The American Beagler Forum

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Wasn't even going to go hunting this year and decided to go out 2:00 on the first afternoon of the Pa season. Just grabbed a shotgun and a handful of slugs to walk the fence rows. This boy jumped up behind me and ran through a cut cornfield as I slung lead in proceeded to miss several times. When he got to the edge of the field about 75 yards away he stopped and stood in a dip, all I could see was the edge of his back and RACK. I shot twice more and missed again . You could hear the slugs smacking the trees on the far side of him!! I stepped through the fence row and amazingly he stood there, I assumed I hit him because he didn't leave the country. He turned and looked my direction as I fired my 6th shot and down he went. It was about a 60 yard shot with my 1300 turkey gun, just the front bead to aim with. The shot caught him just under his right eye and exited between his left eye and ear. I don't know if he was rut crazed(he really stunk) or dumb, or maybe he couldn't figure out where the shots were coming from, maybe he heard them hitting the trees on the other side of him? Any way, 22 years and my best buck I ever got or had a chance at I guess I was meant to get this one. Skinned him out and not a mark on him except for the shot to the head, talk about lucky. 8 points, 18 inch inside spread and dressed at 180 pounds. This may just be where I quit. Enjoy the rest of the season everyone!!
Aubrey

Now THAT is the nicest PA buck I have seen this year. Job well done! My whole clan has now gotten theirs and 2 of them are wall hangers (though one is not big, it is my son's first buck at age 12)

Thank you he is a nice one. Nobody around here got much of anything. Only the die hards that I know did any good. And they had to really work to get them. Not that many left in PA if you ask me. The good ole days of deer hunting were about 7-10 years ago. Glad to hear some of yours did good. Nothing beats a young ones first buck!!
Aubrey

What up buddy. That is a real nice one. Its nice getting one like that. It rained so hard the first day Nobody did that well. Mayby that was moher natures way of deer managment. The rules let us slotter them so bad anymore, mother nature stepped in and mayby gave them a break this year. Cant wait to hook up agian and run the dogs.

Very, Very nice buck. Hate to say it, but to shoot a big buck in PA with a rifle or shotgun is going to be based almost entirely on luck at this point. Like someone already posted the days of "good deer hunting" in PA are long gone I'm afraid. There just too much unhuntable ground at this point, either from being posted or being in safety zones.

nice buck. i got an 8 pt tuesday and a doe wensday. cris

Thanks Weave! Thanks Cris! Total luck no doubt but I'll take it. Cris glad to hear you had success. This late in the game it is a real accomplishment to kill a buck in the second week of the PA season. I still say the good days are gone. Just a few more days and the REAL fun with the dogs s
tarts back up! Take it easy guys.
Aubrey

My statement about luck was basically in general, whether it be the first day or any other time in rifle season. However, you are right, it's even tougher the second week, cause most of the bucks that are on accessable land have had lead thrown at them. Seems like most of the deer are completely nocturnal anymore.

Huntinfool, around here in 1A you just don't see the deer like you used to. We slaughtered them for too long. I am just as guilty as the next guy. For years me and everyone I know would fill every tag we could, now the entire state is paying the price for it. You have to work to get a good one or anyone these days. I went out half jokingly to try something different, look where no one else thought to, the fencerows, and I did get lucky. But with the antler restrictions aren't we hurting ourselves by shooting the big ones, what are we leaving to do the breeding? But as strongly opposed to Pa's program as I am, I would never let one like this walk!!! My father lives in Bloomsburg, Pa and out there its the same, very few deer.
Aubrey

Nice buck, I wish VA would adpot antler restrictions