone a young one on its own to survive.

The AE softpoint you used was a 158 grain? My .357 loves those rounds. It is by far the most accurate with them. Do you think a 180 grain hardcast would have gone through the rib? I have some of the HSM bear loads in that configuration. I figured the 158s would be plenty for whitetail, but it sounds like your deer might have been able to run off and possibly not died from the first shot?

I’m comfortable with my Big Boy out to about 75 yards. I’m running the Skinner Express and Patridge combo. I don’t think I’d go past that 75 yard distance with it other than trying to hit targets at 100. I wouldn’t try to take an animal at 100. Tell Matt that “father knows best”!

[Cofisher]

I thought the 158 grain round was supposed to be able to take a rib bone. I was baffled at finding it deflected so dramatically. We've all heard stories about weird bullet paths, but dang!
And, a near perfect expansion!

I've given no thought to the 180 grain. I will be studying the possibilities.

Last year I got a little into the shoulder using the same round. No problem. I am going to switch to the hand loads using Nosler bullets. Also a 158 grain.

[Redthies]

Thanks for the insight. I may go on a quick trip for the last two days of WT season, and will take the .357 and 7-08. I’d rather carry the .357 though. I’ve heard people here and elsewhere say the hardcast May “over penetrate”, but that might have been good in your case?

[Cofisher]

Doing a new thing. Just put heart from last deer on the smoker. Brined with spices a couple days. Just starting, but it looks good. Pretty tender out of the brine. I am a newbie at this. Hoping for a treat. Will probably put it into crock pot to assure doneness.

[JEBar]

interesting ..... I don't prepare any organs for consumption, looking forward to seeing how it goes

[Cofisher]

As I said, new thing. I have always appreciated the liver, heart and stuff from birds. Excited to try this. Mom cooked beef liver for us as kids. It was ok. After shooting birds, I learned that 'parts' were good too. I'll let you know. Smoking seems to be a good way to improve any meat. Kinda like deep fat frying. Lol.

[JEBar]

what wood are you using

[Cofisher]

Hickory. Old standard. Will expiment later.

[JEBar]

we've tried several different woods and always come back to Hickory

[Cofisher]

Well, the meat was very much like liver in texture. Good flavor and easy to eat. Using it with gravy and taters. Good eating.

[Cofisher]

I am looking for help on the deflection issue. A federal AE 158 grain soft point did not do the job. Do any of you have experience with this? It mushroomed properly, but deflected way off the poi.

I am wanting to know if that is an inadequate weight for the bullet. I have taken whitetail before. But, this was an anomaly. Fluke? Or a sign of things to come.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

[BigAl52]

Cofisher
Did you weight the mushroomed bullet?